Drew Barrymore and Eric Bana in "Lucky You"
courtesy of Warner Home Entertainment
"Out of Luck"

Eric Bana has starred in movies ranging from "The Hulk" to "Munich"; from "Troy" to "Black Hawk Down." I haven't liked him in any of them. So it was no surprise I was not thrilled with his performance in the new DVD "Lucky You." The charm of Bana escapes me. He doesn't appear to be that talented or that handsome. So how does he keep landing leading role after leading role? 

In "Lucky You" he stars opposite Drew Barrymore." They make a cute couple but the movie is not dynamic enough to entertain a substantial audience. Bana is not a big box office draw but at least he is better in this movie than he was in "The Hulk." That is damning with faint praise.

Bana plays Huck Cheever, a professional gambler living and working in Las Vegas. His father L C (Robert Duvall) is also a gambler and a consistently big winner. Huck is forever living in his father's shadow. He hopes that the big Poker Championship will give him a way to prove his worth.

One day Huck meets Billie Offer (Barrymore), an aspiring singer. She is a sweet-natured young woman who has an optimistic outlook on life. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start when Huck "borrows" some of Billie's money to try to get the entry fee for the Championship.

Debra Messing has a small role as Billie's sister while Robert Downey, Jr. has a cameo as a money man in Vegas. Both have talent that warranted bigger parts in the film.

Bana is okay as Huck but he doesn't bring anything extra to the role. Barrymore does more with hers. It is her most serious role to date and she gives it sweetness and depth. At the end of the film you feel as if you know Billie. You don't feel you know Huck.

Duvall is the acting giant in the movie. He dominates each and every scene in which he appears. He is such a natural actor that you just accept him in whatever role he deigns to play. Jean Smart has a small role as a player at his table and you long for Duvall and her character to have some interaction.

The movie is directed by Curtis Hanson who also directed "L A Confidential" and "8 Mile." This movie had been completed a year before it was released into theaters so somebody didn't have much confidence in it, and having seen it I can see why.

Most of you are probably bigger Barrymore fans than Bana ones, so you can watch her and get some enjoyment. There is always a silver lining.

Sally Field just won an Emmy for her performance on the TV series "Brothers & Sisters" and it was well deserved. With the release to DVD of "Brothers & Sisters: The Complete First Season" you can see why people were so impressed. You can also - and this is a biggie - see an unaired episode of the show. Yessiree, you can see it for the first time in all its glory.

I also liked the inclusion of a look into the personal lives of the Walker family brothers - Balthazar Getty/Tommy, Dave Annable/Justin and Matthew Rhys/Kevin. We get to see what they are really like when they are not playing roles, but just being themselves. You also get a look at Ken Olin's family. He is the producer/director of the show and his wife Patty Wettig is one of the stars of the show.

This is one of the most popular dramas on television today so get this DVD and learn more about the cast, and watch again the complete first season.

Lars von Trier is not your typical moviemaker. He can always be counted on to deliver something unique and disturbing in some way. His movies have included "Dogville," "Mandalay" and Dancer In the Dark." Now he has "The Boss Of It All" which is now out on DVD.

In this movie a man creates a fictitious boss to take some of the heat for policies that the owner has to make. When he decides he wants to sell the business the prospective buyers only want to talk to the boss - but there is no boss. That problem is solved by hiring an actor to play the boss - and that leads to all kinds of complications.

The movie is in Danish with English subtitles and that makes it a little difficult to enjoy. Still with perseverance the movie wins you over. "The Boss Of It All" is worth taking the time to watch.

Also complicated but in a comedic sense is the DVD titled "The Valet." This movie is all about adultery, the paparazzi, mistaken identities, and the cost of love. Daniel Auteuil, Kristin Scott Thomas and Gad Elmaleh star in this romantic comedy and all are very good in their roles.

Also on the DSVD is a behind the scenes documentary titled "The Making of 'The Valet'" as well as commentary by writer /director Francis Veber. This makes for a full DVD and a lot of interesting footage.

If you are a sports enthusiast you will want to get the new DVD "Dare To Dream: The Story of the US Women's Soccer Team." This documentary shows the history of the Women's Soccer Team from its first world championship in 1991 to its triumph in 2004 at the Olympics.

There are interviews with Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and others and they give great insight into what happened and how. It is a film you will want to see and study. The film is narrated by Live Schreiber.

Little girls in your family will want to watch "Holly Hobbie: Best Friends Forever." This is an animated and updated version of the Holly Hobbie you mothers and grandmothers knew. LeAnn Rimes sings the Holly Hobbie theme song and Alyson Stoner and Marion Ross provide two of the main characters' voices.

The plot involves Holly befriending a woman the town calls a witch. She manages everything through her friendly ways and sweet manner. That's our Holly.

Finally Wilmer Valderrama stars in "The Dead One." This is as supernatural story about a young man who falls under an ancient curse. This situation not only endangers him but also the girl he loves. Michael Parks and Tony Plana co-star in this exciting movie on DVD.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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