drummer-girl

Not being a child for a long time, its been a while since i've seen a kids show thats noteworthy.

Dead Gorgeous is one of these. A beautiful mix of comedy and drama, add a dash of romance, great actors and a well written script and you have the best ABC show since Silversun (2004).

Even though its quite clearly targeted for the early teen female market, Dead Gorgeous is so well written that it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It also has an originality thats refreshing in the age of vampires, vampires and more vampires.

While the cast is 99% Australian (which is excellent being an Aussie myself) and all the actors do a fine job, the one Brit in the cast Poppy Lee Friar is a standout. Certainly one to look out for and she has shown some great versatility after seeing her in "Beautiful People". Alexandra Coppinger is a well deserved mention as well, in her TV debut.

Definite one to recommend, and hope to see a DVD release and a season 2!!

When i walked into the cinema i was worried, very worried. Here i was walking into a film adaptation of a book that i have read literally over 30 times, Klein's classic Hating Alison Ashley. Luckily i had prepared myself. I was prepared for the 11 year old story turned into a 14 year old story played by 19 year-olds. I was prepared for the more than likely over-hyped, overrated and very average performance of Delta Goodrem. And thats exactly what i got. But there was a little ray of sunshine in the true lead actor, Saskia Burmeister. Her and Jean Kittson (absolute legend, brilliant in this film) were the reason that i managed to walk into the cinema in the first place. Seeing Saskia in Wicked Science, The Pact and Thunderstruck, she hit me as someone who had a real talent, and here her talent really shines. She basically single handedly saves this film, every scene with Goodrem is saved by her. Her portrayal of Yuk is so beautifully accurately done, that in the end it really doesn't matter about the changes made from the book to the film. She was the reason i enjoyed this film as much as i did, which is amazing cause i managed to give it a 7/10 which considering the close to butchering of the book and goodrem it could've been a lot worse. Apart from the brilliant burmeister, there are some great little performances as well. Kittson of course is at her usual brilliant best, Craig Mclaughlin was a crack up in the small amount of screen time he was given, and even the beefed up role of Barry Hollis (Anthony Carpanelli) was although different to the book, worked an absolute treat in the film.

So all in all....Delta stick to what your good at..no wait not even that...go away....

Saskia.... get your AFI award speech ready!