Zellweger

One True Thing [VHS]
$14.98
This is an interesting story about a young woman, Ellen, (played by Renee Zellwegger) who has grown up idolizing her father, a writer and college professor. She follows in his footsteps, in a way, by going to New York where she has become a successful journalist. When she goes home, reluctantly, for the holidaes, she shows the impatience of a young woman of her generation and lifestyle for that of her mother (Meryl Streep). Her mother is a happy, stay at home mom, who excells at homemaking and dotes on making everyone else comfortable. Totally not-ok with Ellen.

When she is still at home, her mother receives a diagnosis of cancer and her father, (William Hurt) asks Ellen to give up her job and life in NY to stay with them and take care of the Mom.

What follows is a beautifully told tale of the shift in perspective of Ellen as she struggles to take care of her mother, not because she wants to, but because her father has asked and because it's the right thing to do. Along the way, her father falls off the pedestal and the whole family dynamic is re-arranged.

This could have been terribly maudlin but due to the sensitive direction, I guess, and the all-star cast, it succeeds as an extremely moving film. Streep is always good and Hurt is wonderful in a difficult, many layered role. If I have any criticism of the film, it's that I wish it had gone further into the character of the father. Maybe the book does. Renee Zellwegger does a fine job, too. Some people think she isn't convincing as the hard-nose career girl she's supposed to be, but I think she carries it off pretty well. She is at her best in the tremendously emotional scenes. The scene at the town Christmas tree lighting is priceless. (bring Kleenex)

I highly recommend the film, for its intelligent script, sensitive direction and first rate acting.

New in Town [Blu-ray]
$39.99
What a great movie!!! A delightful romantic comedy! I watched it 3 times in a row and caught something different each time. Also thoroughly enjoyed to actor and director interviews on the Special Features after watching the movie. Just hearing how they had to endure those horrible below zero weather conditions while filming this movie was increadible and makes you want to watch the movie all over again. Harry Connick Jr was his usual wonderful self and as a sweet hometown like guy (similar to the charachter he played in Hope Floats) makes me wonder where all these nice hometown guys are and how come I can't find someone sweet like that!!! Renee Zellweger was fantastic too and played a very sweet and funny roll! And the way the hometown people pulled together makes you hope there is still that "we can do it" attitude and spirit still somewhere in America. Tapioca pudding, anyone???

New In Town (Widescreen Edition)
$19.98
What a great movie!!! A delightful romantic comedy! I watched it 3 times in a row and caught something different each time. Also thoroughly enjoyed to actor and director interviews on the Special Features after watching the movie. Just hearing how they had to endure those horrible below zero weather conditions while filming this movie was increadible and makes you want to watch the movie all over again. Harry Connick Jr was his usual wonderful self and as a sweet hometown like guy (similar to the charachter he played in Hope Floats) makes me wonder where all these nice hometown guys are and how come I can't find someone sweet like that!!! Renee Zellweger was fantastic too and played a very sweet and funny roll! And the way the hometown people pulled together makes you hope there is still that "we can do it" attitude and spirit still somewhere in America. Tapioca pudding, anyone???

New In Town (Fullscreen Edition)
$19.98
What a great movie!!! A delightful romantic comedy! I watched it 3 times in a row and caught something different each time. Also thoroughly enjoyed to actor and director interviews on the Special Features after watching the movie. Just hearing how they had to endure those horrible below zero weather conditions while filming this movie was increadible and makes you want to watch the movie all over again. Harry Connick Jr was his usual wonderful self and as a sweet hometown like guy (similar to the charachter he played in Hope Floats) makes me wonder where all these nice hometown guys are and how come I can't find someone sweet like that!!! Renee Zellweger was fantastic too and played a very sweet and funny roll! And the way the hometown people pulled together makes you hope there is still that "we can do it" attitude and spirit still somewhere in America. Tapioca pudding, anyone???