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Australian Idol (2003–2024)
Variety is the spice.
17 February 2004
Early on in the semi-final stages of the Australian Idol competition the judges, and indeed the serious viewing public were worried that AI was going to be a competition of "boy band" singers. Luckily, and perhaps conveniently, by the time the Final Twelve had been decided there was a variety of different singing styles battling it out to become the winner.

Unfortunately the demographic of people watching this competition favoured looks and character over talent and for this reason contestant Rob Mills progressed further than he probably should have, and over performers who could sing better than him. This was further exampled when Runner Up Shannon Noll made it to the Grand Final with a weak voice, but large amounts of charisma and after the exit of Mills, the teenage girl fanbase.

The final twelve were all fine performers. Some outshone others. Some couldn't handle the schedule (Contestant Rebekah LaVauney fell apart for the majority of her final series, whilst Cosima De Vito had to withdraw all together), whilst others went from strength to strength (Winner Guy Sebastian was, by the end, far beyond the other contestants in performance). But what made AI the success what it was, was the controversy. Contestant Paulini Curuenavuli's dress which sparked a public outcry, Lauren Buckley's emotional breakdown when she was eliminated, a contestant's disqualification and Daniel Wakefield's withdrawal from the final series, giving Levi Kereama a chance to shine, and create controversy himself when he was eliminated. And who can forget everyone's favorite transvestite Courtney Act, who had every guy watching the show lusting after him until she was revealed to be, in fact, a guy. Can AI2 live up to this year? I'd have to say no.
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The Others (2001)
Enthralling
4 October 2002
Warning: Spoilers
***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

Before I saw this movie I was one of the few people who couldn't stand Nicole Kidman. But with Moulin Rouge and The Others, she has became one of my favorite actresses to watch.

It is important to realise that this movie is all Nicole Kidman. She obviously headlines the cast, and despite fantastic performances by her supporting cast, it's Kidman that drew people to this film, and will undoubtably bring new fans to the cast.

The movie follows Grace Stewart (Kidman) and her children Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley), who suffer from a rare disorder that forces them to avoid sunlight at all costs.

Desperate for help, and perhaps company Grace employs the mysterious Ms. Bertha Mills (Fionnula Flannigan) and her companions Edmund Tuttle (Eric Skyes) and Lydia (Elaine Cassidy).

But as things start to go wrong in the house, Grace becomes more and more paranoid and begins to suspect her help, more the mute Lydia who seems to know more than she is letting on.

The movie builds up to a brilliant twist that I for one, never saw coming and appreciated fully.

Kidman is brilliant as Grace, accent and all, and mixes paranoia with strength and determination. Fionulla Flannigan, Eric Skyes and Elaine Cassidy are suitable mysterious, Flannigan particularly and Cassidy put in a brilliant performance for a simple role, though she does look tired and worn and pale. The kids are utterly brilliant, specifically Mann as the suspiciously defiant older sister. Christopher Eccleston appears for a short time, and the movie's only other big name puts in a quietly impressive performance as Grace's MIA husband who turns up in the fog.

9/10.
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