My Father the Hero (1994)

I'm a real Gérard Depardieu fan and I enjoyed this movie a lot.

To be cursed with a beautiful daughter, and all the wonderful things that can happen as you have to let her go and grow... well, it's tough. I've got three daughters and man, is it ever a difficult thing.

There's real love and affection in here, even though the daughter attempts to reject all that her father has to offer... eventually there is a meeting of minds, even though there's plenty of misperceptions and 'stories' that get told by the daughter...

"He's my lover", not my dad is where this gets to be hysterical... and to hear Gérard Depardieu sing that old show tune about loving little girls... well, it's hysterical.

His overreactions, her fabrications, the warmth and love amidst the utter humor of it all.

A whole family movie or better yet, a date movie.

Worth watching repeatedly. Well worth buying.

Fourteen year old Nicole's parents are divorced and her French father, Andre, is taking her on a tropical vacation to the Bahamas. Reluctantly, Nikki leaves her mother in New York City for the ten day getaway. She is at the height of her adolescence and she's anything but excited to be in a place that is filled with "old people" as she puts it to her father. While there, she meets seventeen year old Ben, and she's instantly infatuated with him. Wanting to impress her crush, Nikki tells him that she is slightly older than she actually is, and that her father is not her dad, but her boyfriend! Nikki persuades her father into going along with the whole charade, and soon enough, the entire resort finds out and they are absolutely repulsed by the fact that a man of Andre's age has such a young "girlfriend." Hilarious situations and a number of laughs make this movie a winner. One of my all time favorites.

Buy My Father the Hero (1994) Now

This movie was really funny to me. I really loved Katherine Heigl in it, I wish she was in more movies. Alicia Silverstone was out for the role but she was too fat or something, but I think Katherine did a really good job. The script is funny, the whole thing about her making people think her dad was her lover was hilarious. If you don't want to buy this movie, you should at least rent it and watch it. It's adorable.

Read Best Reviews of My Father the Hero (1994) Here

Went with ordering a movie because Gerard Depardieu was in it. It didn't even qualify for silly and not worth the time to see it.

Want My Father the Hero (1994) Discount?

Read More >>

Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet)

Although this is probably the most inconsistent film that Monty Python made, it's still fantastic. It ends up being a series of sketches loosely tied together around the meaning of life. Some are the absolute highlights of the Monty Python canon (e.g. the sex education scene and the disgusting Mr. Creosote), while others are much less successful. This was essentially the last material made by the Python troupe.

This HD-DVD release contains the exact same features as the recent 2-disc DVD special edition. The extra features are superb with a hilarious and insightful commentary by director Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam, who aren't afraid to admit its faults. The trouble with this release is that the film is now over 20 years old and was shot with a relatively low budget so it doesn't look that good to start with. So by getting the HD-DVD you're just seeing the graininess and clunky special effects more clearly. If you already have the DVD there's really no need to get this, but if you're looking to buy it for the first time and you have an HD-DVD player then it's a no-brainer...

...and yes, the meaning of life is revealed in this movie!

Up to their old tricks again, the Pythons finally brought their sketch comedy to the big screen. Putting together a series of unconnected skits with a common theme, they actually pulled it off, though most said it could never be done. As with all of their work, this movie contains several lines that fans will repeat over and over. "Every sperm is sacred!" Most of the skits went down as some of their greatest work, from Cleese teaching Sex in a private school by demonstrating it with his wife in front of the class, to the grossest scene ever performed in cinema, "Mr. Creosote." Absolutely a must-see for anyone with even the faintest of senses of humor.

This DVD presentation is also very solid, including a Making Of feature that lets the personalities of the individuals show through, including Cleese's disdain for doing this film. Some of the extras can be ignored, but I still found myself sitting down for over two hours to check them all out, and I was not disappointed.

Buy Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) Now

The Movie Itself is in my own personal opinion the best of the films by the British comedy troupe Monty Python which included (the late) Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and Michael Palin. The group made a total of four motion pictures aside from their widely popular television sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. This was the last of those films and was released in 1983. The whole plot to this movie as you guessed even if you're not a Python fan is obviously about The Meaning of Life. And it's pieced down into 8 stages with a little bit of fun thrown in before, during and after. The film has a lot of musical numbers that are absolutely hilarious and extremely catchy to boot (refer to my audio quality review for song titles).

If you're a fan of British sketch comedy or even Canadian sketch like The Kids in the Hall you're going to love this if you've never seen it before. This is sketch comedy at it's finest in the form of a film. The film was directed by Terry Jones who was a member of the comedy troupe and obviously acted quiet a bit in this as well as bossed everyone around. It's obvious that some people will clearly argue the best Python film would be "The Quest for the Holy Grail" or "Life of Brian." They are all great films by me and I look forward to the three others eventually making their way to High Definition disc release. This is encouraging to see one being released you have to admit either way.

Video Quality on this release is presented in 1080p VC-1 encoded on a 30gb disc. First off, yes this is an improvement over the DVD version(s) of this film available in the past but at the same time it's not really the best video transfer to High Def. Don't get me wrong, I mean yes this film is from 1983 for starters and has it's obvious original film grain to it and that's cool in it's own way. The thing I'm really trying to say is that don't expect it to look amazing. Just instead expect it to look better than before. There are some artifacts and pixilatation problems in rare occasions but nothing really to complain about that much.

Audio Quality on this release is in Dolby Digital Plus 5.1. This is only a small improvement over Dolby Digital 5.1 on the latest DVD release of this film. As Python Eric Idle says in one of the bonus materials "the film is a disguised musical" so the songs of this film are really important to the sound mix. I mean after all who can forget such classics as "Isn't it awfully nice to have a penis?", "Every Sperm is Sacred", "Galaxy Song", "Christmas in Heaven" and of course the opening track "It's the Meaning of Life."

Bonus Materials are primarily all in 16:9 (Widescreen) standard definition and ported over from the latest DVD release of the film. There's loads of material here, first off an introduction from Eric Idle before the film, audio Commentary by both Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. There's also another audio commentary track called "Soundtrack for the Lonely" which is sure to keep you company if "Terry and Terry" don't.

"Snipped Bits" (18 minutes) is basically deleted scenes with occasional commentary introductions or comment from Terry Jones. There's some laughs here but you see why some scenes were obviously deleted. "The Meaning of Making The Meaning of Life" (49 minutes) is your obvious "making of" documentary featuring interviews with the entire Monty Python... cast (even clips of the late Graham Chapman). Eric Idle says "... the film is a disguised musical." in this and we also learn that John Cleese isn't too fond of this film. He argues "Life of Brian" is the better of the Python films. Some would argue "Holy Grail" is but that's to be debated elsewhere, not in my review of bonus materials. "Education Tips" (6 minutes) is a series of skits done by John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin. I like Cleese's last character "Dr. Ken Enron Chaney." He cracks me up with just his name alone but there's some really hilarious stuff here overall. Including Michael Palin as the world's worst voice over narrator. It's ironic because he actually does voice over narration now on a nature television show.

"Un Film De John Cleese" (1 minute) is absolutely hilarious. It's nothing more than his edit of the film with only him in it. "Written, produced, directed, conceived, edited and probably projected by John Cleese." To only be a minute long it's definitely worth the minute for a good laugh. "Remastering A Masterpiece" is a spoof restoration documentary narrated by Michael Palin. It offers some goofy interviews with Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam as they try to restore the film by washing it. Gilliam and Jones both seem to have no luck as Jones resorts to a local British laundromat washing machine. Eventually Terry Gilliam gives up and says "I hate this film!" I guess this explains the video quality rating I gave this HD DVD doesn't it? Just kidding. There's a bit more material to be found but they really don't prove to be worth watching to even the most die-hard fan like myself. This is about where it stops for the bonus materials worth watching on this release. Nothing too bad but it is nothing more than the bonus materials from the DVD release ported over.

-Review written by Justin Sluss of HighDefDiscNews.com

Read Best Reviews of Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) Here

The members of Monty Python apparently decided to pull out all the stops when they made their final motion picture. Even more bawdy, naughty, reckless, and wickedly deprived, MONTY PYTHON'S THE MEANING OF LIFE pulls no punches and takes no prisoners as it explores, unravels, and tramples upon the stages of life, from birth to death. This film is Python with ADD, rumbling and bumbling from one sketch to the next. And it's darn funny.

For me, the film hit a homerun with its opening short feature, "The Crimson Permanent Assurance Company," followed shortly by a grand musical number--a hilarious spoof on Catholicism--entitled, "Every Sperm Is Sacred." By now, the viewer is tweaked, alert, enthralled, giddy, and laughing. Most of the ensuing sketches are firecrackers of irreverent humor and relentless satire. Alas, the movie ended rather anticlimatically, and the film's overall unevenness prohibited this reviewer from giving it five stars.

If you like Monty Python, you'll enjoy this film. If you're unfamiliar with Python, yet willing to get smacked between the eyes with X-treme comedy, give THE MEANING OF LIFE a try. (Not on a full stomach; the "Mr. Creosote" sketch might have you reaching for some Alka-Setzer.) Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam give new meaning to the meaning of life!

Want Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray + Digital Copy + UltraViolet) Discount?

It would take much more than 1000 words to comment on this movie. So I thought I'd concetrate on the restaurant sketch which many reviewers didn't seem to understand of whom some wrote favorable reviews and some unfavorable.

The restaurant room represents planet Earth.That monstrous guy represents man ( homo sapiens ) while the rest of the people represent the other living things on our planet.The vomit signifies enviromental pollution.Although we try to contain that ( the man asks for a bucket so he can puke inside ) we're not very succesful.One of the results of that is that species which have lived on this planet for millions of years dissappear ( the people who live the restaurant room ).Finally the waiter who tries to convince the customer to eat this extra mint at the end ( which leads to his explosion ) signifies the role of advertising which constantly tries to convince us to buy things we don't really need.This the rough outline of the main ideas.

However the purpose of the artists is not to express in symbolic terms things we already know but rather to have us look at ourselves in a different light.We tend to admire our species a lot but what Monty Pythons suggest is that not only we're not admirable but rather monstrous and disgusting like Mr. Creosote.That's because we live in disharmony with our enviroment unlike the rest of the living things.Not only that but we also have a destorted view of the world.We tend to view things like vomit or excrement as disgusting.But these don't really pollute the environment.Actually excrement is quite important for something called the nitrogen cycle in nature.On the other hand we feel totally at ease with say plastic although this really harms the environment and takes a very long time to dissolve.

Real satire ( which is much more than making fun of things ) is supposed to make you think and this is what this sketch does.It is offensive but that's how it should be.It tries to grab us by the shoulders , metaphorically speaking of course , shake us and shout at us:"Do you see what you have become ?".I must say that although when I first saw it I was holding my sides now I don't think it's so funny anymore.

Let me finish on a slight personal tone.In the beginning of the second part of "The miracle of birth" Yorkshire is described as part of the third world.I have been in living in Leeds ( West Yorkshire ) for over 1+1/2 years now and I can attest to the fact that most streets do indeed look like they belong to a third world country !

Save 30% Off

Read More >>

Chicago (2002)

As a musical theater purist, I was concerned that a movie musical with 3 of Hollywoods A list stars would be a hinderance rather than a help in the "revival" of the genre. I must say that I was blown away by the sheer genius and excellence of the film.

Catherine Zeta-Jones' Velma was equal to, if not better than Bebe Neuwerth's ( Brodway revival). Her beautiful voice and masterful dance skill is worthy of the great white way. A Tony may have been a more appropriate award as opposed to her much deserved Oscar. Although Rene Zellwegers voice was a little shaky in the begining she brought out a tough side in Roxy that was not there in neither the original nor the revival stage versions. Then my biggest fear, Richard Gere as Billy Flinn, was in a word perfect. You can't ask for a better fit, and what a shocker to see that wonderful tapdance!

With great costumes,Fosse-like choreography, expert lighting and singing (by many broadway veterans in the chours as extras) this dark comedy shines. Also with great cameos and supporting performances by the great Chita Rivera ( original broadway cast),John C. Reily (oscar nominated),Lucy Liu, and Christine Baranski this film shines as one of the greatest ever made, not just as a musical, but as a film. Rob Marshall's directorial debut deserves all of it's accolades...and all that jazz.

It is the 1920s in Chicago and we enter this musical film through a saucy nightclub to see Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) performing a duo act of All that Jazz on her own. Only later is it revealed what happened to her sister who was supposed to be the second half of the act. Next we meet Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) who is a naive girl with big dreams of stardom who goes to the slammer for killing her lover. From the moment she enters and we see a brief flash of her imagining herself on stage, we are aware that this film is half reality and half Roxie's dream. Ambitious Roxie has to find a way to get herself out of prison and onto the stage. To do this she creates an innocent persona that is designed by her smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) for the media to bring the public to her support. With his help and the sassy matron of the women's prison 'Mama' Morton (Queen Larifah) Roxie eclipses Velma Kelly's prison girl fame. Her matronly values and repentant attitude have the public enthralled and the jury in tears. But with her newfound celebrity Roxie's head is sent spinning again with plans of musical fame. However, it becomes increasingly obvious that her popularity will be dreadfully short lived if she doesn`t craft a way to remain in the spotlight. Teetering on the brink of superstar celebrity and death row, Roxie will have to give the performance of her life if she wants to save her neck. Filled with beautifully choreographed catchy musical numbers and a pleasing sweep of fast dramatic action, there is never a dull moment in this film. It's a triumphantly enjoyable thing to watch.

The greatest reason for this film's success is due to the stunning ensemble of actors many of whom (with the exception of Queen Larifah) we aren't familiar with hearing sing. The cast all excel in both in their musical numbers and acting performances. Catherine Zeta-Jones looks stunning and is fun in her catty diva role. Renée Zellweger is perfect for her part of the innocent, but still determined and quietly vicious, Roxie who will stop at nothing to become a star. Like in the striking film Nurse Betty, Zellweger's character again confuses reality with her dreams and her subtle facial shifts and movement meaningfully represent her psychological conflict. Most surprisingly, Richard Gere delivers a fantastic performance as the slimy lawyer proving that this actor can really do comedy well. Then there are notable performances in minor roles that leave an impact such as Queen Latifah`s sultry money-hungry matron, Christine Baranski as the hilarious news reporter Mary Sunshine, John C Reilly as Roxie's neglected but still loving husband Amos Hart and Lucy Liu as the vicious ball-busting heiress Kitty.

Those familiar with the famous stage show of Chicago will not be disappointed because this film maintains its focus on the musical and dance numbers as the centerpiece. In fact, the meaning of Roxie's psychological confusion between reality and fantasy is wonderfully accentuated by the film's ability to quickly cut between the drab, harsh reality and the glamorous, jazzy corners of Roxie's imagination. The director Rob Marshall excellently filmed all the dance numbers to focus on particular moves as well as capture the full action of the performances for the fullest effect. This movie is a fine example of how a musical film can succeed where its pertinent counterpart (as both films focus on a female on death row) Dancer in the Dark failed. The musical numbers all take a vital role in both accentuating plot detail and enjoyably moving the film along. Likewise, the story does not take itself too seriously preferring to revel in the fantastic music and thrilling story rather than focus on any specific moral meaning. That isn't to say that this film isn't emotionally engaging. It excels in its ability to entertain you as well as draw you into an exciting story of fame, glamour and death.

Buy Chicago (2002) Now

The first musical to win the Best Picture Oscar after 34 years, this 2002 Rob Marshall's adaptation of a 1975 Broadway musical lacks the warmth and romance of the 2001 Baz Luhrmann's hit "Moulin Rouge", but certainly rivals its daring predecessor in glamour. It's sumptuous to look at and thoroughly glorious as far as film-making is concerned. However, an emphatic viewer has a hard time to identify with any of its characters. Yep, probably no woman would like to find herself in a situation Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones found themselves in here -murderesses. Maybe later on, when Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) and Roxie Hart (Zellweger) are helped by a slick lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) and insatiable press to become celebrities of their own. Much like a fairy-tale for grownups, this film does not worry about morals or profound lessons on humanity. Rather, it offers a real show, based on the roaring 1920's with all its sex and prohibition. "Chicago"'s final effect on viewer is enhanced by great acting, singing and dancing performances from the leading three actors (Zeta-Jones won Oscar for her supporting role), sophisticated choreography and perfect editing, often making for an all-out exhilarating impact.

Read Best Reviews of Chicago (2002) Here

I heard of the musical Chicago from years ago, but really never paid attention to it. I had no desire to see this movie either. Reading some of the reviews, I went to see it out of curiosity.

I went to a stadium seating theatre with a big screen and great sound. From the first frame to the last, I loved every minute of it. The music was great as well as the story and perfomances.

Most the reviews here seem to be one star or 5 stars. I just can't imagine anyone hating this movie. I went back 3 more times to see it, and liked it more each time.

I can understand some of the criticism of the director, but there was enough traditional scenes that the chop chop chop style wasn't much of a bother to me. In fact some of it added to certain scenes.

I truly don't understand how this movie was cast with of bunch of actors with little musical background..Shows you how much I know. They were all great.

Queen Latifah was just plain great. Her character in the movie was a little off. First she is a tough talking prison matron, then she's real nice and understanding...oh well, her performance especially musically was top notch.

If you're tired of war movies, and sappy comedies, go see this and just lose yourself in two hours of sexy fun with great music.

Jerry

Want Chicago (2002) Discount?

I love "Chicago" so much that already having the DVD didn't stop me from grabbing up this Blu-ray just as soon as I could (It was only my second blu-ray when I obtained it).

I would love to be able to recycle the DVD but the Blu-ray does not replace the DVD and this is very disappointing. I love the extras available in the DVD version, specifically deleted musical number "Class" performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah. Blu-ray isn't so much better that it warrants doing without the extras. I have gathered that this is not unusual for blu-rays.. that they are missing previously released material... I don't understand or appreciate it. I will be doing my homework before trying to "replace" a DVD again.

Save 43% Off

Read More >>

Bringing Down the House: 10th Anniversary Edition (2003)

Steve Martin and Queen Latifah lead a wonderful cast in this surprisingly shocking, always enjoyable, laugh-out-loud comedy.

Peter Sanderson (Martin) is a divorcee who spends some of his personal time in a legal chat room, flirting with a woman he hasn't seen. His interest in her grows into a small infatuation after she sends a picture of herself via email. But when the two meet, he gets a big surprise. She's not the woman in the picture; at least not the woman seen up close in the picture. It turns out that she is an African American woman named Charlene Morton (Latifah), a criminal on parole who is seen getting arrested in the background of the picture she has sent. Slowly, Charlene begins to take over Peter's life, but perhaps that's a good thing. Despite his divorce, he and his ex-wife Kate (Jean Smart), still have feelings for each other. Having divorced because of his excessive work habits, Charlene tries to teach Peter the joys of life and how to appreciate the importance of his neglected family.

Veteran actresses Betty White and Joan Plowright are downright hilarious in their small roles, and Eugene Levy has an amusing role as Martin's best friend, who begins to fall head over heels for Charlene, further complicating matters.

Betty White is painfully funny and shocking as Martin's elderly neighbor. She is as racist as they come, jabbering cruel lines of racist dialogue (a less racy but more offensive send-up of her "Lake Placid" role). Don't take her comments to heart, though. The film is just trying to show how biggoted some people can be. (It's a shame how people like her actually exist.) Joan Plowright portrays a heiress client of Martin. She proves to be a great comedic actress, especially in the hilarious climactic nightclub scene.

Missi Pyle is fantastic as Kate's sister, a sort of Anna Nicole Smith type who takes pleasure out of dating older men. I could never have imagined Pyle in such a role, but she's great! Even Jean Smart is perfect for her role as the ex. Her Southern accent really gives her added sex appeal.

This is a predictable film, but it is also one of the funniest films to come out in the past year. It is a simple, smart, and fun comedy that's a pure joy to watch. Clever dialogue, touching moments, and a great cast are a plus. Martin and Latifah (so brilliant in Chicago) show off their wonderful comedic talents and have amazing chemistry together. The film is a bit raunchy at times, but oh so funny...recommended for a good hearty laugh!!!!

I love going to a movie where the audience laughs during the entire movie (intentionally, that is). I wasn't expected to have so much fun during this movie but it proved to be a laugh riot. Steve Martin and Queen Latifah make a great comedy team . The supporting actors only add to the fun. Betty White as Martin's racists/homophobic neighgbor, Joan Plowright as a rigid heiress that Martin needs to bring as a client to his law firm, and Eugene Levy is hilarious as Steve Martin's best friend at the law firm, who makes no qualms about his feelings for Latifah's Charlene. The fight scene between Latifah and actress Missi Pyle is worth the admission alone. I recommended this film to a friend at work who later told me that she and her husband thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm betting you will too. Its a great film to take a group of friends to and just laugh and be silly.

Buy Bringing Down the House: 10th Anniversary Edition (2003) Now

Check this out to see the laugh-out-loud Steve Martin we all love.

Peter Sanderson (Martin) is a straitlaced tax attorney and divorced father of two. In search of romance, he arranges a rendezvous with an alleged Ivy League female attorney he met in a legal chat room online. His dream-date turns out to be none other than Charlene Morton played by Queen Latifah (who also shined in Chicago). Charlene has a criminal record and claims she's being framed for armed robbery. She disrupts Peter's life until he agrees to help her clear her name. While he helps Charlene, she ends up helping Peter get to know his children better and just loosen up already!

The always hysterical Eugene Levy plays Peter's friend/colleague Howie Rosenthal. Jean Smart, who I always like, plays Peter's ex-wife Kate. But the two unexpected scene-stealers were veteran actresses Joan Plowright and Betty White. Plowright plays Mrs. Arnes, a stuffy heiress that Peter is trying to land as a client. The always-proper lady loosens up herself at the end. Betty White plays Peter's nosey neighbor who's also the sister of one of his colleagues at the firm. Naturally, he wants to keep his nose clean around her. White throws out a few shockingly funny lines that sends the entire audience into hysterics.

Overall, this is just a fun film. The chemistry between the new team of Martin and Latifah was great. You WILL laugh out loud, trust me.

Read Best Reviews of Bringing Down the House: 10th Anniversary Edition (2003) Here

Good comedy is hard to find at the movies. I'm talking about a funny film full of punch lines, perfectly timed physical comedy, and most important, a naturally humorous plot line with characters we actually care about. If you think for a minute or two, it is tough to recall the last comedy you saw that had all these components.

The run off the mill romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days opened at the start of February. If you want to know how to lose a guy in ten days, you can easily lose him after 10 minutes of making him watch this. Two weeks later, the slapstick comedy Old School opened. Too bad it seems that the writer forgot to add a plot to all the overdone, and unoriginal gags. And now, another two weeks later on March 7th, Bringing Down the House will debut at theaters. I was lucky enough to catch this at a sneek showing that played last Saturday, 2 weeks before the movie actually opens!

Steve Martin and Queen Latifa star in what is the first, truly hilarious movie of 2003. This is definitely Martin's best since Father of the Bride, and the Queen continues her impressive film career adding this on to her resume, right under the ever-popular Chicago. Both have excellent skill in a film like this, and they work well with each other creating enough comic chemistry to blow the theater doors open.

The movies plot centers around Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin). He's a fast track lawyer with an ex-wife and two children that he never seems to have time for. While chatting online, he meets Charlene, and sets up a blind date to meet her. He's expecting a slim, blonde in her thirties, and is shocked when the hip, grooving Charlene Morton (Queen Latifa) shows up at his door.

The plot takes off from there as the odd pair starts a friendship, and while Charlene persuades him to take her criminal case ("I did the time, but I didn't do the crime baby"), she ends up teaching him more about life, relationships, and his family, than he has learned in a long time.

Though Steve Martin and Queen Latifa are the stars, an excellent, first-rate supporting cast surrounds them. First off, Eugene Levy, whom many of us know as Jim's dad from the American Pie franchise, plays Steve Martin's best friend and legal partner who becomes infatuated with Charlene's sex appeal. Other recognizable faces are a racist neighbor played by Betty White from the Golden Girls, and Joan Plowright, who co-starred as Mrs. Wilson in Dennis the Menace, as a prim and proper client of Peter Sanderson.

Martin hasn't seen a role this good in a while. It gives him the opportunity to show off his talents for humorous facial expressions, and physical comedy. Also, Queen Latifa has the spotlight on her in her best starring role to date. Though the plot might not seem completely original from what is described above, there are many twists and turns that keep the film pumping full of laughs all the way through, keeping it always fresh and new.

Overall, there isn't much more to include because I don't want to spoil any of the surprises the film springs on you. All I can say is I didn't stop laughing from the first five minutes until the closing credits. The Queen is currently working on the film Cheaper By the Dozen, co-starring Steve Martin. We could possibly be looking at a new comedy dream team. Whether we are or not, what they do in Bringing Down the House works. And it brings the audience to their knees with laughter!

Want Bringing Down the House: 10th Anniversary Edition (2003) Discount?

There are two really good reasons to see this film--Eugene Levy and Queen Latifah. Latifah has shown herself to be a major screen presence since her role in Living Out Loud back in 1998 when she showed not only that she could really, really sing (like a dream) but that the camera loves her. She is truly larger than life and twice as grand and when she's the focus of any scene, that scene is hers regardless of whoever else is in it ... except for the wonderfully nutty interplay between her and Eugene Levy who nails this one beautifully. It may be the unlikeliest pairing ever, but it works. Steve Martin is just, well, Steve Martin and doesn't bring a whole lot to the film. Poor Jean Smart (one of the better actresses around) is just wasted in this movie. While everything is predictable, it's fun none the less to see how things evolve. Kimberly J. Brown as Smart's younger sister turns in a nice performance and one of the funniest scenes in the film is a knock-down drag-out between Brown and Latifah that, alone, is worth the price of admission. Joan Plowright is, as ever, a treat. When Betty White appeared onscreen, the friend I was with exclaimed, "Isn't she dead?" Well, evidently not. There's a lot of blatantly racist action but it's so silly that it's not possible to take offence, particularly with Latifah up there doing her thing. For a couple of hours' worth of pleasant distraction, see this movie.

Save 38% Off

Read More >>

Playing for Keeps (+UltraViolet Digital Copy)

I saw this in the theater with my mother yesterday afternoon. I'm not going to try to tell you that Playing For Keeps is an Oscar contender (it's not) or that it's not corny, formulaic or predictable in spots (it is). It's certainly not on a par with Mr. Butler's previous films Coriolanus or Machine Gun Preacher, nor did I expect it to be.

I think that professional critics are missing the point of a film like this one. They're so busy analyzing movies frame by frame for profundity, hidden meanings and plot twists, looking for that epiphany, that they tend to forget that the rom-com genre, by definition, IS usually somewhat corny, formulaic and predictable.

I wouldn't classify Playing For Keeps as a romantic comedy and perhaps that's part of the problem. If critics went solely by the trailer, they expected pure light-hearted fluff when in actuality it's much more of a family drama with some humor sprinkled in.

Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel & Noah Lomax are totally believable as a dysfunctional family unit. George's vulnerability in some scenes will break your heart and those somber moments featuring George, Stacie & Lewis will bring a tear to your eyes. The supporting cast didn't fare as well although they did fine with what they were given to work with (I blame the writers). The only minor characters I disliked were the husband & wife played by Dennis Quaid & Uma Thurman. What an ugly couple, and I don't mean that in a physical way.

Anyway, for fear of spoilage, that's all I'm going to say about it other than I really enjoyed it and I hope you get out there to see it before it disappears.

George Dryer (Gerard Butler) is a retired soccer star living in Virginia to be near his son living with his ex-wife Stacie (Jessica Biel). George still loves his ex and doesn't take the news of her up coming wedding too well. Having financial difficulty causes George to coach his son's (Noah Lomax) mixed league soccer team to the joy of soccer moms.

Being a good looking guy with an accent, women such as Catharine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman, and Judy Greer all throw themselves at him. George is not a man accustomed to saying no, but Jessica Biel is a tough act to follow, just ask her if you don't believe me.

This is not a guy's film. Soccer is in the background and knowledge of the sport doesn't make the film any better. This is perhaps a chick flick for people who don't want to get emotional. Might make for a mediocre date night film if you haven't seen "An Officer and a Gentlemen" 10 times already. Good acting. Weak script.

Parental Guide: No f-bombs or nudity. Implied sex. Use of "SOB".

Buy Playing for Keeps (+UltraViolet Digital Copy) Now

"Playing for Keeps" starring Gerard Butler (Phantom of the Opera, The Ugly Truth and many other so-so movies), is about a former soccer star named George that played alongside David Beckham in his hay-day and has fallen far from grace. He's a guy who's a natural at getting things and being given things, but horrible at making decisions, knowing when people are taking advantage of him and growing up. So, when he returns to the hometown of his former love, Stacie (Jessica Biel), to patch things up and reunite with his son, the typical romantic movie story begins to play out.

That being said, this movie has been a subject of numerous poor reviews from national critics and I would have to say that for some reasons, criticism is justified, but the movie is nowhere near as bad as it is being portrayed. The script is strange. It portrays Butler's character realistically, but occasionally gets farcical at random times. He's a ladies man and always has been. Women flock to him, so when he accidentally ends up coaching his son's soccer team, he becomes the target of many players Mom's; single, disturbed, married, manipulative. Then of course there's the Indian neighbor who seems to have no life, but watching George hosting numerous women from the guesthouse that he is renting.

George is a hard character to like. Although I found his character realistic in portrayal as someone who has numerous women who want him and everybody treating him like a celebrity. Quite simply, he takes it. Most would. Yet, as predictable as the script may be, I found the things that happened in the movie justified. George grows throughout the movie and he battles with his maturity. There are many valuable lessons that many will relate to in the film. For the most part, being a parent requires a lack of selfishness and that is George's biggest challenge.

Look, I'm not going to call this movie great or anything like that, but romantic comedies are like horror movies these days, they're all the same. I found "Playing for Keeps" unique and I found the characterizations and characters realistic, with the exception of a few times when the movie tried to be silly.

"Playing for Keeps" is certainly a better alternative to the unrealistic portrayal's of men in Nicholas Sparks movies. In Sparks movies, "Dear John", "The Lucky One" and "The Notebook", the men are pristine, they have no depth, they are just perfect people who serve no purpose but to provide motivation for the women that pursue them. At least in "Playing for Keeps", the male character has tremendous flaws and we can all relate because we all do.

Read Best Reviews of Playing for Keeps (+UltraViolet Digital Copy) Here

This movie has a lot to like – a nice story, humor, meaningful relationships, etc. Unfortunately, it also features a main character choosing casual sex with several women, none being his ex-wife whom he supposedly still loves. I wish Hollywood would stop portraying casual sex as a joke, or as a "normal" part of life that just happens. I wanted to root for the restoration of a marriage and family, but the film-makers decided to take a twisted path. Too bad, it could have been a real winner.

Want Playing for Keeps (+UltraViolet Digital Copy) Discount?

Soccer is the perfect Playing for Keeps metaphor slow, meandering and pointless with "extra time" put on the clock for no discernable reason except perhaps, to prolong the agony. Even by the trifling standards of the garden variety romantic comedy, PFK (under the AWOL direction of Gabriele Muccino) offers a redemption and reconciliation tale so poorly told that continuity, script supervision and character development were apparently early morning electives that Mr. Muccino must have decided to sleep through.

Although I wasn't expecting much, in more skillful directorial hands a first-rate cast populated by Gerald Butler, Jessica Biel, Catherine Zeta Jones, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman and Judy Greer should have at least guaranteed a minimum level of weekend watchability.

The story pivots around Gerald Butler's George, a retired David Beckham-esque soccer superstar who has returned to Virginia to reclaim his family and fortune decimated by a decade of bad decisions and bad luck. In an effort to re-impress and reintroduce himself to his son Lewis (admirably played by Noah Lomax) George commandeers control of Lewis' junior soccer club and while teaching the team real skills inadvertently dampens the wardrobe of the gaggle of soccer moms (Thurman, Greer, Jones) who dutifully attend each practice and now race to bed George.

This is where the film really comes of the tracks as each seduction scene reveals women with such pervasive insecurities and below-zero self-esteem that it is hard to imagine any of them as the accomplished and affluent inhabitants of the take no prisoners Beltway culture that they purport to be charter members of. All in all it's Wisteria Lane meets Hysteria Lame with not even a tangential connection between storylines.

As if that weren't enough scripted ridiculousness for one sitting, all of these sleepy-time worst behavior hijinx takes place under the jaundiced eye of George's ex-wife (a Jessica Biel mail-in performance) who gamely decides that her naughty boy soccer stud is still the love of her life, compelling her to blow off the sturdy life and relationship that she has created post-divorce with no plausible rationale as the clock ticks drearily towards the end credits. As an aside, I have too much respect for Dennis Quaid to even delve into his inexplicable presence in this film. Playing for Keeps is just a case of bare minimum expectations not even met.

Save 31% Off

Read More >>