“Runaway Jury”
By Kevin Brooks, Revelry Writer
Finally, a movie exists centered in and around New Orleans that does not play on the city’s stereotypes. This movie does not feature Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street or a zydeco band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In,” but a good story set in New Orleans with a good plot.
The movie is “Runaway Jury” starring John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman and Rachel Weisz.
“Runaway Jury” marks the seventh John Grisham novel to be converted into a movie.
Two years after a disgruntled ex-employee maliciously murders eleven people, one widow sues the gun manufacturer claiming they were responsible in her husband’s untimely death.
The defense hires Rankin Fitch (Hackman, “The Firm,”), a ruthless jury consultant who will stop at nothing to ensure the vote gets cast his way.
Fitch and his team place strict surveillance on the potential jurors. He wants know everything about them and manipulate the selection process in order to have the perfect jury for his client.
Representing the plaintiff is Wendell Rohr (Hoffman, “Rain Man”). Rohr has strong morals and believes in the “system.”
While both Rohr and Fitch want to “win” the jury, they soon realize one of the jurors has an agenda of his own for swaying the jury.
Nick Easter (Cusack, “High Fidelity”) is the seemingly reluctant juror number nine who, with his girlfriend Marlee (Weisz, “The Mummy”), wants to guarantee a verdict to the highest bidder.
“Runaway Jury” showcases a great supporting cast including Bruce Davison (“X-Men”), Bruce McGill (“Shallow Hal”), Luiz Guzman (“Anger Management”), Saturday Night Live veteran Nora Dunn and TV talk-show host Orlando Jones.
The film offers a new side to the typical courtroom drama where the story focuses on the jury process rather than the court case itself.
This allows the movie to become more suspenseful in focusing on the jurors and the action outside of the courtroom.
“Runaway Jury” builds on the already existing tension of who will win, or rather “steal,” the jury with great dialogue.
Marlee meets with both Rohr and Fitch on separate occasions bartering the jury to both sides. She single-handedly puts into question both of the characters’ principles.
This movie marks Hackman and Hoffman’s first movie together. The two have been friends for more than 45 years since they were students at the Pasadena Playhouse. The great chemistry from these former roommates shines on screen.
“Runaway Jury” is a heart-pumping ride that also showcases the beauty and wonder of New Orleans. Despite a conclusion that lacks steam and becomes somewhat simplistic, “Runaway Jury” undoubtedly will please audiences, especially those who know the New Orleans area well.
A-
“The Lion King” DVD
By Kevin Brooks, Revelry Writer
Almost ten years after its theatrical release, Disney’s “The Lion King” returns on DVD. This two-disc Platinum Edition DVD takes viewers on a “wild” ride into the world of the Academy-Award winning animated film.
Just to recap, the story is about Simba, the next in line to be King of Pride Rock. His evil uncle Scar usurps the crown from Mufasa, his father, and tells Simba to “run away and never come back.” Simba remains in exile until he’s ready to go back to Pride Rock and take his place as king in “the great circle of life.”
“The Lion King” is considered one of Disney’s best movies, and for DVD owners, it might be considered one of Disney’s best DVDs.
The two-disc DVD is loaded with special features.
Disc One offers two versions of the movie, the original theatrical release and the Special Edition. The difference between the two is an additional song with never-before-seen animation.
The special edition features the song “Morning Report” from the Broadway version of “The Lion King.” This song replaces Zazu telling King Mufasa the daily report with him singing the “Morning Report.”
The only other disappointment on Disc One comes from the remade “Circle of Life” music video with the Disney Channel “Circle of Stars” and a making of the video featurette.
The “Stars” include Disney actors and actresses including Hillary Duff, Raven Symone, Christy Romano, Orlando Brown, Anneliese van del Pol, Tahj Mowry, Kyla Pratt and A.J. Trauth.
These child actors almost destroy this song because a majority of them cannot sing to save their lives. At least Disc 2 contains the original music video by Elton John.
Other Disc One features include deleted scenes, the making of “Morning Report,” Timon’s Grab-A-Grub and Pumbaa’s Sound Sensations games and a Lion King Personality Profile game.
The meat of the double-disc DVD comes from Disc Two, which is loaded with special features taking you deep inside “The Lion King.”
Disc Two sets up its features as “Journeys” that include Story, Music, Film, Stage and Animal Journeys.
The original filmmakers give a behind the scenes tour as to how the movie was made. They even show audiences footage from the production research trip to Africa as well as footage from meetings and on the drawing board.
Disc Two also contains Timon & Pumbaa’s Virtual Safari, a highly entertaining game.
“The Lion King” Platinum Edition makes a great addition to anyone’s DVD collection. Not only because the movie is good, but rather this DVD is one of the most comprehensive DVDs on the market today.
A