VDT VIEW

Listen to YOU GOT IT

By Dean Poling
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“The Soul of Rock and Roll” is touted as the premier CD collection of the works of Roy Orbison. Orbison was the operatic giant of rock. His voice carried the power of a Metropolitan Opera production with the two-minute emotional wallop of the jukebox. His voice brought his songs of desperate longing and crushing lows to lofty heights. Orbison rose to stardom in the 1950s. He died in 1988 but not until he continued his musical repertoire past the classics, such as “Only The Lonely” and “Pretty Woman,” to create new songs. He had new hits shortly before his death independently with “You Got It” and as a member of the super group The Traveling Wilburys along with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. “The Soul of Rock and Roll” collection reflected at the 20th anniversary of his death some of the best work of this legend. “The Best of The Soul of Rock and Roll” CD collects some of the best and most famous cuts into one disc … in case you don’t want to, or can’t afford to, purchase the four-disc collection. “The Best” CD is a fine retrospective of Orbison’s career. Listeners will find classics such as “Pretty Woman,” “Crying,” “Blue Bayou,” as well as later hits such as “You Got It” and “I Drove All Night.” In all, this “Best of” Orbison CD contains 18 songs, but there are at least a couple notable omissions from Orbison’s repertoire: “Only The Lonely” from the early years of his career, “She’s a Mystery” late from his solo career, and none of his work with the Wilburys is here (though there is a duet with Emmylou Harris — “That Lovin’ You Feelin’ Again” — as well as “Waymore’s Blues” with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis). Nonetheless, this CD is a fine collection for long-time fans of Roy Orbison and should serve as a fine introduction to the man who may have been the soul of rock and roll, but he was definitively the voice of rock & roll.

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
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“Seven Pounds” (Drama/Mystery: 2 hours, 3 minutes); Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, and Barry Pepper; Director: Gabriele Muccino; Rated: PG-13 (Strong language, brief violence, sensuality and thematic elements)
Movie Review: IRS agent Ben Thomas (Smith) sets out to offer seven gifts for seven strangers. The reason is not immediately known, but Thomas is clearly searching for redemption for past mistakes.
While Smith gets better with each movie, his choice of screenplays sometimes fails to give him something to match his talents. He once again pairs up with Director Muccino, who worked with Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006). The pairing for “Seven Pounds” is not as good. “Seven Pounds” is convoluted and not in synch. The story is a haphazard tale, leaving audiences in limbo at multiple parts. However, it never fails to keep one’s interests, and the performances are above average. Smith delivers as usual. Several others of the cast also give great performances. Take your crying cloth of choice to this one — it tries to no avail to be a tearjerker.
Grade: C+ (Worth about 5.5 out of 7 pounds)

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
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“” (Animation/Adventure/Family: 1 hour, 33 minutes); Starring Voices: Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Kline, William H. Macy and Stanley Tucci; Directors: Sam Fell and Robert Stevenhagen; Rated: G (Violence and some thematic elements)
Movie Review: Despereaux (Broderick), a mouse with large ears, sets out to accomplish the impossible: venture into the world of the Rats and the Humans, while remaining brave unlike the other mice. Despereaux does not consider himself a mouse; he considers himself a gentleman, one who falls in love with a beautiful human princess (Watson).
The character from the popular book series finally makes his way to the big screen as an animated character. “Despereaux” is a complicated story but it is an adventurous tale children and adults can enjoy, although which is the target audience remains questionable. Still, as rodent movies go, last year’s “Ratatouille” is much better.
Grade: C+ (Desperately seeking a coherent story but entertaining)

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
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“Yes Man” (Comedy: 1 hour, 44 minutes); Starring: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper; Director: Peyton Reed; Rated: PG-13 (Sexual innuendo, profanity and violence)
Movie Review: Allen (Carrey) says no to everything, and then some. He finally meets a wellness guru who introduces Allen to the word “yes.” To rehabilitate himself, Allen must open himself up to every opportunity and say yes to each. For instance, a woman tells him to go jump off a bridge, and Allen obliges by bungee jumping from a form bridge. He also says yes to other matters that are beyond crazy.
“Yes Man” is very much like “Liar Liar” (1997). Jim Carrey plays the same goofy character. A few laughs exist despite a goofy plot. Otherwise, “Yes Man,” based on the book by Danny Wallace, is formulaic, silly fun.
Grade: C (Just OK man)

By Adann-Kennn Alexxandar
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“Slumdog Millionaire” (Drama: 2 hours); Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Madhur Mittal and Irrfan Khan; Director: Danny Boyle; Rated: R (strong violence, nudity, thematic elements and strong language)
Movie Review: Jamal Malik (Patel), an impoverished Indian teen in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, becomes a winning contestant on the on the Hindi version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Jamal’s sole purpose for being on the show is because he knows his Latika (Pinto), an ardent fan of the show, will be watching. Jamal has loved Latika since they were children. Circumstances have kept them apart for years. While on the show, Jamal also wins millions, which prompts an investigation by law-enforcement officials.
A romance is what this orient-based production becomes, and it is engrossing. This elaborate, endearing story is unique from the start. A young man, termed “slumdog” on the streets of Mambai, is thought unfit to win millions, when his goal is to find the love of his life, not win money. Yet, he finds an abundance of love and wealth.
A surprising element is a cast of first-time, elegant actors. Patel is topnotch in this piece as are others in this film, especially the child actors. Drama does not get any better than this. From word go, “Slumdog,” based on Vikas Swarup’s novel, is engrossing and leaves you fascinated about India. This screenplay is especially touching considering that Mumbai has been a recent international story. One of the best films audiences can see this year. Hats off to Director Boyle (“28 Days Later…,” 2002, and “Trainspotting,” 1996), screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, and a talented cast of newcomers.
Grade: A (Worth millions)