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Reviews
Dance! Workout with Barbie (1992)
A classic
As a small girl, not many things can get you to do aerobics. This can. It might be a little dated - all right, a lot dated - but it really works. The problems with it are the cheesy music, the over-enthusiastic leader, the hideously bright-coloured leg warmers and the bizarre animated Barbie, but these are the things that really work to make it a lot of fun for little girls. Doubtless there are countless teenagers and twenty-somethings in the world today who learnt the basics of aerobics from this video, and it still appeals. The issues of crass commercialism and female stereotyping may apply, but when you're a seven-year-old girl, those things really don't matter. All this video demonstrates is how to do the bunny-hop and get a bit of exercise, and that's why I would heartily recommend it to any parent with young daughters who would prefer the TV to encourage rather than discourage movement.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
I thought this film was fab
'Win a Date with Tad Hamilton' is undoubtedly a chick-flick and, yes, it's fairly predictable, but I would recommend it to anyone because it's a fantastic way to spend an hour and a half. It's impossible not to get caught up in the cheeriness of it all and smile along with the characters. Plus, much of the comedy is hilarious, especially Topher Grace's semi-cynical one-liners and Sean Hayes' spoilt moments.
Also, you get to see both Topher Grace and Josh Duhamel topless. And chopping wood.
'Win a Date with Tad Hamilton' doesn't have a huge message to put across, nor does it have multi-million dollar special effects or incredibly famous actors, but it's what I would call a 'happy film'. If you're expecting a piece of ground-breaking drama you'll be sadly disappointed, because that isn't what this film is supposed to be. It's entertainment in the purest form possible, because it simply entertains you.
I can see why this film might be susceptible to criticism about the plot - boy-meets-girl, girl-meets-other-boy, etc. - but I don't think that the acting and the script can be faulted. The film is funny and well-paced, with both physical and verbal comedy, attractive and cheerful leads and an overwhelming sense of happiness throughout.
And I don't mind admitting that I laughed all the way through and cried at the end.