Edward Norton and Liv Tyler in "The Incredible Hulk"
courtesy of Universal Home Entertainment
“Everything Is Going Green”

Who would have thought you could have two “Incredible Hulk” movies in the span of five years! In 2003 award winning director Ang Lee brought the story of “The Hulk” to the big screen. The movie featured Eric Bana and Jennifer Connelly in lead roles. The movie was not a success. It was too dark and too talky. Early this year a new version of the “Hulk” story was released. This film, now on DVD, is titled “The Incredible Hulk” and is directed by Louis Leterrier. Guess what? The second one works!

The reason for the success of this second “version” is that it doesn’t take itself seriously. It is a movie about a man who is both human and monster, a “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” for a modern day audience. Plus the emphasis in this movie is on action – from beginning to end. That is the trademark of movies made from Marvel Comics and this one stays true to form.

The basic plot on which the action is hung concerns a man named Bruce Banner (Edward Norton). He is a scientist who took part in an experiment for the military. He was misled by the man in charge, General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt). Ross’ daughter Betty (Liv Tyler) also worked on the experiment. The experiment went terribly wrong and Banner ended up with a massive exposure to gamma rays. This causes him to become a monster whenever he gets too emotionally excited.

Banner flees to Brazil where he works in a factory while trying to find a cure for his condition. He is also in touch with a Mr. Blue (Tim Blake Nelson), a scientist who might be able to help him. Meanwhile General Ross is trying to hunt him down. He considers Banner’s body the property of the government. Aiding him in the search is another military man named Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth). He is willing to have his own body altered in order to have the power of “the hulk.”

The acting in the movie isn’t award winning but it is solid across the board. Norton perfectly portrays the timid soul who is Banner, a man who has a monster living inside of him. He gives the audience the feeling he is afraid of himself.

Tyler is also good as Betty. This time out Betty is much more of a participant in the story rather than just an observer, and this adds greatly to the overall appeal of the film. Tyler makes Betty a girl with gumption. She doesn’t take anything off of anybody.

The movie also has the right “tip of the hat” moments. Stan Lee appears in an early scene, Bill Bixby is seen on television in “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” and Lou Ferrigno has a cameo as a security guard. Then at the end of the movie Robert Downey, Jr. shows up as the “Iron Man” himself, Tony Stark. It ties this movie in with all the other Marvel Comic book movies and that is a good thing.

“The Incredible Hulk” is a DVD that is a fun movie pure and simple. It has no pretensions of greatness; it just wants to amuse and entertain. It is what it is, and for most viewers that will be enough. But there is even more. The DVD has plenty of “extras” to give you even more of the “hulk” experience. 

For a heartwarming movie you might want to pick up “Waltzing Anna.” This is the story of a doctor who doesn’t quite live up to the legal limits of his medical practice. Because he has taken advantage of the insurance system he has to work for six months at a nursing home.

Once there he finds his life is changed by the people he meets. It is a gradual evolution but one that is fun to watch. Robert Capelli, Jr plays the doctor while Emmanuelle Chriqui plays the woman who affects his life. Both of these leads are good in their roles but it is the supporting cast that makes the difference.

Betsy Palmer, Artie Lange, Pat Hingle, Paige Turco and Grant Shaud are just a few members of an ensemble cast that make the movie a little bit above average. Combined with the sweetness of the story this movie emerges as one you will want to watch.

Leo, Annie, June and Quincy as well as their special friend Rocket are all having a great adventure in the new DVD “Little Einsteins: The Christmas Wish.” It might be a little early for the Christmas season but it will be here before you know it and your kids will enjoy this DVD regardless of the season.

There are musical adventu8res as well as comical ones as the group of children each do what they do best. It is an inspiring DVD and one to which your children can relate. So get it and let them have their fun.

While a variety of shows are getting tried out on the networks there are some that are lurking in the wings waiting for a show to falter or to run its course. Such a show is “Rules of Engagement.” This show will be back on the air but it may not be until January, unless there is an early cancellation.

Meanwhile you can get the DVD titled “Rules of Engagement: The Complete Second Season.” David Spade, Patrick Warburton, Bianca Kajlich, Oliver Hudson and Megyn Price star in this very funny comedy series.

There are fifteen episodes in this DVD plus a lot of “special features” that give you even more viewing pleasure. So don’t be without some “Rules of Engagement” to watch. Get the DVD “Rules of Engagement: The Complete Second Season” and get ready for the show’s return in January.

Also available on DVD is “Silverhawks: Season 1, Volume 1.” This animated series follows the adventures of Quicksilver, Talley Hawk, Super Twins and others. They are involved in thirty-two action adventures.

All of the adventures take place in the future in a galaxy far, far away. The heroes are daring and brave and face villains who threaten them in new and dreadful ways. It is all exciting and all fun so get the DVD today.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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