Giant

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: November 24, 1956

DVD Release Date: May 31, 2005

Plot 411: The story of three generations of Benedicts, a family rich in land and cattle.

Review: This is a great saga about Bick (Rock Hudson) and Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor) Benedict and their family. When Bick goes east to buy a stud horse, he meets Leslie and marries her. Upon bringing his new bride home, she and his sister (Mercedes McCambridge) buck heads for control over the household. Leslie also encounters ideological differences between her life back east and her life in Texas - wealth vs. poverty, racism against Mexicans and the male dominated culture of Texas. Ranch hand Jet (James Dean), who comes from modest means, is jealous of the Benedicts' rich lives and falls for Leslie, and he sets out to make a name for himself. The family is confronted with real examples of racism when Bick's son (Dennis Hopper) marries a Mexican girl, and Bick must also face his own prejudice. Bick and Leslie must also adjust their dreams for their children as the children grow up and have dreams of their own. They must adapt with the changing times. I enjoyed this movie despite its extra long run time. Some might say it isn't as good as Gone With The Wind, however, I liked it better. For me, its themes and attitudes were more relatable (which is probably just a generational thing), and James Dean and Rock Hudson were quite easy on the eyes.

Watch It: For an interesting look at several generations of life and the society changes experienced through one family.

Skip It: Because this is not Gone With The Wind.

Seven Swords (Chat Gim)

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: July 29, 2005 (China)

DVD Release Date: January 16, 2007

Plot 411: Seven master swordsmen join forces to protect a village from a merciless general.

Review: With a recent ban on the practice of martial arts offering ample bounty, Fire-Wind (Sun Honglei) and his men ravage villages in the name of the new ruling. He kills men, women and children even if they aren't trained to fight. Opposing him is Fu Qingzhu (Liu Jialiang), a former executioner who is trying to make up for his sins. He gathers several other great fighters and together they attempt to protect a village of innocents. This movie echoed Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven. It combined the creativity of Chinese martial arts with the mastery of swordplay. As with most period Chinese action films, this one contained a lot of great stunts, acrobatics and wire work. There were also a decent amount of CGI - some looked more realistic than others. The English subtitles were done with a British accent, so I assume they might've been done in Hong Kong. The dub didn't match the subtitles so that was a little distracting. Other than that, this was an enjoyable action-filled movie.

Watch It: For high-flying action and sword fights.

Skip It: If you usually enjoy a good love story thrown into the mix. This one was pretty weak.

Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: March 28, 2008

DVD Release Date: January 01, 2008

Plot 411: An interesting documentary on the scandalous life of director Roman Polanski.

Review: It's truly disgusting what fame and celebrity does to people . . . and in this case, I do not mean director Roman Polanski. I am referring to Judge Laurence Rittenband. This doc focuses on the highs and lows of Polanski's life, which included his survivng the Holocaust, his marriage to actress Sharon Tate, her vicious murder, his arrest on charges of rape and the sensational trial that followed. The man has apparently lived the lives of dozens of regular people, a life that is almost too outrageous to be real. This doc comes across as a piece of fiction more than the facts of someone's life. In the end, despite what Polanski may or may not have done to an underaged girl, the real shocker (or perhaps not) is the corruption within the courts. Even judges fall prey to vanity and celebrity. They use their power unjustly. It really, truly is sick.

Watch It: If you're a fan of court TV or an aspiring entertainment law student for a good case study.

Skip It: If a bunch of old guys recounting the past will put you to sleep despite the juicy content.