Advantages: Quirky and funny version of original classic
Disadvantages: Not completely true to the book

...I must say, most guiltily, that I've never read the 'Wind in the Willows'. Yet here I am to pay homage to one of the funniest DVD's I've ever seen. Looking at a few reviews on different websites the general consensus seems to be that, while not quite true to the book, this is still a hilarious and cheering film for both adults and children (it's rated 'Universal'). However, I've also read some very negative reviews from people brought up on the classic children's story, who find that this film unnecessarily deviates from material so good it should never have to be changed. As a newcomer to the story I was able to appreciate the wonderful story irrespective of faithfulness to the original. It is still, in my opinion, extremely funny and has a tranquil atmosphere of English countryside, riverbanks and country homes. I'm a huge fan... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: classic children's tale, lovely illustrations
Disadvantages: lots of cheap copies about that may not appeal tochildren in format, so be choosy

...Ah....childhood memories. This book brings back so many fond memories of rainy afternoons and even a read along at school. It all came rushing back as I sat down to go through my daughter's curriculum guide for next term and saw The Wind in the Willows was on her Year 2 syllabus .I almost envy her. This will be her first meeting with the creatures who live along the river in a romanticised pastoral England that never quite was. Astonishingly, this book almost never quite was the highly regarded and well known book it is today. Kenneth Grahame was a banker for the bank of England, and after publishing a few stories, here and there, that went greatly unnoted, penned The Wind in the Willows. It too seemed destined to drift on the tide unremarked, save for it coming to the attention of A. A. Milne, who was so taken with the book that he... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: beautiful tree
Disadvantages: none

.... The willow tree can be either a male tree or a female tree the male pussy willow catkins get yellow pollen on the fluffy catkin which is either blown in the wind or carried on an insect's nose or feet to a female tree with female catkins. The female catkins are a lesser catkin and a pale green colour. After pollination the female catkin flowers make seeds and they break up and fall or blow in the wind to set root elsewhere in moist soil. The leaves of a willow tree are long and thin. The branches of the willow tree are long and pliable the bend and sway in the wind rarely breaking. The willow likes a moist soil often growing by or where it floods. If you are looking for a pussy willow for your garden do check the details of the species to find the most suitable one. While I was looking on line for small varieties I found that the site... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some amazing episodes
Disadvantages: Not really about willow?

...Obviously it says a lot about how much I like this show that this is approximately my 432nd Buffy review. For those of you just getting with the programme, here's the gist. Its about Buffy the vampire slayer, who is a normal girl by day and a supernatural vampire hunter who regularly has to save the world, which makes it a bit of a struggle to have a normal life. However as these wonderful (not at all money spinning) DVDs in 'The Slayer collection' show us, the show isnt all about Buffy. This one is about probably the second most important character in the show, WIllow. Willow is Buffy's best friend and one of the only four characters to be in the show from beginning to end (three if you dont count Giles, he was missing from most of season 6) and she grows over time from a shy nerdy girl with a big heart into a snappy confident young... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Extremely vivid surreal world.
Disadvantages: Sometimes a bit slow and attention sapping.

...'Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman' is a collection of short stories written by Haruki Murakami; well known Japanese author with works such as 'Kafka on the Shore', Norwegian Wood' and 'After Dark'. Firstly a bit about the author; Haruki Murakami was born on the 12th January, 1949 in Kyoto. He became a national celebrity after the publication of his novel 'Norwegian Wood' in 1987. Since then he has famously alternated between writing short stories and novels, as well as translating many important works into Japanese, such as F.Scott Fitzgerald and John Irving. He also won the Yomiuri Literary prize, whose previous recipients include Yukio Mishima and Kenzaburo Oe. Now for the book; 'Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman' was published in English in 2006 available as an audio book or in print and contains 24 stories, including all five of T... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Magical, entertaining, fun, funny, great special effects, action packed
Disadvantages: I cant see any!

...I've watched this film so many times and I still love to watch it. From an early age I considered this to be one of my favourite films and having gone out and bought the DVD I still love it. It's a spectacular film, with magnificent special effects and a classic good versus evil story line. The main character, Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davies- plays many other famous and often not acknowledged parts such as Wicket in "Star wars" and marvin the paranoid android in "hitch hikers guide to the galaxy") (the best PC word I know) a dwarf, lives in a village with similar people. He's married happily with two kids, life is simple but good. Then he finds a baby floating down the river and things change. He is given the task of taking the baby to a tall people's or "Daikini" village. What he doesn't know is that this baby is special... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: central to city
Disadvantages: staff could smile a bit more for one

...Situated along a street lined with other hotels, the Willow Hotel doesn't look that much different from the others on the outside. The first thing I found a little strange when my friends and I arrived is that we have to buzz the door in order to be let in during the day - this got a little annoying when they take ages to buzz you in. ( This system is understandable at night times for security reasons but during the day?) I guess that is the only viable method of security available to them because no one appears to be bothered to keep night watch like other hotels. Our triple bedroom wasn't anything spectacular - quite standard really, with a coloured TV (no foreign channels or SKY/cable) and ensuite shower. The decor is the usual white walls but there was a gloomy feel to it. There's also a kettle with your usual teabags, coffee... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful