Decent Movies on DVD: Broken Trail: A Robert Duvall Western - what more needs to be said? For those familiar with Award Winning "Lonesome Dove" and even Duvall's prior "Open Range" with K. Costner (also recommended), you can guess that it is politically un-correct in its characterizations and underlying values. So much good to be said for this two-disc miniseries (which also won numerous awards). Positive and strong portrayals of true manhood, true justice, morality, virtue, compassion, and gratefulness. As all good films, this does not rely on plot formulas or PC stereotypes but rather character development, good acting, and realism. Excellent story about 5 chinese girls sold into prostitutional slavery during the days of the "Wild West". By circumstance, they are intercepted by Print Ritter (Duvall) and his nephew Tom Harte (strongly played by Thomas Haden Church). The plot develops around the relationships and interplay between the two linguistically divided groups. Reconciliation, suspense, hard justice, and good old fashioned human decency are the main themes. Thoroughly enjoyable and heart-warming, though probably not for young kids (especially the initial and ending scenes of both disks which are violent and/or show partial nudity). Pride & Prejudice (2005): A chick flick that can be appreciated by thinking men also. Jane Austin Novel made (again) into film. Very much "English" which makes it, among other things, a very interesting look at Elizabethan England, traditions, values, etc. The plot centers around a romance between two people (played by Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen) from very different socio economic classes which, because of the era, causes the conflict. Eight Below: Proof that Disney has bowed to pressure from family groups and finally learned how to make a decent family-oriented film. Almost nothing offensive in terms of themes or language in this unexpectedly (to me) emotionally moving film about eight sled dogs abandoned in the northern arctic and their owners drive to recover them against numerous obstacles. Paul Walker does well as the main (human) star, and the dogs all turned in very convincing performances as well! (Though all ends well, be prepared to cry). Paparazzi: Though not for children and certainly not a family film, it is refreshing in it's debunking of politically correct "ideals" through the character of "Bo", who, though a "hot" new movie star (played by Cole Hauser), is a more traditional-valued, family-oriented man. He becomes the target of four scumbag paparazzi photographers (two of whom are played by Tom Sizemore and Dan Baldwin, ironically themselves the target of numerous paparazzi and tabloid articles in real life) who are out to intrude, slander, and blackmail Bo and his young family. After they nearly cause the death of his young son, Bo takes matters into his own hands and evens the score by ingenuity and cunning. A satisfying "vengeance" type of film incidentally produced by Mel Gibson. Celtic Woman Two: "A New Journey" If you like music, check this out. If you saw the first "Celtic Woman" (also recommended), I believe this to be even better. It is a live concert video filmed at Slane Castle Ireland which, as title suggests, is over an hour of traditional favorites and original songs sung by five fabulous irish (for the most part) female singers. The song arrangements, orchestral excellence, the talent of the singers (and uniquely in her own league, fiddle player Máiréad Nesbitt.), as well as the (added since the CWI) theatrics make this a must-see and hear. CW CD's are currently climbing the World Music Charts. Back to BD Online