|
|
|
|
A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
A Variety of October DVD Releases
The Shop Around the Corner
This story has had several incarnations. It first appeared in 1940 in this version starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan. Later it was remade as the 1949 musical, In The Good Old Summertime, starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson, and later in 1998 as You've Got Mail, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
The Shop Around the Corner is set in 1930's Budapest. Stewart and Sullivan work together in a small miscellaneous shop. They don't get along and argue constantly. They both have secret pen pals though, and don't realize that they have been writing to and falling in love with each other. Then Stewart discovers his dream girl is the woman at the shop, and he is confused as to what to do. On the one hand, he has fallen in love with his pen pal, but on the other hand, he doesn't get along with her in real life. That is until they get to know each other better.
It's fun to see these old movies and see how simple things were in the past. There were no elaborate sets or costumes - only a nice little story and good actors. This film is in black and white and runs 99 minutes.
Sorority Boys
When three boys are kicked out of their fraternity, they devise a plan to join a sorority in order to get even with the frat boys who framed them. What they discover is the women are friendly, compassionate, and sincere, and nothing like their shallow fraternity brothers who only associate with "perfect" women who are thin, blonde, and pretty. These boys realize they have done a disservice to the women while they were in the fraternity.
They don pantyhose, wigs, dresses, high heals and makeup and become sorority sisters. Getting in touch with their feminine side is easier than they ever imagined.
A special behind-the-scenes feature on the DVD shows how the actors transformed from men to women - with waxings and razors, and everything else women go through to look their best.
Sorority Boys is rated "R" for crude sexual content, nudity, strong language and some drug use. It runs 94 minutes.
Swingers
Mike (Jon Favreau) just broke up with his girlfriend after 6 years. He cannot get on with his life so his friend takes him out to get him back in the game. His first foray is a trip to Las Vegas with his friend Trent (Vince Vaughn), where they meet two women. But as hard as he tries, Mike cannot stop thinking about his old girlfriend. He tells the women about how he was dumped after six years and they find his anguish to be sweet and show him compassion.
The story continues with Mike trying to find a new relationship, but not being able to let go of the past. They look for the cool bars, but always seem to fall short. These guys keep getting out there though.
Mike's torment keeps bubbling to the surface. After meeting a woman, he calls her and gets her answering machine. He leaves a nice message but is cut off before finishing his telephone number, so he calls back and leaves another message. He again gets cut off and calls back. After several times he calls and tells the machine the reason he is crazy is because his girlfriend left him. He is distressed - and pathetic.
Swingers is rated "R" for language, and runs 96 minutes.
The Scorpion King
Five thousand years ago a ruthless, merciless warlord named Memnon was intent on ruling the entire desert. He relied on a sorceress, Cassandra, to guide him through his battles. Then one day Mathayus, an Akkadian assassin, joined with a band of others wishing to overthrow the evil Memnon.
This film is filled with action, action, and more action. There are plenty of sword fights as well as martial arts moves. The acting leaves a lot to be desired, but that doesn't matter since this film isn't going to be considered for best film at the next Academy Awards®. What does matter is the audiences enjoy the movie, and if the audience at my screening was any indication, they will. Also, the music is wonderful and adds a lot to the setting of the film. The soundtrack should be a big seller.
Wrestling professional "The Rock" plays Mathayus, Michael Clarke Duncan plays Balthazar, who leads his group along with Mathayus in the final assault on Memnon, Kelly Hu plays Cassandra, the psychic who has been Memnon's captive, and Steven Brand plays Memnon, but the main star has to be the action. Toss in a few humorous lines, some grins and sly looks, and you have a show that will be enjoyed by a wide audience. Except, perhaps those of us who are squeamish with the few scenes involving snakes and bugs. But that's life in the desert, right?
The Scorpion King is rated "PG-13" due to intense sequences of action violence and some sensuality.
Additional features on the DVD include a commentary with The Rock, outtakes, the music video of "I Stand Alone," and several features about the making of the movie and the stars.
Big Trouble
Tim Allen and Rene Russo star as two people who unwittingly get involved with some hit men, FBI agents, thieves, and an atomic bomb in this chaotic comedy based on Dave Barry's first novel.
It's a comedy of errors as the FBI hunts down the bomb, which is in a suitcase originally in the possession of two Russians, then stolen by some common thieves who have no idea what's in the case. The bomb won't go off until/unless the timer is set, and when the bumbling thieves accidentally set off the timer, still unaware what it is, tensions heat up as the "good guys" try to get to the bomb before it is too late.
The cast of characters also includes Dennis Farina, Janeane Garofalo, Jason Lee and Omar Epps in this funny story that matches wit against stupidity and good against not-so-good. It is rated "PG-13" for language, crude humor and sex-related material, and runs 85 minutes.
Jungle 2 Jungle
You can take the boy out of the jungle, but you can't take the jungle out of the boy. This is what Michael Cromwell (Tim Allen) discovers - the hard way. This Wall Street wiz travels to a South American jungle to get his estranged wife to sign their final divorce papers. While there, he discovers he has a son, Mimi-Siku, who has been born and raised in the jungle. Michael brings Mimi back to NYC for a while so they can get to know each other.
This is kind of like Crocodile Dundee in that Mimi is like a fish out of water in the big city. He wants to kill the pet cat for food, and ends up actually killing the pet fish for food. Mimi does not understand the ways of the city people. His life has been straightforward and simple, and he naively undertakes the day-to-day rituals of life in New York City, all the while giving unconditional love to his newly discovered father.
In the meantime, Michael and his partner (Martin Short) find themselves in a mess with the Russian Mob over coffee futures. Michael soon discovers money and power might not be as important as the simple things in life.
Jungle 2 Jungle is rated "PG" for some mild violence and language and runs 113 minutes.
The Thin Man
This classic film about a sleuthing couple inspired five sequels and their own fan club. Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy) made history combining romance, mystery and comedy as they solve crime after crime. Their adorable dog Asta, who has a personality of his own, joins them in all their escapades.
In the original film, Nick, Nora and Asta have just returned to New York from California and an absence from sleuthing, but they are drafted to solve the murder mystery of an eccentric inventor. Witty dialogue, and plenty of alcohol are the hallmark of the pair, who could outwit even Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
When Nora joins Nick at a club, she asks how many drinks he has had. She immediately orders the same number so she can catch up with him - and pays for it later with a splitting headache! This clever couple will delight viewers with their zaniness.
The Thin Man was nominated for four Academy Awards® including Best Picture. It is in black and white and runs 91 minutes.
Flashdance
This popular film skyrocketed Jennifer Beales to stardom when it was released in 1983, and got people up and dancing around. The DVD will do it again.
Flashdance is the story of a young woman who wants to be a dancer, but to make ends meet she works as a welder by day and dances in a club by night. Alex (Beals) yearns to join a special dance academy, but is not sure she can handle the audition. She isn't even sure she should get an application. But she can dance. And dance, and dance.
The soundtrack was a popular album in the eighties, featuring the uplifting theme song, "What a Feeling" performed by Irene Cara.
Flashdance is an upbeat film that will leave you dancing. What a feeling! It runs 96 minutes and is rated "R."
The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause is now available on DVD in a special widescreen edition. Besides the smash hit movie, the DVD also includes some fun special features. "So You Want to be an Elf?" a "Santa's Helper" trivia game, and "Making Santa Snacks with Wolfgang" make this family favorite even more special.
When Santa falls off his roof, Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) takes over and once he puts on the Santa suit, he is magically transformed into Santa Claus. Scott is a divorced father who has little appeal to his son, until he becomes Santa. Scott's beard grows as well as his belly. This bumbling man somehow manages to really become Santa Claus.
The Santa Clause is rated "PG" for a few crude moments.
Walt - The Man Behind the Myth
Walt Disney has touched all our lives. This incredible DVD takes the viewers behind the celluloid for an up-close and personal view of this remarkable man. It is narrated by Dick Van Dyke and shows the brilliance and foresight Walt Disney had.
From Steamboat Willie to EPCOT, this film is filled with tidbits and information that demonstrate the genius of Walt Disney, a man with forethought, insight, and imagination.
© 2002 Francine Brokaw
Let's Talk About It!
Issues newsgroup
Join us to talk about this article!
|
|
|
