Video Reviews: 'Bounce,' 'Men Of Honor'

Here's an overview of new releases on video this week:

'Bounce' (PG-13)

Despite an on-again, off-again off-screen romance, there's definitely no lack of chemistry between Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow in "Bounce," a heart-wrenching romantic drama from writer-director Don Roos.

Of course, having an emotionally leveling narrative that staple-guns you to your seat doesn't hurt, either.

Affleck stars as an ad executive who in a seemingly last minute decision of generosity gives his plane ticket to a playwright (Tony Goldwyn), only to be left wracked in guilt after the plane crashes and kills all its passengers. But the torment doesn't stop there: The playwright left behind a wife (Paltrow) and kids, and in Affleck's efforts to heal his pain, he becomes confused when he falls for the widow, hiding his tragic secret from her.

Despite solid performances and a curiously engaging storyline, Affleck is difficult to warm up to in "Bounce," if only because of his confused motivation. In real life such actions would be reprehensible, and his predatory tactics (although he started off with the best of intentions, as odd as that may sound) may be a real turn-off for viewers.

Thankfully, we're spared of any terrifying plane crash sequences, which would make his plight seem all the more disgusting. Since his "Opposite of Sex" showed that Roos is clearly a talented filmmaker, his predictable syrupy resolution for "Bounce" is forgivable; Let's just hope that he "bounces" back from this lukewarm project sooner rather than later.

Men of Honor (PG-13)

The drama "Men of Honor" would seem like a typical Hollywood take of triumph over tragedy - that is, if it weren't for the fact that this inspiring tale was based on a true story.

The operative word here is "based," as "Men of Honor" tells the semi-factual story of Carl Brashear, the first African-American to become a Chief Master Diver for the U.S. Navy despite racial adversity and a ship deck accident that led to the amputation of his lower left leg.

Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Brashear with stunning conviction, recreating the cruelties that the real Brashear faced in his plight to reach his goal in the early 60s. Per usual, Robert De Niro also delivers, this time as Chief Master Diver Billy Sunday, a racially-biased diving trainer who learns some lessons in life through Brashear's determination. The problem is, Sunday is a composite of several people Brashear encountered in real life, and the docu-drama tag the film earns as a result diminishes the impact of an otherwise-riveting story.

DVD Spotlight 'Cleopatra' (PG)

If you didn't think the most expensive movie ever made could get any bigger, well, it has. But in the case of the release of the Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton epic "Cleopatra" on DVD, that's a good thing.

Released in 1963, the film, by today's standards, with complete production and marketing costs, would come in at over $440 million. The DVD makes you get your money's worth, though, with an amazing 10 hours worth of programming. Of course, the film - despite considered by many standards the biggest flop of all time -- has become a classic in its own rite, and would be a worthy stand-alone product within itself. But enhancing the package is an insightful commentary track that includes co-star Martin Landau, and Chris and Tom Mankiewicz, the sons of the late director Joseph Mankiewicz.

Without question, though, the best part of the bonus package is the brilliant documentary "Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood," a expertly produced two hour piece that pulls no punches when it comes to revealing the storied history of the film. It sheds light on the infamous Burton-Taylor affair, which created drama on and off the set, and includes many interviews with many principal players.

Among the most ironic revelations in the documentary is the tale of the how the film originated: Former Fox studio executive David Brown was told by the studio chief to mine the Fox script vaults to find a screenplay that could be produced quickly at a minimal expense. That film, of course, was "Cleopatra," which was originally a 1917 Fox production starring Theda Bara. The problem was, it was a silent movie script, and the headaches grew from there.

It also deeply delves into Taylor's involvement in the film, as she became the first actor signed to a $1 million contract for a role - a particularly stunning amount, considering the film's original budget was $2 million.

Other features in the 3-disc set include a 1963 featurette, "The Fourth Star of Cleopatra," archival footage from the film's New York and Hollywood premiere and extensive still galleries of costumes, sketches and concept art.