Good ol' boy Matthew McConaughey takes the lead in this want to be Indiana Jones romp through western Africa. Never quite getting the story or stunts up to the required levels this is still a fun way to waste a couple of hours if all you want is some action. (50 words)

A music journalist rather cheekily suggesting that "the world wasn't ready for Salad". This compilation of their mid-1990's (their zenith) singles is ace - simple (and possibly a bit one-dimensional) guitar based indie-pogo tunes which are led by the stunning Marijne. 'Kent' and 'Diminsihed Clothes' evoke happy University memories! (49 words)

The Guardian review of this mystery thriller is not complimentary, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. While the exciting tale of murder, kidnap, code breaking and religious symbolism is Di Vinci Codesque, the setting is grittier and the characters more sympathetic. Fast paced, engaging and well worth a read. (49 words)

The story flows smoothly and the characters are quite likeable and very easily identifiable for the reader. It can be slow at times but the "early coming-of-age" tale emphasizes the important of family ties. (34 words)

Not much of a spectacle, but a hugely entertaining return to the UK by the Canadian songstress after a 10 year absence. What started as a run through the current album then jumped seamlessly into a reeling off of favourites. Stand outs included Trainwreck, Building a Mystery & Delerium's Silence. (50 words)

Good natured English comedy about a middle aged widow who turns to growing pot as a means of relieving some of the debts left by her late husband. She is assisted in her plans by a few colourful local charaters. Full of cameos from the British acting fraternity. Surprisingly wholesome! (50 words)

Kiedis is best known as the frontman of the formidable Red Hot Chili Peppers, and his autobiography offers an account of his childhood, along with the ups and downs of success. Drug references towards the end do become repetitive, but it offers an honest and intriguing account of his experience. (50 words)

Jack Black is charismatic and funny as a failed rock musician who gets a job as a substitute teacher and teaches his class to rrrock! (25 words)

Sounding like Elton John on a funk trip this would not normally be my sort of music but it is all so unashamedly upbeat and happy that you can't help liking it. Whether they will survive beyond this is questionable but for this one album everything falls into place. (49 words)

Jeff Bridges and Toby McGuire in heartwarming tale of man and horse, with excellent comedy turn from William H Macey. Get over the name and enjoy the movie. (28 words)

Even if you didn't watch the TV series Firefly (shame on you) this film version is still worth going to see. The story is superb, classic Joss Whedon mix of witty dialogue and action with good to great acting some interesting effects and genuinue emotion. What more could you want? (50 words)

For a birthday evening out with the girls this movie, several years on from the tv series, was perfect fodder. It sees the 4 leads (including Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker)encountering new traumas, being jilted, adultery, pregnancy, with obligatory happy endings. Bit slow to start but fun. (48 words)

Contrived, self indulgent, full of national stereotypes, with a ludicrous plot. Oh dear. This was no better than the overhyped first movie however, if enjoyment is about the people you're with as much as the quality of the film, it was a fun night. Clothes were cool though! (48 words)

Quirky tale about man who is hypnotised into believing peoples looks are related to their inner beauty. Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. Surprisingly funny. (24 words)

It's bad... don't bother. There, didn't need anywhere near fifty words! (11 words)

This deep-sea cartoon caper doesn't live up to expectations for one simple reason - it totally fails to utilise the comic genius of Jack Black. Despite his key role as the vegitarian, peace-lovin' shark, Black's character, Lenny, is toothless. A big-time cast (Will Smith, De Niro) underwhelms. (47 words)

Better than expected, this insight into the true story of how journalist Stephen Glass managed to fabricate a large number of articles for the New Republic magazine is an interesting look at the world of political journalism. Hayden Christiansen is impressive in the lead role, niave but manipulative. (48 words)

Fun for a Saturday morning, inventive premise, thoroughly likeable characters but lots of 'fantasy violence' so not for those who don't fancy seeing a swing ball pole impaled through a middle aged stock broker type. (35 words)

Not being a zombie fan should not stop you seeing this very funny British movie. Simon Pegg has done some excellent stuff on the TV (Spaced, Black Books, Big Train etc) and this continues the trend. Funny, extremely gory and a who's who of British sitcoms. Well worth a look. (50 words)

The movie is still great, the DVD is better with so many extras that even if you've seen the film several times (as I have) it's still well worth getting. (30 words)

Although not very authentic, this Guy Richie adaptation of the Conan Doyle character is a non stop adventure. A bit 'conspiracy theory' as is in vogue but Downey Junior and Law are both well equipped to play the leads. Good support too. Improbable but terribly fun. (46 words)

This character led sequel, full of stylised action sequences and stunning sets, tells the story of Holmes and Watson against arch foe Moriarty. Stephen Fry's Mycroft Holmes adds both humour and gravitas but the female supporting roles are underused and one dimensional. Lots of fun. (45 words)

As a news anchor in the UK for Channel 4 he is well recognised but I hadn't realised quite how much proper reporting he has done. All very interesting stuff with his own (rather lefty) view of why and how things happened. I don't always agree but it's always challenging. (50 words)

This is Steve Martin's attempt to do a Lost in Translation and although it doesn't get anywhere near that modern classic it's still entertaining. Martin plays a millionaire who has a casual fling with Claire Danes, inevtiably they fall in love, but there are sufficient twists to keep it interesting. (50 words)

This Shrek sequel, which features Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, as well as John Cleese, Julie Andrews and Jonathan Ross, is just as good as the first one, if not better. Lots of movie in-jokes and fantastic animation. (39 words)

It's amazing how a movie where nothing much happens and the main characters aren't very nice can suck you into its world for 2 hours. Two men go on a wine tasting tour of California as a week long stag do and learn a lot about life and themselves. Great. (50 words)

Alexander Payne's latest missive, adapted from a Rex Pickett novel, is an hilariously painful study of failure. The two principal characters, both self-obsessed but somehow likeable losers, go away on a wine-tasting trip that delivers home-truths, new hopes and depressing revelations. Absurd, yet believable, I guarantee you'll be drinking aferwards. (50 words)

in spite of all who thinks the opposite, the best record of the century (14 words)

An American documentary on their lack of health care, with hard hitting truth,a somewhat low action movie this focuses on reality, I wouldn't bother seeing it again, people walked out during the film, the man who does the documentary leaves a somewhat boring aspect on the film (47 words)

In this thinly veiled attack on George W Bush a failed reporter turned investigator tries to uncover a death, corporate corruption and its ties to a Republican running for governor in Colorado. A strong cast, well written script and stunning scenery make this a good watch. (46 words)

This cartoon-like movie of the "Graphic Novels" of Frank Miller is massively violent and covers everything from cannibalism to murderous prostitutes, but as Tarantino's ivolved everything's detached from reality. How such a staggering cast was persuaded to get involved's beyond me but it's only them that make it worth watching. (50 words)

When I was at university I bought a few, for want of a better phrase, 'novelty hit singles'. 'Singer Star' is one of those (its A-side companion was the now annoying 'Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe'). This is one of those really cool songs that popped up on my i-Pod. (49 words)

Wow, I went into the cinema expecting something fairly light and was not prepared for the billiant, if harrowing, tale of one man's route to his I want to be a millionnaire answers. It was clever yet convincing, worrying and endearing. Acting excellent, setting spectacular. Oscars here we come. (49 words)

The ethernet port on my Macbook Pro fried over Christmas so this ExpressCard from Small Tree Communications is the perfect replacement until it can be fixed with a neat cable port, 10/100/1000 mbps support and drivers for OS X and Windows you can't really ask for more in a device. (50 words)

Joel Spolsky runs a software house in New York but is best known for his writings on the software development process. This short book describes his approach to hiring the best software developers, from advertising to interviewing and beyond. If you're involved in the hiring process it's a must read. (50 words)

Trying very hard to be something new and different, this stylishly violent yet ultimately boring FBI and Mafia story has all been seen before. It would have done better to dispense with the plot and just go for a full on shoot-out movie. Pity as it has a good cast. (50 words)

Another album which snuck up on me, it is their third but the first that I have heard. A combination of Feeder-like guitar and The Doves vocals is a good start and original tracks lead to an excellent album. They also have a really well designed web-site by the way. (50 words)

Jack Nicholson is an aging lothario and Diane Keaton is an independent divorcee in this thoughtful romantic comedy, with excellent performances from the leads. Jack gets sick and Diane nurses him back to health with the help of doctor Keanu Reeves. Nice story, but why does Diane choose Jack? (49 words)

I love this band, and love this album. The more I listen to it the more it grows on me, and having seen them live last year confirmed my suspicions that they’re currently one of Australia’s best alternative/indie bands, and that Paul Dempsey is a brilliant and under-rated songwriter. (49 words)

Set in the 1980s, this endearing film tells the story of a young Plymouth Brethren boy who, when watching TV for the first time, sees Rambo First Blood! He forms a friendship with the school naughty boy and, together, they film their own Rambo-esque 'screen test'and come of age! (49 words)

This accessible 1992 album saw the Youth move to Geffen Records, where their musical nephews, Nirvana were signed. The album gives the expected feeback a-plenty, but also some memorable tunes in Wish Fulfilment, Chapel Hill and On The Strip - memories of being 16 and Angry, Very Angry! (48 words)

The art-noise rockers Sonic Youth paraded their patented brand of feedback and catchy tunes on this balmy night in September. Despite Kim Gordon's singing the Youth remain entertaining, albeit they played too many of their new songs for my liking. Teen Aged Riot was the highlight. (46 words)

At a few millimeters thick and 5 megapixel resolution it's hard to imagine cameras getting much smaller. This really is a superb bit of engineering. You lose a traditional viewfinder, but who uses those any more anyway. The LCD has cracking resolution and even the lens is pretty good. (49 words)

My old DSC-T7 died (too much sitting in my pocket) so I upgraded to this mid market camera which sits between point and shoot and digital SLR. The quality of the "automatic" photos is stunning and when I get the time it offers multiple modes for different types of shooting. (50 words)

I was quite happy with my old phone but if you get offered a free one you'll take it. This K700i does exactly the same as I'm used to-Bluetooth, GPRS, WAP but with a colour screen, camera and radio as well. Call quality seems good and the toys are fun. (50 words)

After losing my previous phone, this is its replacement and boy what a replacement! With a memory stick duo card I can use it as a music player (with some very good headphones) and with the synching ability to my PC there is a usable calendar. (46 words)

The standard issue i-Pod headphones died this morning and I have purchased these in-ear beauties as a replacement. The sound compared to the i-Pod headphones is remarkable and the ear buds are comfortable. The long extension cable is useful. The i-Pod sounds so much better now! (46 words)

Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson write and star in this cult classic television comedy set in north London. All of the characters are caricatures, which make them funny, yet still real enough that you care about them as well. A cast of the cream of british comedy help as well. (50 words)

I was a big Python fan when I was growing up and this new stage show brought back lots of good memories. Based loosely on Holy Grail but with healthy dollops of the TV show and Life of Brian this is an hilarious way to spend an afternoon in London. (50 words)

This had the opportunity to be a great film (a word used advisedly) but, and it's a big but, Adam Sandler cannot act. He is fine in his schoolboy comedies as he just shouts but this story of American and Mexican lives converging cries out for a proper actor. (49 words)

After cycling the route of the Tour de France Moore moves on to walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route... with a donkey. He has out-Brysoned the trailblazer of the witty travelogue and doesn't disappoint with this new offering. Another book that you'll need to be carefu reading in public. (50 words)

Val Kilmer stars in this David Mamet thriller about the kidnapping of the President's daughter. Kilmer assists a team to rescue her, but are they really trying? Plot twists abound in this story that's so badly flawed and acted that I'm patting myself on the back for not turning off. (50 words)

If bright colours aren't your thing you will hate this comic book story, but the Wachowski brothers produce stunning visuals (as ever) and a really impressive movie for boys everywhere. Some of the acting isn't the best but John Goodman and Christina Ricci are impressive (although for different reasons). (49 words)

Documentary about the US national spelling championships. Not sure who were more interesting, the exceedingly clever kids or the parents, some of whom were frighteningly pushy. (26 words)

Excellent! Was going to leave the review at that but need to mention great character development, particularly of Peter Parker, fabulous effects and some insight into what it might be like to be a super hero, in the vein of what Smallville has done for Superman. (46 words)

With so many baddies this is a real epic of a cartoon adventure. In reality it could probably be as good and be 45 minutes shorter but overall a good addition to the franchise. The fight scenes are especially brutal with heads bashing into walls a lot. Impressive stuff. (49 words)

spongebob is a silly show-movie meant for children. spongebob brings a joy to kids by silly things silly singing and silly activities i just wanted to see if i could write sometiong with exactly 50 words hahaha but anyways i used to love spongebob but now its stupid to me. (50 words)

I was looking forward to this update of the old 'girls school runs wild' formula. It was enjoyable enough but didn't inspire the belly laughter I was hoping far. Russel Brand is fun and Colin Firth continues to play on Mr Darcy (no bad thing) but must try harder. (49 words)

I was expecting the worst but was pleasantly surprised. The dialogue is as terrible as ever but the action sequences and the storyline thread tie-ups more than make up for it. We learn exactly why Anakin moves to the dark side and it's almost plausible. The effects are predictably superb. (50 words)

Had to write my own review. This movie is fantastical! A fairy tale for grown ups with fab performances from relatively unknown lead Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer and others. Any movie with Robert De Niro as a cross dressing pirate gets my vote! (43 words)

A good quality PG film based around a young lad leaving the "wall" and finding love and life beyond his sleepy village. The charaters are done well and worth seeing, the witches and lightning catchers always a good add, the humour good. A good all round film (47 words)

A very English film about a student who goes to university and through his involvement with the quiz show University Challenge discovers a lot about himself. In the same vein as History Boys, including many of the same cast, this is a lovely Sunday afternoon movie to just relax watching. (50 words)

A sweet rom-com in which a shy freshman student (James McAvoy) realises his dream of appearing on cerebral English TV quiz show, University Challenge. Set in 1985, the film uses an interesting Thatcherite cultural backdrop and has a very good twist at the end. Watch next time it's on BBC3! (50 words)

Lots of fun big screen version of the 70s series. Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller are well cast and Snoop Dog as Huggy Bear is inspired! Far fetched plot and lots of car stunts mean that this lives up to its small screen origins. Well worth a look. (48 words)

If you're looking for some airport fodder this is spot on, Chrichton does his usual trick of writing a screenplay and then padding things out a little to make it a book. He tends to get a bit boring with all the anti-environmentalism but the action ticks along nicely. (49 words)

An interesting insight into what makes us feel deprived and anxious in modern day society, despite our relatively affluent and technologically enhanced existence. The book is structured in a thesis like manner, outlining arguments for the causes, then examining the various solutions to status anxiety. Well worth a read. (49 words)

At certain points in this pile of toss I thought that maybe the producers were trying to be ironic. he acting is so bad, the script is terrible, but because so much has obviously been spent on the effects they must be serious... unfortunately. So bad it borders on good. (50 words)

This film just uses up an hour and a half of your life that you’ll never get back. If it came with the playboy playmate of the year 2006 stapled to it, and a self lobotomising kit, it might just about be watchable. It doesn’t and it isn’t. (48 words)

Admittedly I was quite reserved when I gave it a first listen, probably because I had “Innervisions” firmly entrenched in my mind as his best release. But I must confess, it’s grown on me, with tracks like “So What the Fuss” serving as a reminder of his great talent. (49 words)

If you like sarcastic, bad taste humour rammed down your throat then Stewart "Jerry Springer The Opera" Lee is your man. He knows no fear as he tries to offend every sector of society in a hugely funny hour-long set. Intelligent, yet childish, hilarious but cruel, this is great comedy. (50 words)

Awesome album, you'll be taken back at what members of Slipknot can do without their masks on. I was pretty surprised when I first heard it, with the main single "30/30-150" being my favourite song on the record. (38 words)

I know this movie is schmaltzy and the ending is a bit of a cop-out but I loved it. Will Ferrell gave an understated performance which I didn't think was possible. And the supporting cast of Dustin Hoffman and Maggie Gylenhall just bring everything together in a wonderful inventive story. (50 words)

A very thoughtful 'journey of discovery' movie with Will Ferrell. He's an IRS agent who wakes up one morning to hear a narrator (Emma Thompson) writing a novel describing the minutae of his life...and impending death. But he's the only one who can hear the narration! (46 words)

This early 1990's release saw ex Husker Du front-man Bob Mould create arguably the most polished rock album of that decade. 'Hoover Dam', 'Fortune Teller' and 'A Good Idea' are stand-outs but 'If I Can't Change Your Mind' is the most radio friendly. One to own!! (46 words)

Ben Affleck's first outing as Jack Ryan in this Tom Clancy novel-based film manages to be both stressful and predictable at the same time. Hero saves world from impending doom at 11th hour. The best bit? Ciaran Hinds (Helen Mirren's husband in Calendar Girls) as the Russian president. (48 words)

Seth and Evan are best friends and face up to life in different colleges in the last few days of high school. They plan a night of booze and sex but get nutter policemen, frightening thugs and a certain friend who renames himself McLovin. Poignant, sweary and very funny. (49 words)

Two and a half hours, and nothing happens except shameless fan service. One of the most boring films I've ever seen. (21 words)

Unnecessarily anachronistic. (2 words)

Unfortunately not a patch on Batman Returns, the special effects are impressive but after Batman the whole story is just a little boring. We've seen it a hundred times before, Superman is debilitated by kryptonite, Lois saves him, Superman kicks butt. It's also overlong, a theme this summer it seems. (50 words)

An animated mid to okay film not brilliant and a take off of Happy Feet except the penguins surf. Good for the kids with hidden adult humour. (27 words)

Colin Farrel has to prove his worth and get his place back on the elite police squad, and then beat the baddies, of course. He does it, they get what they deserve (32 words)

The gruesome story is blood filled, a musically based story starring Johnny Depp who can sing well much to his own putting downs of the music. This hard musical was done well and the thraot slitting scenes create an image & conversation which can be taken away from the cinema (50 words)

Sweet romcom, made different only by the fact that both blokes are nice, but bland, and Reece Witherspoon picks the old flame. (22 words)

A collection of 40's.50's jive, boogie/woogie, swing, rock and rythym music suited to dance. It has a real catch with favorites like "Puttin on the ritz", "my heart belongs to daddy" and "boogie woogie bgle boy" and many more, for a Suffolk based band I give a high five! (49 words)

Based in the Middle East, this fantastic film focuses on US involvement in the region, particularly the oil industry. Characters and plots from differing perspectives in this volatile situation blend with each other superbly. Warning - some scenes aren’t for the faint hearted. Film of the year for me. (49 words)

Sysinternals offer a suite of extremely detailed system analysis tools for most Windows versions. They are not for those scared of computers but for the serious Windows user (and there are a few!) they are invaluable. Special mention for Process Explorer which is an excellent Task Manager replacement. (48 words)