DVD "Relationship" Review Round-Up
Hey, whether it's considering a very unwise hook-up during Spring Break, worrying about becoming a parent while still in high school or yearning for the special someone who "just isn't that into you", we all can relate to relationship drama. So, why not let some talented actors show you how they "deal"? We checked out two very different films and a TV show season either available now or coming out soon on DVD to give you some dating wars advice...or just entertain you...
From Buena Vista Home Entertainment
The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two
This landmark ABC Family series (labeled so for very frank talk about sex, relationships, both adult and teen, and high school pregnancy) is about to launch Season Three (Note: check our new exclusive interview with stars Shailene Woodley and Daren Kagasoff ). In Season Two, as Amy's due date approaches, her secret marriage to Ben complicates things. As their relationship goes through changes and baby daddy Ricky must deal, high schoolers Jack, Adrian, Grace and adults Anne and George have their own personal traumas.
Special Features: We get the music video "Secret Life" (You and Me) by The Strange Familiar over clips from the show which do illustrate the song lyrics quite well. "Character Secrets" - presents various cast members telling us how they relate to different storylines on the series.
Sub-categories under this feature are "Loves Me Loves Me Not" in which the cast re-caps all the complicated who is with who in what order relationships. We learn that the female actors do actually gather in their trailers on set to talk about their own real life relationships. Like to be a fly on the trailer wall for that one! "Family Relationships" in various storylines are discussed. In "Tug of War", we hear about Ricky vs. Ben, Adrian Vs. Grace and various adults vs. each other. "Doing the Right Thing" introduces various moral dilemmas faced by Amy, Ricky, Jack and Grace.
The behind-the-scenes featurette on the DVD is "Cast Close-Ups" which are short interviews (I suspect they ran on the show's website) conducted by a very young teen girl name Mikaela with braces on her teeth who asks some relevant questions and a few off the wall ones. Each cast member is interviewed separately and, overall, this is a fun if not very in-depth extra.
Wrapping Up: Season Two saw the plot really thicken for our morally-conflicted teens and adults and further cemented the series as having its finger on the pulse of real, modern family and school life. It would have been nice to see the actors actually sit down and watch a few key episodes together and comment but if you are entertained and learn a lot from the show and its conflicts and enjoy the actors, this DVD is a real must own.
From Warner Home Video
He's Just Not That Into You
This all-star rom-com starring A-listers Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly, Scarlett Johansson, Justin Long, Bradley Cooper etc. features the tangled webs we weave when we just have to have that certain someone in our lives; even when it's not a good idea or the intended couldn't care less. Some of the characters are clueless, others hopeful beyond hope and some just trapped in long-time, misfit couplings. Needless to say, all of these relationships won't work out but you'll have fun watching the characters go for it.
Special Features: Not a ton. Five "Deleted Scenes" have an optional commentary by director Ken Kwapis included. Nothing really notable there except for a scene in which Scarlett sings and talks to her mom. However, Kwapis doesn't do a full-feature commentary for some reason (hey, it's a long film). It would have been very cool to see and hear each hot star talk about his or her role but...oh well.
Wrapping Up: This film comes off as a series of almost unrelated vignettes. The best thing about the movie is the performances. You'll love the cast, especially Ginnifer Goodwin whom you will really identify with I'll wager. Justin Long makes an "iffy" guy sympathetic and all the other cast members including Scarlett and Brad (as a shouldn't-be-hooking-up couple) are very believable. Will you figure out how to handle your own romantic foibles from watching this DVD? Very "iffy" but the fine performances will make it worth the rental if not an addition to your collection.
Spring Breakdown
This direct-to-DVD "gals gone wild" comedy features very funny comedic actresses Amy Poehler, Parker Posey and Rachel Dratch, with some fun contributions by Amber Tamblyn. Amy, Parker and Rachel (who wrote the comedy) play unfulfilled and nerdy pals since high school. Gayle (Amy) is a dog trainer who can't get a date even with a blind client, Becky (Parker) is a doormat office manager to a gun-tottin' Texas senator (wonderfully played by Jane Lynch) and Judi (Rachel) is a clueless romantic engaged to a super-obvious gay man.
When Becky is assigned to go on Spring Break to South Padre Island in order to play watchdog to the senator's college student daughter (Amber), her two pals go along and, of course, the trip changes lives as the girls make up for their boring high school and college lives by going hog wild (some more than others) with often funny results.
Extras: You get a duo audio "Commentary" with director Ryan Shiraki and Rachel Dratch that is rather boring. They don't seem to address what is actually happening on screen most of the time at all. A short collection of "Deleted Scenes" is somewhat cute but we can see why they were left out. The "Gag Reel" is funny but, with a film of this type, we expected a lot more crazy blown or alternate lines.
Wrapping Up: If it weren't for excellent comic actresses (also including the always funny Missi Pyle), this film would be very predictable and maybe too sweetsie or raunchy. But, with these talented women in the roles, the DVD is certainly worth a rental just to see some fine performances in a so-so film.
