Truly Dreadful Film

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

This show makes the pain at the gas pumps, fun.A real delightful look at North American small-town life, with a quirky cast of characters.We love shows that don't take themselves too seriously, and this one certainly fills the bill.Makes you want to hop in your car and head for Saskatchewan.It is too bad that this show didn't have a longer run, we looked forward to it every week.It is nice to see some of the cast members in other shows on CBC, but it only serves to remind you of what they had going in Dog River.

You may or may not have mixed feelings about Canada's contribution to the film and TV arts. (Short history: Government receives Position Paper in the 70s saying that tax breaks could create a whole new industry; government grants tax breaks; for 30 years new industry is dominated by lawyers and accountants with no prior experience in production, and the product shows it; meanwhile 100s of Canadian actors and extras take speech lessons to learn to lose that tell-tale Canadian accent; US producers looking to increase margins discover Canada in the 90s -- like oatmeal, it is cheap and filling; by about 2010 Canadian product almost indistinguishable from US product unless you have a very sharp eye and ear). History lesson over, here is the big reveal. Not only the best comedy ever produced in Canada, one of the best comedy shows ever produced, period. The characters are all huggable, yes, but it is the writing, the writing, the writing. Here is a quick test. Pick an episode of Corner Gas at random and play it sound only, no video. It will work anyway. The writing harks back to the days of radio, it is very clever, and it carries the show. Not to say that all those behind the camera were candidates for a Nobel Prize. Many alumni from this show tried hard to make lightening strike twice ... and it wouldn't.

Corner Gas is absolutely the best and funniest sitcom since Newhart.Definitely one of the two or three best of all time, including Canadian and American sitcoms, AND Britcoms.With luck, it'll go over well in the U.S., Brent & Company will make so much money that they couldn't even consider canning the show, and I'll be able to watch it for many years to come. (And NO - I'm NOT affiliated in any way with the show - I'm just a hedonist who LOVES good comedy.)Now, my opinion MAY be slightly slanted by the fact that I grew up in a small town in Alberta which was very similar to Rouleau - er Dog River, right down to the "Memorial Arena". However, my wife, an American who, by the way, intensely dislikes Seinfeld, grew up in San Jose, CA. and lived 20 years in southwest Missouri, thinks Corner Gas is an absolute HOOT!!!So, I think it has a better than even chance south of the 49th.

Corner Gas is Intelligent, witty, down to earth & silly. It has more plots per episode, and no transparent social agenda. Has it really been since Cheers? The show is not as sophisticated and consistently polished as most Hollywood work, partly because it's packed so tight with content, and because it takes risks. And did I say it's down to earth? Corner Gas is the first show in a long time that both my wife and I look forward to watching. Having recently found the greatly improved picture quality of off the air digital TV channels, I was ready to dump my cable subscription until I stumbled upon Corner Gas on WGN. I guess Comcast will get their money for a few more months.