Secondhand Lions

Secondhand Lions, newly released on DVD, is a winner of a movie from the autumn flicks last year. If you missed it like many of us, catch it now, as it is well worth the time and funds. Distributed ahead of Big Fish in 2003, it was unfortunately much overlooked in the string of fantasy-cum-dramatic comedies released late last year. Lightly directed by Tim McCanlies, Secondhand Lions, was, by far the most elegant version, starring old pros Michael Caine (Garth,) and Robert Duvall (Hub) as best of friends and brothers eccentric. Haley Joel Osment expertly meshed his own portrayal of the young character, Walter with Caine’s and Duvall’s characters. Osment is a joy to watch, and Caine carries the ‘story’ along with his quiet voice, as Osment listens to, wistfully enraptured by, the romantic adventure tales.

METAPHYSICAL OVERVIEW 
People age, physically. Appearances aside, they are still ‘here’ mentally and emotionally. Many older people are often mistaken for old people, frail and uninteresting, with seemingly little, if anything interesting ever having happened to or around them…how do we continually miss the fact that someone had to have been as ‘cool’ yesterday as our ‘coolest’ people today, for we couldn’t have become so smooth and hip in just one generation, could we?

MORE COMEDIES WORTH A MENTION
Watch for Disney’s newest animation, Home on The Range, should prove to be excellent, not only for laughs, but for the animation style we are so fortunate to enjoy. None other than Dame Judi Dench heads the voice cast (Mrs. Caloway) with RoseAnne Barr (Maggie) and Jennifer Tilley (Grace) to complete the plucky trio that must save the farm (and themselves) from the bad guy (Alameda Slim) to be brought to life by Randy Quaid. Charles Dennis gets to play the mysterious hero (Rico), and Charles Haid will play the comic relief (Lucky Jack). Cuba Gooding, Jr. was on hand to be the wise-cracking horse (Buck) and for the younger set, irascible piggies and the little chicks to keep everyone honest. Billed as a comedy, musical, western, family-oriented animation by Buena Vista, the distributor, this Disney flick should do very nicely. The Girl Next Door, should be a pleasant enough romantic comedy with Emile Hirsch and Alissa Cuthbert, produced by Fox, Regency, New Regency, Daybreak and distributed by Fox.

The dynamic Dennis Smith looks to be ‘back in the saddle’ with upcoming Jersey Girl, directing a stellar cast—George Carlin (whoa) and Liv Tyler, Jason Biggs, and Jennifer Lopez, and Ben Affleck in the lead role as Ollie Trink (just had to mention the name). Newly popular Stephen Root and ever-popular Mike Starr are in supporting roles…and of course Matt Damon is cast in a cameo. Thank you, MiraMax. The Ladykillers is a Touchstone and Jacobson picture, directed by the Coen Brothers, which may—or may not—promise laughs to you. Tom Hanks is the head ‘killer’ and is matched to Irma P. Hall (Miss Lettie And Me). Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie—1 & 2) and Tzi Ma, J.K. Simmons and Ryan Hurst round out The Ladykillers supporting cast. Let’s hope they are up to their best antics. Buena Vista is distributing this film.

UPCOMING DRAMA
Who loves Val Kilmer, no matter what? OK, he’s back in Spartan. Let’s hope it’s good, as that’s the only way we’ll see more of him. This one appears to be an actual ‘thriller’ instead of the pseudo horror movies out right now billed as ‘thrillers.’ Directed by David Mamet (!) and featuring Derek Luke (from television to Antwoine Fischer) Tia Texada, who we first really noticed in Thirteen Conversations About One Thing a few years ago. William H. Macy is also in the cast, as are a couple of other Mamets. Distributed by Warner Bros.