Best Of 2013

Having been listening to the GiantBombcast this week and last, I have been reminded that I haven't done a 'Best of' for 2013 yet. Basically, I haven't created my lists for Best Videogames or Best Films of the year.

I don't do Best Albums/Singles because, quite frankly I don't really actively follow musicians or musical acts anymore. I'll track down a track I've heard on TV or on the radio, or I'll check out albums from artists I used to like, but beyond that, I don't have a vested interest in music to that extent so there won't be a Best Of for that medium.

I'll be reminding myself of the Films and Games that actually came out in 2013 because it's so easy to forgot those that were released in the obscure early months of the year (particularly for films, as January is the Oscar nominees month...), and within the next day or two, I hope to compile my final lists. I don't think I've actually played ten games this year, as was the case last year, but I'll give it a go!

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

A film of two halves, in some ways. Not in terms of structure, but in terms of what's actually funny.

The dialogue, at times, is really funny. Alan's asides are perhaps the best thing in the TV series, and again, they're really good here. But it feels like everything else is poor. For what it's worth, I can't stand Colm Meaney, but I think his character is just badly written. I know he's central to the plot (obviously) but I think he's actually useless in a comedic sense.

There's another aspect of Partridge that generally hinders the material for me, and this extends across the whole franchise. It always feels like it's produced in a vacuum, something which obviously reflects Alan's own archaic lifestyle and personality, but for some reason it just feels very one-dimensional and isolated. 

All in all, it's a way to pass the time, and if you're a fan of Alan (which I am, a lot) then it's certainly worth watching. I preferred The Trip for what it actually achieves, in terms of post-I'm Alan Partridge work, but the film is okay.

6.5/10

No idea what's happening with the colouring on this one, but it seems to be a one-off!