This Diesel Huffs And Puffs

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Vin Diesel and Judi Dench in "The Chronicles of Riddick"
courtesy of Universal Home Video

"This Diesel Huffs and Puffs"

If you thought you had seen "The Chronicles of Riddick," well you haven't seen the DVD and it contains more footage than the movie. This is the Director's cut and it is what "Riddick" fans have to have. Director David Twohy has assembled the new footage and packaged it in an "unrated" version of the film.

The movie itself deals with "Riddick" (Diesel) proving him once again the meanest, most dangerous man in the Universe. He fights to keep his planet safe from harm, and in the meantime has one adventure after another. The film is dark and dreary to look at but Diesel is always fun to watch even if he doesn't come off as the best actor around.

With Schwarzenegger and Seagal on the wane, Diesel is the new action hero. "The Chronicles of Riddick" wasn't his best movie effort but this new "cut" presents him in a better light. Make sure you see it.

Wesley Snipes was THE action hero at one time in his career but he has been away from the screen for a while now. He does have "Blade 3" coming out this month and that might bring some of his career shine back. He also has a new video out titled "Unstoppable."

In this film he plays a former Special Ops agent who has been framed for actions he did not commit. Now he is out to clear his name and to find an antidote for a hallucinogenic drug with which he has been injected.

This is Snipes as his most charismatic and action hero best. So don't overlook "Unstoppable."

Also don't overlook "The Simple Life 2: Road Trip." Yes, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richey are at it again - traveling across the country and staying with the simple folk. Who knows what it is that makes these two young women completely watchable, but whatever it is they have it big time.

Even if you watched this series when it was on Fox-TV you will want to view it again just for the fun and also the extras which are on the DVD. There is more of everything, and especially Paris and Nicole!

Another "Road Trip" type movie is "In Search of Santa." And once again we have two females bonding together as they work their way in the pursuit of a dream. Hilary and Hayley Duff provide the voices for Crystal and Lucinda, two female penguins who are searching for Santa Claus in the animated film "In Search of Santa."

Audiences just can't get enough of Hilary Duff, and her sister Hayley also has a career on the rise. This animated adventure is a perfect vehicle for their vocal talents and will provide a delightful evening for your family. So pick up "In Search of Santa" and watch it tonight.

For more Hilary Duff, but this time live action, pick up "The Lizzie McGuire DVD Box Set, Volume 1." This 4-Disc DVD collection has all twenty-two episodes from the first season of this mega-popular Disney series. Hilary Duff shines as "Lizzie" and all of her adventures are kid-friendly.

"Lizzie McGuire" is one of the most popular series on TV for girls and this collection has all the best features that are known and loved. So bring home this four-disc set and have many, many hours of enjoyment in your home. Its "The Lizzie McGuire DVD Box Set, Volume 1."

For adults, another action adventure is "Doing Hard Time" which stars Boris Kodjoe. He plays a father whose seven-year-old son is caught in the crossfire in a drug deal. When the courts let his son's killers off with a slap on the wrist he takes matters into his own hands. He wants revenge badly enough that he manages to get sent to the same prison where these "scum" are and takes matters of justice into his own hands.

This is a film which shows how desperate a person can be fore revenge and the means to which they will go for justice. It is an extreme case but an intriguing one.

One of the best things about DVD is the fact you can find entire seasons of your favorite TV series in this format now. Such is the case with "The Golden Girls," "Home Improvement," and "Boy Meets World." This week sees the release of the "first season" of "Golden Girls" and "Home Improvement" as well as the complete "second season" for "Boy Meets World.."

There are hours and hours of entertainment available here and you already know how fantastic these shows were. And you can now see them without any commercial interruptions. Wow, that makes it a real must see TV event.

Finally for those who are always looking for an outstanding foreign film there is "Zhou Yu's Train." This Chinese film is a story about the search for perfect love. It has romance and mystery in equal doses and is a completely satisfying movie. If you like foreign films then this is one for you to savor and enjoy.

Click above to find out more about Jackie's books!