starlet-uk Reviews

Janet Jackson: Live in Hawaii (2002 TV Special)

Are you ready for Janet at her best?

[5 October 2003]

Everything you could want from a concert is here. The singing, the dancing, the band, the clothes, the lights, and the party. The stage, like Janet was constantly evolving and changing and seemed big enough to hold such a personality. Janet took on different moods such as diva/Theatrical/the Sugar Plum Fairy/Street-wise/ Zoot Suit Queen/Dominatrix/Japanese rocker/Head of a military troupe/Herself.

The set list included: Come on Get Up/You Ain't Right/All For You/Love will Never Do Trust a Try/Come Back To Me/Let's Wait A While/Again Runaway/Miss You Much/When I Think of You/Escapade Son of a Gun/Got Til It's Gone/Thats The Way love Goes/What Have You Done For Me Lately/Control/Nasty Alright Would You Mind If/Black Cat Rhythm Nation Doesn't Really Matter/Someone To Call My Lover/Together Again

Janet shows her evolution since the Velvet Rope tour at the place she seems most at home - the stage. Janet doesn't have the strongest voice but her enthusiasm and growth make up for this. The camera picks up the crowd having a great time, but they are not very loud. Watch this show for the music, the dancing, and the show itself.

Signs (2002)

More than Sci-Fi

[10/10 · 17 September 2002]

Most reviews of this have been mixed, and some seem to have missed the point. Night has developed some similarities between his films now, e.g. the use of colour (Red- 6th Sense, Purple-Unbreakable, Blue- Signs). Here he makes his debut acting role as the Vet. Some say the inclusion of an Asian man in a film at this point in history is emphasising the problems people have with people of colour, since 9/11. I don't know about that, but go see this film if you want to watch a funny, intelligent, thought provoking films. I am not a big fan of Sci-Fi's so cannot tell you if this is a good one or a bad one. (Seeing a little less of the aliens may have been better.)

The relationships in the film are executed perfectly. Joaquin Phoenix is very funny, showing another dimension to his acting. Don't go expecting to see Commodus or Toby N Tucker, or any of the others he plays. The kids are good actors. You believe they all are a family.

The emotional scenes are very touching without being corny. And I bet you leave the cinema arguing about the existence of aliens, and whether you believe we are on our own or not. Do you believe?