Meet Joe Black - 1998

Universal Pictures, City Light Films

Directed by Martin Brest

Cast:

• Joe Black – Brad Pitt
• William Parish – Anthony Hopkins
• Drew – Jake Webber
• Susan Parrish – Claire Forlani
• Allison – Marcia Gay Harden
• Quince – Jeffrey Tambor

Story: A wealthy and successful man, William Parrish is about to turn sixty five years old. But about a week before, he wakes suddenly in the middle of the night and feels a pain in his left arm. He rises to go to his bathroom to splash some water on his face, and he hears a voice whisper “yes”, but in spite of being startled, he returns to his bed. The next day in the office he feels a deep pain in his chest, and once again hears the voice whispering “yes”. That evening he hears it again, and the voice continues this time, saying he is standing at the front door to his penthouse and would someone please let him in. When he finally confronts the man whose voice he has been hearing, the man says he has been giving Bill the answer to his question. The question is “Am I going to die?”, and the voice providing the answer is Death's, who has come to offer Bill a deal. Death would like a tour of the living, and in exchange, he will grant Bill more time.

Review: Inspired by Death Takes A Holiday, a classic stage play that many of my generation read as teens for either English or Drama class in high school, this film marks, for me, the coming of age of Brad Pitt as an actor with depth. I know some people will point to A River Runs Through It, or even Seven Years In Tibet as the films where Brad showed true ability, but Death Takes a Holiday is a pivotal film where he has to reach into the unknown and his past to portray a “stranger in a strange land.” and he does it with a remarkable freshness and style. As an amateur actor, I know the importance of any production is to give the audience the illusion of the first time. Brad does that beautifully in this film.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that he is surrounded by an incredible cast, lead by the incomparable Anthony Hopkins. Jake Webber demonstrates his range as well, as do both Marcia Gay Harden and Jeffrey Tambor. Somewhere beyond perfect is Claire Forlani's portrayal of Susan Parrish, the younger daughter and medical resident who is attracted to Pitt's character, first in his portrayal of the young attorney freshly arrived in the big city, and then as Death personified in Joe Black.

The plot is straightforward, the photography exceptional (try filming a sex scene without revealing any body parts that shouldn't be seen), and the sets are exquisite examples of architecture. While certainly not an action film, the film moves forward briskly, without needless exposition or character development beyond what is needed. Rated PG-13, thanks to that incredible photography, this is a film for contemplation and reflection, and offers no religious allegories to good or evil. I own a copy, and I think it will be regarded as collectible.

The Last Boy Scout - 1991

Geffen Pictures, Silver Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures

Directed by Tony Scott

Cast:

• Joe Hallenbeck – Bruce Willis
• Jimmy Dix – Damon Wayans
• Sarah Hallenbeck – Chelsea Fields
• Sheldon 'Shelly' Marcone – Noble Willingham
• Milo – Taylor Negron
• Darian Hallenbeck – Danielle Harris
• Cory – Halle Berry
• Mike Matthews – Bruce McGill
• Chet – Kim Coates

Story: Joe Hallenbeck is going through a really rough time in his life. The former Secret Service agent who once took two bullets for the President is now a alcoholic bum private detective who discovers his wife is sleeping with Mike Matthews, his best friend. Mike is also a detective and offers Joe five hundred dollars to handle a surveillance job, which he accepts even though he catches him in his bedroom closet with Sarah, his wife. As Mike is leaving, Joe gets the information on the job and stands by the curb to watch Mike leave. But when Mike gets in his car, it blows up. And the stripper he is hired to protect gets killed. The stripper's boyfriend, a former professional football player named Jimmy Dix, gets involved and together they work to solve the mystery that's getting people killed.

Review: Timeline in another dimension...has to be. Pro Football on a Friday Night with Bill Medley singing the theme song? Halle Berry dancing in a strip club with silver pasties? Anyone wanting to assassinate Jimmy Carter? (well, maybe) Talk about your fantasy summer action films. I think Tony Scott knew exactly what he was doing when he got Shane Black (Lethal Weapon) to write this incredibly fast paced film with lots of twists and turns. Willis and Damons work exceptionally well off each other, and its hard to tell who's the straight man and who's the comic in several of the exchanges. I'm not quite sure which characters have the shortest film time, but not many Bad Guys survive. Bruce McGill and Kim Coates are both excellent in brief but important roles, and Taylor Negron wins the award for most villainous bad guy of the 1990's, in my opinion. Now, if you're looking for plots that make sense, forget it. This is a shoot 'em up film where Willis gets to play the irascible grouch who is pissed off about losing his job and taking it out on the world. How bad is he? Every time someone calls him a bastard, his response is: “and then some!”. So we are not talking Oscar material, and we certainly aren't talking collectible, unless you are a big fan of Willis. (I admit it, I have a copy) Rated R for every conceivable reason in the book except maybe perversion with animals, this is definitely a see it once and enjoy the laughter and the action.

The Sum of All Fears - 2002

Paramount Pictures, Mace Neufeld Productions,MFP Munich Film Partners GmbH & Company I. Produktions KG

Directed by Phil Alden Robinson

Cast:

• Jack Ryan – Ben Affleck
• William Cabot – Morgan Freeman
• President Fowler – James Cromwell
• John Clark – Liev Schrieber
• NS Advisor Gene Revell – Bruce McGill
• President Nemerov – Ciaran Hinds
• Dr. Cathy Muller – Bridget Moynahan

Story: A young CIA analyst becomes embroiled in a conflict between the United States and Russia. Jack Ryan is the resident expert on the newly elected Russian President Nemerov, and is summoned by CIA director Cabot to provide background information. He accompanies Cabot to Moscow, and then joins him in a tour of a facility where nuclear warheads are being dismantled. Ryan's curiousity is peaked when he discovers three of the seventeen scientists who are supposed to be on duty at the facility are missing. The more he digs into this anomaly, the more he discovers, and he and his research team are the only people standing between World War Three.

Review: The fourth Tom Clancy novel to make it to the big screen, and the third actor to play Jack Ryan. This film falls short of expectations for several reasons. Since it is shot as a “prequel”of sorts to the previous films, Sum of all Fears seems somehow out of time with its predecessors. In this film, Jack Ryan is played by Ben Affleck, who is certainly no slouch in front of the camera. His portrayal of the the Clancy hero is good, and even meshes with the performance of Alec Baldwin in the first film of the series, Hunt for Red October. I guess my problem is Red October post dates Sum by a number of years, since in it Catherine and Jack are married with a daughter, yet the Soviets are still around. In Sum, Ryan and Cathy are still dating, only becoming engaged at the end of the film and the Soviet Union is long gone. From that standpoint alone, the timing is off sequence, which can make for a bit of a conflict for those of us who have read Clancy's novels, or seen the previous films. For the uninitiated, the film is terrific, and opens up the possibility of an entire new series (which was never pursued, apparently). Cromwell and Freeman are striking in their roles, as is Ciaran Hinds as the Russian President. The remaining cast, McGill, et. al., are intense when they need to be and absent when not needed. Which is the problem with a film like this, since you have so much action going on it is easy to get lost in it. Rated PG-13 for violence and language, the terrifying scene of a nuclear weapon going off in a crowded city is enough for all of us to consider whether or not to let the kids watch. Definitely not collectible, since the series was never continued and the film is out of sequence with the first three Clancy films. Rent it, don't buy it.

Virtuosity - 1995

Paramount Pictures

Directed by Brett Leonard

Cast:

• Lt. Parker Barnes – Denzel Washington
• Madison Carter – Kelly Lynch
• SID 6.7 – Russell Crowe
• William Cochran – William Forsythe
• Elizabeth Deane – Louise Fletcher
• Wallace – William Fichtner
• John Donovan – Costas Mandylor
• Kari Carter – Kaley Cuoco
• Clyde Riley – Kevin J. O'Connor
• Media Zone singer – Traci Lords

Story: Even good cops have bad days. Lt. Parker Barnes had one, and is in prison for murder. But he is still serving the department: he and another officer are test subjects in a virtual program for training police officers. The program is totally interactive with the officers, and there's even a bonus for Barnes, namely SID 6.7. SID is a constructed criminal, a combination of some of the most terrifying criminals in history, including Matthew Grimes, the man who kidnapped Barne's family and led to his incarceration. Barnes keeps winning in the simulations, outwitting SID 6.7 at every turn, but SID has developed his own personality and doesn't like to lose. SID finds a way out of the virtual world and begins a scheme of terror designed to play against his favorite opponent: Lt. Parker Barnes.

Review: Set in the very near future, Virtuosity explores the evil fantasy of every science fiction addict by bringing an evil virtual villain out of the computer and onto the streets. Seventeen years ago, this was a wild fantasy. Today, with the way we are going with computers, not so much. But you have to enjoy the acting in this one as well as the plot, which is somewhat original. The cast is eclectic, with the powerful Russell Crowe as the virtual bad guy, a two dimensional creature bent on death and destruction, and Crowe brings a frightening believability to the role. Denzel wasn't quite the heart throb at the time, but his portrayal of Parker Barnes is excellent, and we get to feel the characters emotions and angst as he is taunted again and again by this evil construct. Louise Fletcher is the uncaring, evil woman in charge of the virtual simulations, and she is perfectly opposed by Kelly Lynch (aka Mrs. John Travolta) throughout the film. A cameo by Traci Lords and an early performance by a 10 year old Kaley Cuoco (Penny on Big Bang Theory) round out an excellent cast and make for an entertaining film. Rated R for violence, language, and disturbing content, including sex, this is one for an afternoon or evening when you are tired of the run of the mill fare. Collectible? Not necessarily, but worth a rental.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon - 2009

Imprint Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, Sunswept Entertainment

Directed by Chris Weitz

Cast:

• Bella Swan – Kristen Stewart
• Edward Cullen – Robert Pattinson
• Jacob Black – Taylor Lautner
• Charlie Swan – Billy Burke
• Angela – Christian Serratos
• Alice Cullen – Ashley Greene
• Jasper Hale – Jackson Rathbone
• Aro – Michael Sheen
• Jane – Dakota Fanning

Story: Summer has ended and Bella is back to school, and so is Edward. The subject of his immortality has come to bear on Bella, and she is wanting to be turned. But Edward does not want to be the cause of her fall from grace, for he fears he is damned for all eternity for being what he is. After an incident where Bella is at the Cullen's home for her birthday party and accidentally cuts her finger, Edward decides it is best for Bella that he leaves. The Cullen's depart, and Bella falls into a deep depression. When she comes up for air, she discovers whenever she is in a dangerous situation, Edward appears as a spirit. She is so desperate to see him she continues to take risks, until she jumps off a clif into the sea and nearly drowns. Since Alice cannot see what has happened, Edward believes she is dead and no longer wants to live, so he travels to Italy to ask permission of the Volturie, the leading council of the vampires, to die. Bella arrives in the nick of time to save his life, but the only way Bella can be allowed to live is by becoming one of them.

Review: Yes, I know. I started with Breaking Dawn Part 1 and haven't even touched upon Twilight yet. My bad, I guess, but I find this second installment of the series much more intriguing than the first. Here we have actual drama, as real as a story about vampires can be, and real conflict. Bella is a teenage girl who acts like a teenage girl, and both Jacob and Edward act like teenage boys...which is sort of a real contradiction in Edward's case. I mean, after a couple of hundred years, don't you think a man might have some modicum of maturity? But maybe being a vampire retards your common sense in favor of your hormones. Hmmm. Wait a minute, what hormones? He's dead! Oh well, I could go on and on with the contradictions in this film, but who am I to rain on anyone's parade? This is a Romeo and Juliet set in the fantasy of seclusion and passion, a love that was written in the stars. The special effects are great, especially the transformation sequences with Jacob and the rest of the tribe. After all, you knew they were werewolves, right? And the addition of Michael Sheen as Aro, the head of the Volturie and Dakota Fanning as Jane, the evil inflicter of pain with a devilish smile, brings a new dimension of mystery to the story. Rated PG-13 for violence and dramatic action, this one is safe for the teens and even the 10 year old girls who are lovers of romance. Collectible if you have the original, and my wife and daughters own all four and are anxiously awaiting the fifth. (There you go, ladies, I reviewed it.)

Groundhog Day - 1993

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Directed by Harold Ramis

Cast:

• Phil – Bill Murray
• Rita – Andie MacDowell
• Larry – Chris Elliot
• Ned – Stephen Tobolowsky
• Buster – Brian Doyle-Murray

Story: Phil the Weatherman has a little problem. Okay, Phil the Weatherman has a lot of problems, but this particular one is unique. Phil is caught in a Karmic Loop. He has to keep living the same day over and over again until he gets it right. But he has no idea of what right is. Up until now, he has been a miserable excuse for a human being, selfish, self centered, and inconsiderate, thinking of other people as just a means to an end. His producer, Rita, and his cameraman, Larry, pretty much consider Phil as another never will be local broadcaster who works cheap enough to get by. For Phil, no matter what he does, he wakes up in the same room at six a.m. every morning. Slowly it dawns on him that he can do anything he wants, anything at all, and there are no consequences. Or are there?

Review: Groundhog Day is one of those films you either love or hate. No in between, no take it or leave it. Everyone has an opinion, and surprisingly they all appear to be valid. I fall on the “love it” side of the equation, but I am a huge Bill Murray fan. Everyone knows a Bill Murray, the guy who wants to do something just wrong enough to get him fired and just right enough to be fun. Bill's character in this film is at the stage in his life where he is totally focused on advancing his career, regardless of what happens to those around him, which is why he cannot advance his career. Chris Elliot as Larry the cameraman is resolved to his role in life, observing the lives of others and getting his paycheck at the end of the day. Maybe Chris wanted to try a straight role for once, maybe there was only room for one comedian in the film, but Chris actually contributes little to the film. Andie MacDowell is the naïve, wide eyed beginning producer who really doesn't care about her job as much as she cares about her own agenda. Only in her case, she isn't willing to step over or on people to get where she needs to be in life. Personally I like this film because it is an exhaustive study on the transition of a man through circumstance from an ass to a man. Rated PG for a couple of sexual situations and some violence, I'd say the teens would not be offended, but I doubt they will get it. Collectible if you like Murray, or just like an interesting play on Karma.

Flatliners - 1990

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Stonebridge Entertainment

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Cast:

• Nelson – Kiefer Sutherland
• David Labraccio – Kevin Bacon
• Rachael Mannus – Julia Roberts
• Joe Hurley – William Baldwin
• Randy Steckle – Oliver Platt
• Winnie Hicks – Kimberly Scott
• Billy Mahoney – Joshua Rudoy
• Anne Coldren – Hope Davis

Story: Five medical students are searching for proof of something beyond death. Nelson, the experiment's innovator and the leader of the five, has devised a plan to kill himself, temporarily, and be revived after a minute and a half of documented death. His classmates will then revive him and he can relate what happened. The experiment goes as planned, but there is one unforeseen complication. He brings his past sin with him. One by one, the students undergo the same experience, but they stay dead longer each time, and each of them brings something back with them. Each person finds the resolution in confronting the past, and each with terrifying results.

Review: Every time I think about this film, I have this flashback of Wednesday Addams about to electrocute Pugsly while playing a game called “Is there a God?” The premise of the film is that one could view the afterlife and come back with the ability to report on their findings. The idea that a medical school would admit or retain anyone who had these tendencies, let alone allow a sizable amount of expensive equipment to go unaccounted for, is ridiculous. Given that, I have to say the film has merit, but it is certainly not the merit of a sound plot. The acting, however, is superb, and every cast member should be applauded for their ability to rise to the occasion in this somewhat palatable “horror” film. Kiefer's ability to maintain his character's persona is exceptional, breaking at just the right moment in the film. Julia Roberts certainly gives us a performance rivaling her work in previous films, as well as adding an interesting perspective to the idea of guilt and redemption. Kevin Bacon is the glue than binds this band together, with his ability to maintain the focus of the five on the problems they are facing. Oliver Platt provides an interesting sort of comic relief, and William Baldwin brings his boyish demeanor into play with his particular sin, although you have to wonder how that character ever got into medical school. The sets really give us the “horror” feeling, and you have to give Joel Schumacher his props for his camera angles and framing of the these spooky rooms and buildings. Rated R for violence, sexual references and scenes, and language, definitely not one for the younger set. Wouldn't want to give anyone ideas.

Quigley Down Under - 1990

Pathé Entertainment

Directed by Simon Wincer

Cast:

• Matthew Quigley – Tom Selleck
• Crazy Cora – Laura San Giacomo
• Elliot Marston – Alan Rickman
• Major Ashley-Pitt – Chris Haywood
• Grimmelman – Ron Haddrick
• O'Flynn – Ben Mendelsohn

Story: Elliot Marston has a problem. He advertises for the best long-range rifleman in the world to come to Australia and work for him. When Matthew Quigley arrives from Montana, his Sharps rifle in hand, Marston thinks his problem will be solved. That is, until Marston explains it isn't wild dogs he wants killed but aborigines. Quigley has just arrived after three months at sea, and is in no mood to be told he's been lied to. After a physical confrontation with Marston and his men, Quigley and Crazy Cora, a woman who was being taken to Marston's ranch as “company” for the men, are taken out from the ranch and left to die in the wilderness. Somehow, that doesn't work out, and now Marston has a much bigger problem: Quigley. After being found in the desert by the aborigines, who save their lives with water and tribal medicine, he defends them against a couple of assaults by Marston's men, and winds up with a bounty on his head. When he learns that Marston is offering the bounty, he lets him know in no uncertain terms he is not pleased.

Review: Granted this is not the old west, although it is set in Western Australia. Tom Selleck, in my opinion, was born a couple of decades late. It's too bad the romance with westerns has passed on, since Selleck could have easily been a contemporary of The Duke. His easy-going, “down home” style and charm work well in the western genre, and with the exception of Robert Duvall and Sam Elliot, I can't think of another star who fits the “cowboy” persona better. Well, maybe Eastwood. Laura San Giacomo works beautifully as the films female love interest and comedy relief, since neither Rickman or Selleck offer us much in that way. She gives us her story in brief episodes, the returns to the “Crazy Cora” persona long enough to convince us it isn't all an act. Or is it? Alan Rickman plays what he plays best, an arrogant ass with money and power who enjoys pulling the wings off butterflies when he isn't shooting down people for the fun of it. He uses money as his weapon, and indulges himself whenever possible. Since most of his men are conscripts from the local prison, Marston is of the belief he is untouchable. The aborigines have no lines in English, and are pretty much the window dressing of the film, although there are some interesting scenes where Selleck and the aborigines interact. Overall, the film has plenty of flaws and lapses, but they are easy to look past when you watch the action scenes. And neither Selleck for the ladies or San Giacomo for the gentlemen are that hard to look at. Rated PG-13 for violence and sexual innuendo, the teens in the house will have no problem with the plot and the adults will enjoy the various quibbles between the principles. Not sure if this is all that collectible, but I have a copy. Like I said, I like westerns, and I like Selleck.

Kindergarten Cop - 1990

Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Cast:

• Det. John Kimble – Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Joyce Palmeri – Penelope Ann Miller
• Det. Phoebe O'Hara – Pamela Reed
• Miss Schlowski – Linda Hunt
• Cullen Crisp, Sr. - Richard Tyson
• Eleanor Crisp – Carroll Baker
• Sylvester's Mom – Cathy Moriarty
• Samantha's Mom – Park Overall

Story: A hardcore narcotics detective and his partner go undercover to locate the runaway wife of a drug kingpin and their son in a rural Oregon town. Phoebe O'Hara is to substitute teach the kindergarten class while John Kimble looks around the town for clues. But on the night before they are to take their positions, O'Hara falls ill and Kimble is forced to fill the role as the teacher to the kindergarten class. Miss Schlowski looks on as the children run amok and Kimble almost loses his mind, but O'Hara saves the day, and by the end of the show the kids are loving their new teacher.

Review: Before this, I think everyone thought about Arnold as Conan or the Terminator. And you can hardly blame them. After all, Arnold is the muscular, imposing prototype for the majority of action heroes on the screen today. Even after Twins, Arnold had a lot of resistance to using him in non-action roles. But this role is the one that proved he could be funny and still make a great impresson on the audience and fans alike. Arnold is all the things any action hero would cringe at, polite, gentle, understanding, and even in touch with his feelings. Pamela Reed is the perfect foil for Arnold in this lighthearted comedy with a twist. Her presence on the screen provides just the right amount of pure comedy and tomfoolery to make the less than plausible scenes work. And as usual, she ends up with all the great lines. Penelope Ann Miller is, well, Penelope Ann Miller. Her role as the teacher across the hall from Arnold's class gives the two of them a few occasions to intermingle, but I think Reitman could have made a few more scenes work. Linda Hunt is absolutely delightful as the principal who looks on while this brooding hulk of a man tries to tame the wild children. Cathy Moriarity provides us with a look into the “single parent capital of the west”, and while her role is brief, her input and presence is remarkable. Overall, the film has a buoyancy that allows you to sit through the more placid moments and still want to stay in your seat to see what happens. The real stars are the kids, of course, and I would be remiss not to mention early appearances by Odette Yustman (now Annable), Adam Wylie, and Krystle and Tiffany Mataras, to mention just a few. Rated PG-13 for references to drugs, some language, and some violence, this film is a classic for the kids (I'd say 10 and up, but that is your call) and definitely a keeper for your collection.

Shooter - 2007

Paramount Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures, Grosvenor Park Impact Productions

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Cast:

• Bob Lee Swagger – Mark Wahlberg
• Nick Memphis – Michael Pena
• Col. Isaac Johnson – Danny Glover
• Sarah Fenn – Kate Mara
• Jack Payne – Elias Koteas
• Alourdes Galindo – Rhona Mitra
• Michael Sandor – Rade Serbedzija
• Sen. Charles Meachem – Ned Beatty

Story: A Marine Sniper and his spotter are assigned to a covert operation with the CIA in Africa. As the team they are covering is withdrawing, they take out enemy targets, but they are much larger and better equipped than they were led to believe. During the battle, the spotter is killed, but the sniper, Sgt. Bob Lee Swagger, manages to escape without the support of the team in charge of the operation. Two weeks later, the CIA operative in charge suddenly disappears without a trace, and Swagger retires. Three years later, Swagger is living alone in the mountains, his only companion his dog. He gets a visit from Col. Johnson who wants Bob Lee to plan an assassination of the President in order to prevent the real thing from taking place, or so he is told. Systematically, Bob Lee is framed for the assassination of an African Archbishop who is on the dais with the President during a speech in Philadelphia, and he enlists the aid of his spotter's ex-wife and a suspended FBI agent to get to the bottom of the matter and prove his innocence.

Review: Don't you wish guys like this existed? Along the lines of Batman and The Punisher, this character is the epitome of a modern “superhero” who survives attempt after attempt to kill him and ultimately knows the game of war better than the professionals. Mark Wahlberg is exceptionally suited to this role as the rough and tough Marine disillusioned at his country's treatment and sanctioning of “black ops” while abandoning the men who carry them out. Michael Pena is the young FBI agent overcome by Wahlberg as he is making his escape from the men trying to kill him. Pena develops the character with finesse, so you believe the transition he undergoes from FBI agent to Swagger's assistant and contemporary. Kate Mara as Sarah Fenn is refreshing and believable, moving from confusion to commitment to rage in her efforts to help Swagger. Elias Koteas is the brutal, cold and ruthless enforcer whose experiences have led him to believe he is above the law. Both Danny Glover and Ned Beatty are impeccable as Col. Johnson and Sen. Meachem, the villains behind the scene, all more villainous because the operate under the guise of law. Overall the film is quick and tight, with clearly defined good guys and bad guys, and the cinematography, photography, and script are a perfect fit. Rated R for violence, language, and sexual sadism, it is sad to say the teens have probably seen this level of violence in the online games they play, but the little ones probably don't need to see it. Collectible if you like action genre films, or just like good stories.

Revenge - 1990

New World Pictures, Rastar Films

Directed by Tony Scott

Cast:

• Michael “Jay” Cochran – Kevin Costner
• Tiberon “Tibey” Mendez – Anthony Quinn
• Miryea Mendez – Madeline Stowe
• Caesar - Tomas Milian
• ”Texan” - James Gammon
• Rock Star – Sally Kirkland
• Amador – Miguel Ferrer
• Ignacio – John Leguizamo

Story: “Jay” Cochran has come to the end of the line with the Navy. The F-14 pilot has turned in his papers and is ready to take a vacation to his cabin in Mexico to try to discover what he wants to do with the rest of his life. His friend and tennis partner, Tiberon (spanish for Shark) Mendez has invited him to his estate, to play tennis and go hunting. “Tibey” is a powerful man in his district and is heavily involved in the local politics. At home, he has a beautiful young wife named Miryea. She wants children, he does not. They have an arranged marriage and she is a trophy wife for Tiberon, but she is his wife. Cochran soon realizes two things: She is very bored in her marriage, and he is falling in love with her. Despite the danger of being with another man's wife in a Latino culture, Cochran and Miryea begin an affair that can only have one ending. When they are caught together at his cabin, Tiberon has Cochran beaten, his cabin burned, and his wife given to a brothel. Left for dead, Cochran is determined to find Miryea, at any cost.

Review: So much for Shakespeare being the only true writer of tragedy, or was that the Greeks? No matter, this film is a true tragedy with the roles being portrayed with an air of believability rarely witnessed in today's films. Set in the Latino culture where men of wealth are expected to have female “friends” but their women are to remain faithful, the real drama her lies in the danger of violating this taboo. Kevin Costner's portrayal of the Navy pilot and Vietnam veteran who has spent the last twelve years of his life piloting fighter jets is remarkable. He is the man without a vision of his future, a man seeking meaning in the world and hoping to find the reality of his life. But with no purpose in his life, he quickly becomes enamored of the beautiful Madeline Stowe, the bored and unhappy wife of his “best friend”, played by Anthony Quinn. Quinn is the wealthy and dangerous maker of politicians, and an associate of many people in power, but he is also both hated and feared by the common people. Around these three principles are Miguel Ferrer, John Leguizamo, and Sally Kirkland, an impressive trio of character actors who lend a hand to Costner in his search for Stowe. This is not a film with a happy ending, and the question you must ask yourself at the end is who is responsible? Rated R for violence, nudity, language, and sexual situations, this is definitely not for the teens or the children, and while I have a copy, I will leave it to you to decide to include it in your collection.

A Walk In The Clouds - 1995

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Zucker Brothers Productions

Directed by Alfonso Arau

Cast:

• Paul Sutton – Keanu Reeves
• Victoria Aragon – Aitana Sanchez-Gijon
• Don Pedro Aragon – Anthony Quinn
• Alberto Aragon – Giancarlo Giannini
• Marie Jose Aragon – Angelica Aragon
• Guadelupe Aragon – Evangelina Elizondo
• Pedro Aragon, Jr. - Freddy Rodriguez
• Betty Sutton – Debra Messing

Story: World War II is over, and men are returning to their wives and lovers from overseas. Paul Sutton returns to find his bride less than enthusiastic about his return, or even about him. She has not read the letters he has sent, and barely ever wrote to him. Disenchanted, he takes his old job as a door-to-door chocolates salesman back and heads out by train to Sacramento to take up his new district. On the way, he meets a young lady who is heading to her home. She is obviously distraught and through a series of events he discovers she is a soon to be a mother, but she is a catholic returning to her home without a husband. Her family has a vineyard in the Napa valley, and her father is a very traditional man who has said many times he would disown anyone who dishonored his family, including her. Paul proposes a solution, that he pose as her husband for a day, then leave a note abandoning her to protect her honor for her family. But one day turns into several, and Paul finds himself falling in love with Victoria. Paul must choose a new life for himself, and must fight for the woman he loves.

Review: Romance without the comedy....well, almost. There are a few scenes in this love story which will bring out a few chuckles, but all in all this is a film about family, love, and joy. Keanu Reeves portrays the orphan Paul Sutton, a man who has fought to be acknowledged all his life and has returned a decorated war hero and a young man in search of himself. He has had a lot of time to think about who he is and what he wants to be. He and Debra Messing portray an often ignored segment of the American post war population, the ones who got married on the spur of the moment and were separated for four years during the war. They grew apart, and hardly know one another. So when Paul meets Victoria, he is pursuing a path unknown, a path beyond the dreams he made in his mind while separated from Betty. Aitana Sanchez-Gijon portrays the woman “in trouble”, which at that time being pregnant out of wedlock was nearly cause for public stoning, and especially in a strict Roman Catholic family. Her performance, along with the stellar performances of Anthony Quinn as Victoria's grandfather and Giancarlo Giannini as Victoria's father, make this romance a stunning piece of true romance. Every scene, every nuance of the film presses you deeper and deeper into the feelings of the characters, and the scenery and photography are incredibly breathtaking. Rated PG-13 for sexual themes and war scenes, this is a film for Date Night with your significant other. Collectible, absolutely, if for no other reason than to have evidence of Keanu's occasional good sense in accepting a role.

Laws of Attraction - 2004

Deep River Productions, Irish DreamTime, Initial Entertainment Group (IEG)

Directed by Peter Howitt

Cast:

• Daniel Rafferty – Pierce Brosnan
• Audrey Woods – Julianne Moore
• Thorne Jamison – Michael Sheen
• Serena – Parker Posey
• Sara Miller – Frances Fisher
• Judge Abramovitz – Nora Dunn

Story: When you are the number one divorce lawyer in the city, especially when its New York City, you tend to get noticed and attract high profile clients. But what happens when you are suddenly vying to keep your status as number one? Audrey Woods is a ruthless professional who tries to keep everything professional in her life, including her sparsely populated love life, when suddenly she comes face to face with Daniel Rafferty, an incredibly talented attorney who has the audacity to compete with her, even beat her in court. When Rafferty “steals” a client away from him, the fashion designer wife of a rock star, Woods counters with becoming the rock star's attorney, and the discovery is so hostile over a castle in Ireland, the two lawyers are ordered to investigate the claims by traveling to Ireland and speaking with staff. While in Ireland they attend a local town festival where they are introduced to the local customs, in a very personal way.

Review: Delightful and wonderfully romantic. Is that too much? Seriously, you have here the perfect love story in the perfect setting with the most perfect couple one can think of, if you are thinking of true Irishmen and Irish descendents. Pierce Brosnan is witty, charming, cute “as per Frances Fisher in the film”, and above all, incredibly gifted in this role. When you watch him here, you are reminded of the films of David Niven or Cary Grant, and that is no mean comparison coming from someone who sorely laments the lost of such talents. Julianne Moore comes up to Pierce brilliantly, and you could see this film occurring thirty years ago, starring Grant and Hepburn. Julianne's character is the perfect foil for Brosnan's in this delightful duel of the sexes. Parker Posey and Michael Sheen are the typical young adults caught up in their success, and going through a rough patch of the “I'm so neglected” stage of marriage, which the two of them carry off wonderfully. The maraschino cherry on this particular confection is the wonderful appearance of the beautiful Frances Fisher, than lovely lady who has the cheekbones of Venus de Milo and the accompanying smile. Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language, I personally recommend this as a film for you and that significant other when the kids are in bed, or for Date Night.

Other People's Money - 1991

Warner Bros. Pictures, Yorktown Productions

Directed by Norman Jewison

Cast:

• Lawrence Garfield – Danny DeVito
• Andrew “Yorgy” Jorgenson – Gregory Peck
• Kate Sullivan – Penelope Ann Miller
• Bea Sullivan – Piper Laurie
• Bill Coles – Dean Jones
• Arthur – R. D. Call
• Harriet – Mo Gaffney

Story: "Larry the Liquidator" is a man on a mission. As a Wall Street Investor and a player in the game, he wants to make as much money as possible. His computer, named “Carmen”, is the first thing he looks at in the mornings, and she's telling him about New England Wire and Cable, a sixty year old company on the verge of obsolescence. As a stockholder, he decides to visit the company and see if he can buy them out. His visit doesn't go so well. The owner and chairman of the board, “Yorgy” Jorgenson, almost has him thrown out of the building. But Larry is undeterred. He begins buying stock in the company to force a takeover. “Yorgy” enlists the help of his stepdaughter, a successful New York City attorney, who begins filing injunctions and using all sorts of legal tactics to protect the company, but when Kate Sullivan finally walks into Larry's office, Larry begins what has to be the strangest romance ever seen in cinema. Through maneuver after maneuver, he tries to woo the beautiful Kate, while continuing to pursue the defunct company.

Review:About four years earlier, Gordon Gecko became the most hated man in America, the epitome of greed and corruption. Danny DeVito, that diminutive tyrant from Taxi, manages to give us a fresh perspective on the successful, honest Wall Street investment type. Lawrence lives well, a posh NYC townhouse, a valet/cook/chauffeur, and a corner office in his own firm on Wall Street. This is a side of DeVito unseen up to this film, and it shows you just how versatile he can be. He is the romantic leading man in this delightful study of human interaction, and he carries it off beautifully. Penelope Ann Miller, that ravishing redhead with the lithe body and delicate bone structure, plays the modern, independent woman who has battled her way to the top and knows how to play the game. She is forceful with just the right amount of submissiveness, prideful with just the right balance of humility, and classically beautiful in a very subtle, yet Venus de Milo way. Gregory Peck delivers a stunning performance as the aging, stubborn, factory manager who refuses to accept the advice of others, sort of a mortal Yoda with no ability to see into the future. Dean Jones departs from his ever bubbly Disney persona to deliver a serious role of the president of a company with an uncertain future. Piper Laurie, well, there is a very short list of desirable women in the world, but she is definitely on it. She comes across as the ever present cheerleader, the woman behind the man. Overall, the plot is fast paced and entertaining, with plenty of DeVito personality to make this one of the finest romantic comedies to ever hit the screen. Rated R for language and sex-related dialog, I hardly think the teens in your household will be offended or negatively impacted by this delightful film. Definitely a collectible for you connoisseurs of fine romantic comedy, and fans of DeVito.

The Double - 2011

Hyde Park Entertainment, Agent Two, Brandt/Haas Productions

Directed by Michael Brandt

Cast:

• Paul Shepherdson – Richard Gere
• Ben Geary – Topher Grace
• Tom Highland – Martin Sheen
• Bozlovski – Tamer Hassan
• Brutus – Stephen Moyer
• Oliver – Chris Marquette
• Natalie Geary – Odette Annable
• Amber – Stana Katic
• Leo – Yuri Sardarov
• Sen. Dennis Darden – Ed Kelly
• Agent Weaver – Jeffrey Pierce

Story: A cold war assassin previously thought dead, code named Cassius, has appeared to come out of retirement with the killing of a diplomat in the nation's capitol. FBI director Highland orders retired Special Agent Paul Shepherdson out of retirement. Shepherdson was the man who tracked Cassius and his crew of trained assassins for more than twenty years, but never caught him. But Director Highland thinks he is still the man for the job. Highland teams Shepherdson with Ben Geary, an analyst whose master's thesis was on Cassius. The two pursue leads, always one step behind the killer, who kills with a most unique cut to the throat. They soon discover there is a leak, but who?

Review: Lots of turns and twists in this fast paced tale of spies and espionage. Richard Gere and Topher Grace work well together in this excellently crafted spy thriller. The entire cast works as an ensemble to present a tale worthy of your interest. Without revealing too much, it is safe to tell you this story deals with what happened to the agents in the field at the fall of the Soviet Union and whatever became of the KGB. Odette Annable is remarkable as Topher's wife, and gives us the impression of the clean cut, all American wife supporting her FBI husband. Martin Sheen is, as always, remarkable in his portrayal of the FBI Director. Overall, the cinematography and photography are crisp and clear, the plot is excellent, and the film is an exceptional effort to keep your attention. Rated PG-13 for violence, some disturbing images, and language, I can safely recommend this one to the parents for a good family film, as long as the little ones are in bed. Be prepared for the last 10 minutes of the film, you won't see it coming. Collectible, too soon to tell, but it ranks right up there with Bond and Bourne.

The Lincoln Lawyer - 2011

Lionsgate, Lakeshore Entertainment, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

Directed by Brad Furman

Cast:

• Mick Haller – Matthew McConaughey
• Maggie McPherson – Marisa Tomei
• Louis Roulet – Ryan Phillipe
• Frank Levin – William H. Macy
• Ted Minton – Josh Lucas
• Val Valenzuela – John Leguizamo
• Jesus Martinez – Michael Pena
• Cecil Dobbs – Bob Gunton
• Mary Windsor – Frances Fisher
• Detective Lanksford – Bryan Cranston
• Eddie Vogel – Trace Adkins

Story: Ah, the life of a successful defense attorney in Los Angeles. All glamour and movie stars. Not! Matthew Haller realistically defends the scum of the Earth, and he knows it. His clients are drug dealers, murderers, and other criminals, but he comforts himself with the fact they pay well. His office is the back seat of his classic Lincoln Continental, and his part-time chauffeur and bodyguard is ready and observant. But sometimes, you have to actually defend a client who might be innocent, and if you lose, the fact that you failed at your job is likely to haunt you. That's what happens when another attorney, Val Valenzuela, drops a case in Haller's lap, a young man from a family with money accused of attempted rape and assault. His ex-wife is the prosecutor, and Haller discovers he is defending a guilty man, but a client of his who is serving time on death row may be innocent. How can Haller defend his client when he knows he is guilty?

Review: Okay, so not the most original plot, but some nice twists and turns. Matthew McConaughey gives a good performance in this courtroom drama, and is supported by an incredibly able cast. Veteran character actors William H. Macy and John Leguizamo add class and excitement with excellent portrayals of the investigator and the referring attorney. The remaining cast rises to their level, so we have a cast of professionals giving us a polished and entertaining production. The fact that two of the most beautiful ladies in film are included doesn't hurt. Marisa Tomei manages to keep her clothing on (unlike The Wrestler) in spite of a torrid love scene with McConaughey. And the absolutely beautiful Frances Fisher is incredible as the domineering mother of the accused who is footing the bill through her son. Kudos to Trace Adkins for a small but well done performance as the leader of the motorcycle gang who has Haller on retainer. (I guess no one is satisfied with just being an excellent singer and performer anymore.) Overall, the film is fast paced, well edited, and entertaining, exactly what a good movie should be. Rated R for violence, sexual innuendo, and language, this one is for the older teens and the adults. Too much explaining for the rug rats. Collectible? Not particularly, unless you are a fan of McConaughey, Tomei, or good courtroom drama.

The Avengers - 2012

Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures, Albuquerque Studios

Directed by Joss Whedon

Cast:

• Tony Stark / Iron Man – Robert Downey Jr.
• Steve Rogers / Captain America – Chris Evans
• Thor – Chris Hemsworth
• Bruce Banner / Hulk – Mark Ruffalo
• Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow – Scarlett Johansson
• Clint Barton / Hawkeye – Jeremy Renner
• Loki – Tom Hiddleston
• Nick Fury – Samuel L. Jackson
• Agent Phil Coulson – Clark Gregg
• Agent Maria Hill – Cobie Smulders
• Pepper Potts – Gwyneth Paltrow
• Professor Eric Selvig – Stellan Skarsgard
• Jarvis – Paul Bettany (voice)

Story: Loki, the half-brother of Thor, has teamed up with an alien race to conquer and enslave the Earth. In exchange, he must provide the aliens with the Tesseract, the ancient cube of power once hidden on Earth by Odin, later discovered by the Red Skull to power his evil weapons, and now in the hands of SHIELD, thanks to the efforts of Howard Stark, Tony's father. He steals the Tesseract, and uses its power to gain control of Professor Selvig, who is experimenting with it, and Hawkeye, who is assigned to protect it. When Loki steals the Tesseract, Nick Fury reaches out to assemble the team of superheroes to retrieve it, but he faces an uphill battle from the Commission and the Superheroes themselves. Will the Avengers Initiative fail, or will the superheroes conquer the aliens?

Review: Yahoo! The legacy lives on and the story is great! I know there were some concerns out there regarding the former creator of Buffy and Angel doing the screenplay and directing, and there were also a few eyebrows raised when Disney took over the Marvel brand. But everyone can relax, because this flag is up the pole, and everyone is saluting.
Robert Downey Jr. is especially his arrogant self as Tony Stark, and I loved the scenes where he and Gwyneth Paltrow are acting like a couple. His interactions with Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo set the stage for the internal conflicts with each other and Samuel L. Jackson. The dynamics of the characters could not have been any better.
And speaking of the newest member of the Marvel character crew, hats off to Mark Ruffalo who took a role once played, poorly, by Eric Bana, and somewhat better by Ed Norton, and not only made it his own, but made Bruce Banner come to life in realistic ways. His persona as the more aggressive scientist with self control and determination lends to the idea such a being might be controlled, or at least directed.
Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston play beautifully off one another, which gives us the impression of the Asgardian egos and the depths to which they extend. Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner are perfect as the bodyguards nee assassins who are as courageous as they are talented. And Clark Gregg reprises his role from Iron Man and Thor to remind us there are always dedicated men who are simply trying to do their job, in spite of extraordinary circumstances.
The story is fast paced, and wastes little time in exposition, with smidgens of personal lives and assignments interspersed in the film. Overall, the cinematography is exceptional, the graphics are phenomenal, and the entire film has the flow and character of the Comic Books (okay, Graphic Novels) of our misspent youth. I went in expecting an epic, and was not disappointed. Rated PG-13 for violence and a mild reference to drugs, anyone who ever read the stories and those of us who love the prequels (let's face it, folks, Iron Man, Thor, etc. were all prequels to this event) will love this film. I've already reserved a copy for my collection, and you should, too.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - 2011

Studio Canal, Karla Films, Paradis Films

Directed by Tomas Alfredson

Cast:

• Control – John Hurt
• Jim Prideaux – Mark Strong
• George Smiley – Gary Oldman
• Percy Alleline – Toby Jones
• Toby Esterhase – David Dencik
• Roy Bland – Ciaran Hinds
• Bill Hayden – Colin Firth
• Jerry Westerby – Stephen Graham

Story: In the early 1970s during the Cold War, the head of British Intelligence, Control, resigns after an operation in Budapest, Hungary goes badly wrong. It transpires that Control believed one of four senior figures in the service was in fact a Russian agent - a mole - and the Hungary operation was an attempt to identify which of them it was. Smiley had been forced into retirement by the departure of Control, but is asked by a senior government figure to investigate a story told to him by a rogue agent, Ricky Tarr, that there was a mole. Smiley considers that the failure of the Hungary operation and the continuing success of Operation Witchcraft (an apparent source of significant Soviet intelligence) confirms this, and takes up the task of finding him. Through the efforts of Peter Guillam, Smiley obtains information that eventually leads him to Jim Prideaux, the agent at the heart of the Hungary fiasco...David Brain

Review: If you're looking for Bond or Bourne style action, this is not your film. This is a film about the reality of intelligence and espionage, not a flamboyant skit of shooting after shooting. However, if you liked The Good Shepherd or J. Edgar, you will find this film as intriguing as I did. This is an intricately laced film about the number one rule of spying: Trust No One. Gary Oldman is superb in this low-key thriller as George Smiley, the intelligence operator destined to become Control. Violence is at a minimum, but the fascinating web of deceit and revelations is worth a couple of hours of your time. Rated R for language and some violence, and subject matter, not necessarily a collectible.

Contraband - 2012

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur

Cast:

• Chris Farraday – Mark Wahlburg
• Sebastian Abney – Ben Foster
• Danny Raymer – Lukas Haas
• Kate Farraday – Kate Beckinsale
• Tim Briggs – Giovani Ribisi
• Ben Farraday – William Lucking
• Captain Camp – J. K. Simmons

Story: So Chris Farraday used to be a smuggler..an A-1 smuggler. He didn't smuggle drugs, but he did smuggle high end items. But all that is behind him now. He owns a security company, installing and maintaining security systems for wealthy clients. Until he gets the word, his brother-in-law was smuggling drugs into the country and had to dump his shipment when they were about to be boarded by Customs. Now he is on the hook for the money paid for the product and Chris has to get back into the business for one last job. He leaves his wife and son in the care of Sebastian, a former smuggler and alcoholic who now has a construction business. While he is away, the criminals are harassing his wife and son, his brother-in-law makes a stupid mistake, and Chris has to make some quick decisions to save his wife and son from the real criminals.

Review: Great action and a great cast combine to make this an exceptional action fim. Okay, so the premise of the film is tried and true, an expert criminal who has gotten out of the life (Gone in 60 Seconds, etc.) is forced back in to protect a loved one. Interesting that Giovanni Ribisi is the criminal this time, tattooed and viscous, and Mark Wahlburg is the former smuggler. But when you watch the film, the entire cast is fluid and coherent, and the action is logical and reasonable. Ben Foster does an excellent job in his part, and it is nice to see Lukas Haas in a role that doesn't involve aliens or lovesick people. Veteran William Lucking, whose portrayal of “tough guys” through the years has entertained literally millions, is believable as Mark Wahlburg's dad, and J. K. Simmons (Emil Skoda in Law and Order and the Farmer's Insurance Guy) is excellent as the corrupt Captain Camp. So in addition to a great cast, the action scenes are flawless, the continuity is perfect, and film has a consistent feel throughout that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Rated R for violence and language, this may not be a collectible unless you're a Wahlburg fan, but certainly one for the folks who love a “crime never pays” film with plenty of comeuppance for the bad guys.

Rambo III - 1988

Carolco Pictures

Directed by Peter MacDonald

Cast:

• John Rambo – Sylvester Stallone
• Col. Sam Trautman – Richard Crenna
• Col. Zaysen – Marc de Jonge
• Griggs – Kurtwood Smith
• Masoud – Spiros Focas
• Mousa – Sasson Gabai
• Hamid – Doudi Shoua
• Kourov – Randy Raney
• Tomask – Marcus Gilbert

Story: Three years have passed since John Rambo recovered the POW's in the Vietnamese prison camp and walked away from his connections with the U.S.. He's been living in Thailand with the monks, doing manual labor and odd jobs, and occasionally raising some cash by stick fighting. But eventually his past is going to come back to haunt him. Col. Trautman gets wind of his location and with the help of the U.S. Embassy, tracks him down. When he finally meets up with John, he offers him another mission, this one in Afghanistan. The Soviet commander in one zone just over the Pakistan border is a particularly cruel and effective man, the mission is to investigate and discover how this man is getting his intelligence. Rambo refuses the mission, and Trautman leaves. Several weeks later, Griggs, the man from the Embassy comes to tell Rambo his friend has been captured. Without hesitation, Rambo volunteers to go in to rescue Trautman, knowing full well if he is caught or captured, the U. S. government will not acknowledge him. When John goes into Pakistan to meet his guide, he discovers the source of the leak, and must go into battle against the Soviets to free his friend.

Review: So First Blood 2 was a segue? Start with the Vietnamese and end up with the Soviets? Sigh. Well, the truth of the matter is this third film of the franchise is no less exciting than the first two, although in the first film we were dealing with a man who felt disconnected from his country. In this film, Rambo has found a sort of peace in his life with the monks, a simple life without the hustle and distraction of modern living. While I doubt Stallone's character has achieved a state of Zen, there is a calmer, more focused individual who is working on the temple buildings. Even in his communication with his Afghan guide, John is calmer, more easy going, yet still guarded in his person. He lets go only what is needed. Technically, the film is superb. The photography and stunts are nothing short of amazing, and the quality of the plot is par for the Rambo action genre. Rated R for violence and language, this film is collectible with the set and viewable once if you have seen the others. Not my favorite of the series, but certainly not the worst.

Joyful Noise - 2012

Alcon Entertainment, Farrell Paura Productions, Gospel Truth Pictures

Directed by Todd Graff

Cast:

• Vi Rise Hill – Queen Latifah
• G. G. Sparrow – Dolly Parton
• Olivia Hill – Keke Palmer
• Randy Garrity – Jeremy Jordan
• Walter Hill – Dexter Darden
• Pastor Dale – Courtney B. Vance
• Marcus Hill – Jesse L. Martin
• Bernard Sparrow – Kris Kristofferson

Story: A small town church choir competes every year in the “Joyful Noise” national choir competition. After the loss of their director, Pastor Dale must choose a new leader. The committee chooses, Vi Rose Hill, the assistant director, over G. G. Sparrow, the director's widow and the major supporter of the church. Vi Rose is a single mother, raising two teenagers alone, and she is very rigid and stubborn person. Olivia, her daughter, is a good girl who is not allowed to date at 16 years old and is attracted to G. G.'s grandson. G. G. is a member of the choir and wants to introduce more modern music and styles to the choir, and when her grandson, Randy, comes to live with her, she hopes his involvement will help to sway the tide in her direction. But Vi Rose and Pastor Dale are unconvinced, and G. G., Randy, Olivia, and the rest of the choir must overcome many hurdles to get Vi Rose to see the light.

Review: A return to a Great Family film without cartoons! Lots of great music, incredibly beautiful scenery, exceptional performances, and that's all in the first five minutes! Seriously, a movie like this comes along once every couple of years, and the words “feel good” are usually attached to the comments made by the critics. If you can't feel good after seeing this, you need to have someone check your pulse and respiration. Queen Latifah, the former rapper who has come far beyond her humble beginning, is wonderful as Vi Rose Hill, a mother trying to raise two children in this scary world. Dolly Parton shines out as the old country woman who has seen all the changes, lost her husband of many years, and is still keeping the faith. Her charm shines through in every scene she is in, and that means you get a lot of down home country charm. Add in the veteran actors, Courtney B. Vance as the pragmatic pastor of this small town flock, and Jessie L. Martin as the absent husband of Vi Rose, trying to support his family in a troubled economy. Newcomers Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan are terrific as the teens who are trying to figure out their place and what to do about the attraction they feel. The plot is fresh, the dialog fun, and the film keeps your interest without once having to shoot anyone or blow up anything. Rated PG-13 (?) for a supposedly sexual reference, I personally think every member of the family will be tapping their toes and singing along where they can. Collectible, well, too soon to tell, but I have a copy.

First Blood: Part II - 1985

Anabasis N.V.

Directed by George P. Cosmatos

Cast:

• John Rambo – Sylvester Stallone
• Col. Sam Trautman – Richard Crenna
• Marshall Murdoch – Charles Napier
• Lt. Col. Podovsky – Steven Berkoff
• Co – Julia Nickson
• Ericson – Martin Kove
• Tay – George Cheung
• Banks – Andy Wood
• Capt. Vinh – William Ghent
• Sgt. Yushin – Voyo Goric
• Capt. Kinh – Dana Lee

Story: Three years after his brush with the law, John Rambo is doing hard labor at a Military prison when Col. Trautman shows up at the gate. He has a proposition for Rambo that might earn him a presidential pardon. He is verify a Vietnamese prison camp, the one he escaped from in Vietnam, is empty and there are no American prisoners being held there. He is inserted by parachute and is almost killed when his gear becomes entangled on the aircraft, but manages to cut himself free. He meets up with his guide, a lovely Vietnamese girl named Co, and proceeds to the camp, only to find there are prisoners being held. When he and one of the prisoners reach the extraction point, Murdoch, the CIA agent in charge, orders the helicopter to abort the mission, leaving Rambo and the prisoner to be recaptured by the Vietnamese and Soviet soldiers. Rambo is interrogated and tortured, but manages to escape with a new mission: Find Murdoch!

Review: Second film in the franchise and heading slowly downhill. While the level of action is certainly maintained in this second installment of the legendary Rambo, the film seems just a bit under the excitement level of the first. The addition of the Soviets in this film is certainly an accusation from Stallone's perspective, and I am sure managed to ruffle a few diplomatic feathers at the time [there was a Soviet Union in 1985, kiddies]. Because of that, the film was shot in Malaysia, since we had no real relationship with Vietnam at that time. So you have to understand the crew was working in miserable conditions with mosquitoes large enough to hold a gun on you while they sucked your blood and humidity thick enough to slice and eat for breakfast. As to the characters, Rambo seems a bit mellower following a three year stint of making little ones out of big ones. Trautman seems like he has lost his self confidence when dealing with Murdoch. And speaking of Murdoch (played by Charles Napier), would you ever trust a word this guy says? Martin Kove is the perpetual pseudo tough guy who has a small and fairly inconsequential role. The remaining cast is straightforward and somewhat boring, but overall the film is entertaining and does have the merit of putting the POW/MIA issue on the forefront. Rated R for violence, disturbing scenes, and language, First Blood 2 is worth seeing once and collectible if you have the set or love Stallone.