Adrien Brody in "The Pianist"
courtesy of Universal Home Video
"Adrien Brody Finds the Perfect Role"

At this year's Academy Awards ceremony the surprise of the evening was Adrien Brody's win as Best Actor. His role in "The Pianist" had been soundly praised by critics but no one really gave him a chance when up against the Jack Nicholson juggernaut for "About Schmidt,"

Brody's performance had received praise but even the actor himself seemed stunned when his name was called. No wonder he planted one on Hallie Berry. If he could win the Best Actor Award he might even be able to kiss one of the most beautiful women in the world. And he did!

"The Pianist" also won the Best Director Award for Roman Polanski, which was another shock. Banned from returning to this country unless he is willing to go to jail for statutory rape, Polanski was not thought to have a chance even if he had shown brilliance in his direction of this "Holocaust" film. But he won too!

The film is now out on video and retains its impact from the big screen. Brody is mesmerizing as Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew who is also a concert pianist. His travails during the War make for stunning drama. It is a brutal film to watch but an uplifting one too. So make sure you don't miss it.

You will also want to rent "Talk To Her." This is the film by famed director Pedro Almodovar. It tells the story of two men who are tied together by the women they care for at a nursing home of sorts. Both women are in a coma and the stories of these relationships are told in flashback.

Geraldine Chaplin is the most recognizable member of the cast to American audiences. Javier Camara is also featured. It is the brilliance of Almodovar's skills which will draw you to the film and keep you there. He is a master moviemaker.

Any movie with Al Pacino in it is worth watching, but his new film "The Recruit" is not one of his best. This is one of those movies where you have it figured out as to who the bad guy is early in the movie and then just have to wait for everyone else to catch up.

The plot revolves around the CIA and the way they recruit. Colin Farrell is the new kid at school and Bridget Moynahan is his female counterpart. Pacino is the world-weary instructor who leads them through the loops and hoops of training.

Farrell is currently being crammed down the throats of viewers as Hollywood is determined he is the "next big thing." I don't see the charm but maybe you do.

I think Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a much better actor as he shows in "Love Liza," a moving comedy/drama. In this film he plays a man whose wife commits suicide. Unable to come to terms with her death he begins obsessive behavior and drug use.

Kathy Bates co-stars in this film, which is a little too offbeat for all tastes but still solid entertainment for the true movie fan.

If you enjoyed "Finding Nemo" on the big screen recently you might want to check out the DVD version of "A Bug's Life." This 1998 Pixar film is on the same level of entertainment as "Finding Nemo" and has the same look and appeal to it.

The DVD has several extras such as behind the scenes commentary. It also has the award winning animated short film "Geri's Game" which is a true delight.

Kids will also enjoy "Jimmy Neutron's Confusion Fusion." This DVD is actually two "Jimmy Neutron" titles combined in one. They are "Time Warp" and "When Pants Attack." Jimmy Neutron is kids' favorite so be sure to get this one for them.

Eric Roberts is in two videos this week. He stars in "The Long Ride Home." This is a western which concerns an innocent man who must evade a bloodthirsty posse while trying to find the real killer in a murder. Randy Travis co-stars as well as Ernest Borgnine.

Roberts is a supporting actor in the comedy "National Security." This film stars Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn as two "rent a cops" who stumble upon a drug ring. Eric Roberts is the drug lord, of course. This is not a good comedy and gets boring towards the end. Zahn and Lawrence have been much better in other roles.

If after reading this review you are interested in ordering any of these movies,
please click on the provided links.

 

 

 

 

 

©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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