I've Got a Golden Ticket!: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971, Warner/David L. Wolper)

Roald Dahl's Charlie & The Chocolate Factory told the story of a young boy who, through his luck of finding a golden ticket, takes his grandpa Joe with him on a tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, with Wonka himself being a bit on the strange side. It involved worker squirrels, Oompa Loompas, and a spoilt girl who you really want to slap hard around the moosh. It's regarded as a classic childrens book, and so David L. Wolper decided to make a musical film version of it in 1971, with the backing of the Quaker Oats Company.

This is one boat ride I wouldn't want to go on!

Starring Gene Wilder as the lovable Willy Wonka, the film has a central lesson of 'enjoy what you have, and don't ask for what you don't really want'. It had comedy, a bit of music, and Gene Wilder in one of his most memorable roles (right alongside his role in Young Frankenstein). It opened to favorable reviews, but had a lackluster box office performance, and even lead to Roald Dahl voicing his displeasure at the movie, and wouldn't even sell the rights to the follow-up book Charlie & The Great Glass Elevator. It also led to Paramount to decide against renewing it's distribution deal, and the Quaker Oats company selling it's shares of the rights to Warner. But, I believe it's Warner who have had the last laugh, as it's become a cult movie over the years due to being played on telly quite frequently (especially around Xmas time, when you've gourged yourself on chocolate, and don't want to look at another chocolate bar for about 5 minutes!!), and good VHS, and later DVD, sales.

A lovable character in a cracking film.

The film is supposedly set in the US, but was filmed entirely in Germany, and you can tell it was. The signs, the license plates, and even the street names are all in German, and not effort was made to cover this fact up. But, for that flaw, the film does redeem itself through being very enjoyable, with the other little brats getting what they deserve, and Charlie showing that a good heart always wins. The film was remade in 2006 that was ok, but the original version will always be the better one, mainly because it has warmth that the remake lacks.

The Underrated: Judge Dredd (Pathe, 1995)

In the future, there are no police, no trials, no courtrooms. Only a group of people with justice in their hands called Judges. Among them is the most famous of all, Judge Dredd (Sylvester Stallone). So, when Dredd is framed for a murder he didn't commit, it's up to him, a hacker called Fergie (Rob Schneider) and Dredd's closest friend Judge Hershey (Diane Lane), to clear his name, and bring the real murderer to justice, Dredd-style.

Being based on a British comic book, Judge Dredd is seen by some as sacrilege because he takes off his helmet which, apparently, is something he never does in the comics. Now, I've only read a couple of the comics, but that was when it was 2000AD, which also had Rogue Trooper gracing it's pages, but who cares if he never took off his helmet? Who actually gives a sodding monkeys? I don't think it's a bad film at all. Yes, some bits are disjointed, and the acting isn't up to scratch in some places, but on the whole, I think it's a fun movie. Stallone and Schneider bounce off each other brilliantly as disgraced judge and a 'nice criminal' (as he puts it), and their comic timing is great. Max Von Sydow turns in a great performance (as always) as Chief Justice Fargo and Armand Assante plays the main villain, Rico, with such evilness, you do get the sense that he'll do anything to get what he wants, no matter who gets in his way.

The storyline is based on a story arc that, I do believe, ran over three issues. And from whats on film here, I'd say it was a good story choice. There is another Dredd film in the works that is supposed to be more akin to the comics in style, but any movie adaption, be it from a book or game, is just that: An adaption. Some changes will be made to give it it's own style, and in this case, it does have style. Yes, some green screen effects look a little hokey now, but it's still an entertaining romp that does what it set out to do. And thats deliver an action film that is enjoyable.

Greetings, Starfighter: The Last Starfighter (1984, Universal/Lorimar)

Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) is a typical 18-year old, dreaming of leaving his trailer park home behind, and starting life afresh, with his girlfriend Maggie (Catherine Mary-Stweart). The only problem in his way, is that he is the parks 'odd job man', and so the only free time he gets is spent with Maggie, or playing the arcade game 'Starfigher'. One night, after having to stay behind from going with his friends, he plays the game, and manages to break the record on the machine. A few hours later, Alex gets a visit from Centauri (Robert Preston), and gets whisked away into space, to the planet Rylos, to fight against Xur and the Kodan Armarda, which he refuses, and goes back to Earth, thereby unknowingly escaping the Kodan's sneak attack, wiping out the entire Starfighter Legion in one blow. Now, it's up to Alex, and his co-pilot Grig (Dan Herlihy), to stop Xur, and to stop the deadly armarda of Kodan warships and fighters heading to invade.

The awesome Starfighter craft, who's design in my opinion has not been bettered.

Being one of the first movies to feature extensive CGI by Apogee, Inc., The Last Starfighter was a landmark when it was released back in 1984. Unfortunately, I never got to see it properly until 2000, when it was on late at night on ITV. Being a butchered cut (cutting the run time from 101 minutes, to 93 minutes), it cut many important plotlines, making it a bit indecipherable. It wasn't until a few years later, that I got to see the full movie on video, and since then, I loved it. The story is your typical sci-fi hero movie, with a bit of romance and humour thrown in to the mix. Add to that a 'Beta' Unit (which is a robot version of Alex which stands in for him) which has some funny lines, and I think it's a film that was ahead of it's time.

If only this cabinet was actually released, I think it could have been one of the best.

The cabinet in the film was the only one to be made, as the game was scrapped unfortunately. However, there is a fan remake of the game, which is very faithful and uses the actual sounds, making it as close as possible to the one seen in the film. If you haven't seen this film, it's up there with TRON as one of the best game-based movies made.

Minor Earth, Major Sky: My top 15 a-Ha tracks

I've always liked a-Ha from an early age, from when I first heard Take On Me which shot the Norwegian group to the big time. And, after 25 years, they might be calling it a day, but they left behind a load of awesome songs for everyone to tap their toes to. Here's my top 15 which has been hard to compile from the tracks.

15: Shapes The Go Together (1994, non album single)
Half rock, half pop, this is instantly likeable. Everything fits perfectly, just like shapes that go together (terrible pun, but I couldn't resist)

14: Summer Moved On (2000, Minor Earth, Major Sky)
It's unmistakeable a-Ha all the way through, and one that took me a couple of listens to to actually like, but when you do, it draws you in.

13: Angel in the Snow (1993, Memorial Beach)
A song written for Pal Waaktaar-Savoy's wife for their wedding, it is a really likeable song and is really catchy. Plus, I think it sounds quite different to their other stuff. Which is no bad thing.

12: Move To Memphis (1991, Headlines & Deadlines: The Best of a-Ha)
Another song that wasn't on a proper album, but is just so damned good, you can't help but like it. Plus the video has Morton Harket with shoulder length hair, and a couple of cracking birds (no smashing blouses, though).

11: Velvet (2000, Minor Earth, Major Sky)
A cracking song, but whats the deal with the video? More fucked up than all the SAW movies put together, it has a woman go around killing the boys in various ways (Morton in a bath of water and an electric heater, Magne Furuholmen shot in the head, Pal Waaktaar-Savoy being suffocated and bunged in the freezer. i kid you not). A great song. A WTF video.


10:Hunting High & Low (1985, Hunting High & Low)
From the same album as Take On Me. 'nuff said, really, as the whole album is great, and this is a powerful song all round.


9: Analogue (All I Want) (2005, Analogue)
Along with Cosy Prisons, this is another great track, and one you should check out, as it shows their Rock side more than their Pop side.


8: Touchy! (1988, Stay On These Roads)
An upbeat song that you can't help but sing along to if you're pissed off. Again, the video's a bit weird (sailors, anyone?), but the song definitely makes up for it.


7: Stay On These Roads (1988, Stay On These Roads)
The title track hits hard and is a surefire classic that you can't help but sing along to, even if Morton can hit the really, really high notes in it (voice braking time, methinks)


6: The Sun Always Shines on TV (1985, Hunting High & Low)
The single was released in 1986, and the first time I heard it was on a flexidisc my sister got from Smash HIts. I promptly 'borrowed' it, and never gave it back. Did I say how much I like this song?


5: Crying In The Rain (1990, East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon)
A cover that I think is better than the Everly Brothers original (even though I do like it), which is more heartfelt with added impact. A classic made better.


4: The Blood That Moves the Body (1988, Stay On These Roads)
There's two versions of this, but that doesn't mean that ones better than the other, as they both have their own strengths and weaknesses. One has a bit more guitar and less orchestra, and the other is, basically the opposite. 


3: Foot Of The Mountain (2009, Foot Of The Mountain)
For their swansong album, the title track is the strongest track of the whole album. Doesn't mean the album is rubbish. Its good, but not as good as the earlier stuff. This song, and the following song save it.


2: Nothing Is KeepIng You Here (2009, Foot Of The Mountain)
Read above.


1: Butterfly, Butterfly (The Last Hurrah) (2010, 25)
Their last single is also one of their best. I'll admit, I didn't like it when I first heard it, but after another listen to, I took it to my heart, as I believe The Last Hurrah is actually their Last Hurrah. And what a way to go out.


I could have gone for Take On Me for the number one, but everyone puts it as their #1, and I wanted to include others that are just as great and should be heard at least once.

And the list goes on... - 10 from the playlist

After chucking a load of music on my iPod and phone, I made up quite a lot of playlists. If I did a definitive playlist, here's 10 I would definitely include:

10: Kashmir - Led Zepplin
With it's awesome guitar riffs, Robert Plant's unique voice and sumptuious violin segments, Led Zepplin's Kashmir has a certain something you can just bung on, whack on some earphones, and just go with the flow.

9: Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - Billy Joel
Often overlooked for Uptown Girl, It's Still Rock & Roll to Me and Piano Man, this is also an excellent song, with a few tales intertwined into one , 7 minute long journey, with its various characters and great lyrics.

8: Advertising Space - Robbie Williams
From his last good album (Rudebox was just shit, and Reality Killed the Video Star was ok at best), the song about Elvis is easily one of his best, and even has a mention about his daughter.

7: Rock & Roll Dreams Come Through - Meat Loaf
Any song sung by Meat Loaf is guaranteed to have powerful harmonies, a rousing rock guitar, and a choir. This has it in spades, and will definitely stir something.

6: Good Times, Bad Times - Led Zepplin
It might be another Led Zep track, but this song from Led Zepplin I is the first track, and gets the album off with a bang.

5: Falling In Love (Is So Hard on the Knees) - Aerosmith
Nine Lives showed that not every band can change with the times unsuccessfully. Being released in 1997, the whole album is pure magic, and this is one you can listing to again and again

4: Forget Him - Billy Fury
His swan song of sorts, this was released just after his death in 1983, and is sung with such conviction and tenderness, it goes to show he would have been a hit in the 80's as well, if Polio hadn't taken his life.

3: If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley
Sung at the end of the '68 Comeback Special, this is a rousing song that really makes you want to sing along to it, only without the white suit and a large ELVIS behind you.

2: Watching The Wildlife - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Taken from the album Liverpool, this is your traditional pop song, but done in a style only FGTH can pull off, and is bloody catchy to boot.

1: Blame It On The Love of Rock & Roll - Bon Jovi
If These Days was the dark album, Keep The Faith was the light album, and produced this awesome song. I Believe was a close contender, but this just pipped it, as its so sodding good.