Pride and Prejudice (2005) - Gemma Smyth

Yet another remake of the ol' classic. This is not too bad, but its more of a rainy Sunday afternoon type movie, for the girls to watch.

Rating: 6/10

Becoming Jane (2007) - Gemma Smyth

A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman. Not really my cup of tea but I enjoyed it all the same. It was a little slow in parts but a very "nice" story to watch. No really one for the blokes.

Rating: 6/10

The Notorious Bettie Page (2006) - Gemma Smyth

Movie based on the life of Bettie Page, a notorious pin-up model / sex symbol from the 1950's. With Gretchen Mol playing the title role, the story shows a very naive and "nice" girl who gets talked into taking nude photos based on her need for acceptance. It includes flashbacks to horrible incidents in her past and is a bit disjointed at times but overall was a well told story. This was not a movie I originally planned on watching but enjoyed it all the same.

Rating: 7/10

Pan's Labyrinth (2006) - Gemma Smyth

A strange mix of fact and fantasy, set in the 1940's Fascist Spain, its about a child whose step-father is a brutal army officer in a remote area. She looses herself in a fantasy world where she is a princess. Its a fascinating movie and I was glued to the screen for the entire time. The characters are very believeable (even for adults) and there's plenty of emotion. Definitely one to watch.

Rating: 9/10

Sunshine (2007) - Gemma Smyth

A sci-fi flick about a group of scientists, in the future, who are sent to the sun to re-ignite it and save the Earth. The previous mission disappeared without a trace so they are the last hope. On nearing the sun they come across the original ship and decide to investigate. Of course it all goes downhill from there when strange things start to happen. Not really much happening in this movie. The idea is a bit worn and I'm not really sure what happened half the time !! Only really watched it since Cillian Murphy is a fellow Corkonian.

Rating: 5/10

Wah Wah - Gemma

Written and directed by Richard E. Grant and based on his childhood in Swaziland, this movie is highly entertaining. With plenty of laughs and great acting, definitely worth a look.

Rating: 8/10

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Gemma

No deep thinking required - just good entertainment. Laughs all the way. Johnny Depp is hilarious. You probably need to have watched the original as well!

Rating: 8/10

Jindabyne - Gemma

This movie is quite emotional and you need to concentrate to understand everything thats happening. Laura Linney and Gabriel Byrne are fantastic. It is a really enjoyable movie to watch.

Rating: 7/10

March of the Penguins - Gemma S.

Sooooooo cute! At the heart of one of the coldest places on earth, this documentary (movie) shows the struggle of the Emperor penguins to find a mate, produce an egg, protect it from the freezing cold and raise a little penguin before returning to the sea. They have to march back and forth to the sea to get food and the males starve for months during the height of winter (typical self-sacrifice really!). This is a really well made documentary with lots of funny bits. Well worth seeing.

Rating: 9/10

Caterpillar Wish - Gemma S.

Australian movie about a young girl in a small town who is obsessed with finding her father. Enjoyable & well made (great acting) but not extremely exciting. Wait for DVD.

Rating: 5/10

Water - Gemma S.

This is the third movie in a series by Deepa Mehta, about the life of Indian women. The movie is set in colonial India in the late 1930's and tells the story of a seven year old "woman" Chuyia whose husband has died. She must live the rest of her life in an ashram for Hindu widows, unable to marry again, and considered an outcast by society. Other central characters are Kalyani, another widow who has become a prostitute to help the ashram survive, and Narayan a follower of Gandhi who believes widows should have more rights. This movie will make you laugh and cry (mainly the latter) and is beautifully done. Very enjoyable but definitely more of a chick flick that one for the guys !!

Rating: 7/10