Video Reviews: 'Serendipity,' '13 Ghosts'
Other Reviews Include 'Bandits' 'Star Trek' Set
POSTED: 7:41 p.m. EDT April 12, 2002
'Serendipity' (PG-13)
Although it has all the elements to make a great movie, 'Serendipity' really offers nothing new to the overcrowded and increasingly unoriginal romantic-comedy genre.
John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale ("Pearl Harbor") star as Jonathan and Sarah, two strangers who by fate meet one wintry night in a New York City department store. They are instantly attracted to one another, and know that they'd be right for each other if it weren't for the fact they were both already involved with other partners.
Not completely closing the door on future possibilities, Sara devises a simple plan that will enable the two to contact one another if they were destined to be together. Years begin to pass, but will their destinies find their paths crossing again?
Although Cusack and Beckinsale are lovable in "Serendipity," the premise is just plain tiring. Don't get me wrong -- I'm a big fan of movies that deal with love, life, and how destiny plays a part it all -- but it's to the point now where filmmakers have to come up with something extraordinary different ("Sliding Doors" is an excellent example) in order to break out of the plot devices that make these movies look all the same.
As you might have guessed, the movie's conclusion is inevitable, and the numbers of the near misses the couple has makes "Serendipity" frustrating to watch.
DVD Features: Director's commentary with Peter Chelsom, deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes documentary, and more. (Miramax Home Video)
Also New:
'13 Ghosts' (R)
Filmmakers Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis corner the market on creepiness with "13 Ghosts" -- a remake of schlockmeister William Castle's 1960 original that takes some sinister turns that echo such modern horror classics as "Hellraiser" and "Phantasm."
At the heart of the movie is Arthur (Tony Shalhoub) the patriarch of a family (which includes "American Pie" star Shannon Elizabeth) who is suffering the loss of his wife. Financially destitute, he inherits a technical marvel of a mansion, consisting of glass walls and run by machines. But housed within the mansion are a group of 12 ghastly-looking ghosts who aren't too happy about being there. Unfortunately for Arthur and his family, they're trapped inside and have to deal with the spirits.
Since "13 Ghosts" is a remake, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that it sorely lacks originality. Still, there's nothing wrong if remakes are done well, which is exactly the case with "13 Ghosts." It revels in its thrills, and borrows from the best horror filmmakers past and present to make the movie a joyful thrill ride.
DVD Features: The DVD of "13 Ghosts" excels over the theatrical version, mainly because it's an extension of the film. By including such bonus features as "The Ghost Files" (which chronicles the origins of the ghosts in the film), it truly does bolster the film.
The documentary "13 Ghosts Revealed" is equally as interesting in its examination of the original William Castle version of the film, which required 3-D glasses to see the ghosts. That, of course, explains why the characters needed special glasses to see the ghosts in the new version of the movie. Other features include commentary from director Steve Beck and other filmmakers involved in the production. (Warner Bros. Home Video)
'Bandits' (PG-13)
There's nothing worse for movie fans than to watch good talent go south, and that's the direction Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thorton head in "Bandits," a movie with a promising cast and stupid script.
Willis and Thortnon star as Joe and Terry, a bank-robber duo that busts out of prison and embarks on a cross-country robbery spree. However, these guys are a pair of kindler, gentler bandits (nicknamed "sleepover bandits"), because they arrive at the executive's doorstep the night before each robbery, and get to know their victims before they rob the bank the next day. Complicating their trip is Kate, an under-appreciated eccentric housewife who attracts both Joe and Terry, and threatens the duo's partnership.
There's no question that "Bandits" has a strong cast (especially Blanchett) and director (Barry Levinson), which leaves you scratching your head as to why the film doesn't work. Perhaps the main reason is the material is boring and contrived. Attempts at laughter fall hard and fast.
DVD Features: An alternate ending, deleted scenes, and two "making-of" featurettes.
Star Trek: The Next Generation First Season Gift Set
With the 10th "Star Trek" film due in theaters later this year, the timing is perfect for the release of the first season DVD set of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a brilliantly conceived follow-up series to the original 1960s series starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
Most of the cast members of the next "Star Trek" movie are featured in this first season set, which consists of over 20 hours of programming on 26 episodes in a seven disc set. But what makes the set complete are some insightful documentaries that features archived interviews with the likes of the late show creator Gene Rodenberry, as well as Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, Levar Burton, and several other members of the "Next Generation" cast.
In all, it's an interesting to hear from one of the best shows that blend both science fact and fiction. The bonus "memorable missions" segment should amuse fans, where cast and crew members member playfully recall their most favorite moments (Frakes muses about being vomited onto a beach covered in black slime in "Skin of Evil").
Fans will also be happy to see interviews from original cast members like Denise Crosby, who was killed off the show in its second year. As we learn, Crosby, who played Tasha Yar, originally auditioned for the part of Counselor Troi -- while Marina Sirtis, who eventually got the part, originally read for Yar. Sirtis, no doubt, came out ahead on the deal.
As not a die-hard fan of the series, it's hard to say whether Trek fans will find much more new with the set (although the appearance of the shows alone in the far-superior DVD format will probably be enough). For a moderate fan, though, I found the disc set fascinating, as it delved into the heart of an incredible franchise that still roars on today. (Paramount Home Entertainment).
Reissues On DVD: Director Adrian Lyne recalls directing two infidelity classics with commentary on the DVD debuts of "Fatal Attraction" and "Indecent Proposal" (both from Paramount Home Entertainment). Celebrating 15 years, the "Fatal Attraction" disc has several documentaries on the making of the film, including interviews with stars Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer.
"Bull Durham" (MGM Home Video) gets the deluxe DVD treatment, with commentary tracks by Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and director Ron Shelton, and a new "making of" documentary; as does "The Usual Suspects" (MGM Home Video), which features multiple featurettes, audio commentary by director Bryan Singer, writer Christopher McQuarrie, and composer John Ottman.
John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale ("Pearl Harbor") star as Jonathan and Sarah, two strangers who by fate meet one wintry night in a New York City department store. They are instantly attracted to one another, and know that they'd be right for each other if it weren't for the fact they were both already involved with other partners.
Not completely closing the door on future possibilities, Sara devises a simple plan that will enable the two to contact one another if they were destined to be together. Years begin to pass, but will their destinies find their paths crossing again?
Although Cusack and Beckinsale are lovable in "Serendipity," the premise is just plain tiring. Don't get me wrong -- I'm a big fan of movies that deal with love, life, and how destiny plays a part it all -- but it's to the point now where filmmakers have to come up with something extraordinary different ("Sliding Doors" is an excellent example) in order to break out of the plot devices that make these movies look all the same.
As you might have guessed, the movie's conclusion is inevitable, and the numbers of the near misses the couple has makes "Serendipity" frustrating to watch.
DVD Features: Director's commentary with Peter Chelsom, deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes documentary, and more. (Miramax Home Video)
Also New:
'13 Ghosts' (R)
Filmmakers Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis corner the market on creepiness with "13 Ghosts" -- a remake of schlockmeister William Castle's 1960 original that takes some sinister turns that echo such modern horror classics as "Hellraiser" and "Phantasm."
At the heart of the movie is Arthur (Tony Shalhoub) the patriarch of a family (which includes "American Pie" star Shannon Elizabeth) who is suffering the loss of his wife. Financially destitute, he inherits a technical marvel of a mansion, consisting of glass walls and run by machines. But housed within the mansion are a group of 12 ghastly-looking ghosts who aren't too happy about being there. Unfortunately for Arthur and his family, they're trapped inside and have to deal with the spirits.
Since "13 Ghosts" is a remake, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that it sorely lacks originality. Still, there's nothing wrong if remakes are done well, which is exactly the case with "13 Ghosts." It revels in its thrills, and borrows from the best horror filmmakers past and present to make the movie a joyful thrill ride.
DVD Features: The DVD of "13 Ghosts" excels over the theatrical version, mainly because it's an extension of the film. By including such bonus features as "The Ghost Files" (which chronicles the origins of the ghosts in the film), it truly does bolster the film.
The documentary "13 Ghosts Revealed" is equally as interesting in its examination of the original William Castle version of the film, which required 3-D glasses to see the ghosts. That, of course, explains why the characters needed special glasses to see the ghosts in the new version of the movie. Other features include commentary from director Steve Beck and other filmmakers involved in the production. (Warner Bros. Home Video)
'Bandits' (PG-13)
There's nothing worse for movie fans than to watch good talent go south, and that's the direction Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thorton head in "Bandits," a movie with a promising cast and stupid script.
Willis and Thortnon star as Joe and Terry, a bank-robber duo that busts out of prison and embarks on a cross-country robbery spree. However, these guys are a pair of kindler, gentler bandits (nicknamed "sleepover bandits"), because they arrive at the executive's doorstep the night before each robbery, and get to know their victims before they rob the bank the next day. Complicating their trip is Kate, an under-appreciated eccentric housewife who attracts both Joe and Terry, and threatens the duo's partnership.
There's no question that "Bandits" has a strong cast (especially Blanchett) and director (Barry Levinson), which leaves you scratching your head as to why the film doesn't work. Perhaps the main reason is the material is boring and contrived. Attempts at laughter fall hard and fast.
DVD Features: An alternate ending, deleted scenes, and two "making-of" featurettes.
Star Trek: The Next Generation First Season Gift Set
With the 10th "Star Trek" film due in theaters later this year, the timing is perfect for the release of the first season DVD set of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," a brilliantly conceived follow-up series to the original 1960s series starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
Most of the cast members of the next "Star Trek" movie are featured in this first season set, which consists of over 20 hours of programming on 26 episodes in a seven disc set. But what makes the set complete are some insightful documentaries that features archived interviews with the likes of the late show creator Gene Rodenberry, as well as Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, Levar Burton, and several other members of the "Next Generation" cast.
In all, it's an interesting to hear from one of the best shows that blend both science fact and fiction. The bonus "memorable missions" segment should amuse fans, where cast and crew members member playfully recall their most favorite moments (Frakes muses about being vomited onto a beach covered in black slime in "Skin of Evil").
Fans will also be happy to see interviews from original cast members like Denise Crosby, who was killed off the show in its second year. As we learn, Crosby, who played Tasha Yar, originally auditioned for the part of Counselor Troi -- while Marina Sirtis, who eventually got the part, originally read for Yar. Sirtis, no doubt, came out ahead on the deal.
As not a die-hard fan of the series, it's hard to say whether Trek fans will find much more new with the set (although the appearance of the shows alone in the far-superior DVD format will probably be enough). For a moderate fan, though, I found the disc set fascinating, as it delved into the heart of an incredible franchise that still roars on today. (Paramount Home Entertainment).
Reissues On DVD: Director Adrian Lyne recalls directing two infidelity classics with commentary on the DVD debuts of "Fatal Attraction" and "Indecent Proposal" (both from Paramount Home Entertainment). Celebrating 15 years, the "Fatal Attraction" disc has several documentaries on the making of the film, including interviews with stars Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer.
"Bull Durham" (MGM Home Video) gets the deluxe DVD treatment, with commentary tracks by Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and director Ron Shelton, and a new "making of" documentary; as does "The Usual Suspects" (MGM Home Video), which features multiple featurettes, audio commentary by director Bryan Singer, writer Christopher McQuarrie, and composer John Ottman. Copyright 2002 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
