Let's face it, no one expected much from CHARLIE'S ANGELS, the movie version of the old cheescake TV show from the 70's. But after watching this, I had to admit that this was the most unexpected and pleasant surprise of the year. This flick was action-packed, sexy and FUNNY!!!! Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, and Drew Barrymore show a lot of on-screen chemistry and fun in the title roles, while Bill Murray is his usual droll self as their aide, Bosley. Like the old TV show, they still take orders from the unseen Charlie (reprised by John Forsyth), but this time, they add tongue-in-cheek humor and "Matrix" style action to the slight plot. McG, in his first film, directs this flick with a sharp eye and a knack for keeping things at breakneck speed. Crispen Glover, Kelly Lynch and Tim Curry are fun as some of the foes that our heroines must face. Nobody on the screen takes this stuff seriously, and neither should you. If you're looking for art...look elsewhere. Otherwise, it's a fun 90 minutes that I highly recommend.

HERCULES is another Disney take on the Warner Brothers' style humor that worked so well in ALADDIN. Basicially using the old Superman story as a model, the film tells the story of young Herc as he is kidnapped from his home in Olympus and must make his way as a mortal hero....a very super-strong hero at that!!! While the humor isn't quite as wild as ALADDIN, it does a wonderful send-up about the price of fame. James Woods is a stitch as the evil god, Hades...the underworld lord with the tactics of a used-car salesman. Susan Egan oozes sexy smarts as Herc's love interest, Meg. In fact, all the voices do a solid job in this flick. While not very true to the actual myth, HERCULES is another winner in the Disney stable of animated classics. Highly recommended.

It took long enough, but when the film version of EVITA finally made it to the big screen, it proved to be a worthy successor to the classic musical films of the 50's & 60's. Stylish, well-paced and intelligent, this films features 2 solid performances by Madonna in the title role, and Antonio Banderas as the commentator, Che. Madonna plays the role on a more ambiguous level then the stage version, where her character's selfishness was obviously clear-cut. Fortunately, it works to communicate why the people of Argentina loved this icon. Madonna handles the role very well, making this her best film performance ever. However, Antonio Banderas' Che is the movie's heart and soul. Played more as a "man on the street" as opposed to being the revolutionary Che Guevera, Banderas connects with us in the audience while being swept up in the events within the film. Jonathan Pryce is solid in the thankless role of Evita's husband, Juan Peron. In an era where the musical film is an all but forgotten genre, EVITA is a solid film that reminds us how wonderful they could be. Recommended, especially for fans of the musical theatre.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is one of those shows that you just have to let go of all disbelief, in order to accept the broad and wacky humor. Using the 2 stars from the original cast (Zero Mostel & Jack Gilford), this film is a fun and silly romp for everyone to enjoy. Mostel leads the pack as the crafty slave plotting his way to freedom, while Gilford is perfect as his VERY nervous cohort. Buster Keaton is a gem as the befuddled, blind-as-a-bat, old man searching for his long-lost children, while Phil Silvers is oily perfection as Lycus, the buyer & seller of the flesh of beautiful women. Leon Greene is vanity personified as the roman soldier, Miles Gloriosus. Richard Lester directs using his trademark quick-cuts and cinema tricks, and while they don't always work, they keep the film from dragging too much. Fans of the stage show will be disappointed to see some of the musical numbers cut, as well as the liberties with the script. (The part of Lycus is expanded in the film to accomodate Silvers.) However, the chance to see these old pros of burlesque humor strut their stuff makes this trip well worth taking. Be aware, however, that this film is NOT for the PC inclined. This is a "Comedy, Tonight" worth recommending.

THE FANTASTICKS has been a fixture in theatre for almost 40 years now, and while it is nice to see this show finally appear on film, this particular version leaves one feeling rather empty. The cast, for the most part are fine, especially Joel Grey, Barnard Hughs and Teller. However, it never quite jells into a magical whole. Part of that may be due to the fact that the show itself is SO dependant on the stagecraft that helped set the tone. A lot of it has to due with the editing that leaves some very strange choices: the reduction of the hit "Try to Remember" into little more than a wrap-up number at film's end, El Gallo's role as narrarator basically being eliminated, and the fact that Broadway pro Joel Grey is partnered with an actor who can barely carry a tune. All of these things plus more add up to a rather lame version of a great play. Thankfully, the DVD special features adds to the experience with deleted scenes and songs, showing us what COULD have been. While I recommend the DVD for musical buffs, I cannot recommend this film for the average viewer.

This is where it all began. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER was the introduction to the character of a high school girl called upon to tackle the supernatural evils of the undead. Many of the familiar elements are there: the Watcher, the training, etc. However, the movie was played more for laughs, basically trashing Joss Wheadon's original vision. Kristy Swanson is cute and funny as the title role, while Donald Sutherland is appropriately sage and befuddled as her Watcher, Merrick. Unfortunately, Rutger Hauer's king vampire, with his cheesy fangs, seems like a bargin basement Dracula from a bad Hammer flick, while Paul Reuben's antics are so hammy, they belong between two slices of bread. The movie is entertaining, and it does provide a prequel of sorts to the excellent TV series it spawned. Otherwise, stick with the TV show, which FAR more superior and entertaining.

Let's face it, BEDAZZLED is not a classic piece of cinematic art. What it is, however, is an ejoyable romp featuring top-notch performances in Brendan Fraser and Elisabeth Hurley. This flick features Fraser as a sweet,put-upon nerdy office worker, who has a serious crush on a girl at work and who is basically treated as an outcast to be avoided by his fellow employees. After another day of humiliation, he meets a sexy devil (Hurley) who offers him 7 wishes in exchange for his soul. What happens next are very funny takes on the old " be careful what you wish for" axiom. Fraser is very funny in his various roles and his performance provides a solid center to this film. Elisabeth Hurley is obviously having a blast in a role tailor-made for her, and her sex appeal is put to great use here. Of course, not all the comic bits work completely, but they still are amusing, while the more successful ones are gut-busting funny. Director Harold Ramis keeps the film going at a good clip so it doesn't drag. Overall, this is a fun film that really gives you a "devil" of a time. Recommended.

This recent NBC mini-series covers the classic Greek myth of young Jason, who sought the Golden Fleece in his quest to be king. Unlike the classic Ray Harryhausen film of the 60's, this version is a little more grim and dark than usual for this type of film, but it entertains nevertheless. Brian Thompson (the alien bounty hunter from THE X-FILES TV show) is a hearty and jovial Hercules, while the kings of Frank Langella and Dennis Hopper and Natasha Henstridge's queen provide ample opposition for our hero. As the musician Orpheus, Adrian Lester delivers a thoughtful and solid performance. Robert McFadden is good as a petulant, yet puckish, Zeus. Unfortunately, where this movie falters is in the performance of Jason London as our hero. While he has the "angry young man" aspect right, he lacks the heroic passion and fire (that Todd Armstrong displayed in the 60's version) needed to be a credible leader of his Argonaut crew. Fortunately, there is so much action and special effects in this film that it can be overlooked to some degree. While not the classic that Harryhausen created, this is still an intelligent and solid film version of a favorite myth.

This is the 2nd of 3 VHS 3-pack sets featuring episodes from the cult TV hit, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. This set concentrates on episodes from season 2, in which Buffy's relationship with Angel, the vampire with a soul, takes a tragic turn and sets in motion events that resound through the series even to the present time. As always, Sarah Michelle Gellar is perfection as the title character. David Boreanez does a solid job as well as Angel, especially when he turns evil. And James Marsters is a stitch as the wild card vamp, Spike. Many fans think this series of episodes is still the highlight of the series. If you agree or not, there is no denying the intelligence and wit that creator Joss Whedon has lavished on this series. If you get just one set, this probably would be the one. Highly recommended.

This is the first set of VHS 3-packs, featuring episodes of that critical and cult classic TV show, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. The 2 part pilot episodes are presented here, as well as 4 others from the first season. Sarah Michelle Gellar is a treat as the high school teen born to tackle the undead, while Anthony Stewart Head is appropriately droll as her mentor, Giles. we learn the beginning of the Angel/Buffy romance, among other things in this fun set. This show has become a great success, and after viewing these tapes, you'll see why for yourself. Highly recommended.