1

A stinker, avoid at all costs!

2

Just below average. One to watch if nothing better to do.

2.5

Average. Take it or leave it

3

Slightly better than average.

4

Good. Worth watching.

5

Brilliant! Highest recommendation.

As Good As It Gets

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt

Plot: A tale of an unusual friendship between a waitress, an aggressive author and a gay artist.

Terra says: Unlike what the title suggests, this movie isn't all I had hoped for. It's basically a fluff piece for Jack Nicholson with a couple of moderately interesting supporting characters. The story, while interesting and emotionally charged, climaxes too early. There are some funny moments and some performances are *sigh* good but I expected more from talent like Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. Wait, is Helen Hunt talent?. Rating: 2

Wes says: Great performances from Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt. Nicholson plays the author who realises that life is what you make it in the gentle humour of this movie from director James L Brooks. Rating: 3

Godfather

Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino

Plot: A Mafia mob war errupts between two families as the innocent son of one the mobs has to get involved.

Terra says:This is a top notch film with excellent performances by Al Pacino (my personal favorite), Marlon Brando and James Caan just to name a few. The Godfather tells a story so complex and exciting that it has set the bar for all crime drama movies that followed. Rating: 5

Wes says: The first in a trilogy of movies about the Corleone family, this one really packs a punch. With superb performances by Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and James Caan, this violent tale of the family is well worth watching. Rating: 4

Jaws

Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss

Plot: The local beaches of the seaside community of Amity Island is threatened when a deadly shark attacks swimmers. It is upto the police chief, a scientist and a sailor to hunt down the creature..

Terra says:A classic in every way. Every frame is a masterpiece with music by John Williams that is a perfect fit. Unlike most horror films, Jaws is not unbelievable. Steven Spielberg is a master story teller and every time I see this movie it's like the first time, fantastic. Rating: 5

Wes says: The feeling of the local town is shattered when the first few bodies start to turn up mauled by the shark. With a great performance from Roy Scheider and an effective score by John Williams this movie shows how a movie with a 'monster' should be done. Rating: 5

Money Pit

Starring: Tom Hanks, Shelley Long

Plot: The tale of a young couples struggle to repair and fix up an old house..

Terra says: The Money Pit features Tom Hanks at his best. He and newcomer to feature films, Shelly Long find themselves in the most hilarious situation that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of home improvement. I enjoy this movie from start to finish. Rating: 4

Wes says: Fine performances from Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in this updating of 'Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House'. Rating: 3

Pretty Woman

Starring: Richard Gere, Julia Roberts

Plot: A successful man in a legal firm decides to hire a prostitute he meets to act as an elegant escort for him.

Terra says: As a woman I'm almost ashamed to say that I didn't like this movie. I didn't think much of the story or the acting because I have never been a Richard Gere fan. Julia Roberts looks great but the movie is all about shopping! It's your basic rags-to-riches-girl-marries-prince type- fairy tale movie that is so popular. I didn't care for it. Rating: 2.5

Wes says: This updating of My Fair Lady has satisfactory performances from the leads but to me acts as a crass 1980s movie updating of a classic story. Rating: 1

Rear Window

Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly

Plot: A photographer witnesses what he thinks is a murder when looking out of his window, but is it?

Terra says: I only recently saw this movie for the first time and just recently saw it for the 23rd time. Alfred Hitchcock is a brilliant storyteller and proves it with this beautiful murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. Rating: 5

Wes says: Hitchcock and Stewart on top form in this effective and atmospheric thriller. Performances from all of the cast are top notch and the lighting and photography are perfect. Rating: 5

Spider-man

Starring: Toby Maguire, William Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst

Plot: Based on the Marvel Comics superhero, this is the origin of Spider-man - once nerdy student Peter Parker,
after being bitten by a radioactive super spider he develops powers and becomes Spider-man..

Terra says: Fantastic retelling of the orgins of the popular comic book hero that created a new love of the character for me. Unlike the hollywood trend of modernizing a basic story for entertainments sake, this version stays true to the story and even though some of the performances are stale and unfeeling it is still a joy to watch. Rating: 4

Wes says: An excellent translation of those early Spider-man comic book stories by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko to the movie screen by director Sam Rami. Good performances all round from the entire cast and the direction and events help to make this a must see movie. Rating: 4

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Starring: Mike Myers, Heather Graham

Plot: Austin Powers returns to battle Dr Evil, this time having to travel back in time to the swinging sixties.

Terra says: This movie is pure entertainment! The continuing saga of Austin Powers had me rolling in the floor laughing. If you're not expecting a serious spy movie and just want to have fun, this movie, featuring some of the most memorable characters you'll ever find in a film, is your best bet. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. Rating: 3

Wes says: A good sequel to Austin Powers International Man of Mystery - Mike Myers proves that he can continue the humour from the first movie. Almost a reversal of the plot of the first movie in that Austin has to go back in time to save the world, there continues to be excellent moments from the supporting cast and cameos galore! Rating: 3

Superman

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder

Plot: The first full length movie adaptation of the origin of the infant Kal-El, who was sent from the planet Krypton just
before it exploded to grow up on the planet Earth and become Superman. Working for a great Metropolitan newspaper as
mild mannered reporter Clark Kent, Superman has to avert disaster when Lex Luthor threatens the USA with two nuclear bombs, but at what cost to Kal-El?.

Terra says: This movie set the standard for comic book superhero films. A great performance from Christopher Reeves and a soundtrack just as rivoting as the film make this movie one of the best ever made. Exciting storylines and special effects that take you all around the world wowed me and always seem fresh and new when I rewatch it. Rating: 5

Wes says: A sweeping, majestic movie that includes superb performances from Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder and the unknown Christopher Reeve in the title role. With a plot worked on by Mario Puzo (The Godfather), it is no surprise that this movie still stands repeated viewings. Rating: 5

The Truth About Cats and Dogs

Starring: Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman, Ben Chaplin

Plot: A veterianian radio talk show host falls in love with a guy but is too shy to tell him so asks her beautiful friend to ask him out for her..

Terra says: The Truth About Cats and Dogs, a tale about a girl as average as I am, trying to snag the guy of her dreams. I was very impressed with the story and I think Ben Chaplin was an adorable choice for the dream guy. It's not an award winner but it's cute if there's nothing else on. Rating: 2

Wes says: A nice, gentle romantic light comedy with pays lip service to Cyrano de Bergerac. Fine performance from Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman and Ben Chaplin plus the animals all add to the 'aww is that cute' factor. Rating: 3

True Lies

Starring: Arnold Schwartzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis

Plot: Harry Trasker leads a double life - his family think he is a computer salesman, but in reality he is a top secret
agent. Things come together when Harry has to involve his family when world events threaten the country..

Terra says: I thought this movie was very entertaining even though it was a little far fetched and stereotypical like most action movies. Tom Arnold and Jamie Lee Curtis gave the movie some comic relief but I did get the feeling that I was watching a Police Academy movie for about 30 minutes. In general this movie is good for a quick laugh. Perfectly harmless. Rating: 3

Wes says: James Cameron shows how a good action spy movie should be done in this thrilling adventure. Arnold Schwartzenegger is fine in the role of Harry Trasker, but it is the supporting cast of Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold and Art Malik who bring this movie to life. Rating: 4

Vertigo

Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak

Plot: An acrophobic detective is hired to trail a friend's wife which he becomes obsessed with.

Terra says: A well rounded film about the tortures of love and obsession Rating: 5

Wes says: A top notch movie about a man who goes into madness after seeing a woman he loved die Rating: 5