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The gURLz Gazette Media Reviews, Issue 5, Vol 2, June/July 2002.



Movie Reviews: By Melissa Fielding


"COLLATERAL DAMAGE"

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold plays a Firefighter "Gordon Brewer" who loses his wife and little boy in a Colombian Terrorist Attack in L.A. Devastated by his loss and frustrated by the FBI and the CIA's lack of help, and after seeing a terrorist spokesman on the television describing his wife and son's death as just Collateral Damage, he decide's to head to Colombia by himself in true Arnold fashion to hunt down the man responsible and obtain justice for his family.

Although this movie does not offer anything never before seen in the way of action movies, it does get the message that the writers were trying to get across to the audience, especially in one scene when Arnold after having come face to face with the terrorist who tells him that they are no different to each other because they are both willing to kill for a cause, Arnold answers "The difference is that I am only going to kill you"!!!

After the events of September 11th 2001, the future of this movie was made unclear as it's release date was put on hold out of respect to the victims and those deeply affected by the attacks. If these events had not occurred it most likely would have been a bigger success at the box office. Anyways if you are a fan of Arnold and don't have a weak stomach due to a scene inspired by the boxer Mike Tyson than this is a flick for you.

Definitely NOT a movie for the kids.

This reviewer gives 'Collateral Damage' a 3 out of 5 stars.



"Spiderman"

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe

Superman, Batman, The Phantom and Zorro were all big box office successes, so is it any wonder that there is now a remake of the old Marvel Comic "Spiderman"?

Yes, arachnaphobic's BEWARE, the Web-Slinger has spun his way across the big screen and weaved his way into the hearts of a whole new generation. Although I think fans of the original Spiderman will enjoy this flick as well.

Maguire plays Peter Parker the geek of the school who's ambition in life is to become a photographer and win the heart of his neighbour, Mary Jane "M.J" Watson (Dunst).

After a simple twist of fate, a bite from a genetically modified spider to be exact, Peter transforms from a school geek into a superhero. Peter doesn't know what to make of his new found powers until he needs to use them to catch a criminal who kills his Uncle Ben. Yes Peter Parker become's Spiderman, living by the words his Uncle had said to him a few hours before he died " With great power come's great responsibility". He decides to fight crime as Spiderman and try and live a somewhat normal life as Peter Parker.

As with all Superhero stories there is a villain and this one is Norman Osborn (Dafoe) also the father of Peter's best friend Harry. After an experiment that goes horribly wrong Norman becomes "The Green Goblin".

To see if "Spidey" saves the day and gets the girl you will have to see the movie for yourself and that is something I highly recommend.

I give Spiderman a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.



"The Mothman Prophecies"

Starring: Richard Gere, Debra Messing

This movie was based on a book by John. A. Keel who wrote it about actual events that occurred in a small town in West Virginia in the mid 1960's, although the movie itself has been set in the current day. If you are interested in unexplained phenomena then this is a movie for you. As always in movies things have been added to the story to make it more dramatic, but really it is entirely up to the audience to decide what they want to believe is real or not.

John Klein (Gere) is a Washington newspaper reporter, who is also happily married to his wife Mary (Messing). Life couldn't be better until one night his world comes crashing down when he and his wife are in a car accident. Mary, who is driving, suddenly see's something fly at the window, but John never saw what Mary saw. She is rushed to hospital where she wakes and asks John if he saw "It" too... Not long after Mary dies from a Brain Tumour, which of course is NOT a result of the accident but a pre-existing condition that she did not know about until someone, or should I say something, told her. As John is going through some of Mary's belongings he comes across some drawings that Mary had done just after the accident, they are all of a strange winged being with red eyes, and he immediately assumes they are what she saw that terrible night.

Two years later John finds himself in a small town called Point Pleasant, but this town is far from pleasant, so many of the town people have reported some strange sightings in the few weeks prior to John's arrival. After he realises that the sightings have been of, you guessed it, a winged being, and that with this strange creature comes prophetic warnings about tragic events that are going to happen, he decides to stay hoping to see if this has any connection to what happened to his wife and if it does, what terrible thing is going to happen to this once peaceful and pleasant town?

What is this Winged Being you may ask? Well a Mothman of course and if it had not been for this movie I would never have known about these unexplained beings that many people have reported seeing around the world...

Along the lines of the X Files, "The Truth is out there" but you will not find the truth in this movie, instead it will keep you guessing, was this thing a Friend or Foe, Angel or Alien or just one really Big Moth??!!

I give this movie a 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.



From the same producers of "Shrek" come's:
"Spirit: stallion of the cimarron"

Voices of: Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Daniel Studi
Songs By: Bryan Adams
Music By: Hans Zimmer

I went to see this movie not only because I love animated movies but because I love horses, and anything with those majestic animals in it, whether they are cartoon or real, will get me in everytime. This flick is a must see for all horse lovers big or small, the amazing animation will have you enthralled and the story line will make you laugh and cry but in the end you will leave with your spirits soaring.

Set in America's old west this story follows the journey of a wild Mustang Stallion from birth, who grows to become leader of the herd he was born into. One night curiosity gets the better of this fearless horse and he come's face to face with humans for the very first time. He manages to get captured by the American Cavalry who soon find out that it won't be as easy as first thought to break the spirit of this courageous Stallion. His determination to return to his herd and remain untamed leads him on the adventure of a lifetime, to regain his birth right....FREEDOM.

In most animated movies the animals have done the talking but this flick is no Mr. Ed, the only one's who talk are the humans. But please don't let that put you off, as the old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words" and there is no way you ever lose sight of what is going on, as Matt Damon narrates the thoughts of Spirit. It is very well directed.

I said earlier that this movie is for horse lovers, but I can guarantee that after seeing this horse in the movie there will be a whole new generaton who want one of their own.

With a lot of action, excitement, comedy and a bit of romance "Spirit: Stallion of the cimarron" will be enjoyed by all ages.

I give this movie 5/5 stars.



Music Review By Melissa Fielding

Ronan Keating "Destination"

This is the 2nd solo album for this well loved Irish singer, after his first album titled "Ronan", I thought 'well, you can't get any better than that' and to be honest you can't, but you sure can match it, and that is exactly what he has done. On the 1st day of release "Destination" went Platinum in the UK and after a week, went to No.1.

The album contains his No.1 hit single "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and another hit single from last year called "Lovin' Each Day". There is also a song called "We've got Tonight" which he sings with Lulu and is also one of my personal favourite's along with another song that Ronan co-wrote called "The Long Goodbye".

The album has recently been released in Australia and is quickly climbing up the charts there as well, the single has also made it in the Top 10.

Like the first album this one has a mixture of Ballads and Up-Tempo songs which are bound to make an impression on Ronan and music fans alike.

I give "Destination" 5 out of 5 stars.







"Sterling Moon is my favorite specialty coffee!" David E. Brown,
[Billy Joel's former lead guitarist for 11 years] Gloucester, MA














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