Rufus Youngblood in "Apocalypto"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Mel Gibson Strikes Again"

Time and time again we see it, especially in Hollywood. You might have personal problems but it rarely shows on the screen. Director Mel Gibson has definitely had some personal problems but on screen he is still a master of his craft. His film "Apocalypto," Now out on DVD, would appear to have everything going against it. It is almost obscenely violent, has no "name" actors, and is in a Mayan dialect with subtitles. Still the essence of the movie is terrific and it is a fascinating film to watch.

The story concerns a young man named Jaguar Paws (Rudy Youngblood). He lives in a jungle in South America in a time before outsiders discovered his world. He and his tribe live peaceably until one day when they are invaded by a tribe of marauders. Jaguar Paws is captured, along with many others, and taken to a Mayan pyramid where he is to be sacrificed. 

Through a quirk of fate he is spared only to learn he will now be disposed of in an off hand manner. He manages to escape from this situation too and the last third of the movie deals with his efforts to outrun his captors.

The visuals on all of this are amazing. Gibson tells his story with little need of dialogue, and so the subtitles are not a bother. It is a very physical film and the exertions of the actors overshadow their emotions.

Having unknown actors in all the roles is a plus as they totally become the characters they are playing. There is also a moderness to the storytelling in that the humor is enjoyable in today's setting, and the "escape" portion could be set in any time frame.

So if you want to see a movie that is unique in its presentation, and full of the Mel Gibson style of directing, then get "Apocalypto." It is another solid Mel Gibson film.

It is certainly difficult to believe it has been thirty years since Alex Hailey's "Roots" premiered on our television screens. This mini-series set a standard that few have reached in the intervening years. It still stands as a measurement of what television programming can do and should do.

This program earned nine Emmy Awards, one Golden Globe and even a Peabody Award. If that doesn't impress you then nothing will. It is highly honored and emotionally revered. Le Var Burton, Ben Vereen, Cicely Tyson and Ed Asner are only a fraction of the superb cast that brought this saga to life.

So get "Roots: 30th Anniversary Special Edition" and enjoy the entire mini-series as well as commentary and other special surprises on the DVD edition.

Get ready to laugh out loud when you watch "Scrubs: The Complete Fifth Season." This television series about the good doctors of Sacred Heart Hospital is still going strong and these twenty-four episodes show you why. 

Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Judy Reyes and John C McGinley lead a cast that shows what ensemble acting is all about. Plus there are guest stars who just enhance the performances of the main cast.

On this DVD you get deleted scenes as well as an extended version of the 100th episode which was directed by Zach Braff. So what are you waiting for? Get "Scrubs: The Complete Fifth Season" now!

The second season of "Kyle XY" will soon be starting on the ABC Family Channel. In order to be totally up to date you should get "Kyle XY: The Complete First Season - Declassified." This is all the episodes that introduced us to Matt Dallas as the mysterious Kyle XY.

Kyle is found wandering naked in the woods. It is obvious there is something different about him. For starters he has no belly button - neither an innie nor an outie. A family takes him in and his strange transition to high school student begins.

So before the second season starts in June, get this DVD and get caught up.

If you are in the mood for a good foreign film you should reach for "The Italian." This is an engrossing movie about a six-year-old boy who is offered a chance to be adopted from Russia by an Italian family. He learns that his mother is still alive and before he is taken away sets out to search for her.

The movie is full of warmth and drama and will certainly entertain you. And an added bonus is that it was inspired by true events. Get and watch "The Italian."

Finally there always has to be a good thriller out there and this week it is titled "Memory." Billy Zane stars as a man who begins to have dark twisted dreams and memories of an unsavory past. It seems he is channeling the thoughts of a psychopathic killer. How is this happening and why, and what can be done about it, make up the plot of this suspenseful movie.

Ann Margaret, Tricia Helfer and Dennis Hopper co star in this chilling DVD about murder and mystery. Dim the lights and watch it!
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!