"Carrey, awash with make-up and prosthetics, is most recognisable by his voice: you can't miss the pleasure he takes in savouring some of his more preposterous lines and non sequiturs." Philippa Hawker THE AGE "A work of lavish imagery, instantly lovable characters, rousing adventure and slick, all-ages comedy." Phil Villarreal ARIZONA DAILY STAR "Put your Jim Carrey issues aside and take a chance on this amazing, amusing, adventure film." Rebecca Murray ABOUT.COM "Put this film right up there with Harry Potter as one of the best live action family films ever created." Sean McBride SEAN THE MOVIE GUY "Wickedly entertaining and a fortunate addition to the holiday season." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

"This Christmas season, families could do worse than Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events." Ed Gonzalez SLANT MAGAZINE "Arson, snakes, hurricanes, murder, man-eating leeches and a plot development out of Jerry Lee Lewis’ scrapbook notwithstanding, this is beyond perfect family entertainment" Erik Childress EFILMCRITIC.COM "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is a wonderfully wacky and deliciously dark masterpiece. Dripping of Gorey-isms and Addams-esque hues..." Emily Blunt BLUNT REVIEW "Sublime. I loved it. And I’ll love it when I see it again." Victoria Alexander FILMSINREVIEW.COM "All the performances, including the three children, are highly enjoyable and the mix of adventure, mystery and humour works perfectly." Louise Keller OPTUS MOVIE REVIEWS

At A Glance

"The film combines nail biting tension with various kinds of humour, from the simple to the sophisticated, from the obvious to the subtle. A Series of Unfortunate Events is so engrossing and entertaining that it's likely to lead to even more Unfortunate Events. Let's hope so." Andrew L Urban OPTUS MOVIE REVIEWS

While there are many unfortunate events in "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events", audiences are indeed fortunate that, like "Harry Potter" and "The Lord Of The Rings", they are set to be entertained by a film which will spawn another round of sequels. Judging by the feedback I have been receiving after the Adelaide Premiere, for those who were privileged to attend, a sequel can't come quick enough. And it seems that 34 year old Lemony Snicket [aka Daniel Handler] has more in the future althoigh he did have a few outspoken words to say on the idea that his highly successful books [which knocked Harry Potter of the top of the New York Times children's bestseller list] should be made into a motion picture. Speaking from an undisclosed hole in the ground Mr Snicket explained, "I begged them not to do it. I begged them not to get a good director. I begged them not to cast anyone talented." Was that all Mr Snicket? It seems not for he added, "I begged them not to base the movie on any three of my books, and they chose three of them!" Oh dear, oh dear. So what can be done about it? "My last hope," he said, "is that hordes of volunteers will read this quote, buy every ticket available, and then ...". It is hear dear reader that I must pause before revealing the awful truth and recompose myself. That's better. Now I shall go on and reveal those last words of Mr Snicket's plea. Brace yourselves for a shock for this is what he had to say; "and then not go an see the film." Oh surely not I thought. Yes it appears that Mr Lemony Snicket is as dark as his books dear reader[s]. It's sad indeed when a person becomes so reclusive and so desperate don't you agree? Anyway, fat chance Mr Snicket that at todays prices, you'll find anyone willing to spend their money on a ticket and not use it. In fact I offer a challenge to all my readers, their children, friends and relatives. My challenge is simple, "I want you to volunteer to buy every ticket available, and then go see the film." That way, Mr Lemony Snicket will have to use up all his book royalties trying to stop hordes of cinemagoers from seeing his film. Does that sound like a good idea? you betcha it does. Anyway, why should Mr Lemony Snicket deprive us from having a good time. Could it be that he is a tinge jealous of the smashing job director Brad Siberling has done? Could it be that he is a tinge jealous of the smashing job cast members such as Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep and Emily Browning have done? Or is he miffed at the fact that they chose to start at the beginning with the first three of his books, "The Bad Beginning", "The Reptile Room" and "The Wide Window"? Well, well, well. Is that it Mr Snicket? If it is then I and those who have already enjoyed "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events" say to you, "tough luck!" Anyway, if it's anyones fault that your books became a film, then blame Executive Producer Julia Pistor who just happens to be Senior Vice President of Nickelodeon Movies and who came across your books back in 1999. The very people you sold your film rights to. Is that not so? Your protesting seems a little suspicious to me dear Mr Snicket. Alright then! I will reveal the truth. "We read the books in manuscript form and snapped up the rights as fast as we could because we loved the slyly subversive humour," Ms Pistor revealed. Ah, ha! Finally some light has been shed on the truth of the matter. They couldn't wait and you Mr Snicket could not wait to sign off on the rights. Well serves you right, that's all I can say. All that needless protesting about the cast, the director and choice of books. How pitiful your protesting now does seem. I and my readers prefer a view more substantial than yours and so, I shall concentrate on most reliable sources. First, a few words on the appeal of the books and their obvious freshness. "It was completely new children's literature and the story of these remarkable children constantly outwitting the adults fit perfectly with Nickelodeonn oeuvre," says Ms Pistor. Next the dark themes of the Snicket books. "From the Brothers Grimm to Dickens, from 'Bambi' to 'Finding Nemo, the idea of being orphaned is a central theme of family literature," producer Walter F Parkes observes. Next, the scary nature. "The stories are classic because they allow children to deal with certain unavoidable fears in a safe context," producer Laurie MacDonald says. "They also instill a feeling that no matter what happens, things will turn out right." Well that's good news indeed. Producer Jim Van Wyck agrees, adding "This is a wonderfully intelligent and unpredictable story founded on the strength of family and the resiliency of children." But what about that horrible, dastardly, sneaky, scheming Count Olaf? "This guy is everything that's negative about a human being," says actor Jim Carrey who plays the part of Count Olaf. And just how bad is he? "He's a megalomaniac. He's a sociopath. He's a complete facade whose insecure about everything from his acting to his hairline. To Count Olaf, the Baudelaire children are the door to his future. Nothing more." In a bit of a twist, Mr Carrey reveals, "You'll like him even though you're supposed to hate him." Leading lady Emily Browning who plays the eldest Baudelaire child, Violet says she "just loved the books. Right from the start when Lemony Snicket says you won't want to read them, then of course you totally do." Liam Aiken who plays 12 year old Klaus Baudelaire notes of the film that, "It has some serious moments to it, but basically it's really very funny." That leaves only the youngest of the children , the adorable toddler Sunny played by twin sisters Kara and Shelby Hoffman. Unfortunately Sunny doesn't like journalists and knowing that she is prone to biting anything she dislikes I avoided the opportunity to obtained some subtitled words of wisdom. The final words, which drive the nails further into the coffin of Mr Lemony Snickets protestations go to Special Effects Supervisor Michael Lantieri who, when asked what viewers can expect from Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events" concludes that "Audiences are going to be treated to a very stylized, very interesting journey that has a huge scale and a scope to it." And did he have any other advice for audiences? It seems he did. He thinks they should, "just sit back, go along for the ride and enjoy the odyssey." Far more reliable words than Mr Snicket's me thinks. Crew Bytes "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events" was .......
directed by Brad Siberling ["Casper", "City Of Angels" and "Moonlight Mile"]; screenplay by Robert Gordon ["Galaxy Quest", "Addicted To Love" and "Men In Black II"]; original story by Daniel Handler; costume design by ACADEMY Award winner Colleen Atwood ["Ed Wood", "Married To The Mob", "Big Fish" and an Oscar for "Chicago"]; production design by Rick Heinrichs ["Pee Wee's Big Adventure", "Ghost Busters II", "Planet Of The Apes" and "Sleepy Hollow"]; edited by THREE TIME ACADEMY Award winner Michael Kahn A.C.E [Oscar winner for "Saving Private Ryan", "Schindlers List", "Raiders Of The Lost Ark"; and "Catch Me If You Can", "Amistad" and "Minority Report"]; director of photograhpy Emmanuel Lubezki ASC, AMC ["Meet Joe Black", "The Bird Cage", "Ali" and "The Cat In The Hat"]; original music by BAFTA, EMMY and Grammy Award winner Thomas Newman [" Meet Joe Black"The Horse Whisperer", "American Beauty", "The Road To Perdition" and "Finding Nemo"] produced by Laurie MacDonald ["The Mask Of Zorro", "Gladiator", "Catch Me If You Can" and "The Ring"], Walter F Parkes ["American Beauty", "Gladiator", "The Terminal" and "Collateral"], and Jim Van Wyck ["Armageddon", "Swordfish", "Lethal Weapon 4" and "Timeline"]. Casting About "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events" stars .......
Jim Carrey ["The Mask", "Ace Venture: Pet Detective", "Me, Myself and Irene" and "Bruce Almighty"]; Emily Browning ["Ned Kelly", "The Man Who Sued God" and "Darkness Falls"]; Liam Aiken ["Henry Fool", "The Object Of My Affection", "The Road To Perdition" and "Good Boy!"]; Timothy Spall ["Harry Potter III", "Nicholas Nickleby", "Vanilla Sky" and "The Last Samurai"]; Catherine O'Hara ["Beetlejuice", "Waiting For Guffman", "Best In Show" and "A Mighty Wind"]; Billy Connolly ["Mrs Brown", "The Man Who Sued God", "Gabriel & Me" and "White Oleander"]; Four Time [concsecutively] NAACP image Award winner Cedric The Entertainer ["Big Momma's House", "Serving Sara", "Barbershop" and "Intolerable Cruelty"]; Luiz Gizman ["Anger Management", "The Bone Collector", "Runaway Jury" and "Welcome To Collinwood"]; Jennifer Coolidge ["Best In Show", "A Mighty Wind", "American Pie" and "Legally Blonde 2"]; ACADEMY Award, AFI Award, DAVID Award and Honary CESAR Award winner Meryl Streep ["Falling In Love", "Out Of Africa", "The Bridges Of Madison County", "The Hours", "Adaptation" and "The Manchurian Candidate"] and narrated by BAFTA Award winner Jude Law ["Enemy At The Gates", "The Talented Mr Ripley", "Cold Mountain" and "Road To Perdition"] as Lemony Snicket. The Story

"Like stories from Hans Christian Anderson, The Brothers Grimm and other fairy tales, life is not always smooth sailing for youngsters, who for generations have had to escape from scheming witches, evil giants and wicked stepmothers." Louise Keller OPTUS MOVIE REVIEWS

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are heading to a new home after the tragic death of their parents in a fire. They have been placed in the care of their Uncle, Count Olaf, an actor, evil genius, master of disguise and schemer who wants to steal their family fortune. The dastardly devil Count Olaf will stoop to anything when it comes to getting his hands on the Baudelaire fortune. After his first attempt to have the children disposed of by a train fails, they are sent to live with snake expert, Uncle Monty. But Count Olaf is very sneaky. It seems nothing can detere him from getting his hands on that Beaudelaire fortune! Disguising himself as an Italian snake expert Olaf turns up at Uncle Monty's. The children spot him straight away. When Uncle Monty mysteriously dies, the children are moved to the home of their overanxious Aunt Josephine. Surely here, after so many unfortunate events, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire will be safe from their scheming Uncle. Or will they? The Verdict "Wonderfully entertaining "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" is a tale that will entertain both adults and children alike. Makes a refreshing change from wizards and the like. A decidedly dark, yet humorous tale the soul of which is the outstanding, likeable cast headed by Jim Carrey and Emily Browning. I have no doubt whatsoever that, after seeing this film, there will be many who leave the theatre excited by the prospect of [and eagerly anticipating] a sequel. Great escapism. Excellent cast. A satisfying tale that is easy to recommend." The Cast

Jim Carrey Meryl Streep Jude Law Emily Browning Liam Aiken Kara Hoffman Shelby Hoffman Timothy Spall Billy Connolly Luis Guzmán Craig Ferguson Jamie Harris Cedric the Entertainer Rosemary Garris Gilbert Gottfried Alan Heitz Michael Earl Lane Hannah Lochner Catherine O'Hara Deborah Theaker

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Count Olaf Aunt Josephine Lemony Snicket Violet Baudelaire Klaus Baudelaire Sunny Sunny Mr Poe Uncle Monty Bald Man Person of Indeterminate Gender Hook-Handed Man Detective Wedding guest AFLAC Duck Police Photographer Ferry Boat Captain Darcy Justice Strauss Mrs Poe

The Crew Directed by Brad Silberling Adapted from the books 'The Bad Beginning', 'The Reptile Room', and 'The Wide Window' by Daniel Handler Screenplay by Robert Gordon and Daniel Handler Produced by Laurie MacDonald & Walter F Parkes Executive Producers Julia Pistor/Scott Rudin/Barry Sonnenfeld/Jim Van Wyck Original Music by Thomas Newman Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki Film Editing by Dylan Tichenor Casting by Avy Kaufman Production Design by Rick Heinrichs Art Direction by John Dexter & Martin Whist Set Decoration by Cheryl Carasik Costume Design by Colleen Atwood & Donna O'Neal Production Manager David Witz Production Supervisor Jason D McGatlin Run Time 108 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Paramount Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved