By Delia Paunescu

In a time of Netflix, Pay-per-view, Movies on Demand and YouTube, a new film comes along to remind us of the true pleasure of movies; those we’ve seen so often that they become a part of us, a part of our lives.

The story in the new film “Be Kind Rewind” is simple enough. Taking place just a stone’s throw from the famous Manhattan skyline in Pasaic, N.J., audiences are introduced to Jerry (Jack Black) and Mike (Mos Def). Mike lives and works in the Be Kind Rewind video store. It should be mentioned that this is a rental store so charming that members are only charged $1 a night and only VHS tapes are available.

The store and building are owned by Mr. Fletcher (Danny Glover) who is fighting with the housing authorities. Because of its close proximity to NYC, there are unsavory forces that want to turn his historical gem of a building into just another piece in the condominium puzzle. Of course he refuses and shortly after doing so, leaves the store in Mike’s hands to go on a research trip.

The first night, Jerry convinces the dutiful Mike to break into the local power plant and when Mike’s conscience kicks in and he leaves, Jerry accidentally electrocutes himself and becomes magnetized. He naturally returns to the video store the next day and begins manhandling the tapes. The conundrum is quickly discovered and the comic duo scramble to reshoot the requested “Ghostbusters” before the 7 p.m. deadline.

One thing leads to another, as they often do in these movies, and before long, Mike and Jerry’s “sweding” of popular films (don’t ask, the term is pulled out of thin air) becomes more enticing to renters than the originals.

Black plays the same character he did in “School of Rock.” This time around, he dons ’80s-era gold-rimmed glasses but really shows his talent as he embodies the various film characters as the swedings continue. As his logical counterpart, Mos Def is a complete professional. His Mike is sweet, reserved but isn’t afraid to go out on Jerry’s limbs, even if it is to rake him back in.

But before you think this is a boy’s club, we must not forget the film’s two female characters. Mia Farrow is still a wonderful indie veteran in her role as the childish Miss Falewicz. But it is newcomer Melonie Diaz as Alma who really steals the show from Black. She is the female lead in the group’s productions but really serves more as the girl accepted into this secret boy’s club. She is approachable, fresh and fantastic; more than adequately holding her own among the likes of Black and Mos.

The characters of the film are down on their luck. Jerry lives in a trailer in the parking lot of a mechanic shop and Mr. Fletcher’s building has been condemned. Yet the idea of being stuck in the small Jersey town is brought up minimally. Gondry has always relied on creativity and much like in his last feature, “The Science of Sleep,” “Be Kind Rewind” finds him relying heavily on the idea of creativity. The theme here seems to be less about making something better of yourself but rather, just making something.

After such thinkers as “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “The Science of Sleep,” French director Michel Gondry appears to have finally learned that movie-goers don’t always want a side of philosophy with their overpriced popcorn and soda. Luckily, “Be Kind Rewind” is light and gay-hearted. Ultimately, it serves as a perfect reminder of why we love movies and doesn’t take itself too seriously in the process.

Jack Black (left) uses parts in the local mechanic shop to make a costume for the sweded version of ‘Robocop’ in director Michel Gondry’s new film ‘Be Kind Rewind.’ (allmoviephoto.com)

(allmoviephoto.com)