Pearl24 Reviews

Smallville: Reckoning (2006) Season 5, Episode 12

Song choice spoiled episode

[8/10 · 3 January 2011]

This was such a sad episode in this season. However it was completely spoiled for me by having James Blunt "singing" as the sound track. This song is really awful and I am sure the powers that be could have found a better song.

The ending of the episode was so very sad, with the snow and everyone in black.

I also wonder if Lex would be alone in his house getting drunk when he has just lost the election. Surely his supporters would have been around him to commiserate? There is always a fire in the grate whatever the weather - this time it was appropriate as it was the middle of winter.

Strictly Come Dancing (2004– )

Series 4 - best yet!

[10/10 · 13 January 2007]

Series 4 of Strictly come Dancing was the best yet. Unfortunately, one of the contestants, Jimmy Tarbuck, was taken ill and was unable to compete which left 13 celebrities and their partners. Consequently we had a final with only two couples, the ex-England cricketer, Mark Ramprakash and ex-England Rugby player, Matt Dawson.

The bookies' original favourite, Emma Bunton, was knocked out in the semi-final. The two sportsmen were superior in their dances, with Mark's Argentine Tango receiving an almost perfect score of 39.

The final, because there was only two couples, meant that they had to dance five dances. Mark danced the tango, salsa, Viennese waltz, a dance to the judges' choice of music and a show dance. Matt performed a waltz, a cha cha, again the Viennese waltz and the same dances as Mark.

Mark and his partner Karen Hardy were triumphant with them receiving a maximum 40 points for their salsa to Hot Hot Hot.

The whole show was great. I cannot see it being topped in future.

It is 30 December 2007 - I am editing my comments from last year to say that this year's programme was even better as far as the dancing is concerned.

The final three were outstanding. I would have preferred a three-person final but unfortunately Kelly Brook had to withdraw owing to family bereavement, making a two-person final.

I was disappointed that Gethin Jones (the Blue Peter presenter) was knocked out in the semi-final as I feel he could have been the winner. I know this sounds strange, but you have to have seen it to know what I mean.

The eventual winner was singer Alesha Dixon who was superb throughout the contest. She beat Matt Di Angelo, the EastEnders' actor, although they were very close during the contest.

The worse thing about this year's show was the decision by the BBC to have the results show on a Sunday, despite being filmed on the Saturday. Inevitably the results were leaked onto the Internet which defeated the object of have tension in the results.

Another annoying thing is the lengthy pause between the presenters saying who is knocked out. We have been saying for years that we dislike this but still they do it. Give us a break - don't prolong the agony any further!

Pop Idol (2001–2003)

Four years on and still going strong!

[10/10 · 6 March 2006]

It is now four years since Will Young won Pop Idol and in that time he has released three multi-platinum albums and numerous Top 5 singles, including the fabulous album "Friday's Child" which has to date sold over 1.6 million copies. His latest album "Keep On" is still in the charts.

Will has won two Brits and many other awards including "Rear of the Year" in 2005!

Will has proved to be the right choice as winner. His career is going from strength to strength. His debut film "Mrs Henderson Presents" was released in November 2005 and has received much critical acclaim. He starred with the legendary Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins - not bad for a young man who was only supposed to be "temporary"! I hope they don't make any more Pop Idol programmes as the second one was awful. Will has (as someone said) spoilt it for any other programme. He is the best!

Just editing to say that Will has just completed a nine week run in Noel Coward's The Vortex at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and it was magnificent. The play has received some excellent reviews (although some were a little scathing) and played to packed houses at almost every performance. The last night was electric with the cast receiving a standing ovation.

I have just read back over some of the other reports on this page and have to laugh at people saying that the winner wouldn't last long. When Will won we had no idea what a supremely talented young man he was. It is five years since he won Pop Idol and he is now writing for his fourth album. His third album "Keep On" (in my view the best) is still selling and, with downloads, has no doubt sold well over one million copies.

I look forward to what he produced in the future, whether it is more music, appearing on the stage or on film.

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)

Lovely film !

[10/10 · 28 November 2005]

First of all I want to say that I don't understand some of the comments about this delightful film.

It is a very British film and I was in London (although very young) at the time, I know it was very true to life.

Dame Judi was excellent in her role of Laura Henderson. The one-liners were so funny especially her remark to Bob Hoskins when she saw him naked. Bob himself played Vivian Van Damm to perfection - their arguments were so plausible. Kelly Reilly was very good as Maureen the "head girl" of the nudes in the Revuedeville.

To my mind Will Young was fantastic - his voice singing All The Things You Are was exactly right for the era, some singers did sing higher like that. He sang that in one take and the musical director (George Fenton) was mightily impressed. Bob Hoskins has heaped praise on Will for his performance and says that he can do anything - he is so talented.

Oklahoma! (1999 TV Movie)

Brilliant

[28 August 2004]

I have only just found this website and this thread so I would like to post my comments about the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma.

I was lucky enough to go to the show at the NT and was absolutely entranced by it all. As most people have said Hugh Jackman was a revelation. I saw the show before he became famous as Wolverine so had no preconceptions about him. I am so glad that he has done so well.

Maureen Lipman was terrific as Aunt Eller. When the video was shot I understand she was suffering from an abcess on her tooth but you would have never known.

Must watch the video again.