This box set features the following films: She's The Man (Dir. Andy Fickman) (2006): Viola Johnson (Amanda Bynes) had her own good reasons for disguising herself as her twin brother Sebastian (James Kirk) and enrolling in his place at his new boarding school Illyria Prep. She was counting on Sebastian being AWOL from school as he tried to break into the music scene in London. What she didn't count on was falling in love with her hot roommate Duke (Channing Tatum) who in turn only has eyes for the beautiful Olivia (Laura Ramsey). Making matters worse Olivia is starting to fall for Sebastian who-for reasons Olivia couldn't begin to guess-appears to be the sensitive type of guy she'd always dreamed of meeting. If things weren't complicated enough the real Sebastian has come back from London two days earlier than expected and arrives on campus having no clue that he's been replaced... by his own twin sister. Bring It on (Dir. Peyton Reed) (2000): The Toro cheerleader squad from Rancho Carne High School in San Diego has got spirit spunk sass and a killer routine that's sure to land them the national championship trophy for the sixth year in a row. But for newly-elected team captain Torrance the Toros' road to total cheer glory takes a shady turn when she discovers that their perfectly choreographed routines were in fact stolen from the Clovers a hip-hop squad from East Compton by the Toros' former captain. While the Toros scramble to come up with a new routine the Clovers led by squad captain Isis (Gabrielle Union) have their own problems coming up with enough money to cover their travel expenses to the championships. With time running out and the pressure mounting both captains drive their squads to the point of exhaustion: Torrance hell bent on saving the Toros' reputation and Isis more determined than ever to see that the Clovers finally get the recognition they deserve. But only one team can bring home the title so may the best moves win... Take The Lead (Dir. Liz Friedlander) (2006): Pierre Dulaine is a Manhattan ballroom teacher and competitor who volunteers his time to teach ballroom dancing to a group of New York inner city high school kids. Initially forced to participate as a form of detention the kids reject Mr. Dulaine's efforts until his unwavering commitment and dedication finally inspires them to embrace the program infusing it with their own unique hip-hop style while subconsciously learning valuable life lessons about pride respect self-esteem and honour.
By the marginal-or-miss standards of British TV spin-offs, Ali G in da House is well above adequate, even though it drags out every smart line or decent routine until they lie dead on the screen just begging for a laugh track. The film pulls back a bit from the absolute obnoxiousness of the Ali G TV skits, which makes Sacha Baron Cohen's character bearable at feature length, but also significantly less funny. Here it is finally confirmed that Ali is a weedy white kid called Alistair who pretends to be Jamaican, rather than a weedy white comedian doing a Jamaican character. Believe it or not, there's actually a plot, with a scheming Chancellor of the Exchequer (Charles Dance) recruiting Ali as a parliamentary candidate for Staines in a devious attempt to unseat Prime Minister Michael Gambon. Yet this framework is really an excuse for the sketch-like bits, such as a Los Angeles ghetto movie fantasy, Ali G addressing a meeting of lesbian feminists ("I've seen a lot of your videos"), and Charles Dance forced to read a budget speech in Ali G speak. Oddly, the film makes early-1990s jokes about Tories rather than going after New Labour, but any political satire here comes in second to knob-polishing jokes and sometimes-hilarious patter. Luckless inhabitants of the M4 corridor will nod ruefully at the final gag, in which Ali G persuades the PM not to devastate Staines and nods agreement as Gambon reassures him, "it's all right, we'll destroy Slough instead". --Kim Newman
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