Video Fun House film fans Jean Tarbett Hardiman and John Gillispie review two distinctly different films this week. Jean thoroughly enjoyed the new DVD release "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets," rated PG and starring Nicolas Cage, and John reviews the DVD "Margot at the Wedding," rated R and starring Nicole Kidman.

JOHN: Well, I don't think this week's movies could be much more different than they are.

JEAN: You may be right about that. I watched an action-packed and history-filled treasure hunt in "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets," and you watched the arty and talky "Margot at the Wedding."

JOHN: You're right. There is not a lot of action in "Margot at the Wedding." What you get is a lot of talking and hurting people with words. The character studies offered in "Margot at the Wedding" are interesting and we have an eccentric group of characters to study.

JEAN: Nicole Kidman plays Margot, right? Doesn't Jennifer Jason Leigh play her sister, Pauline?

JOHN: That's right. Pauline is days away from her wedding to Malcolm (played somewhat low-key by Jack Black) and Margot shows up. Pauline and Margot are sisters with issues. Margot cannot stop herself from saying whatever enters her mind. For example, she likes to accuse perfectly healthy children of being autistic to the dismay of their parents.

JEAN: Margot sounds like a joy.

JOHN: Right. But because Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jack Black are such likable actors, the movie is bearable. I have to admit, though, that at the end, it left me confused and unsure of what the point was.

JEAN: Well, there's really no missing the point to "National Treasure 2," which I would describe as a great family movie that not only aims to spark an interest in history but basically keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

JOHN: Is it much like the first movie?

JEAN: Yes, but the treasure in this movie is a little different -- it's a hidden, ancient city of gold built by Native Americans. And again, Nicolas Cage's character, Ben Gates, doesn't just want to find it because he's greedy but because he's a history buff to the millionth power, just like his parents, played by Jon Voight and Helen Mirren. Also, in this case, he has an ancestor whose suddenly been accused of being a traitor to the Republic during the Civil War, and in a round-about way, finding this city will help clear his name.

JOHN: Sounds complicated.

JEAN: In some ways, yes, but you don't really need to have memorized your high school American History book to enjoy the ride. Along with his computer whiz pal Riley (played by Justin Bartha) and with the lovely love interest Abigail (played by Diane Kruger) Cage's character goes from Paris to London to the White House in pursuit of clues to find this city of gold. Ed Harris plays a shady character who is accusing Cage's great-grandfather (or maybe it's great-great-grandfather?) of being a traitor.

JOHN: I don't remember Helen Mirren in the first movie. How does she fit in here?

JEAN: She plays Cage's mom, who is s college professor and expert on Native American culture. In the movie, she's not only divorced from Gates' father, Patrick, but she can't get along with the man at all. She and Voight create some humor with their bickering, not so unlike Cage and Kruger's character.

JOHN: Sounds like it has some humor for adults, but is it good for kids?

JEAN: Oh, yes. It's very clean, so to speak, but rated PG for the action sequences. What I like most is that it makes history so interesting. I'm not sure exactly what's accurate and exactly what's made up for dramatic purposes, but hopefully it will excite some kids to do some research and find out.

Jean Tarbett Hardiman is a reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. John Gillispie is the public relations director for the Huntington Museum of Art. Contact the writers at jeant@herald-dispatch.com.

Gannett News Service

Nicolas Cage, from left, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight appear in a scene from the motion picture "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

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