Over The Hedge

Over The Hedge is another excellent film from the animators at Dream Works. This is a film that will entertain the kids and their parents and also has a certain amount of educational value.

Everyone always believes that the grass is greener on the other side--the other side of the hill, the other side of the country or the other side of the world. In this case, the animals in Over The Hedge believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the hedge.

But as in real life, that is not always the case. Sometimes, it is better to stay where you are and appreciate what you have.

Over The Hedge begins with RJ, an opportunistic raccoon, trying to steal the food supply of a hibernating bear. The bear wakes up and threatens to eat RJ, unless he replaces the stolen food.

So RJ begins a quest to find enough supplies to replace those he stole and which were accidentally destroyed. During his wanderings, RJ comes across a tall, wide hedge--a wall dividing the natural outdoors from a brand new subdivision.

RJ decides that the humans in this subdivision could supply him with the food he needs and enlists the aid of a group of animals to harvest his new-found bounty.

The animals are part of a loose knit family that consists of a turtle (Verne), a skunk, a squirrel, porcupines and possums. Verne is the careful, conservative leader of this loose knit family. RJ manages to talk this family into helping him obtain the food supplies he needs.

The animals thus begin a series of adventures which all lead to acquiring the goods for RJ. They outwit the local Verminator and the leader of the subdivision homeowners association.

The results are often hilarious, but in the end, lead us to the conclusion that family is more important than possessions and if everyone works together they can accomplish a great deal.

Starring the Voices of: Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Nick Nolte, Thomas Haden Church, Allison Janney, Eugene Levy, Catherine OHara, Avril Lavigne.

The Break-Up

Just another story of a couple breaking up, or is there more to this tale of strife and outright warfare?

There might be more to this film than first meets the eye. To be sure, it tells the story of Gary and Brooke. They meet at a ball game, fall in love, and before you know it, theyve bought a condominium and are living together. That part of the story happens a little too quickly for me.

Most of the film deals with the difficulties couples can encounter when living together and how easy it is to misunderstand each other.

Brooke wants Garry to be more considerate. Instead of watching sports on TV or playing video games, she wants him to anticipate her needs and wants him to offer her his assistance without her having to ask for it.

The whole thing blows up when Gary brings home three lemons instead of the twelve Brooke wanted. Then Brooke complains that Gary doesnt even offer to help clean up after dinner. After that, its all out war.

Although Brooks doesnt want to break up with Gary, she does want some changes in their relationship. Gary is happy the way things are.

So Brooke tries to make Gary jealous. She goes out on a date with a real hunky guy, but the guy is more interested in spending time playing video games with Gary.

Brooke even resorts to walking around the apartment completely naked, and while this does grab Garys attention, it really changes nothing.

In the end the two split up. Will they ever get together again? Who knows? Youll have to watch the film and decide for yourselves. But the film has some very funny scenes and Vince Vaughn is absolutely perfect for the role. Jennifer Aniston isnt too bad either, but the role is not too much of a stretch for her.

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Aniston, Joey Lauren Adams, Cole Houser, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, Judy Davis, Ann-Margret.

Recent DVDs

High School Musical

Interesting musical made for television and which became a fan favourite that resulted in the films release on DVD.

The film follows the usual formula for such musicals--boy meets girl briefly and the two disappear to lead their own lives; the couple is reunited inadvertently and begin seeing each other; they try out for the school musical; love flourishes and theres a happy ending.

The music and the dancing are pretty good for a relatively inexpensive film and the lead actors, Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens do a good job. An added bonus is that the female lead, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, bear somewhat of a resemblance to Annette Funicello of the Mickey Mouse Club of the 1950s.

Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Alyson Reed, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Olesya Rulin, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn.

Date Movie

Comedy spoof put together by two of the writers behind the Scary Movie series.

This film pokes fun at romantic comedy by spoofing every conceivable romantic movie of the recent past.

Like other spoofs, Date Movie features send ups and gags from films such as Napoleon Dynamite, Kill Bill, Wedding Crashers and many more.

Starring: Alyson Hannigan, Adam Campbell, Carmen Electra, Eddie Griffin, Fred Willard, Jennifer Coolidge.

Whole New Thing

Provocative Canadian film that looks at the rites of passage of youth and middle age.

Emerson is a teenager who has been home schooled by his hippie parents. When he is finally enrolled at a public high school, he winds up being of great interest to his new school mates.

Starring: Daniel MacIvor, Robert Joy, Rebecca Jenkins, Callum Keith Rennie, Aaron Weber.

Marilyn Monroe 80th Birthday Celebrations

Had she been alive, Marilyn Monroe would have turned 80 on June 1st. Hard to believe, isnt it?

Fox celebrated the event by releasing a number of her films on DVD. The collection includes Lets Make Love, a musical comedy that also stars Yves Montand and features cameo performances by Milton Berle, Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby; Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, one of her best films and which co-stars Jane Russell; Niagara, a tense drama with Joseph Cotton; River of No Return with Robert Mitchum and Rory Calhoun; and The Seven Year Itch, a comedy directed by Billy Wilder and featuring Tom Ewell.