MAMMA MIA! - SECOND HELPINGS

HOW could I resist it!

Yes, I went back for second helpings of the hot new movie Mamma Mia! today - and again loved every minute of the film.

What better way of spending a cold, wet Saturday afternoon in Brum than by jetting off to the Greek islands to spend just over 90 minutes in pure sunshine with the fabulous Meryl Streep.

The film might not be perfect on lots of levels, but it's the most fun movie I've seen all year.

I reckon I could watch it every night for weeks especially if I went to a different cinema for every screening.

Now there's a thought... if only I had the time.

Seriously, if you want some respite from the weather and the economic gloom this is the movie to see.

Be warned, though.

The second the main action finishes, the house lights are likely to go partly on.

This is daft. There's a couple of song sequences still to come, including one that's a real surprise so don't get up and walk out when you think it's all over.

There will still be extra time - and plenty more laughs - to come!

Debut director Phyllida Lloyd has a great future beyond her traditional theatre work in opera - if she can ever dream up a way of following up the film of the year to date.

Then again, she might neither need nor want to.

In the words of one song: 'Money, money, money... always sunny!'