Carolina

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 5, 2003 (Russia) / Not Released in the U.S.

DVD Release Date: February 1, 2003

Plot 411: A young woman tries to start a normal life for herself after being raised in an eccentric family.

Review: Apparently this straight-to-DVD movie didn't have enough gumption to make it to the theaters. It stars Julia Stiles as Carolina, the eldest of three sisters who were left by their alcoholic father (Randy Quaid) to be raised by their grandmother (Shirley MacLaine). Grandma Millie lives by her own rules and doesn't let anyone tell her differently. Because of this, Carolina tries to establish as conventional a life as possible. She's unable to sustain a relationship with a guy longer than three dates because she's got all these rules and standards. She's completely predictable. The only guy (and relationship) she can hang on to is the one with her neighbor and best friend (Alessandro Nivola). The movie is a great example the strength of the family unit, even if that unit is disjointed and definitely not nuclear. It's about the love between a grandmother and her granddaughters. It's about accepting yourself and your family for who you are, not trying to pretend you're something you're not and being able to give the world the bird if they don't like it. MacClaine is so great as this quirky grandma character. She's lovable and aggravating at the same time. Also in this movie are Azura Skye, Mika Boorem, Alan Thicke and Jennifer Coolidge.

Watch It: Because it's really not as bad as a direct-to-DVD movie sounds.

Skip It: Because, well, like most rom coms it's completely predictable through and through.

Mansfield Park

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: November 17, 1999

DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000

Plot 411: A poor girl grows up in a rich household and perseveres despite a different kind of rough upbringing

Review: In this film based on Jane Austen's book of the same name, poor Fanny Price (Frances O'Connor) goes to live with her wealthy aunt as a young girl. Her family sends her for the developmental and educational benefit as well as for the financial relief of having one less mouth to feed. Depsite being a relative, she is treated harshly like a servant. Everyone is horrible except for her cousin Edmund (Jonny Lee Miller), and they quickly become friends. As they grow up, Fanny's love for Edmund deepens. However, it is threatened when Henry (Alessandro Nivola) and Mary (Embeth Davidtz) Crawford, relatives of the local clergy, arrive and begin insinuating themselves into their lives. Again, I'm loving this period piece, especially because it's another adaptation of Jane Austen. Somehow, she just gets all the angst and turmoil surrounding love in these impossible situations. She understands strong female characters and is determined to see them succeed. Miller is lovable and sometimes so darned respectful that you just want to bop him on the head! O'Connor does a nice job as Fanny.

Watch It: For a slightly different take on things than what's in the novel.

Skip It: If you don't like Austen to begin with. Why waste your time?