Sarah Michelle Gellar and Linda Cardenelli in
"Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed"
courtesy of Warner Home Video
"Another Scooby Doo Adventure - Why?"

You would have thought that after the last fiasco known as "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" that Hollywood would have had enough of the animated dog and his boring set of friends. But nooooo. Now only a short two years later Scooby Doo is back and he has brought along Daphne, Fred, Velma and Shaggy as played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Linda Cardenelli and Matthew Lillard.

The new Scooby Doo movie is called "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" and it is just as bad as the first one. Of course kids love these movies and that is why they are made - but aren't there enough animated cartoons of Scooby Doo to keep the little ones happy? Just asking.

It is hard to believe that Gellar left her "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series to make these movies. Of course it did lead to her finding her husband - Prinze, but they probably would have met somewhere anyway. Her acting in this movie is by the book and she doesn't even look that great. The only actor really into his role is Lillard as Shaggy.

Tom Hanks movie "The Ladykillers" is possibly worse than "Scooby Doo 2." Maybe it is just that you expect so much from Hanks and in this movie you just don't get it. He plays a con man and a thief who brings his gang to the home of a sweet lady played by Irma P Hall. They rent a room in order to tunnel their way into a bank vault.

The film is by the Coen Brothers who usually give us movies that are quirky enough o provide entertainment. But not this time. This is one boring movie full of profanity and bad jokes. Shame on you Tom Hanks, shame on you!

Ewan McGregor was charm itself in "Moulin Rouge" and he provided an action figure in the "Star Wars" prequel. Now in "Young Adam" he is a rather nondescript character who gets involved in a possible murder. He is working on a barge in Glasgow when a body is discovered. A little investigative work shows he was involved with the deceased woman and now the eyes of the police are on him.

Tilda Swinton and Emily Mortimer round out the cast and they provide good support. The film is a little crude and earns its R rating easily, so be aware of this fact.

Another crude film is "Badasss." This is actor/director Mario Van Peebles homage to his father, Melvin Van Peebles' movie career. Melvin had one fairly successful film and it was titled "Sweet Sweetwater's Badass Song." This new movie tells of Melvin's life and his career.

Mario is a good actor but his story about his father never captures an audience. It just rambles around and never finds its plot or its focus. The thought of a tribute to his father is a nice one but it is sadly not a successful one.

Perhaps this is just a better week for the kids' movies than ones for the adults. When I first saw "Home On the Range" I thought it was a semi-successful Disney animated film. But now having watched it on DVD and in light of the other releases of the week, it has grown to be an even better movie.

At least it has a story line you can follow; and it has singable songs; and it has great character actors providing the voice talent. I mean Judi Dench, Randy Quaid and Roseanne aren't talent you sneeze at.

So if you are picking out a movie to watch this weekend, pick this one. It is better than all the others I have mentioned rolled together.

As an extra treat you can also bring home the "Disney Princess Collection." These are three DVD's that have songs, stories, party information, and dance numbers designed to make your little girl feel like a real princess.

Nobody does this kind of thing better than Disney. They are the masters of knowing how to change a little girl into a magical princess through songs and other delights.

You can also pick up all the "Bear In the Big Blue House" DVD's. There are about ten new ones out and they will thrill the kids at your house. That "big old bear" that lives in the "big blue house" is a charmer and knows what kids enjoy.

For action, the Power Rangers have a new DVD out. It is called "Power Rangers: Dino Thunder' and is perfect for helping the kids work off energy. They can go through all the moves they see on the screen and have a ball doing it.

And finally there is a new Barney tape titled "Barney's Colorful World Live!" This tape contains new Barney songs, stories, dances and information. It is just what you expect the big Dinosaur to bring along for his favorite friends - your kids!

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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