Blogcritics Author: Catherine Tuckwell

Technology Review: VW Camper USB Memory Stick - 1GB

Catherine Tuckwell — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:56:17 EDT

The most aesthetically pleasing memory stick in the world.
The Volkswagen Camper USB memory stick is easily the sweetest little thing I have ever seen in my life, and is one of those rare things: a novelty with a purpose. Smaller than the die-cast models, and more useful, too. It is also a cause for much amusement at the office or computer desk: not only do the wheels move, but the lights flash during...

TV Review: Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Catherine Tuckwell — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:51:40 EDT

Thomas Hardy's most famous and controversial novel gets the BBC costume drama treatment.
The BBC has given us another of their period costume dramas, almost institutions in themselves. Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles is the latest to join the elite ranks of Pride and Prejudice and Bleak House.However, Tess is not your average, cosy, costume drama that makes for light Sunday-evening viewing. It tells the story of...

TV Review: Mutual Friends

Catherine Tuckwell — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 16:29:08 EDT

BBC One's new comedy is defended against initial, negative previews.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was something to watch at nine o'clock at night for three days running. A thing unheard of as of late! Monday saw The Children, Wednesday Lost in Austen, and sandwiched between them on Tuesday was Mutual Friends....

Technology Review: Apple iPhone and iPod Touch Applications, Part 2

Catherine Tuckwell — Wed, 1 Oct 2008 02:18:00 EDT

An update on what the Apple Apps Store can offer now.
Day by day, little by little, the list of applications for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch keeps on growing. From games by EA (come on, where is The Sims app?!) to aids with musical instruments to wireless transfer of documents, there are at least twenty apps that will be used for pleasure, purpose, or pointlessness.There are now flight simulators,...

Book Review: The Tenth Case by Joseph Teller

Catherine Tuckwell — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:50:48 EDT

Joseph Teller's debut novel should win over the most hostile of juries.
The Tenth Case is former criminal defence attorney Joseph Teller’s debut novel. Defence lawyer Harrison J. Walker, known as Jaywalker, is to face suspension from the bar following the use of inappropriate tactics to win a case, and receiving a certain favour in the courthouse stairwell from a satisfied client. However due to his exceptional...

TV Review: Lost in Austen

Catherine Tuckwell — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:40:36 EDT

Jane Austen's most famous novel with a twist.
Given the numerous adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, can we really handle yet another? Yet Lost in Austen offers a completely different take on the classic novel. In 2008, Amanda Price, perhaps the biggest fan of P+P (who else would want that theme music from the 1995 version as their mobile phone ringtone?), is living a typical young...

Book Review: First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader

Catherine Tuckwell — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 18:14:36 EDT

If you're missing 24, try this.
Having been deprived of my annual fix of Jack Bauer chasing terrorists and fighting to stay alive against a backdrop of political and religious turmoil due to the Hollywood writers’ strike, Eric Van Lustbader’s latest novel, First Daughter, filled the void left by the absence of series seven of 24.Edward Carson is about to be...

Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice (2005)

Catherine Tuckwell — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 12:57:30 EDT

Jane Austen's charming, entertaining novel gets a faithful movie adaptation.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the best out of all the costume dramas. Having recently watched said drama for the third time only last week, I began viewing the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightley with a little apprehension. Thankfully I was soon won over.In two hours,...

Movie Review: WALL-E

Catherine Tuckwell — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:00:35 EDT

Pixar's latest offering is sure to put you off buying the large popcorn and Pepsi.
A dirty, rusty little robot trundles along a dusty path. Gathering a small pile of rubbish into his stomach cavity, he squeezes himself together to compact it into a neat square brick, and places it on top of one of many skyscrapers built entirely of these bricks. He does this task over and over again, day after day, year after year; and without a...

Movie Review: Mamma Mia!

Catherine Tuckwell — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:45:41 EDT

Why we should all be thanking ABBA for the music.
If I was to live in a musical, it would without a doubt be Mamma Mia! -- a place where there are no Top 40 chart songs, no mobile phones, where a swimming costume is an undergarment; and where one can dance along a pier while waving a feather boa and singing ABBA songs before jumping into a clear, turquoise sea without feeling like a...