Amanda Rhighetti and Jared Padalecki in "Friday the 13th"
courtesy of Warner Brothers
“Another Friday the 13th”

In Hollywood if something is somewhat of a success then you drain every drop of profit out of it you can. Such is the case of the “Friday the 13th” franchise. They just keep making this movie over and over in one version or another. Now we have a new interpretation by Michael Bay (he of “Transformers” fame) that is available on DVD.

Still in truth everything old is new again and this is just more of the same old same old. You spend one hour and forty-five minutes watching people being butchered by a clown in a hockey mask. To coin a phrase, I am just not that into that. Oh the people are pretty and the violence is fairly low key, but there is no acting talent on view and the plot is non-existent.

The movie starts off with a prequel of sorts showing the first six kids who happened to stumble into the camp grounds of Crystal Lake for sex and drugs. Jason hacks them up pretty quickly. A few weeks later the brother of one of the “victims” comes looking. Clay Miller (Jared Padalecki) is certain his sister Whitney (Amanda Righetti) is still alive.

He meets up with a group of college kids headed to one of their parents’ cabin. The group is headed up by Trent (Travis Van Winkle), an obnoxious boor with a cute girlfriend named Jenna (Danielle Panabaker). Most of the group just want to have sex and do drugs but Jenna seems above all that and she reunites with Clay later in the movie.

As quickly as these guys and gals doff their clothes or get out their bongs Jason dispatches them. The message seems to be that if you have sex or do drugs Jason will kill you. And wasn’t that the same message the first “Friday the 13th" sent?

Why a movie such as this is popular is beyond me. I know there is some visceral thrill in being frightened but to watch a gore fest of this type escapes me. It is hack, hack and hack some more until the movie is over. There is no logic to the movie. No ability to see how or why things happen. Jason (Derek Mears) is some kind of super human being who takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.

Horror movies have always been with us and probably always will be, but why can’t they be just a little better than this poor excuse for entertainment.

Much more absorbing and informative is “Generation Kill,” a look at the Marines who were and are involved in the Iraq Invasion. This seven part series was seen on HBO and is now out in Blue Ray format with loads of extras. It is base don a book by Evan Wright who was a journalist for “Rolling Stone.”

Wrights stories are played out by a talented group of actors who present the stories with harsh realism. It is an eye-opening experience to say the least and one you will want to watch. Plus you can share it with your father for a Father’s Day experience.

This is a harsh series of stories but they present a view of the war we should have since it has become so important in every American’s life. So get the full three disc series and start watching. You won’t be disappointed.

Considered too controversial for the time of its release, the uncut version of the 1957 film “The Strange One” is available now on DVD. This film had some adult themes that were considered too adult for the fifties and so they were edited out. Now you can see the full version of this Ben Gazarra starrer in all of its glory.

Gazarra stars as Jocko de Paris, a cadet leader at a military school. His actions are watched by fellow cadets played by George Peppard and Pat Hingle. When he goes too far they step in.

The suggestion of homosexuality was what made the film too controversial but in today’s age it can be spoken about without upsetting people. So watch “The Strange One” and see the entire movie, not the edited version.

The always entertaining Tom Selleck is back in another Jesse Stone adventure. This DVD is titled “Jesse Stone: Thin Ice.” This is the fifth episode of the series based on the Robert B Parker books and it is one of the best.

This time out Stone investigates a missing person’s case, and knowing Stone he pursues it all the way. Selleck has really gotten into this role and he is totally believable as the lawman with a purpose. Lesley Hope and Camryn Manheim co-star in this thrilling adventure.

The Transpacific Yacht Race is the subject of the documentary “Morning Light” which is available now on DVD. The film focuses on a crew of young sailors who prepare for and enter the race with their eyes on the prize.. One unique thing about this crew is that they are the youngest ones to ever enter this race.

The race in which they competed was held in 2007 and the boat they entered was named “Morning Light.” Share their world and their adventure in this gripping and fully satisfying documentary.

Teens love the ABC Family Series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and now they can get the entire second season on DVD. Created by Brenda Hampton of “Seventh Heaven” fame this is a show that has a message and a motive. It wants to educate young people about the pitfalls of teen pregnancy without glamorizing it.

Shailene Woodley is excellent as the young girl who is pregnant. Molly Ringwald is her supportive mother. There is a huge supporting cast that helps make this one of the most interesting as well as entertaining shows on TV.

So get “The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two” and watch all of those shows before the new season starts this month.
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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