Reviews
Dreamgirls (2006)
Mediocre copy of (better) movies that have come before it.
I had reservations about this movie from the time that I first saw it advertised. It struck me that with so many movies already made about the African American community's struggle to make it as entertainers around the period in question, there could be nothing new to add. Eg, RAY, WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, etc. Although the latter is about Jerry Lee Lewis it covered the African American issues of the period too. So...I avoided seeing Dream Girls at the cinema. I recently had the opportunity to view the movie on DVD and my fears were realised. The thing that makes the other movies I have mentioned interesting is that they give you insight into the actual lives and struggles of real people. The music in these movies consisted of real hits that add the power of nostalgia for the viewer. These missing elements from Dream Girls make it boring and insipid. It feels like a carbon copy of a story that you already know. If you want to see interesting movies set in the context of the beginnings of African American influence on popular music try the movies I've mentioned. Dream Girls is just a mediocre copy that misses the mark by miles.
The Nugget (2002)
Captures the droll humour of rural/regional Australia
It is now some time since I saw The Nugget. I found it entertaining and chuckled througout it's entire length. The humour may be lost on non-Australians and maybe even on those Australians who haven't spent much time outside of inner Sydney or Melbourne. But if you have grown up or spent some time in rural or regional Australia you will definately appreciate the humour in this film.