Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage in "National Treasure: The Book of Secrets"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
“Sequel-itus”

The original “National Treasure” movie was a great fun trip. The sequel not so much.  Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Jon Voight, Justin Bartha and Harvey Keitel return for the sequel, now out on DVD, and it is titled "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." It has all the action of the first and all the humor too, but this time out the plot just can't keep from leaking like a sieve. Thinking back on the movie after viewing it, you realize nothing made any sense at all.

Cage once again plays Ben Gates, a treasure hunter of the first degree. His sidekick is Riley Poole (Bartha) and his girlfriend is Abigail Chase (Kruger). As the film starts Ben and Abigail have broken up and Ben is living with his father, Patrick (Voight). At a college lecture Ben is interrupted by a man named Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) who claims he has proof Ben's great grandfather was involved in the plot to kill Abraham Lincoln.

Ben becomes obsessed with the idea of clearing the family name. Somehow this ties in with a search for a lost city of gold. Abigail joins in to help with the hunt as does Ben's mother, Emily (Helen Mirren). Riley also tags along.

The "book of secrets" referred to in the title is a book maintained by the President of the United States. In this film the President is played by Bruce Greenwood. The "book of records" helps in the treasure hunt.

Cage is nebbishly charming as Ben, while Kruger is stunningly beautiful as Abigail. Bartha provides comic relief. Voight and Mirren give the movie some acting clout. Harris is the villain of the piece while Keitel has a few short moments as the head of the FBI.

The movie gets a little sluggish in the middle but overall is fun and funny. It is only after everything is over that it dawns on you that nothing made any sense. The clues were just clues that didn't lead anywhere, and the solving of the mystery was just an event that occurred, nothing set it up.

The first film was not one hundred per cent logical but it seemed to make more sense than this one. Still if you are just into it for the fun you will have a great old time. That is probably the way to enjoy the movie - don't sweat the small stuff like logic and truth.

The movie is a lot like an "Indiana Jones" film with Cage filling in for Ford. He doesn't have a bullwhip or a fedora but he does have that Cage grin. Plus Diane Kruger outshines any co-star Ford ever had as Indy.

This is the kind of movie that plays even better on DVD as you can watch it in the comfort of your home, and take as many breaks as you wish.

“The Muppet Show: The Complete Third Season” is also available on DVD this week. It is a gathering of all twenty-four episodes of the third season and it features Kermit, Miss Piggy and all the gang. It also features guest stars such as Gild Radner, Cheryl Ladd, Liberace, Raquel Welch and Sylvester Stallone.

This series won the Peabody Award and that is a true mark of excellence. So gather the family around and have a great time watching “The Muppet Show: The Complete Third Season.”

People are always asking me when Hollywood is going to make a good western. Well “Shadow Riders,” which is out this week on DVD, is a good western. It co-stars Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott and Katherine Ross.

This movie is based on a western novel by Louis L’Amour who wrote many of the stories upon which classic westerns are based. And when you add a cast like this one well you know it is going to be rough, tough and great. So grab this movie and prepare for a night at the movies in your own home with a solid western. John Wayne would be proud.

Francis Ford Coppola returned to moviemaking with the film “Youth Without Youth.” It stars Tim Roth, Alexandra Maria Lara and Bruno Ganz and is a story about recaptured youth and immortality.

The story takes place during the time of Nazi Germany and has to do with the dangers of living under this regime. This is a film that is difficult to understand but having it on DVD may help with the interpretation.

The acting of Roth, Mara and Ganz is first rate but the movie is a difficult one to enjoy or understand. Expect a challenge when you watch this one.

“National Lampoon Presents Cattle Call” Is not a western but rather a silly film about guys who tell girls they are casting a movie. Then they get them to try out for some of the roles. Do they have ulterior motives? Yes. Do the girls catch on? Yes. Do the girls seek revenge? Yes.

Thomas Ian Nichols from “American Pie” stars along with Chelsea Handler, Nicole Eggert and Deidrich Bader. The comedy material is raw and there are a lot of adult situations. So watch it knowing what to expect.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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