Blue Juice (1995)

Dramedy is often a synonym for crap, but occasionally something rises to the surface and exceeds expectations. Blue Juice is a film like that. It's about surfers but isn't set in California, it's set in Cornwall, the sticky-out bit at the SW of England. In place of sandy beaches are reefs, sharp and deadly. J.C and his friends spend their time semi-successfully dodging encroaching winds of change and responsibility while waiting for the waves. It has none of the resplendence of a Hollywood surf movie, but it has something much, much better - it has laughs and real heart.

3½ life-changing decisions out of 5

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Guy Ritchie's first feature is a typical heist film set in the British crime underworld. Crime is a mug's game, and there are mugs aplenty in Lock, Stock.
His ace in the hole was never allowing it to take itself too seriously. The thieves aren't the sharpest tools in the box, and when they try to be clever everything turns into a veritable shit-storm.
You may need to brush up on your cockney lingo because the dialogue is as sharp as the Aylesbury Duck. It’s all a bit Brian Clough around the edges but is chock full of style. Good stuff.

3½ dirty fingers in dirty pies out of 5