miss_niss Reviews

Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)

Great adaptation of the book

[9/10 · 3 September 2010]

This is a great Australian movie, and not just because it's a faithful adaptation of a well-loved book. The action feels realistic and doesn't take over the whole movie, and there are some real edge of your seat moments. For a movie about the beginning of a war, the violence is actually minimal, but it's appropriately shocking and disturbing when it does occur. It's exciting and well-paced: you're not waiting for it to end, or waiting for something to happen.

Most surprisingly, for a cast of largely unknown young actors (Australian soapies don't count), the acting is pretty good and you really feel yourself being pulled along with these kids. There are a few cringe-worthy moments, but generally they sit well in their characters and give genuine and quite touching performances. Robyn (Ashleigh Cummings) was especially good, playing the moral and religious character without making her seem uptight or old-fashioned.

I'm glad that John Marsden turned down so many offers (over a 100) to turn this story into a movie, it's a real testament to his credibility that he wanted it done properly, he wasn't just out to make money. It's the little touches that I liked. When Ellie looks at an cartoon mural in town showing English soldiers confronting Aboriginal people at First Contact, there's a subtle reminder that Australia actually has been invaded by strangers before.

Top Gear Australia (2008–2012)

Proof that the popularity of Top Gear lies in its presenters

[4/10 · 17 November 2008]

The basic concept of Top Gear is to talk about cars in an entertaining way that attracts even those who know nothing about cars. The hosts are the ones who make the often rather boring car stuff funny and interesting, and it is for this reason that the Australian version fails. Charlie, Steve and Warren are pale imitations of their British counterparts.The ideas are OK, testing utes in a mine for example was a good use of the Australian setting. But the problem is that the presenters just aren't funny. Their jokes feel forced and consistently fall flat. Warren is like that old moustached uncle whose history lessons and bad jokes you try to avoid at Christmas. Charlie tries to be the elitist arrogant version of Jeremy Clarkson but lacks the same biting wit. Steve at least seems to have expertise as a driver and as the youngest, is the most appealing. But he's not that funny either.

The British version succeeds because the banter between the hosts feels natural and the situations (although often set up or scripted) are believable. This is not the case in the Australian version. Take for example tonight's episode where Warren "randomly" stops mid-trip to look in an antique shop. Comically, the other hosts drive off. It didn't look spontaneous, it looked contrived.

Fans of the original will be disappointed.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Same old same old

[6/10 · 16 November 2008]

Just like the first movie, Prince Caspian is like a poor man's LOTR. I don't want to make sweeping comparisons just because they are fantasy films, but anyone who has seen the LOTR series cannot fail to see the blatant similarities. Trees save the day, a river rises up magically to sweep away the enemy? These things may very well have happened in the book but it just felt like we'd seen it all before. I don't think the Narnia movies do anything particularly new or inventive in the genre, apart from adding Chrisitian overtones (which seemed even more obvious in Prince Caspian).

The battle scenes lack any tension (partly because the Telmarines aren't as good an enemy as the white witch) and the main characters are once again mostly irritating. Peter might look the part but the way he talks makes him sound effeminate. At least the actors playing Lucy and Edmund have improved. Susan.....the love story seemed frustrating and felt a bit half-hearted, like the writers wanted to explore it further but were obviously constrained by Lewis' story.

The Golden Compass deserved a sequel, Chronicles of Narnia did not. I hope this is the last of them.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Too slow to get going, skip it and watch the third movie!

[5/10 · 4 December 2005]

I really didn't like this movie. For many people, this is their least favourite book in the Harry Potter series, but I don't think that's why the movie is so painful. It is unfortunate in having a a really poor director.

Dobby is the CGI Potter equivalent of Jar Jar Binks, I thought he was terrible. It's ironic that I imagined Dobby very much as a gremlin type of creature in my head, and Chris Columbus was actually a writer for Gremlins! If he'd made Dobby into a Gremlin, I think I would have liked him much more.

As a small but annoying detail, someone should tell Rupert Grint that acting consists of more than a breaking voice and raised eyebrows. That boy's range consists of confused and scared, which coincidentally involves the same movements of his furrowed brow.

Now there are obvious, practical reasons why screenplays differ from novels, you are working with a much smaller time-frame, some scenes are difficult to translate to a visual medium, sometimes a scene will have to be changed or represented differently to create the same tension or dramatic effect. It's understandable.

What's not understandable is the writing and directorial decisions for most of Chamber of Secrets. Many of the scenes are ponderous and slow, the dialogue is forced and perfunctory, there is no sense of tension or building mood. I'm so glad Chris Columbus was replaced as director, he just doesn't seem to be able to get any sparks out of the story or his cast. It might look good but it's just so slow paced, I just can't get over it! There are too many times when Rowling's original dialogue is ignored and the scenes changed for no apparent reason at all. When real lines are included, they are taken out of context or not used properly at all. It makes me wonder if the actors read the book at all. Mrs Weasly is just a caricature, when she tells Mr Weasly that Fred, George and Ron rescued Harry, her acting makes me cringe, its such a pantomime performance when she is supposed to be really mad!

But perhaps the best example of how the movie completely fails to represent any spirit or essence of the novel is when Malfoy is revealed as the new Seeker for Slytherin and insults Hermione. He calls her a mud-blood, one of the worst and most insulting names for a muggle-born, and yet in the movie it barely gets a reaction. There's no outcry from anyone but Ron, who after a good two seconds of awkward silence says, "You'll pay for that one Malfoy, east slugs!" (almost lazily and with very little rage or indignation!). The idea of 'bood purity' is the central concern of the novel, but it's just not explored well at all in the movie. There' barely any passion in the performances, and it makes for a painfully boring and watered down version of the novel.

This is the worst Harry Potter movie out of the four so far made. That said, it does have some redeeming features. I cannot fault the final dramatic sequence within the Chamber of Secrets itself, it's a place not graphically described by Rowling but one which comes to life in the movie, the pipes, the caves and the dramatic entrance door for example. It was sufficiently scary, Harry being chased through the pipes was one of the few really tense scenes of the movie! I thought the diary sequence was done very well, the boy playing Tom Riddle, Christian Coulson was fantastic, brimming with power, arrogance and complexity, easily the best performance of the lot.

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

Carrey is such a classic

[7/10 · 16 June 2005]

OK I know this movie is a bit silly to say the least, and pretty gross in parts, but you gotta hand it to Jim Carrey there's few who could do it as good. Ace Ventura is such a knob but Carrey makes you love him.

The scene of the rhino 'giving birth' has to be one of the funniest if not most disgusting scenes from any of Jim Carrey's films. And he does it so well! Coming out like a new born calf, naked frightened and slimy. Gross but oddly compelling.

There are so many times I find myself rolling on the floor laughing in Ace Ventura, for example at the 'monopoly guy' ("Do not pass go, do not collect $200!) or the projection room scene in the consulate when he just sits down in front of the projector (I don't know why something so simple could be funny I'm laughing at it even now!) and to when he does shadow puppets to the Consular's nipples!

Its not high brow, its pretty disgusting and the plot is barely important, but Jim Carrey is funny, his expressions, his energy and the complete randomness (the monster truck for example, or him bumping up and down in the jeep when the road is completely smooth) and I find him likable.

If you're not a fan of Jim Carrey and don't enjoy his style of comedy, then what are you even doing looking at this movie! Most people probably hate it, but I still think Jim Carrey is more original and unpredictable than some of the terrible imitations. I'm looking at you Rob Schneider! 'The Animal'?. please.

Lost (2004–2010)

Great show because it's like nothing else on TV

[28 May 2005]

What makes Lost so good? It's not a crime drama, so straight off the bat its radically different from half of what's on TV. Secondly it's not a reality show, its not a competition and it doesn't do makeovers. That alone should make you watch it.

It's unpredictable, it has a diverse range of characters, a mystery and enough sexual tension between the two leads to at least keep it going for another season. The premise has it's limitations, they are on an island and at some point will probably have to get off thus ending the show, and it could fizzle out when the romantic subplots are inevitably realised. But the writers are an inventive bunch, the flashbacks distract us from the fact that it's still the same island with not much going on and if Alias (the other successful show of J.J Abrams) is anything to go by, they'll think of a way to keep the viewers guessing.

I am hooked on Lost. I recently decided to boycott all crime dramas after getting sick of seeing various lawyers, detectives, crime scene investigators, coroners and navy detectives all essentially doing the same thing. With the same two-dimensional characters for that matter. So basically I have nothing to watch. Except Lost. And I hope there are more new shows that are just as inventive and original.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Brilliant, actually on the same par as the originals

[9/10 · 20 May 2005]

What can I say that hasn't already been said by the cult fans? Well I don't have any of the merchandise, I couldn't tell you what planet Hans Solo came from and I didn't bring a light-saber to the movie theater but I would still call myself a fan of these movies. And I wasn't disappointed. The special effects were awesome as usual but I think thats come to be expected from Lucas. The main improvement from Episodes I and II was the characters. Hayden Christensen has improved dramatically since Attack of the Clones, the dark side really works for him, he's no longer a whiny teenager he is a more complex and powerful young man. Quite scary too. Ewan McGregor makes a good Jedi, he's cool calm and collected but he actually provides some of the lighter moments in the film too. And R2D2! He really had some good scenes this time, it's amazing how much personality they can put into a plastic box that beeps. He had me laughing and cheering, just like Yoda. Yoda is so much better in the first three movies, all his fight scenes always get a great reaction from the crowd and you have to love the little green guy. And green is the best light-saber colour. Except maybe for Jedi Windoo's purple.

This last installment focuses more on the emotional development of Aniken which I think makes it much more interesting than the previous two movies. It's not just a movie about special effects or fight scenes (though those are also really good) it's quite psychological, it explores the themes of fear, grief, loss and love. It provides the perfect framework for the original trilogy which I think is important, it was going to be a challenge for Lucas to successfully link them together but I think he's achieved relative continuity. Continuity not just of the plot but of the characters.

I would have given this movie 10 except for one thing, the dialogue between Padme and Aniken was at times cringe-worthy. I just don't think Lucas is very good at writing romance. I don't think the actors felt particularly natural with it either. But this is only a minor detail in an otherwise thrilling movie.

Like I said, I'm not a massive Star Wars fan but I thoroughly enjoy the movies and I think this episode will somewhat reconcile Lucas with fans who had been disillusioned after The Phantom Menace.

Dead Ringers (2002–2007)

Funny, even if you are not from Britain

[1 February 2005]

I live in Australia, and we don't get the BBC so I have never seen Newsnight Review or some of the other British shows Dead Ringers take off. I do however, watch this show religiously, and I still laugh at those parts because they are funny even by themselves. The host of Newsnight review: "You've lost the remote again haven't you?" And it contains so much other material as well.

While all the actors are great I think Jon Culshaw is best. Culshaw's impressions of George Bush and Tony Blair are hilarious. He takes 'bushisms' to a whole new level. And while he may not look exactly like George, he captures what everyone finds funny about him. The stupidity, the immaturity, the inexperience and the ignorance. And the material is new, original and funny, even though so many jokes have been made about Bush.

I love that Dead Ringers takes off David Starkey and Simon Shauma, I mean these guys are historians! Well known ones maybe, but historians nonetheless. I'm not sure if it was Starkey or Schauma that Culshaw pretended to be when looking to renovate his house complete with 'turrets and a moat' under hidden camera with a poor unsuspecting builder. I was on the floor in tears laughing. And the hidden camera stuff with Doctor Who...him going in to a tanning salon and speed dating! Brilliant! The actors obviously know the people they are taking off because how they transform themselves is amazing sometimes. I mean Jan Ravens is the only chick but she can be convincing as any woman! The yachtswoman Ellen scenes are one of my favorites, particularly where she cleans her house. Complete with narration of course.

What makes 'Dead Ringers' stand out from other parody shows and comedians who do impressions, is that it is so much more sophisticated and clever. It actually makes intelligent and witty jokes about current and relevant political issues, the comedy doesn't come from just making a funny voice (which is seen as remarkably clever on Australia's Rove Live) it really shows how well the writers know what they are taking off. It isn't just a stupid sketch show, but it can still deliver a few cheap laughs, like Andrew Marr's giant arms, which I'm told actually look really long on TV.

So give it a chance, even if you have never watched the BBC. You soon get to love the characters and laugh at them anyway, such as Kristy Wark the news reader, "My milkshakes brings all the boys to the yard, you're damn right they're better than yours, I could teach you, but I'd have to charge.... More on that story later..."

The 4400 (2004–2007)

Don't bother. Flashy and shallow.

[15 January 2005]

I have seen the mini series that is the start of this series. And it was the worst mini series I have ever seen. Horrible special effects, terrible acting and a predictable storyline. The boys girlfriend falls in love with his brother. The returned guy has special powers but won't use them to save his cousin, as if it wasn't blindingly obvious that he was meant to.

It pains me to criticize an Australian actor, but Jacqueline Mckenzie is crap in this. Her accent is so fake.

It may have been an interesting premise, but the execution was painful. It was unwatchable. Thats all I have to say. Just don't bother with it. I'm not even going to watch the rest of the series with such a bad start.

For Richer or Poorer (1997)

OK for if your bored and in a really good mood.

[5/10 · 5 January 2005]

For Richer or Poorer is very predictable. There's no denying it. It's not a particularly well thought out movie and it's not very believable. But I was able to stand it, because there was nothing else on television and when Tim Allen isn't making that stupid Ogh Ogh noise from Tool Time he is actually mildly amusing. It was light it was fluffy and there were massive sausages.

I'm ashamed to say I actually laughed at this movie. Kirstie Alley falling on her butt, Tim and Kirstie arguing, I don't know, the big horse. If you are going to watch it, don't have any expectations. And I wouldn't bother paying to see it., but hey if it comes on TV on a Sunday night and it's a choice between CSI reruns and this, I'd watch this.

Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)

Pretty crap except for one or two scenes

[3/10 · 1 January 2005]

This was always going to be fatally flawed, because imitation is never going to be able to capture the crazy guy that Jim Carrey is. Whether or not you are a fan of his, you have to admit he is one of a kind, with such energy and personality. So while these kids do a pretty good job of acting like Harry and Loydd, they just aren't as fresh or funny. Though thats not to say the first movie was all that funny itself.

I would leave this out of the bottom 100, it was not so bad that I wanted to hunt down members of the cast, kidnap them and force them to watch Glitter or any movie with a 'singer come actress' in it, and I was able to laugh at two things. One was the half-sized bus (I have a thing about oddly-sized objects, I don't know I just am amused by that sort of thing, big doors or over-sized glasses) and the other was the scene in which Loydd talks about Harry's mum and being his step dad. It's the only dialogue I thought was funny. "Don't talk back to me like that young man".

Yeah but all in all, I would not recommend seeing this movie, unless you really enjoyed the kind of humor in the first one, or you're really desperate. Or drunk. That helps. It makes everything funny.

Hero (2002)

Beautiful but a little shallow

[8/10 · 29 December 2004]

There is no doubt this is one of the most stunning films of the year, the color and vibrancy makes it wonderful to watch, however as far storyline goes, I was a little disappointed. It wasn't that I found the plot confusing, though at times it was hard tell which was true and which was not, that was just the way it was intended. I didn't feel anything for the nameless hero he was cold and dry, we saw nothing of his background which maybe was intended, but we also saw nothing of why the assassins would want to kill the King of Qin, there was no images of war or terror, in fact he was the most likable character of the lot. I cared nothing for any of the assassins because I just didn't know them. I didn't see any character development. Nevertheless the action was pretty cool, and the acting was excellent, the king of Qin was powerful yet personal, and the two women played really strong performances.

I can see how some people have said this movie was overly sympathetic to the communist cause, particularly towards the end of the movie, but it is just a different perspective to the unification of China which often isn't emphasized. Peace and unity, unfortunately often comes through war. And while there has been endless comparison to Crouching Tiger, I was thinking more of The Emperor and the Assassin, which showed in much more detail one assassins quest to kill the King of Qin. If you have seen it, you will know what I mean when I say that Hero is lacking in depth and detail.

Silversun (2004)

Old concept but I still watch it

[6 October 2004]

When I first saw this show I immediately thought what a rip off it was of the old ABC show "Escape from Jupiter". Set in the future, on a spaceship far from earth and everyone wearing those special suits. And I still think it is.

Nonetheless I find myself running to watch it every day. And enjoying it. It's one of those shows I can enjoy on a very shallow level and I'm ashamed that it keeps hooking me in. But hey it's pretty good for a kid's show, better than that stupid "wicked science" show (Jonathon would have been better off sticking "Pirate Islands" now there was a good show!). Basically this show has everything it needs to be interesting, a far out concept, tolerable special effects, and most importantly, some eye candy, in the form of teenage guys. In this case I like the scientist guy, I think his name is Sheng. Weird names. But anyway I'll probably keep watching, I'm on holidays until exams.

Spellbinder (1995–1997)

I used to be hooked on this show!

[6 October 2004]

This is one of the scariest kids shows ever made. At least for me as a kid. Lost in other dimensions these kids were far from home, and Ashka is one of the best villains ever. She was so scary! I used to have nightmares about her! My memories of the show are dim but I remember being scared to death of her. The special effects were not too bad either, but then this was in the days before computer generated images. It had really good plot twists though, and was open for another series or two. I never saw the telemovie though.

Anyway I wish they would repeat the series on channel nine, or at least give it to the ABC, they're always airing old shows.

The Village (2004)

Shyamalan is good at what he does. No Spoilers.

[5 September 2004]

This movie delivers much of what it promised, shocks, tension and unbelievable plot twists. It could have been scarier. I enjoyed it without thinking too hard about it, and I think I laughed in parts I wasn't supposed to.

The casting was good, Joaquin Phoenix is brooding and shy as Lucius, and I thought it complemented Bryce Dallas Howard's character really well. Plus it helps Phoenix is really hot. As many people have said, sometimes Dallas Howard saw very well for a blind girl, but her sweetness and liveliness made up for that, and she was really the most interesting part of this film. William Hurt was disappointing, though perhaps not as much in retrospect of the ending.

I was happy not to have nightmares after seeing this, but it it could have gone further, I wanted to be cowering constantly in my seat! Gripping my friend's arm till it was bruised! Instead I was snorting with laughter. It was presented well and though the dialogue was painful at times the movie was saved by Ivy and Lucius, and the twists of course.

The Mighty Boosh (2003–2007)

Very strange, but hilarious!

[3 August 2004]

It takes a certain type of person to appreciate this type of comedy, and I'm glad to say I'm one of them! This show is cool, its British, it's laid back and it's trippy, much like Naboo I guess. I only just started watching it at episode six, but as soon as I saw Naboo holding up a picture of two kittens I was hooked. "Look at the cat on the left. His name is Phillip." Classic.

It's a great show, something really different and really funny. Vince and Howard are a great couple, their styles compliment each other well, but I have to say I like Vince the best. He has really cool hair.

I hope this show gets another series. I love it. I just went out and brought a poncho!

Its a hubba bubba nightmare!

Troy (2004)

See it for Achilles

[9/10 · 23 May 2004]

I love historical epics even when they aren't historically correct, because history is narrative anyway. But thats a whole other topic....back to Troy. This movie was played up to be big, and to be honest, it could have been better.

Firstly casting. I think Orlando Bloom was wrong in this part and his character was annoying. Helen of Sparta, supposed to be the most beautiful women ever, was really quite plain. I was expecting breath taking but she was really nothing special. Eric Bana as Hector was uncomfortable in some parts and was clearly outshone by Brad Pitt.

Brad Pitt was perfect in the role and I don't understand all the fuss on the IMDb boards about him being miscast, not only was he visually stunning (I have to mention how extremely buff he is, certainly worked hard to get that warrior body) but made Achilles the definite star, a complex and much less shallow character than he could have been. Dominating and imposing in every scene he featured in, Achilles made this movie.

In the hands of Wolfgang Peterson this movie became simply a Hollywood blockbuster, whereas it could have been a more memorable accomplishment in more skilled hands. The fact is, it was okay, but not as brilliant or moving as other similar movies (eg Braveheart or Gladiator). Too much emphasis was put on special effects, the fighting armies looked like they came straight out of Age of Empires (sidebar: i love that game)and the Greek fleet was ridiculous.

Real armies are possible and god I wish directors would fork out the extra money to have real people in real scenes, I loved Emperor and the Asassin because all those extras were real, it can be done. This movie cost 200 million to make and i think the money could have been better spent, less on famous actors and more on details. Look at Lord of the Rings and what they did with their huge budget. I love attention to detail and the quality of a movie is in the details.

But hey don't get me wrong i loved the movie. Little bits of humour were tasteful and light, the acting was overall pretty good, but what was the best was the love story between Achilles and Briseis. It softened his character and added some honour to his vicious nature, as well as being ten times more interesting and believable than Paris and Helen. Perhaps its because I'm a romantic at heart, but still I'd recommend this movie to anyone who is a history fan, because it wasn't that bad.

Daria (1997–2002)

I wish this show would come back.

[20 April 2004]

When I first saw this show I though it was on of the funniest and most clever cartoons I had ever seen. The first episode had me hooked. The characters are great and the jokes are thick and fast.

Daria is clever and sarcastic, and though seems to be the typical anti-social teenager, proves there is much more to her than that. She doesn't do drugs or rebel for the heck of it, she helps her sister Quinn even though she is a ditz, and she treats people like Brittany with respect and gets along with them even though they treat her badly.

This show is great for quotes (its where i get my sig), Daria's pop culture references make it even more interesting even if I don't always get it.

The same kind of humor as the simpsons but more realistic and in a high school setting. I hope one day they bring it back!

Passions (1999–2008)

This brings new life to soap opera

[15 April 2004]

Ok I absolutely HATED this show when a friend made me watch it. I thought it was the stupidest show i had ever seen! BUT it sucks you in, in the end I was hooked. I can't watch it everyday it is far too slow and frustrating however it is good for a laugh.

In Australia we are about two years behind and I hear it gets even more ridiculous.

Take today's episode. A giant black bird from 'Mordrid' was after Timmy. I was p***ing myself laughing when this guy in a giant black feathered suit was pecking the restroom door open. It's this kind of gimmicky cheap special effects that make me laugh on Passions.

Ivy is my favourite character. Shes such a bitch. She is best when blackmailing Eve. Teresa always has really cool clothes but honestly I would hate to play her because she doesn't stop crying! And she's really ugly when she cries. Luis and Sheridan are the best soap couple ever (Luis is GORGEOUS) however they were better at the start when the hated each other, I hate them lovey dovey.

This show is good for a laugh but takes so long for anything to happen that its hard to stay with it. Nowhere near as classy as the other soaps but defenitely funnier.

Escape from Zahrain (1962)

really only worth it for Madlyn Rhue and Sal Mineo

[15 April 2004]

Plot wise this movie stretches it to keep your attention however the cast is cool. Madalyn Rhue is a natural beauty however she comes off a bit nasty and uptight in the two films I've seen her in, "Escape from Zahrain" and "A Majority of One." Both were on as weekend midday movies so my expectations wernt too great.

Sal Mineo is really hot. He was a spunk for his time. Perfect skin and just enough buff. Unfortunatly the sexual tension between him and madlyns character was never realised. One of the reasons i had kept with this movie, but oh well.

Well half the sets are obviously fake however it isn't that noticeble. They wern't so bad to a cynic like me who now demands location shots or at least computer animation.

Not bad for the time, a tad over dramatic at times but watch it for Sal Mineo!

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

People will interpret this differently

[14 March 2004]

First and foremost, I think different people will find different meanings in this film. A devout Christian will see it as the beautiful portrayal of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. As a critic of Christianity and organized religion it reinforced my belief that Catholics are rather egocentric in their beliefs. If you see it as particularly anti-Semitic than perhaps you already harbored persuasion to that view.

What can you say about a film like this? We know the story, we know the ending, so Gibson had to be have some incredible insight to make this film special. Of course he had be careful portraying the beliefs of over 2 billion people worldwide, but I personally don't think he achieved an incredibly perceptive adaptation. I think people are so moved by this movie because nothing similar has ever been done on such a scale with such a budget. When was the last time a Bible adaptation made it to the theatres?

When the credits started rolling I sat there, not being able to move, not having anything to say. So for pure shock value Gibson had me there. While watching all I kept thinking was this man's suffering is not particularly bad, hundreds of people were crucified by the Romans, millions of people have suffered injustice and have died painfully, what is it about this one man's death that is so important? The Christian answer is of course that he suffered for US, so that we may enter into Heaven. I find this view rather egocentric, so perhaps this movie did not have the same effect on me as it has on others. I know the doctrines of Christianity, this didn't strengthen my belief in them, but it has made more sympathetic to what other people see in Christ. I wish I had such faith.

The devil was interesting, not male nor female, sickeningly beautiful, pale and the instigator of doubt. What really cheapened the movie for me was the claim that Jesus invented the table and chair. What possible relevance does this have? It was very out of place.

As to claims it is anti-Semitic, I think people will take out of this film what they want, I didn't think it was about the cruelty of the Jews as much as the cruelty of the Romans and the power of the mob.

Let Them Eat Cake (1999)

God I love French and Saunders

[22 February 2004]

These two are comedy gold, god love them.

This show was hilarious, I laughed myself silly so many times, I hope this comes out on DVD.

If you like ab fabulous you will like this. It is set in France during the revolution but thats about as historical as it gets. They are both fantastic and it is such a shame that this didn't get a second series.

I love the episode where Saunders is accused of murder, and they lock her up, but of course shes innocent because she could never open all those doors. God it made me laugh.

Definitely find a copy.

Sleepover Club (2003)

So crappy that it's laughable

[18 December 2003]

I crack myself up watching this show, because this show is ridiculously pathetic, the girls are really bad actors and the story lines are so benial! 'Fliss' is the worst actor, and the narration at the beginning of each episode is just pretentious and annoying.

This show is inane, even for a kids show. Don't bother.

I only just recently realised that Rosie (Taylor-Cotter)is the girl who played the younger sister in another Australian written and produced program 'Pirate Islands'. That was a Jonathon M Shiff production and i have to say, much better than the Sleepover Club. Based on a series of novels, the idea of a club has been done way to many times, both on screen and on paper.

Eliza Taylor Cotter certainly has grown up from Pirate islands, she seems much older, and she stands out as a moderately good actor, at least in comparison to the rest of the cast.

Peter Pan (2003)

Pretty but most enjoyable to fans of the book.

[7/10 · 18 December 2003]

I have never read the book, but everyone knows the story. At first I was cautious of another Peter Pan movie, but forget Hook and the animated version.

The stand out is Rachel Hurd-Wood as Wendy. She is fantastic, her innocence and sweetness captures the essence of the story. Jeremy Sumpter has a smug smile that doesnt suit the character, but still does a pretty good job.

All in all, go see it to wipe away the shambles of Robin William's Hook, my friend had it down to beat Return of the King, im afraid not, its good, but not epic. The best part is how the romance between Wendy and Pan is showed, it is sweet, innocent, and touching at the end. Sad, but not the sickly kind where directors overplay the moment, this movie has some special moments, believable and real.

Scary Movie 3 (2003)

Better than the first two, less disgusting.

[18 December 2003]

I'm glad this movie concentrates on funny dialogue rather than the vomit and sex that dominated the last scary movie. In their attempt to parody the many different stories the plot is mostly forgotten, but its not important.

The opening scene is good but really, these kind of parodies are best shown at the beginning of the MTV awards, its painful to cover so many for so long and still attempt to have a connecting story.

See this one over the first two, but its not as hilarious as everyone makes out. Brenda is the best character. Anna Faris is better as a blonde.