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Paul Giamatti and Virginia Madsen in "Sideways"
courtesy of Fox Home Video
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"A Little Romance, A Lot of Wine"
Paul Giamatti should have been Oscar nominated for his role in "Sideways," a marvelous movie that is a lot about wine and a little about love. That balance seems to be off but when the script is as crisp as this one, and the direction so sharp by Alexander Payne, and the acting by Giamatti, Virginia Grrrrr! Madsen, Sandra Oh and Thomas Haden Church is nearly perfect; well everything comes together in the right mix.
The story is about a recently divorced man and his soon to be married best friend. They go off on a "one last buddy trip" into the California wine country. There they find wine, willing women and song. Things get complicated but lessons are learned and wisdom arrives.
This is a great movie to watch on DVD because when it is over you are going to watch it again. It is a movie that gets better with each viewing. And the more you think about it, the better it gets.
Jennifer Garner reprises the role she played in Ben Affleck's "Daredevil." Her comic book character's name is "Elektra" and she is an assassin. Usually she is only assigned to get rid of the bad guys, so when she finds out her new assignment is a man and his daughter she is reluctant to fulfill her contract. Instead she decides to protect them.
"Elektra" should be a great and exciting movie but it isn't. Garner looks great but the plot bogs down and nothing involves the viewer. This story says she was dead but came back to life. I don't think there will be a cry for another episode in this series. Better to do "13 Going On 30: Part 2."
Most of you had a geography course or two when you were growing up. And most of you probably think you know most of what there is to know about our planet Earth. Well think again. In the new movie on DVD "Sacred Planet," you are taken to see people, places and things that you never knew existed.
This is a fascinating film you will want the entire family to watch. Plus on the DVD you get commentary by the director as well as a "making of" video. And as an added plus there is a music video. All of that plus a really innovative and unique movie. Pick up "Sacred Planet" immediately.
"Reform School Girl" is one of those horror movies that could happen. A good girl gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up taking the fall for her crummy boyfriend. She ends up being sent to a reformatory for a year and that is when all the bad things start.
Aimee Graham stars as the unfortunate girl who should have just ratted the guy out and taken her chances. Anything is better than what she has to endure in reform school. Or so it seems to me.
This movie is like a throwback to those "B" movies of years past but it still holds your attention. So if you are interested, watch!
Another "B" type movie is "Deep Evil." This is a movie for the sci fi fans among you. Lorenzo Lamas stars in this film about a top secret biochemical lab in the wilds of Alaska. As a team of investigators tries to find out about an incident that occurred, they uncover a deeper evil lurking there.
It's hokey but fun to watch a movie like this. Watch and see if I am not right. You will be hooked before you know it.
For the kids this week there is a very special treat. You can get the VHS or the DVD version of "The Berenstain Bears Take A Car Trip." On the VHS version you get four chapters and on the DVD version you get six. They all involve the family unit going on a trip together and the fun they share.
This is one of the great cartoon movies for kids and the lessons taught are affirmations of good parenting. So let the "Berenstain Bears" entertain and educate you and your children. |
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©2005 Jackie K. Cooper |
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Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!
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