Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson in "Last Chance Harvey"
courtesy of Overture Home Entertainment
“Dustin & Emma: Talent Abounds”

When you have both Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson taking part ion a movie, you know it is going to be something special. These two exert their effortless talent in a sweet love story titled “Last Chance Harvey”. The two stars are naturally talented and their gifts are tailor made for a story such as this. You can totally relax as two real pros bring the sentimental movie to life.

Harvey Shine (Hofffman) is a man with many problems. His career as a writer of songs and scores for commercials is not going too good. He is making a decent living but the hits are just not coming as often as before and he has to pitch and pull to get his music heard.

On the personal side he is divorced and not currently attached to anyone. His daughter is getting married in London and he has to fly there to see the wedding. He knows that his ex-wife (Kathy Baker) and her second husband (James Brolin) will have everything under control and there will not be room for him in much of the celebration.

When he gets to London his worst fears are realized. He is put in a hotel while the other members of the bridal party are ensconced at his wife’s home. Then to add insult to injury, his daughter (Liane Balaban) tells him she is going to have her stepfather give her away.

While all this is going on, Kate Walker (Thompson) is having some problems of her own. Her mother (Eileen Atkins) is sure the neighbor next door is some kind of mass murderer. She thinks he is stowing the bodies in a shed he has in back of his house. Kate can do nothing to assuage her fears and her mother calls her on her cell phone constantly. She calls even when Kate is out on a date, but this isn’t as much of a problem as it sounds as the blind date is just not into her and shows it.

Eventually Harvey and Kate’s paths cross and in situations that are not too forced begin to speak and enjoy each other’s company. Harvey plays it slow and earnest for he knows this might be his last chance at a fulfilling relationship. Kate doesn’t know if Harvey is worth the risk of opening up her heart. He seems nice but he is older and he is from America.

The film is elevated by the talent of its stars. Hoffman and Thompson’s styles of acting compliment the other’s completely. You like seeing them together and in a movie like this that affection for the characters is paramount.

If you want to see a movie that is relaxing, entertaining, and enjoyable; then rent or buy the DVD of “Last Chance Harvey.” It isn’t the greatest movie ever made but it is a way to relax and be entertained.

If the plot of the new DVD sounds familiar, well it should. It is loosely based on the Valerie Plame case, or so it seems. Kate Beckinsale plays a reporter who reveals the name of a covert CIA operative. She then ends up in jail for failing to reveal her source.

This is a fascinating movie and Beckinsale is great in her role. Also good are Alana Alda, Matt Dillon and Vera Farmiga. With a cast this strong the movie makes an impact. So get this one on DVD today and enjoy a solid movie experience.

Heather Locklear is always a welcome sight and now on DVD you can watch her in a film titled “Flirting With Forty.” A little older and hopefully a little wiser, she still brightens up any film in which she appears. In this one she plays a divorcée turning forty who finds herself attracted to and attracting a younger man. It is a romantic comedy that is enjoyable from start to finish.

Locklear plays Jackie Laurens, a divorced mother of two. Her ex-husband (Cameron Bancroft) has a new girlfriend, a twenty seven year old. On the Christmas before her fortieth birthday Jackie’s best friend Kristine (Vanessa Williams) gifts her with a trip to Hawaii. Kristine is supposed to go with her but family matters keep her at home.

Shortly after arriving in Hawaii, Jackie meets the hotel surfing instructor Kyle (Robert Buckley). Deciding to be adventurous, Jackie signs up for a surfing lesson and she and the instructor really hit it off. When she gets back home to Denver, Jackie begins planning more trips to Hawaii.

Jackie’s friends are amazed, and maybe a little jealous, that she has found someone like Kyle. They argue he is too young for her – he’s twenty-six; and that he has no ambition being a surf bum and all. At first Jackie ignores their taunts but eventually she listens to what they have to say. She begins to think maybe she is being foolish and that she should just concentrate on her two kids. That is where the movie takes a more serious turn.

Locklear has a swollen look to her that may be Botox or even surgery. She looks good but not the same good that she used to look. Still the Locklear personality is in full force and that is what counts.

Buckley is very good as Kyle. He gives him enough depth to make him attractive to an older woman. Plus he has the looks and body to go along with it.

“Flirting With Forty” explores the double standard between men and women over the dating younger thing. Can a woman at forty find love and happiness with a man in his twenties? Watch and see how this movie answers that question.

Two guys really want to win a Streetball Tournament. It will give them twenty-five thousand dollars and help them break up the boredom of their lives. Since they work in a morgue they figure they might be able to raise a large man from the dead and use his skills on the court. Such is the premise of “Franken Hood,” an actually funny movie now on DVD.

DeRay Davis and Jasper Redd play the two friends, and Charlie Murphy is the man with the “raise em up” plan. This is a movie that stretches the old “Frankenstein” story to its furthest limits. It is “Franken Hood” and you may want to watch it.

Diane Keaton stars in the comedy “Smother” which arrives on DVD just in time for Mothers Day. In this comedy she plays a mother who moves in with her son (Dax Shepard) and his wife (Liv Tyler). She almost drives the son crazy with her “smothering.”

Keaton is perfect in a role like this one and Shepard and Tyler give her great support. So watch someone else’s mother in “Smother” but don’t forget to call yours for Mothers Day.

With a tip of the hat to “The Da Vinci Code” and “National Treasure,” Mia Sorvino and Scott Foley star in an adventure centered around finding an ancient decoder and a map that might lead to treasure. It is a round the world adventure with lots of excitement and suspense.

Victor Garber and Omar Sharif fill out the cast and add to the fun. If you like Indiana Jones” type characters crossed with a Steve Berry type plot, then this is a movie you will want to watch. 
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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