Richard Gere and Diane Lane in "Nights In Rodanthe"
courtesy of Warner Home Entertainment
“Beach Weekend”

Diane Lane and Richard Gere are big time movie stars for a reason. They have the chemistry necessary to make you believe them as lovers on screen. They showed it in “The Cotton Club”; they repeated it in “Unfaithful”; and they do it big time in “Nights In Rodanthe.” When you add in a story based on a Nicholas Sparks’ novel then you know you are going to be weeping and wailing before the film is over. For many in the audience that works just fine. If it was good enough for “The Notebook” fans then this new movie on DVD will fill the same bill.

Lane plays Adrienne, a woman who is separated from her husband (Christopher Meloni) and trying to manage two children. The kids are actually staying with their father for a few days so Adrienne agrees to manage the hotel owned by her friend Jean (Viola Davis). It is located on the outer banks of North Carolina and is in driving distance from Adrienne’s home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

There is only one guest expected while Adrienne is “managing.” His name is Paul Flanner (Gere) and he is a doctor from Raleigh. He is scheduled to stay at the inn/hotel for four days. When he arrives so does news of a possible hurricane but the two decide to ride out the storm.

In Sparks’ world love can blossom in a very short time and it does here. This couple eats, drinks and makes merry while the elements rage against them. Of course they are staying in one of the most beautiful locations imaginable and the inn is like something out of a Disney movie. Everything in this movie is beautiful from the scenery to the cast.

There is a subplot involving one of the locals (Scott Glenn) who lost his wife when Dr. Flanner operated on her. Confronting him and explaining what happened is why Flanner is at the inn. The scene between Gere and Glen is one of the strongest in the movie.

Also of note is the fact that Mae Whitman who plays Lane’s daughter in this movie is the same actress who played Sandra Bullock’s daughter in “Hope Floats,” another weeper women love.

Many will want to write this movie off as a schmaltzy chick flick, just the way they try to minimize the value of Sparks’ books. But for those who love this kind of film there is nothing better than a Nicholas Sparks book come to life. And when you add a cast topped by Lane and Gere it is just what the doctor ordered.

There is an audience for “Nights In Rodanthe” and they are people who will want to see the DVD over and over and over. People tear up when you mention “The Notebook” and chances are they will do the same thing with this film.

Lane and Gere have magic between them, and this movie spreads that magic all around. Get it tonight and watch it with someone you love

How’s this for a strange premise? A TV reality show is being shot and at the time of the shooting a killer shows up. Did the movie inspire the killer or the killer influence the movie?. Find out when you watch the new DVD titled “Killer Movie..”

This film is so much better than you expect and that is mainly because of Katey Cuoco. She is a bright talented actress as she has proven on “8 Simple Rules” and “The Big Bang Theory.” In this movie she leads a cast that also includes Leighton Meester and Nelson Carbonelli.

It sounds like a cheesy sort of film but it is enjoyable. Take my word on this one.

Kids are going to go wild for the latest adventure of the Golden Retriever puppies that have starred in “Snow Buddies” and “Air Buddies.” Now they are taking on their biggest adventure in “Space Buddies.” Yes the buddies are blasting off into outer space and into an adventure that is pure joy from start to finish.

Make sure your kids don’t miss this delightful family film. It is from Disney and is aimed at the young ones. Get this DVD and let them start enjoying the fun.

Another great movie for kids is “The Secret of the Magic Gourd.” This Disney DVD picture features Corbin Bleu as the voice of the gourd. The gourd is found by a young boy named Raymond and is granted wishes by the gourd. But with each wish he makes, something goes wrong. There is a lesson to be learned her and Raymond learns it.

This is an excellent movie and one you should want your kids to see because of the message it delivers. Sop get the DVD and make this a double feature with “Space Buddies” or have movie night two nights in a row.

Moving to more adult subject matter, pick up “The Lucky Ones.” This is a film about returning Iraqi War veterans. Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins and Michael Pena star as the three soldiers who team up on a trip west. Each has a reason for going home but each finds that home is not always possible to find.

Each of the three actors are outstanding with McAdams being perhaps best of all. This is a film that is important for its story and for its impact. Don’t miss “The Lucky Ones.”

“Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous” is Jessica Simpson’s take on Goldie Hawn’s “Private Benjamin.” Sadly Simpson is no Hawn and the movie struggles to find its warmth and its humor.

The story is the same – Hollywood starlet loses her job, her boyfriend and he money. Trying to turn her life around she joins the Army. And we all know where it goes form there. Simpson makes a valiant try at acting but it just isn’t in her.

Finally there is an action adventure film on DVD titled “Depth Charge.” It concerns a maniac who takes over a nuclear submarine and threatens the lives of millions with a nuclear attack. He wants money and a lot of it. But unknown to him there are a couple of people on board who are determined to stop him.

Eric Roberts plays the maniacal captain of the submarine. Jason Gedrick and Barry Bostwick co-star. This is a fun film if you like adventure movies. And I do!
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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