Nicolas Cage Is A Treasure

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Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger in "National Treasure"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment

"Nicolas Cage Is A Treasure"

A few years ago I didn't like Nicolas Cage as an actor. He had just won the Oscar for his role in "Leaving Las Vegas" and I was completely flabbergasted that he had gotten the award. I hated the movie and hated his performance. I felt he was a pretentious actor who was too quirky for his own good. But then he made "Face/Off" and my opinion began to change.

I loved "Face Off" and I loved "Con Air" and I loved "The Rock." Those three movies did it. I became a Nicolas Cage fan and have remained one to this day. So when I heard about his starring role in the action adventure "National Treasure" I was excited. And I wasn't disappointed. "National Treasure" is a good time, fun film that has Cage at his action hero best.

The movie is now out on DVD and it has deleted scenes as well as an alternate ending. Best of all it has the spirited movie that stars Cage, Jon Voight and Diane Kruger. This is a movie the whole family can enjoy so go out and get it today. National Treasure" is a treasure of a DVD and Nicolas Cage is a "treasure" as an actor. I am a convert and a believer.

One of my favorite movies of a few years back was the Richard Dreyfuss film "Mr. Holland's Opus." Now there is a new DVD out titled "The Chorus" The film stars Gerard Jugnot as a music teacher at an all boys school. He loves the challenge of working with the young people and feels he is serving a purpose. The students are also responsive to him.

But not all of those in the administrative body of the school appreciate his methods and this causes conflict. Soon he has to teach and battle the school staff at the same time. This is a no win situation for everyone.

"The Chorus" has beautiful music, great acting, and a compelling story. It is a winner in each category so don't miss it.

The "Blue Collar Comedy" group has become popular on TV and in concerts. Audiences have been wildly enthusiastic about this brand of "regional" comedy. So it is logical a group of Spanish comedians should also be popular. Thus the "Three Amigos" which features Pablo Francisco, Carlos Mencia and Freddy Soto.

These three men play to wildly responsive audiences and it has all been captured in the film "Three Amigos." It is full of adult material so this is not a family tape, but for those who like their comedy a little wild and raucous this is the show for you.

It seems impossible that ten years have passed since Disney first released "Pocohontas," an animated feature about the Indian princess and colonist John Smith. This was also the movie that brought us Vanessa Williams singing "Colors of the Wind."

The new "Pocohontas 10th Year Anniversary Edition" contains the movie but has a new song in it. The song is "If I Never Knew You" and it is sung by Mel Gibson - yes that's right, Mel Gibson. Who knew?

There are also some singalong songs featured as well as a music video of "Colors of the Wind." Additionally there are games and commentary. It is chock full of extras. But the best of all is the movie. This is one of Disney's animated bests. Get it for your kids.

At about the same time "Pocohontas" was being released, another family film was playing in theaters. It was titled "The Sandlot" and it found a large audience for its tale of a sandlot baseball team and the kids who composed it.

Now there is "Sandlot 2" which tells the story of another group of kids and their experiences together. James Earl Jones recreates his role from the original film and Greg Germann joins the cast.

The DVD has a lot of special features that kids will love so get this sequel to a "classic" today. One of the best of the special features is a "Where Are They Now?" look at the original cast of "The Sandlot."

Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans and Samantha Morton star in the film "Enduring Love," out on DVD this week. The film concerns a fatal accident and the impact it has on two men who witnessed it. This is a complex and adult film that has several layers of romantic involvement and complexity.

Craig is one of the fastest rising stars I Hollywood these days. He has a new film out titled "Layer Cake" that is getting good reviews, and he has been mentioned as possibly being cast as the new "James Bond." So catch him in this movie and see him on "the way up."

"Enduring Love" may not be for everyone but for those who like complex romantic dramas this is a good movie.

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