The Benchwarmers (DVD) Review

One of the stupidest, silliest films you'll ever see, The Benchwarmers is also outright hilarious, filled from beginning to end with an abundance of heart-warming humor. The work of veteran TV and film director Dennis Dugan, the brains behind other off-the-wall comedy films such as Big Daddy (1999) and Happy Gilmore (1999), The Benchwarmers could easily be confused for a joint reunion of former Saturday Night Live cast members and ESPN anchormen. Some of the notable faces you'll see include David Spade, Rob Schneider, Jon Lovitz, Reggie Jackson, Dan Patrick, Tim Meadows, Craig Kilborn, Bill Romanowski, Sean Salisbury, and John Heder of Napoleon Dynamite fame. Overall, The Benchwarmers is a great comedy. It's certainly not the best I've ever seen, but it has its moments. The feel-good nature and the moral behind the plotline provide added depth to the one-liners with no group or class of people left unscathed.

The Benchwarmers centers around the lives of three particular men who spent their youth bearing the wrath of schoolyard bullies. They weren't tall, cool, and athletic, so they often got picked on by those who were. But when Gus (Rob Schneider) convinces his two friends Richie (David Spade) and Clark (Jon Heder) to take some batting practice on a nearby Little League baseball field for old times sake (despite the fact neither man has ever played before), the three end up challenging a team of eleven-year-olds for the right to play on the field. Gus, often picked on because he was short, is nonetheless a stellar ballplayer, and he single-handedly defeats the other team. When word gets out, neighborhood billionaire Mel (Jon Lovitz) decides to bankroll a cross-state tour for "The Benchwarmers" where they'll challenge the meanest little league teams around, with the eventual winner taking possession of a brand-new, state-of-the-art Little League field. Mel, once a benchwarmer himself, hopes The Benchwarmers can give his own son and nerds everywhere hope for redemption as the victories pile up and the fame of the players spreads through chatrooms and podcasts everywhere...

One of the funniest scenes in the film involves the arrival of Reggie Jackson who was apparently a former-benchwarmer and childhood friend of Mel. In order to help prepare his team, Mel hires the hall-of-fame icon to teach his team the baseball fundamentals and practice habits that made him Mr. October. The result is an endless relay of ringing doorbells and smashing mailboxes that will leave you rolling through the theater aisles in utter laughter. Another hilarious sequence involves a benchwarmer game in which the opposing team uses a "ringer," a 30-year-old beer-guzzling, chain-smoking Dominican player posing as a twelve-year old. If they handed out Oscars for such ridiculous roles, Amaury Nolasco would win for his portrayal of Carlos. It's worth seeing the entire film just to see Nolasco. He's that funny...

You'll be hard-pressed to watch this film without laughing out loud at some point. Amazingly, the audience actually manages to develop a rapport with the characters which is rare for a film of this genre. The universal ability to relate to the benchwarmer caste is probably the number one reason why. It's touching. It's ridiculous. It's outright funny. In short, The Benchwarmers is one of those movies you'll either love or hate depending on the mood you're in when you see it. If you're hungry for a probing drama, then stay away. But if you're looking for some silly fun, this is the film for you...

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of The Benchwarmers (DVD) Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/04/benchwarmers-dvd.html].

I Love Lucy (Season 5) DVD Review

Widely considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, show in television history, I Love Lucy signaled the ascendance of the prime time TV era. The brainchild of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, I Love Lucy revolutionized the television industry with its extensive use of a live audience and the employment of multiple camera angles. The result of true comic genius, the show's ability to entertain is just as relevant today as it was fifty years ago...

Real-life couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz play the prominent roles of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, a married couple living in a New York apartment complex. Ricky is a Cuban-born band leader who wows night clubs with his act, while Lucy is a homemaker. Lucy and Ricky's best friends are landlords Fred and Ethel Mertz who often become intertwined in Lucy's get-rich-quick schemes, screwball ideas, and comic shenanigans. Former masters of the stage, the cast comes across as a likeable bunch, with Lucille Ball stealing the show with her goofy antics and brilliant facial contortions. If ever there were a television classic, then I Love Lucy is it...

The I Love Lucy (Season 5) DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere "Lucy Visits Grauman's" in which Lucy is wrapping up her extended trip to Hollywood where she's collected a number of oddball collectibles, such as a tin can run over by Cary Grant's car and a napkin used by Lana Turner. But when Lucy learns that John Wayne's imprints on a concrete block in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater have come loose, she decides to steal a real souvenir to take home... Other notable episodes from Season 5 include "Lucy Goes to a Rodeo" in which Lucy confuses Ricky's performance on a "radio show" with his performance in a "rodeo show," and "Paris at Last" in which Lucy's trip to Paris is marked by her quest to find a famous artist whose paintings will one day be valuable, but the only artist she meets is a con artist who steals her blind...

Below is a list of episodes included on the I Love Lucy (Season 5) DVD:

Episode 128 (Lucy Visits Grauman's) Air Date: 10-03-1955

Episode 129 (Lucy and John Wayne) Air Date: 10-10-1955

Episode 130 (Lucy and the Dummy) Air Date: 10-17-1955

Episode 131 (Ricky Sells the Car) Air Date: 10-24-1955

Episode 132 (The Great Train Robbery) Air Date: 10-31-1955

Episode 133 (Homecoming) Air Date: 11-07-1955

Episode 134 (The Ricardos are Interviewed) Air Date: 11-14-1955

Episode 135 (Lucy Goes to a Rodeo) Air Date: 11-28-1955

Episode 136 (Nursery School) Air Date: 12-05-1955

Episode 137 (Ricky's European Booking) Air Date: 12-12-1955

Episode 138 (The Passports) Air Date: 12-19-1955

Episode 139 (Staten Island Ferry) Air Date: 01-02-1956

Episode 140 (Bon Voyage) Air Date: 01-16-1956

Episode 141 (Second Honeymoon) Air Date: 01-23-1956

Episode 142 (Lucy Meets the Queen) Air Date: 01-30-1956

Episode 143 (The Fox Hunt) Air Date: 02-06-1956

Episode 144 (Lucy Goes to Scotland) Air Date: 02-20-1956

Episode 145 (Paris at Last) Air Date: 02-27-1956

Episode 146 (Lucy Meets Charles Boyer) Air Date: 03-05-1956

Episode 147 (Lucy Gets a Paris Gown) Air Date: 03-19-1956

Episode 148 (Lucy in the Swiss Alps) Air Date: 03-26-1956

Episode 149 (Lucy Gets Homesick in Italy) Air Date: 04-09-1956

Episode 150 (Lucy's Italian Movie) Air Date: 04-16-1956

Episode 151 (Lucy's Bicycle Trip) Air Date: 04-23-1956

Episode 152 (Lucy Goes to Monte Carlo) Air Date: 05-07-1956

Episode 153 (Return Home from Europe) Air Date: 05-14-1956

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of the I Love Lucy (Season 5) DVD Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/02/i-love-lucy-season-5-dvd.html].

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (DVD) Review

Nominated for three Academy Awards, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe follows on the heels of recent successful big screen adaptations of other childrens' fantasy novels such as The Lord of the Rings books and the Harry Potter series. But while each of these series feature underlying tones of Christian symbolism, The Chronicles of Narnia is overtly intended as a Christian allegory. Written by the brilliant 20th Century Oxford and Cambridge literature professor C.S. Lewis, the Narnia stories were a tribute to his deep Christian faith. And this big screen transition is something of which he can be proud. Directed by Andrew Adamson, veteran director of the Shrek franchise, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is a master blend of traditional human acting and computer generated imagery.

The film follows the exploits of the four Pevensie children, two brothers and two sisters. Set during the early years of World War II, their mother sends them away to the countryside in order to escape the relentless Nazi bombing raids on London. Left to their own devices in the cavernous mansion of Professor Kirke (Jim Broadbent), they engage in a traditional game of hide-and-seek, whereupon the youngest of children, Lucy (Georgie Henley) crawls into a lone wardrobe stationed in an otherwise empty room. Backing her way through the garments, she stumbles into a wintry wonderland where she encounters a faun named Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy).

Initially, Mr. Tumnus tries to kidnap the young girl, but he experiences a change of heart due to the kindness of her spirit. As a result, he reveals to her the truth about the land into which she stumbled. Narnia is dominated by the evil White Witch who claims to be ruler of the forest, but the true ruler is a lion named Aslan who prophesied long ago that two "sons of Adam" and "daughters of Eve" would usher in the end of the one hundred year darkness administered by the White Witch. Knowing the prophecy, the witch intends to murder the children upon their arrival. But when Lucy relays the facts of the adventure to her family, they don't believe her.

Despite their initial reservations, her older siblings - Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell), and Peter (William Moseley) - all find their way into the magical land of Narnia. With talking trees, a forest filled with danger, and an evil witch in hot pursuit, the Pevensie kids must navigate their way through the treacherous land in order to find Aslan (Liam Neeson), the Messianic lion king who can help them to fulfill their rightful destiny as heirs to the thrones of Narnia...

Aided by an outstanding soundtrack which perfectly compliments each sequence of events, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is an inspiring film of epic proportions. For Christians, it will have significant meaning far in excess of a traditional film. For instance, the climatic scene of the film in which Aslan provides the ultimate sacrifice will evoke images of Roman soldiers beating and mocking Jesus in the hours leading up to his crucifixion. It's undeniably the most powerful scene of the film. Meanwhile, Georgie Henley turns in an unforgettable performance as the innocent and playful Lucy. Her charisma exudes from the screen in a manner rarely common to child actors. This performance is complimented by Tilda Swinton who is magnificently cast in the role of the White Witch. She simultaneously displays the satanic traits of seductive beauty and ruthless cunning with heavenly perfection. Add a final battle sequence reminiscent of Braveheart, and you've got a blockbuster movie the whole family can enjoy. Although parents of small children who scare easily should take note that some of the scenes can be frightening, but probably no more frightening than Darth Vader and the aliens from Star Wars. Nevertheless, parents should preview the film before introducing it to young children. Overall, this first film in The Chronicles of Narnia series is well worth any movie-goer's attention...

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (DVD) Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/04/chronicles-of-narnia-lion-witch-and.html].

The West Wing (Season 5) DVD Review

Premiering in September 1999, the original NBC series The West Wing built an instant cult following with its seemingly realistic weekly excursions into the inner sanctums of the White House. The series became such a hit that some pollsters claimed that certain people actually believed Jed Bartlet was the real president (although, if true, this is more of a negative reflection on the intelligence of the electorate, and not necessarily an indication of West Wing's realism). But regardless, the truth of the matter is that West Wing definitely strikes a chord with certain audiences, providing entertaining brew of action, suspense, and drama on a weekly basis...

Seasoned Hollywood actor Martin Sheen plays the lead role of President Jed Bartlet. The day-to-day affairs of Bartlet's administration are run by a number of individuals who surround him, among them are: Claudia "C.J." Cregg (Allison Janney), Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), and Charlie Young (Dule Hill). West Wing follows these dedicated staffers as they work extended hours behind-the-scenes to help keep the White House running smoothly. Along the way, the stress of the job and the characters' personal lives make for an interesting glimpse into what many believe is an accurate portrayal of a real-life White House administration...

The West Wing (Season 5) DVD offers a number of dramatic episodes including the season premiere "7A WF 83429" in which tensions between Walken and Bartlett's staffs continue to flare while the search for Zoey continues. Meanwhile, the death of Shareef triggers a terrorist bombing at a movie theater in Turkey which kills eighty people including members of the US military... Other notable episodes from Season 5 include "Constituency of One" in which Amy Parker participates in a personal lobbying effort that incurs the wrath of Bartlett, and "An Khe" in which Bartlett deploys an elite SEAL team to help rescue the pilots of a downed Navy plane that crashed in North Korean territory...

Below is a list of episodes included on the West Wing (Season 5) DVD:

Episode 89 (7A WF 83429) Air Date: 09-24-2003

Episode 90 (The Dogs of War) Air Date: 10-01-2003

Episode 91 (Jefferson Lives) Air Date: 10-08-2003

Episode 92 (Han) Air Date: 10-22-2003

Episode 93 (Constituency of One) Air Date: 10-29-2003

Episode 94 (Disaster Relief) Air Date: 11-05-2003

Episode 95 (Separation of Powers) Air Date: 11-12-2003

Episode 96 (Shutdown) Air Date: 11-19-2003

Episode 97 (Abu el Banat) Air Date: 12-03-2003

Episode 98 (The Stormy Present) Air Date: 01-07-2004

Episode 99 (The Benign Prerogative) Air Date: 01-14-2004

Episode 100 (Slow News Day) Air Date: 02-04-2004

Episode 101 (The Warfare of Genghis Khan) Air Date: 02-11-2004

Episode 102 (An Khe) Air Date: 02-18-2004

Episode 103 (Full Disclosure) Air Date: 02-25-2004

Episode 104 (Eppur Si Muove) Air Date: 03-03-2004

Episode 105 (The Supremes) Air Date: 03-24-2004

Episode 106 (Access) Air Date: 03-31-2004

Episode 107 (Talking Points) Air Date: 04-21-2004

Episode 108 (No Exit) Air Date: 04-28-2004

Episode 109 (Gaza) Air Date: 05-12-2004

Episode 110 (Memorial Day) Air Date: 05-19-2004

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of The West Wing (Season 5) DVD Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/01/west-wing-season-5-dvd.html].

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (DVD) Review

One of a handful of films which epitomizes the 1980s decade, Ferris Bueller's Day Off captured the imagination of high school kids all across America as they dreamt of mimicking the title character's ability to manipulate the authority figures in his life. Written and directed by John Hughes, the brains behind The Breakfast Club (1985) and numerous other 1980's cult classics, Ferris Bueller's Day Off launched Matthew Broderick's acting career into another dimension. In fact, Broderick garnered a Golden Globe nomination for his outstanding performance. It's a nomination more than worthy of mention, because it's the strength of the Ferris Bueller character that made this film such a smash hit.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off follows a day in the life of high school senior Ferris Bueller. Nearing graduation, he's intent on living his life to the fullest (although preferably outside the confines of school). So Ferris takes a planned day of vacation with his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara), and after a little coaxing, his best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) joins them. Against Cameron's better judgment, the three drive his father's prized Ferrari into the windy city of Chicago for a day of fine dining, baseball, museums, and spontaneous fun. Meanwhile, Ferris may have successfully fooled his parents into believing he's deathly ill, but high school principal Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) and Ferris's jealous sister Jeanie (Jennifer Grey) are not so easy. Intent on shattering his golden boy image, each one is hot on his trail, anxious to expose his web of deceit once and for all.

With a number of hilarious scenes, such as Cameron's feeble attempt to reverse the mileage on his father's Ferrari, the film earns its reputation as an elite classic of the 80's, on par with hits like Back To The Future (1985), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Weird Science (1985). The film does have its off-the-wall moments, such as when Ferris takes over a parade and starts singing while thousands of spectators engage in synchronized dancing. You wouldn't see such a sequence in a contemporary film, and like similar scenes from The Blues Brothers, it tends to date the film. But the strength of Ferris Bueller's Day Off is not its timeless humor, but the likeability of Ferris Bueller himself. Ferris is a cool guy. He doesn't put anyone down, but only looks for the best in people. More importantly, he manipulates his parents into thinking he's the perfect embodiment of innocence while he skips school and goes joyriding! Every child of the 80's wanted to be Ferris Bueller, and the wide appeal of his life philosophy is timeless, which is why the film continues to enjoy success with each new generation.

Further solidifying the movie's status as a landmark of its decade is the soundtrack, which is certainly one of the more diverse and interesting of its time. Where else can you find The Beatles, Wayne Newton, the theme to Star Wars, and the 80's classic 'Oh Yeah' by Yello all wrapped up into one movie which moves seamlessly from one scene to the next? Throw in a few future Hollywood stars in Kristy Swanson, Ben Stein, and Charlie Sheen (who stayed awake for over two days so he could achieve the desired drugged out expression for his character), and Ferris Bueller's Day Off transforms into the quintessential cult classic. Even after two decades, this film is just as entertaining as when it first premiered.

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of the Ferris Bueller's Day Off (DVD) Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/07/ferris-buellers-day-off-dvd.html].

The Jetsons (DVD) Review

If the Flintstones are the modern stone-age family, then the Jetsons are the quintessential post-modern futuristic family, complete with flying cars. Following the massive commercial success of the animated classic The Flintstones (1960), Hanna-Barbera followed with additional prime-time cartoon series Top Cat (1961) and The Jetsons (1962). Cancelled after one season on ABC, The Jetsons lived on through the success of syndicated reruns on Saturday morning cartoons, through TV movies and specials, comic books, games, and toys. Its enduring success prompted Hanna-Barbera to revive the series from 1985 to 1988, using many of the same animation techniques and characters as found in the original...

The Jetsons follows the lives of George Jetson and his average middle-class family. George is a bumbling, yet kind-hearted family man who works for Spacely Sprockets, a sprocket manufacturing concern owned and run by the slave-driving dwarf Mr. Spacely. George's wife Jane is a homemaker who dials up breakfast for the family and pushes all the proper buttons necessary for cleaning the house and taking care of the domestic affairs. Son Elroy is a boy genius, and daughter Judy is a typical teenage rock-and-roller. Throw in a sarcastic robot maid named Rosie and a talking dog named Astro, and The Jetsons has all the elements of a modern TV classic. With flying cars, stilted high-rise houses, and automated gadgets for almost every conceivable form of work, the show matches The Flintstones pound-for-pound in respect to the artist/producers' breadth of creativity and imagination...

The Jetsons DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the series premiere "Rosie the Robot" in which Jane urges George to buy a robot maid, but George feels they can't afford it. And with his boss, Mr. Spacely, due to come over for dinner, George doesn't think he can get raise out of Mr. Spacely if he sees a robot maid at the Jetson home. Meanwhile, Jane has taken a free one-day trial of an older-model 'Rosie' who makes Spacely the best dinner he's ever had, but not before he fires George, prompting Rosie to runaway from home. When the Jetson family finally tracks Rosie down, she decides to stay with the family permanently... Other notable episodes from Season 1 include "Rosie's Boyfriend" in which Rosie falls in love with the building super's rag-tag robot assistant, and "Miss Solar System" in which Jane enters the Miss Solar System pageant against George's wishes, not knowing that George is one of the secret judges...

Below is a list of episodes included on The Jetsons (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (Rosie the Robot) Air Date: 09-23-1962

Episode 2 (A Date with Jet Screamer) Air Date: 09-30-1962

Episode 3 (Jetsons Nite Out) Air Date: 10-07-1962

Episode 4 (The Space Car) Air Date: 10-14-1962

Episode 5 (The Coming of Astro) Air Date: 10-21-1962

Episode 6 (The Good Little Scouts) Air Date: 10-28-1962

Episode 7 (The Flying Suit) Air Date: 11-04-1962

Episode 8 (Rosie's Boyfriend) Air Date: 11-11-1962

Episode 9 (Elroy's TV Show) Air Date: 11-18-1962

Episode 10 (Uniblab) Air Date: 11-25-1962

Episode 11 (A Visit From Grandpa) Air Date: 12-02-1962

Episode 12 (Astro's Top Secret) Air Date: 12-09-1962

Episode 13 (Las Venus) Air Date: 12-16-1962

Episode 14 (Elroy's Pal) Air Date: 12-23-1962

Episode 15 (Test Pilot) Air Date: 12-30-1962

Episode 16 (Millionaire Astro) Air Date: 01-06-1963

Episode 17 (The Little Man) Air Date: 01-13-1963

Episode 18 (Jane's Driving Lesson) Air Date: 01-20-1963

Episode 19 (G.I. Jetson) Air Date: 01-27-1963

Episode 20 (Miss Solar System) Air Date: 02-03-1963

Episode 21 (Private Property) Air Date: 02-10-1963

Episode 22 (Planet Dude) Air Date: 02-17-1963

Episode 23 (TV or Not TV) Air Date: 02-24-1963

Episode 24 (Elroy's Mob) Air Date: 03-03-1963

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of The Jetsons (DVD) Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/02/jetsons-dvd.html].

The Perfect Host

Cosmopolitan dinner host Warwick Wilson (David Hyde Pierce) is pouring a glass of white wine, chopping a mélange of colorful vegetables, and roasting a duck when the doorbell interrupts. In compliance with the modern décor of his Los Angeles home, Warwick approaches a video-imaging buzzer that in black and white reveals a handsome yet distraught twenty-something babbling on about a mutual acquaintance named Julia and how she had insisted he, John Taylor (Clayne Crawford), invite himself over because Warwick is just such a nice guy, and she thought they'd "hit it off". Well, Warwick proves to be as the title suggests, inviting John to stay for dinner. He might actually be a bit too accommodating, inviting a few more guests -- imaginary ones. As it turns out, the perfect host is a certified sociopath.

After a scuffle, John, a sadistic on-the-run bank robber (did I forget to mention that?), finds his woozy body imbibed with a concoction of alcoholic-tinged sedative. As he comes to, tied to a chair with hands bound behind his back, John is forced to play witness to his dinner host's mad, schizophrenic visions and insidious dinner chatter.

The Perfect Host may read like a bizarre train wreck of unfortunate circumstance piled on top of perverse, illogical fantasy and caught somewhere between psychological thriller and bemusing dark comedy. That's because it is. Tone is sacrificed for haphazard absurdism, and the narrative grows ever more irrational, without even a wink at the camera. In fact, writer-director-editor Nick Tomnay presents a movie so infatuated with twists and turns that as the ruse becomes ever more ludicrous you are never sure whether the film was meant to be a comedy -- albeit one with a long lead-up and no punch-line.

David Hyde Pierce nonetheless seems to be enjoying and reveling in the sadistic fun, mining his Broadway roots for broad comedy and twisted humor as though he were breaking the fourth wall and playing out to the audience, engaging in moments of comic bliss. He's phenomenally entertaining. But the rest of the cast remains stoic and bogged down by a directorial hand devoid of self-reflexivity. Think Clue (1985) but stripped entirely of comic and theatrical self-recognition. It's all so toneless, promising only by picture's end that the viewer will be left intoxicated by irritating numbness.

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