Tim Allen in "The Santa Clause 3"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

Can you believe it has been thirteen years since the first "The Santa Clause" was seen in theaters? Tim Allen and a solid supporting cast made this a joyful holiday experience. Because it was so successful the powers that be decided to make a sequel, and it was also successful. So now they have gone back to the Santa Clause well one more time and have created "The Santa Clause 3: the Escape Clause" and it is definitely one time too many.

This time out Santa (Allen) and Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell) are having a baby. The problem is Mrs. Claus misses her family, so Santa decides to bring her mom and dad (Ann-Margaret and Alan Arkin) up to the North Pole. He also brings his ex-wife (Wendy Crewson), her husband (Judge Reinhold) and their daughter (Liliana Mumy) along.

Meanwhile at the North Pole, legendary character Jack Frost (Martin Short) is becoming increasingly jealous of Santa's fame and fortune. He wants to become the number one man and connives to get Santa to invoke the "escape clause" which will leave the position of Santa Claus open for anyone who aspires to it. And Jack does aspire!

All of this heavy-handed plotting takes place with a lot of chaos and not much fun. Tim Allen and Martin Short are both extremely funny men but in this film their comedic skills are muted and they are never allowed to break lose. By the time Short bounces on stage at the North Pole to sing a take off on "New York, New York" you are tired of him and his role in the movie.

You hope that maybe the female cast members can do something to make the movie a little warmer and cheerier but Mitchell is totally bland as Mrs. Claus, and Ann-Margaret is embarrassing as her mother. She still looks great, but the lines they give her are awkward and make her character look shallow and silly.

The possible saving grace of all this is the ending. At the last minute the cast is able to inject the film with some Christmas cheer. But it is too little too late and the overall effect of the movie is that it has been a waste of time and talent.

As with most cases of sequel-itis, making this third episode was just not a good idea. All the sweetness, humor and flavor of the "Santa Clause" concept have been drained from the film and all that is left is a pale imitation of the original. I am sure there will be folks who will flock to rent or buy this DVD but in truth they would be better off just sticking with the original.

It has been thirteen years since "The Santa Clause" first came into theaters, but get this. It has been thirty years since "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" first was seen. And you can now get "Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition." Since the movie was first released there have been two other versions by Spielberg. One added scenes and another deleted scenes. This latest edition has all three versions available for viewing.

Plus you also get new bonus features that add to the enjoyment of the film. It is a total package like no other. It is "Close Encounters of the Third Kind: 30th Anniversary Ultimate Edition."

Ten years after "Close Encounters of the Third Kind:" was released into theaters, "Disney Ducktales" premiered on TV. Now you can get a three disc collection of more of these episodes in the new DVD collection titled "Disney Ducktales: Volume 3." Donald's nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie are featured in these adventures along with the crotchety Scrooge McDuck.

Your kids will have hours of great entertainment watching these episodes. The "Duck/McDuck" family is an enchanting one and this series captured all the fun they generate.

Another three disc set the kids will love is "Talespin: Volume 2." This series of fun cartoon features Baloo from Disney's tremendous hit "The Jungle Book." Shere Khan and Louie are also featured in these stories. But it is Baloo's show all the way as he gets into adventures with his sidekick Kit Cloudkicker." 

Disney knows how to entertain kids and this series has it all. Get the DVD set of "Tailspin: Volume 2" today.

"Stir of Echoes" was a fairly successful film but it was most noted for Kevin Bacon's strong performance. Now "Stir of Echoes 2: The Homecoming" s out on DVD and it is most notable for a strong performance by Rob Lowe. He plays a returning veteran from the Iraq War.

As he settles into life back in the States he realizes that something is wrong with him and his mind. And as the days go by things get worse. Lowe's performance gets stronger and stronger as his character sinks into the curse some Veterans carry.

Lowe has become a better and better actor as witnessed by his performances on "The West Wing" and "Brothers and Sisters." This DVD features some of his best acting ever.

Robert Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, 1968 and the motive and actions of this event have been controversial ever since they happened. Now a new documentary comes forward which explores all angles and aspects of this horrific occurrence "RFK Must Die: The Assassination of Bobby Kennedy" explores the CIA's involvement and also the allegations that Sirhan Sirhan did not act alone.

Producer/Director Shane O'Sullivan has done extensive research and he provides startling new information that is available only in his documentary which is now out on DVD. This is a must see for history buffs and Kennedy fans. For "the rest of the story" watch "RFK Must Die: The Assassination of Bobby Kennedy."

Finally French Director Luc Bresson has created a special film about fate, passion and the power of love. This film is set in Paris and it is featured prominently in the story about a man who thinks his life is over. He jumps into the Seine to drown and ends up rescuing a woman named "Angela."

As the couple wanders around Paris the man becomes more and more concerned about the true identity of his new friend. Does the name "Angela" have a special meaning? Watch the movie and see.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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