The Rock in "The Rundown"
courtesy of Universal Home Video
"The Rock Is On A Roll"

The Rock is everywhere these days. He is in theaters starring in the movie "Walking Tall" and he is on video with his adventure "The Rundown." "The Rundown" is the better of the two movies and should be on your list of must see films.

"The Rundown" concerns the Rock going down to South America to bring back a young man whose father pays for his return. The Rock finds the unwilling returnee (Seann William Scott) and has to fight him to get him to return.

Christopher Walken is on board as the nemeses of both Scott and the Rock. Rosario Dawson is seen as a possible love interest. All of these characters are there to support the Rock and they do an excellent job; especially Scott who is well known to audiences as Stiffler in the "American Pie" movies.

There is humor and action in "The Rundown." Plus the Rock is a natural action hero in the tradition of Arnold Schwarzenegger. There is even a hand off of that "role" at the start of the movie.

There is a lot of action in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" but you might not have the heart or the stomach for it. This true horror story was first filmed in 1974 and that movie has become a cult favorite. Now it has been remade and it is just as scary in its new incarnation.

This is the story that first introduced Leatherface to a whole generation of moviegoers. In this new version he is back with a vengeance. Jessica Biehl and Eric Balfour are the stars of this movie and they holler and scream with enthusiasm.

Is this movie scary? You betcha! The title alone will be enough to keep some people away. But for the strong of heart and nerve this can be a screamfest of the highest order.

Many of us first learned of a sadistic character named Ripley in the 1999 film "The Talented Mr. Ripley." There he was played by Matt Damon. In the new video "Ripley's Game" the character is still just as deadly and this time he is played by John Malkovich.

In this new story Ripley needs to get rid of two enemies and he tricks a young man into doing the dirty deeds for him. Dougray Scott plays the young man and he is as good in his role as Malkovich is in his.

John Malkovich is one of the most talented actors in Hollywood and when he gets a chance to play a role like Ripley he chews up the scenery. Don't miss this opportunity to see him tear into a role. Pick up "Ripley's Game" today.

One of the best animated movies of last year was "Brother Bear," and now it is available to entertain you on VHS/DVD. This destined to be Disney classic tells the story of a young Native American who is transformed onto a bear. While in this state he learns some valuable lessons about life and friendship.

The animation and the stirring songs make this a very special Disney movie. Your kids will be engrossed from start to finish, and so will you. This is definitely a movie you can watch with your kids without getting bored.

Your kids will also love watching the original "Swan Princess" as well as the new adventure "The Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure." The first movie sets up the premise for the story of the Prince and the young woman who has been turned into a swan. This film has great animation, songs that will linger in your mind, and a romantic story.

The "Enchanted Treasure" retains the same characters and provides even more adventures as Odette, the Swan Princess, is threatened once again and it is up to her prince to save her. There are more songs and more romance contained in this mew adventure of these loveable characters.

Kids will also love "The Wiggles: Cold Spaghetti Western." This is a country themed dancing and singing treat for the kids. There are thirteen new songs and they are sung and danced by the Australian group that kids love. 

"The Wiggles" are known from their TV show and this sixty minute video is just what the doctor ordered to keep your kids amused and entertained. Pick it up and let them enjoy the fun. Yee-haw!

In "Serial Killing 101" a young man (Justin Kirk) decides his career path lies in the field of being a serial killer. He even meets a young girl (Lisa Loeb) who shares his enthusiasm. But just when he thinks he has mastered the background information a real killer starts work in his town. Now the "killer" becomes an investigator instead.

If you can't tell this is a dark comedy. A further clue is the casting of Thomas Haden Church and Corey Feldman in supporting roles. So don't take it seriously and you might get some fun out of it.

Finally there is "Stealing Candy," Daniel Baldwin, Coolio and Alex McArthur star as three guys who concoct a scheme to get rich quick. This involves kidnapping a beautiful actress named Candi (Jenya Lanyo). Of course nothing goes right and it all ends up falling apart but getting there is half the fun.

Baldwin and Coolio are menacing enough and Lanyo fills the bill for being pretty. It's a thriller with only a few thrills.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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