Nikki Blonsky in "Hairspray"
courtesy of New Line Home Video
"One of the Best, If Not the Best, Movies of the Year"

So far it has not been a great year at the movies. The films which were supposed to be the "big events" of the year have sputtered and died. Looming large is :Hairspray," an infectious musical comedy that is now out on DVD. John Travolta became a movie legend in 1978 with his role in the eternally popular "Grease." Now twenty-nine years later Travolta is still around and he is back in "Hairspray." This film is going to be just as popular as "Grease" and will stir the hearts and souls of a new generation. Travolta is the man (or in this movie "the woman") and "Hairspray" is going to jump start his career and possibly get him an Oscar nomination to boot.

"Hairspray" tells the story of Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), a chunky teenager living in Baltimore in the 60's. Her biggest thrill is watching the "Corny Collins Show" on television and dreaming of one day being a dancer on the show. Her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes) encourages her dreams.

Tracy's mother Edna (John Travolta) downplays these dreams because she doesn't want Tracy hurt. Her dad Wilbur (Christopher Walken) tells her to go for it. One day she does and ends up dancing on the show. She is so good that she proves to be much more popular than Amber (Brittany Snow) who has been the featured favorite in the past. This is because her mother Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the producer of the show and makes sure she gets ample camera time.

Once a week there is "Negro Day" when the host is not Corny (James Marsden) but Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). Her son Seawood Stubbs (Elijah Kelly) is quite a dancer and he catches Tracy's eye. The two become friends and this leads to Tracy standing up for the show to be integrated.

Amid all of this plot are musical numbers by the score. Every star gets a number or two and each of them makes the most of the entertainment offering. Blonsky is the featured player and she is letter perfect in the role, but the one everyone has come to see is Travolta. He is amazing as the plus size mother who giggles and glows. What a performance and what a role! Many actors would have steered clear of it, but Travolta embraces it.

Queen Latifah got an Academy Award nomination for her role in "Chicago" and she may get another one for this film. She is a solid actress and her voice has never been better. Michelle Pfeiffer is also wonderful as the evil Velma. This actress is too thin but she has honed her comedy chops and pleases the audience over and over again.

The two big surprises in the film are Bynes and Kelly. They have supporting roles but they are the ones who stay in your mind after the movie has ended. Bynes is hilarious with her big-eyed stare and her perpetual awe at Tracy's dynamic drive. Kelly is a find as a song and dance man and shows talent that he should be much too young to posses.

"Hairspray" is full of so much charm that it overflows. It is deliriously driven with no slacking of the frenetic pace from beginning to end It is exuberant and totally enjoyable. Remember that old phrase "Grease is the one"? Well in 2007 "Hairspray" is the one - the one to go to rent or purchase for total movie enjoyment.

The first "Gumball Rally" was held in 1999. Now the eighth has been held and a full view of it is the basis for the film "3000 Miles." Such wild and crazy guys as Bam Margera, Tony Hawk, Mike Escamilla, Mike Vallely and Ryan Dunn are the participants and they are what makes the movie fun.

There are one hundred and twenty cars involved in the race which starts in Europe, moves to Thailand, and ends in the United States. All along the way it is one shocking occurrence after another and it all makes for a wild and crazy ride. This one yo have got to see to believe.

Last year one of the surprise hits at movie theaters and on DVD was the film "Facing the Giants." This movie was created by the folks at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Prior to that movie they had made another movie titled "Flywheel" and now it is available for viewing on DVD also. It carries the title "Flywheel: Director's Cut."

The film tells the story of a used car salesman, and we all know what those people are like. This man comes to realize the errors of his ways and seeks to turn his life around. How he does this is the heart of the movie. Alex Kendrick is the writer, director and lead actor.

Steven Seagal is back in another action packed DVD, this one titled "Urban Justice." In this film he is a father looking for revenge/justice for the killing of his son. It all leads to lots of Seagal type action and fans of the man will eat it up.

Seagal has been doing this for some time and he knows the pattern for keeping his fans happy. "Urban Justice" is just the type of film upon which he has built his career.

Katee Sackhoff founf initial fame in her role as "Starbuck" on the hot TV series "Battlestar Galactica" Now she can also be seen on the TV series "The Bionic Woman." Still if that isn't enough Sackhoff for you, you can rent her new DVD "The Last Sentinel." In this film she is again working in the future and trying to save mankind.

Don Wilson is her co-star in this film but it is Katee's show from beginning to end. She may not have the most screen time but she does have the most screen presence.

Andy Dick of "Less Than Perfect" fame has a new DVD in stores and it is titled "Danny Roane: First Time Director." This unique movie stars Dick as Danny Roane, a failed actor who decides to direct his own movie. He is going ot make a story about the effect of drinking and drugs and all is going good until Danny gets caught up in his own demons of drinking and drugs.

Guest stars in the movie include Maura Tierney, James Van Der Beek. Mitchell Flatman and Kate Flannery. They are all good but it is virtually Dick's show all the way.

For all the kids and adults who love the look and feel of Pixar animation, Disney Home Entertainment has assembled a package of thirteen Pixar short subjects and named it "Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 1." These are each a short story brought to life by Pixar animation and all with the same charm and wit of the big Pixar movies.

Some of these might be just a little too smart for your smaller kids but adults will eat them up. It is a great way to be entertained and the entire family can watch them together.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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