Mystery, Alaska 1999, Rated R Buena Vista Home Entertainment

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Starring Russell Crowe, Burt Reynolds, et al. Released to DVD on May 9, 2000.

Hockey is many things, but it is not mysterious. Actually, the only real mystery in Mystery, Alaska is why the film isn't set in Canada. After all, Canada is the birthplace of hockey. It would be much easier to believe the plot of this film--that there is a small town in the Great White North whose citizenry live solely to play and watch pond hockey, and their hometown players are so good that they can give the New York Rangers a run for their money--if it were set in Canada. But, looking past the setting of the film (which was, I have to point out, filmed in Canada.) Mystery, Alaska is pretty decent. In my opinion, there are not nearly enough movies made about hockey, and Mystery, Alaska is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, this film is no Slapshot. Fortunately, it is no Mighty Ducks, either. What it is is an off-beat, charming movie with a feel-good plot and some nice scenery. But, ultimately, it is about hockey, which was enough to get me to watch it twice. If you like hockey, you'll like Mystery, Alaska. If you don't like hockey, you're probably a woman, and you can spend your time making ribald comments about Russell Crowe's butt. Either way, it's worth the three bucks to rent.