Martin Lawrence and Raven Symone in "College Road Trip"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
“Father and Daughter Bonding”

Martin Lawrence has come a long way from the days when he was a foul mouthed comic who never met a curse word he didn’t like. Now he has crossed over into family films – even one for Disney. Lawrence and Raven-Symone star in "College Road Trip," a movie now out on DVD that focuses on that special relation ship between fathers and daughters. This is a sweet movie in the mode of "Father of the Bride" and Lawrence is able to be just as loving and sentimental as Steve Martin was.

In the film Lawrence plays Police Chief James Porter. His daughter Melanie (Raven-Symone) is seventeen and just about ready to graduate high school. Porter thinks she is going to Northwestern for her college years and that school; is only forty-five miles from their home. Melanie informs him she wants to consider Georgetown and that college is many miles away.

Coerced by his wife (Kym E Whitley) James agrees to take his daughter on a college road trip to look at some schools. This road trip turns into a disaster as one mishap after another occurs. The biggest is running into another father/daughter team, Doug and Wendy Greenhut (Donny Osmond and Molly Ephraim).

Most of the situations are funny, especially those involving Donny Osmond, but some are too far out - such as the pet pig wrecking a wedding party. The pig and Porter's genius preteen son (Eshaya Draper) seem extraneous to the movie. There is also a musical sequence that is supposed to play to Raven-Symone's fans that also seems forced.

The best parts of the movie are those which focus on the father/daughter relationship and the feeling of loss when a child grows up. These are the ones that give heart to the movie and make it most effective and entertaining.

Lawrence is best known for his R rated movies so having him in a G rated one is quite a surprise, but then he is surprisingly good in his role. He has good chemistry with Raven-Symone and that is key to the success of the movie.

Raven-Symone is bright, pretty and happy in her own skin. She is not some starved teen beauty but rather is a girl who looks like a teen-age girl could look. Her comedic skills are perfectly matched against Lawrence's and the two make the emotional scenes really touching.

Osmond is the wild car. He bursts into the film like someone insane and makes every cameo appearance one to be enjoyed. He is so obnoxious you can't help but hate him, but even when you are hating him you are waiting for his return.

It is rare when you get a chance to see a G rated movie that entertains, and this one certainly does. So gather up the family and have a "family night" with "College Road Trip."

Another DVD about a daughter is “Birds of Prey.” This is a full thirteen episode collection of the TV series that ran back in 2002. In it we get to watch the adventures of Huntress, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman. Ashley Scott plays this role.

She is joined by the characters of Oracle (Dina Meyer) and Dinah (Rachel Skarsten). These three young women protect Gotham City long after Batman has gone away. There are still problems there and these three try to take care of them. It is thrills of the comic book kind from the first episode to the last.

With “The Dark Knight” being released in movie theaters the world of Batman is once again at the forefront of entertainment. “Birds of Prey” should fit right in with your viewing likes.

John Woo is one of my favorite moviemakers. I have watched “Broken Arrow,” “Face Off” and “Payback” over and over. Now I am recommending a new DVD that has his imprint. It is called “Blood Brothers” and it has action of the Woo kind.

The film focuses on three brothers who go to Shanghai in the 1930’s to seek their fortune. They get caught up in the life of crime that flourishes there. As they grow to be men there are choices and chances available to them.

The movie has action and drama, and is well worth watching. It is titled “Blood Brothers.” Look for it!

Finally we have a suspenseful movie about a beach volleyball player and a man who might be a dangerous stalker. The film is titled “Impact Point” and stars Melissa Keller and Brian Austin Green. These two are perfect for the roles of the athlete and the too friendly man.

Keller is a former “Sports Illustrated” model while Green has been seen recently in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” He of course was also one of the stars of “Beverly Hills 90210.”

The film is sexy and suspenseful. It is “Impact Point.”
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!