Silly Thinking

Hi Silly Thinkers! And welcome to "Home Theatre" where we review DVD entertainment for you to enjoy in your home!

HOME THEATRE is brought to you by Dr. Cool for that cool thirst that just won't quit!

And now your Home Theatre Host: Jim Farris!

Well thanks Jim and hello everyone and welcome to "Home Theatre". Today's episode:
"Things That Go Bump In The Night"

1. "The Sixth Sense".
DVD release: Buena Vista (Touchstone, Disney)
This movie was the most succesful thriller of all time and it's a gimmick picture. I won't reveal the gimmick if you haven't seen it but unlike other movies that rely on a suprise ending "The Sixth Sense" is still an intriquing film to watch even after you know the tricks.
This movie is so good even Bruce Willis is good in it!
Haley Joel Osment plays a troubled boy who see's dead people and Willis is his psychiatrist who tries to help him with horrible visions.
Osment's performance is the glue of the film and he does a superb job.
M. Night Shayalam's direction is taut and his script explores the human side of a story that could have relied on bells and whistles to work.
DVD Extra's: The features that accompany the film are fast and fun and explore all aspects of the filmmaking process from storyboard comparisons to outtakes. There is also an entire section on tricks and rules that the filmmakers used to lead you into the story and away from the suprises.
This is what DVD's do best: serve as a worthy and thoughtful companion to a great movie.

2."Close Encounters OF The Third Kind"
DVD release: Columbia (Sony)
Steven Spielberg's alien abduction story still hits the mark but I have problems with Roy Neary's (Richard Dreyfuss) home life with Terri Garr as his wife (turning in one of her most grating performances...and that's saying a lot!) and those screaming one dimensional children.In fact the "family life" aspect of this story rings more hollow and unfocused as the movie ages.
This is Spielberg's "director's cut" with additional footage shot for a re-release of the movie ten years after it was made and restored footage from the first cut of the film.
Francois Truffaut, the great new wave French director (he coined the phrase 'new wave' by the way) is wonderful in his only American acting performance.

By the way Universal is releasing "Fahrenheit 451" on DVD soon. It's Truffaut's only American financed movie made in Europe with Oskar Werner and Julie Christie and (of course) it's an adaptation of Ray Bradbury's novel. It might make for an intresting double feature with "Close Encounters".

The DVD extras are intresting with a new documentary and deleated scenes (there have been so many versions of this film it's amazing that most of these scenes have not been shown in any version. How much film did this guy shoot?) and many other featurettes.

3. "Taken"
DVD release: Dreamworks.
I watched "Close Encounters" as an entree to this Spielberg produced mini-series that was co-produced with the sci-fi channel.
"Taken" is the complete 12 90 minute episodes of the series. The first episode is taught and edgy with direction by Tobe ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre" & "Poltergiest") Hooper who I guess Spielberg turns to when he's busy.
The epic multigenerational "Roots" with Aliens story charts three families whose members have been abducted or are investigating the Alien activities.
There is a fair amount of fat with this length but I was hooked and find the look into the government's attitude and cover up to be fascinating.
Also it hypotisizes about what the aliens are doing here with us. If this subject intrests you clear some time on your calendar and take a look.
It will demand debate.

Well that's it for this week. Be sure to join me on Friday when you can tour "Jim's Movielog" here at "S.T."

Thanks Jim we will.
"Home Theatre" was brought you by Dr. Cool for that cool thirst that just won't quit.

And now here's Connie Chung for an Iowa Caucuss update.

CC: Thanks Jim and hello everyone.
Well the Iowa Caucuss's will be held tonight with a virtual dead heat among the four top democrats fighting for the White House.
In a leading Iowa newspaper poll it was John Kerry taking th lead among voters with Howard Dean a suprising fourth. But with the top four all less than two percentage points away from one another and a plus or minus rate of 4 points it reads as a four way tie.
We will be updating you all night on the tight Iowa race so stay with us here at "Silly Thinking".
Jim.

JF: Thanks Connie and for all of us here at "Jim Farris Presents Silly Thinking with Douglas Lain" remember IT REALLY IS ALL HERE!