Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Saddle Club Adventures at Pine Hollow 2001

'The Saddle Club' is a children's series written by Bonnie Bryant. The popular books were turned into a tv series as a Australian /Canadian co-production. Both the book series and tv series follows the adventures of three friends, Lisa, Stevie and Carole who love horses and train at Pine Hollow Stables.
Two series were produced between 2001 and 2003. A third series was done in 2008 due to the shows popularity and new girls had to be chosen for the roles as the original actresses had grown too old for the parts.
The Saddle Club: Adventures At Pine Hollow (2001) was the pilot film for the Saddle Club television series. The story covers:
Caroles struggle with her mother's death from cancer and her fear over whether she would make a good vet as a chosen career.
Lisa wishes to competes for a part as a actress but decides before auditions that some things are more important and leaves.
Steviethe thrid girl has always been a bit of a tomboy and has dumped her name of Stephanie in preference for Stevie but as she is getting older she is finding it hard at time to fit in.

The girls have a major foe in the form of  Veronica diAngelo a rich spoilt girl who in her attempt to show off and be the best carelessly fatally injures her horse Cobalt.
The girls then discover that Delilah is pregnant by Cobalt and is going to have a foal.

The movie does well as a pilot for the series as it introduces all the main characters and leaves the story open for more follow up of started ideas and stories. Girls that love horses should really enjoy it.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Movie: The Hole

The Hole is the kind of movie that reminds me of  movies like "Lets kill Uncle." As a child I was quite scared watching it but as an Adult I could see that it wasn't really scary at all. This is the kind of thriller that I would imagine would be suiter to a younger audience just startung to get into thrillers.
The story is entertaining enough to keep you interested as The Hole is about confronting what you are scared of.
The 3D affects weren't overboard, just enough to create a good picture to watch without the silly horror tricks of having things come out at you.
The three child actors did a good job and were likable to watch.
The clown puppet was freaky and reminded me I dont like clowns eiither.
The story is wrapped up well after all three children have confronted their fears, with a very minor addition at the end to leave the story open for a Hole 2.

POIROT: The Third Girl

Poirot's The Third Girl has been my favourite Poirot film to watch so far. Not for the storyline or the acting which are both good but because a number of the scenes are shot in Poirot's apartment.
When I use to watch the classic TV series Charlie's Angels I was always fascinated whenever the show showed a glimpse into their private life, in particular where they lived.
The Poirot series did well in its choices for Poirot's apartment. We heard in Mrs McGinty's Dead a comment about Poirot living in a modernist apartment and this apartment is highly fashionable on every account. The wood paneling on the lounge matches the wooden paneling on door. There are so many lovely small details in the room that one can look for ages to soak it all in. lucky there are a number of scenes throughout his apartment so that you get to see different rooms.

Of the actors in this film Jemima Roper is the one that I instantly recognised. Jemima Roper played George in one of The Famous Five TV adaptations. She also is the star of "Lost in Austen" the story of a girl who accidentally falls into the world of Pride and Prejudice and into the place for Mr Darcy's affections. In this Poirot film she pays "The Third Girl." She does a good job in this film as the girl who is confused and feels she is going crazy and confesses to a crime she didn't commit.

Would definitely watch this one again if only to view more of Poirot's apartment.