Leonardo Gets Out-Acted

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Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly in "Blood Diamond"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment

"Leonardo Gets Out-Acted"

Leonardo DiCaprio has had quite a good year. He earned praise and nominations for his role in "The Departed." Plus his performance in the film "Blood Diamond" garnered him even more acclaim. But truth be told, in "Blood Diamond" he gets out-acted by Djimon Honsou.

"Blood Diamond," now out on DVD, is the latest in a somewhat lengthy series of movies about Africa and its struggles and conflicts. "The Constant Gardner" and Catch A Fire" both told stories of modern problems facing this great continent, and neither was a major success at the box office. "Blood Diamond" deals with the tricky question of "conflict diamonds" being bartered in the world. These are diamonds that are sold to help finance war and atrocities.

DiCaprio plays Danny Archer a native South African who is a soldier of fortune trafficking in "conflict" diamonds and other "get rich quick" schemes. He learns that a man named Solomon Vandy (Honsou) knows where a huge diamond has been buried. Danny contacts Solomon and learns the man will only trade information about the diamond for information about his son, who was captured by guerillas in Sierra Leone.

With the help of a beautiful journalist named Maddy (Jennifer Connelly), the two men go after his son. The adventure is risky but it opens up Danny's eyes to the true horrors of what the diamond trade is doing.

On paper this sounds like an exciting movie - but it isn't. It bogs down before it even gets started. Both DiCaprio and Connelly's characters are ones that we have seen before in better movies. Plus there is absolutely no connection or passion between the two characters so the "love story" gets lost in translation. And when it comes to the acting, Honsou proves himself to be the more compelling actor.

"Blood Diamond" is a little too long, and a little too confusing in its plot. The cast is full of big name stars and Honsou does a great acting job. But overall I found the movie to be a so-so adventure.

Last year we got a new version of "The Dukes of Hazzard" and it starred Johnny Knoxville, Sean William Scott and Jessica Simpson. Now we get a DVD of "The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning" and it stars Randy Wayne, Jonathan Bennett and April Scott as the Duke boys and their cousin Daisy. Willie Nelson reprises his role as Uncle Jessie.

This new DVD is in R rated and "Unrated" versions, depending on how raunchy you want it to be. And once again the story concerns the evil workings of Boss Hogg (Christopher MacDonald) to take over Uncle Jessie's farm. There are a lot of car chases and a lot of hollerin' and fightin'. It's just the same ole same ole about the Duke boys.

Some people love these characters so this DVD will have a built in audience. Get ready to watch the General Lee go tearin' through the countryside, and see Daisy looking pretty in her Daisy Dukes. It is a sight to see, so get the DVD.

Marlee Matlin and the Einstein Company continue their collaboration with another DVD about signing. "My First Signs" is intended to open up the world of communication for very small children through the use of puppet shows, classical music and other means of visual and aural stimulation.

This world of signing is a means for the infant to communicate with mom and dad in a way that is simple and effective. Once grasped it can be used over and over again. So get "My First Signs" and use it to start communication with your infant, or give it as a gift to others who might have a need.

If you are in the mood for a good old timey western you might want to pick up "Hell To Pay." This western has a cast that includes some of TV's greatest actors such as Lee Majors, Peter Brown, James Drury and Stella Stevens.

The plot concerns a battle between two brothers, one a law abiding hero and the other a weak card dealing gambler. Their fight is along the classic western lines and is sure to provide solid entertainment for fans of this genre. So pick up "Hell To Pay" and have a nostalgic trip back in time to the days when the west was being won.

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