SIMPLY THE BEST

Gavin and Stacey is THE best new sitcom on the box...it's funny, (has me in tears) its emotional, (has me in tears), its got some cracking one liners and VERY lovable characters, it simply is bang up to the minute tele....it has to be seen, so get out there and buy the dvds if you've not seen it as it will be the best thing you do this side of Xmas!!!Enjoy!! ;o) Louise.

The 14th Worst Film Ever Made.

Before you get your knickers in a twist, I think it is one of the worst films ever made for the following reason: for the sheer mind-numbing amount of time, money, technology, art direction and general man-hours, THIS PATHETIC EFFORT is the best they can do?! It's NOT EVEN HORRIFYING, so it fails ( like so many studio horror films ) to fulfil its main objective.
The worst thing of all though, is that they squandered all the great, quirky, and original ideas of the book ( it's a classic FOR A REASON - ! ), and had the usual bunch of Hollywood HACKS attempt to put their own stamp on it. These people obviously have delusions of adequacy, or they wouldn't have the cojones to mess with the book in the first place. Matheson, the original author, was a top screen-writer, and couldn't have made it more easy for anyone wanting to adapt it. But no - instead of taut, psychological horror, we get Will Smith playing golf off an aircraft carrier. Very Jerry Bruckheimer.
And of course, I can't let this go without mentioning the CGI: If they wanted to suck out any atmosphere and suspense built up by the first hour, they couldn't have done it any quicker than with the cheaply rendered, animated zombies on display here, which were so bad they made Ang Lee's Hulk look good. When is Hollywood going to finally grasp that CGI looks ridiculous, and preferably should only be used to tidy up the details?
Lastly, how about this for an alternative ending: instead of wasting TWO HOURS of my life watching this weak, failure of a movie, I have no recollection of it at all, and I'm living in a parallel universe where I still live in hope of seeing a worthy adaptation of the superb source material.
Go see 'Dawn Of The Dead' ( 2004 version ), '28 Days/Weeks Later', or 'REC'. All brilliant end-of-civilisation movies.

Taking it for what it is, actually pretty good

Barcode: 5017239195600

I grew up with the His Dark Materials trilogy and it has since become a classic of modern literature, equally loved and praised by children and adults alike. I was won over by the characters and Pullman's visionary world and rightfully i was overjoyed when i heard a film was being made of the first book.

Having watched the film, i think i'm among the majority when i say there are quite a few flaws in the translation from text to screen. However, that said, it is far from a bad film and there are many far worse film adaptations of novels. Where The Golden Compass wins is on two strengths that it plays to perfectly - the casting and the overall looks and feel of the film.

Dakota is without a doubt the star of the film, capturing the roguish likeability of Lyra, her performance carrying you right through the film and ensures you care for the character, something which could have so easily gone wrong. Daniel Craig fresh out of Casino Royale is great as the majestic Lord Asriel (and we have his Bond co-star Eva Green as one of the witches too) and the beautiful Nicole Kidman serves up a perfect Miss Coulter, the perfect blend of coldness and elegance that is just as i imagined her character.

The visuals are fantastic too, CGI painting the world that is at once like ours but at the same time so different in striking reality. It is this combined with the characters that won me over to this film. I was embraced my nostalgia for Pullman's fantastic story and immersed myself in the film which looked and felt like the lush production that the books so rightfully deserved.

But what about those flaws? Well, the complete removal of the religious context pretty much tears a lot of the darker and more mysterious heart to the story from the film. Thus, the whole thing feels less gritty than the books and i don't see how they effectively continue this into the sequels which rely on religion even more. That's a real shame.

A lot of the plot is also cut out or re-arranged which is always understandable when converting a book as long as Northern Lights was into a family film but still, it just feels like so much is missing from the film that even while you're enjoying the visuals and character performances, you're left feeling just that little bit dissatisfied when the film's over.

Also, as other's have picked out, i think the armoured bears were done a great injustice, their culture has so much depth to it in the books but here, it feels as if they ran out of time at the end of the film so just glossed over them.

On the whole though, i would recommend this film, especially to someone who has never read the books, as at its heart, what made the books so magic is still here - i enjoyed the film and ultimately that's what matters the most. It's a tale of one girl and her demon taking on all the harshness and evil of the world in a coming of age story that has so much charm and imagination to it that you just fall in love with Pullman's world. Bring on the sequel and lets see where things go from there i say!

ONE TO WATCH AGAIN AND AGAIN....AND SING ALONG WITH!

This is such a lot of fun, and Amy Adams should have won an oscar not only for her 'camped up' but absolutely necessary mannerisms, but also for her lovely (for an american) singing voice.

Simple summary, to keep her crown jelous mother-in-law queen sends to-be princess from world of disney animation (talking animals, happily ever after, etc.) to present day new york for the shock of her life (traffic, rain, rudeness, robbery, etc.), prince follows to find her, queens accomplise follows to kill her with poison apples, princess has a way with animals...even in new york....is befriended by divorcee with young daughter he is 'protecting' from fairy tales so as to prepare her for the real world, etc, etc.

Absolutely a must see movie if (a) you have children or (b) like musicals or (c) think Amy Adams is a babe!

Not even nearly as good as the original!

This was a terrible film, it is not in the slightest bit funny. I did not laugh once! If you liked the original, you will hate this!

What went wrong?

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie. I really like the actors and love the idea of the story but for some reason it just didn't work, i think maybe it would've worked better as a comedy (and that's coming from someone that loves dramas). For me, this is not even a 'feel-good movie', a little bit boring and a little bit depressing. Harry Connick Jnr's odd little performance makes it 2 stars instead of 1. But if, like me, you really like Rom Coms then you'll probably watch it anyway but just beware there isn't a lot of Com to be enjoyed here.

Kids comedy is A-okay!

So this is how it it, the movie is awesome!!

It is a simple concept, has simple laughs and is really cute! Great for a sunday afternoon.

Simple, buy it, rent it, watch it! Have fun

Too real.

Somehow I found the amazingly brilliant performance by Marion Cotillard, coupled with the fabulous costume and whole atmosphere captured by this excellent film, too difficult to 'enjoy'. The whole thing was so very tragic and so very real that it is, without doubt, the most depressing film I have ever seen. If you want brilliance - this is it. If you are at all at a low ebb - this isn't!

hyped, but deservedly so.

I feel to say this film is massively over-hyped is unfair. I think the beginning and end of this film are excellent, the middle part drags a little more, as in the book, it's a more convoluted piece of plot.

Overall this film if a great piece which gives a believable account of one girls guilt for a simple misconception from her childhood.

If you enjoyed the book you will not be dissappointed, it is very true to the novel.

Just can't wait for the next episode

This series is fantastic. It's one of the best series for years. Glenn Close is brilliant - you love to hate her. When one episode ends, you just want to watch the next one immediately. The intrigue is brilliant.

Superb....

To my mind this is simply the best period drama the BBC has ever done, I just couldn't find a single fault with it at all. All of the other reviews have said everything there is to say. I know that English as a spoken language is constantly changing but in Cranford it was a delight to listen to. As for the casting/acting, absolute perfection even down to the cat in episode 1!! I persuaded a very reluctant grandchild to watch this with me and after 15 minutes she was totally engrossed in it, this from someone who considers anything not the latest thing as very uncool. Well done BBC, this time you have done something to deserve the licence fee.

Quality Film

This film is a must see. Its intense, incredibly revealing and gives you an insight into a period and regime that was truly disturbing. Fantastic.

Amazing concept, shame about the CGI

Having not read the book or seen the other film i was able to approach I am Legend with quite an open mind and take it for what it was.

For anyone that has seen 28 days later it is very similar in concept to that - the desolate street scenes are absoutely amazing - to see New York as a wilderness with deer and lions roaming and Will Smith driving around in a Chevvie is no easy feat.

I would say that the film definitely crosses a few different genres of film from the disaster movie angle to horror and sci-fi. There are a couple of scenes which are pant-wettingly scary - I dare anyone not to be scared by the amazing acting of Will Smith as he wanders into the pitch black in search of his dog and we see glimpses of the virus for the first time!

The only let down for this film is that all of the infected have been created using CGI; and the standard isn't that amazing - especially when you consider the amount of money spent on making this film in the first place!

All in all though, well worth a watch and definitely worth having on blu ray to watch from behind the couch and/or cushions!

Star Dusted

Ok first up. Did you like The Princess Bride? Yes? Good, then you will love this. Not sure what I'm talking about? Rent it out!
This is a movie which just is not made anymore. Its a kids story, allegedly, with some very adult asides. Think Big. Its a movie which appeals to the child in you. The story revolves around the search for true love. And how to find it where you least expect it. Thrown in for good measure is the story of a blood thirsty accession to the throne of a kingdom, lightning pirates, witches, magic and astronomy. Need more?
How about, Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfieffer, Clare Danes, Ricky Gervais, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, Sienna Miller and Charlie Cox? Satisfied now?
Its not a story that can be easily told, just get it out and run with it. The star names mostly make cameo appearances, even Sir Ian McKellen turns up as the narrator. The best parts are taken by the biggest show offs, and I do not mean that as an insult. DeNiro and Pfeiffer are hilariously good. Both playing very much against type. DeNiro proves he can do light comedy, not the meet the parents stereotype, and Pfeffer's backfiring use of magic as cosmetic surgery is extremely funny.
Matthew Vaughan directs from his own co-written screenplay. And it was obviously a hoot to make, which comes across on the screen. Even the CGI works. My one disappointment is that te leads are slightly overshadowed by the star cameos, they never really compete, or ironoically out twinkle the bigger names.
If you need cheering up, or even if you just want to rediscover your inner child, this is the perfect movie. Or else get it for your kids, and watch it with them. You'll all have a great time.

This is

Definatly heaven in a box. I don't need more of Black Books than what they have provided. I love it so much.

Funniest ITV series for a LONG time

I came to this sitcom late having missed the first showing of the series but was soon enjoying the repeat after been made aware of the show by enthusiastic friends at work. I very rarely laugh out loud while watching the TV but I think I did during almost every episode of this brilliant new comedy. As long as you like your humour rude you will love this show; I think it's worth mentioning the acting too, some brilliant performances from some very familiar faces who do justice to this very well written 6-parter. I can't wait for the 2nd series but also can't wait for the release of this, series one. Funniest ITV series in a LONG time.

Stars going through the motions

Two reasonably well respected (if middle of the road and typecast) actors with a fairly bland script that is really going nowhere. You can see any plot development a mile off, and the only time you might want to consider this one is if you are on a first date. At least it will not harm your date and might put you in the mood.

A dissapointing end to a decent storyline...

Stargate SG1 has been my favourite show for the last ten years, so I was obviously disappointed when it was cancelled. But then it was announced that two feature length specials were to be made (with the potential for more), and I rejoiced.

However, the first of these two specials, The Ark of Truth, was a big disappointment after two years of storylines and a further one year between the end of the series and its release.

I was naturally expecting some kind of climatic battle between the forces of good and evil, but what we got was an unbelievably tame conclusion, that was dependent on a rather bizarre set of events (a sturdier table would have seen the Ori victorious).

The tacked on story with the old returning enemy was ridiculously placed in to add a bit of filler to what could have been done in a normal one hour time slot, had the writers not filled the last couple of seasons with so many poor stand-alone episodes. In fact had they prepared better, we could have seen this as the final episode of the series, instead of Unending, which was basically a waste of an episode as a massive reset button was hit at the end of it (don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but we basically had all the events of the episode undone in the last few minutes).

There is however, still hope for the future, the recently released trailer for the next movie Continuum suggests that it is the epic big budget special Ark of Truth should have been, as well as that, Atlantis continues to go from strength to strength, and then there's the potential third series, Stargate Universe, which is currently in the conceptual stages.

All in all, Ark of Truth should have been better, but there's still plenty of opportunities for those mistakes to be rectified in the future...

Fantastic film, the best I have seen for a while

I have to say that this is best movie I have seen in quite a while. Loads of action, great story, Matt Damon in great form. I love it. The three Bourne movies, taken together must be the best trilogy around, each one being a cracking movie on it's own.
This particular film is intertwined with the second film, not that you have to see the second on to enjoy it, but it does help to understand it better.
It's as well that the James Bond series has recently been revamped because they were definitely looking tired compared to the Bourne films. I would recommend this film.