Ellen Burstyn and Nicolas Cage in "The Wicker Man"
courtesy of Warner Home Entertainment
“Like A Caged Animal”

Nicolas Cage has never been more tense and quirky than he is in the new DVD “The Wicker Man.” This movie concerns a man who tries to help a female in distress. She is an old love of his 
and asks for his help. This involves him going to a remote island off the coast of Washington State. Here he finds that women are in control and that men appear to be slaves of a sort.

He is trying to find the daughter of his girlfriend, a child that might be his. But evil lurks on the island and all is not what it appears to be. Ellen Burstyn makes an appearance as the “queen bee” on the island.

Even with an alternate ending (on DVD) the movie is not satisfying. Cage is just too creepy in this movie and the evilness of all on the island is too far out to be believed. “The Wicker Man” ends up 
to be a house built of straw that soon tumbles into boredom.

“Crank” is a much better movie even though it too is preposterous. But at least it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Jason Statham stars as a man injected with a poison that will kill him unless his adrenaline stays at a certain level. He is determined to find his “killer” and get revenge before he dies.

The antics that Statham’s character endures and pursues in order to stay alive are amazing. He even involves his girlfriend Amy Smart in the chase. Statham is a unique actor who can hold your attention no matter what he is doing, and in this movie he is doing a lot.

So if you can suspend your need for reality checks then you will enjoy “Crank.” It is an adrenaline rush from start to finish.

Then there is “The Illusionist,” a DVD starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Jessica Biehl. In this film Norton plays Eisenheim, a magician/illusionist in 19th century Austria. He is in love with 
Jessica Biehl but they are from two different worlds. Paul Giamatti plays a police detective who is charged by the Crown Prince (Rufus Sewell) to find some kind of crime to pin on Eisenheim.

The movie is a love story, and also a psychological drama involving the magician and the Crown Prince. Norton, Giamatti and Biehl are all excellent in this well made movie.

Keifer Sutherland is best known for his role as Jack Bauer in the hit TV series “24.” But Sutherland also owns Ironworks Records and one of the acts on this label is Rocco Deluca and the Burden.” The new DVD “I Trust You To Kill Me” is a documentary about their tour of Europe, a 
tour in which Sutherland also participated.

The DVD shows all the music, the escapades, the roar of the crowds, and the fun of being on the road. The DVD also has three music videos plus exclusive footage form Japan. It is all exciting and big entertainment for current music fans. And there is always Keifer, and for many that is the most important element.

There are two new “Higglytown Heroes” adventures out on DVD this month. One is Higglytown Heroes: Heroes On the Move” and the other is “Higglytown Heroes: To the Rescue.”  In both of these movies the viewer is transported to a world where everybody is a hero. We get to 
see why teachers, policemen, taxi drivers, etc are heroic just by the nature of what they do.

So pick up the DVD, put the kids in front of the TV and explain to them about how everyone is a hero. Then let Higglytown Heroes” reinforce what you have said. You don’t have to wear spandex and fly to be a hero. You just have to be heroic in the normal sense of the word.

Out of the Disney vault comes four 2-disc DVD sets titled “Walt Disney’s Treasure Wave VI.” In this series you get Silly Symphonies, Pluto Adventures, The Mickey Mouse Club featuring the Hardy Boys and movies hosted by Walt Disney. There are cartoons and live action adventures sure to please each and every kid in your household.

So take a trip down memory lane and let your kids watch for the first time what you used top watch over and over. It’s the best and brightest cartoons and live action treats from the Disney vault. Crack it open and have a great time.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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