Watch: Kate Nash Documentary 'Underestimate The Girl' On BBC iPlayer For Free

Words: Saam Das

Somewhat unexpectedly, a Kate Nash documentary recently dropped on BBC iPlayer. Kate Nash: Underestimate The Girl joins the likes of must-see Oscar-nominated doc 'Minding The Gap' as part of 2019's BBC Storyville brand. A chronicle of Kate Nash, and not just Kate Nash: The Popstar, or Kate Nash: The Rockstar, as she prefers. Or perhaps even now, having starred in Netflix's excellent 'GLOW' series, Kate Nash: The Actress.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Rings Of Akhaten [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 8: 'The Rings Of Akhaten' (UK Airdate: 6 April '13) // Words: Saam Das

'Doctor Who' returned with the relatively strong 'The Bells Of Saint John' last time out but my faith in the current series has reached its lowest point with the immensely disappointing latest episode, 'The Rings Of Akhaten'. Although it actually started off quite promisingly. Spoilers for 'The Rings Of Akhaten' below.

TV Review: Jonathan Creek - The Clue Of The Savant's Thumb [BBC iPlayer]

'Jonathan Creek' Special: 'The Clue Of The Savant's Thumb' (UK Airdate: 1 April '13) // Words: Saam Das

It's almost ten years since 'Jonathan Creek' ceased as a regular British telly staple but the sleuth's subsequent returns have always felt welcome, albeit perhaps a tad forgettable. 'The Clue Of The Savant's Thumb' is another welcome addition to the canon, and likely to be a more memorable one at that. Arguably not for the best of reasons. Spoiler-free review below.

Watch: Michael Jackson - BAD 25 [BBC iPlayer]

'Michael Jackson: BAD 25' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Oscar-nominated director Spike Lee's documentary assessment and celebration of Michael Jackson's 1987 blockbuster album 'Bad', the follow-up to 'Thriller'." (bbc.co.uk)

How do you follow up one of the greatest and most successful albums of all time? Few could manage to come anywhere close. But Michael Jackson (and his producer Quincy Jones) followed 'Thriller' with 'Bad' - an immensely acclaimed and successful album in its own right. Prominent filmmaker Spike Lee explores the making of the album.

Watch: Crossfire Hurricane (2012) [BBC iPlayer]

'Crossfire Hurricane' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Rockumentary telling what it was like to be part of the Rolling Stones as they overcame denunciation, drugs and dissensions to become the definitive rock survivors." (bbc.co.uk)

The Rolling Stones formed in 1962. Fifty years ago. Incredibly, they're still going strong. Or at least still going. Tonight, they play the O2 Arena in London, the first of four end-of-year concerts. Brett Morgen's documentary 'Crossfire Hurricane' paints a broad portrait of the band's career, albeit rather abruptly coming to an end.

Watch: Sound It Out [BBC iPlayer]

'Sound It Out' (2011) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Documentary following daily life in one of the last record shops still trading, a place in Teesside that is thriving against the odds, ensured of survival by the local community." (bbc.co.uk)

Independent record stores are dropping left, right and centre. For various reasons. But many stores still exist. And some are even managing Local filmmaker Jeanie Finlay explores the daily goings on at Teesside's last vinyl-led record store Sound It Out, taking in a performance from Saint Saviour and Record Store Day.

BBC iPlayer: Down Terrace (2009)

'Down Terrace' (UK Release: 2009) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Drama. Two men just released from prison are determined to work out who turned them in to the police. To add to their problems, the 'family business' is in trouble." (bbc.co.uk)

The forthcoming 'Sightseers' is rising British director Ben Wheatley's third feature film, following last year's disturbing and soon-to-be cult classic, 'Kill List'. Watch the trailer below for his debut feature, gangster drama 'Down Terrace', and follow the link to be able to watch the film for a limited time for free on BBC iPlayer.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Angels Take Manhattan [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 5: 'The Angels Take Manhattan' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "The Doctor's heart-breaking farewell to Amy and Rory - a race against time through the streets of Manhattan, as New York's statues come to life around them..." (bbc.co.uk)

We bid farewell to Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill). The writing's been on the wall for some time. Or in this case, on the page. Sadly, it was something of a tepid exit for the couple, who have been very much the driving force of this series - which itself has been lukewarm at best.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Power Of Three [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 4: 'The Power Of Three' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "The Doctor and the Ponds puzzle over an unlikely invasion of Earth, as millions of sinister black cubes arrive overnight..." (bbc.co.uk)

I'm not entirely sure what showrunner Steven Moffat or returning episode writer Chris Chibnall were thinking when using the "power of three" in 'Doctor Who' - a phrase etched in recent TV history as the foundation of US supernatural drama 'Charmed'. But much like that show, this episode was very much about family - as the Doctor and the Ponds time winds down together.

TV Review: Doctor Who - A Town Called Mercy [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 3: 'A Town Called Mercy' (2012) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. The Doctor gets a Stetson (and a gun!), and finds himself the reluctant sheriff of a Western town under siege by a relentless cyborg." (bbc.co.uk)

Leaving behind last week’s charming reptilian relics and continuing Steven Moffat’s ‘movie marquee’ theme, ‘A Town Called Mercy’, penned by ‘Being Human’ creator Toby Whithouse, transports the Doctor to the Wild West – and throws up plenty of juicy moral dilemmas along the way.

TV Review: Doctor Who - Dinosaurs On A Spaceship [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 2: 'Dinosaurs On A Spaceship' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sci-fi drama. An unmanned spaceship hurtles towards certain destruction. Only the Doctor can save it, along with its impossible cargo... of dinosaurs!" (bbc.co.uk)

Dinosaurs. On. A. Spaceship. For some, a proposal that might induce glee. I come from a more cynical viewpoint. Remember the 'Snakes On A Plane' film? For your sake, I hope not. Nonetheless, 'Dinosaurs On A Spaceship' carried on the solid opening episode, 'The Asylum Of The Daleks' - without ever threatening greatness.

TV Review: Doctor Who - The Asylum Of The Daleks [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series 7, Episode 1: 'The Asylum Of The Daleks' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Kidnapped by his oldest foe, the Doctor is forced on an impossible mission - to a place even the Daleks are too terrified to enter..." (bbc.co.uk)

The Doctor (Matt Smith) returns as series seven of the new incarnation of 'Doctor Who' kicks off, following a good 9 or so months away from our screens. The Doctor, Rory (Arthur Darvill) and Amy (Karen Gillan) once again team up - taking on a group of particularly unhinged Daleks.

BBC iPlayer: Precious (2009)

Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Drama. In Harlem, an illiterate teenager, pregnant for the second time, is invited to enrol in an alternative school in the hope that it will change her life for the better." (bbc.co.uk)

Watch: 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony [BBC iPlayer]

Words: Saam Das

The 30th modern Olympic Games came to a close last night and London has been suffering a rather dampened post-Olympic mood. It was a really fantastic couple of weeks, with any sceptics steamrollered from the very beginning, with Danny Boyle's fantastic opening ceremony. Could the music-centric closing ceremony reach similar heights?

Watch: Olympic Games Opening Ceremony 2012 [BBC iPlayer]

Words: Saam Das

Last Friday saw the opening ceremony of the thirtieth modern Olympic Games, aka London 2012. Directed by Danny Boyle, the extravaganza saw James Bond interact with the Queen(!) and Paul McCartney see us out for the evening. This is your last chance to see the acclaimed ceremony in full for free via BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer: Under African Skies (2012)

'Under African Skies' (2012) // Words: Saam Das

One of the finest documentary films I have ever seen, it is an incredible coup that the BBC have had the opportunity to share the brilliant Paul Simon documentary 'Under African Skies' with the British public. Hopefully you will be wise enough to take advantage of the opportunity.

TV Review: Grandma's House Series 2, Episode 6 [BBC iPlayer]

'Grandma's House' Series 2, Episode 6: 'The Day Simon And His Family Opened The Door To Acceptance' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sitcom. It's Tanya and Clive's wedding day again, but Simon has other concerns as he gets a lesson in tough love." (bbc.co.uk)

Is it really all over? Simon Amstell, co-writer, co-creator and centrepiece of 'Grandma's House', has suggested that the finale of this second series could well be the last of the dysfunctional yet excellent sitcom. I honestly can hear Linda Bassett (who plays the titular Grandma) saying "ooh, what a shame". Especially considering the utterly bleak ending.

TV Review: Grandma's House Series 2, Episode 5 [BBC iPlayer]

'Grandma's House' Series 2, Episode 5: 'The Day Simon Found Himself Back On The Path To Fulfilment And Joy' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sitcom. Simon makes his TV comeback, but a comment he makes about a singer's tumour is picked up by a newspaper." (bbc.co.uk)

'Grandma's House' has always had a certain self-referential/meta slant but this episode really takes one of co-writer Simon Amstell's real-life issues head on. His "off colour joke" about Russell Watson's brain tumour at the end of a BBC news interview becomes the centre-piece of an episode that sees Simon's career yo-yo-ing up and down in the course of just a matter of hours. With Tanya's (Rebecca Front) love life doing much the same.

TV Review: Grandma's House Series 2, Episode 4 [BBC iPlayer]

'Grandma's House' Series 2, Episode 4: 'The Day Simon Was Really Determined To Heal His Grandma's Pain' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sitcom. Simon gets Grandma to see a therapist about her unresolved grief - and the ensuing kleptomania." (bbc.co.uk)

I was somewhat morose, and perhaps even distraught, at the plummeting scale of quality witnessed between episodes two and three of what was otherwise becoming my favourite thing on British television. Thankfully, 'Grandma's House' has just about managed to recover its composure.

TV Review: Grandma's House Series 2, Episode 3 [BBC iPlayer]

'Grandma's House' Series 2, Episode 3: 'The Day Simon Attempted To Express Actual Feelings Just Like A Person' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Sitcom. Having landed a role in The Tempest, Simon focuses on trying to cry. Clive wakes up in Grandma's loft." (bbc.co.uk)

Beginning with Simon's (Simon Amstell) mediocre attempts at crying, I was a little tentative about 'The Day Simon Attempted To Express Actual Feelings Just Like A Person'. We'd spent pretty much the whole of the last series playing on the running joke on Simon's arguably dubious acting skills, before this series seemed to have stamped that out. Perhaps not. In the end, that should have proved the least of my concerns.