Spy Kids 2
photo courtesy of Miramax Pictures
"The Kids Are Back"

One of the most anticipated videos for kids is "Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams." This sequel to the immensely popular "Spy Kids" is a further adventure of the two kids who are a brother and sister spy team. They are even better at the spy game than their parents who are the professional spies in the family.

Daryl Sabara and Alexa Vega return as the "spy kids" and Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino repeat as their parents. The movie is full of gimmicks and gizmos that help the kids in their work and the special effects for the film are super. Plus there are assorted guest stars and even a second set of "spy kids" who are battling our guys for the right to solve the case.

Rated PG, the film is fun from start to finish and even has a musical video at the end to further delight all of its viewers. If you want to be popular with your young teens or pre-teens, get this video today. It will hold them entranced for several viewings.

Older teens and adults can enjoy "The Four Feathers." This movie has been made and re-made several times over the years, and this latest telling is a lush and lively depiction. Heath Ledger stars as the young man branded a coward by his friends and family. Kate Hudson plays the woman he loves and loses due to his cowardice. Wes Bentley is seen as his best friend and competitor for Kate.

In the film the year is 1884 and Ledger's character goes to the Sudan to help his friends who are in battle. He becomes friends with a mysterious local man (Djimon Hounsou) and tries to save his friends' lives. 

This movie is epic in scope and visually stunning. The acting is great and the four leads are totally believable. The film didn't find its audience in theaters but it should have better luck getting attention on video.

It is hard to believe it has been twenty years since "The Color Purple" played in our local theaters. Now there is an anniversary DVD of this film available. It contains the movie which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover; and it has "extras" which make the DVD worth getting.

These "extras" include interviews with the stars and director as well as documentaries on the background and making of the film. This is a fully packed DVD which will enlighten and entertain.

Not as appealing or as entertaining as these movies is "Stealing Harvard." In this movie a man (Jason Lee) has promised to help educate his niece. But then he finds she has been accepted at Harvard which costs more money than he has - unless he uses the cash he and his fiancée' (Leslie Mann) have saved for the downpayment on a house.

Lee and his buddy Tom Green try to come up with a way to get the cash but in the end they figure they have to steal it. This leads to some hijinks by Lee and Green that are anything but entertaining. 

Megan Mullaly of "Will and Grace" fame is in the film as Lee's sister and her talent is completely wasted. And once again Tom Green shows he knows how to sink a film.

For romantics there is "The Sleeping Dictionary." This film stars the stunning Jessica Alba and the handsome Hugh Dancy in a film set in the 1930's. Dancy plays a young Englishman who goes to Borneo. There he is given a servant girl, with whom he falls in love. This causes an outrage in the colony.

Bob Hoskins and Brenda Blethen co-star in this stirring film. It will hold your interest and keep you entertained throughout. This is a film I had not heard of but it is a good one. Thank goodness for video!

Another movie I had not seen or heard of before is "Mostly Martha." This is a charming film about a chef (Martina Gedeck) who keeps life at bay for a long time, but eventually it comes crashing in on her. Sergio Castellitto stars opposite her and adds his charm to the intriguing story.

For suspense there is "Taboo". In this video six friends are traveling through Europe and are forced to stay in a dark castle. While there they begin to divulge secrets to each other. Well some things just shouldn't be told. When they are they can lead to blackmail or even murder.

Nick Stahl, Eddie Kaye Thomas and January Jones lead the young cast. It is hokey but scary. So rent it, get some popcorn and have some fun with it.

Finally there is "Cinema Paradisio: The New Version." On the DVD there is fifty minutes of new footage and that's a lot. Those who saw this film when it was released in 1989 loved it, and it garnered award after award. Now we have a chance to see even more if it.

It is the story of a man who is a filmmaker. He returns to his hometown after thirty years and reflects back on how the people in this place helped shape his life. It is a great film full of interesting moments that form to tell a fascinating story.
 

 

 

 

 

©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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