EDDIE THE EAGLE [2016]

For some odd reason director Dexter Fletcher & co. find it necessary to exaggerate an already unbelievable true story with Eddie the Eagle.
Inspired by British ski-jumper Eddie Edwards, the film follows his rise to fame as the most lovable personality to emerge from the 1988 Winter Olympics.
If they went so much to change the story, why couldn't they have avoided the endless amounts of underdog '80's sports movie clichés?  Maybe that's the point, if it is trying to emulate the films of it's time.  Thankfully Taron Egerton turns in a irresistible performance as the title subject, while Hugh Jackman is a ruggedly charming as ever as a drunken curmudgeon made up only for the film.  It's sweet enough to not leave a bitter aftertaste but leaves much to be desired.

3 dreams come true out of 5

DAVID BRENT: LIFE ON THE ROAD [2016]

Pip-pip funnyman Ricky Gervais returns to his David Brent character, made popular by the 2001 BBC series The Office, in Life on the Road.
Continuing the mockumentary storytelling of the TV series fifteen years later, here we follow prodigal deadbest Brent, who now fancies himself a rock star, touring the city in his big ol' tour bus and from hotel room to hotel room.  I repeat: "touring" the city.
Brent is just as cluelessly offensive and grotesque as he's ever been, which still makes for some hilarious scenes that are so awkward it's difficult to watch even as a viewer.  Gervais still manages to find sentimentality in the most offensive of areas but that's what he's best at and often reminds us how clueless we carry our own selves.  It's a forgettable Sunday afternoon time-killer at worst and a quiet but welcome return to the Brent character at best.

3 forgone conclusions out of 5