Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall in
"Secondhand Lions"
courtesy of New Line Home Video
"These Lions Can Still Roar"

Haley Joel Osment is growing up as is evidenced in "Secondhand Lions," a story of a teenage boy being raised by his uncles. This new to video release is a warm tale about eccentricity in a family and how charming it can be.

Michael Caine and Robert Duvall play the two uncles and they are grandly grumpy and wonderfully wise. As in "Big Fish" there are some tall tales told about the uncles and Osment's character never knows what is true and what is untrue until the end. Then he learns that tall tales are not always lies,

"Secondhand Lions" is a movie the entire family will love. It is built around the theme that family takes care of family, and what better message could there be than that one. Make sure you get the DVD as soon as possible.

Have you always wanted to get in on the "Gilligan's Island" story from the very start? Well now you can. There is a three disc DVD set of "Gilligan's Island: The Complete First Season" at your local video store. This set has it all from the start to the end of that season.

You get to meet the entire cast as they board the SS Minnow for a pleasure cruise and end up on the sandy beach of a South Pacific island. And then the fun and adventure begins.

America loves this slightly sappy, always silly, saga of an assorted bunch of nuts trying to maintain their cool and their dignity as they live as castaways. From Gilligan to the Skipper, from Mary Ann to Ginger; the gangs all here and waiting for your viewing pleasure.

How do rock and pop stars survive in an ever-changing musical business? The documentary "Only the Strong Survive" takes a look at a variety of artists and studies what makes them last. Mary Wilson, Sam Moore, Wilson Pickett and Jerry Butler are just some of the artists showcased and interviewed in this enlightening film.

The interviews and the performances add nuances to the stories these performers relate and make you appreciate how talent alone is not enough. You have to have that special something that all great artists have. It is basically undefinable but it is still there.

"Only the Strong Survive" is more than just a song title, it is a description of who makes it in the long haul and who doesn't.

Ashton Kutcher may make it in the long haul or he may be overcome by publicity hype and bad movies. Up till now he has been Teflon coated when it comes to the critics. Nothing they say sticks. They couldn't even keep people from going to see "My Boss' Daughter" and it will surely be the same with renting the DVD. 

Kutcher and Tara Reid are the stars of this film and in the DVD you get to see scenes that you didn't see in the movie release version. That little "extra" should be enough to get you down to the video store and plunking down your money to take a look-see.

If you don't enjoy the movie, don't say you weren't warned. This is a silly movie that gets more and more chaotic as it goes along.

Diane Lane is much more watchable in "Under the Tuscan Sun." The movie that is based on Frances Mayes semi-autobiographical book of the same name, tells the story of a divorcee and her move to Italy. There she buys a house and makes it into a home.

She also finds great food, good weather, and even romance. It is all there and it is all under the Tuscan Sun which beams down on all who live and love in Italy. That sounds so romantic but somehow the movie isn't. . It is fun and Lane looks great, but the heart of the movie is never found.

Andrew Howard stars in the movie titled "The Killing Kind." This film explores the life of a killer who begins to have second thoughts about his chosen career. When he decides he wants out he learns that wanting and getting out are two different things.

This is a tense and totally engrossing film. It is violent and shocking at ties but interesting nonetheless.

Finally, there is "Wonderland," a movie that centers on an aspect of the life of John Holmes (Val Kilmer). This movie is not about his life in porn but rather his involvement in a grisly murder case. A multiple murder occurred on Wonderland Avenue in the Laurel Canyon area of LA back in 1981. Holmes and his teenage girlfriend (Kate Bosworth) were questioned by the police concerning this event.

The movie is full of strong performances from Kilmer and Bosworth plus Lisa Kudrow, Dylan McDermott and Josh Lucas. It is a strong movie that delves into the circumstances of the murders and minutely evaluates the evidence surrounding them.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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