Anne Hathaway in "Ella Enchanted"
courtesy of Disney Home Entertainment
"Is Anne Hathaway Enchanting?"

"Ella Enchanted" is a fairy tale aimed at young girls. It stars "Princess Diaries" star Anne Hathaway and tells the story of a girl who has to do whatever anyone tells her to do. This is the result of a curse placed on her when she was but a child.

Now she is a teenager who lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters and gets ordered about by them constantly. But one day she meets a prince (Hugh Dancy) who takes a shine to her, but that just further complicates her life. In order to be happy Ella just has to get rid of that curse.

This movie offered a chance for Anne Hathaway to show some range as an actress, but unfortunately her range seems to be from A to B. These roles just offer her a chance to be pretty and witty (somewhat) and not do anything else. But for most little girl viewers that will be more than enough.

Nicole Kidman stars in the strange film "Dogville." This is a movie directed by noted Danish Director Lars Van Trier. He is the guy who directed Bjork in "Dancing in the Dark." 

In this film no full sets are used. Only props and outlines. It is distracting but ultimately you get used to it. Well sort of. 

Kidman plays a woman on the run from the Mob who is taken in by a Colorado town. At first they are completely protective but then things change - in more ways than one. Kidman is a superb actress and she shows her talents in this film. It is a little difficult to get into but if you stick with it to the end you will find it challenging but also absorbing.

One of the big movies in the movie theaters this week is "Anacondas: The Hunt For the Blood Orchid." This movie concerns some giant snakes. Well you don't have to go to the movie to see big snakes; you can watch them in the comfort of your own home when you bring home "Boa vs Python."

This movie has snake against snake while some deranged big game hunters try to hunt down the python as a prize. It is all slithery fun and makes for great action viewing.

If you are a fan of horror movies then you will be elated to know that "The Mangler" as well as The Guyver" and "The Guyver 2" are available now on DVD. How is that for good news!

"The Mangler" is based on a Stephen King story and stars Robert "Freddy Krueger" Englund. The story concerns a laundry machine that had rather eat people than get clothes clean. How's that for a novel premise!

"The Guyver" and "The Guyver 2" concern a young man who becomes a superhero when his body joins forces with a mechanical part to give him super powers. He becomes a cyborg power and fights the forces of evil. This same theme follows through in "The Guyver 2" but has even more action in it.

All three of the movies' DVD's have loads of extras to enhance your viewing pleasure. These include alternative scenes, etc.

Soccer is probably the most popular sport in the world (but not in America). "Shaolin Soccer" capitalizes on that popularity by giving us a movie about some Kung Fu enthusiasts who form a soccer team. This gives them the ability to make some special moves that tie in with getting the ball across the field and into the net.

The special effects in this movie are great and the fun is in watching the fish out of water Kung Fu-ers score the big points, even against Team Evil. If you like soccer, if you like Kung Fu fighting, if you don't care about either - you will still enjoy "Shaolin Soccer."

If you are a Ben Savage fanatic and have been in deep grief since the day "Boy Meets World" went off the air, well weep no more. "Boy Meets World, the First Season" is now out on DVD. Yes you can view the world of Corey Matthews one more time.

They are all here, Topanga (Danielle Fishel), Shawn (Rider Strong), Eric (Will Friedle) and everyone's favorite George Feeney (William Daniels). You know how much you've missed them so now rush out and bring them home.

Finally there is a new Angelina Ballerina tape out titled "The Magic of Dance." These adventures of the dancing mouse charms little girls everywhere. This new tape contains four animated episodes and two real life features and they are all wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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