Larry the Python and Samson the Lion in "The Wild"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Haven't I seen This Before?"

Out on DVD now is Disney's "The Wild." This is an okay animated film that would have been better were it not so similar to "Finding Nemo" and "Madagascar." As I was watching the movie I kept saying to myself, "Haven't I seen this before?" Yes it is that similar.

Keifer Sutherland voices Samson the lion, whose son Ryan (Greg Cipes) gets taken to Africa. Samson and a few assorted buddies go after him, and that makes up the majority of the movie. I think you can see the similarities.

Even with the "been there done that" attitude of the potential audience the movie/DVD will still find its fans. Number one, it's a Disney film; Number 2 it is child friendly, Number 3 it has extras such as bloopers and deleted scenes. So you know it is going to sell.

"Commander In Chief: The Inaugural Edition, Part 2" includes episodes 11 thru 18 of the TV series starring Geena Davis as the first female President in American history. With this release all off the episodes are now available for viewing. Since there is talk of a "Commander In Chief" movie you might want to brush up on all these episodes in preparation for that event.

You can also study these episodes and watch a bright shining program fall apart. This series started out with high viewership and critical acclaim and then it all fell apart. In these episodes you might be able to determine what went wrong.

Plus you get an interview with Geena Davis and some bloopers from the show. There are also a few unaired scenes. These extras are always welcomed for true devotees of a series.

I think audiences were turned off by the title to the film "Kinky Boots" when it played in theaters. They didn't want to spend their evening watching something "kinky" and possibly crude. Well the movie is not about kinkiness, but about self-preservation.

This PG-13 rated movie is now out on DVD and tells the story of a staid shoe manufacturing company that is being forced out of business by low paying competition. In order to stay competitive the owner of the company brings in an outrageous cross-dresser as a consultant. The times they are a changing and so is this company. They get into the "kinky" boot business which brings this business back into the manufacturing game.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joel Edgerton and Sarah-Jane Potts star in this good-natured film. You should try it. You might actually enjoy its humor, warmth and creativity.

Have you ever thought you might like to put out a hit on one of your relatives? Now I don't mean actually do it - but have you thought about the idea of it. Well in the DVD "Running With the Hitman" a man actually does take out a hit on his son-in-law. Before you get too outraged, this is a comedy and none of it is to be taken seriously.

Judd Hirsch plays the man who does the hiring, and Danny Aiello is the alleged "hitman." Gil Bellows also stars. It is a fun film and is lightweight entertainment. In the hands of pros like Hirsch and Aiello you know it is going to be fun.

Another good-natured film on DVD is "Where There's A Will" which is the story of a con artist looking for some easy money and a place to hide out. Who and where better than Grandma at grandma's house. But grandma has some surprises in store for her long lost relative. And what fun that is!

Marion Ross, Frank Whaley and Keith Carradine star in this comedy that shows once again you can't judge a book by its cover.

Finally there is "The Ten Commandments." This new version may not have Charleston Heston but it does have Dougray Scott. And it may not have Yul Brynner but it does have Naveen Andrews. Plus you get Omar Sharif and some better special effects.

The storyline is always fascinating so get this new version of "The Ten Commandments" and see on of the oldest stories in a new edition.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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