Russell Crowe in "State of Play"
courtesy of Universal Home Entertainment
“Play Or Pay”

“State of Play” was the kickoff for the serious films of 2009. Up till its release the year had had blockbusters like “Paul Blart,” “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Hannah Montana” but nothing Academy Award worthy as a serious drama. This mystery/thriller which stars Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck and others is a movie on the verge of greatness. It doesn’t topple over into this status due to one bit of miscasting and a re-treaded plot issue, but it is still an entertaining and worth watching film. Now that it is out on DVD it should find the audience it missed in theaters.

Crowe plays Cal McAffrey, a reporter for a Washington DC newspaper. Mirren plays his editor/publisher Cameron Lynne and McAdams is Della Frye, a rising writer for the paper’s Blog. The film starts with three quick deaths. Two are on the streets of Washington and the third is a young woman whop either jumped or was pushed in front of a subway train.

The young woman who died (Maria Thayer) worked for Congressman Stephen Collins (Affleck). It is soon revealed they had more than a working relationship. Also muddying the water is the fact that Cal was Collins’ college roommate and also had a brief affair with Collins’ wife Anne (Robin Wright Penn). 

One of the key points in the plot of this movie is the involvement of a civilian agency that has been contracted by the military to do protective work. Collins is investigating this company and it is thought perhaps they could be behind the killings which are all related. This dark and ominous Haliburton type agency was done to perfection by last year’s season of “24” and this diminishes its impact as a plot point in this film.

Crowe is at his best as the investigative reporter who has a conflict of interest because of his relationship with the Congressman and his wife. Long haired and portly, Crowe makes Cal a fully developed character who the audience likes. Mirren and McAdams also shine in their respective roles.

Still the movie is almost stolen by two of the supporting players. Jason Bateman is an amoral and ambitious go to guy. His few scenes in the film are riveting. Then there is Robin Wright Penn as Affleck’s long-suffering wife. She has a weariness about her that spills off the screen. Hers is a performance that remains with you after the film has ended.

At the other end of the scale is Affleck. He hits all the right notes as the Congressman but they just don’t resonate in the way they should. There is something off kilter about his performance and it just doesn’t fit in with those of the other actors.

“State of Play” is enjoyable and satisfying from start to finish. It would be on the list of great films were it not for the already done “Haliburton” type plot idea, and the less than great performance by Affleck. Everything else is top notch.

You don’t see much of Rosie O’Donnell these days. She has limited her TV appearances and usually only makes movies which particularly appeal to her. Such is the case of the new DVD “America.” In this one Rosie plays a psychiatrist who helps guide a young man through the foster care system.

Phillip Johnson plays the young boy and Ruby Dee also has a featured role. The acting is top notch throughout and the story is uplifting and heartwarming. You will certainly enjoy this DVD.

Here’s a chilling thought, what would happen if the moon got of course and was headed into a collision with planet earth? Well in the new movie “Impact” that is what happens. The world is in a panic as a group of scientists race to the moon to try to get this course changed.

Natasha Henstridge and David James Elliot co-star in this exciting adventure that your entire family will like. It was a mini-series on TV but now you can watch it on DVD from start to finish. Plus there are some “behind the scenes” extras on this DVD.

Algenis Perez Soto stars as “Sugar” in the new DVD of the same name. This film tells the story of a man from the Dominican Republic whose future is linked to his talent as a baseball player. He is brought to a small town in Iowa and there has to deal with the language and the community.

The confusion and isolation that this life brings is the heart of the film. It is a look at the world of baseball and how it affects these players from other countries – especially places where the primary language is not English. 

Finally there is another “Bring It On!” movie out on DVD this week. This one is titled “Bring It On: Fight To the Finish” and it once again involves the world of high school cheerleading.

Christina Milan stars as Lina, the captain of her high school cheerleading squad in East Los Angeles. She has big plans for the cheerleading competition but when her mother remarries she has to move to Malibu. Now it is time to rethink her plans and decide if she wants to be part of this new less than stellar squad.

The same enthusiasm and wonderful cheerleading routines spark this film as they have those in the past. And this one is in HD!
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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