Cuba Gooding, Jr and Ed Harris in "Radio"
courtesy of Columbia Home Video
"Understanding Blasts Out Of This Radio"

"Radio" is a movie with a message, but that doesn't mean it isn't enjoyable. As a matter of fact it is so entertaining that you should run, not walk, to your nearest video store and pick up a copy. Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays a mentally challenged young man who is befriended by the local high school coach, played by Ed Harris. These two form a friendship that others can not understand.

The film is based on a true story that took place in Anderson, South Carolina. Radio (Gooding) still lives in that area today and has been an inspiration to all who have known him. The movie captures that special-ness about him and makes its point with humor and warmth.

"Radio" isn't a preachy film but it is an amazingly inspiring one. Gooding, Harris, and even the under-utilized Debra Winger as Harris' wife - all do their best to make this movie as richly rewarding as possible. And they succeed.

At the other extreme is "Marci X," a trite and boring comedy that never entertains. It is the story of a rich young woman in Manhattan whose father owns a record label and a rapper's contract. When the label comes under fire Marci (Lisa Kudrow) tries to get Dr. S (Damon Wayans) to tone down his act.

The two leads are never less than offensive but the supporting cast which includes Jane Krakowski and Christine Baranski are better. Focus on the sub-characters and you might be able to make it through the movie.

For laughs and excitement try "Once Upon A Time In Mexico." The film reunites Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas, the stars of "Desperado" which was the previous film in this series. But don't look for very much from Hayek in this movie. Her role this time out is basically a cameo.

Another star has been added and that is Johnny Depp. He plays an FBI agent (I think) and he is kooky and quirky from beginning to end. He gives the movie what bit of humor it has and is a reason to watch it. The rest of the cast and the nothing plot didn't do much for me.

There is an edgy craziness to "Cabin Fever," a horror film in which a mysterious virus/bacteria begins eating people's skin. Yep you read that right. It is centered around a cabin up in the mountains where a group of college kids go for a getaway.

This is one of those movies where you wait to see who will get the flesh-eating disease next. And one by one they fall victim to it. Yuuuuk! It isn't a terribly scary movie and there is even some humor in the script so it might be a fun thing for a group to watch and laugh at.

The appeal of the film "Jet Lag" is that the two people who meet at an airport are adults and not twentysomethings. Jean Reno and Juliette Binoche have the lead roles and they act and look like mature adults. 

This is a love story, or a potential love story, about two strangers who meet and keep being drawn together. They talk and they discuss and they share a few moments and somehow you hope their relationship will be more than is shown.

Reno and Binoche are solid actors and this film is better than I expected. It is a love story of sorts, which entertains somewhat. How's that for being indecisive!

For those of you who are Reese Witherspoon fans, you might want to rent "Overnight Delivery." This is a movie that came out in 1998 but I just discovered it on video. In the film Paul Rudd Plays a guy who thinks he has a reason to break up with his girlfriend (Christine Taylor) so he sends her a package which virtually assures they will break up.

When he finds out he was wrong he can't stop the package. So he rushes to where his girlfriend is to try to head it off. Comedy ensues when he travels with a friend of his who is also a stripper (Witherspoon). In the process he discovers maybe she is his true love, or maybe not!

In "Water's Edge" a novelist and his wife go back to his hometown. They are expecting peace and quiet. What they get is sex and murder. It seems the currents of mystery run deep in this town and all is not what it seems. 

This is an interesting and enjoyable movie. The cast is largely unknowns except for Daniel Baldwin who plays the Mayor. The rest of the actors are good, just unknown.

In "Civil Brand" you get a look at prison life from a woman's point of view. And it ain't a pretty picture. The conditions can be just as hard for them as they are for the male sex. And conditions in this film lead to a takeover by the inmates.

The film stars N'Bushe Wright, Lisa Raye and Mos Def. These are not your best known actors but they deliver the goods and bring the story to life.

For some laugh out loud comedy try "Chump Change." This movie is directed by Steve Burrows and is loosely based on his life while trying to get a foothold as a screenwriter in LA. If you didn't know some of the scenes shown in this movie were based on actual events they wouldn't be nearly as funny. But they are and you can get some laughs from watching them.

This is a unique film that won't appeal to everyone but it might hit your funnybone. Try it!

Finally for the kids there is a new Kipper movie. This new one is "Kipper: Friendship Tales" and kids will love it. Kipper is a favorite friend of the kids and they love all his adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

©2004 Jackie K. Cooper

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