Reviews

Big Brother. Sure, so the concept has been sold to practically every country on the planet, (much like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire). And each time it's shown it takes the nation by storm. Everyone seems to be able to pick a member of the house with which they can identify with, and who they root for until, inevitably, they're voted out.

The first series was historical. It had every Brit watching in awe as a group of people feed chickens and talk about their lives. It was, for most, compulsive viewing. The 'inmates' became national celebrities and icons who were forgotten within six months, but were, for the summer they were in the house, heralded as heroes.

Some guy has commented, saying it's merely a copy of the American format, which to my knowledge, is quite untrue. The series was created and broadcast in a European country (Probably the Netherlands) and then sold worldwide. The British and American versions were screened at the same time, but that's not what this is about.

The thing with Big Brother, here in the UK, is this; If you watch it you wonder why you feel the need to view other people's lives (It's Blumner and Katz voyeuristic entertainment theory) and if you don't watch it you're catergorized as a pariah because no conversation is complete without a mention of the latest going-ons inside the Big Brother house.

As I've said before, the first series was classic, with the memorable 'Nasty' Nick Bateman, who scammed and cheated his way through until the house-mates caught on to his actions. This really was compulsive viewing, and yet the other two series failed to make a connection with myself, personally. Maybe I just crave the sheer drama.

In ending, you can't escape this show, no matter where you are in the country. The antics are front-page news and everyone's talking about it. And you know, there really is something in watching people in a house they are locked in. And then there's the chicken....

Bowling for Columbine is a terrific movie that deals with an issue that everyone should think about, and thus, everyone should watch this. Whilst the Constitution may say we have the right to bear arms, sometimes you have to think, 'Isn't it time for a change?' And this film isn't afraid to ask that question. Why, without change where would we be? But that's not what's being discussed.

Michael Moore has done a bang up job with this debate, and I believe the polling reflects this. Interviews with George Bush, Charlton Heston and Marilyn Manson, to name a few, and the film really leaves you thinking, unlike a lot of other snooze and cruise documentaries that you just don't care about. That's where this one differs. It offers a lot more because it's something that's becoming less of an issue and more of a crisis.

Watch this movie, it's sure to make some kind of an impact on you and your way of thinking. I got to rate this one 10/10.

Often mimicked, yet never equalled, Going Live was the original kids program. Unlike it's predecessors, such as Tiswas and Swap Shop, Going Live was like a variety show on a Saturday morning. Full of energy, presenters, Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene introduced the cartoons, interviewed the latest popstars (Such as Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue) and participated in sketches written and starring Trev and Simon. Back then they were funny, I promise you.

Going Live had it all. Bands performing live (Although they all mimed), fantastic 'toons, like The Racoons and I haven't even covered Gordon the Gopher yet.

Gordon the Gopher should have been Time magazine's Man of the Year. Sure, so he could only talk through a series of sqeaks. He still had comic timing that most comedians would die for (I'm not kidding, watch it sometime, you'll see). Schofield was Gordon's punch bag, and he took it like a man whenever Gordon punished him. The two had more chemistry than Bonnie and Clyde and that's where a lot of the humor worked.

Live and kicking may have tried to succeed after Going Live, but even though it was the same format, it couldn't compare to Phillip, Sarah, Trev, Simon and Gordon. Long Live Going Live.

Peter Kay: Live from the Top of the Tower is possibly the greatest stand up show ever. Peter Kay's observational humour is so spot on that your sides will hurt from laughing. Everything from dinner ladies that can smell rain, thus preventing the children from playing out, to finding a holiday on teletext (368 pages to go through until your page comes back around). The stories usually focus around Kay's childhood, growing up in Bolton in the 1980's. His mother, who cleans the house BEFORE going on holiday to the father who won't touch foreign foods when abroad ('Garlic...And bread? Garlic bread?'). Peter Kay explains exactly why people talk with their hands, even the old woman who complains about the heat is there, 'I like it hot but not this hot'.

The characters are familiar to everyone and that's what makes the stand up show so special. We've all met the people Kay talks about. What Peter Kay has done here is present life as we know it, but in such a way that you'll no doubt be crying with laughter with the jokes and characters featured in the show. This show is absolutely spectactular that I would reccomend it to everyone. It is funny without being rude or offensive and that's something which isn't very common in the wacky world of MTV. And remember, as the dinner lady always says; 'It's the fine rain that gets you wet.'

Sure, sure, Meitantei Hound, or The Amazing Adventures of Sherlock Hound as it was so called, was a cartoon and because of this there's all the usual cartoon hi-jinks. Yes, animals that talk, mechanical devices that just couldn't have been made in 19th Century London, and the typical Japanese drawings, meaning, the cartoons doing over the top reactions.

But putting it down isn't what I wanted to do. This series was great. So it was loosely based on the Arthur Conan Doyle books (like, really loosely), but that's fine, because the characters and outlandish plots more than made up for it. The character traits of Holmes, or rather, Hound, are all there - Science experiments, the pipe, even the deer stalker hat. Watson, too, is just like his 1930's counterpart, Nigel Bruce, being the upper class Brit (with an American accent).

And of course there's the token bad guy, along with his completely useless henchmen, because that's what cartoon henchmen are for, right? Professor Moriarty is devious and cunning and just can't seem to outwit Sherlock Hound, whatever he may try. Moriarty gets away every time, much to the annoyance of Hound, along with his bumbling assistants, who can't do anything right.

Voicing Sherlock Hound, in English, is Larry Moss, and the late Lewis Arquette as Watson, and they do a bang up job, making the stories sound believable and is generally very well acted. The music, too, adds to the over all feel of the series. Not so much action and adventure, as mystery and excitement.

This series certainly has its appeal. The mystery, the slapstick, the romance. It's all here in The Amazing Adventures of Sherlock Hound, and makes for an easy watching cartoon that can be enjoyed even now, 20 years on. Of you get the chance I recommend that you watch it. You won't regret it.

As Holmes, and indeed, Hound said: 'Elementary, my dear Watson'.

The most eagerly awaited movie of the year is finally here, and it was sure worth waiting for.

It has all the elements of a blockbuster. The child stars for the younger audience to identify with, the adult jokes to keep the older ones interested and enough twists and plot developments to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

The cast are all perfect for the roles they're in. Richard Harris as headmaster, Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall and Alan Rickman as Harry's most hated teacher, Snape. The child stars are great too. There's been a lot of bad write ups about them, and how they don't cut it, but as child stars go, they're not so bad. I thought they were rather good. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson playing Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively, do a great job of convincing the audience that they're newbie wizards and witches. Watson particulary shines as the pretentious Hermione, but Grint does a bang up job playing the sarcastic Ron.

Chris Columbus has done a wonderful job of putting J.K Rowling's story onscreen with Steve Kloves adapting the script to it's full potential. Sure, some scenes have been left out or changed slightly, but it doesn't affect the main plot. I'm sure die hard fans would try and complain, but they'd have a hard job picking bad points. I'm a fan myself and I was most impressed, especially since although it's mainly an American movie, the cast are all British, which makes a change, in this case, a welcome one.

The use of cgi wasn't over used, as one IMDb user said. It was used only when needed, and used to it's full effect. The mountain troll, the quidditch match, the dining hall and the final showdown all had it and made the movie what it was. The quidditch match is by far the best scene. The moving camera follows the speeding broomsticks and quaffles with the sounds coming from in front, behind and at the sides (when watched in cinemas with surround sound) make the whole scene a feel as if you're up there on a broomstick with the team.

This movie appeals to both children and adults alike and is a film that can be watched several times without getting dull. Go see this movie as soon as you can. The cast alone make the movie worth seeing, the effects just make it better.

A classic that'll still be watched in years to come.

SEE THE MOVIE BEFORE READING ON, OK? OK!!

The second of Hughes' two classic teen flicks of all time. The wisecracking, wisdom offering, laid back Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) decides that it's time to take a day off. But not just any day off. Not a lay around at home playing video games sort of day off. We're talking the best day off ever.

Taking his best friend, Cameron Frye (Alan Ruck), who is forever wound up tight and his girlfriend, Sloane Peterson (Mia Sara), who is about the only person who can keep Ferris in check, to Chicago. But it's not Ferris style to go in Cameron's old car. No no no. The best way by far is in Cameron's dad's Ferrari. 1961 Ferrari 250GT California to be exact. It doesn't bother Ferris one bit that less than a hundred were made and that Cameron's dad keeps a close eye on the mileage. The car is sheer Ferris and it's something that he has to drive.

But it isn't just a day off. It helps Cameron from being uptight all his life, it helps Ferris from screwing his life up and makes Sloane realize that Ferris loves her.

Hughes directs this movie superbly. It has everything needed to make a successful comedy. A young cast, great camera shots and a 'hero' everyone wants to be like. Broderick's camera shots when he talks to the audience or gives them sly looks are classic and help the audience identify with a guy who gets his kicks from skipping school. We see everything from Ferris's eyes and how he views the world.

Once again Hughes uses teen pyschology, mainly with Cameron in this movie. The film shows how Cameron goes from a guy who flips out because he's being forced to do something he doesn't want to, to someone who does what he likes and fights for what he believes in. The scene when the three go to the art museum is clever as it shows how Cameron feels inside. Staring at a piece of art Cam notices that the closer you look the less you see and believes that this is how people are going to see him.

It's Ferris' intention to liven Cameron up before the go their seperate ways, off to college and work. That's the real reason of taking the day off. Of course it's for Ferris' own pleasure too. A trip to the Sears tower, a posh restaurant and a parade ensure that Ferris can make sure that Cam, Sloane and himself have fun.

But it's not as simple as that. Ferris has Mr. Rooney, dean of students, on his tail. If Rooney has his way Ferris will be spending the next year at school resitting everything subject. But Rooney doesn't know when to stop. He leaves the school grounds in pursuit of Ferris and keeps going one step too far in his goal. This is his downfall as the more he tries the more of an ass he makes himself look. The faces the kids on the late bus pull when a bedraggled Mr. Rooney walks on is great. Ferris' other enemy is his sister, Jeannie, who feels that Ferris shouldn't get the day off when he's not really sick and does everything she can to catch him in the act. She too goes over the top and ends up in a police station, making out with Charlie Sheen's character, Garth Volbeck, who offers her advice on her troubles.

Once again Hughes manages to combine teen humor with slapstick comedy and it blends perfectly. As in Weird Science and The Breakfast Club the authority figures are ridiculed and mocked to the point of extreme, in this case the ever trying, ever failing Mr. Rooney.

The reason this movie was more successful than Hughes previous films (Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science) is because it has a wider appeal than say, surrealistic Weird Science. As in true Hughes tradition it has a cast of unknowns who later went on to become part of the Eighties brat pack, including Broderick and a cameo by Charlie Sheen.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a feel good movie. There's not a real plot, it's just pure entertainment, and Hughes directs it this way. If you're looking for fun then you can't go wrong with a John Hughes movie, and this movie in particular. If you have the chance I highly recommend you watch this.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.

The world is an imperfect place. well, according to Bender (Judd Nelson) it is.

it's always a hard task to choose between this and Ferris Bueller's day Off as John Hughes best out of the teen flicks he has written, directed and produced. Weird Science, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink. All classics in their own way, but as for the best it's Ferris and The Club going head to head.

Ferris's nuggets of wisdom, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it." or Bender's one liners, "Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?"

It's a tough decsion but I think The Breakfast Club wins over all. It is superbly acted and directed. It has classic comedy moments, such as the five stars getting stoned. It has classic one liners, classic soundtrack. The whole film is in fact a classic. It's remembered by all who watch it.

It was the movie that defined the teen genre. It's format has been used in various other films, like The Faculty and referenced in many more. The Breakfast Club is a part of movie history. Many teen flicks have tried to be the new Breakfast Club, but none will ever better the orginal. It is the epitomy of teen movies, with the brat pack cast including Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald, whos names are now synomomous with the genre that made them stars.

It has touching moments and funny moments and serious moments. It has all that you could need for ninety minutes of light hearted entertainment. The actors are great at portraying the characters on screen. Judd Nelson as the criminal hard ass, Bender who has a screwed up family life. Emilio Estevez playing the sporto, Andrew Clark, who feels he's being pressured to do things he doesn't want to do. Brian Johnson, the nerd is played by Anthony Michael Hall, a John Hughes regular (starring in not only The Breakfast Club but also Sixteen Candles and Weird Science). Another Hughes regular is Molly Ringwald, playing perfect prom princess, Claire. Last, but not least Ally Sheedy has quite possibly the hardest role of all. Playing the quiet kleptomaniac, Allyson who doesn't talk until halfway through the movie. Then of course there's the obligatory authority figure, Mr. Vernon, or Dick. As in most of Hughes' films the authoriy figure is ridiculed. This is true not only in The Breakfast Club but also in Ferris Bueller's day off (Mr. Rooney) and Chet, Wyatt's older brother in Weird Science.

All of the characters have their own problems and they bare their souls to each other having become firm friends at the end. The film isn't just about entertaining, it's a lesson in growing up. It's not just the characters, themselves, that learn an important lesson. It's the viewer too. The cast find themselves. That's the plot of the movie. Finding out that there's more to life than credit cards and theiving, more than just grades and wrestling. Finding friends and new love. They all change for the better and the message is that we can all change if we look inside and decide we want to change.

Hughes directs the film with more than just making a film. There's psychology. At the start of the film the characters all wear several layers of clothing. Various coats and sweaters that as the group get closer the layers are shed. They become less of the image and more of the real deal. They become themselves. This is what Hughes is good at, teen psychology, which is also used in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This makes Hughes a cut above the rest when it comes to teen flicks. He understands what teens are going through and portrays it on screen perfectly.

If you have the means I highly recommend that you watch this movie. You won't feel disappointed.

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