Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener and Joan Cusack in "Friends With Money"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
"Jennifer Is Still A Friend"

Jennifer Aniston gained her fame by being a member of the "Friends" cast on television. Aniston has yet to find the right vehicle for her talent on the big screen. She has starred in one flop after another and her latest movie now out on DVD, "Friends With Money," may not break the curse. Maybe if "Friends With Money" co-starred some of her TV "Friends" she would be better off. 

In this new film Aniston is very good at creating her character of Olivia, a woman who stopped teaching and started cleaning other people's houses. It just seemed like the thing she wanted to do. She isn't married, she isn't even in a relationship, and she is just drifting through life.

Olivia's best friends are Jane (Frances McDormand), Christine (Catherine Keener) and Franny (Joan Cusack). Jane and Christine are comfortable but Franny is loaded. Olivia is the only one who is struggling. And that is what the movie is about - friends with money and how it affects a relationship.

Nothing much happens in the movie and though the acting is good, it is not good enough to save the film. Take the advice of a friend, spend you money on something else.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend you spend it on the DVD of "Looking For Comedy In the Muslim World." Albert Brooks is the star of this movie and he is usually a pretty funny guy but in this movie he is not as funny as usual. Or as quirky. Even though he is basically playing himself, he isn't totally believable as a man who is sent by the government to India and Pakistan to find out what makes Muslim people laugh.

This is all supposed to be political satire but the humor is too much over my head or I get the joke and it isn't funny. I still like Albert Brooks but I didn't care for his movie much. He needs to get back in "Broadcast News" mode in order for me to enjoy his humor again.

More understandable is the film "Duck Season," which explores the lives of two boys, Flama and Moko. With the help of their friends they create a world wherein they can escape the boredom of their lives. 

Although the movie has strong themes like the value of friendship and the loneliness caused by divorce, it is an R rated film and therefore not appropriate for kids. But for adults this is a movie with a message and some entertainment value too.

There is nothing like a good old disaster movie and that is what you get and more in "10.5 Apocalypse." This movie concerns a possible 10.5 earthquake that is predicted to occur in southern California. If it does it will open a fault that will race towards two nuclear reactors and cause them to break wide open. Millions will die if the earthquake can'' be averted.

Kim Delaney stars in this film as a seismologist who works with the President (Beau Bridges) in accessing the problem. When they determine that only her father (Frank Langella) can help solve the problem they swing into action. Langella's character is a victim of an earthquake in Las Vegas and must be rescued. Send in the troops and get him! And save the country too!

The acting in the film is a little over the top but that's what makes these kinds of movies fun. Most actors who take part in disaster thrillers chew up the scenery. So let the acting go un-critiqued. Just sit back and enjoy the fun of the film.

In the mode of "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill" comes "The Tick." This new DVD offers all twelve episodes of the funny series about a big muscle bound superhero and his sidekick. "The Tick" wants to do super things but he gets a little confused. His sidekick Arthur is the one who keeps him out of trouble.

This show only lasted one season on TV but here is a chance for you and your family to enjoy it all one more time. "Get "The Tick vs Season One" and have a few laughs.

For the kids the laughs come via "Darkwing Duck." On this DVD your kids will learn of the adventures of Drake Mallard. Drake is just an ordinary duck until he dons his mask, then he becomes "Darkwing" a fighter for justice. He has a sidekick too named Launchpad McQuack but this sidekick is a little clueless.

You can also get "Talespin, Volume 1" that tells the tales of the cargo pilot named Baloo. He fights air pirates and other enemies and keeps your kids thoroughly entertained while doing so. Baloo also has a group of supporting characters that figure into his adventures.

So get "Darkwing" and "Tailspin" and give your kids hours of fun and entertainment - and its all from Disney.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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