Kim Basinger in "Cellular"
courtesy of New Line Home Video
"Georgia Girl"

Kim Basinger is a Georgia girl. She was born in Athens, Georgia and later in her adult life bought the town of Braselton. Okay, maybe she helped a group buy the town of Braselton. That little stunt overshadowed her acting career for a while. But a few years ago she bounced back with a dynamic portrayal in "L A Confidential" and won the Best Actress Academy Award.

This year she had two solid performances on screen but they were not widely seen. The first was in "The Door In the Floor" and the other was in "Cellular." "The Door In the Floor" was released on VHS/DVD a few weeks ago and now "Cellular" is available.

"Cellular" is just a great movie. It has suspense and comedy in it. Kim plays a woman who is kidnapped and doesn't have a clue as to why. Using skills that Macgyver would envy, she manages to rebuild a smashed telephone and reaches a young man (Chris Evans) on his cell phone.

The cell phone is her only link to a potential rescue and that is what gives the film its edge. What if the batteries go dead? What if he doesn't believe her? What if the kidnappers decide to kill her before help gets there? And on and on.

"Cellular" holds up for the full length of the movie. So for an exciting video to watch, pick this one up ASAP. Kim does all of her fellow Georgians proud as she commands the movie and provides us with a full night of entertainment.

You can also get some enjoyment out of "The Forgotten." This movie stars Julianne Moore as a mother whose child disappears. Her husband and doctor tell her she never had a child and that it is all in her head. But she knows differently and sets out to find her child.

This is a creepy but wonderfully suspenseful movie. As an extra treat on the DVD you not only get deleted scenes but also an alternate ending for the film. How about that! So make sure you get the DVD version and see all that is available to you.

Bryce Dallas Howard (daughter of Ron Howard) made her film debut in M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village." She is marvelous in the movie and if you missed seeing it on the big screen it is now available on video/DVD. Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien Brody, William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver are also in the film.

The movie keeps up Shyamalan's tradition of being full of surprises. In this story of a village that is terrorized by "things that go bump in the night" the suspense is once again at a high level. 

You can also rent "The Buried Secret of M Night Shyamalan." This is an inside look at the noted filmmaker. You get to see examples of his work, learn his life story, and hear interviews with his friends and co-workers.

Big tip here - the "secret" isn't any expose'. So don't be expecting anything more than a look at the man and his career.

Another movie that is pretty suspenseful is one titled "Freeze Frame." In this movie a man is almost convicted of murder, for a crime he did not commit. After he is freed from this charge he becomes increasingly paranoid. He takes radical measures to protect himself should he ever be in this situation again.

People think he is crazed and crazy but then a woman is murdered and the finger of suspicion points to him. The proof he has that will prove him innocent - goes missing. Maybe he wasn't so paranoid after all.

Lee Evans and Rachel Sterling star in this movie and it is an intriguing one. Give it a try.

An inspiring movie that is out this week is titled "Rosenstrasse." That is the name of the street on which many, many Jewish men were imprisoned. They were the husbands of Aryan women and when they were collected and imprisoned their wives stood on the streets in protest.

This is a strong movie about the power of love and how it can overcome all obstacles. You can watch it and be entertained as well as be inspired.

For a comedy this week pick up "Stella Street." In this film Phil Cornwell and John Sessions imitate a passel of "stars" including Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci and Michael Caine. These actors are very good and have the look and sound of the men down pat. It gets a little tiring after a while but you can always shut it off and come back later.

You have to admit there is some real satirical talent involved with the men who inhabit "Stella Street." Just watch it a little bit at a time.

For a look at life in rehab watch "Never Get Outta the Boat." This film looks at the inner workings of a rehab center and the fight some people go through to stay clear of their addictions and drugs of choice.

The film is about staying clean and staying alive. Darren Burrows and Sebastian Roche are two of the stars and they give solid performances in this gritty drama.

The kids in your household are in for a special treat when you get them the new double "Aladdin" videos. These are "The Return of Jafar" and "Aladdin and the King of Thieves." Both of these feature the main characters from the original "Aladdin" film and also a new supply of songs.

Robin Williams doesn't voice the Genie on these two but Dan Castallaneta does a super job of providing the magical voice. Scott Weineger is back as Aladdin and Gilbert Gottfried is still Jafar's parrot sidekick Iago.

This is the first time these two movies have been available in five years so get the DVD that features the combined set. It will provide hours of entertainment for your kids - and for you too.

 

 

 

 

 

©2005 Jackie K. Cooper

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