Justin Chatwin in "Invisible"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Truth In Advertising"

"Invisible" is a movie currently out on DVD. It is one of those movies that seems to be telling you something important but in truth it is mostly hot air. It is all presented in a weighty manner but the story ends up being just a silly take on a serious subject. The actors do what they are supposed to do but they can't lift a hokey premise to glorious heights.

The movie starts off with a surrealistic graduation party sequence that introduces the audience to the character of Nick Powell (Justin Chatwin). He is a high school senior whose father has died. He feels totally isolated from his mother (Marcia Gay Harden), a beautiful socialite who drifts through life in a fog.

Nick has plans to leave for London to study writing but an attempted murder delays his plans. He is beaten up and left for dead by a troubled girl named Annie (Margarita Levieva). Nick finds himself drifting around his community as a spirit. He can't be seen by anyone but he can somehow make a connection to animals and birds.

Nick observes Annie's life and tries to reach out to her from the spirit world. He thinks he can use her to somehow reconnect with his body. Annie is a loser who goes from being a cold-blooded killer to being a saint of sorts. Or at least the movie tries to make you think that way.

The point of the movie is never clear and the pretentious way in which it is all presented makes you lose interest early on. The actors are all good in their roles but good acting alone is generally not sufficient to make a movie entertaining. "Invisible" lives up to its title as the entertainment value of this film is ....well invisible.

One of my favorite TV series last year was "Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip." This was a show written by the brilliant Aaron Sorkin ("The West Wing") and he was at his best and brightest with the material he provided. You would hear the actors speak the lines and just marvel.

Plus this show had a beautiful cast. Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry played the two men behind a "Saturday Night Live" type of sketch show. Their performances were complemented by the likes of Sarah Paulson, Amanda Peet, Steven Webber, D L Hughley and Edward Asner. And each week there were guest stars who were always at their best.

Now the entire season is available on DVD and you have got to get it and watch it. Chances are you didn't see it on TV. I, and three others, were the only true fans. Plus on the DVD you get some commentary and a documentary of "The Making of." So get this DVD and devote some time to watching the entire year. It is a worthwhile trip.

The Wahlberg family is doing just fine in the acting department. Mark Wahlberg has been Oscar nominated in the past, and it wouldn't surprise me if some day soon brother Donnie Wahlberg got an Emmy nomination. He is doing good work on TV and some of his finest was on the TV mini-series "Kings of South Beach." This show is now available on DVD.

Jason Gedrick and Wahlberg co-star in this series as two men living the good life in the clubs of South Beach, Miami. They have it all, but they can't keep it. Secrets from the past destroy all they have built up. This is an energetic story and watching all of the rise and fall is fascinating.

Wahlberg has some great moments on this show so be sure to watch "Kings of South Beach." It will hold your attention.

An even more fascinating film is "Girl 27." This is a documentary about the life of Patricia Douglas, and MGM starlet back in the 1930's. On a day when she thought she was going to a casting call, Douglas and a hundred or more other starlets fond they had been brought to a party for studio salesmen. Douglas tried to leave and was raped.

When she sued MGM, they instituted a total news blackout. The story of Ms Douglas is just now seeing the light of day. Luckily David Stenn who made the documentary was able to get an interview with Ms Douglas on tape and it is included on the DVD.

This is a movie that will make you think about the "glories" of old Hollywood. The DVD is titled "Girl 27."

"My Best Friend" is a French film now out on DVD that highlights how easy it is to mistake acquaintances for friends. Francoise (Daniel Auteuil) thinks he has lots of friends because he has a lot of acquaintances. But one day his business partner (Julie Gayet) dares him to introduce her to his best friend. Not having one, Francoise hires a taxi driver (Danny Boon) to pose as his friend. There is of course room for comedy and errors in this plot.

The film is captivating with all the French charm possible. The actors are good and the film is fun. There is a distinct flavor to the film that you will enjoy.

Finally for the Halloween season the DVD "The Woods Have Eyes" is available. It is about a group of kids who wander into the woods to see if the legend of Cappy's Cabin is true. It is and then the horror begins. 

You have never seen these actors before and may not again, but for a screamfest they do just fine. And for Halloween viewing that is all you want. Right?
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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