GeDan

Once again, the Final Fantasy series holds true to form and comes out with an astounding video game focusing on Magic and Hit Points and discovering weapons and hidden treasure. This game does a fabulous job of making the player understand Cecil's internal conflicts, and how all of the other characters relate to him. The various characters rotating in and out of the main plot is very well done. The return of familiar spells and effects is embraced as well. All in all, this is a worth-your-time game. Plus, it is here that Cid makes his debut (at least for the American series...).

This movie is obviously an American translation of the French film "La Femme Nikita", and upon first viewing, the movie was just "okay" at best. However, a second viewing changed that opinion and makes one realize that there is more to this movie than just trying to duplicate an older version. The way in which the actual story of the film is concluded is fine, but so many other aspects are left open creates a stunning contrast. The music is also very well done, mainly due to the lovely vocals of Nina Simone. Another aspect that I enjoyed was the shift in conflict from Maggie vs. herself to Maggie vs. everyone, and then Claudia vs. the system. It is easily said that the rehab and training program did too good of a job in the movie and gave her morals she didn't have previously, but it was this fabulous job that created the second half of the film. All in all, this movie deserves more credit than it is usually given, and if one can get away from the comparisons to "La Femme Nikita" then I think appreciated better.

This recorded concert brings forth angles of Portishead that cannot be found in just listening to their music. They provide the viewer/listener with an ambush of the senses, and watching how their incredible music is made makes it even more amazing. The ability to tie into one the numerous different sources of their sound proves that Portishead is not just one of the most ground-breaking musical acts of the 1990's, but also one of the most talented. Beth Gibbons shows off her beautiful voice and the rest of the musicians follow suit. There is so much one can say about how simply awesome this concert is, but the best thing to do is buy it and watch it over and over!