Lalumia, Drinda

White Oleander (Widescreen)

White Oleander chronicles the life of Astrid (Alison Lohman) a young teenager who journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) goes to prison for committing a crime of passion. Set adrift in the world Astrid struggles to become her own person while coming to terms with the challenges of living life on her own.Running Time: 110 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 085392341429

Fine performances and sensitive direction keep White Oleander from being a routine tearjerker. Adapted from Janet Fitch's bestseller (an Oprah's Book Club selection), this hard-edged drama boasts a reputable cast, but 23-year-old newcomer Alison Lohman steals the film from her A-list costars. As a troubled teen whose controlling mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) has been jailed for murder, Lohman is the film's heart and soul, bouncing between foster homes and rushing toward independence in a world of disappointing adults. After surviving episodic stints with a trashy born-again Christian (Robin Wright Penn), a suicidal housewife (Renée Zellweger), and a Russian immigrant (Zvetlana Efremova), she finds comfort with another outcast (Patrick Fugit), leaving behind the mothers who failed her. Making his feature directorial debut, British stage and TV veteran Peter Kosminsky creates a showcase for formidable actresses, each given moments to shine. White Oleander lacks the emotional depth of Fitch's novel, but it speaks volumes about the delicate balance of freedom and responsibility. --Jeff Shannon

What Planet Are You From?

White Oleander (Full Screen)

White Oleander chronicles the life of Astrid (Alison Lohman) a young teenager who journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) goes to prison for committing a crime of passion. Set adrift in the world Astrid struggles to become her own person while coming to terms with the challenges of living life on her own.Running Time: 110 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 085392329724

Fine performances and sensitive direction keep White Oleander from being a routine tearjerker. Adapted from Janet Fitch's bestseller (an Oprah's Book Club selection), this hard-edged drama boasts a reputable cast, but 23-year-old newcomer Alison Lohman steals the film from her A-list costars. As a troubled teen whose controlling mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) has been jailed for murder, Lohman is the film's heart and soul, bouncing between foster homes and rushing toward independence in a world of disappointing adults. After surviving episodic stints with a trashy born-again Christian (Robin Wright Penn), a suicidal housewife (Renée Zellweger), and a Russian immigrant (Zvetlana Efremova), she finds comfort with another outcast (Patrick Fugit), leaving behind the mothers who failed her. Making his feature directorial debut, British stage and TV veteran Peter Kosminsky creates a showcase for formidable actresses, each given moments to shine. White Oleander lacks the emotional depth of Fitch's novel, but it speaks volumes about the delicate balance of freedom and responsibility. --Jeff Shannon

Billy Graham Presents - Road to Redemption

Christian comedy Road to Redemption has a lot going for it, including a cute concept, sharp comic direction, and a winning cast bound to give the film crossover appeal to secular audiences. A financially strapped couple, Amanda (Julie Condra) and Alan (Jay Underwood), "borrow" $250,000 from Amanda's mobster boss, Santoro (Leo Rossi), and bet it all on a racehorse that doesn't come through. Terrified of Santoro's wrath, Amanda goes in search of her wealthy grandfather, Nathan (Pat Hingle), who is in ill health but agrees to give her the money if she'll go fishing with him in Montana--more than a thousand miles away. Meanwhile, Alan is forced by Santoro to accompany an enforcer, Vincent (Tony Longo), and a tracker (Wes Studi) to catch up with Amanda and get the cash. The latter situation yields a lot of laughs, especially through feckless Alan's unlikely friendship with Vincent, with whom he bonds over eight-track recordings of David Cassidy's greatest hits. Amanda and Nathan are also funny together but have many poignant experiences as well, including Nathan's gentle explanations about the comfort he takes in his relationship with God. Writer-director Robert Vernon makes it all crackling entertainment with a real heart. --Tom Keogh

A young couple struggling with their finances is looking for a way to make quick money. Amanda's boss is involved in the mob, and she finds a stash of money and a list of rigged winners for an upcoming horse race. She and her boyfriend Alan decide to take a chance and "borrow" the money, bet on a winning horse, and get out of debt. Her plan goes awry and the mob goes after them. She has no choice but to ask her estranged, wealthy grandfather for help. She embarks on a cross country trip to visit her grandfather, and unsuspectingly, finds herself on a spiritual journey as well.

Road to Redemption

Christian comedy Road to Redemption has a lot going for it, including a cute concept, sharp comic direction, and a winning cast bound to give the film crossover appeal to secular audiences. A financially strapped couple, Amanda (Julie Condra) and Alan (Jay Underwood), "borrow" $250,000 from Amanda's mobster boss, Santoro (Leo Rossi), and bet it all on a racehorse that doesn't come through. Terrified of Santoro's wrath, Amanda goes in search of her wealthy grandfather, Nathan (Pat Hingle), who is in ill health but agrees to give her the money if she'll go fishing with him in Montana--more than a thousand miles away. Meanwhile, Alan is forced by Santoro to accompany an enforcer, Vincent (Tony Longo), and a tracker (Wes Studi) to catch up with Amanda and get the cash. The latter situation yields a lot of laughs, especially through feckless Alan's unlikely friendship with Vincent, with whom he bonds over eight-track recordings of David Cassidy's greatest hits. Amanda and Nathan are also funny together but have many poignant experiences as well, including Nathan's gentle explanations about the comfort he takes in his relationship with God. Writer-director Robert Vernon makes it all crackling entertainment with a real heart. --Tom Keogh

What Planet Are You From? [Region 2]

Road to Redemption

Christian comedy Road to Redemption has a lot going for it, including a cute concept, sharp comic direction, and a winning cast bound to give the film crossover appeal to secular audiences. A financially strapped couple, Amanda (Julie Condra) and Alan (Jay Underwood), "borrow" $250,000 from Amanda's mobster boss, Santoro (Leo Rossi), and bet it all on a racehorse that doesn't come through. Terrified of Santoro's wrath, Amanda goes in search of her wealthy grandfather, Nathan (Pat Hingle), who is in ill health but agrees to give her the money if she'll go fishing with him in Montana--more than a thousand miles away. Meanwhile, Alan is forced by Santoro to accompany an enforcer, Vincent (Tony Longo), and a tracker (Wes Studi) to catch up with Amanda and get the cash. The latter situation yields a lot of laughs, especially through feckless Alan's unlikely friendship with Vincent, with whom he bonds over eight-track recordings of David Cassidy's greatest hits. Amanda and Nathan are also funny together but have many poignant experiences as well, including Nathan's gentle explanations about the comfort he takes in his relationship with God. Writer-director Robert Vernon makes it all crackling entertainment with a real heart. --Tom Keogh

What Planet Are You From? [Region 2]