Dozens of DVDs are released every month many of which are re-releases. On Tuesday an “I Love the 80’s!” series of movies from the 1980s were re-released. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Footloose” and “The Breakfast Club” are just a few of the titles that are available in this collection.
The children’s fairy tale story “Nim’s Island” was also released on Tuesday. Although I didn’t enjoy this film when it hit theaters. It might be best viewed from the comfort of your own home. However, this definitely isn’t a must-buy movie. It’s one that can be rented and returned, because I doubt you would want to watch it again.
In the movie Abigail Breslin plays a curious girl whose father leaves her on their island home to search for a strange species of algae. Meanwhile she delves into a book by fiction adventure writer Alexandra Rover (played by Jodie Foster). Alexandra eventually has to overcome her agoraphobia to rescue Nim. All of the actors seem to be simply going through the motions, but the story is enough to keep younger children entertained.
Opening on Aug. 12 is the Sundance Film Festival comedy “Smart People.” The all-star cast featuring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church and Ellen Page make up a quirky character study which is the main reason for watching this film. I’ve heard many talk about how Page is just playing another quick-witted, Juno-like character. However, she filmed “Smart People” before filming “Juno.”
Quaid plays an intelligent, but not always smart, professor whose adopted brother comes into town. He also ends up falling in love with his doctor, played by Parker, further complicating his other relationships with his children and brother. Although I enjoyed the raw, dry humor in “Smart People,” not everyone feels that same sentiment. But, if you rent it you might be pleasantly surprised.
Another independent film starring big names, is “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” which will be released on Aug. 19. This is a charming film with Amy Adams playing an American in London, named Delysia Lafosse, who floats around in different social groups and to a variety of men. The always-funny Frances McDormand is a middle-aged governess, named Guienevere Pettigrew, who finds new employment as an assistant to Delysia.
Like “Smart People,” “Miss Pettigrew” is a character study, especially of McDormand’s expertly played Miss Pettigrew. She’s slightly clueless, very homely and becomes caught up in the whirlwind life of a glamorous actress and singer. Adams character has a few similarities to Giselle from “Enchanted,” but is still able to hold her own with McDormand.
One of the more mainstream movies being released — that was trashed by most critics — is the romantic comedy “What Happens in Vegas...” which will hit shelves on Aug. 26. I didn’t hate this movie nearly as much as other critics, but it still wasn’t a good movie. If you still have a desire to see it, I would suggest renting it for a dollar. Starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz as two down-on-their-luck individuals dragged to Las Vegas by their best friends they wind up getting married and the hilarity supposedly ensues.
The only funny parts of “What Happens in Vegas...” comes from Rob Corddry and Lake Bell who play Kutcher and Diaz’s best friends, respectively. They are hilarious and most of the laughs — other than the stupid sight gags — come from them. If you don’t see this movie, you aren’t missing much because I’m sure you’ve seen a similar movie many times before.
Missy Thompson: missy@tooeletranscript.com
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