DVD RACK

We pick 5 old films we watched this week for your consideration.

A TIME TO KILL: Matthew Mconaghey represents as a lawyer again this week in 'The Lincoln Lawyer', so lets take it back to the mid-nighties when he stepped in the courtroom for Samuel L. Jackson in 'A Time To Kill'. A powerful race drama that will make thinkers out of the ignorant should have sweeped the Oscars if it wasn't mired in controversy. Kevin Spacey, Sandra Bullock and the Sutherland's lend a hand in one of the best, most underrated movies of one of the best decades of cinema history, the 1990's. As Samuel would say, 'YES IT DESERVED MORE AND I HOPE IT GETS IT"!

ROMEO + JULIET: One of 'The Lincoln Lawyer's' supporting actors John Legizamo is one of the business' most talented, underrated all-round actors. He's a great character actor but can lead too and although Baz Luherman's 'Romeo + Juliet' was best known for it's modern take and it's Romeo (Leo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes) but arguably as Tibult, Leguizamo along with Harold Perrineau as Mercutio stole the show. As soon as he stubs out his cigar with his steel-capped heel and draws his sword, (or his gun), with all his charm and cocksure confidence he owns everybody, the moment and the movies best moment. Truly a theatrical moment, played up the right way. BANG!

DOUBLE JEOPARDY: Tommy Lee Jones is currently bringing his acting silver to the linings of cinema screens worldwide along with Ben Affleck in 'The Company Men' but back in the 90's is where this super star character actor really shined. Chasing another 90's mainstay Ashley Judd (where is she these days?) in 'Double Jeopardy' many saw this as a unofficial sequel and spiritual successor to the classic 'The Fugitive' and 'U.S. Marshall's' movies. In this picture Judd is wrongly imprisoned for murdering her husband, and you want to know the kicker? He isn't even dead and with the laws of double jeopardy (no, it's not a game show) you can't be tried for the same crime twice if already found guilty, so therefore revenge is a dish best served legal. Jones and Judd are perfect in this as are the cities of New Orleans and Washington D.C. It may be nighties nostalgia but they just don't make action thrillers like this anymore.

BATMAN FOREVER: We reviewed 'The Dark Knight' last week, so now it's the turn for a lighter, funner film from the caped, crusading franchise. Tommy Lee Jones was also in this one playing a camper but cooler two-Face and Jim Carrey was perfect as The Riddler, making you think he could even do it now in the darker, Nolan movies. Sure this picture wasn't as good as Michael Keaton's first two Batman's but it was definitely better then 'Batman & Robin'. We pay tribute to this film in the honor of great British actor Michael Gough who sadly passed away this week. He played Alfred in all the first four Batman movies before Michael Caine played perfect homage to the role. We thank Gough for his service and may he rest in peace.

ARMAGEDDON: Tommy Lee Jones 'Company' co-star Ben Affleck really is the man of the moment following his second-wind and second career a a director for last years steal of a hit, 'The Town'. Still after 'Good Will Hunting' with friend Matt Damon, Affleck took a lot of roles people knocked him for, this however wasn't one of them. An out-of-this-world, end-of-the-world smash really was one of the biggest movies of it's kind taking the threat and power out of 'Deep Impact' (which was released at the same time and in it's own right great). This movie had everything from an all-star cast (Owen Wilson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Steve Buscemi, Billy Bob and many more recognisable faces) to Steven Tylers greatest song (Aerosmith's 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing') and his beautiful daughter Liv. This corny, but classic popcorn bubbling action flick belonged to Affleck and leading man Bruce Willis and their finale scene. Just like a friend said this week, if you don't shed tears to this one you aren't a real man. This really is something. TIM DAVID HARVEY.