Several movies have been released over the past few months … some very current and debuting during December as first runs, some just out on DVD and some past the prime, but worth tracking down.
 

The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Claus

is for the family (Walt Disney Pictures).  Opening in November to catch the first real wave of cold weather and the upcoming Holidays, Santa Clause 3 stars Tim Allen as St. Nick, this time joined by Martin Short as the pesty, naughty and very jealous Jack Frost and his hew wife Carol who is expecting a little Clause.  Alan Arkin, who’s always a hoot, and Ann-Margaret join in as the in-laws.

I watched this version with a theater full of kids – and they loved it.  If you have young ones, you’ll probably want the DVD when it comes out. 

Who Should See It? – 4 and up; it’s a good one from Gramma to take them.  3 Golden Eggs

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The Prestige

with Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale (competitive magicians former friends and colleagues), Michael Caine as mentor and designer of new tricks and Scarlett Johansson as the beautiful assistant.  Most likely, professional magicians aren’t going to like the way Jackman’s character goes all out to revenge his wife’s drowning in a stage accident, coupled with going all out to be the “best” in the circa of turn-of-the-century London.   With a little history about electricity thrown in, I have to admit that I didn’t see how it would end, although looking back, there were a few hints.  

Who Should See It?—Teens and up; Gramma might like it as well.  3 Golden Eggs

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Apocalypto

is probably the most gruesome film to carry the Touchstone/Walt Disney Picture label.  Directed and co-written by Mel Gibson, it makes Braveheart look like a tea party.  All the critics are abuzz about it. 

Set in the 16th century, the viewer is introduced to a group of peaceful forest dwellers who are ribbing one of the members of the tribe who seems to be infertile into eating the testicles of a tapir that they have just killed—this is the comedy part.   

Within a short time, the tribe is viciously attacked and slain and women raped by Mayans on the prowl for sacrifices to the Gods—only a few escape…a handful of kids and the very pregnant wife and small son of Jaguar Paw played by Rudy Youngblood.   

As the men, and some women, are herded up and taken to the Mayans, the blood spilling continues.  History tells us that the Mayan civilization was brutal and decadent—Gibson pulls no punches, the viewer experiences with relentlessness that brutality and gore.  History also tells us that the Mayans were smart in math and the sciences, although you would never pick that up watching Apocalypto.  Jaguar Paw does escape the head cutting/heart ripping out fate of many of his tribesmen and he does finally make it back to save his wife, son and infant.

This is without a doubt one of the most brutal, bloody and assaulting films I’ve ever experienced. 

Who Should See It?—Not kids, not anyone looking for entertainment, some fun or a little relaxation, and definitely not your Gramma.  The cinematography is excellent, Mel Gibson knows how to tell a story and is quite inventive in his display of graphic barbaric acts and the acting is not bad …. But, I hated being in the theater and experiencing it.  1 Golden Egg

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Casino Royale

with Daniel Craig as the newest Bond along with returning Dame Judi Dench as M.  Craig goes back to the beginning of the Bond time, releasing an incredible series of physical feats that none of the past several Bonds could have blinked at.  Craig is terrific in the role—you will be disappointed if you were expecting a well-coifed Pierce Brosnan type—Craig doesn’t do coif. 

Opening with finally earning his double 0, the newest Bond sets out to snag a terrorist banker Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen).  All bad guys in a Bond adventure have some quirk…his is bloody tears when he gets stressed out.  Lots of card scenes—the title fits—it all works.  Craig should be around for awhile.  Try the flick, it’s a keeper. 

Who Should See It?—all Bond fans, those like decisive action, including Gramma—she saw the original ones.  4 Golden Eggs

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Déjà Vu

with Denzel Washington is one part thriller, one part sci-fi, and one part action.  Washington is ATF agent Doug Carlin who’s called to the seen of a ferry bombing in New Orleans.  When the FBI is called in, they join ranks with Agent Carlin and let him on their super secret—a nifty machine that can see through everything, roll time back to pre-present and all kids of other goodies.  

Agent Carlin’s assignment is to figure who the bad guy is … and when he sees what the nifty machine can do, he sets out to try and save one of the victims that washed up on the river … natch, she’s a beautiful woman. 

It’s pure fiction and you are probably based serve in just letting it go.  Kind of like the replicator machine on the good ship Enterprise or the ability to beam everywhere—sounds great, but we are not there yet in the true sense of things—one can dream though. 

Who Should See It?—not kids, not sure if Gramma will like it, but she may like Denzel, so why not?  2 ½ Golden Eggs 

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Flushed Away

with the voices of Hugh Jackman and Kate Wisnslet (and others) features Roddy, a pampered pet mouse (that acts more like a butler) and has never been out of his posh home and life in a Kensington flat.   A sewer rat (Syd) invades the house when the people residents are on vacation. Roddy does everything he can to get rid of the pest, and ends up getting flushed down the loo by the quick think Syd (aka..the whirlpool).  The adventure continues when he befriends the locals in the underworld, wards off the bad guys/rats and gets the girl (and family) he dreamed he never would have.  It’s fun, but not really suited to the little ones (they will miss much of the dialogue), which I think DreamWorks was trying to reach. 

Who Should See It?—7 and up.  2 ½ Golden Eggs

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Hollywood Land 

with Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins and Robin Tunney is based on the uncertainties surrounding the death of George Reeves in 1959.  Known to millions as Superman, the original man of steel, many thought he was murdered … and many thought he committed suicide.  Affleck plays Reeves and really does nail his highs and lows (Golden Globe nominee for it); Brody plays a gumshoe who is hired by Reeves mother to find out who murdered him. Was he?  Who knows.  The movie, though is gripping and well done. 

Who Should See It?—Teens and up; Gramma probably watched Superman, take her along.  3 Golden Eggs  

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The Guardian

with Kevin Kostner as Ben Randall the US Coast Guards ultimate rescue swimmer and Ashton Kutcher as Jake Fischer, the wannabe rescue swimmer who’s running away from his broken past. Based in Alaska, Ben’s last mission didn’t go well, the higher ups decide he needs to step away for a bit.  To “A” School he goes, the place where all rescue swimmers go to get wet.   Not surprisingly, he turns the school upside down with his teaching methods. 

Jake has a bit of a chip on his shoulder, wants to prove that he is superior to Ben, and the long history of records.  The two men eventually get past all the alpha positioning and end up on a mission in Kodiak Alaska and the Bering Sea. Ben continues his mentoring and the sea gets nasty.  I won’t tell you the ending.  What’s good about this film is that it opens the book of what makes the Coast Guard work. 

Who Should See It?—Teens and up, including Gramma.  3 Golden Eggs

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New DVDs 

FOR TEENS AND ADULTS

Air Buddies
is a family film that all pooch lovers will embrace—Air Bud is head of the brood of five rambunctious, and quite creative,  puppies who just happen to be able to talk—but then, so do most of the critters in the movies!  They finally are able to get their puppy act together and work as a team to save their parents who’ve been dog-napped.  Silly and laughs—which kids always love.  Bonus segments included. 

Who Should See It? Families, Gramma will take the kids too.  3 Golden Eggs 

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The Fox and the Hound
Who could ever forget the friendship of Tod the fox and Copper the hound? Brought together as pups, separated by the grown-ups, reunited in the hunt.  This is truly one of the Disney classics that belongs in everyone’s DVD library.  When you see this, you’ll miss the beautiful animation of yesteryear.

Who Should See It?—the entire family.  3 1/2 Golden Eggs

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The Fox and the Hound 2
Copper and Tod are back, with their playful and mischievous ways.  This time, the duo finds their way to the county fair.  The musical talents of Reba McEntire lends her voice as Dixie, the lady interest of Copper.  Patrick Swayze lends his voice as Cash, the leader of the band that Copper joins.  Loving all the attention, he forgets that his pals, Tod and Dixie count to.  To get even, the two decide that Copper needs a comeuppance, which doesn’t go as originally planned. Choas follows before resolution…kind of like life.  The animated Disney films always carried plenty of music and this one is no different.  Good addition to the original, your kids will enjoy. 

Who Should See It?—for the family, 3 and up.  3 Golden Eggs

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
is based on the best-selling series by CS Lewis.  The opening scenes with the night bombings of London during WWII are quite good for the set up as to why four kids are sent off to the country to stay with a total stranger—the theory was that they would be out of harm’s way.    Young Lucy finds the magical wardrobe and hides in it in a game of Hide and Seek with her siblings.  Backing into Narnia, she meets Mr. Tumnus, the ever so nice and good-guy faun.  The Ice Queen is not a nice lady (and you wonder why she never looks cold) and the two badgers are terrific.  The movie has some magic, but I rate it as OK, not great. 

Who Should See It?—Any fans of the books, certainly safe for Gramma.  3 Golden Eggs.

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Brother Bear 2
Disney has done the sequel to Brother Bear, a story about an Indian boy (and the hands/fate of the Great Spirits), loses the maiden he loves (Nita) and being transformed into a bear.  This time around, winter is over and Brother Bear wakes up, rounds up his little brother and heads out to find food.  Along the way, the wacky Mooses, Rutt and Tuke, show up and are pining for the ladies.  The Bears could care less, until an event that happened years before comes back.  Brother Bear use to be Kenai before becoming a bear.  An amulet he gate to Nita comes into play when she is ready to marry…she can’t until she reconnects with Kenai the Bear, so that the spill they had together is released. 

Who Should See It?—it’s a family movie, more for the 6 and up.  3 Golden Eggs

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Invincible
with Mark Wahlberg, Greg Kinnear and Elizabeth Banks is perfect for the football fan in your home.  Based on the true story of Vince Papale (Wahlberg), a Philadelphia Eagles fan who just happens to be good player.  When the new coach Dick Vermeil (Kinnear), signs on with the Eagles, he creates an open tryout to shake the team up—the 30-year-old bartender Papale is coerced by his pals to go…and ends being the only one to make the cut.  There’s ups and downs, but you can’t help but cheer for the guy…you want him to be the star.  Nice to have stories and dreams come true.

Who Should See It?   Sports fans, teens and up—Gramma too. 3 Golden Eggs

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
(Touchstone Pictures) …Captain Jack is back, along with Will and Elizabeth and the rest of the pirates.  Johnny Depp is in fine form along with Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley – part 2 of the zany first one, there are several laugh out loud scenes, the usual sword fighting medleys are terrific visuals.  It’s a movie without an ending…setting you up for part 3, whatever that brings…but guaranteed, the pirates and cronies will be in full swing. 

Who Should See It?   Older kids and up—fans of Johnny Depp, Gramma too. 3 Golden Eggs

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Kinky Boots
is a kick, and based on a true story .  For years the prestigious Price Family has specialized in men’s shoes. When the imports hit, they can’t compete…until one of the employees suggests alternative types of shoes.  As head of a company he didn’t want to run, Charlie Price hooks up with LoLa, a cabaret singer who’s a tad outrageous and a cross-dresser to boot.  Which brings us to the title.  Out with the men’s shoes and in with the ladies … made for women and men.  It saves the company, and it saves Charlie.   If you liked The Full Monty and the Calendar Girls, you’ll have a good time here.  I even watched the bonus features so I could learn more about the company the movie is based on. 

Who Should See It? Mature teens and up, Gramma will get a kick out of it.  3 Golden Eggs.

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Lost: The Extended Experience (Season Two)
starring Matthew Fox and a cast of dozens.  If you didn’t catch this highly acclaimed series that carries the stories of 40 plus individuals marooned on a beautiful spooky island after their plane crashed, this is the time to make a long weekend of it.  All episodes are included.  Lots here for everyone, including deleted scenes that add in more depth. Add, if you are really into Lost, you can go behind the scenes, and experience the Dharma Initiative.   Perfect for a long, long weekend, and a pause button so you can figure it all out.

Who Should See It?—mature teens and up. 3  Golden Eggs  

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Grey's Anatomy-Second Season, Uncut. 
For devotees of the #1 show on TV, this one’s for you, plus 4 uncut episodes with non-aired scenes.   No hospital is quite like Seattle Grace—the surgical interns—their fears, their loves, their nonsense.  It’s all here and much more. 

Who Should See It?—mature teens and up. 3 1/2 Golden Eggs  

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Commander in Chief: The Inaugural Edition, Part 1 and 2.  
If you caught this show before the plug was pulled, you had to love the conniving and scheming Donald Sutherland and the no-nonsense Geena Davis as “Mac” the first women president.

Who Should See It?—mature teens and up. 3 1/2 Golden Eggs

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