Anthony LaPaglia and Allison Janney in "Winter Solstice"
courtesy of Paramount Home Video
"A Family In Winter"

On video this week is "Winter Solstice," a movie that never played in many movie theaters. The film concerns one family's efforts to solve its problems. Anthony LaPaglia ("Without A Trace") is the father of two sons who are not relating to the rest of the family at all.

LaPaglia is at his wit's end until his neighbor (Allison Janney) provides comfort and some sort of solution. It is not a totally believable remedy but the good acting by the two stars makes it more believable than it otherwise would have been.

This is a film with good intent at the center, and good acting at its core. It is not the best made film and at times its script seems rushed. Still talent like that of LaPaglia and Janney can hide a thousand sins and the movie is worth watching for them.

"The Longest Yard" is another movie that just doesn't work. It is a remake of the old Burt Reynolds film but this time Adam Sandler has the lead. Reynolds is seen in the role of the aging football player convict.

The plot concerns a once great football player who ends up in prison. The warden (James Cromwell) forces him to play football in a game against the guards. Who cares? None of the characters make us care for them very much and Sandler's usually funny demeanor is not at work here.

The funniest people in the film, Cloris Leachman and Chris Rock, only have a few scenes so they can't carry the film. It is a brutal, profane movie that is not as good as the originaL.

"The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy" is based on Douglas Adams' cult novels. But whatever uniqueness the books possessed has not been transferred to this movie. This is a fantasy film that bores instead of inspires, annoys rather than entertains. Every aspect of the film is grating.

The actors are uninspired. Mos Def is the best of the bunch as the alien rescuer, but Martin Freeman as the friend he rescues is bumbling and bothersome. John Malkovich is just slumming in his role.

Much better, but still not great, is "Mindhunters." This is the story of a group of "profilers" who are taken by their boss (Val Kilmer) to a deserted prison fortress on an island and left. They are supposedly playing a game whereby they identify a murderer. But the game gets serious when the agents start dying one by one. It looks like one of the profilers is a master murderer.

LL Cool J and 'Cold Case" actress Kathryn Morris make the movie better than it should be. Christian Slater is also along for the ride. It is suspenseful and exciting but also hard to believe. Still this week it is one of the best Hollywood has to offer.

Another movie that might provide entertainment is "Twin Sisters," the story of two girls who live during World War II. One of the twins lives with relatives in the Netherlands because of her health while the other lives in Germany. This geographical difference makes for an emotional separation too.

This movie is based on a classic Dutch novel and the film has received much acclaim. It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of 2004.

If you want something lighter then pick up "Smallville: The Complete Fourth Season." This adventure of Superman as a young man is good solid fun. Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Annette O'Toole and John Schneider are perfect in their roles and bring about situations that combine humor, heroics and suspense.

"Smallville" is one of the WB's most popular programs and this "Fourth Season" collection shows why. You will find yourself addicted after viewing only a few episodes. This collection has twenty-two plus extras.

Make room also for "Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie." The whole Winnie the Pooh gang gathers for a fun adventure that takes place around Halloween. The Heffalump turns out to be scared of all the festivities and goblins so Roo has a hard time getting him to go trick or treating.

This is a great movie for the young kids and they will eat up all the fun and adventures the Pooh group have.

Kids will also enjoy "Halloweentown I and II" as well as "Halloweentown High." This is the series that stars Debbie Reynolds as the witchy grandmother to two bright kids. They have various adventures with goblins and ghouls in Halloweentown where Debbie lives.

Kimberly J Brown co-stars as Debbie's granddaughter who is a proud descendent of the Cromwell witch ancestry. This family tradition leads to fun on all three DVD's.

 

 

 

 

 

©2005 Jackie K. Cooper

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