Lindsay Lohan in "Mean Girls"
courtesy of Paramount Home Video
"How Mean Is Lindsay Lohan?"

Lindsay Lohan is certainly one of the most visible of today's hot young stars. She is in every magazine you pick up and she has recorded a CD. But her main popularity comes from her movies and "Mean Girls" was one of her biggest hits.

In this film, which was written by SNL's Tina Fey, Lohan plays a transfer student from Africa. As such she is not familiar with the "ins and outs" of high school life. Rachel McAdams plays the leader of the most popular girls while Lohan's character just wants to survive.

McAdams is the young actress who starred in the film "The Notebook" and she has amazing range for someone so young. But that doesn't mean Lohan is any slouch in the acting department. She totally conveys her character's doubts and fears.

The title may be "Mean Girls" but it isn't an exceptionally mean film. It is more a comedy than a treatise on high school life. With Tina Fey writing it and co-starring, it has to have a lot of humor.

'Felicity: The Junior Year" is also now out on DVD. This Kerry Russell TV show gained more and more popularity as it moved through this young woman's college life. And as always Felicity continues to be plagued by her choice between the two young men in her life, played by Scott Speedman and Scott Foley.

During the seventeen episodes of this third year such guest stars as John Ritter, Tyra Banks and Teri Garr stopped by. But the emphasis is always on Russell/Speedman/Foley. They are the ones who make the series live and breathe, and they are the ones who get the focus of our attention.

"Popular" was never as popular a TV series as "Felicity" but if you watch the DVD set of "Popular: First Impression, First Season" you will find this is the show that had an edginess to it. It takes place in high school and the competition between the populars and those who want to be can get vicious.

This is the same dynamic that is explored in the film "Mean Girls" but this DVD stretches that plot over a full season. Look for "Less Than Perfect's" Sara Rue in the cast, not as the star but as a supporting player.

Adults wanting an action adventure film might want to check out "Sniper 3." This movie about a Marine Corps sniper stars Tom Berenger. His adventure takes place in the Balkans and it is action packed from start to finish. Berenger plays this type of role with ease.

His co-star in this film is Bokeem Woodbine and he is a perfect supplement for the all male heroics and daring, and betrayals and fights. These two make the film better than average and make sure the audience's desire for suspense and adventure are sated.

For the kids there is a special treat at the video store. They can get "Sherlock: Undercover Dog" to watch. This family fun film features a dog that is a sleuth. Plus he can talk to his young friend Billy, played by Benjamin Erden.

Billy, his friend Emma, and Sherlock hunt down clues and solve a mystery. Now that is a fun tale for kids of any age. You can't get a more kid friendly film than "Sherlock: Undercover Dog." The young ones will lap up the fun and ask to see it over and over.

Also for kids there is a new "Thomas the Train" VHS/DVD. Yes there are seven new shows that feature Thomas and his friends in exciting and enchanting adventures. And there is always a moral or lesson to be found. So get the VHS/DVD "It's Great To Be An Engine!" Your kids will have a great time and endless fun.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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