Antonio Banderas and Anna Dimitrie Melamed in "Take the Lead"
courtesy of New Line Home Entertainment
"Antonio Takes the Lead"

Antonio Banderas is an actor who dominates the screen. In the film "Take the Lead" he not only acts with emotion, he also dances that way too. Banderas plays Pierre Dulaine, a widower living in New York City and teaching ballroom dancing. One night he spies a teenager demolishing a car, and wonders why there is so much anger in him. The next day he volunteers to help out at an inner city school. The principal (Alfre Woodard) doesn't think he will last but a few days but she goes ahead and gives him a chance. She assigns him to work with the kids who are in detention.

Dulaine teaches the kids to dance and then of course there is a contest. His inner city kids will be pitted against the well to do. Who will win, well watch the DVD and see. The kids can dance and when they get going the movie is at its best. The only problem is that Banderas doesn't dance enough.

So for you Antonio Banderas fans, "Take the Lead" is the movie to watch. Of course on DVD you can watch his dance numbers over and over.

"The Black Hole" is a sci-fi flick that only the most devoted fans of sci-fi might enjoy. It concerns a scientific experiment that goes wrong and creates a "black hole" that sucks everything in its path down into it. Judd Nelson plays the scientist who might be able to reverse the process. Kristy Swanson is his assistant and true love. David Selby plays a military man whose guidance is needed to overcome hurdles.

The whole thing is melodramatic and there is never any real suspense created. The acting is only so so and there is absolutely no chemistry between Swanson and Nelson. So what do you have left? A black hole and that's it. If you can just focus on the cheesiness you might have an okay time with it. The more you ridicule it, the better it is.

Much better is "The Curse of King Tut's Tomb." This film is a cross between "King Solomon's Mine" and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." And that means there is plenty of action and adventure on hand. Plus it has a rugged leading man in Casper Van Dien.

The race is on between Dien's character and the one played by Jonathan Hyde. They both want to find King Tut's Tomb and the powerful force that resides there. It is a race to the death as each man goes full throttle to reach his destiny.

Also starring in the film are Leonor Varela, Simon Callow and Malcolm McDowell. They play their roles with enthusiasm and make the whole thing enjoyable. It may not be the most plausible of films but it is a lot o fun.

For comedy there is "Lonesome Jim." This DVD stars Casey Affleck as an aspiring writer. He has been living in New York but things have not been working out the way he planned them. So home he comes to Indiana as in "back home again in Indiana." Unlike the song lyrics this return is not the best move for out hero. His family is crazy and they want him to solve their problems.

Kevin Corrigan and Liv Tyler co-star in this comedy that is directed by Steve Buscemi. It is not your typical comedy but funny just the same.

On a much more serious note you can watch and enjoy the DVD titled "American Gun." This film takes a look at people and guns and how they are affected by the things a gun can do. The separate sequences in this movie are related by the gun and the ricocheting events that transpire.

The cast is a strong one and includes Donald Sutherland, Marcia Gay Harden and Forrest Whitaker. The director of the film is Aric Avelino and this film shows he possesses real talent in that field.

For those into series television there are two "big" releases this week. You can get the third season of the controversial "Nip/Tuck" and the second season of "Desperate Housewives." Of the two "Nip/Tuck" is the most explicit while "Housewives " is the most overall entertaining, even though many felt this second season was somewhat of a letdown.

But if you are a collector of good TV shows these are two programs you don't want to miss.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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