CANCEL CHRISTMAS!

I SAW the new Baz Luhrmann film today, Australia.

It opens on Boxing Day and, I have to say, (as Simon Cowell would say) that it looks good but is a disappointment overall.

Well, it is considering that Luhrmann made Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge.

What's really galling, of course, is that Luhrmann is capable of such brilliance yet this is only his fourth movie in 16 years.

Given that he likes to write his own screenplays, me thinks it'll be a long time before he makes something else.

Which is a shame.

Because when you see an Aussie down on his luck, it'd be nice to be able to say: 'Chin up, mate. Have this nice piece of kangaroo meat on the barbie and wash it down with this glass of amber nectar... I'm sure you'll come bouncing back'.

Also opening on Boxing Day are Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories and Jim Carrey's Yes Man.

These three films, between them, will earn the grand total of seven stars out of a possible 15 but I won't spoil the fun of who'll get what just now.

Before parting with your hard-earned cash, though, don't miss our Friday 26 edition for the full reviews of Bedtime and Australia.

We're likely to run with Yes Man in this Friday's December 19 edition because there are two days of preview screenings everywhere on Saturday and Sunday.

But, be warned. Yes Man's 12A certificate belies the adult content of the film which is not suitable for children.