Poster for "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
“Lost Dog Roundup”

Who could resist a story about a lost dog? No one, at least that is what the Disney folks think and they prove it with the popular movie “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which is now out on DVD. This movie proves Disney still has the magic when it comes to family movies. “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” is a perfect example of a movie aimed at the kids but entertaining enough for adults. It is warm, funny and exciting in a kid pleasing sort of way, and should rack up even more dollars now that it is available on DVD.

Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) is the princess pet of Beverly Hills. She belongs to Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis) who dotes on her. But one day Viv has to go away on a business trip and her dog nanny has just had a baby. This means Viv’s niece Rachel (Piper Perabo) is stuck with being in charge of Chloe.

It doesn’t take long for Rachel to tire of being a babysitter to a dog. When two friends invite her to go to Mexico she packs Chloe in a bag and is off. But while she is there Chloe gets loose to wander the streets and is picked up by men who arrange dogfights. Now why they would want a Chihuahua in a dog fight is another matter all together.

The rest of the film concerns Rachel trying to find Chloe and get her home safe and sound before Viv returns. Along the way in this adventure Chloe meets a protective dog named Delgado (voiced by Andy Garcia) and a horrible Doberman named Diablo (voiced by Edward James Olmos).

All of the actors who provide voices are perfectly matched with their characters. Outstanding is George Lopez who provides the voice for Papi, a Chihuahua who is crazy about Chloe.

What makes this movie so enjoyable for the kids is the humanness of the animals. They seem to show emotion even in their eyes. It is a far cry from the early days when the mouths moving didn’t look right and there was no emotion of any type in the animals. In one scene one of the dogs even cries!

Chloe, Papi, Delgado and the rest of the animals are worth watching over and over again. It is a pretty sure bet they will return for more adventures in the future. These dogs aren’t through having their days in the sun.

James Lee Burke is one of the nation’s most successful and admired authors. His mysteries featuring detective Dave Robicheaux are highly popular. Now Burke’s work comes to the screen with “In the Electric Mist.”

Tommy Lee Jones plays Robicheaux and does it with panache as he investigates a series of murders in New Orleans. The place and the character become one in this highly suspenseful and entertaining film. John Goodman plays a mob boss who might be involved in the crimes.

Others in the cast include Kelly Macdonald, Mary Steenburgen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ned Beatty. That is quite a cast but it is Jones who leads the way as Robicheaux.

Make sure you pick up this well acted and exciting movie. Hopefully Jones will take up this role again in the future. Burke’s stories should be saved through good movies.

“The Hills: The Complete Fourth Season” is available on DVD now and for those of us who have not followed slavishly every episode offered, this is a chance to catch up. Lauren, Whitney, Audrina, Heidi and Lo are all back and all have love problems, job problems and relationship problems. It just goes on and on.

This is the season that Lauren starts back dating Doug. This complicates things for her. Then there is the relationship between Audrina and Justin, it too gets more heated. There is nothing that is simple in “The Hills.”

So catch up with all the action in “The Hills: The Complete Fourth Season.” Plus you get “extras” such as deleted scenes and interviews. It is a lot to watch but if you love “The Hills” you just got to have it.

“Air Bud” is a movie that spawned a ton of sequels but none top the original. Now Disney has re-released “Air Bud” in all of its original glory. It is great family entertainment and your kids will watch this movie over and over.

Basically the movie is a story about a new kid in town named Josh who discovers a dog named Buddy. The dog is great at scoring baskets and this fact opens a world of sports and friendship for Josh. It is all heart-warming and exciting. Get this DVD!

Melissa Leo was an Academy Award nominee this year for her performance in “Frozen River.” Many had never even heard of Ms. Leo when she was nominated. Now she is back with another movie on DVD and it showcases her talent. It is titled “Lullaby.”

In the film Leo plays a mother who learns her son is being held ransom by a drug lord in South Africa. She travels to that continent and swears she will do whatever is necessary to get her son free. It is a tense drama but one that will hold your interest from beginning to end.

Sissy Spacek also plays a mom with a son in trouble in the film “Lake City.” Her son (Troy Garrity) heads for home when he gets in trouble with a drug dealer, He and his mom have had their troubles but when there is danger in your life there is no place like home.

This is a beautifully acted movie that shows Garrity did inherit mom Jane Fo9nda’s acting genes. Spacek is as wonderful as always and shows tenacity, strength and emotion as the torn mother. It is a stirring and nuanced performance.

Finally there is “Red Sands,” a horror film that takes place in the Middle East. Shane West stars as a soldier who is with a group that destroys a relic and unleashes a curse. It is every man for himself as the evil that is unleashed takes its toll.

This is an action packed horror film that is balanced with good acting. West makes a great leading man and goes head to head with J K Simmons who is one of Hollywood’s best character actors. Callum Blue, Leonard Roberts and Aldis Hodge are also in the cast.
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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