Audrey Tautou and Tom Hanks in "The Da Vinci Code"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment
"The Code Isn't Broken"

Thanks to some extras in the DVD, "The Da Vinci Code" is far from broken. There are still video records to break with sales that should be soaring. Now you can get the movie on DVD as well as some special clues on the packaging, and some super interviews in the DVD. There is a little bit of something for everyone with this release.

Of course the big draw is Ron Howard's version of Dan Brown's best selling novel. He brought in Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou to play the lead roles, and then cast Ian McKellen, Paul Bettany, Jean Reno and Alfred Molina in supporting roles.

The story pretty much plays out just like the book and this is a blessing and a curse. If you didn't like the book you probably won't like the movie - and vice versa. Watching the DVD it seems that Hanks is still miscast and Tautou is better than remembered from the movie. Plus it is advantageous you can rewind and replay parts that are confusing and get a little better perspective on the goings on.

If you haven't seen the movie, well what are you waiting on? This is the movie of the year as far as "must see" status, so get it and watch it. 

In this time in our history and at this time of the year, there is a reason to watch "Joyeux Noel." The message of the film will touch your heart and soul as it describes a true event that occurred during World War I.

The movie which stars Diane Kruger, Benno Furmann and Daniel Bruhl tells the story of one Christmas Eve when the horrors of war were put aside for the message of Christmastime. It is an inspiring, compelling story and a movie you will want to watch over and over again.

Another movie that deals with history and war is "Battle of the Brave," a romantic saga of two lovers and how they helped change the history of Canada. It is a tale of the enmity caused by those who sympathized with the British against the French-Canadians.

Here is a chance to learn Canadian history while also enjoying a spirited love story. This movie has it all and you will enjoy watching it. Listen out for the theme song sung by Celine Dion.

If you are a fan of disaster movies then this is your lucky week. The DVD "Disaster Zone: Volcano In New York" is available. This is a movie whose title says it all - agree? All you need to know is the film stars Costas Mandylor, Michael Ironside and Alexandra Paul.

Their mission is to save New York City from a volcanic eruption, and they only have dynamite to use in staving off this tragedy. Can they do it? Well what do you think!

A while back Hugh Jackman and his wife Deborra Lee Furness made a movie titled "The Rat Tamer." It is now available on DVD. It is only important and worth watching because it is one of the rare times these two married actors appeared together in a film.

Jackman plays a brain-damaged man who awakes in prison and has no knowledge of why he is there. He is bewildered by it all but someone knows why he is there and that is where the action and suspense starts. Furness is the psychologist who tries to help him survive.

Daniel Craig is the new James Bond and he has a few older movies in his past. In 1997 he made a film titled "Obsession." It is a love story and is pretty good. There is a love triangle at the heart of the film and also family relationships that bind us.

His co-stars in the film are Heike Makatsch and Seymour Cassell. They are good in their roles but it is the early Craig that makes this a film to watch.

Finally the seventh season of "The West Wing" is available on DVD. This is the final season of the series and the one where Alan Alda and Jimmy Smitts battled it out as Presidential candidates while Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) waited in the wings.

This show was much beloved by many people, and this final season is a special treasure. Get "The West Wing: The Complete Seventh Season" and watch it from beginning to end - with no interruptions you don't call yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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