Natalie Portman and Zach Braff in "Garden State"
courtesy of Fox Home Video
"Zach Braff Makes His Mark"

Zach Braff is the star of the NBC sitcom "Scrubs." Fans of that show delight in his off beat comedic portrayal of the young doctor who also has a wild fantasy life. But there is more to the young Mr. Braff than just acting. He has also proved his merit as a director with his first feature film "Garden State."

"Garden State" quickly became a cult film among young, bright people in their twenties. They reveled in its quirky situations and dialogue; and they went ape over the physical beauty and unique performance of Natalie Portman. Now this film is out on DVD, complete with narrative comments by Braff, and it is more popular than ever.

I, being over twenty, just don't get this movie. To me it was silly in parts and different just for the sake of being different in others. I never liked any of the characters and I felt Portman was posing rather than acting throughout most of the film. But then I didn't like "Napoleon Dynamite" either.

I also didn't like "Resident Evil 2: Apocalypse." This movie, based on a video game, is also available on DVD, but I could care less. This was one action movie that bored me with its action sequences. I also didn't like the haggard look of skin and bones actress Milla Jovovich.

I know there are many, many fans of this franchise out there so I wish you much enjoyment with this film. Maybe you will even understand the plague is loose story that makes up the plot. 

Jean-Claude Van Damme is my kind of action hero. He is a rugged individual who actually looks like he could beat people up. In his latest video release "Wake of Death" he goes all out as a man seeking revenge for his wife's murder.

To get revenge he has to go up against a Chinese Triad and anyone who has seen this type of movie knows that means big trouble. But Jean Claude is up to the challenge. He goes all out and so does this movie.

To get in to action hero shape, or just to get into good shape you might want to take a look at "Extreme Makeover Fitness: Weight Loss Workout For Beginners." This tape offers three different workout programs and you can select the one best suited for you. There is the "Weekly Workout," or the "Time Crunch Workout," or the "Customizable Workout."

Robert Reams is the trainer on this tape and he seems to know how to motivate and work with "beginners." Now that the new year has started you will want to get rid of that extra weight left over from last year. And this tape will help. But remember do as I say, not as I do. I will be the one over on the sofa eating a candy bar.

Do you remember the old TV series "Thunderbirds"? Well you would have to be a certain age to have it in your memory bank as I think it was popular back in the 60's. Anyway they have made a movie out of the storyline and it is available on VHS/DVD.

The movie is a family film that stars Sir Ben Kingsley, Bill Paxton and Anthony Edwards. Kingsley is the villain, and Paxton plays the patriarch of the adventuresome Tracy family.

This is a movie that basically appeals to kids. Adults might find it all just too much hokum and not enough special effects in comparison to what we see in movies today.

A better family film is "The Young Black Stallion." This is the story leading up to "The Black Stallion." In other words it is a prequel. Biana Tamimi is the star of this movie as the young girl who finds and befriends the stallion.

Once again there is a horse race in the film and once again the settings and the photography are outstanding. This is a movie about a girl and her horse and you won't want to miss it.

You also will not want to miss the classic "Where the Red Fern Grows." This was my oldest son's favorite book growing up and it has been made into a wonderful family film. Whereas "The Young Black Stallion" is a movie about a girl and her horse, this is a movie about a boy and his dogs.

Joseph Ashton stars as Billy Coleman, the hero of the story and the one around whom the plot develops. He is a great character for a family film and one your children will long remember. But then they will remember everything about "Where the Red Fern Grows."

Finally, adults might enjoy "Trois: The Escort." This is the third film in the "Trois" series and one of the most sensual. Trent Meyer (Brian White) gets in debt to the mob. In order to gain the money to pay them back he agrees to become an escort for hire. Things become complicated when he falls in love with one of his boss' call girls. Mixing work with pleasure can become deadly in this adult drama.

 

 

 

 

 

©2005 Jackie K. Cooper

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