Reviews

In a nutshell, Charmed is really a great show. The cast are superb, they're funny and genuinely talented. Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs and Alyssa Milano have all grown up so much since their previous roles, and this show gives them a chance to really show off their acting talents. The script is well-written (and full of hilarious one-liners). While the plot ideas vary in originality, they are all done very well, but for those who don't know much about the show, some of the best episodes include "Chick Flick" (season 2, episode 18), where a demon spreads violence by appearing in movies, and resorts to bringing to life two fictional murderers to kill the Charmed ones. Also worth a watch is "Pardon My Past" (season 2, episode 14), where Phoebe Halliwell, the youngest sister, switches bodies with a past life in order to find out more about a demon who is causing trouble in present day. But really, all of the episodes are of good quality, so any one would be worth watching now.

I can say, without a doubt, that Pleasantville was a truly breathtaking and brilliant film. I cannot rave on about it enough, but I'll try right now.

I didn't get the part at the start (looking at all the teachers in different classes, talking about future problems with sex, disease, employment, etc.) until later in the film, where it dawned on me that this was simply pointing out how different life in the 90s is to life in the 50s. I myself cannot verify whether life in the 50s was really like this, as I am only sixteen years old, but it was still interesting to compare them. That was what this film really achieved: it showed that while lifestyles have changed enormously over the past 40 or 50 years, human nature hasn't. The same racist and prejudiced attitudes still occur today, and this deeper meaning that lies under the surface of Pleasantville is what makes it such an achievement. But I'm jumping to halfway through the film, so I'll get back to the start.

I also laughed at the part where Jennifer and David are fighting over the remote, and it is mirrored in Bud and Mary-Sue fighting over the transistor radio. I cracked up at the basketball team missing all their shots at the hoop after Skip has just spoken to them. I also laughed at Betty Parker asking Jennifer what sex was. These, among other moments, lifted the movie up, allowing it to be serious and get a message across, but at the same time being full of laughs.

The special effects and photography in this movie were truly a masterpiece. For once, they were put to good use, rather than being used for crashes or explosions. The special effects department here obviously devoted a lot of time and effort to the colour differences. The part where a black and white tree bursts into coloured flames was excellent. The combination of coloured and black and white people in the courtroom was also well done. But what was truly visually stunning was the part where a black and white David/Bud and Margaret are driving in a yellow convertible down the road, while millions of pink petals blow around. This was one of the most beautifully made moments ever put in a movie, and I pressed rewind several times when I got Pleasantville on video, just to watch that part again. That is one of the rare moments you can find in a movie that never fails to make you smile. The lush photography in this movie further adds to the whole experience, making it even more worthwhile.

Some criticism has risen about several aspects of the movie. DON'T LISTEN TO ANY OF IT. People have complained about the dramatic second half of the film being a miss. This is completely untrue: the second half is direct, straight to the point and gripping. The changes that make the people turn to colour in Pleasantville, when people break away from their normal selves, were also excellent. In particular, when Jennifer stops being a tart and starts enjoying simpler things like books. Also, the script was excellent. The film flowed seamlessly, and the acting was a dream. A lot of the actors here were relative unknowns, except for Reese Witherspoon, who I have also seen in Freeway, Cruel Intentions and Election. I must admit, she is a talented and convincing actor, and has shown that she can play a variety of roles: country gal, bimbo/sl*t, good girl and ambitious, ruthless schoolgirl. Both her, Joan Allen, and Tobey Maguire deserved to at least be nominated, and should have won, academy awards for their superb acting, and once you add nominations for art direction, special effects, best film... Pleasantville deserved to get at least about eight nominations, not just one or two.

In short, Pleasantville was not about sex, or television (although it was much better than those other television-dissectional savvies, The Truman Show and EDtv), or 90s versus 50s. It was about breaking away from yourself, changing, and facing up to the prejudices that are ever-present in our society. I cannot recommend this movie enough, and it easily earns an 11 out of 10. Don't miss it.

This is a light-hearted, cute movie about a girl whose father works in a snobby, stuffy chauffeur company. Things quickly change as she joins, turns the company inside out, and falls in love with one of the customers.

Okay, so it's not THE best movie, but most people should like it. I give it a B+. It's got some good jokes, one-liners and a reasonable plot.

Okay, okay, so you hear magazines complain about this remake of the old Hitchcock movie (Dial M For Murder) and ditch it without a second thought. Get over it. This movie is almost as good, with some very talented actors, and plenty of twists. For those who haven't seen the original, you'll like this one even more.

The story goes something like this: You have an apparently doting husband who is going through some financial struggles, and his wife, an apparently faithful lady, who, unlike her hubby, is doing quite well. When the husband discovers that his wife is having an affair, he hires her lover to kill her. And the fun begins. Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow and Viggo Mortensen are sublime (and convincing) as the lead characters, and for those who complain about A Perfect Murder being a remake, or for those who complain about the older man/younger woman relationship, (something for which other movies such as Entrapment are guilty of too) put those two facts aside and remember that this is just a movie, cleverly made, with more surprises than an episode of Melrose Place (although I can't say that show appeals to me).

Give A Perfect Murder the credit it deserves. It's a great film.

Despite the cruel writeups that this movie has received, it's more up to the viewer to decide. Anyway, it was actually pretty good. The humour is cute, and Alicia Silverstone gets to play a role less superficial than some of her earlier ones. Of course, she has a little bit further to go before she can be classified as a brilliant actor, but Excess Baggage well and truly sets her on her way.

The story starts with Emily (the poor little rich girl), who is sick of her father ignoring her, so she ties herself up, manages to get into the back of her car, and arrange a ransom demand. This person, of course, is played by the delightful Alicia Silverstone. Unfortunately for her, the plans are turned upside down when the car is stolen by a hapless car thief (played by Benicio Del Toro, who also starred in Usual Suspects). Mix in an affectionate uncle, Jon Voight as the negligent father, and Harry Connick Jr. as the car thief's concerned friend, and the result is delightful. Make sure you catch this likeable little road movie before it gets away.

Excess Baggage is clearly all kinds of fun with the fizziest, most flirtatious capital F.