Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story The BeansTalk Review: Ben Stiller may have hits and misses, but he manages to score with his latest film, “Dodgeball,” which co-stars his wife, Christine Taylor and Vince Vaughn. The premise is simple: two rival, neighboring gyms – a high-tech, over-the-top facility run by the ridiculous White Goodman (Stiller) and one slovenly one, run by the nice-guy-who-needs-a-break Peter La Fleur (Vaughn). Taylor plays a lawyer negotiating the collapse of one and the rise of the other who falls for La Fleur. She’s a natural, credible actress (albeit almost distractingly too thin) who plays it straight among the wacky characters.

It may not be the most thought-provoking film of the year, but “Dodgeball” delivers consistent, nearly non-stop laughs that can be credited to the quick pacing and balanced acting. Balanced refers to the fact that writer/director Rawson Marshall Thurber allows Stiller to be silly and exaggerated (although after actually meeting Tony Little, Goodman isn’t too far from actuality), and has La Fleur be deadpan, yet appealing. As a BeansTalk staffer noted, Vaughn seems to be channeling Bill Murray. Indeed, it’s a role Murray could easily have played. Because it’s not at such an A.D.D. hyper pitch and actually doesn’t try too hard or work to cover all its bases (and be simply not funny as comedies can be), it’s a very successful comedic film. There’s a minimum of gross-out factor, as well, keeping the humor surprisingly smart.

Swing Time! Music Video Distributors and Disconforme announce the release of The Swing Era DVD Series; they’ll be released on August 3, 2004 and retail for $19.95.

COUNT BASIE - SWING ERA
One of the legends of jazz, Count Basie (1904-1984) came to epitomize the very concept of swing. The fabled Basie, fronted two of the very best jazz orchestras ever: his classic 'Old Testament' line-up from 1935 to 1949 and a renewed, hard-swinging 'New Testament' band from 1952 onwards. If his early orchestra featured such legendary players as Lester Young, Harry Edison and Buck Clayton, or the relentless rhythm section of Basie on piano, Walter Page on bass, Freddie Green on guitar and Jo Jones on drums, the second Basie band was also a star-studded, powerhouse affair. The DVD is completed with different sounds showcasing Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Joe Turner, Henry Red Allen, Gene Krupa, Lucky Millinder and the dancer Bill Bojangles Robinson. (TRT 93 minutes)

BENNY GOODMAN - SWING ERA
The greatest of the jazz clarinetists, Benny Goodman (1909-1986) was universally known as "The King Of Swing". A colorful, extroverted personality and a top-notch performer, Goodman enjoyed a phenomenal string of hits all through the Thirties and Forties while fronting his powerhouse orchestra or resorting to the small-combo format. A charismatic figure, B.G. was also known for the quality of his bands, which at one time or another featured jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Gene Krupa, Harry James or Charlie Christian. A household name for millions, Goodman is still remembered as one of the most influential musicians in the last century. A compilation of different clips featuring the great Benny Goodman and his band, this video is completed with a selection of assorted sounds from the Swing era starring star performers and bandleaders of the day such as Artie Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Hoagy Carmichael and Jack "Mr. T" Teagarden. (TRT 77 minutes)

DUKE ELLINGTON – IN HOLLYWOOD - SWING ERA
Duke Ellington (1899-1974) featured jazz greats such as Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Paul Gonsalves, Sidney Bechet, Cootie Williams, Harry Edison, Clark Terry, Barney Bigard, Jimmy Blanton, and a host of first-rate sidemen too numerous to mention. Ellington was also a superb composer who wrote literally thousands of songs (including numbers such as Flamingo, Take The A Train, Caravan, and countless other classics). Besides being a top-notch arranger, the Duke was also a restless, experimental artist by nature and a musician who never stopped recording from 1926 on. This video compiles different films starring the great Duke Ellington and his orchestra: Black And Tan (1929), Symphony in Black (1935 - featuring the famous sequence with Billie Holiday), plus assorted different musical sequences from other motion pictures, including the three scenes starring Mae West in the 1934 movie Belle Of The Nineties. (TRT 60 minutes)

GEORGE SHEARING – SWING ERA
The leader of one of the most popular combos in jazz during the fifties and early sixties, the blind George Shearing (born 1919) was reputed for his mastery at the piano, an instrument he played in a sophisticated style he termed 'locked hand.'
Shearing was also known for the unique sound of his quintet, which featured an unusual lineup, with the vibraphone and guitar tripling the melody. Shearing's very special sound proved fruitful during his heyday, when he was one of the best-selling jazzmen around. A notable composer, the blind pianist wrote numbers which have become classics. Lullaby of Birdland, Conception, Consternation... he employed Latin-oriented sidemen such as Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo or Cal Tjader and performed alongside jazz greats such as Oscar Pettiford, Peggy Lee, Wes Montgomery, Mel Torme or Jim Hall. Besides gathering different clips and sounds featuring the great George Shearing and his combo, this video includes additional numbers showcasing what we could term Fifties Swingers: Mel Torme, the Slam Stewart Trio, Slim Gaillard, the Bob Cats, and others, in all, a splendid compilation. (TRT 97 minutes)

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Six-Feet Under It may have taken a year for the new season, but fans are anxiously checking in with the Fisher family and their associates. Here’s a look at episodes for July

SIX FEET UNDER - JULY EPISODES

Episode #43: "Can I Come Up Now?"
Debut date: Sunday, July 11, 2004, 9 p.m.
David's (Michael C. Hall) ex-fiancée reenters his life in search of answers to the question "Why me?"; Nate (Peter Krause) has a psychic rendezvous; Keith's (Mathew St. Patrick) new job sends him into the closet; Claire (Lauren Ambrose) decides not to let life pass her by; George (James Cromwell) dumps some surprise baggage on Ruth (Frances Conroy); and Margaret(Joanna Cassidy) weighs in on Brenda's new relationship. Written by Alan Ball; directed by Dan Minahan.

Episode #44: "That's My Dog"
Debut date: Sunday, July 18, 2004, 9 p.m.
With Keith out of town on business, David gets taken for a ride by a hitchhiker; Nate feels out of place in a bereavement group; Ruth tries to play matchmaker, to George's chagrin; Claire feels empty after a critique of her self-portraits; Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) and her mom go back to school; and Federico gets an unexpected visitor at work. Written by Scott Buck; directed by Alan Poul.

Episode #45: "Terror Starts at Home"
Debut date: Sunday, July 25, 2004, 9 p.m.
Fisher & Diaz hosts two very different parties in one night; David is uncomfortable with all the comfort he's receiving; Nate finds temporary relief at a "canine retreat"; Claire and her art school friends go on a trip; Ruth grows frustrated with George's "nasty little secrets;” Federico (Freddy Rodriguez) gets his phone wires crossed; and Brenda and Joe (Justin Theroux) find a basket to house their eggs. Written by Kate Robin; directed by Miguel Arteta.

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Time Tells: The following actresses have diamond-encrusted watches by ROBERT LIGHTON NEW YORK.

Angelina Jolie The Oscar-winning actress was spotted at the Cannes Film Festival, promoting her upcoming animated feature Shark Tales, wearing an 18K white gold and diamond "Wharton" style watch on a black satin band.

Angela Bassett has been seen at several events at the Maui Film Festival sporting her 18K white gold and diamond "Algonquin" style watch on a pink alligator band.

Eliza Dushku spiced up her little black dress at the unveiling of Fox's fall line-up in New York with her sterling silver "Gramercy" style watch on a pink alligator band.

Every Robert Lighton New York watch features a "vintage" aesthetic. All watches are crafted in Switzerland.

Fashion Bits: Famke Janssen hit the red carpet this weekend at the "Nip/Tuck" season premiere in an outfit by Monique Lhuillier. The actress, whose character on the series debuts this season, chose a black two-tiered chantilly lace miniskirt, paired with a black hammered organza ruffle blouse with cap sleeves. Famke accessorized her ensemble with a black crystal and chain bracelet and black leather and crystal handbag by Daniel Swarovski Paris.

Alexandra Kerry, filmmaker and daughter of Presidential candidate John Kerry, strolled the red carpet at this weekend's Crystal & Lucy awards in a cocktail coat by Pamella Roland, selecting a tailored silver ¾ length evening coat over her own black dress.

At the 31st Annual Women In Film Crystal & Lucy Awards, Alicia Silverstone wore a minidress by Monique Lhuillier, a black Alencon lace minidress with flared bell sleeves.


Both Camryn Manheim and Sharon Lawrence chose ivory silk pantsuits for 2004 Crystal & Lucy Awards: Women in Film Celebrates the Paltrow Family (Kelly Carlson chose a super similar outfit for "Nip/Tuck" Season 2 Premiere).

Meanwhile, Joely Richardson (at Nip n Tuck), Famke Janssen and Portia de Rossi chose cocktail-length black dresses (Richardson’s was strapless, Jansen’s was mini and frilly, de Rossi’s a halter)

At that same event, latest “Six-Feet Under” addition Mena Suvari chose a sexy silk satin midnight blue fitter halter dress.