The play is about eight sixth-form students who are applying to oxbridge, and the teachers that help them through it. As with all plays I fully recommend seeing the (excellent) production which premiered at the National Theatre in May 2004 with Richard Griffiths as Hector.

By reading the play one discovers the questions that dictate our lives and do not appear in our education system today. Questions which really make you think about the point of literature, art, education, music and history.

Just great to read, but the jokes are much more apparent on the stage.

This camera is ideal for the average photographer. This camera fits both hands and pockets perfectly! It is moulded to fit hands in the best positioning, the shutter is placed directly under the index finger and the thumb fits naturally on top of the zoom feature. The camera is more compact than most and all of the features are clearly labelled and well positioned. Some people may be put off by the lack of a rechargeable battery. However, both mediums have their pro's and con's. Personally, I hate rechargables when you are abroad because you cantc harge the camera without an adapter. Even so, I recommend buying somerecharable AA's which should dramatically decrease the spending on duracells.

The screen is of average size, but can not get scratched easily, is brightly lit, and is unbelievably clear and sharp. The movie feature is fun but it still isn't a digi camcorder but you are paying for a camera not a camcorder. A large SD card is recommended as thecamera can only hold less than 10 photos on high quality without one. It is essential that a good-quality printer is used to get the top quality prints and the quality that this camera produces, much better than Kodak's equivalent model. There are many different modes and feature on this camera, one wonders when you would ever need to use some of them. However, the menu system is very clear and the jog wheel is a very useful feature that makes Kodak's navigation system look terrible. If the camera is still a little too pricey for you then there is an equivalent 3mp and 2mp model.

No faults, just a superb entry into digital photography!

Rarely do I succeed in finding a book that will occupy my mind so much so that I can not actually wait until my next chance to read it. These chances to read strangely occurred on my daily commute to central london during two weeks of work experience. Reading a novel about a Beach while sitting (usually standing) on a crowded train worked out to be an escape that I hoped would never finish.

While reading the novel there were a few things I think were worth noticing. Firstly, I love Alex Garland's never ending cycles of thoughts and reflections in the thoroughly likeable central character, Richard. These thoughts, and the dreams and hallucinations, never become tiresome and the author has to be commended considering this is a debut and I can not think of another first book that captivates the reader so effectively. I loved the first hundred pages or so (before they meet Jed), becoming worried that the Beach scene would not be the adventure I was hoping for once they got there. However, somehow Garland managed to recapture me and I became addicted to the mini-civilisation on the beach. I was a little annoyed when the Swede tragedy occurred since it was so blatantly obvious that something was going to/had gone wrong. This tragedy was so predictable after reading what Richard predicts is his last conversation with them and that he 'pushes the absence of the Swedes' to the back of his prioty list, when it was so predictably the most important event.

However, the ending was enivitable (i will try not to reveal too much), but it came as a pleasant surprise when there was an even final twist (third to last chapters). Oh, another brilliant thing was the short chapters. I am a great fan because it means that the story is not only easily digestable but also easy to read on trains etc.

Overall, this book is fantastic! But I do not think it would appeal to kids too young, and adults too serious or unadventurous. Alex Garland amazingly picked a theme that very few writers have succeeded on, an escape to a completely different environment.

Read it! Read it! Read it! I urge you, it is unbelievable!

This camera is ideal for the average photographer. It is moulded to fithands in the best positioning, the shutter is placed directly under theindex finger and the thumb fits naturally on top of the zoom feature. Thecamera is more compact than most and all of the features are clearlylabelled and well positioned. The other reviewer was not pleased with thechange from rechargeable batteries to AA's. However, both mediums have thepro's and con's I hate rechargables when you are abroad because you cantcharge the camera without an adapter. Even so, I recommend buying somerecharable AA's which should dramatically decrease the spending onduracells.
The screen is very large and is unbelievably clear and sharp. The moviefeature is fun but there is no sound which is a minor problem but yourpaying for a camera not a camcorder. A large SD card is recommended as thecamera can only hold 29 photos on high quality without one. I was worriedthat 2megapixels would not be adequate for my needs, large prints for artcoursework, but even with 3mp one would need an expensive printer to gettop quality prints and the quality that the nikon produced was terrific,much better than Kodak's 3.2mp equivalent model. There are many differentmodes that feature on this camera,one wonders when you would ever need touse some of them. However, the menu system is very clear and the jog wheelis a very useful feature that makes Kodak's navigation system lookterrible.
No faults, just a superb entry into digital photography!

I had heard of Massive Attack before I bought this album, but had never actually heard their music; and was it worth it? Definitely! The opening track 'Angel' is great and really sets the mood for the rest of the album. Some other favourites of mine include 'Teardrop' which is so relaxing and stunning at the same time; and 'Dissolved Girl' which is also sung by the female singer. I really recommend this album to anybody who likes Royksopp, Moby and other electronic/chill artists. In fact, I think you should desperately consider adding this to your music collection as it simply is beautiful in every single way!

I purchased my iPod in September 2003 and was utterly amazed by the sheer intelligence of the little machine. True to the claims, it is smaller and lighter than one would expect and the capacity of the iPod is unbelievable. The machine looks stunning and simple, the sound quality is superb (for an MP3 player) and the free headphones are a wicked companion. Together with iTunes, this device will automatically sync an entire music collection (over 1000 songs), in a matter of minutes.

There are simply no large-capacity mp3 players that even contend with the iPod in terms of looks, functions, capacity, sound and simplicity. However, I have to say that the iPod is slightly pricey and Apple have made millions with the combination of this and the iTunes music store. One piece of advice though would be to turn off the backlight as soon as you get your iPod and never turn it on. The battey life simply dies in front of you when the backlight is off. Make sure that if you aren'y listening to it, it is off. I say this because I have not had my iPod six months yet and the battery is already failing me. There have been many complaints about the battery life and the volume of the iPod, but if you look after your one and don't over use it then there shouldn't be a problem. If your iPod receives plenty of care, then this audio device will be dream come true for any music fan.

Full of exciting innovations and great build quality makes this player the must have device of the year.

OK I agree, this film isn't exactly a classic but it has its moments. Some of the jokes are really crash and burn, and the film doesn't live up to the first installment or even Scary Movie 3 but there are a few funny bits. Stand out moments are the nike basketball commercial rip off and the mi:2 stuff. Other reviewers have been very harsh, its still not a Gigli or a Crossroads (Britney Spears). Overall, watch it once then show the basketball clip to your friends, then hide it. Or, just rent it. If you particularly enjoyed Scary Movie then this should satisfy your needs if you can't get hold of the third installment.

The defining image of the Vietnam War. Willem Defoe kneeling in the jungle hands and head raised in utter disbelief with a couple of the Vietcong emerging behind him through the blanket of trees; who would have thought it? Platoon (1986) is part of Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy, including the equally magnificent Born On The Fourth Of July (1989) and the almost unheard of Heaven and Earth (1993).

I won't bother with a synopsis just look at this website's own review for it. The film itself won a variety of oscars which were definitely well deserved and all the actors in this war epic are superb. Tom Berenger is magnificent as the ferocious, scar-faced, platoon leader. As is Defoe who plays the rival captain. Charlie Sheen (Yes, the son of Martin, who appeared in Wall Street and erm, Scary Movie 3) is brilliant as the naive volunteer who takes an almost biograpical role to Oliver Stone in real life. Johnny Depp also appears but I found it really hard to spot him.

I can not express to you the need for every human in western society to see this film. Throughout, you are always completly gripped by the sheer atmosphere of the jungle and the violence that faced the innocent Vietnamese people. As this film was relesed before I was born, I missed out on the oppurtunity of seeing it at the cinema during the years after the war itself.

Platoon is one of the best films of the 80's. It ought to be essential for everybody to watch this alongside American Beauty, Fight Club and Ran. However, I did not find the second disc particularly enjoyable but I'm not the type for extras. If your still not convinced about this movie, you must at least rent it at some point soon, this is essential viewing.

I had already heard the majority of the tracks before this cd came out so I borrowed the cd off a friend before purchasing it and am I glad I did! Firstly, this is a 'Heavy-Metal' compilation. Therefore, why does Metallica fail to appear on the track list? Metallica made metal what it is today, and songs such as Run DMC/Aerosmith just shouldn't be placed beside Deep Purple or Black Sabbath even if it is a good tune.

Nickelback is not, I repeat, NOT heavy-metal and somehow seems to find its way onto every single comp out there. Yes we've all heard 'How You Remind Me'; yes, we all thought it was good at the time but can we move on now please? If the producers of this cd intended to stretch the limits 'Heavy-Metal' then they could have added some Guns 'n' Roses or a touch of Led Zeppelin to soften the crude edges of the genre.

Having said that, I am still enjoyed listening to newer artists, especially Yngwie Malmsteen. Malmsteen has recently appeared alongside the likes of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai in the international G3 concerts. If you are thinking about entering the world of heavy metal, your money would be much better placed somewhere else, ie Metallica, Guns N Roses, or some classic Queen or Black Sabbath albums.

However, if this compilation was ever to appear in the sales at about half the price it would be well worth it since there are some still amaxing tracks on the album.

The Extremist was the fifth studio album from Joe Satriani after Surfing With The Alien and Flying In A Blue Dream. Overall, I enjoyed listening to this album, especially The Extremist, Motorcycle Driver, Summer Song and the amazong Cryin'. Overall, the album does not improve or change in style from previous material so Surfing.... sticks in my mind as a more profound album. The Extremist is full of essentially good singles but as a whole they are unsatisfactory and unfulfilling.

If you are a Satriani fan who is looking for a break from the norm of 'glossy' riffs, try Crystal Planet or Flying In A Blue Dream. Other reviewers have complained about the over-the-top feel to the material in question. In some ways I agree. The title track is flashy and a little OTT but I like this quality to some of Satriani's tracks especially when he adds in new techniques and instruments,(the harmonica).

Browsing through Satriani's collection, The Extremist stounds out as similar to the legendary Surfing.... and Strange Beautiful Music. If your a fan but looking for more calm music try Flying In A Blue Dream, this for me is one of his best albums.

If you are new to Satriani however, this and Surfing... would be the best way to get involved, especially as the new box set of this album, Surfing... and the ok Not Of This Earth are available for a great price. Also check out the Vai Box Set.

Overall, I like The Extremist and other instrumental rock fans will too, despite the fact that this isn't his best work.