Flame and Citron

Flame and Citron (2008)
Ohhh the frustration, I saw this yesterday and forgot to write about it. I guess one of the few movies I have been to where there were a majority of male viewers. Although I shouldn't be surprised, as there were few films with car chases and violence.

Flame and Citron are two members of the Danish Resistance during the German occupation of Denmark in world war two. As instructions from the Danish leaders and the British become more demanding and confusing, both become disillusioned with who is honest, and who is betraying them. Not knowing who to trust, they continue to murder Nazis and sympathisers, until retaliations and executions increase.

I think it was a well done story, at least without too many Hollywood moments but I was distracted by the first 5 minutes when the main character of Flame, walks to the car past a couple of modern steel garage doors and climbs into the car under a modern streetlight. Aww it kinda ruined the beginning for me, when the rest of the sets and outdoor scenes were well done.

3/5

Sense and Sensiblilty

Sense and Sensibility (2008)
I didn't really think I needed to see another version of this story, but as the weather was grey and dim, and the television was rubbish, I decided to give this one a go. Also when I got it out, the hip librarian said that he and his partner had enjoyed it a lot.

I am glad I took the chance,this was a sweet and polished version. One that the BBC do so well. Although the Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson version is great I was a bit distracted by their over made up glory and picture perfect cottage. In this series I love that the edges are a bit rougher and the family is definitely down on it's luck. It also helps that although the girls swoon over the foppish men, they still are a bit more gritty and maybe a bit more modern. How hard it must have been to have your futures determined by the whims of the men.

So I will say it gets a good 4.5/5, and a recommended watch, especially on a cool wintry evening.

Broken Embraces

Broken Embraces (2009)
I believe the premieres for this movie are happening as we speak. I went to a daytime session, and was running a bit late, so had to sit high up at the movie theatre as it was mostly full.

It seemed to me to be purely a project to highlight Penelope Cruz, who is undeniably stunning and talented. A blind movie writer/director tells of how he became blind after becoming involved with the mistress of a powerful man. Determined to find out if his mistress is having an affair, he gets his son to film a behind the scenes documentary about the movie they are making. When the betrayal is confirmed, the lovers seek to escape, leaving the movie to be finished by others.

I don't know, maybe I am jaded but I just didn't get it. It wasn't really much of a story and just ambled along, and I didn't really believe or like any of the characters. I have to say that I am going to have to give it a 2/5 - and two only because of Penelope Cruz and also because the Spanish sounded awesome.

My Year Without Sex

My Year Without Sex (2009)
A cute little Aussie film about an everyday family. Mum is holding down a job, actually talks to her husband and keeps the two kids under control. Suffering a headache while at the doctors, she awakes after brain surgery for an aneurysm and has to face a very different future, and a year without sex.

Funny and realistic, it didn't feel forced and I very much enjoyed this movie. A real warmth ran throughout, and unlike most movies I have seen, I felt I could have sat through another hour of this. 4/5

The Plague Tales - Ann Benson (1997)
Earlier I had read The Physicians Tale by Ann Benson, and only realised half way through that it was the third in a series. So The Plague Tales is the first of the series, and establishes two stories. The first of the fourteenth centuary Jewish Physician Alejandro Canches, who finds himself expelled from Spain after being caught doing an autopsy. Eventually he finds himself with the family of Edward III, in the midst of the plague.

In modern day England, a small sample of cloth and dirt, dug up from an old grave, realeases the plague into modern society. Janie Crowe is a medical archeologist, who has come over from the states to do research, and she finds herself caught up at the beginning of an outbreak.

3/5 - the story was beginning to make sense now, although I was confused by the last two paragraphs, where the young daughter has the name of the police/biocop from the UK. Now I am going to have to read the second book.

Wendy and Lucy

Wendy and Lucy (2008)
This years picks at the film festival seem to overwhelmingly be about being homeless and poor. I hope the universe isn't sending me a message. Wendy and her dog Lucy are travelling to Alaska to start a new life. Passing through Oregan, Wendy has car troubles and a couple of bad choices see her losing her dog Lucy. Stuck with no money, she then sets out to find her dog.

Simply made with few characters and not much of a wardrobe, it is still a likeable gentle film. Another reminder of going home to a warm bed and good shower, I'm very lucky.

3/5

Tess of the D'Ubervilles

Tess of the D'Ubervilles (1996)
I had never got around to reading this story, although I think I might have started it once, years ago. So watching the dvd seemed a good way of getting through the story. Tess is a poor farm girl, and one day while her drunk father is walking home, he learns that their family is related to old English nobility. So Tess is sent off to make contact with the family, and thus begins her story.

Betrayed by family, she again leaves the family to become a milkmaid, where she meets Angel, a young man she had a crush on years earlier. As their relationship flourishes, she is unsure of when she will share her secrets, and it is those secrets that undo her.

I didn't really enjoy this dvd. The scenery was scrumptious, all green English fields, lovely brick houses and blue skies, but the acting was all schoolgirl surprise and sulky looks, and in the end I didn't really sympathise with Tess. I guess in Victorian times this type of story would be shocking, but I guess it is all a bit standard now. Tess didn't seem to have any spunk - any joy and seemed a bit dour and tired. Angel seemed a bit wimpy and stupid and Alex was just one big sulk. 2/5

Ohhh, and the only thing I know about Thomas Hardy, is the rumour that after he died his second wife had his heart on the kitchen table, and the cat climbed up and ate it. Apparently, though his heart is meant to be buried beside his first wife, but some say a pigs heart had to be used.

Without a Net - Michelle Kennedy

Without a Net - Michelle Kennedy (2005)
I picked this wee book up from the library on Friday and started it last night, before bed. In an hour I got it half way read, and as the day was grey and dismal, I read the other half this morning.

Basically it tells about Michelle Kennedy, who at 25 and with three children finds herself homeless and living in a car, while she works in a bar. Earning only $2.12 a hour, she finds even the cheapest of accomodation out of her price range. So forced to sleep at the beach or in campgrounds, she tries to provide for her family.

When I switched on the Oprah show today, that was talking about people homeless in America, where many wno are forced out of their homes due to the Recession and high unemployment, are living in shelters, offices and tents.

After watching Samson and Delilah yesterday at the movies, I wonder if the universe is sending me a message?

Anyways, a simple little book that doesn't delve into any real issues of the homeless. I also find that she doesn't really reach out to anybody or look for any real help, which I found frustrating as with 3 kids, I would be besides myself. 3/5

Julie Walters - The Autobiograhpy

Julie Walters - The Autobiography (2008)
Julie Walters writes about her early life and career with a lot of humour and warmth. As with most autobiographies, the childhood growing up part is often the most interesting part of it all. She however doesn't bore with too many name dropping boring anecdotes, most are quite amusing - and brief.

She seems a lovable girl, and for that I am going to give it a 3/5.

Coco Before Chanel

Coco Before Chanel (2009)
The fashionistas were out in force at the film festival today. Apparently it was one of the few movies sold out within the first week, as the shallowness of the local community rears its head.

Andrey Tatou is one my fave actresses, and does a fab job of portraying Coco Chanel in her early years. The period of the story starts with her and her sister being dropped at the orphanage by their father, and continues until the setup of her successful fashion empire. Essentially though, it is a love story.

Beautiful scenery and clothes, it was a gentle film after the more raw Samson and Delilah. 4/5

Samson and Delilah

Samson and Delilah (2009)

A theme often repeated in movies, is the coming of age, first romance story. It's a universal story we all understand, wherever we live and whatever our age and background. Samson and Delilah are two teenagers living in a tiny Aboriginal community. Delilah is in charge of looking after her grandmother and helping with the art, and Samson has nothing to do with his time.

Their experiences are brutal and frightening, made even more powerful I think because of the sparse dialogue. Even though we are in the middle of a recession, and so many of us think that things are tough, and often they are, movies like this make you realize how much you have and should value. Living homeless and hungry does not look appealing in the slightest.

A powerful performance by the lead two actors, who were not professionals, and only recruited four weeks before shooting was to begin. At the showing at Wellington, we were lucky to have the producer of the movie do a short Q&A session, and explain a little about the movie and its response in Australia.

One of the most interesting comments I have read on a website today was that for a cost of only 1.5 million dollars, this is sooo much more a better film than Australia at one hundred and fifty million. I think though, older audiences are more discerning, they want better quality movies and not just the same 20 airbrushed actors pushed out for another showing.

I am going to go with a 5/5, as I am sure this movie will replay in my head for some time (does that make me sound crazy?). What I mean, is that so many films have no impact on changing the way I see things, and this movie had that power to move me.

The Devlin Diary

The Devlin Diary - Christi Phillips (2009)
After reading the Rosetti Letter recently, I was excited that Christi Phillips new book was to be realeased around the same time. Continuing with Claire Donovon, who has now gone to work and live at Trinity College, Cambridge. We again see her working with Andrew Kent, to find out the mystery surrounding the death of the Kings sister and many illustrious members of court in the reign of Charless II.

Meanwhile in 1672, Hannah is working as a physician to the kings mistress, and becomes involved in a mystery of her own. Will the two stories tie together, will the heoines find true love??

Of course everything will work out, and I like how Christi Phillips manages to pace her story so that exciting stuff happens all the way through, and that the book is interesting right through to the final chapters.

Her research shows, and she does a great job of reconstructing a time period, so that I feel I could have been there. So for her, a 4/5, and I look forward to her next book.

The Strength of Water

The Strength of Water (2009)
In a small settlement in Hokianga, New Zealand we follow ten year old twins, Kimi and his sister Melody, who help out with the family chicken business and spend time mucking around.

Tai, a young drifter, arrives in the settlement and not long after there is a terrible accident. The impact on the family is deep, and each deals with the loss in their own way.

4/5 - a simple story that is told with power by a mainly untrained cast, especially the children.

Mary and Max

Mary and Max (2009)
Mary is a lonely Australian schoolgirl, who lives with an alchoholic mother, and a father who loves taxidermy in his shed. So taking a random name from a phonebook, she sends a letter to a stranger.

The stranger she has chosen, is Max, who is lonely as well in his small dark apartment in New York. So a correspondance and a friendship develop, where each shares their darkest secrets, and hopes for a better life.

This claymation is beautifully done, and has more drama than most recent movies. It may however not be suitable for younger viewers, as Wallace and Gromit it is not.

4/5 - as we laughed and almost cried.

Cheri

Cheri (2009)
Michelle Pfeffier plays an aging prostitute Lea,who falls in love with the young son of a friend. Their relationship is happily played out together for six years, until the day it is announced that Cheri (Rupert Friend), is to be married to a much younger bride so that his mother may have grandchildren.

An amusing romp in period costume drama, in a time when people did what they were told. I wonder how Rupert Friend felt wearing a hairdo that my grandmother would have loved. Seriously coloured and cut like my nans was in the 1970s, I felt it distracted hugely from his English fopishness, and made him look crazy.

Still a 3/5. The first part was great, filled with colour and great outdoor scenes. I found the second half to be a bit filled with 'woo is me' speeches and extended longing looks. Michelle Pfeffer and Kathy Bates, were great as too aging courtesans, even with their American accents.

The Band's Visit

The Band's Visit - Dvd (2007)
Wow, it is mini film fest here in wet and windy Wellington. After being scarred by the horrendous Christmas Tale this afternoon, and the pure rubbish that is NZ TV at the moment, it has been a 2 DVD night. This of course means that the dishes are piled up in the sink, and none of the chores have been done, and it is 1.15 am and my eyes are itchy.

What a sweet little simple film. The police orchestra from Alexandria, Egypt have arrived in the wrong town in Israel to perform their concert. With little money, no motels and a bus due to arrive the next day, the band have to rely on the locals for support.

Not too cliched, you know that Hollywood would have made them do something fabulous for that little dry dessert town, they still manage to impact on those that they meet. 3/5

Female Agents

Female Agents - Dvd (2008)
I felt I had to cleanse myself after watching todays earlier French disaster. I had attempted to go and see Female Agents, earlier in the year, but missed it in the theatres. So, I waited until it was on the libraries list and got it out today.

You know the story by now, but basically Female special agents return to France and try to mess the Germans up. Good to see girls taking up guns and getting in on the action.

3/5

A Christmas Tale

A Christmas Tale (2008)
It was a terrible rainy windy day here, so an escape to the film festival was in order. Now to put it bluntly, the woman next to me fell aslepp and snored, and the chap on the other side left half way through. Another 10 people walked out, and I did consider it, but thought to stay in case it got better. It didn't.

0/5 for this French holiday movie. Far too long, too boring, I didn't really like anyone except for Sophy and the father, story seemed to be missing and it was depressing.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille - dvd (2007)
Ok, it took me a while to see it. What's not to love, a talking rat, French accents, inspired cooking and of course the magic of animations that Pixar can produce. Ohhh and there is always a moral, like looking after family, following your dreams or no matter how small you are you can succeed.

3/5 for adult/family fun.

Seraphine

Seraphine (2008)
The weather here has turned nasty again after several clear blue, almost warm days the winter has returned again. So it was time to return to the International Film Festival. An early morning movie is the best way to get me moving in the daytime, so this morning it was Seraphine.

Seraphine is a washerwoman/cleaner, who after growing up orphaned and poor eeks out her life doing chores for others for small change. Collecting herbs, flowers, blood and wax from church candles she makes her own paints and spends her evenings painting pictures of flowers and trees in her room at night.

In 1914, art critic/dealer William Uhde, rents a house in the village and is surprised to find that a picture of apples he likes has been painted by the housekeeper. Buying up all the paintings she has, he provides her with some money but is unable to continue, as the war is approaching.

Returning in 1927, he discovers Seraphine is still alive and painting, and his patronage continues until disrupted by the depression.

3/5 - In French with subtitles, the village life is hypnotic and makes you want to disappear to a quiet French town and paint.

Seven Pounds - Dvd

Seven Pounds - Dvd (2008)
Another one of those dvds, where I remember the shorts for the movie being on tv and a wee bit of talk about reviews, but I deliberately avoided reading any more reviews or even reading the cover before watching. Sometimes it is nice to be surprised, to discover the story on your own.

I have to say that Will Smith is one of the view actors where I can believe he has become a character. You know how Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise are kind of always just themselves, just in different outfits. You can sense that Will Smith thinks about how his character will walk, will interact with others, his hair and costumes will reflect something different.

Although a slow and serious character in this dvd, his Ben Thomas does find some joy unexpectedly by falling in love with Rosaria Dawsons character. I had heard that some folks were surprised by the ending, it wasn't what they expected, but I thought the ending was described right at the beginning of the movie and was exactly as planned. Except for the final five minutes of cheesy sentimentality. I am sorry, but eyes don't change colours like that, and surely a severe neurotoxin would give damage to other perfusing organs. So 2.5/5 from me.

An Education

An Education (2009)
Jenny is a schoolgirl whose live changes when she meets the charming and amusing 30-something David (Peter Sarsgaard). I guess all movies with teenagers are coming of age films, in this one Jennys suburban life is swapped for fancy clothes, drinking and parties and her education is pushed aside. Dreaming of Oxford, Jenny begins to wonder what value it will have for her, and if she needs it at all.

An enjoyable look at the early 1960s, and somehow it left me wondering if anything really has changed. Girls still race off to get an education and career, but somehow are seen as less than successful if they don't find a man and have babies.

Great performances and witty writing make the movie engaging, charming and fun without being twee and stereotypical over the top, like so many recent recreations. 4/5

Kisses

Kisses (2008)
11 year old Kylie and 13 year old Dylan, escape from their life at home by running to the streets of Dublin. We had to run to the theatre too, as we had gone to the wrong cinema. Luckily we made it just as the movie started, without too much loss of popcorn or lung power.

Certainly this made us realise that even though we are middle-aged, we wouldn't survive on the streets at all. Too dirty and cold, and the smells. Not for me and my friends. Maybe one to take your teenagers too, if they think things are bad and would like to live rough. 3/5 - only because I almost needed sub-titles as the Irish accents were hard to figure out sometimes.

Bright Star

Bright Star (2009)
Tonight was opening night of the Wellington International Film Festival and we were lucky enough to get tickets to Bright Star, Jane Campions new film. Bright Star tells the story about Fanny Brawne, who falls in love with the poet next door, John Keats. Over three years they are often kept apart by Keats interfering friend Brown, and by Fannys family who worry over the Keats lack of funds.

How hard it must have been in those days, when you were at the mercy of your family and the choices they made for you. How gossip could destroy your reputation, and how poverty was such a real hardship. Like in The Piano, I admired Jane Campions ability to show passion and desire with the touch of a hand, heaving heartbeats and stolen glances. Something male directors often fail to focus on.

Luckily for us, Jane Campion came to speak before the movie as Wellington is her hometown, and we were privlidged to get a sneak peek at this beautiful movie. 4/5

Blood on the Table - Colin Evans

Blood on the Table - Colin Evans (2008)
Blood on the table, The Greatest Cases of the New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Along title, but more surprising was that my copy of the book smelled like it had smoked a few cigars and spent a couple of weeks living in a hunting lodge - it reeked, so I was glad to return it to the library today.

History of the coroners office really, and I am shamed to say that I read the early history in the first two chapter then I skipped the middle chapters and read the last one. I NEVER do that, it is like reading the last page of the book first, which I would only do if I don't intend to finish it. Anyways the last chapter is about 9/11 which was interesting and sadly I could have read more about. Sorry little coroners book, 1/5.

Always Looking Up - Michael J Fox

Always Looking Up - Michael J Fox (2009)
I am sure that there are plenty of girls of a certain age that have always been in love with Alex Keaton, of course we are middle aged now but I still remember Family Ties so well. I like Michael J. Fox too, and you have to admire the guy for his promotion of Parkinsons Disease which he was diagnosed with at only 29.

He has fundraised for PD, and is an advocate for stem cell transplants. This book is 50/50 about PD, and his awesome love for his family, which makes him even more adorable.

I did admit to skimming over some of the political stuff, so it didn't take me too long to read. 2/5

Dead Tomorrow - Peter James

Dead Tomorrow - Peter James (2009)
I have only managed to read a couple of Peter James novels, this one and his last one Dead Mans Footsteps. He is consistantly very good, and although a long novel I wanted to keep reading and was not bored even though there were quite a few seperate thread to the story.

Roy Grace is Detective Superintendent in Brighton, and is looking into the discovery of bodys found in the English Channel, that have been dumped and appear to have their internal organs removed. Meanwhile Lynn Beckett is dealing with her 15 year old daughter Caitlin whose liver is failing.

Lots more characters make up this story, and I like his style of evenly spacing out the story, pacing it so the beginning and ending are equally as interesting. I am going to say 4/5.


By the way, this is the pile of books teetering on my nightstand waiting to be read. Luckily the weather is dismal, and bed is the cosiest place to be. So it will hopefully be early nights with a book and a cat, and I will get more of these read.

He s just not that into you

He's just not that into you - dvd (2009)
When this played at the cinema, the ads didn't do anything much for me, and so I waited til the dvd arrived. Normally I would have saved it for Friday night viewing, but as I am on call, I had to relegate it to Thursday night, but it beats Survivor and the reruns of underbelly.

I enjoyed the Gennifer Goodwin/Justin Long storyline and both were sweet and cute onscreen, even without much chemistry. Maybe it was because they were two of the lesser celebritised celebrities in this ensemble piece. Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Connelly all seemed in need of some humour and a whole bucket load of carbs, live a little people, eat the burger bun!! It felt like a bunch of rich actors told to act like average joes, and none of them were particularly believable. It is hard to believe Jennifer Aniston as a left on the shelf spinster, I am sure everywhere she goes men have their tongues hanging out.

So I have to say 2/5, which makes me sad. I wanted to like it, I wanted to laugh out loud, but instead there was just a few silent sniggers.

Turn up song

Did I tell you I listen to music as well? I know, where do I find the time? Anyways my brothers family LOVES the Black Eyed Peas, and I think I love them too - a little bit. One of their latest songs - I gotta feeling is my FAVE at the moment, and on highest rotation on my ipod.

Somewhere in either blogworld, Greys anatomy or Oprah, I heard the advice to pick one song everyday, turn it up real LOUD and dance (sounds like something Meredith would say doesn't it?).

This is my turn up song - whats yours?

You can go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_2rrxONlLo&feature=related to see the video.

An Award

I got given this premo meme award from my new friend Jill at http://justmejill.blogspot.com/. I only discovered her blog last week and it so sweet. She is super talented and has her awesome pictures of cats. Don't you think the one below peeking out of the drawers looks like Poppy?!!


Thank you Jill - we didn't know anyone was reading this blog, except Pia in Sweden. Cause she is loyal like that, and we like similar books and movies and appear to be the only readers in the world that disliked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. This caused a flurry of controversy and resulted in the most ever comments on this blog, a grand total of 3!!! We're moving up to the bigtime baby!!

So I have to tell you seven things about myself:

1. Please don't tell me to keep reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo , as you are sure I will like it. I tried it, I don't like it. I read a lot, way too much and life is way too short to keep reading or watching anything you don't enjoy.

2. I think I am having a forty year old itch and need to find another career. Today I almost got myself employed as a wedding planner, and I was seriously considering saying yes for something completely different to do.

3. I would love to work for the film festival. Except being an usher, it would kill me climbing the stairs again and again every night.

4. I have no interest in Harry Potter, the movies or the books.

5. I do feel a bit sorry for bookstores going under, but I blame the publishers. Like with CDs you guys got far too greedy. You now want $40 for a book (NZ money), sorry but I'm not buying anymore. I use the library, or buy on trademe and sometimes direct from the US. I can't afford to fork out that money.

6. I wish I could write a book, wish I had a great story to tell and a unique viewpoint. It's hard though. Sometimes it is a struggle to find something new to blog about and I know I wouldn't be disciplined enough.

7. If I won the lottery, my dream house would have floor to ceiling bookcases in a few rooms, and I would buy each and every book I have ever wanted to buy.


You are then meant to tag seven friends, but if you want to play join in. I tag you, if you are reading, if you haven't nodded off by now.

The Physicians Tale - Ann Benson

The Physician's Tale - Ann Benson (2006)
A plague tale is always of interest to me, especially as the swine flu sweeps across New Zealand at the moment, and our city is the capital with the most recorded cases. So this book which tells two tales, one of Alejandro a Jewish Spanish physician, who is Europe and England at the time of the plague and the black death. Trying to reach Windsor to rescue his daughter Kate from King Edward, he risks the lives of his loved ones as they are searched and hunted down.

Six centuaries later, in the American Northwest a small group of women, men and children are trying to stay isolated and survive after a devastating return of the plague has changed the way the world works. Janie Crowe seeks to find answers and uses an old journal of the Jewish Doctor to help.

A bit long winded, it was a good winters read but I felt I was enjoying the historical storyline better than the more modern one, and am not sure if I really understood the end of the story and the part about cloning was a bit lost on me. Maybe I was tired when I read that part, but I don't really understand why it was necessary, and I would have enjoyed a bit more info about the twist in the tale (I don't want to give it away). 3/5

Ahh - I have rust read on Amazon about the earlier books, this is really book 3 in a series, and I need to now go and read the others so that I can understand the full story. Silly me.

I hope swine flu doesn't get wore, our hospital is packed at the moment and everyone is a bit stressed. I'm trying to eat lots of oranges, and stocked up on the fancy feast, baked beans and toilet paper.

Marley and Me- Dvd

Marley & Me, Dvd (2008)
I had read the book a while ago, and while not awestruck it was amusing, sweet and sad at the same time. Primarily my main reson for avoiding the movie was Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, so I waited til the dvd was out.

It was syrupy sweet, really it was and I despised the sleazy single friend senario, you know, buy her a puppy so she won't want kids and who wants to be married or tied down. It is not often you see the husband/partner stand up for himself, so cliched.

Jennifer Aniston, honey you don't really need four hours yoga a day or 16 sunbed sessions a week. Take a break, eat a sandwich and relax. You are forty now (I think), and really I want you to be more of a grown up than a 20year old wannabe. Owen Wilson, you weren't who I would have picked for this character, but I thought you did ok. You bought some sincerity to the movie, and you seemed to show some love for your on-screen family and that bad dog.

But of course the movie belonged to Marley, and all of his misbehaving really made the movie fun. I loved his adventures with the housesitter and his taking off at the beach. Still the tears for me came at the end of the movie, you can kill as many people as you want, but please don't show me a dying animal.

4/5

Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Dvd

Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Dvd (2008)
Apparently you can only have adventures if you are boys, but if you are a good looking nubile girl you can join in as a sidekick. It was cheesy, and full of lots of polysterene rocks and cheap looking digital affect, had an ok message that science is cool and you can put down the psp and cellphones and still have fun.

I am sure I am almost 3 decades older than the target audience, but with our school holidays starting it might be a good watch for the under 12s. 2/5