Radha Mitchell in "Silent Hill"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
"Horror On the Hill"

The big push from Hollywood this year has been in the horror genre. It seems there has been at least one horror flick a week at the local theaters. Most of these movies are just a flat waste of time but every once in a while we get something truly original and fun. I'm thinking "Snakes On A Plane." Sadly the new film on DVD, "Silent Hill," is one of the least watchable of the group.

Fats Domino once sang he found his thrill on Blueberry Hill? Well be glad he didn't go to Silent Hill instead, for there are no thrills there. "Silent Hill" is one of those over the top horror movies based on a video game that make no sense at all. The really bad thing is you don't care. All you want is for it to be over.

The film involves a mother (Radha Mitchell) searching for her missing daughter (Jodelle Ferland). This takes her to the creepy town of Silent Hill. Some really bad things happened there in the past and the evil that was there is still lingering. Sounds creepy, huh? Well it isn't.

If you want horror, rent "Saw II" or "Hostel." Those movies are truly creepy and scary. But don't expect any thrills or chills if you opt to see this one. "Silent Hill" is just one long drawn out search and rescue. The bad thing is when it ends nothing has been solved or resolved. But at least it is over.

Much more fun is the second sequel to the popular film "Bring It On." This new film, direct to video/DVD, is titled "Bring It On: All Or Nothing." Hayden Panettiere and Solange Knowles-Smith star as high school cheerleaders. Panettiere plays a girl who transfers into the school where Knowles-Smith is the queen bee. The new girl has to prove herself if she wants to fit in - and be a member of the cheerleading squad.

On the DVD you get such bonuses as a gag reel, a behind the scenes look, and a guide to doing some of the moves featured in the movie. Teenage girls will want to bust some moves as they cheer and scream along with "Bring It On: All Or Nothing."

One of the best shows on television last year was the ABC series "Invasion." This sci fi series had a lot going for it, but somehow it never found its audience. Eddie Cibrian played a park ranger in Florida who faced unknown dangers when a hurricane blew through his town. It left some people "changed" like his ex-wife (Kari Matchett). 

The whole series was about these changed people and why they were like they were. When the series ended the mystery had not been solved - and now we will never know. Still watching this series was one of the more enjoyable moments of the TV year and you can see the whole series in the new "Invasion" DVD.

One of the extras on the DVD is a featurette titled "Inside the Mind of Sean Cassidy." Former teen idol Cassidy was the genius behind the series and this featurette gives some insight into his creative process.

So get "Invasion: The Complete Series" and get some great entertainment. It's gone from network TV but thanks to the DVD, not forgotten.

Something else special on DVD this week is the "Limited Edition" versions of all three of the "Lord of the Rings" films. The trilogy is presented in a special way with each movie being on a two disc special set which includes the theatrical version of the movie plus an extended edition of the film. Then you also get a documentary about each film created by Costa Botes, an extraordinary filmmaker who was chosen by Peter Jackson himself to make this "look at the movie and the making of it" for each separate film.

For the true fans of the "Lord of the Rings Trilogy" this is the version of the DVD that you can't pass up. It has more material, more inside information, and more enthusiastic tales from the sets than any other version thus far. Get it and let yourself be absorbed by it.

Disney had such success with its animated movie "Brother Bear" that it decided to create a sequel. "Brother Bear 2" is a continuation of the plot from the first film and concerns the bear who was a man. In this sequel the bear turned man known as Kenai is pursued by his childhood friend Nita. She has a mission she has to accomplish and only Kenai can help her.

This sequel features the two moose, Rut and Tuke, plus their girlfriends. They add comic relief to the whole show. You also get great new songs from artists such as Melissa Etheridge and Josh Kelley. It is all child friendly and entertaining for all. Get "Brother Bear 2," a sequel almost as good as the original.

"The Hard Corps" is a new Jean Claude Van Damme film that went direct to video. That's the way it is with Van Damme's career these days. In the film he plays a Desert Storm veteran who goes to work as a bodyguard for a music mogul. He has to protect him against a guy getting out of prison who is seeking revenge.

Van Damme's co-star in this movie is the beautiful and exciting Vivica A Fox. They make a winning combo and the action in the movie is good too. So just for old times sake watch a new Van Damme movie and have an action packed good time.

Finally for the little kids this week there is "Little Einsteins: Mission Celebration!" This is a DVD for preschoolers in which they take off in a rocket for a new adventure. There is fun and information for the kids and they will learn while they are enjoying the fun. So get this video and let your kids have a grand old time with the "baby Einsteins" June, Leo, Quincy and Annie.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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