Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls"
courtesy of Paramount Pictures
"A Dream of a Movie"

One of the weirdest things to happen at the Oscars this year was the non-nomination of "Dreamgirls" as Best Film. This omission was ludicrous and seriously damaged the name of the Academy. "Dreamgirls" was definitely one of the best, if not the very best movie of last year. Now it is on DVD in all its glory. Check it out and see if the Academy didn't make a horrific mistake.

On the DVD you will discover how a movie sometimes gets everything right. The casting, the story, the emotions are on target. Such a movie is "Dreamgirls" and it has amazing songs to boot. A star-studded cast give their all to make this story, loosely based on Diana Ross and the Supremes, as mesmerizing as possible. 

The story tells of the rise of girls' trio that is dominated by the powerful voice of Effie White (Jennifer Hudson). The girls known as the "Dreams" are taken under the wing of manager Curtis Taylor (Jamie Foxx) and begin singing backup for the legendary James Early (Eddie Murphy).

When the group becomes a hit on its own Curtis pushes Effie into the background and starts showcasing Deena (Beyonce' Knowles). Eventually Effie is forced out of the group and falls on hard times. Her leaving is the basis for the show-stopping number "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." Hudson puts her heart and soul into selling this song and she is amazing in her power and range. Can you spell o-s-c-a-r w-I-n-n-e-r?

Murphy is also a stand out. This seems to be the role he was born to play and he makes the most of his scenes. His character is a talented man but he is also something of a wastrel. He romances the other member of the Dreams, Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose). She tries to protect him from himself and his bad habits.

Foxx and Beyonce' are the "stars" of the film but they are relegated to the background thanks to the powerful performances of Hudson and Murphy. Still they make their mark. Foxx is one of the brightest actors in Hollywood today and Beyonce' is one of the great beauties of our time.

Get the DVD and watch it all. "Dreamgirls" is a dram of a movie and you will want to watch it over and over again.

Another DVD that might spark your attention is "The Hitcher." In 1986 there was a horror movie that appeared on the scene by that same title. It starred Rutger Hauer, C Thomas Howell and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It was not a monster movie with fictional ogres but the role Rutger Hauer played was horrific enough to give teenagers and even adults bad dreams for weeks after viewing it. I know it certainly stayed with me.

Now "The Hitcher" has been remade and stars Sean Bean, Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton. Knighton in a sense takes the Jennifer Jason Leigh role while Bush takes the C Thomas Howell one. Bean steps in for Hauer with chilling results.

The movie concerns two college kids, Grace and Jim (Bush and Knighton), who are taking a short vacation in New Mexico. They are headed to see some of Grace's friends. Being good kids they pick up a hitchhiker who says his name is John Rider (Bean). After only a few short miles they regret they picked him up. 

Rider is a psychopath and has murder on his mind - gruesome murder. You never learn his motivations but believe me they are bad. He also seems to know exactly where the two college kids go to hide. It is that uncanny sense that weakens the overall impact of the movie. It isn't logical and it isn't believable.

What is believable is that the movie is intensely scary. The drama and the gore are unceasing and after one bad thing happens, well here come two more. There is no letup until the very end. Even then you aren't sure something else isn't going to jump out at you.

This is the kind of movie that will scare you silly even when you are watching it in the safety of your own home. It isn't a great film but it is one that will keep you entertained and watching it from start to finish.

Also on DVD this week is "Dinosaurs: The Complete 3rd and 4th Seasons." This is the TV series that aired back in the early nineties and was ahead of its time. It came from the Jim Henson Studios and concerned the Sinclair family. The big plus was the sharp writing and sarcastic and satirical humor.

The DVD features commentary by Brian Henson as well as some unseen footage. There is a lot of entertainment here if you like this type of cartoonish humor and witty repartee. It's "The Dinosaurs: The Complete Third and Fourth Seasons."

Finally, Brian White and Viveca A Fox star in the drama "Motives 2: Retribution." This is a sexy thriller about murder and people being wrongfully accused. It is all convoluted and twisted with layers of evidence coming to the surface.

Fox is always interesting to see and White makes a solid leading man. This is a DVD you can watch and pass a few hours harmlessly. It isn't a great film but it is passable.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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