Rimsey

I had a very difficult time making the decision to go and see this movie. My first and foremost reason was that I am an AVID Michael Crawford fan and have been since I was about 6 years old and saw him in Condorman.

I was concerned from the outset when Joel Schumacher said he wanted a "Young and Sexy Phantom" Considering that is is supposed to be wildly disfigured, that sentence worried me.

My fears were even more compounded when I saw the shorts and it seemed that somewhere in the mix the had managed to get a horse chase and a sword fight...... my PhOTO loving stomach was churning.

Finally I went to see it for my 30th birthday and then I was really anguished.

From a MOVIE LOVERS point of view and from the more logical/sane/non-fanatic side of my brain, I actually found I loved the movie more than I was expecting. The horse race and sword fight have been added in a way that does keep with the "Younger" protagonists. All in all it was a good adaption..... for the most part.......

However (as my own Erik like tendencies emerge) I had some MAJOR issues with the movie.

1) For a man who has lived under the surface of the opera house for the better part of his life... Gerrad Butlers Erik was remarkably tanned. And lets not start on the make up indecision between the masks.

2) In order to make is more "palletable" to the general audience, a lot of the intimate moments of small musical numbers have been transformed into spoken word over the original score. I found that annoying as these moments have some of the most powerful feelings ingrained in them which were lost in them being spoken.

3) The loss of scene 3 in the second act, leading up to the song "Wishing you were somehow here again", when they are plotting to use the Phantoms opera against him was just plain annoying.

4) In "Masquarade" they are all singing about the riot of colour... but they are all dressed in black and white! 5) The loss of the fourth verse of the song "Phantom of the Opera" was plain unfortunate. That key change leading up to it is very powerful.

And the Finally BIGGEST Blunder (From the Musical loving side of my brain) 6) What the hell did the think they were doing moving the whole Chandelier scene from the end of Act 1 to Act 2! I realise that cinematic ally it makes better sense to have it at the climax of the show, but not having it at the end of when Erik is at his greatest moment of anguish considering everything that has lead up to it is a travesty! Oh loyalist Phantom Rant over.. Back to my normal insanity! For people who have never seen or heard the show - this movie is a lavish sumptuous feast that will leave your senses reeling.

And if you are like me and are a rabid phantophile... put your grumbles aside and kick back and enjoy!

This was the first movie that I ever *remember* seeing. It stands out in my mind (and yes probably has clouded my viewing judgement for years) because it was the first film to ever feature the mode of moggy that has been my constant companion for over 25 years - The Abbysinian. An Abby was the perfect cat to play Zunar-J5/9-Doric-47 (or Jake for the non fanatics out there). Being three years old and the proud owner of one of the first Abbys in Australia - I remember for days after putting different collars on my very patient cat Tawney and begging him to talk to me. He obviously didn't, and it broke my little heart, but what he couldn't express verbally he more than made up for with his smooches and furry nudges. Ok the Film never won an Oscar, it was a Disney Kid flick, but as kid flicks go - it was all right. And lets face it - I can't be all bad, McLean Stevenson, Harry Morgan AND Roddy McDowell! Now if I could just find out who did the voice of Jake!

I have to admit I was interested to see what the Hulk would translate to on the big screen. With the success of X-Men and Spiderman from the Marvel stable I thought it would be a safe bet that The Hulk would be up to the same high standard.

I was sadly mistaken......

This is the first film in my living history that I can say was truly awful!

With the marketing frenzy of toys and Hulk gear, you would think that it was suitable for a young audience? No - nowhere near it. Parents be advised *DO NOT* if you value the sanity of your children take them to see this. There are images in there that will give them nightmares for a week.

For shame Ang Lee. Exploding Frogs and mutilated Dogs do not make good Childrens viewing!

I had passed Campus Man many times in the shop. Let's face it - it does scream 80's. I had picked it up an thought "Well this look cheesey". It wasn't until I took an interest in one of the Actors that I started to look for the movie to watch. And was surprised by what I found.

Ok it is a very 80's movie, the clothes and hair alone dictates that. But from the decade of overspending and businessmen flying by the seat of their pants, I feel that if this movie had been marketed better, or perhaps caught a slightly different wave it could have been up there with the Yuppie success of "Secret of My Success".

It is well acted by all, with most note going to John Dye and Kathleen Wilhoite as Todd and Molly.

Some of the plot points are a little under developed, where did this anamosity between Molly and Todd come from, Brett makes mention of Todd getting him into Diving, but doesn't eleborate.

All in all I enjoyed it. It could have been much worse. Considering Todays fare of Van Wilder; Party Liasion, it stands up rather well.

I was a little hesistant at first about going to see this show. I found Strictly Ballroom to be fun. And have not seen R&J simply because the actors do nothing for me in it. But about three weeks ago, one drizzly afternoon in a local store I saw the CD and decided to have a listen. In todays society of croakers being passed off as crooners I was interested to see what sort of sound Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman would have. I walked out of the store with two things. One a copy of the CD and two a firm commitment to see the film when it was released two weeks later.

Moulin Rouge is banquet, a gargantuan feast of sight and sound. It screams Baz Luhrman, but's that's ok - it's his trademark. Baz has assembled a cast that suits perfectly. I didn't feel that there was one person who shouldn't have been there (however it was a bit of a shock to see "Diver Dan" in drag - Aussie readers will understand).

As a self confessed Musicals freak, I had a predilection towards this film as I walked in. The numbers are fantastic with ny hat going off to the "Roxanne" number, it reminded me very much of the three way song that The Phantom, Christine and Raoul do at the end of Phantom of the Opera. I had an idea that Ewan could sing from Velvet Goldmine and Emma, but Baz has helped to fully develop a wonderful voice and set it free. Nicole Kidman said that Ewan and herself have made a pact that they are not singing in pubs, clubs, parties, or generally in public though. The one exception I hope they make is if the song is nominated for an Oscar.

Well done to all involved, if this was a stage play it would be up there with the great stories like Les Mis, Phantom or West Side Story.

I was throughly impressed with the presentation of the new JCS that has been released. I remember the 1973 movie that was made with gritted teeth. The two leads appeared to butcher the roles so it was with great trepidation that I purchased this copy. And boy was I in for a suprise. Everything was exceptionally well done. I have read reviews where there were comments made about the acting talents of those involved. I would just like to say that I found their emotive performances to be better than some "serious" actors on screen today. It's one thing to look emotionally tortured on screen, but to sing as well and not look like a prat in doing so takes talent. These guys have it. My hat is off to Glenn Carter and Jerome Pradon, Jesus and Judas are hard roles and they have done them great justice.

Peter Bowles and Bryan Murray star in this lighthearted look at then modern day "Con" game! Like Arthur Dayley before them - sometime the fickle winds of fate blow their way - sometimes they don't.

Good News Week is based on an English show of a similar title. Casting a cynical and often sarcastic view of the mass media, Paul McDermott, Mikey Robbins and Julie McCrossin and teams of guest stars poke fun at the establishment and major event in current affairs! (Please also note - I write this just after being in the audience for the 1998 New Year's Special!)

Australia's Bad Boys of comedy let it all hang out in front of sell-out crowds in the UK, spreading their verbal and visual comedy styles to the waiting masses!