Jet Li and Jackie Chan in "Forbidden Kingdom"
courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment
“Two For the Price Of One”

There is always something new under the sun and the first time pairing of martial arts giants Jackie Chan and Jet Li is an exciting event. When you have these two co-starring in an exciting adventure, what more can you want? Well in the new DVD “Forbidden Kingdom” you also get amazingly choreographed action sequences, beautiful photography, lush scenery, and a believable young hero played by Michael Angarano. It all fits into a total package of great movie entertainment.

The plot is a little complex but it all has to do with Jason Tripitikas (Angarano) living in South Boston in the present time. He has befriended an elderly storekeeper by the name of “Old Hop” (Chan). When the store is robbed Old Hop is shot and Jason rushes to his aid. Old Hop gives him a rod that he says must be returned to its rightful owner.

Rushing away from the scene of the crime Jason falls off the roof and lands in China. Yep, you read that right. There he teams up with a drunken warrior named Lu Yan (Chan again), a silent monk (Li) and a young girl named Sparrow (Liu Yifei). They fight their way to the forbidden kingdom where the Monkey King (Li again) is being imprisoned.

The scenes featuring both Chan and Li are wonderful. These two men are masters of their art and make movie magic. They also handle the acting requirements adequately. Angarano is perfect as Jason, and his transformation from a gawky kid into a fighting warrior is fun to watch and also believable. The message here is that Chan and Li can make anyone into a warrior.

Ever since men and women sailed through the air to do battle in “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the movies using China as a backdrop have been on the rise. There is a beauty to these films that cannot be described. It is poetic and transporting.

Though not explained, the characters in the movie speak English. This makes it easier for American audiences to enjoy. It also makes it possible for Jason to communicate with his Chinese friends.

Angarano is an asset as the American boy on a mission, but it is Chan and Li who make the movie work. When you make a movie of this type you want one of them involved. Having both is icing on the cake.

“The Forbidden Kingdom” is a fun film that will hold the interest of anyone who likes action movies with some beauty added to the mix. Mark this one down as a sure fire DVD to view.

You may not have been one of the few people who watched the TV series “Eli Stone” last year. It wasn’t that it was not interesting, it was just that nobody got the word out on it before it had ended its short season due to the writers strike. Jonny Lee Miller and the rest of the cast were due more attention.

The good news is that “Eli Stone” has been renewed for a second season. The even better news is that “Eli Stone: The Complete First Season” is available on DVD. Now you can watch this quirky comedy/drama and see all the first seasons’ episodes and many of them in extended versions.

With the music of George Michael interwoven into the scripts this is a show like no other. So get this DVD and watch the last season and get ready for the new one.

Another TV series a lot of people overlooked last year was `The Big Bang Theory.” This show which stars Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Katey Cuoco is one of the sharpest most clever, best written series to be on TV in a while. It too has been renewed and the DVD of the first season titled “The Big Bang Theory: The Complete First Season” (clever title) is now available.

This tale of the nerds and the beautiful woman who lives in their apartment building is laugh out loud funny. Each episode has big laughs, at least for me. So get this DVD and start having some fun.

“Reprise” was a film by Director Joachim Trier that made quite a splash at the Sundance Film Festival. This movie about two aspiring writers was seen to be comical, tragic and inspired. One of the young men in the film gains success while the other suffers rejection. But who does life treat the kindest? 

This film is different visually and thematically. Watch it and see what all the fuss is about. It is a coming of age film and a “look what life offers” movie. It is many things all rolled into one. It is “Reprise.”

Just in time to get the kids in the mood for Halloween comes “My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt.” There are segments featuring Piglet, Rabbit and Eeyore as well as a special appearance by Handy Manny. Now that’s a lot of fun in one DVD.

So make sure your kids don’t miss out on any of the fun. Get them “My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt.”

Also pick up “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Storybook Surprises.” This DVD includes segments from the Playhouse Disney series and also includes a never before seen episode titled “Minnie’s Mystery.”

There is also an interactive storytelling game which will get your children’s creative juices going big time. This is a game that helps them use their imaginations. And after seeing the episodes on this DVD there imagination will be whetted and honed.

“The Office” has been called the funniest show on TV. I don’t know if I would go that far but it does have some truly hilarious moments. Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Kasinski, Jenna Fischer and others make this one of the best acted comedies on television.

Some of the funniest moments of the series occurred in Season Four. That is why you just have to have the new DVD “The Office: Season Four.” On this DVD you get all the episodes of season four plus outtakes, deleted scenes, gag reels and more. Don’t miss any of the fun. Get this DVD today!
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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