Loz8

I admit it, I enjoy Eternal Law an ungodly amount every single week. The episodic plots are rarely good. The occasional weekly supporting actor can be atrocious. There are some dodgy special effects.

But the show has heart. It has a beguiling sense of optimism, hope, and the belief that love - while painful - is worthwhile. The show doesn't take itself seriously at all. It knows it is ridiculous. It's not trying to be Drama. The angel lawyers have gigantic wings that suddenly appear in scenes, with very little rhyme or reason. There are scenes in which angel lawyers smoke cigars on top of York Minster with their wings unfurled! But, and this is important, whilst the cheese is strong with this one, there are also a lot of balancing scenes. There are some good, tasty water crackers being used as a base for the cheese (with maybe a bit of pepper, if that's your thing) so that the taste isn't all boursin.

I adore all of the characters, who are well-rounded, with complex motivations and understandings. This is including the villain of the piece, Richard, who is a fallen angel, rather menacing, and yet completely hilarious every second he's on screen. There are compelling dynamics between the leads, not to mention some fantastic dialogue (after the pilot, which still had stellar lines such as "What happens if we get shot in this world?"/"Hurts to buggery.") Zak has epic angelpain, yet still manages to be wise and witty. Tom is adorably confused and on the steep learning curve that is life. Mrs Sheringham is supportive yet tortured. Hannah is oddly compelled to the craziness that is Zak Gist and his emotional temperature control of doom. It's all golden.

And it isn't merely the characters I have fun with. Apart from the somewhat dodgy SFX on occasion the show is shot beautifully, with interesting yet not jarring camera-work and York shown from every stunning vantage-point. The music and credits are similarly quality work.

I am very much looking forward to buying the DVDs. And whilst I doubt there will be a second series, I will jump for joy if there is one. Eternal Law makes me happy. It isn't High Art, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. It is, in its own, special, way. When it's good, it's wonderful, when it's bad, it's laughable. But I am never, ever bored.

So... I have to say I am liking the new Battlestar Galactica. Watched the first episode (counting the mini-series as the pilot) this morning (I am sneaky and well connected). Sure, it has nothing in common with its namesake but it's name, but I'm not a BSG purist (please don't stone me). It's quite slow, but it's incredibly atmospheric and I imagine it will become more action packed as episodes progress.

The characters, the dialogue, the camera work the special effects, the concepts and ideals... they're all so in-depth. It's one of the most naturalistic Sci-Fi shows I've ever seen. The discourses on God are interesting in a "hmm, robots believing in God? and being fundamentalists?" kind of way. The acting is really good.

Anyway, I think it's cool. It's not for everyone... and I do hope it gets a teeny bit more lighthearted and faster paced... but it is interesting. I don't wonder that Original BSG fans are annoyed, though... it is nothing like the Richard Hatch BSG... at all. I can't help but wonder that they might have benefited from giving it a different name but attributing the basis on Battlestar Galactica. They could have just called it "The Cylons" you know? "Battlestar Galactica" has such a memorable ring to it, I'd have wanted to use it too. I ask the fans of the original to forget it having any correlation with the show you love and just try and accept it as it is.

I think this series is going to really improve, and I'll be enjoying watching it the whole way.

I was really surprised at some of the nastier comments on this film but then I remembered my planned review of "What a Girl Wants" before I actually went to see the film. *What a Girl Wants is her one hour seventeen minutes of her life back*

And yet - that is not my opening line. Why? Simple. I loved the film! The trailers for "What a Girl Wants" just don't do the film justice - they make the film seem like typical pre-teen fodder, starring a ditzy and sickeningly sweet idiot. However, don't be fooled by lax advertising. "What a Girl Wants" provides many moments of pure, light and highly enjoyable entertainment I wouldn't trade in for all the gold in the world.

First of all, the character of Daphne is actually very likeable, and not a ditz at all (well, no more that other ppl). She has a very real longing to know her father and a very touching way of expressing it. I was surprised at how good an actress Amanda Bynes really was. I had heard all the horror rumours of her show, and yet she proves she's actually very talented.

Second - there is a character hardly mentioned in the trailers I saw - that of Ian. He was played artfully by Oliver James and provided a love interest for our leading lady.

Colin Firth as Henry Dashwood was skilled casting, and I loved him in this film. He gives the film soul. It could easily have become an utter mess if it wasn't for his expert depressed gazes and well timed smiles. Once again, he takes over the film. We switch from Daphne's to Henry's point of view seamlessly. When Henry casts off his carefully cultivated serious countenance we see he is as much of a wild child as his daughter. Scenes between Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth were really quite touching.

I disagree that "What a Girl Wants" is only for pre-teens (altho they will enjoy this film) but I go agree it is a chick flick. However, chicks of all ages will enjoy this film ;)

There are of course, some flaws in "What a Girl Wants" - some of the jokes don't quite work, and there is a distinct lack of trying to make us believe what is happening on the screen is really happening - but who cares? For a light-hearted frothy film, "What a Girl Wants" does a very good job of uplifting the spirits.