FOR TEENS AND ADULTS
Finding Neverland
with Johnny Depp
(nominated for Oscar), Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman and Julie Christie is
about a boy and a man who never want to grow up. Depp is wonderful as J.
Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan and Winslet plays the widow Sylvia,
mother of a gaggle of boys who become Barrie's muse. Hoffman is a theatre
owner who needs a hit and Christie plays Sylvia's Mom. As the movie
progresses, Depp's character gets more involved with the boys—one of them,
Peter announces he doesn't want a father… guess what Peter, Barrie/Depp
doesn’t want to be a father, he wants to be your playmate. He adores Mom
Sylvia, but if there is any sex, it's under a rug somewhere. No matter,
it's a wonderful flick—perfect for all ages.
Who Should See It?--Kids
and up, including Gramma.--
4 Golden Eggs
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Sideways
with Paul Giamatti, Sandra Oh, Virginia Madsen, Thomas Hadden Church find
our players in the grapevines … or at least on there way or selling the
coveted liquid. Giamatti is Miles, a middle school teacher still stinging
from his divorce and desperately trying to sell his novel titled The Day
After Yesterday. His best pal is Jack (Church), a sometime actor who is
getting married the next week. Miles gift to Jack is to take him on a
weekend tour of the wine country. Miles loves wine and being depressed,
almost boringly if that's possible, and Jack—will Jack loves women. The
two meet up with a waitress and a pour girl at one of the wineries. And it
goes from bad to worst. Some thought this was the best picture (lots of
Oscar nominations); there is humor; but… I could hardly wait for it to
end.
Who Should See It?--If
you loved Dinner with Andre (I didn't), this one's for you. If you didn't,
don’t waste your money..--
1½
Golden Eggs
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Father of the Bride
with Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Martin Short and Kimberly Williams is a
fun flick that's as entertaining the second time around as it was the
first. Dad's pride and joy announces that she's to be a bride. The antics
that Martin takes the viewer through along with Keaton trying to keep him
balance are a kick. Short as an oddball wedding consultant is the perfect
seasoning for this comedy. A few bonuses, including an interview with
Martin, Short and producers.
Who Should See It?--Teens
and up, including Gramma.--
3½
Golden Eggs
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Sling Blade Directors
Cut, Special Edition
with Billy Bob Thorton (received
Oscar for best adapted screenplay), John Ritter, Dwight Yoakam and Robert
Duvall. Thorton's character Karl is retarded and returns home after being
away 25 years for killing his mother and her lover. Karl can fix just
about anything and is befriended by a fatherless boy Frank (Lucas Black)
and his mother Linda (Natalie Canerday). Ritter, in an excellent
performance, plays Linda's boss Vaughn. When Karl sees that Linda's
boyfriend is abusive (Dwight Yoakam), the past is stirred up. Strong
performances, not for everyone.
Who Should
See It?--Mature teens and up. Gramma won't like this one.--
3½
Golden Eggs
The Woodland
with Rufus Sewell, Polly Walker, Tony Haygarth, Emily Woof and Cal
MacAninch is an adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel of the same name. A
love story set in England, Grace (Woof) returns to her hometown—Woodland,
and quickly expresses that it's not enough for her--she’s grown beyond it
and wants more of the world on the outside. Her childhood love, Giles (Sewall)
still pines for her. But, with the encouragement/push from Dad, she hooks
up with the new guy in town, Dr. Fitzpiers (MacAninch). Fitzpiers is a
womanizer and takes off for London to live officially in sin with the
town's rich widow. Grace decides the grass wasn't greener and reaches out
to Giles. Being a man of integrity, he wants her, but can’t—she's still
married to the unfaithful doctor. Bummer.
Who Should See It?--Mature
teens and up.--
3 Golden Eggs
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Bridget Jones Diary
Collector's Edition
with Renee Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth in a romantic comedy where
Bridget at 32, decide s that she's got to get her act together and find a
real beau as she starts the adventure with scribing her thoughts and
experiences in a diary. Through a series of mishaps and misadventures, she
finds her guy…who was always there…until the sequel. Many laugh out loud
scenes.
Who Should See It?--Mature
teens and up.--
3 Golden Eggs
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BEACHES--Special Edition She's back . . . Bette Midler and
all her glory. . . along with Barbara Hershey. Midler is CC Bloom, a
brassy friend and singer and Hershey is Hillary, her classy childhood
friend--recently divorced, one child and terminally ill. This is Midler’s
film that had "Wind Beneath My Wings" as a key number--a true tear
creator. Best friends are best friends and Beaches tells the story of
young friendship, estranged friendship and renewed friendship. I loved
seeing it again--some fun bloopers are included.
Who Should
See It?--It's a chick flick, Gramma may enjoy.--3
1/2 Golden Eggs
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BRIDE & PREJUDIECE with
Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson and Naveen Andrews is a takeoff of Jane
Austen's classic Pride and the Prejudice. Picture a small Indian village
where MaMa is worried about marrying off her four daughters, PaPa is not
so worried. Combine with a little of Monsoon Wedding and you get the music
and dancing (which is colorful and fun but without all the
chrysanthemums). Meanwhile, rich good-looking American meets Indian
beauty, sparks fly, misunderstandings multiple and you end up with an
entertaining movie. Not a heavy thinker, but fun.
Who Should
See It?--It's more a chick flick, Gramma may enjoy.--2
1/2 Golden Eggs
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FOR KIDS AND FAMILY
Tarzan II
Disney is back with its latest DVD of the adventures of Tarzan as a
kid--"What's a Tarzan?" he and his friends want to know. Adopted by a
family of apes, Mom Kala (voiced by Glenn Close) comforts and loves him as
he is--he knows he's not as fast as his friends, "I'm the worst ape of
all." Kala tells him that his differences will someday be strengths.
The family moves their nest, crossing a valley on a log--it collapses and
Tarzan is separated, lonely and on his own. A grumpy hermit ape (voiced by
George Carlin--a hoot) ends up mentoring him on Dark Mountain. Several
laugh out loud adult and kid scenes, good messages about family, accepting
self for what you are; everyone has talents—some hidden and some not.
Bonus features include games, background and how Phil Collins develops his
music that is throughout.
Who Should See It?--For
the family, 5 and up.--
3½
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Mary Poppins (40th
year Anniversary Edition)
with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke How can that be--40 years since I came
away humming "a spoonful of sugar …", visions of chimney sweeps jumping
from roof to roof, magical moments with Jane and Michael, and who will
ever forget "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" the way Mary Poppins
rattled it off her tongue? A wonderful DVD that's a must in everyone's
collection. Disney has loaded it up with games, new songs and scenes that
were deleted from original, behind the scenes of "how they did it" and
much more. This one's a keeper.
Who Should See It?--
Everyone.--
4
Golden Eggs
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The Incredibles
2-Disc Collector’s Edition with the voices of Craig T Nelson, Holy Hunter,
Samuel L Jackson, and John Ratzenberger. Family of former superheroes live
as "the folks next door" with no one knowing of their past. Dad Bob is
sick of the insurance business; Mom Helen has 3 kids to keep track of…
reminding them to not use their gene driven superpowers until Dad gets
into trouble and Mom and the kids go to the rescue. Tons of bonuses,
including an alternate opening and deleted scenes—a definite add to your DV collection. Disney and Pixar created a winner.
Who Should See It?--
Everyone.--
4
Golden Eggs
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Pooh's
Heffalump Movie
Animated adventure with Pooh and the gang and the newest member of Hundred
Acre Wood--a Heffalump named Lumpy. Pooh and friends hear strange noises
and set out to trap the monster that is making them. Roo decides to track
down the noises and discovers Lumpy, who is as afraid of Pooh and pals as
they are of him. There's a good message here about uncovering unfounded
fears and expanding families. As with most Disney DVDs, bonuses of games,
music, added features.
Who Should See It?--
young kids, parents and Gramma will enjoy as well.--
3½
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Bambi
Animated adventure of the deer that everyone knows and has been a staple
for generations has been enhanced with digital restoration as well as a
remix of sound. The story is the same--Bambi is orphaned when a hunter
kills his Mom, is befriended by the animals of the forest, escapes a
forest fire and eventually grows up. Disney includes bonuses of games, the
making of Bambi, added features.
Who Should See It?--
Young kids, parents and Gramma--
4
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Mulan Special Edition
Animated comedy adventure when a young spirited Chinese girl decides that
what her family has planned for her--marriage--isn't her cup of green tea.
Accompanied by her feisty wannabe dragon (voiced by Eddie Murphy), Mulan
(voiced by Ming-Na) takes her ailing Father's place in the army disguised
as a warrior. Bringing victory for her country and honor to her family,
all is well. Good messages that girls can be leaders, heroes. As with most
Disney DVDs, bonuses of games, music, added features, alternate openings.
Who Should See It?--
young kids, parents and Gramma will enjoy as well.--
3½
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Home
Improvement, Season 2
with Tim "The Tool Man" Allen, Patricia Richardson, and Earl Hindman
delivers the antics of a goofball Dad with a cable TV show, spunky
level-headed Mom, 3 challenging boys, Wilson the neighbor known only by
his upper face and a TV side-kick Al. This season received numerous
nominations for awards. Great for a "let's drop out for a long weekend--get
the popcorn and get comfy."
Who Should See It?--
kids, parents and Gramma will enjoy as well.--
3½
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ICE PRINCESS with Joan Cusack (Mom
who knows what's best for her daughter--Harvard), Kim Cattrall (Mom who
was a skating star now trying to build new stars including her own
daughter by teaching them everything she knows), and Michelle Trachtenberg
(Casey, a brainy, science-wiz senior with a slam dunk to Harvard until she
discovers her passion, ice skating). Casey discovers the physics of
skating, tutors the local girls for money that she uses to pay for her own
lessons. She's good, quite good in fact; and skating Mom decides Casey has
talent. In a struggle of the Moms--"Go to school, this is everything we've
worked for," to "Follow your passion," who wins? Skating, natch. Michelle
Trachtenberg can't do all the fancy stuff her double does in the skate
scenes, but it's an enjoyable flick--perfect for the slumber party crowd.
Who Should
See It?--It's a young chick flick, Gramma may enjoy.--2
1/2 Golden Eggs
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