The hardest military training on Earth, 32 weeks with the Royal Marine Commandos. Where just making it as an original is a huge task, back trooped recruits or medical discharges make for great viewing, as Chris Terrill drags us along for the ride.

This Documentary gives a new meaning for the term “elite” and makes you want to go jogging or push yourself in the gym, thinking if you could keep up with these machines. After passing out they head straight to Afghanistan under fire on the front lines. You’ll question if your making a difference in your civilian job after watching the camaraderie and bonding with these lads.

Okay, so maybe The Low Down isn’t technically a `gay’ film.

And to be honest, the shower scene isn’t all that hot.

But, I just wanted people to read this because I think The Low Down is the best film I’ve seen in ages about the `stupid years’ – that awkward time spent after college doing stupid jobs for stupid people. It’s about dealing with responsibility, outgrowing old friends, and the “rest of your life.’ Can’t we all relate? Anyone who is (or has been 23-28 should see it!

Aidan Gillen (from the British Queer as Folk who is amazing) plays Frank, a young wanna-be artist whose life revolves around friends and work. He knows he needs to shift his life into gear but he’s not sure how to do it. Some of his friends from art school are settling down. His indecision comes to a head when he meets Ruby (Kate Ashfield who will be a big star), a pretty rel estate agent whose approach to life and its problems has an effect on him.

The director THraves did that Radiohead video with everybody lying in the street, and Blur, Travis, and The Verve and approaches this bittersweet slice of life with a cool style in perfect balance with his group of friends whose lives are at a crossrods.

And if that’s not enough for you..Aiden Gillen is NAKED. I LOVED this movie!

Unlike the other review… I think this show is innovative and very interesting…

I have gotten my friends into the show and can’t wait to see more episodes..

Everyone who I know that watches the show finds it entertaining and well worth searching for it..

It is a TV show not an Oscar winning documentary… So I find the 1st review very brutal.

Tivo it and make up your own mind about it..

The characters are interesting and multi-faceted.

Independent movies have been losing some of their force during the years. They have not been making so much profit, partially because of so many blockbusters and successful franchises that are more and more often in the cinematic world. But out of all the independent films I’ve seen recently, “Transamerica” was the one that stayed in my mind. Wheter it is a touching comedy or funny drama, it is most importantly an amazing film, with polemic issues and intense character development.

“Transamerica” is a delightful movie and it sure is a grasp of fresh air for independent movies. The story is bold and never have I imagined a movie like this would dare come out. Hats off to Duncan Tucker, the writer/director of this great film. A male-to-female transsexual travels to New York after discovering she fathered a son, which is a rebellious runaway. Felicity Huffman is incredibly great in her role, making the viewer feel what she’s feeling. Never has any actress been so good in her role as Felicity is. Everyone in the film deserves thumbs-up, but Felicity truly delivers.

To concentrate even more in the film’s boldness and smartness would be the obvious. “Transamerica” is marvelous and that’s enough. Although definitely not perfect (the film is somewhat long and sometimes boring), “Transamerica” offers much more any other independent movie I’ve seen could’ve offered.—–8/10

The other day I was considering the question “What was the best “soap” ever?” This relatively little-known Aussie series must rank highly on my personal list of favourites and probably (just) comes out top. The reason lies mainly with the ability of the series to come up with one cliff-hanging episode after another, and for such a long period. (Dallas, at it’s best, also had this quality). The effect of this in my case was to cause me to think about the programme between episodes and to look forward with eager anticipation to the next. The plots and twists have sometimes been described as “unbelievable”, but then, why should entertainment be believable? Charles Dickens, for example, had deliciously unbelievable coincidences in his novels to entertain and thrill his readers. “Sons and Daughters” was full of these moments and one moment in particular – a scene in a prison cell – included THE most shocking, unexpected and thrilling twist I’ve ever seen in any film or TV programme ever. Fantastic!!!

This is not an easy film to find; I was astonished to discover not even the world-famous MOVIE MADNESS in Portland carries it. After locating a reasonably priced used DVD I can say I am happy to own ZONE 39. It hovers in a strange realm between traditional sci fi action film and slower, more cerebral and arty science fiction fare such as SOLARIS.

Peter Phelps is a hugely likable actor. His central performance dominates the film and he shows he is fully up to the task of carrying a major motion picture; he has a lot of scenes where he is alone and they never drag on into dullness. Why he isn’t as big of a star as Russell Crowe is a mystery.

The “future world” scenario that ZONE 39 presents is rendered extremely plausibly within the confines of the tight budget; this movie really shows what a dedicated production team can do in conjunction with a tightly written script. Nothing is attempted that cannot be pulled off convincingly.

This is yet another one of those films that should be more well-known.