KMW2000

Sadly under-appreciated when it comes to the Emmy nominations every year, 'Buffy..' is absolute classic television (in the very best sense.) One of few shows able to successfully combine comedy, drama, action, and fantasy, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' has always been (and continues to be) one of the very best American televisual exports of recent memory. The writing, as the series has progressed, has only gotten stronger, alternately touching and hilarious, the direction is often surprisingly sophisticated for a TV program, (notably the episodes written and directed by series creator Joss Wheedon.) The actors are all spot-on in their roles, (there is a wealth of real thespian talent on 'Buffy..' that always seems to slip under the radar of the Emmy academy.. possibly due to the misconception that the show is "for kids". The supporting players especially, for example; Allyson Hannigan is always wonderful as Buffy's best friend Willow, and James Marsters (as bleach-blonde bad-boy vampire Spike) is quite simply brilliant in his sarcastic sometimes-evil British bloodsucking way..) The characters have been given room to develop in many unexpected and entertaining (and sometimes quite tragic) ways. To sum it up, the series has all the hallmarks of CLASSIC television... and, quite frankly, it is a crime that it hasn't received as many (if not more) Emmy nods as it's contemporaries. It is consistently watchable, entertaining and intelligent (something it doesn't get nearly enough credit for..) You will be rewarded for repeated viewings.

'Blow Dry' has a similar plot, a similar garishness of subject matter, and a similar sense of humour. Of course, unlike 'Strictly Ballroom', this film has Alan Rickman. So there's one good reason to see it. Natasha Richardson is another. She's a very good actress indeed. The film is very predictable and the actors are given very little to work with, but it's pleasant enough to watch (and enhanced by the high standard of acting from the British cast members.) It's not offensively bad, in fact it probably would've been quite good if it hadn't been made at least ten times before (in various guises.) This time it's about hairdressing. A few years ago it was about a brass band, before that it was a bunch of male strippers, and before that ballroom dancing. It's nothing new and nothing special, but nothing really awful either.

Shot in black and white (what else? it IS a documentary after all..) this classy "home movie" is an interesting look at one of the best and most enduring rock bands of the past 20 years during the recording of their most notorious and best-loved record, 1991's "BloodSugarSexMagik". It's an absolute must for fans of the band. Easily the the most definitive picture of the Red Hot Chili Peppers yet put on film. Look out for mini cameos from everyone from film director Gus Van Sant to Beastie Boy Adam Horovitz.

The footage of the actual recording is (somewhat surprisingly) the most compelling part of the film. It is obvious that, despite the bands ridiculous cartoon-like media image and eccentric drug and nudity-fueled reputation, that at their core there is in fact a group of incredibly talented and passionate musicians dedicated to making a fabulous racket.

In all; plenty of great music, a bit of (dubious and slightly drugged-out) philosophy, a wealth of perverted anecdotes, childish antics, and (as with anything even remotely associated with the Chili Peppers) a nice bit of nudity. Great stuff.

Buy it if you're a fan, watch it even if you're not.