Category | Arts & Living

New discs for the DVD player

Published on November 13, 2007 by The Sentinel

Get into ‘Something New’

    Kenya McQueen [Sanaa Lathan] is a successful thirty-something businesswoman at an accounting firm. On Valentine’s Day, Kenya meets with her other single friends for a girl’s night out. They laugh and talk about finding an IBM [Ideal Black Man]. Trust me, their checklist is probably similar to most women’s with their goal of finding a college-educated man with a high-paying job.

    Kenya has not dated for the past two years because of her pickiness. One of her co-workers suggests a blind date, to which Kenya replies, “I don’t do blind dates.” Her co-worker persists that she will like the guy that she has in mind for her, telling her to quit being closed minded. Kenya rises to the challenge and agrees to go on the date. Much to her surprise, Kenya meets Brian [Simon Baker], a handsome landscape architect who seems to have all the right stuff.

    ‘Something New’ is a wonderful film that focuses on the subject that few romantic comedies touch: interracial dating.

DVD Release: May 16, 2006
Grade: B

‘Transformers’ fails to morph into decent film

    I rented ‘Transformers’ and ended up dissatisfied. Usually I do like fantasy and action movies, but this film gave me one big headache. There were several plotlines in the film that never seemed to tie together. The acting was bad except for the comedic actors, Bernie Mac and Anthony Anderson. Besides including those two characters, the filmmakers were unable to make up for the mess that was the movie. However, the one thing I do appreciate is the time and effort that the filmmakers put into the CGI technology.

    Those who grew up playing with Transformers might enjoy this film. Overall, I’m glad I didn’t spend $10 at the movie theater to see this film.

DVD Release: October 16, 2007
Grade: D

Good things come in trios: “The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones” DVD Collection   

    On Oct. 23, “The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Volume One” made its DVD debut from Lucasfilm Ltd., CBS Home Entertainment, and Paramount Home Entertainment. The series originally aired on television from 1992-1994 and earned eleven Emmys. Actor Sean Patrick Flanery plays the titular young Indiana Jones. Episodes include guest stars such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elizabeth Hurley, Anne Heche and Vanessa Redgrave. 

    “It’s well-written and wonderfully performed, the kind of action-adventure series that was made for families to watch together,” the Hollywood Reporter declares.

“‘Young Indiana Jones’ could be one of the best TV shows that ever happened…a superlative series,” the Houston Chronicle raves.

    A variety of people will be interested in owning this coveted DVD collection. Fans of history, fantasy and Indiana Jones lore in general will love watching the series. History teachers could even utilize this series in teaching their students about past events.

    Volume Two will follow on Dec. 18, and Volume Three is scheduled for release in spring 2008.