Viggo Mortensen in "Hidalgo"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Hi-Yo Hidalgo, Away!"

Viggo Mortensen gallops into the video stores in the action packed "Hidalgo." You can also call this movie "Lord of the Race" for it shows Mortensen's appeal in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was not a fluke. He is an actor with charm and charisma to spare. The film itself is a cross between "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Seabiscuit," and "Lawrence of Arabia" with all the best aspects of those films.

You can also see Omar Sharif in this movie as an Arabian Chieftain who becomes Mortensen's friend. Sharif is much older now than in his "Funny Girl" and "Lawrence of Arabia" days, but he has even more talent as an actor.

If you like a rip-roaring and rousing adventure then this is the movie for you. It is somewhat predictable but exciting, and still has enough twists and surprises to keep you off balance.

There is a "Special Edition DVD" of the "Princess Diaries" in stores this week. You can see outtakes, deleted scenes, music videos, interviews with the stars, and many other special features. Plus you get to watch the original story of Mia, the girl who would be Queen of Genovia.

This movie had so much charm and fun to it. Sad that the sequel which is out in theaters now is such a pale follow-up. Some originals should stand alone.

Perhaps if there had never been a "Princess Diaries" movie, a film like "The Prince and Me" would have had more of an impact. But "Diaries" was in this territory first and got the advantage of the first appearance. Still "The Prince And Me," which is out on video this week, has its charm and should find an audience of young girls who will think it is just great.

Julia Stiles stars in the movie and she is a good reason to watch it. She manages to fully convey the anxiety and apprehension of a young girl who falls in love with a real life Prince.

The problem with "The Prince and Me" is that it has a "seen it all before" sense to it. From Grace Kelly to Princess Diana; from "Roman Holiday" to "The Princess Diaries"; we have seen this story over and over. It still has charm but it doesn't have freshness.

You might enjoy the sweet comedy "Good-Bye Lenin." This German made film is all about family love and devotion, especially that of a son for his mother.

In the year 1989 Alex's mother is devastated by the loss of her husband. She has a heart attack and slips into a coma that lasts for eight months. When she awakens she does not know that the Berlin Wall has come down. This is something that would not please her.

Her son Alex decides he will keep this news from her and devises a plan whereby time goes back to where it was. It takes a lot of work and a lot of love but he is determined to make it happen, at least as far as she is concerned.

Also new in video stores is "Tiptoes," a film about keeping your priorities straight. In this movie Matthew McConaughey and Kate Beckinsale are a happy and devoted couple. Nothing could come between them, or could it? Matthew has a secret and he is keeping it from Kate, that is until she becomes pregnant. That is when he decides he better tell her he is from a family of dwarfs.

All of the ramifications of this fact are explored in the film and the cast tells the story beautifully. Also in the cast are Gary Oldham, Patricia Arquette and Peter Dinklage.

Kimbill, the soccer playing dog, stars in the film "Soccer Dog: European Cup." The human stars are Jake Thomas and Nick Moran who play a boy and his father.

The story takes place in Scotland where soccer is a phenomenon, but any place that had a soccer playing dog would draw attention. The film is about family values and reconciliation, but the heart of the film is the irrepressible dog.

This is a movie the kids will absolutely love. Get it for them now!

Now we move from Scotland to Ireland for another family film filled with fun. This is a classic Disney film titled "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." The movie is all about one man's hunt for the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and about the leprechauns that protect it.

This film is notable for giving Sean Connery his first starring role, and also for being a film about Ireland that was shot entirely in California. See if you can spot the flaws. You kids won't care. They will just have a great time with the fun of a Disney family film. 

For the even smaller kids is "Baby Da Vinci." This is the latest video in the celebrated "Da Vinci" series, and this tape offers a chance for babies to grow more familiar with their physical features. Through pictures, music and sounds they will get to know their bodies from the top of their heads to the tip of their toes.

There are a lot of educational videos available today and this is one of the best. Make sure your "baby" has the advantage of using it.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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