Just Friends (Movies) 17/2/06

There are so many movies in the cinemas that have been written and directed with one purpose... to win an award. (Gay cowboys, women working in a mining town, global oil markets, arms dealers and so on.)

This movie is not one of the above and as a result is funny and entertaining.

A boy and girl are best friends in high school. The guy wants to become more than friends but is a bit too fat to be considered boy friend material. (or so he thinks)

Years later he has slimmed down, got a great job and a big pile of self confidence and finds himself back in his home town for the first time since high school ended. His mission is to get the girl he couldn't get in high school.

The guy is one of the actors from the TV show "2 guys, a girl and a pizza shop". The girl is the new girlfriend for the main character of the movie "Road Trip". "Oz Striker" from "American Pie" also shows up as another grown up geek chasing the same girl.

The movie is filled with lots of crazy characters and moments.

Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi (DVD) 19/2/06

Originally this movie was going to be called "Revenge of the Jedi" because "Return of the Jedi" wasn't tough enough. They stuck with the name until just before the release then someone (probably George Lucas) realises that revenge is a big no-no in the Jedi handbook.

All three of the original movies were re-released in a DVD box set. The movies were remastered and extra scenes were added. Most of the added scenes are subtle and blend in well except for one. There is an extra scene at Jabba's palace which involves puppets singing, dancing and playing trumpets. Be warned... have your "Fast Forward" button ready.

The DVD box set also has an extra DVD on the making of Star Wars, Empire and Jedi. This is definitely worth a watch.

Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back (DVD) 11/2/06

The second film made and the fifth in the series. (God this would be confusing for the younger generations)

Once again, absolutely brilliant.

If you haven't seen this movie at all or in the last few years..... get out the DVD and watch it again.

Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope (DVD) 10/2/06

Originally this movie was released as just plain old "Star Wars". At the time George Lucas had written the brief outline for three movies (episode 4 to 6). Years later the George prettied up the first three films and wrote and produced 3 prequels.

The film is absolutely brilliant. The remastering of the film and the extra computer generated scenery work well in this film.

Crackerjack (DVD) 3/2/06

Aussie comedian Mick Molloy is a young bloke called "Jack Simpson". To score some free car parking he joins an inner city lawn bowls club.

After six years of charging people to park in his car parks (and never entering the club) the bowls club falls on hard times.

Jack is called up to play in a lawn bowls tournament. He is a bit of a fish out of water and 40 years younger than the other members.

Very funny and worth a watch. The cast include veterin actor "Bill Hunter", political satirist "John Clarke" and female comedian "Judith Lucy".

Wild Things (TV) 28/1/06

If you only saw a few particular scenes from this movie you could very easily mistake it for soft porn and not much more.

Despite the over the top smutty-ness of the movies, script and story line are actually quite clever and entriguing. Denise Richards & Neve Campbell are school girls accusing their teacher (Matt Dillon) of sexual mis-conduct (to put it mildly). Kevin Bacon is the cop trying to crack the case.

I don't want to give the plot away. Let's just say that this isn't a court room drama.

Leonard Maltin (Movie Guide 2005) sums up the plot by saying "it has more twists and turns than a pretzel factory".

Definitely worth a watch. Probably not a movie for the church picnic.