I always get excited when Target or BIG W has a DVD sale because it’s a great opportunity to pick up some cheap TV series on DVD.

Personally, I love TV. The quality of television shows these days is just so good, in fact many of them are far superior to the majority of these idiotic movies that get released at the cinemas (with a few exceptions).

So some good news - this week there’s yet another Target TV on DVD sale. I had quick flick through and some titles stood out to me. I highly recommend The Wire if you haven’t already seen it - Detective Jimmy McNulty, swoon. Earlier seasons are only $19.99 in the sale.

Personally, I’m yet to board the Mad Men train so am seriously considering buying myself season one - for a reasonable $32.99.

By Caroline Warnes

I pretty much thought that no movie could get under my skin more than last year’s “Sex and the City” outing, but I was wrong.

Thumbing through this week’s issue of Grazia, I came across an article posing the question “is this the ultimate chick flick?”.

Of course, we’ve all been waiting with bated breath to discover the answer to that great intellectual quandary, so naturally I read the article.

Apparently there is a movie version of the literary classic “He’s Just Not That Into You” coming out. For anyone unfamiliar with the book, “He’s Just Not That Into You” is some “you go girl” self-help manual written by two of the ever-so-sassy scriptwriters from “Sex and the City”.

The concept is pretty basic. In fact, it’s so basic, that I question whether a book on the subject was even necessary. Apparently the women who buy this book need to be told that when a man doesn’t call them or email them and crosses the road to avoid them, then he’s not really interested in pursuing a relationship.

I mean, I could have told you that for free, and thrown in a few extras. Did you know that when a man calls the cops on you when you’re going through his rubbish at 3am, that isn’t actually foreplay? Also, once the AVO papers have been served, it’s time to stop planning the wedding.

The cast of the movie reads like the ultimate who’s who of annoying people, including Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston. You know, Jennifer Aniston could have made this movie single-handed by taping her own life. Hey Jennifer: if he’s had six kids with someone else, he’s probably JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU anymore!

It’s movies and books like this that do womankind as a whole a disservice. Not all females are sitting around analysing why some bloke didn’t call them. In fact, some of us know it’s mainly because of certain minor personality defects. Some of us don’t even answer the phone when it rings anyway.

Perhaps I should write a self-help book about that.

Photo courtesy of IMDB

By Caroline Warnes

How much am I loving Target’s Epic DVD sale? (A comment, not a question, by the way.)

There are some great titles on offer starting from just $5, and I’ve found lots of my favourites in the catalogue (here) for way below the regular retail price.

Some highlights of the catalogue include:

Kill Bill for $12 per volume - coming to $24 for both. Also part of the “three DVDs for $30″ offer, so team them up with another DVD to buy them for $10 each. Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 are pretty much the only Quentin Tarantino films I can sit through without getting annoyed. View it here.

Fight Club for $8.99. One of the best films of the 90s, for sure. Remember “you are not a beautiful and unique snowflake”? Good times. View it here.

Infernal Affairs for $12.99. A smash hit film from Hong Kong upon which the American blockbuster The Departed was based. View it here.

The Target DVD sale ends on January 21.

By Caroline Warnes

I have to admit that I used to have something of a soft spot for actress Nicole Kidman, which peaked around seven years ago.

Firstly, she is the most famous former student of my old high school, so I always felt like I was at least partially responsible for her success (despite the fact that she was long gone by the time I got there and I’ve never laid eyes on her in the flesh in my life).

Secondly, she has a great sense of style and wears clothes incredibly well. Her John Galliano for Christian Dior dress for the 1997 Academy Awards (picture) is one of my all-time favourite red carpet looks, minus the dwarf standing next to her.

Thirdly, she used to be a decent actress. Remember the likes of Dead Calm, To Die For and, of course, the incomparable BMX Bandits?

But then something happened to Nicole. More specifically, non-surgical cosmetic injectables happened to Nicole. Despite her claims that she has never touched Botox, does anyone really believe that a 41-year-old woman’s forehead is naturally as smooth and tundra-like as Nicole’s?

I mean, I am all for cosmetic procedures, if that’s your thing. But isn’t the point of being an actress that you have to emote? To show feeling? In other words, to move your face. The last few times I’ve seen Kidman on screen, I’ve been so captivated by her immovable forehead that I’ve pretty much missed the rest of the film.

I was thinking about this yesterday when a few Lasoo staff members were discussing the new film “Australia”. I mentioned a scurrilous rumour I heard that director Baz Luhrmann had to extensively retouch the film to inject some life into Kidman’s forehead. A couple of people expressed disbelief that Kidman has had Botox… I mean come on. Isn’t it fairly obvious? Sunscreen and clean living only go so far once you hit your 40s.

This morning I Googled “Nicole Kidman’s forehead” for more information (no, I don’t have much going on in my life) and much to my amusement, there is a whole website devoted to the subject. You can see it here. The gallery devoted to the evolution of the Kidman forehead is a must-see.

Picture from Lainey’s Entertainment Update

By Caroline Warnes

I don’t know about you but I have been hanging out for the latest instalment in the Batman franchise, “The Dark Knight“, for about a year.

Even before Heath Ledger’s tragic demise (many claimed his personal demons were triggered by playing the Joker as a sociopathic murderer) I was looking forward to it after seeing some preview pictures of Heath in character last year.

His appearance as the Joker looks chilling to say the least and critics are saying that his performance in the movie is that good that Ledger may be awarded only the second posthumous Academy Award for Best Actor in history (Peter Finch for “Network” in 1976 was the first, also a great film). And can I just say that thank God the wooden Katie Holmes will not star in this instalment. The very hot Christian Bale made my life in the last Batman movie (2005), and I would have enjoyed it so much more without Joey Potter from Dawson’s Creek simpering anaemically all over his hotness.

Anyway the film will play at IMAX cinemas in Sydney and Melbourne and it’s going to be worth paying the extra to see it at IMAX.

“The Dark Knight” is the first major motion picture in history to be partially shot using IMAX cameras and includes six sequences shot using giant IMAX film (including the opening sequence, which is supposed to be incredible). Think amazing images and crystal clear sound. I will be there will bells on next week (the film opens next Thursday).

Forget fricking “Sex and the City” and all its twee sassiness and tryhard fashions. This is going to be the movie of the year.

If you haven’t seen it yet, the trailer can be viewed below…

By Caroline Warnes

Am I the only one who is sick of the upcoming “Sex and the City” movie already?

The stupid thing hasn’t even come out yet and already it’s hitting me in the face at every turn - in magazines, on TV and on my beloved gossip websites.

Being the consumers’ paradise that it is, my local Westfield has also succumbed to “Sex fever” (that’s an awesome term! I’m copyrighting it!) and is offering two free tickets to the opening screening with gift card purchases of $100 or more, including champagne and canapes on arrival then a screening of the movie.

My inital thought was, keep the champagne and canapes, lose the movie and I might show up.

Apart from watching the occasional re-run on Foxtel while waiting for “Law & Order” to start, my care factor about Carrie and her gang of rabid “single and sassy” women has always been pretty much close to zero but now with the “Sex and the City” publicity machine shifting into high gear I’m seriously moving into annoyance territory.

As a city-dwelling single woman myself, I often wonder if people think we’re all as sassy and exciting as the “Sex and the City” floosies. Personally, I’ve never met anyone who has that lifestyle of cocktails and numerous men hanging around. Even if I did I would most likely be insanely jealous and therefore hate them.

But what about the groundbreaking fashion, I hear you say? Granted, there were some pretty exciting fashion moments in the TV series, but aren’t we over the whole dressing like a cashed-up bag lady thing? Isn’t it all a bit 1999?

And from the stills I’ve seen of the movie, it looks like someone’s trying too hard to push the fashion envelope. Newsflash: fashion moments are usually better when they aren’t forced.

A case in point:

What is this? Since when did it become acceptable to get married with a dead bird stuck to your head?

That has to be the least radiant bride I have ever seen.

By Caroline Warnes

As I’ve mentioned before, retro kitsch is not really my thing but I can imagine there will be many people out there who will love these Transformers t-shirts.

Back in the day (ie the mid-to-late 1980s), Transformers were the coolest thing since sliced bread. I clearly remember being scared of some boys in the playground at primary school who were waving their Transformers action figurines at passers-by menacingly. And of course there was also the cartoon series (though I have to say, give me Astro Boy or Thunder Cats over Transformers any day. I never really got the whole Autobot/Decepticon thing).

And then there was last year’s Tranformer action movie, which saw the boys of the 1980s rushing to the cinemas to recapture their fading youth in droves.

Jay Jays has released a range of t-shirts to celebrate everyone’s favourite intelligent robots that are able to convert. There are four shirts to choose from and best of all they are only $20 each.

More than meets the eye indeed.

By Caroline Warnes

When it comes to fashion, arguably nothing makes more of an impact on the trends of the day than movies.

However there are some fashion moments in film that remain memorable far beyond their run at the cinema. Take a look through shops today and you can still see the influence of certain movies years - or even decades - after their cinematic release.

In that spirit, here are some of my favourite fashion moments in movies, and clothes that are inspired by them…

Michelle Pfeiffer, Scarface

I spent the first couple of decades of my life not really getting the fascination with gangster movies. Then I saw Scarface on DVD - starring Michelle Pfieffer as resident gangster moll Elvira - and suddenly I started to understand.

In this film, everything from Pfeiffer’s blunt fringe to her white linen skirt suit screams raw sex appeal and glamour. But most of all, she rocks the maxi dress. And I’m not the only one who thinks so - top Australian designer Wayne Cooper is said to be heavily influenced by Scarface in many of his collections.

Luckily for me, maxi dresses are back this summer. I love them because they can either be dressed up for night time - with killer heels and oversized earrings - or down for day, with flat sandals and minimal accessories.

Most stores have maxi dresses in stock at the moment. Target has several and better yet is offering 20 perent off some dresses until November 21. I also like this floor-sweeping halter from Bardot.

Marie Antoniette

The recent Sofia Coppola version of Marie Antoinette, starring Kirsten Dunst, could be described as bizarre at best - the costumes were probably the most enjoyable part of the movie. It was hard not to drool over the elaborate and colourful 18th-century dresses and powdered wigs. Brocade fabrics made a small comeback after this movie was released.

I was browsing the Wheels & Doll Baby website recently and saw they actually have a range named after the famous French queen (click on the La Pin Up - Fashion section to check them out - the Marie Antoinette Bra Dress is pictured here). The satin fabric used in these pieces wouldn’t have looked out of place in the film.

A word of warning: Wheels & Doll Baby designs are pure rock and roll fantasy (celebrity fans include Debbie Harry) and are not for the faint-hearted or the demure!

Uma Thurman, Kill Bill

Was I the only one who wanted to be an elite assassin codenamed after a deadly snake after watching Uma Thurman slice and dice her way across two countries in Kill Bill? I also wanted a yellow tracksuit. For a microsecond. But then again I am easily influenced. In any case, if anyone could make a yellow tracksuit look fashionable, it was Uma starring as The Bride. She even looked good wearing a wedding dress whilst being shot in the chest to the duclet strains of Nancy Sinantra’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. She was just that cool in Kill Bill.

To get an identical yellow tracksuit, you’ll need to hit eBay, or you can find the creme de la creme of tracksuits - Juicy Couture - at Myer.

For something a little less “look at me, I’m wearing a yellow tracksuit”, the shoes Thurman wore throughout the movie were Asics Onitsuka Tigers and they can be found at several shoe retailers around the country. There is even a standalone store at Westfield Bondi Junction.

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Come on - how could I not include that black dress of Breakfast at Tiffany’s? I’m going to go against the grain and say the movie itself isn’t a favourite of mine, however there’s no denying that Hepburn’s ankle-length black cocktail dress, pearl choker and cigarette holder ensemble as Holly Golightly is one of film’s most iconic fashion moments.

The original dress was made especially for Hepburn’s waspish 20-inch waist by Hubert de Givenchy (she was his design muse), however you don’t need to pay a fortune for a basic black cocktail dress. If you’re looking for versatility, you can’t go past the famous Sacha Drake Ultimate Black Dress. This little number can be worn 10 different ways - as a halter, one-shoulder, twisted halter or strapless dress, amongst others. Wouldn’t that take the headache out of coming up with exciting new outfits for the party season?

By Caroline Warnes