Watchable Week

Empire Records

Anthony LaPaglia stars in this teen comedy ala The Breakfast Club where a bunch of quirky record store employees sort out where their lives are going. They're trying to save the store from turning into a homogenized conglomerate.

One clerk attempts to steal to make a point to his boss, another hopes to lose her virginity to an aging rock star and everyone generally has a fun musical time.

This boiler plate party film might not appeal to its intended teen audience, but it made me chuckle at the whimsical antics.

Library: Coquille.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112950/

Amazon: Empire Records

An Evening with Kevin Smith

ADULTS ONLY, this film has a lot of sexual language. I paired these together because the director of Clerks and Mallrats displays a lot of teen angst in his earlier work. Though he had nothing to do with the above film.

This film features Smith himself over two nights discussing every aspect of his process and elements of his regular life. Jason Mewes who plays Jay to Smith's Silent Bob speaks for a few minutes on both DVDs.

They discuss their work with Ben Affleck and even cover a little about Matt Damon. They do not mention much about Jason Lee. At least I don't recall much mention of him.

I found it quite interesting but Smith really has a raunchy sense of humor. Some may find that off putting if not down right offensive. I squirmed a bit during some commentary.

Library: Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346952/

Amazon: An Evening with Kevin Smith

Watchable Review: 8MM

8MM

Glorified violence turns my stomach. This film explores that kind of exploitation with its own brutality, but I believe to the purpose of good. I don't want to see this ever again, yet the compelling well acted story kept me at the edge of my seat.

A wealthy widow finds a pornographic film depicting the brutal death of a young woman. She assigns an investigator to discreetly research the film and he goes on a dance with the devils involved.

Nicolas Cage broadens his acting range in this role as vengeful protector of the innocent voiceless murdered girl. We see opportunistic porn producers glorify the worst deviant human behavior as Cage struggles to keep himself on the trail.

He meets up with a decent but slightly twisted young man, Joaquin Phoenix, who helps him explore the underbelly of the pornography world. I believe there are people that use the young and vulnerable without regard to their welfare, but thankfully I don't think there are very many who go this far. At least I don't want to know if this world exists as portrayed.

Myrtle Point has the DVD and look for VHS copies in Coquille and Powers.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134273/

Amazon: 8MM

Watchable Review: Duck

Duck

Some might not appreciate this quirky modern morality tale. Philip Baker Hall stars as a displaced widower in his 70s living in a future where there are no more community parks. The government took away all kinds of services, like social security and medicare.

Our "hero" befriends a duck and raises it as his pet until the city of Los Angles drains its pond. The pair set out on a trip to try and move to near the ocean. It's a near future tale exploiting every liberal fear imaginable.

Well acted and unexpected. Have a look for this strange flick form Bandon or North Bend.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386421/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Duck

Watcabe Review: Enemy Below

Enemy Below

Robert Mitchum stars as a new captain of a World War II destroyer menaced by a German U-Boat. His crew doesn't know his capabilities and so frets over what he may do.

Regular fans of Star Trek the original series may recognize this plot in an episode where Kirk and the Enterprise crew fight the Romulans. Clearly someone saw this film and decided to use the same feel for the science fiction adventure.

We see the Germans plot and organize the destruction of the enemy using virtual identical tactics as his American counterpart. These well matched adversaries battle it out with stoic precision. First one has the upper hand then the other. Their crews learn their style and perform above and beyond their duty.

As this is typical of American made war films, "we" win in the end. But it's no hollow victory. Everyone's deeds contributed to a positive outcome. One sailor contributes his fingers to the cause. Still they go on fighting for their lives.

I'm no huge fan of war, but they made their case for honorable combat. It's worth a watch. Look in Myrtle Point for the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050356/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: The Enemy Below

Watchable Wednesday

EdTV

Matthew McConaughey stars with Woody Harrelson as his jerk brother and Jenna Elfman as an eventual love interest. A cable station creates a 24 hour show following one guy's every move. When the show becomes wildly popular he finds it too intrusive and tries to get out of his contract.

Look for funny scenes with Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Landau and Rob Reiner. They almost steal the show.

I really like Elfman and think she's pretty good in almost anything I see her in. It's nice to see her as a different character which shows off her talent.

Pick up the DVD from Coquille and the VHS from Dora or Myrtle Point.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0131369/

Buy the DVD from Amazon: EdTV (Collector's Edition)

Well I was going to do the Truman Show as a review but there are only VHS copies at the library so I think I'll forego. It's very similar to EdTV but with Jim Carrey and he doens't know he's being filmed until the end of the program. If you stil have a VCR, pick up a copy in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille or Dora.

Watchable Review: Ella Enchanted

Ella Enchanted

Sometimes the blessing of a fairy godmother can make your life miserable. Annoyed with her infant ways Ella's enchanted benefactor decides to give her the gift of doing whatever anyone tells her to do.

She has to hide her obedience from those around her to keep from being taken advantage of, but naturally someone with unfriendly intentions finds out and makes her do whatever they want. Ella tries to just take this all in stride and find ways to get along in her fanciful world.

Anne Hathaway positively charms the pants off the most grizzled cynic in this film. Look for nice performances by Minnie Driver and Vivica A. Fox too.

Since this follows a standard fantasy plot line, naturally the prince of the land falls in love with Ella. She tries desperately to avoid giving away her nature and he's confused but still loves her.

From the library summery, "In a bid to regain control of her life, Ella goes on a quest to free herself from this mysterious "gift". Ella must outwit a kingdom filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, talking books and other various evil plots."

Look in Bandon and Coquille for this sweet DVD. Plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327679/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Ella Enchanted (Widescreen Edition)

Watchable Review: Doctor Zhivago

Doctor Zhivago

Since we're doing older films this week, I figured I'd go ahead with this one. First the music totally sets the mood as we see aristocratic Russia turn into the Soviet Union.

I know many people LOVED this film and it won several well deserved Oscars for Cinematography, costuming and score. These things made the film a beauty to behold. Sweeping scenes of fields of daffodils and snow covered tundra inspire the sense of vastness. Gem quality all.

I thought it just kind of went on a bit long. It teaches a romantic lesson of a country in transition. We see it through the eyes of basically three people. An aristocratic doctor, a woman he helps and the man she marries.

Because he has a valued skill Doctor Zhivago himself, Omar Sharif, finds himself accepted into the new Soviet Union. He and his wife try and cope with learning to live with other people surrounding them.

Before the revolution the doctor meets poor yet beautiful Lara played by Julie Christie. She goes on to marry political activist Pasha. All of Russia suffers in the severity of World War I and Lara inspires Zhivago's poetic heart.

Watch this for the beauty and music. Look in Coos Bay, Myrtle Point and SWOCC for the DVD. Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Dora, Lakeside, Myrtle Point and Powers have VHS copies.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059113/

Buy this DVD from Amazon: Doctor Zhivago (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Movie Review: Danielle Steel's Zoya

Danielle Steel's Zoya

As made for TV movies go this held my interest pretty well. Melissa Gilbert stars as a Russian aristocrat girl who escapes with her family to Paris. Her mother wants her to marry a much older man but she has her own ideas and plans.

She meets the love of her life played by Bruce Boxleitner. They have a lovely life until he dies leaving her and her children in poverty. She goes to work for a clothier and after years of hard work opens her own shop.

No, Gilbert shouldn't do accents, but at least she sounded a LITTLE Russian. The plot made romance novel sense. If that's your kinda thing, have a look see.

Bandon has the only DVD copy of this film.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112796/

Buy the DVD from Amazon: Danielle Steel's Zoya - Parts 1 & 2

Movie Review: Dirty Dancing, Havana Nights

Dirty Dancing, Havana Nights

I thought this might just be a cheesy sequel but it's quite good. An American girl goes to Cuba with her family and feels quite out of place. Her auto executive father sets them up in a homestead surrounded by other Americans, but the girl finds herself intrigued by the locals.

She meets a Cuban young man who teaches her to dance to his Latin rhythms. Of course they fall in love. We catch a glimpse of Johnny Castle, but they don't identify him as the character from the original Dirty Dancing.

It's just a taste of politics and freedom fighting during the revolution. Honestly, it really doesn't interfere with the dancing theme. It actually might have been nice to get a more detailed view, but ah well.

Look in Bandon, Lakeside and North Bend for this charming story.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338096/

Buy the DVD from Amazon: Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights

Couple Watchable Documentaries.

The Adventures of Errol Flynn

Ever been curious about the life and times of the swashbuckling actor? Here's your chance. This documentary outlines his rise and fall. He lived a rather exciting life before finding his way into the theatrical profession.

We learn about his Don Juan ways and sailing adventures, plus his brush with being called a spy for the Nazis. He wanted to be called a great actor, but found himself type cast as action hero.

Super big fan of Errol Flynn? You'll love this. Look in Myrtle Point for the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454769/

Look for this DVD from Amazon: Adventures of Errol Flynn

Devil's Playground

Amish teenagers experience and embrace the modern world as a rite-of-passage before deciding which life they will choose. This documentary explores how they live and how some make the choice.

It depicts a lot of drug use and carrying on among the boys and some sexual exploration among the girls. Seems sad to me to thrust these kids into a world they're ill prepared to handle and expect them to choose wisely.

Some call it an unbiased look, but I just wonder if it's truly this bad, why the police don't simply pick up these youths? What real choices do they have but to go back "home"? All they saw in this documentary was how tough and scary the modern world is.

It's interesting but I didn't develop any affection for the boys and just felt sad for the girls. Look in Bandon for the DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0293088/

Buy the DVD from Amazon: Devil's Playground

Movie Review: Children of a Lesser God

Children of a Lesser God

Somewhat flakey teacher William Hurt starts a new job at a school for deaf children. He's hired to teach kids to speak. While standing in line for lunch, he notices a deaf woman throwing around pots and pans yelling in sign language. He becomes smitten with the passionate woman played by curly dark haired fireball Marlee Matlin.

The woman once went to the school and now works as their custodian. Hurt's character tries to make friends but she resents his work and he doesn't understand why she wont let him teach her to speak and read lips. She tries to drive him away but they end up falling in love.

They constantly clash over their two worlds. After they move in together for a while, the woman's resentments drive her to run away.

As a person with a disability I can say they portray the culture differences fairly well. Someone within the deaf community would have to speak to if they got their issues correct, I just mean the "feel" of the conflict seemed accurate. Perhaps a bit exaggerated, but that's a Hollywood thing, not a disabled thing.

Coos Bay and North Bend have the DVD copies of this film. Sad to say anyone from the outlying libraries will have to find their way into town to pick them up. At least you can drop them off at your local library.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090830/

Pick up this DVD from Amazon: Children of a Lesser God

Movie Review: A Dangerous Man

A Dangerous Man:
Lawrence After Arabia

Ralph Fiennes stars as Lawrence. He tries valiantly to preserve the deals he attempted to make with his Arab friends. They want independence and the British Empire wants to maintain all their strongholds. Though this plan didn't work out, it did help to erode the power of the United Kingdom.

We see his tenuous relationships start to break and falter when he cannot live up to what he promised. Ultimately returning home to self destruction and the burden of failure.

Library: Bandon & North Bend

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099356/

Amazon: A Dangerous Man

Die Hard List

These are the four films of the Die Hard Series. All watchable except the second one. Feel free to skip that altogether if you like.

I decided to just list the Amazon link for the entire collection here:
Die Hard - The Ultimate Collection (Die Hard / Die Hard 2 / Die Hard with a Vengeance / Live Free or Die Hard Two-Disc Special Editions)

Die Hard

Though I tend to not like as much pointless violence, this film kept me wondering how they were going to deal with all the plot points. It's pure fun. Bruce Willis plays a down on his luck cop who tries to save his wife and an office full of her co-workers when thieves take them hostage.

He enlists the aid of a beat cop played charmingly by Reginald VelJohnson. At first the cop doesn't think anything is going on until Willis throws a body out a window. Bloody and battered, one man against several inspired me to sit up and cheer on cowboy John McClane.

Library: North Bend. VHS: Bandon, Coquille & Dora.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/

Die Hard 2

This film didn't hold up to the intrigue and charm of the first. Plus they stuck our guy in a stupid plot at an airport. His wife's plane is threatened and he has to save her once again.

I liked elements of it, but not enough to rate it above a Soso flick. You can even skip it and watch the third film without losing any plot points.

Library:DVD; Bandon.

IMDB:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099423/

Die Hard with a Vengeance

Now this film recaptured the charm and intrigue of the first. It added one of the best characters played by Samuel L. Jackson. Some guys related to the first film baddies that John McClane killed go after him.

They force him to walk down the street in Harlem with a sign insulting black people. Jackson's character, Zeus Carver, tries to save Willis and gets caught up in the plot. The white cop and black business owner argue, but eventually must cooperate to prevent a terrorist attack on a school.

Just when you think it's all about revenge, just keep watching. Lots of edge of your seat action and unexpected twists.

Library: VHS only; Coquille & Coos Bay.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112864/

Live Free or Die Hard

This most recent installment brings the series to a younger generation with an Internet related plot. A terrorist organization hires several hackers to plot methods for shutting down electrical grids and other strategic networks.

Our hero, John McClane, captures one of the hackers and saves him from assassins. Bringing him to FBI headquarters, just as the various phone and electrical grids are faultering. The kid and cop attempt to save the United States.

Library: Coos Bay, Dora, Lakeside & Myrtle Point.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337978/

Movie Review: The Duchess.

The Duchess

Based on a true story of an 18th century Brit aristocrat and his wife. Keira Knightley stars as the lead herself. It being a true tale I did wonder about the facts. She finds her marriage loveless and so gets interested in politics. She begins to help make the career of a former playmate, which irritates her philandering husband.

The duke, Ralph Fiennes, takes up with her lady friend, who uses him to get her children back. He, in turn, uses his wife. Even going so far as to rape her in hopes of producing a male heir.

Though the acting and settings drew me to the story, the cruelty and intrigue turned me off. Though as a period piece, they did a better job of keeping clear who these people were. I think they're trying to show slavery to duty and social standing. It comes off as people too self absorbed to consider their choices.

Bandon and Myrtle Point have this DVD.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0864761/

Buy the DVD from Amazon: The Duchess

Movie Review: Affinity

Affinity

An upper class lady begins visiting a woman in prison and finds herself drawn into the girl's life. Set in the 19th century where the lesbianism would not be accepted, the main character seems to have more of a forgiving heart than most.

She tries to sort out if the girl has real mystic powers and examines her life carefully. We're not even sure. She seems to know things she can't possibly know.

We see that the lesbian romance isn't the well to do lady's first. Though her first girlfriend married a man and left her grieving.

I vacillated between putting this in the watchable category. I decided to bump it up when I realized that it did hold my interest throughout. If Dickens were permitted to write about such things, he could have written from this point of view. It's his kind of dreary. Look for Amanda Plummer as one of the prison guards.

Pick up a copy of this one from Bandon Library.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1116182/

Buy the DVD from Amazon: Affinity

A couple of Watchables about Dogs

Dogs and More Dogs

John Lithgow narrates an episode of Nova outlining the evolution of dogs from wolves. The PBS show examines how over time, wolves who were tame got closer and closer to people through foraging their trash piles. Researchers found markers for tameness in the canine DNA. Quite interesting, if you like that sort of thing.

Library: Bandon

Not a lot of info but here's the link anyway
I'MDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0982374/

Amazon: NOVA: Dogs and More Dogs

Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan

I do really like Millan's methods for training dogs. Really he trains people. What I don't like are some of his sexist attitudes toward women. He gets out of it when he comes across a woman who learns his technique, but he acts like a bit of a jerk if the lady doesn't get him quickly.

It gets a bit repetitive, so if you watch full season, mix some other program in between every few shows. You'll learn a lot about dog and people interaction. Though with anything, it's much easier to see than to do.

Library: Full season one in Coos Bay, if you want to just get a taste try the part DVD in Bandon.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423642/

Amazon: Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan - The Complete First Season

Made for TV Movie Review: 61*

61*

Yankee buddies and rivals Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris duke it out to beat Babe Ruth's 60 home runs in a season record. While I'm not a fan of baseball I found this true story charming and well worth the viewing. I saw it a couple of months ago and still remember the camaraderie.

I enjoyed looking at the home lives of these players. How Mantle got the girls with his playboy good looks but Maris came in and settled him down. Their mutual support brought the team much success.

I liked what the reviewer said on IMDB about how director Billy Crystal lovingly portrayed his Yankee heroes. Now there's a guy who LOVES his baseball. Grab some popcorn and learn some history from this entertaining film.

Check out the DVD from Bandon or Coquille and Dora has a VHS tape.

IMDB:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250934/

Buy this film from Amazon: 61*

Movie Review: The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

I just love Tom Hanks and think he's such a great guy. Too bad his major "talent stretch" in this film involved running and looking perplexed. Maybe the novel really thrilled many, but the film just slogged along. All the controversy just seems silly.

It's a story about a man who uncovers a great Christian secret. Supposedly Jesus married and had children with Mary Magdalene. One sect of the faithful keep the secret and another tries to destroy any evidence of the "facts."

I've been told the "badguy" had albinism in the book. They didn't state he was in the film, but he sure had pale skin. I have albinism and find the genetic disorder often gets depicted as evil and or miraculous. That disturbs me. I give this film a little bit of a pass in that they never said "albino" when referring to the character, but it's implied.

It's really on the low end of the Watchable scale. Look for the DVD in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, North Bend and Powers.

IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382625/

Buy the DVD from Amazon:
The Da Vinci Code (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

Movie Review: Happy Feet

Happy Feet

Robin Williams and Elijah Wood voice a pair of penguins who lead a rag tag (fugitive fleet?? no no wrong different story.. wait.. where was I.. ) Two groups of penguins find their food supply reduced and one oddball dancing emperor penguin figures out it's people that he thinks are aliens.

He goes on a quest to ask them why they're messin with the food chain and he gets captured and stuffed into a zoo. I'll stop there because to go further would be to spoil. Parent's might want to view this before showing their kids. It seems a little mature here and there.

One thing that bugs me about this whole thing is the magical thinking. Animal's can talk to each other but not to people. Plus the preachy we're ruining the planet stuff, while true, needs a better venue. I remember bugging my mother about only buying white toilet paper when I was a kid. Now you don't even see any other kind. Things CAN change, but the message here didn't make it clear what us alien humans can DO.

It's a cute musical animated story. Worth a couple hours of your time. Look for the DVD in Bandon, Coos Bay, Coquille, Dora, Lakeside, Myrtle Point, North Bend and Powers.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0366548/

Buy the DVD from Amazon:
Happy Feet (Widescreen Edition)

Movie Review: 10,000 BC

Please read last Friday's post that I just wrote today:Movie Review: Doctor Who

10,000 BC

I'm not sure what story they were attempting to tell with this film. This whole mythos that "native" peoples were more connected to something that they could tell the future and people's destiny kinda rings FAKE to me. It's a story of a tribe who hunt mammoths in our past.

A mystical tribeswoman predicts that whoever kills the mammoth will gain the right to a beautiful girl child found among her murdered family. One young boy loves her deeply, but he's not the best hunter. So on the hunt, he gets caught in a net and dragged along with a mammoth. He accidentally kills the beast and his hailed as a hero.

His father left the group years before and was branded a coward. Apparently, the group had problems with those they thought had the ear of the gods. So after the heroic mammoth struggle, the tribe sets out to try and fight the bad guys.

They come across another group of people and it turns out the boy's father had been there and taught one of their people his language. So they re-think the coward bit, but many are captured and enslaved by the baddies. They decide to create a slave revolt and overthrow the god like leader.

It struck me as a weird combination between Stargate, 300 and The Clan of the Cave Bear. Any one of those films were better, but this still flowed along enough to be watchable.

Check out copies from Bandon, Coos Bay or Myrtle Point.

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443649/

Buy the DVD from Amazon:
10,000 B.C.