JACKASS FOREVER (Cert 18, 96 mins, Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment, Comedy, available to rent from May 2 on Amazon/BT TV Store/iTunes/Sky Store/TalkTalk TV Store and other download and streaming services, also available from May 2 on DVD £19.99/Blu-ray £24.99)
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Preston Lacy, Chris Pontius, Jason 'Wee Man' Acuna, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, Jasper Dolphin, Darkshark, Eric Manaka, Zach Holmes, Sean 'Poopies' McInerney, Rachel Wolfson.
TWENTY years on from the original ego-bruising, bone-crushing hurrah of Johnny Knoxville and the gang, the fourth madcap compilation of gross-out pratfalls and japes "performed by professionals" is prefaced by an obligatory legal disclaimer to not replicate any of the lunacy you see on screen.
Imitation of stunts and pranks would be the sincerest form of stupidity.
Like previous instalments, Jackass Forever is more hit than miss, with moments of howling hilarity (an opening ode to Godzilla is glorious) offset by elaborate skits that fall flat – the emphasis is on eye-watering pain for gung-ho participants.
Knoxville reprises his impish alter ego – disgraceful octogenarian Irving Zisman – for an ill-fated furniture shopping expedition with hidden cameras that promises more delight than it ultimately delivers.
Tellingly, by the end of the film, directed by series regular Jeff Tremaine, the 50-year-old lead star's hair goes from brunette to silver.
He's also seriously injured reprising a close encounter with a charging bull, incurring a broken wrist, broken rib and a weekend stay in hospital with concussion.
Original cast members Steve-O, Preston Lacy, Chris Pontius, Jason 'Wee Man' Acuna, Dave England and Ehren McGhehey gamely revisit updated challenges like the bungee wedgie and a puerile attempt to ignite freshly expelled methane underwater.
Filming in a time of Covid sparks unexpected jeopardy.
Cameraman Lance Bangs and his strong gag reflex have made recurring cameos and when he begins to retch during a seemingly innocuous stunt, his body's natural response leaves him with more than egg over his securely masked face.
Rating: 3/5
THE DRY (8 episodes, streaming from May 5 exclusively on BritBox, Comedy/Drama)
FRESH from the Oscar-winning Belfast, Ciarán Hinds stars in a comedy drama written by Bafta-nominated Irish playwright Nancy Harris under the direction of Paddy Breathnach.
The Dry centres on recovering alcoholic Shiv Sheridan (Roisin Gallagher), who loses her job in London and returns home to Dublin, full of high hopes and good intentions.
She must deal with her dysfunctional family, who are in denial about their issues, while maintaining her sobriety.
Pom Boyd, who popped up in last year's offbeat comedy Frank Of Ireland, also stars alongside Siobhan Cullen and Moe Dunford.
