Tom's DVD Corner 05/04/09

May 4, 8:27 AMBaltimore Movie ExaminerTom Clocker

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Next up are some suggestions in Sci-fi and Comedy. If you have any suggestions or comments to improve this segment (like genres you’d like to see), feel free to leave some comments or email me directly by clicking “My Bio” next to my picture above. Enjoy!

Sci-Fi

Alien and AVP series

Out of this series of movies my suggestions would be Alien, Aliens, and the first AVP (Alien vs. Predator). Aliens 3 wasn’t very good and Alien Resurrection was just bizarre. The second Alien vs. Predator, AVP 2: Requiem, probably should have never been made, and the first one’s true value just comes out of Sci-fi fans’ desires to see this combination film. So, now that I’ve confused you enough, here’s the info. Alien stars Sigourney Weaver in a film about a group of scientists and astronauts that come across a planet with some pretty funky junk on its surface. Being the curious bunch they are, they investigate. One of them becomes infected by the aliens and unknowingly brings it back onto the ship. It “hatches” on board and hides from the crew. They must find it and destroy it before it kills them all! The rest of the film is one of the best suspenseful, “could pop out at any time,” movies ever made. I got to see a screening of this out in L.A. about a year and a half ago, and if you ever get the chance, please do. It is terrific on the big screen. Aliens is very similar to the first film, but this time there are many aliens, not just one! Alien vs. Predator is exactly what it sounds like. It takes place in an ancient temple on Earth that the Predators use as a training ground, purposefully breeding Aliens so that young Predators can hunt them and prove themselves worthy of being in the clan. Only this time, the humans get caught up in the middle of the fight. It was a cool crossover movie of two classic Sci-fi films, and it was done just well enough to appreciate it and enjoy it. It didn’t bring anything new or fresh, and didn’t have any cameos from Sigourney or Arnold (Gov. Schwarzenegger was in the first Predator film), but fans wanted a crossover, and got a decent one.

Comedy

Beverly Hills Cop

Here’s another obvious choice, but hey, the purpose of this segment is to give you ideas of DVDs to rent. When’s the last time you’ve seen this classic? Beverly Hills Cop could easily be classified as Action too, but I enjoy the film far more for its comedic elements than its action. Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy in his first solo starring role) is a “play by his own rules” cop in Detroit. When a friend of his, visiting from Beverly Hills, is murdered he decides to spend a little time “snooping around” out in sunny California. The supporting cast really shine in the film and include Judge Reinhold, and the always funny Bronson Pinchot. If you’ve never seen this film, stop wasting your time watching "Dancing with the Stars" and rent this one immediately. If you have seen it, but not for a while, take the cover off, adjust the seat and mirrors, and take this classic out for another spin!

Blind Date

This may not be the best comedy ever, but since it was Bruce Willis’s first starring role in a feature film, it’s worth a look. He also got a lot of comedy experience on “Moonlighting” (the hit TV show from the 1980s), and it shows through with a very good performance alongside Kim Basinger. By the way, if you’ve never seen “Moonlighting” please find the DVDs somewhere and check it out. You will see a fantastic side of Bruce Willis that you may not have seen before. The guy is actually quite hilarious! The basic plot goes like this: guy (Willis) is set up on a blind date, girl cannot handle her alcohol, and comic chaos ensues. Again, this is definitely not the funniest or best comedy out there, but it has a few redeeming values and seeing a young, funny Bruce Willis is worth your time.
 

That's it for this edition of Tom's DVD Corner.  Check back often for more suggestions and other genres.  Tom's DVD Corner: Keeping you entertained since 2009!

Feel like staying in?  Don't see anything here you like?  Try other suggestions in Drama/Comedy or Romantic Comedy/Action.

Feel like going out?  Check out what's in theaters this week.  Check out this X-men Origins: Wolverine review. 

Which actors have made the most at the box office in their career?  Top 10