July 2003 DVD Reviews & Video Reviews

Catch Me If You Can
by

Dreamworks
DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99 or as low as $2.99 from Amazon.com!

Its a journeyman performance by the popular Leonardo DiCaprio in a quasi-remake of "The Man With A Thousand Faces." DiCaprio plays the son of Christopher Walken's ne'er-do-well scam artist whose business ventures are always a bust, but who always talks like he's the king of the world. DiCaprio seeks fame and fortune on his own by pretending he's a doctor, a lawyer, and a handful of other professionals. The amazing part is that when you watch this movie, it all seems quite plausible. Along the way, though, DiCaprio delves into counterfeiting which brings him to the attention of Tom Hanks, who plays the FBI agent who's trying to bust this elusive paperhanger.

Its not the best outing for Hanks, whose understated performance is inherently quieted by the mousey FBI agent he's portraying. Christopher Walken's braggardly father shows his ability to portray the barely controlled rage of his character who believes he's never gotten a fair shake from life. But its Leonardo DiCaprio who really shines in this film. He gives an outstanding portrayal of a son who is always trying to earn his father's respect and praise. DiCaprio is usually dismissed as an actor because of his looks, much as female stars have always endured, but he shows he has much more talent than most people give him credit for. Its a great DVD you'll want to watch many times.

Two Weeks Notice
by

Warner Home Video
DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $14.97 or as low as $1.75 from Amazon.com!

Has anybody noticed how unappreciated these two popular actors are? Hugh Grant's British reserve seems to give critics the impression that he's not acting, and Sandra Bullock has been so type-cast as the perennial ditz that she never gets any respect. But for my money, both of these people are so entertaining and engaging that I always go out of my way to see them. In Two Weeks Notice our gal Sandra plays a Darhma-esque activist lawyer, the daughter of a pair of counter-culture refugee's who are out to save the world. Hugh Grant plays a lovable parody of a Donald Trump, who has trouble with one-night-stands and staying focused on the business.

Its two hours of reliable fun that you'll be able to pull off the shelf any evening when there's nothing on the tube. The script never overplays the hippie jokes, and we come to love Sandra Bullock's character like a younger sister. Don't miss this fun summer movie on either DVD or home video!

The Hot Rock
by

Fox Home Entertainme
DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $14.98 or as low as $4.49 from Amazon.com!

Stand back because this is one of my all-time favorites, so I'm liable to gush just a bit. Based on the Donald Westlake novel, The Hot Rock is the story of a professional thief named Dortmunder (Redfrod) whose specialty is plotting capers. That's just what he does. On the day he gets out of prison, his loser of a brother in-law Kelp (George Segal) picks him up and ropes him into a doozy of a heist. They're out to steal a legendary diamond that's the object of dispute between two African nations. The UN ambassador of one side has hired Kelp to steal the stone from a museum in New York. Kelp naturally turns to Dortmunder to plan the job.

Dortmunder assembles a crew of low-lifes who each bring some special skill. Notable among them is Ron Leibman's character who plays a car nut who claims to be able to drive anything and ends up having to prove it when the crew suddenly finds they need a helicopter pilot. Its a "gang who couldn't shoot straight" sort of story where the gang takes one step forward and two steps back all along the way. Throw in the masterful Zero Mostel, and you have a film for the ages. Don't miss this fun-filled movie. And better yet, read all of the Dortmunder novels by Donald Westake. Trust me, you won't ever be disappointed!

Don't get the pan-and-scan VHS if you have a choice. They butchered this fun movie in pan and scan. The widescreen DVD gives you a much better movie experience.

Midnight Run
by

Universal Studios
DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $14.98 or as low as $6.49 from Amazon.com!

Okay, its apparently my month to gush because here's another of my all-time favorite films. Robert DiNero plays ex-cop Jack Walsh who was framed by a mob boss (Dennis Farina) in Chicago and kicked off the force. Now he's a bounty hunter and he's out to bring in a bail jumper. The object of his quest is an accountant who also used to work for the mob, but fell out of favor when he started to embezzle the bejeezus out of them. Played by the ultra-sarcastic Charles Grodin, the accountant takes our hero on a cross-country trip back to LA, constantly trying to evade capture by the FBI, and the Mob whose trying to kill Grodin.

The language in this film is definitely R-Rated. The F-word plays a prominent role in every piece of dialogue. If you can get past that, you're in for a real treat. Every scene has a side-splitting gag. If you thought DiNero was funny in "Analyze This", you ain't seen nothin' yet. And one of our favorite actors, Yaphet Kotto (Homicide: Life on the Streets - also now out on DVD!), plays the exasperated FBI Agent Alonzo Moseley who keeps running into people that tell him they just talked to Agent Moseley because our hero DiNero has stolen his badge and ID and keeps flashing it anytime he gets in trouble. Those of you who know the film will understand how much fun I had about 8 years ago when a close friend and her husband were thinking of buying a new bar. When they told us about it, my wife and I both immediately chimed in with, "if I were your accountant, I'd have to seriously advise you not to open..." This DVD is in serious jeopardy of getting worn out in our house!

Thoroughly Modern Millie
by

Universal Studios
DVD
Suggested Retail Price: $14.98 or as low as $9.36 from Amazon.com!

For over 30 years, we thought (as seems to happen so often) we were the only people on the planet who loved this movie. Then a year ago, the Broadway production let us know we were not alone. So we invite you all to share this little treasure.

Poor little Millie (Julie Andrews), a girl in the 1920's who's just discovering that women can be far more daring now. She has her sights set on marrying a man who will support her in style. She figures the best way is to look for her future mate by seeking a job. She takes a room in a boarding house for women where she meets Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lilly), the house mother. She seems a little foreboding, but everything is so new to Millie that she overlooks it. Mrs. Meers introduces Millie to another of the girls staying at the hotel, Miss Dorothy (Mary Tyler Moore). Miss Dorothy takes Millie along for several adventures. The plot (and I use the term loosely) becomes a game of intrigue, white slavery, with some racist overtones that I choose to guiltily overlook.

Its one of Julie Andrews' best performances, second only perhaps to Victor/Victoria, and its certainly Mary Tyler Moore's best result. Top it off with the joyful singing of Carol Channing, the comic relief of Beatrice Lilly, Jack Soo, and Pat Morita, and you have a charmer that will entertain you over and over again. What a great DVD!