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Reviews
Treasure Hunt (1982)
A British gameshow classic
Treasure Hunt was a classic gameshow series which ran from 1983-1989. Originally it featured bubbly blonde Anneka "Annie" Rice as the skyrunner. Annie would be flown around all over the British Isles in her helicopter (while wearing now-very naff looking jumpsuits) searching for little pink clues which would help point to where the treasure was hidden.
Kenneth Kendall was the show's host, who would present each episode from Channel 4's London based studio. Working with him in the beginning was Annette Lynton, the Adjudicator. After the 1984 season Annette was replaced with the much more lively and fun Wincey Willis, who filled the Ajudicator position for the rest of the series. The basic plot of the show was this: 2 constestants would remain in the studio with Kenneth and solve the cryptic clues. They had to guide the skyrunner around but could only talk to her, not see her or where she was.
In 1989 Anneka left Treasure Hunt (I believe the reason for this was because she became pregnant) and was replaced by tennis player/Wimbledon commentator Annabel Croft. However without Annie the show failed miserably and was cancelled after Annabel's first and only season as the sky runner.
Treasure Hunt was a great show that I have only fond memories off, even during the Annabel Croft season (I thought Annabel did fine, people were really unfair to her and she had some really hard shoes to fill too). The best episodes were the ones that were shot abroad like the one in Florida. There was always wonderful banter exchanged between Kenneth and the skyrunner (the banter was better when Annie was on, no doubt about that) and it was just great fun. I was only a child when Treasure Hunt was on, but I remember being insanely jealous of Anneka Rice and wanting to be her. :p
A Friend to Die For (1994)
One of the better "true stories" movies out there
I love "Death of a Cheerleader". I caught on TV shortly after it was made and really enjoyed it, but never video taped it and didn't see it again until very recently when I bought the DVD from Amazon.co.uk. I can't believe this movie got a DVD release (it's not even ever been on VHS!) but it deserves it because it's so good.
"Death of a Cheerleader" is about Angela, a high school student who's life goal is to 'be the best' in every possible way. She wants to become one of the 'cool' kids and join the 'in crowd'...she wants to become a member of the snotty, elite social club The Larks, she wants to be editor on the paper, she wants to be a cheerleader...she wants to be Stacy Lockwood. Stacy is everything Amanda isn't, rich, beautiful, popular...she's also a class A bitch and takes delight in constantly making cruel remarks to Monica, a goth girl who everything thinks is psycho and weird just because of how she looks.
Angela wants nothing more than to be Stacy's friend and tries to hang out with her crowd but they just snub her or make little jibes about her being poor...determind to become Stacy's friend, one night Angela tricks Stacy into going to a party with her, but once Stacy discovers neither Angela nor herself were properly invited, she changes her mind and yells at Angela to take her back home. In the end Stacy flips out and screams at Angela, telling her she's weird and a freak. Stacy walks off and finds her own way home, but later when she reaches her house Angela makes one last attempt, begging Stacy to be her friend. Stacy refuses and mocks and insults Angela. Angela, in a fit of rage, stabs Stacy to death with a knife.
Stacy dies, and there is a huge inquiry. Detectives question students, Larks, and all the people who knew Stacy. Everyone in school is pointing the blame towards Monica but eventually they learn who the real killer is and are completely shocked.
Over all, "Death of a Cheerleader" is a great movie. It has a strong script, and realisticly protrays how nasty school girls can be to each other without getting silly or going over the top. The acting from the two leading ladies, Kellie Martin (Angela) and Tori Spelling (Stacy) is amazing, they give brilliant performances. A must see movie!
Lady in White (1988)
Have you ever seen a dream walking...
Lady In White is a chilling ghost story. Despite not being filled with senseless voilence, monsters, blood and gore, Lady In White is still very much a horror film. It IS scary, especially the scenes with Melissa, the little girl ghost, being murdered, and the ghostly re-enactment of her mother's suicide later on...and then there's the extremely suspensful (and again scary) scene of young Frankie fighting for his life when the same man who murdered Melissa tries to throw him off the cliffs...trust me, it's pretty heavy stuff.
The basic plot is that on Halloween in 1962 (the setting of the story), Frankie Scarlotti is locked in his schools cloak room when two of his "friends" play a prank on him. However the prank turns dangerous when a mysterious man comes in and tries to murder Frankie. Frankie survives the attack but can't identify the attacker because it was too dark to see the man's face.
Frankie, who before being attacked, witnessed the re-enactment of a brutal murder of Melissa Montgomery which took place in the cloakroom about 10 years before. Now Frankie, after making a promise to Melissa when he met her while in a near-death like state, is determind to solve the murders of Melissa so that the little ghost girl can re-unit with her mother...a white robed woman who roams the local cliffs, labelled by many as the lady in white.
The best things about Lady In White, aside from the great story, are the cast, sets and costumes. A young Lucas Haas does a remarkable job playing Frankie, giving the role realism and depth. Alex Rocco is also good as Frankie's father, Katherine Helmond is super as the spooky Amanda and little Joelle Jacobi is excellent as Melissa. Karen Powell, in a far-too-short apperence, plays the title role, the Lady In White excellently. Joelle Jacobi was wonderful in Lady In White, it's very sad she seems to have disappeared completely from the film/TV scene, ditto with Karen Powell.
Lady In White is a wonderful movie, but is very under-rated. Not so long ago a special edition DVD was released and if you are already a fan it is WELL worth picking up. It's amazing, it has a very informative and fascinating commentary by director Frank LaLoggia, a 15 minute-ish behind-the-scenes piece, the full soundtrack, and a picture still gallery. It's a must have for every Lady In White fan!