House M.D. 6.04 Instant Karma (2009, Medical Black Comedy Drama TV) – 7/10 review

Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Omar Epps: Dr. Eric Foreman Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jennifer Morrison: Dr. Allison Cameron Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Olivia Wilde: Thirteen Lee Tergesen: Mr. Randall Tanner Maguire: Jack Randall Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Co-Executive Producer: Greg Yaitanes Executive Producer: Thomas L. Moran Writer: Thomas L. Moran Director: Greg Yaitanes

House M.D. 6.04 Instant Karma (2009) With seventeen previous doctors having been unable to diagnose or treat his dying son, a billionaire insists that House take his case (despite House not having a medical licence, remember). House performs his usual diagnostic procedures and sets about taking the boy to the precipice of death before miraculously – oh… Perhaps money can’t buy everything. 7/10 In the House versus patient-of-the-week, versus Thirteen and versus Foreman / Chase, the result is two-one to House (I’m not saying which one he loses). While the shenanigans weren’t as funny or cunning as they have been and the medicine was, as usual, not terribly convincing, the balance of the episode made this feel largely sure-footed and House’s volunteering to deliver bad news is a welcome nod to his rehabilitation (no psychiatrist again this week). The Foreman / Chase storyline from last week spilled over convincingly and the pair acted it well, consistently and believably. Oddly, or perhaps brilliantly, Wilson only appears at the end and he brings a subtle, subconscious sense of relief to the climax of the episode which may not have been as effective if he had appeared all the way through. This House M.D. episode contains unpleasant medical scene. Links Previous episode: The Tyrant Next episode: Brave Heart

House M.D. 6.05 Brave Heart (2009, Medical Black Comedy Drama TV) – 7/10 review

Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Omar Epps: Dr. Eric Foreman Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jennifer Morrison: Dr. Allison Cameron Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Co-Executive Producer: Lawrence Kaplow Executive Producer: Hugh Laurie Executive Producer: David Shore Writer: Lawrence Kaplow Director: Matt Shakman

House M.D. 6.05 Brave Heart (2009) A policeman is admitted after a fall and his partner explains how he often takes unnecessary risks because he is convinced he is going to die at forty with a heart attack just like his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. 7/10 "One bowl of putrefied dad." An impressively gross highlight in a largely terrific episode which sees Chase not coping with the psychological fallout of taking someone’s life and House panicking that he may be losing his mind once more. Jesse Spencer turns in a blinder as he demands absolution from God. Other highlights include the autopsy with Omar Epps brilliant reaction shot, all the House / Wilson and House / Cuddy stuff and SPOILER"Differential diagnosis for resurrection. Go.". Medically the episode seemed typically suspect but fun. This House M.D. episode contains adult dialogue and very gory and very unpleasant scenes and inferred masturbation. Links Previous episode: Instant Karma

House M.D. 6.04 Instant Karma (2009, Medical Black Comedy Drama TV) – 7/10 review

Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Lisa Edelstein: Dr. Lisa Cuddy Omar Epps: Dr. Eric Foreman Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Jennifer Morrison: Dr. Allison Cameron Jesse Spencer: Dr. Robert Chase Creator: David Shore Olivia Wilde: Thirteen Lee Tergesen: Mr. Randall Tanner Maguire: Jack Randall Producer: Marcy G. Kaplan Producer: Sara Hess Co-Executive Producer: Greg Yaitanes Executive Producer: Thomas L. Moran Writer: Thomas L. Moran Director: Greg Yaitanes

House M.D. 6.04 Instant Karma (2009) With seventeen previous doctors having been unable to diagnose or treat his dying son, a billionaire insists that House take his case (despite House not having a medical licence, remember). House performs his usual diagnostic procedures and sets about taking the boy to the precipice of death before miraculously – oh… Perhaps money can’t buy everything. 7/10 In the House versus patient-of-the-week, versus Thirteen and versus Foreman / Chase, the result is two-one to House (I’m not saying which one he loses). While the shenanigans weren’t as funny or cunning as they have been and the medicine was, as usual, not terribly convincing, the balance of the episode made this feel largely sure-footed and House’s volunteering to deliver bad news is a welcome nod to his rehabilitation (no psychiatrist again this week). The Foreman / Chase storyline from last week spilled over convincingly and the pair acted it well, consistently and believably. Oddly, or perhaps brilliantly, Wilson only appears at the end and he brings a subtle, subconscious sense of relief to the climax of the episode which may not have been as effective if he had appeared all the way through. This House M.D. episode contains unpleasant medical scene. Links Previous episode: The Tyrant

Surf’s Up (2007, Surfing Game, 360) – 7/10 review

Surf’s Up (2007) 7/10 This is a legitimately good game; a simple but playable surfing game with just about none of the usual problems associated with movie games. It provides single-minded gameplay, lots of achievable goals, straight-forward controls and clean graphics. I had trouble performing tricks inside a wave tube (I was pressing the buttons simultaneously or too quickly!) but, aside from that, everything was clear and highly playable. This game contains mild aggression. Classified 3+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 3 or over.

House M.D. 6.01 Broken (2009, Medical Black Comedy Drama TV) – 7/10 review

Hugh Laurie: Dr. Gregory House Robert Sean Leonard: Dr. James Wilson Franka Potente: Lydia Lin-Manuel Miranda: Alvie Megan Dodds: Dr. Beasley Derek Richardson: Steve "Freedom Master" Curtis Armstrong: Richter Andrew Harrison Leeds: Dr. Medina Andre Braugher: Dr. Darryl Nolan Creator: David Shore Writer: Russel Friend Writer: Garrett Lerner Writer: David Foster Writer: David Shore Director: Katie Jacobs

House M.D. 6.01 Broken (2009) Having come through the Vicodin addiction, House moves to a psychiatric ward to deal with his deeper, non-physical issues. He thinks that he should be able to leave and has to start scheming to make sure it happens. 7/10 While the Franka Potente character conception absolutely never convinces (SPOILER House insults her, steals her car, nearly kills a dude then they have an affair, hmm), this is, nevertheless, an engrossing return. It’s well-acted by all, especially Franka Potente who manages to get us to accept her ridiculous actions, and Andre Braugher who I usually find intensely irritating but he’s great here. Katie Jacobs directs skilfully and manipulatively. Cleverly, it actually sticks very closely to the House formula of being wrong a lot, taking someone to the brink of death then pulling out miraculous results with acute observational skills and mental agility but they apply this formula to several different characters, including House, instead of just a single patient. I appreciate the writing team taking a little longer than usual (this is a feature-length episode) to reset everything back to normal and, applaudably, we’re not quite there yet. I look forward to next week’s episode. This House M.D. episode contains adult dialogue and violence and a sex scene. Links Previous episode: Both Sides Now Next episode: Epic Fail

State of Fear (2004, Conspiracy Techno-Thriller Book) – 7/10 review

Writer: Michael Crichton

State of Fear (2004) A wealthy environmental investor is killed when his Ferrari plunges off a cliff. With his funding up in the air, his lawyer finds himself at the centre of a ideological storm wherein his understanding of global warming will be irrevocably challenged. 7/10 Interesting global warming-themed thriller whose thought-provoking core resonates rather more successfully than the thriller part entertains. In fact, the thriller part seems quite poorly written with the breathless pace of those sections allowing important story details to be too easily skipped and sequences ending abruptly. This Michael Crichton book contains sexual swear words, adult dialogue and violence, an extremely unpleasant scene of cannibalism.

Decoding the Heavens (2008, Archaeology Epic Book) – 7/10 review

Author: Jo Marchant

Decoding the Heavens (2008) "In 1900 a group of sponge divers blown off course in the Meditteranean discovered an Ancient Greek shipwreck dating from around 70 BC. Lying unnoticed for months amongst their hard-won haul was what appeared to be a formless lump of corroded rock. It turned out to be the most stunning scientific artefact we have from antiquity. For more than a century this ‘Antikythera mechanism‘ puzzled academics. It was ancient clockwork, unmatched in complexity for a thousand years – but what was it for? Now, more than 2,000 years after the device was lost at sea, scientists have pieced together its intricate works and revealed its secrets." (from flyleaf) 7/10 This archaeological history looking at the discovery and understanding of a technology that wasn’t thought to exist is written more like a novel or movie biography than a textbook and is remarkably readable. Marchant goes through each key person chronologically as they come under the irresistible spell of the Antikythera mechanism and each dedicate their resources to revealing and adding their name to it’s history. By the end of the book, the stunning, out-of-time nature of the Antikythera mechanism will stir the intellect (had mankind really made no technological progress in the 2,000 years before the 20th century?) and it’s near-magic hold over those directly involved will be entirely understandable.

Sunshine (2007, Science Fiction Horror Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Daniel Boyle Writer: Alex Garland Producer: Andrew MacDonald Rose Byrne: Cassie Cliff Curtis: Searle Chris Evans: Mace Troy Garity: Harvey Cillian Murphy: Capa Hiroyuki Sanada: Kaneda Mark Strong: Pinbacker Benedict Wong: Trey Michelle Yeoh: Corazon

Sunshine (2007) The Sun has stopped. Seven years after a previous mission failed to create a new star, a second mission, Icarus II, is closing in on delivering it’s payload when the distress beacon of Icarus I is picked up. 7/10 This is generally a superior science-fiction but the appearance of a SPOILER horror movie monster (apparently not eating for seven years gives you superhuman strength) for the last section does weaken the experience considerably. If it had stuck with the mission-gone-wrong template and continued to stick with the difficult decisions and how the crew resolves their dilemmas, the whole might have been more satisfying. Nevertheless, it is a visually wonderful film with perfect pacing, solid thrills, committed performances (Chris Evans is outstanding) and a lot of convincing science fiction. Unusually, the entire film replays over the end credits; It might have been cool if they had been the eight minutes talked about early in the film with the success or failure of the mission only apparent if you sat through them. This movie contains sexual swear words and brief graphic violence, gory and unpleasant scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Valkyrie (2008, WWII Military Coup Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Bryan Singer Writer: Christopher McQuarrie Writer: Nathan Alexander Producer: Bryan Singer Producer: Christopher McQuarrie Producer: Gilbert Adler Tom Cruise: Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg Kenneth Branagh: Major-General Henning von Tresckow Bill Nighy: General Friedrich Olbricht Tom Wilkinson: General Friedrich Fromm Carice Van Houten: Nina von Stauffenberg Thomas Kretschmann: Major Otto Ernst Remer Terence Stamp: Ludwig Beck Co-Producer: Nathan Alexander

Valkyrie (2008) 1944: not all of Germany believes in Hitler as much as, well, Hitler does. Some realise drastic action must be taken to prevent continued damage to Germany and to bring an end to World War II. Key to this will be Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the assassination of the Führer himself. 7/10 Highlighting a new area of German history for me and dramatising the last attempt by Germans to assassinate Adolf Hitler and bring a premature end to World War II, this is a slightly unsatisfying movie which, however, works emotionally. The reason for this is clear and superficially simple: Tom Cruise. Elsewhere, Bryan Singer paces his movie without peaks and doesn’t assure consistent performances for some of the cast. This finds them occasionally screaming lines for no obvious reason (especially early on) or rendering the wrong emotion for a given scene (Stauffenberg’s executioner, for example). But Tom Cruise brings the quality he brings to all his movies: absolute commitment. He makes the movie work, just as Stauffenberg is attempting to make his coup work, through sheer force of will after making sure everything required for success is in place. While Valkyrie isn’t the award-winning masterpiece many were hoping for, it is yet another interesting, worthwhile and quality addition to Tom Cruise’s filmography. This movie contains a single sexual swear word and mild unpleasant scenes, gun violence. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Fuel (2009, Open-World Racing Game, 360) – 7/10 review

Studio Director: Sebastian Wloch Studio Director: David Dedeine Executive Producer: Brice Davin Designer Vehicles: Fabrice Chaland Designer Vehicles: Brice Davin Game Designer: David Dedeine Game Designer: Pascal ‘Pako’ Saingre Game Designer: Sylvain Billaud Game Designer: Frederic Oughdentz

Fuel (2009) 7/10 Dropping you in to events like Stunt Car Racer gets this open-world racer off to a great start but Asobo Studios immediately start running over their own toes. They seem to have overlooked principle benefits of open-world games: no menus and no loading. Fuel’s events are accessed using a menu and it spends a huge amount of time "generating" which detracts greatly from what should be allowed to be it’s staggeringly impressive open-world environment. The endless roads are a definite plus point with all 262 events boasting unique lengths and layouts and, surprisingly, the tracks are almost all interesting and spectacular and fun; especially the ones with tornadoes. No matter where you drive, you’ll almost certainly have never driven there before. The best thing about Fuel though, probably, is vehicle visual design. They are chunky and charismatic and cool and you are happy to unlock them. Even though Fuel doesn’t make the most of it’s technology, there’s enough game for anyone and a more imaginative sequel could be genuinely special. Classified 7+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 7 or over. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.

Blake Edwards’ Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978, Comedy Movie) – 7/10 review

Peter Sellers: Chief Inspector Clouseau Herbert Lom: Chief Inspector Dreyfus Dyan Cannon: Simone Robert Webber: Douvier Robert Loggia: Marchione Paul Stewart: Scallini Music Composer: Henry Mancini Writer (Screenplay): Frank Waldman Writer (Screenplay): Ron Clark Writer (Screenplay): Blake Edwards Writer (Story): Blake Edwards Producer: Blake Edwards Director: Blake Edwards

Blake Edwards’ Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) When the hapless Chief Inspector Clouseau survives an assassination attempt that, unlike the previous eighteen, is believed to have been successful, he uses his death as the ultimate cover to go underground and discover his killers. He finds out that the French ‘mafia’ are responsible and are also planning a multi-million drug smuggling operation. Via a series of ridiculous disguises and comic situations can our hero save the day and bring the people responsible to justice? 7/10 Much-sniffed at comedy sequel but I think critics are paying too much attention to technical things that wouldn’t be noticed by most in the audience. What they would notice is faultless playing by Sellers with brilliant support from a (now) experienced cast, the best credit sequence of all the Pink Panther movies, delightfully fun music from the legendary Henry Mancini, and a good number of very funny scenes. Sadly, this would prove to be the last good, fun, completely non-distasteful film that Blake Edwards would make. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance. Links Previous: Blake Edwards’ Return of the Pink Panther

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005, Animated Romantic Fantasy Movie) – 7/10 review

Producer: Tim Burton Johnny Depp: Victor Van Dort Helena Bonham Carter: Corpse Bride Emily Watson: Victoria Everglot Albert Finney: Finis Everglot Joanna Lumley: Maudeline Everglot Christopher Lee: Pastor Galswells Director: Tim Burton Writer (Characters’ Creator): Tim Burton Writer (Characters’ Creator): Carlos Grangel Writer (Screenplay): John August Writer (Screenplay): Caroline Thompson Writer: Pamela Pettler Director: Mike Johnson

Corpse Bride, Tim Burton’s (2005) Fleeing a disastrous wedding rehearsal, Victor Van Dort practices his vows in the woods outside town and accidentally slips the ring onto the hand of a dead young woman who rises out of the ground and responds with "I do." Oops. 7/10 Magnificently animated (from frame one, it’s so good you won’t believe or even notice it was animated), voiced and designed, this is another fun, warm and wacky entry into the canon of Tim Burton but there’s not much flesh on these bones. (Sorry.) This isn’t in the same class as Burton and Elfman’s timeless masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas. Danny Elfman’s okay songs largely tell you nothing while the dialogue too often tells you stuff that you had already discerned or felt. But at least you do feel it, especially with the unexpectedly beautiful final shot, while "I’ve got a dwarf and I’m not afraid to use him" may be destined for quotable classic status. This movie contains mild adult references and mild unpleasant scenes, violence. Classified PG by BBFC. Parental Guidance.

Reign Over Me (2007, PTSD Drama Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Mike Binder Adam Sandler: Charlie Fineman Don Cheadle: Alan Johnson Jada Pinkett Smith: Janeane Johnson Liv Tyler: Angela Oakhurst Saffron Burrows: Donna Remar Donald Sutherland: Judge Raines Robert Klein: Jonathan Timpleman Melinda Dillon: Ginger Timpleman Mike Binder: Bryan Sugarman Producer: Michael Rotenberg Producer: Jack Binder Writer: Mike Binder

Reign Over Me (2007) Dentist Alan Johnson runs into old college room-mate Charlie Fineman. Alan knows that Charlie suffered a deep tragedy but is shocked to see how psychologically traumatized he is, insisting that he remembers nothing of his family and previous life. 7/10 Though it’s woefully unconvincing in places and Sandler keeps part of himself in his big emotional scene, this is still a highly worthwhile film with interesting and positive messages for the viewer with regard to friendship, marital fidelity, and grief. Critically, charismatic, handsome, speaking-in-his-own-voice, good actor Don Cheadle turned up for this one and single-handedly compensates for any negative elements. For videogame fans, they will be delighted to see Fumita Ueda masterpiece Shadow of the Colossus featured prominently and cringe violently everytime it is misreferred to as Shadows of the Colossus. This movie contains sexual swear words, strong adult dialogue. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006, WWII Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Clint Eastwood Writer (Screenplay): Iris Yamashita Writer (Story): Iris Yamashita Writer (Story): Paul Haggis Producer: Clint Eastwood Producer: Steven Spielberg Producer: Robert Lorenz Writer "Picture Letters from Commander in Chief": Tadamichi Kuribayashi Editor "Picture Letters from Commander in Chief": Tsuyuko Yoshida Executive Producer: Paul Haggis Ken Watanabe: General Kuribayashi Kazunari Ninomiya: Saigo Tsuyoshi Ihara: Baron Nishi Ryo Kase: Shimizu Shidou Nakamura: Lieutenant Ito

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) Iwo Jima will be critically important to keeping Japan out of American hands but the overwhelming force and lack of reinforcements mean that, for the soldiers charged with its defence, it is a death sentence. 7/10 Eastwood delivers his traditional strengths of delicate pacing, good performances and lack of gratuitousness but has no point to make and fails to make the movie militarily or strategically interesting. He also fails to present the Japanese custom of suicide instead of surrender with any conviction (despite some impressively horrible suicide-by-grenades) and makes it clear that he thinks that is a stupid idea. Maybe in hindsight and the cold light of day it is, but in the middle of war and in a culture where you are directly serving a god (the Emperor), morality and reasoned thinking very much take second place. Instead, Eastwood places our sympathies with a young man who doesn’t want to die and dumps in an wise and understanding commanding officer to lead them all; making this just another American war movie except nobody speaks English. This movie contains occasional sexual swear words and graphic gun violence, gory and extremely unpleasant scenes of suicide. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links Companion movie: Flags of our Fathers

Flags of our Fathers (2006, WWII Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Clint Eastwood Writer (Screenplay): William Broyles, Jr. Writer (Screenplay): Paul Haggis Producer: Clint Eastwood Producer: Steven Spielberg Producer: Robert Lorenz Writer (Original Book): James Bradley Writer (Original Book): Ron Powers Ryan Phillippe: John "Doc" Bradley Jesse Bradford: Rene Gagnon Adam Beach: Ira Hayes John Benjamin Hickey: Keyes Beech John Slattery: Bud Gurber Barry Pepper: Mike Strank Jamie Bell: Ralph "Iggy" Ignatowski Paul Walker: Henry "Hank" Hansen Music: Clint Eastwood

Flags of our Fathers (2006) A seemingly simple picture of an American flag being raised atop a mountain on Iwo Jima captures the public imagination and the heroes who raised it are wheeled out to promote the purchase of war bonds to finance the war effort. 7/10 While it’s never quite satisfying on a psychological level – it looks like it’s going to ask interesting questions but doesn’t and looks like it’s going to supply revealing insights but doesn’t – this is, nevertheless, a fine, interesting war film that balances the traditional horrors and thrills of the battlefield with the necessary and rarely-mentioned need to pay for it all. As expected of an Eastwood film, the performances are very good, the tone is just right and the pacing is delicate; it has the feeling of a carefully crafted work of art. It’s probably a little let down by a script which insists on a moderately complex structure for no obvious reason and leaves the audience continually wondering who is narrating now and who the old guy is – ie, technical questions – instead of simply connecting to the story. This movie contains mild swear words and extremely unpleasant scenes, graphic knife violence, graphic gun violence. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Links Companion movie: Letters from Iwo Jima

Quantum of Solace (2008, First- and Third-Person Shooter Game, 360) – 7/10 review

Daniel Craig: James Bond 007 Olga Kurylenko: Camille Mathieu Amalric: Dominic Greene Mads Mikkelsen: Le Chiffre Judi Dench: M Senior Producer: Garrett Young

Quantum of Solace Quantum of Solace (2008) Bond follows a lead into the organisation who were manipulating Vesper Lynd. Though when I say ‘follow a lead,’ I mean Bond kills hundreds of gun-toting henchmen. Which has got to help a bit, at least. 7/10 There is a complete absence of iconic action in the movie Quantum of Solace, a complete lack of Bondian swagger and attitude in both that movie and Casino Royale and a largely bland flow to the game’s levels but with these elements accepted, this remains a highly playable shooter with some agreeable cover-based action. It doesn’t fall into the typical Bond-game trap of trying to do too many things, nor does it supply ridiculously over-powered bosses (some are quick-time events, some take one or two judicious shots) or non-standard control layouts. Multiplayer offers a good selection of game modes which work well and are fun. So while, like parent movie Quantum of Solace, this simply doesn’t feel like Bond, it is a smooth, solid, easy-to-play shooter in its own right. This Quantum of Solace game contains mild swear words and extended gun violence, strong melee violence. Classified 16+ by PEGI. The game is only suitable for persons who have reached the age of 16 or over.. Classified Violence by PEGI. Game contains depictions of violence.

Heavenly Sword (2007, Third-Person Action Game, PS3 exclusive) – 7/10 review

Heavenly Sword (2007) 7/10 With developers Ninja Theory spending about a year of development (about five) per hour of gameplay and getting the core sword-wielding gameplay to be utterly uninvolving, Heavenly Sword is a significant disappointment. However, there is some real quality here which deserves to be seen and played. The cut-scenes are the best in any game to date thanks to crisp pace, good performances and, gasp!, a sense of humour and humanity which successfully counter-balances our overly-earnest heroine. Backing that up is all of Heavenly Sword’s outstanding Sixaxis gameplay which comprises about half the game and all the fun. This game contains mild swear words and abusive dialogue and extended extreme violence with moderate gore, unpleasant scenes. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over. Available on PS3.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005, Courtroom Drama Horror Movie) – 7/10 review

Laura Linney: Erin Bruner Tom Wilkinson: Father Moore Campbell Scott: Ethan Thomas Jennifer Carpenter: Emily Rose Colm Feore: Karl Gunderson Joshua Close: Jason Mary Beth Hurt: Judge Brewster Henry Czerny: Dr. Briggs Shohreh Aghdashloo: Dr. Adani Consultant: Dr. Felicitas D. Goodman Producer: Paul Harris Boardman Writer: Paul Harris Boardman Writer: Scott Derrickson Director: Scott Derrickson

Exorcism of Emily Rose, The (2005) Father Moore is charged with the negligent death of Emily Rose. He says she was possessed by demons and attempted to treat her spiritually; the prosecution says she had an unusual medical condition which could have been treated using drugs. 7/10 Intriguing and scary horror courtroom drama that takes inspiration from a true-life case (a book about Anneliese Michel by Dr. Felicitas D. Goodman, credited as consultant) and successfully balances a skeptic and believer viewpoint with the shock tactics and monstrous subwoofer requirements of a modern horror movie. It succeeds in being thought-provoking on the topic of demons and may prompt you to do further reading on the matter (you can even listen to recordings of Anneliese Michel online) and, though it leans toward demonism as an explanation (probably because it is scarier), it also clearly presents the medical opinion SPOILER that wins the case. While this is definitely a horror movie, a more reportedly accurate drama of the case, Requiem, has also been filmed. This movie contains a mild swear word, bad language and intense and scary scenes, car accident violence. Classified 15 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003, Fantasy Action Movie) – 7/10 review

Director: Gore Verbinski Writer (Screenplay) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Ted Elliott Writer (Screenplay) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Terry Rossio Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Ted Elliott Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Terry Rossio Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Stuart Beattie Writer (Screen Story) Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Jay Wolpert Writer Based on Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Jay Wolpert Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer Johnny Depp: Jack Sparrow Geoffrey Rush: Barbossa Orlando Bloom: Will Turner Keira Knightley: Elizabeth Swann Jack Davenport: Norrington Kevin McNally: Joshamee Gibbs Zoë Saldana: Anamaria Jonathan Pryce: Governor Weatherby Swann

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, The (2003) The pirate crew of the Black Pearl are delighted when they find the last piece of cursed gold. Local blacksmith Will Turner is less happy, however, as they also took the love of his life along with them. He determines to rescue her but needs the help of someone who knows the pirates better than anyone else: the recently incarcerated pirate and former captain of the Black Pearl Jack Sparrow. 7/10 Fun, with truly astonishing special effects and a delightful Johnny Depp. Geoffrey Rush is charismatic in support and Keira Knightley is luminous throughout. The writers and director applaudably treat the project much more professionally that expected and make a great job of taking nothing (a park ride) and successfully theming a movie and characters and story around it. It is a bit too long, however, and the movie ends twice rather weakly. This movie contains mild swear word and strong bloodless blade violence, a gory scene, unpleasant scenes. Classified 12A by BBFC. Persons under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Links Next: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Azu Manga Daioh (2002, School Anime, TV) – 7/10 review

Writer Published in Japan by Media Works "Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh": Kiyohiko Azuma Series Supervisor: Ichiro Okouchi Director: Nishikiori Hiroshi Tomoko Kaneda: Chiyo Mihama Yuki Matsuoka: Ayumu Kasuga Chieko Higuchi: Tomo Takino Rie Tanaka: Koyomi Mizuhara Yu Asakawa: Sakaki Houko Kuwashima: Kagura Akiko Hiramatsu: Yukari Tanizaki Aya Hisakawa: Minamo Kurosawa

Azu Manga Daioh (2002) Six friends go through three years of high school together, each has different personalities, abilities, talents, hopes and dreams but the sharing their experiences will make the time so much sweeter. 7/10 Relentlessly positive and sweet high school comedy drama which … An assertion that school friends will be together forever is a reassuring lie kept in for the younger viewers but most of the remainder is recognisably human. There’s no mistrust, deception or conniving and don’t we all wish we could always think and see the best in others rather than focusing on their faults. This series contains mild swear words, mild adult dialogue and mild ‘fan-service’, sexual references. Classified 12 by BBFC. Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over.

The Teeth of the Tiger (2003, Book) – 7/10 review

Writer: Tom Clancy

Teeth of the Tiger, The (2003) 7/10 A little less in the way of how-to-build-your-own submarine / nuclear bomb / capitalist economy (delete as appropriate) and more in the way of preparation for and execution of field work makes this entertaining skilful book simpler than some of Clancy’s other country-juggling Jack Ryan thrillers. The baton is passed to Jack, Jr., who closes the book by, essentially, thumbing his nose, wiggling his fingers and saying nah-nah-ne-nah-nah SPOILER to an enemy of America as he watches him die. It feels a little inappropriate given the navel-gazing done during the remainder but provides a fittingly American climax. This book contains sexual swear words and graphic violence, unpleasant scenes and references to sexuality.

Tetsuwan Birdy Decode aka Birdy the Mighty Decode (2008, TV, Anime) – 7/10 review

Writer: Masami Yuki Director: Kazuki Akane

Tetsuwan Birdy Decode aka Birdy the Mighty: Decode (2008) Birdy Cephon, an intergalactic police officer, finally catches up with her latest quarry after six months undercover as an idol (famous model) on Earth but her attempts to apprehend him result in a major change of plan. 7/10 Birdy the Mighty Decode is more intriguing, fun and boasts much better action than expected. Character designs and direction ensure that we are instantly familiar with each major character introduced without confusion. There is a story running through all thirteen episodes and though one (episode seven about a serial killer) feels like padding they are consistently engaging and manage to balance fun with intrigue and sinister goings-on. It all builds to the separation of Birdy and Tsutomu (which surprisingly happens before the last episode) and a battle against the series’ threat, Ryunka, which is resolved entirely fittingly. This series contains mild swear words and extreme fantasy violence, unpleasant scenes, unpleasant monster scenes, graphic blade violence, silhouetted extreme graphic violence and mild fan-service, mild non-sexual nudity, sensuality.

The Mentalist Season One (2008, 2009, TV) – 7/10

Writer (Creator): Bruno Heller Simon Baker: Patrick Jane Robin Tunney: Teresa Lisbon Tim Kang: Kendall Cho Owain Yeoman: Wayne Rigsby Amanda Righetti: Grace Van Pelt Gregory Itzin: Virgil Minelli

Mentalist, The Former ‘psychic’ Patrick Jane uses his skills of observation and psychology to help the California Bureau of Investigation close cases. He is haunted by the murder of his wife and daughter by serial killer Red John but it was that event that caused him to abandon the deceptive career as a psychic and embark on a career of justice. 7/10 A good new crime series. Our hero character is the main draw, though the support characters, especially Tim Kang as the awesomely nonchalant Kendall Cho, have been just interesting enough to be, er, interesting without being too distracting. While our hero is a stereotypical oddball maverick genius he brings something new to the table which is a complete lack of action-man gung-ho. Several times during the show he near soils himself when confronted with a gun and always allows Robin Tunney’s Agent in Charge to take the lead. Most refreshing. While I preferred the similarly themed Lie To Me (which worked better emotionally), I look forward to season two. This Mentalist, The episode contains adult dialogue and gory and unpleasant scenes, strong violence.

Lie To Me 1.13 Sacrifice (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum Mekhi Phifer: Sean Patrick Thomas: Molly Price: Jonathan Banks: Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Anthony Azizi: Bernard White: Jennifer Beals: Zoe Landau Supervising Producer: Josh Singer Co-Executive Producer: Dustin Thomason Co-Executive Producer: Adam Davidson Writer: Josh Singer Writer: Dustin Thomason Director: Adam Davidson

Lie To Me 1.13 Sacrifice (2009) The FBI use Lightman when a suicide bombing destroys a bus full of passengers. 7/10 Of course it would be marvellous if all suicide bombings could be cleared up inside a day but that’s the nature of television dramas and the story is interesting and unpredictable enough to close Lie To Me on a high. The episode title Sacrifice gets one worried that the writers had run out of ideas and would be killing off one of our heroes but, refreshingly, that’s not the case. The sacrifice comes in the form of the comic book cliché "with these powers, I shall become a superhero" and the famous Star Trek quote: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one." Lie To Me has proved to be an entertaining and interesting new show and I look forward to a second season. This Lie To Me episode contains unpleasant scenes. Links Previous episode: Blinded

Lie To Me 1.11 Undercover (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum Kevin Tighe: Fletcher Currie Graham: Tim Guinee: Alec Foster Sean Patrick Thomas: D.B. Woodside: David Warshofsky: Jason Beghe: Martin Papazian: Consulting Producer: Tom Szentgyorgyi Writer: Tom Szentgyorgyi Director: Seith Mann

Lie To Me 1.11 Undercover (2009) Lightman tries to determine if a pair of detectives are lying in the near-fatal shooting of a young man but finds there is much more at stake than he could have anticipated. Meanwhile, The Lightman Group are being sued for their role in losing the funds in the Joseph Hollin case (in Depraved Heart). 7/10 Poses an interesting moral dilemma: should you allow a definite miscarriage of justice to go ahead if it might prevent a possible catastrophe in the future? The resolution to the Alec Foster affair storyline turned out better than expected with SPOILER him having a cocaine problem and the woman being his support contact but Tim Guinee has already added another slime-ball to his entirely resistible gallery of ne’er-do-wells. Links Next episode: Blinded Previous episode: Better Half

Lie To Me 1.10 Better Half (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum David Harbour: Mireille Enos: Hayley McFarland: Emily Lightman Kurt Caceres: Karis Campbell: Jennifer Beals: Zoe Landau Supervising Producer: Josh Singer Writer: Ilana Bar-Din Giannini Writer: Josh Singer Director: Karen Gaviola

Lie To Me 1.10 Better Half (2009) Lightman’s expertise is called upon by his ex-wife Zoe Landau (some sort of state attorney) in the case of an arson where a child was injured and a grandmother died. Another child claims he saw a TV reporter start the fire but while Lightman doesn’t think he is lying, he doesn’t think he is telling the truth either. 7/10 Though this is directed without pace and feels much longer than it should, there is more than enough plot turns to keep things interesting. Jennifer Beals turns up as Lightman’s ex-wife and bears an uncanny resemblance to on-screen daughter Hayley McFarland; from looks alone you could easily believe them to be related.

Lie To Me 1.08 Depraved Heart (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum Daniel Benzali: Megan Dodds: Kirk B.R. Woller: Hayley McFarland: Sunkrish Bala: Co-Executive Producer: Dustin Thomason Co-Executive Producer: Adam Davidson Writer: Dustin Thomason Director: Adam Davidson

Lie To Me 1.08 Depraved Heart (2009) Lightman involves himself in the suicide of two sisters while Dr. Foster is assisting a SCC investigation into a stolen pension fund. 7/10 The connection between the suicide victims was interesting, not something I’d seen before (SPOILER they were all surrogate mothers being taken advantage of by an immigration official). There’s something about the show which is really working emotionally. Critical scenes are hitting the mark with surprising force. This week, it’s the final scene between Lightman and his daughter as he prepares to tell her that her grandmother committed suicide. Depraved Heart is an American legal term referring to causing death by action or inaction that shows callous disregard for human life. Links Next episode: Life Is Priceless Previous episode: The Best Policy

Lie To Me 1.07 The Best Policy (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum D.W. Moffett: Tim Guinee: Alec Foster Rick Hoffman: Alexa Fischer: Deidrie Henry: Writer: T.J. Brady Writer: Rasheed Newson Director: Arvin Brown

Lie To Me 1.07 Best Policy, The (2009) Lightman’s life-long, best-friend ever in the history of the world ever asks him to discover who broke into a pharmaceutical lab and stole a secret formula. Dr. Foster assists the State Department with the release of Americans due to be executed in Yemen on drug trafficking charges. 7/10 The introduction of a lifelong, best friend on a television show always means that that friendship is about to come to an end. While Lie To Me is ticking off all the television drama clichés, it is working and that unquantifiable is critical. Roth does seem to be regressing into Thade (from Planet of the Apes) as the series progresses though. However, this episode does highlight a fascinating situation. In Yemen, drug trafficking carries the death penalty. Two Americans are caught carrying drugs and are will be sentenced to be executed. America throws a hissy fit and demands their return. Why? It’s not like they aren’t guilty. Links Next episode: Depraved Heart Previous episode: Do No Harm

Lie To Me 1.06 Do No Harm (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum Mahershalalhashbaz Ali: Stacy Edwards: Christine Adams: Megan Follows: Bradford Tatum: Madeline Carroll: Writer: Jami O’Brien Director: John Behring

Lie To Me 1.06 Do No Harm (2009) Lightman and Dr. Foster work a child abduction case. Loker and Torres are asked by a publisher to make sure that their author is telling the truth about not partaking in war atrocities. 7/10 One wishes all child abduction cases could be resolved so nicely. While it doesn’t exactly paint the police as complete dolts, it does portray them as ineffectual until Lightman arrives. As noted before, Lightman is our hero but you do wish that television shows would present a more balanced portrayal of the other professional people in the episode. Links Next episode: The Best Policy Previous episode: Unchained

Lie To Me 1.03 A Perfect Score (2009, TV) – 7/10 review

Tim Roth: Dr. Cal Lightman Kelli Williams: Dr. Gillian Foster Brendan Hines: Eli Loker Monica Raymund: Ria Torres Writer (Creator): Samuel Baum Anthony Michael Ruivivar: Isabella Hofmann: Sasha Roiz: Matt Malloy: Hayley McFarland: Steven Flynn: Sarah Ramos: April Parker Jones: Executive Producer: Steven Maeda Executive Producer: Samuel Baum Writer (Screenplay): Steven Maeda Writer (Story): Samuel Baum Writer (Story): Steven Maeda Director: Eric Laneuville

Lie To Me 1.03 Perfect Score, A (2009) Lightman’s daughter gets herself in trouble with the police. Professionally, he assists an investigation into the death of a student while Dr. Foster is consulted by NASA when one of their planes crashes without any apparent technical failure. 7/10 The acting is generally more subtle this episode and it helps. Also, both storylines generate critical empathy in that the audience can legitimately put themselves in the emotional situations presented even if we aren’t a rich dad or a space pilot. However, the structure of the show is exhibiting the same problem that the CSI franchise has. A behavioural scientist, like a forensic scientist, is only a consultant on investigations. They don’t replace detectives, they assist them and provide them with analysis and expertise that may point the detectives in certain directions. Admittedly, it’s a difficult element to balance as our behavioural scientist is our hero but it is a terribly obvious exercising of dramatic license. Links Next episode: Love Always Previous episode: Moral Waiver