The Cat in the Hat (PG)...

Rating: 2/5. A virtually unrecognisable Mike Myers (right) stars as the eponymous cat with more than a few tricks up his hat in this fun film that is sure to appeal to children.

Based on a story by Dr Seuss best-known for The Grinch the film follows the adventures of a young brother and sister when the frisky feline pays them a surprise visit.

Before long, their home is a chaotic mess as the Cat's unique brand of magic is unleashed to disastrous effect.

And to make matters worse, their smarmy next door neighbour (Alec Baldwin) is trying to weave his way into the affections of their mother, played by Kelly Preston, and plans to pack them off to boarding school.

Filmed in bold primary colours, The Cat in the Hat is a visual treat which, with a running time of under 80 minutes, doesn't outlast its welcome.

Out to rent or buy on video & DVD on August 16.

Universal Pictures Video.

Girl Next Door (15)...

Rating: 2/5. Remember the early Tom Cruise film Risky Business, in which he played a teenager who embarks on a passionate affair with a sexy older woman?

Well, the makers of this male teen wish- fulfilment flick clearly liked it because they've given the idea a thinly-disguised millennium makeover.

Once again, a promising young student Matthew (Emile Hirsch) goes off the rails when his eye is drawn to a gorgeous girl who inexplicably has the hots for him.

This time the girl, played by Elisa Cuthbert (above), has a secret Danielle is an ex-porn star, on the run from her jealous agent, who turns up to housesit next door.

Matthew can't believe his luck when she shows an interest in him, and is soon the envy of his college pals as the pair kindle a romance.

But the fun rapidly turns into a nightmare when the angry agent (Timothy Olyphant) shows up to get his girl and doesn't take kindly to the youngster's interest. Matthew is then forced to put hopes of securing a prestigious scholarship on the line by risking everything to save his girl from the clutches of the agent and her porn star past.

Out to rent or buy on video and DVD.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Suzy Gold (15)...

Rating: 2/5. This occasionally witty romantic comedy looks at the complications that ensue when a Jewish girl goes looking for love.

Suzy's parents are anxious to marry her off to a nice Jewish boy, in line with religious expectations, but Suzy isn't so sure there's this gentile who makes her laugh and clearly has feelings for her, too.

The subject matter of arranged' marriages is an intriguing one, which can equally apply to other races and religions, but this film prefers to simply make a stab at the issue, rather than whole-heartedly explore it.

Perhaps the filmmakers were afraid of being labelled anti-Semitic, when all they're doing is questioning whether a woman should have the right to choose her own husband.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Out to rent or buy on video and DVD.