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  • Review count
    75
  • Helpfulness votes
    53
  • First review
    June 21, 2008
  • Last review
    August 9, 2008
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  • Average rating
    3.7
 
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fiddler's Reviews
<< 1 2 3 4 5 ... 8 >>
 
Directed by Richard Loncraine, Wimbledon follows the plight of aspiring tennis-star Peter Colt (Paul Bettany), whose bad luck seems to manifest itself just about everywhere. Professionally, Peter is near the very bottom of the world tennis ranks, and personally, he can't find love despite his best efforts to do so. In a rare turn of events, however, Peter is chosen as a wildcard to play at Wimbledon, the tennis world's most prestigious competition. While there, he meets American tennis ingénue Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst), and his confidence on the court and off improves tenfold as he falls further in love with her. Driven by his newfound luck, Peter climbs to the top of the tournament players at record speed, until he actually has a fighting chance of winning the men's singles title -- the question is whether or not his good fortune will hold out long enough for him to get the trophy.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Double Fault
on July 28, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
My entire tennis team went to watch this expecting an okay film. Although the idea was interesting and something tennis-fans and players have known well, that pro tennis can only be played until a certain age... usually up til the early thirties (Andre Agassi comes to mind), for some reason the way the movie was made did not suffice our need for entertainment. We found it boring.
It was cute at times, but I thought that once the plot shifted from Bettany's overcoming his aging and playing better to Lizzie's overprotective parents and their blooming relationship, it got to be cliche. The idea itself is something that will never go away... overprotective parents... but the way the movie showed it, it didn't see deep or emotionally provocative.
And the fact that the relationship caused Bettany's getting better to counter Dunst's getting worse was pretty predictable. A falling from grace man and a young rising star girl come together. You can just tell.
It's hard to explain why I don't like it, because the idea is sincere and real but what was filmed seemed just superficial. Many Americans aren't too open to tennis, so I even wonder how their reactions were to this.
What's great about it: a movie finally about tennis (sort of), some parts of the plot 'different' and sincere
What's not so great: drags and gets boring, nothing particularly jumps out at you, sincerity does not convert to entertainment
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Best Thing Out of HSM
on July 27, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I'm not a fan of the actual movie of High School Musical, but I do enjoy the soundtrack. This special edition one has kareoke, so it's more fun for the kids. It's worth the money and it's has the type of songs that some older teens secretly love but won't admit it.
Vanessa Hudgens actually has a great voice. My favorite tracks are 'Breaking Free' and surprisingly 'We're All in this Together.'
Though the movie does not depict high school correctly at all, it does send kids a message of reassurance and opens their eyes and minds.
What's great about it: reason for movie's hype, fun songs, good lyrics, variety
What's not so great: get stuck in your head for long time
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
The Munsters, the continually popular situation comedy about a loving family of monsters, sees every episode from its first season collected on this box set. Each episode is presented in the original broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, but television enthusiasts and fans of the show will enjoy this set.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Not Gruesome, but Fun
on July 26, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
I used to watch this on Nick at Nite as a kid... I loved this and all the other old shows like Bewitched, I Love Lucy, Gilligan's Island, The Brady Bunch, The Wonder Years, Happy Days. They have this innocence ingrained that really can't be matched by today's shows.
What's great about it: comical, b&w delight, interesting character, classic charm
What's not so great: some don't prefer black & white, different type of humor
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this buoyant children's adventure yarn about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest, 13-year-old Kiki sets out on a year-long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom, she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately, the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares. Soon she befriends a college-aged artist, an old women who fusses over her, and a boy her same age who is nursing a massive crush. All is well until she wakes up one day and realizes that she can't make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Animated Magnificence
on July 25, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
This is an animated movie even adults can enjoy. It's got a subtle story with lots of symbolism and progresses in a calm, relaxing manner. Perfect for those long rainy days.
Children too can appreciate it and relate to Kiki as she hits on things crucial to growing up: the struggle of being different and trying to fit in. The struggle of preserving identity when around difference. The people you meet on the way. The people who change your life. Growing up and trying to grasp on to reality and unleash oneself from fantasy.
It's a great watch, absolutely love it. It's a great movie to grow up to, but you have to be in the right peace of mind to appreciate it.
What's great about it: simple story, carefree effects, subtle yet real drama, highly entertaining
What's not so great: it may be too slow for kids of today
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
For his sophomore stab at directing, actor/writer/director Jon Favreau (Swingers, Made), took on this holiday comedy starring Saturday Night Live-alum Will Ferrell. Ferrell stars as Buddy, a regular-sized man who was raised as an elf by Santa Claus (Edward Asner). When the news is finally broken to Buddy that he's not a real elf, he decides to head back to his place of birth, New York City, in search of his biological family. Elf also stars James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Zooey Deschanel, and Bob Newhart.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Lots of Fun
on July 25, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Will Ferrell is irresistible. He knows exactly how to please his target audience, and in this case, it's a family film. He plays an elf Buddy, who was left in the North Pole and raised by elves only to discover and give in to his being 'different' and ravages off into the human world to find his real father.
Explaining the story itself may not be appealing, because the plot itself is a bit sappy. But the things that happen along the way and all the laughs brought on and smiles provoked is what makes this film so enjoyable.
Two thumbs up, five star buy.
What's great about it: different holiday movie, very funny, cute, Will Ferrell great
What's not so great: plot is a bit strange and is a bit tacky,but it's a fun movie overall
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A UK Delight
on July 25, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Jay Sean. There's a name many people in the States don't know. But, he's big back in the UK... a pop/r&b South Asian star. Americans often note that when British folk sing, they sing with an American accent, and Jay Sean is no exception.
In fact, if I were to describe his singing voice to you in four words, I'd say "A Soulful Justin Timberlake." He's UK's Justin. His haircut is even similar to Justin and has the same dorky grin as well.
He has a smooth voice and international appeal and is climbing charts in the UK and now Japan and the Middle East.
Now time for my opinion... I like his songs, his voice, and the fact that he's a rising South Asian star in the West. He's different and he's successful. I find his music really redundant though, so I'll be shuffling through songs in the middle of them.
What's great about it: soulful voice, rising south asian singer, meaningful lyrics
What's not so great: gets to be very repetitive , type of voice that females appreciate many times more than males
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Scientific calculator with equation recall combines statistics and advanced scientific functions. Two-line display shows entries on the top line and results on the bottom line. Entry line on the top of the display shows up to 11 characters and can scroll left and right up to 88. Result line on the bottom shows up to a 10-digit answer and 2-digit exponent. Functions include common/natural logarithms, fractions, fraction/decimal conversions, degrees to decimal conversion, reciprocals, factorials, grads, hyperbolics, polar/rectangular conversions. Fraction feature allows operations with fractions and mixed numbers. Two-variable statistics allow you to enter, delete, insert, and edit individual statistical data elements. Calculator runs on solar and battery power.
 
  • Tech Insider Network
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Good Scientific Calc
on July 25, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
Compared to the other popular TI Scientific calculator (I can't remember the name, but it's dark green and has no large screen), it's just as good. The only problem I have is I lost the book and never figured out how to do fractions on it...which is quite necessary for most courses that require a scientific calculator.
I recommend the other one over this one simply because it is less confusing and most of these functions you don't really need for any high school or college general math course. The pro is that the screen is larger to see what you type before you push equal...so it's up to you.
What's great about it: screen to see what you type in, many features, long-lasting battery, durable
What's not so great: can be confusing
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
2of 3voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Epitome of Teenage Angst
on July 24, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
This is one of those shows where just when you think they won't go there, they really do. This season is one of the most intense in terms of teenage issues. What I love about Degrassi is it is not afraid to touch on even the most sensitive of issues, and the actors greatly do their part as though they really faced the issue.
The audiences can really connect with the characters and empathize. It's what makes it shockingly real. Some issues, like teen pregnancy, some may scoff at... but this show puts us in the shoes of the characters and helps us understand the struggle.
It's not too well-known in the US, sadly, but I recommend this for teens.
What's great about it: very real, touches some really personal but real life issues American teens face, good acting, intense
What's not so great: can get to be too intense at times, blunt
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Based on the popular series of children's books by Deborah Gregory, the made-for-cable The Cheetah Girls is all about four teenage girlfriends, all from different ethnic and economic backgrounds, all attending a Manhattan high school specializing in fashion design. The foursome includes the unofficial leader, Galleria Garibaldi (Raven) and her pals Dorinda (Sabrina Bryan) and Chanel (Adrienne Bailon), as well as comparative newcomer Aqua (Kiely Williams). Aspiring to pop-music stardom, the quartet forms a girl group, whereupon they attract the interest of music teacher (and former disco queen) Drinka Champagne (Sandra Caldwell) -- who, in turn, refers the girls to Jackal Johnson (Vincent Corazza), a charming but duplicitous producer for Def Duck Records. Sensing that the Cheeta Girls' first taste of showbiz success will degenerate into exploitation and backstabbing, Galleria's mom, ex-model Dorothea (Lynn Whitfield), tries to save her daughter and friends from the cruelties of life in the fast lane. The Cheetah Girls debuted August 15, 2003, on the Disney Channel.
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
The Second one is Better
on July 23, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
It's funny when you find the sequel of a movie better than the original. That's usually rare. I found this one rather annoying. It was far too glittery and tacky, both with the acting and the plot.
The idea behind it is okay. The power of friendship in the face of fame. Fame has known to change people. I feel maybe city people may find this movie more fun. Raven-Symone is a funny girl, but I prefer her in her show That's So Raven to her in the Cheetah Girls. It's just not her thing to be serious all the time.
You don't necessarily have to watch the first one to watch the second one. The first one is more about glamor whereas the second one is more about cultural breakthrough.
What's great about it: diverse group of girls, few okay songs, some good messages to be learned
What's not so great: very girly, glittery, cliche, strange conflicts
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
1of 4voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Boyish Charm
on July 23, 2008
Posted by: fiddler
What lured me in was their boyish cuteness which was reflected both by their singing and how they appeared on screen/sounded in interviews. Very bubbly personalities. I'll admit, they don't have the greatest singing voices, but for pop celebrities, you just need to have the right variety to make it far.
For the Jonas brothers, they have their baby visages, eccentric style, 'different songs', family values, liveliness, and Disney channel association working for them.
I like their songs on and off, but it is overall a good CD. A number of hits. Kids, especially girls, would love it.
For preserving the magic of the boyband--rock on. Every American girl should have that in her life.
What's great about it: reinstilling the boyband hype, brothers with good family values (role models), interesting songs, variety, charming boys
What's not so great: unsteady voices (hey, they ARE growing up)/singing not graceful
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
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