Rock, Paper, Scissors

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Joseph Cross and Annette Bening in "Running With Scissors"
courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment

"Rock, Paper, Scissors"

Remember that old game of rock, paper, scissors. It came to mind recently when I re-watched the movie now out on DVD, "Running With Scissors." Most of the people in the movie act stoned (rock), they all ought to be given their walking papers (paper), and this movie is as dangerous to watch as running with scissors (scissors) because people have been known to die from terminal boredom.

Now about the movie/DVD. Augusten Burroughs wrote a memoir of his growing up years titled RUNNING WITH SCISSORS. This book was first a national best seller and then a motion picture directed by Ryan "Nip/Tuck" Murphy. What was funny and quirky in the book is bizarre and tragic in the film. Burroughs' family comes off as totally dysfunctional and the saga of his childhood is depressing and horrifying.

Young Augusten (Joseph Cross) has the bad fortune to be born to a couple who are slowly going downhill emotionally. His father Norman (Alec Baldwin) is an aloof alcoholic, while his mother Deirdre (Annette Bening) is an aspiring poet with multi-emotional problems. Deirdre begins seeing a psychologist named Dr. Finch (Brian Cox). He indulges Deirdre's pretentious of glory and convinces her that marriage is stifling her creative output.

When his parents divorce Deirdre gets custody of Augusten, but soon she is convinced that he would be better off living with the Finch family. So she gives him to them. This family includes Dr. Finch, his wife Agnes (Jill Clayburgh), his oldest daughter Hope (Gwyneth Paltrow), and his youngest daughter Natalie (Evan Rachel Wood). Each of these people has some sort of character/personality disorder. So much so that it seems Augusten has ended up in a house of horrors.

One good thing about the DVD, if you get bored or disgusted you can always turn it off and get back with it later. Me, I would turn it off and never go back.

"Cinderella" is Disney's number one princess, and also one of its biggest cash cows. The original movie is still beloved by little girls worldwide and they sing over and over "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." But Disney knows that little girls will also love the further adventures of Cinderella and her Prince Charming as well as her little animal friends. That is why direct to DVD movies like "Cinderella III: A Twist In Time" are made.

In this movie with a twist the evil stepmother gets the Fairy Godmother's wand and turns back time. Now the glass slipper fits the foot of Anastasia, one of Cinderella's evil stepsisters. The Cinderella gang must undo the stepmother's evil trick and save the day.

In this movie you get romance, comedy and songs - new songs. So get this DVD for your little princesses and watch it with them. It is delightful family entertainment.

A year ago this month Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Oscar for his portrayal of Truman Capote in "Capote." Now you have the chance to see another actor interpret that role. "Infamous" is available on DVD and it features Toby Jones in the role of Truman Capote and Mr. Jones is brilliant.

Once again we visit with Capote and his friend Harper Lee as they study the two killers about whom Capote will write his best seller IN COLD BLOOD. But in this film the relationship between Capote and the killer Perry Smith is explored in much more detail.

The acting in this movie is unbelievably good and if "Capote" had not gotten there first, this is the movie everyone would be talking about in relationship to Truman Capote. Keep an eye on Sandra Bullock too. She is at her best as Harper Lee. Then there is Daniel "James Bond" Craig in the role of Miller. Wow! What a cast.

Finally if you are just looking for some cheap chuckles you can't beat "The Golden Girls: The Complete Seventh Season." This was the final year of the show and one of the big highlights of this DVD is a complete retrospective by Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Bea Arthur.

"The Golden Girls" was a show that just got better and better. The acting was always good but it was the complete compatibility of the actresses that made it something special. It had humor, heart and a heck of a lot of fun.

So if you just want a chance to laugh and feel good, get the DVD of "The Golden Girls: The Complete Seventh Season." It's a winner!

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