TITLE ACTOR1 ACTOR2 ACTOR3 ACTOR4 ACTOR5 ACTOR6 ACTOR7 ACTOR8 ACTOR9 ACTOR10 DIRECTOR WRITER SCREENWRITER PHOTOGRAPHER COMPOSER EDITOR SERIES UPC FORMAT STUDIO PLACE DATE MPAA WIDE CLOSEDCAP SOUND COLOR RUNNINGTIME COPIES RATING CONDITION CATEGORY VIEWED VALUE COMMENTS SOURCE
End of Days Schwarzenegger, Arnold Byrne, Gabriel Steiger, Rod Kier, Udo Tunney, Robin Pollak, Kevin CCH Pounder Hyams, Peter Marlowe, Andrew 25192072123 DVD Universal Studios 18-Apr-00 R Y Y Dolby Color 122 Minutes 1 Action & Adventure N $13.48 Amazon.com&newline;After a two-year hiatus that included recovery from heart surgery, Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to the big screen in November 1999 with End of Days, a Thanksgiving turkey if ever there was one. Overcooked and bloated with stuffing, this ludicrous thriller attached itself to the end-of-the-millennium furor that kicked in a year too early. A prologue begins in 1979 with panic in the Vatican when a comet signals the birth of a child who will, 20 years later, become the chosen bride of Satan, destined to conceive the devil's spawn between 11 p.m. and midnight on December 31, 1999. It's hard to decide who has the more thankless role--Robin Tunney as Satan's would-be bride, or Schwarzenegger as Jericho Cane, the burned-out alcoholic bodyguard assigned to protect the girl from Satan, billed as &doublequote;The Man&doublequote; and played with cheesy menace (and an inconsistent variety of metaphysical manifestations) by Gabriel Byrne.&newline;&newline;With kitschy character names like Jericho and Chicago (Arnie's partner, played by Kevin Pollack) and lapses in logic that any 5-year-old could spot, End of Days is a loud, aggravating movie that would be entertaining if it were intended as comedy. But Schwarzenegger and director Peter Hyams approach the story as an earnest tale of redemption and tested faith, delivering a ridiculous climax full of special effects and devoid of dramatic impact. You're left instead to savor the verbal and physical sparring between Satan and Jericho, resulting in the most thorough pummeling Schwarzenegger's ever endured onscreen. Of course he eventually gets his payback, just in time for New Year's Eve. Perhaps he was touched by an angel. --Jeff Shannon Amazon
Logan's Run York, Michael Agutter, Jenny Fawcett, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Farrah Anderson, Michael 12569506220 DVD Warner Studios 1-Jun-04 PG Y Y Dolby Color 118 Minutes 1 Action & Adventure N $7.99 Description: In a 23rd-century world of pleasure and perfection, Logan's job is to kill anyone past the age of 30. But when his turn for sacrifice comes (at age 30), he decides to flee the bubble-domed paradise and find a mythical &doublequote;sanctuary&doublequote; that lies outside. Ambitious, entertaining science fiction based on the novel by William Nolan and George Clayton. Academy Award Nominations: 2, including Best Cinematography.&newline;&newline;Description: The year is 2274, civilization exists under a huge dome, and everyone is encouraged to lead a pleasure-filled lifestyle. There's just one hitch: no one is allowed to live past the age of 29. This doesn't sit well with three friends, who decide to escape from their domed (and doomed) existence. Amazon
The Five Heartbeats Wright, Michael Lennix, Harry J. Wells, Tico Townsend, Robert Carroll, Diahann Leon Nicholas, Harold Terrell, John Canada Townsend, Robert Townsend, Robert 24543028970 DVD 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 3/5/2002 1 R (MPAA) N N Mono Color 120 1 Action & Adventure N $13.48 Set in the years between 1965 and the late 1980s; Produced and released in 1991.&newline;&newline;Actor-director Robert Townsend came to fame depicting the pitfalls of the Hollywood experience for black actors with his 1987 film HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE. Four years later, he took on the mid-'60s music scene with THE FIVE HEARTBEATS. After doing extensive research with long-lived pop/R&B group the Dells, he painted a cinematic scene of five young friends in the 60s who share the dream of making music. They journey together through three decades, experiencing all the ups and downs show business had to offer, intensified by the difficulties faces by black acts in the era of civil-rights protest. Interacting as everything from a close-knit musical family to occasional bitter rivals, the fictional Five Heartbeats experience both success and tragedy in this excellent film. The multi-talented Townshend functions as both director and star, alongside compelling performances by a cast that includes Leon and Diahann Caroll. Featuring a mix of original songs and classic Motown material, THE FIVE HEARTBEATS is an irresistible combination of music and drama that captures a unique period in American cultural history.&newline;&newline;Set in the mid-1960s, &doublequote;The Five Heartbeats&doublequote; tells the story of five friends who form an R&B group during the heyday of slick black pop ensembles like the Spinners and the Four Tops. Director/writer/actor Robert Townsend's film chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of the fictional quintet over three decades as its members negotiate the pitfalls of superstardom such as drug addiction, record label heavies, and inter-groups rivalries.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release date: March 29, 1991.&newline;&newline;Filmed entirely on location in Southern California.&newline;&newline;The film introduces thirteen original songs and features performances of numerous Motown favorites. Also featured are two R&B classics by The Dells, &doublequote;Stay in My Corner&doublequote; and &doublequote;Oh What A Night.&doublequote; Townsend did research for his fictional R&B group by hanging out and travelling with The Dells, an R&B group that has been together for 38 years. The Dells acted as techincal advisors on the film.&newline;&newline;THE FIVE HEARTBEATS is &doublequote;dedicated in loving memory of John Sherrod.&doublequote; Tower Records
The Perfect Storm Clooney, George Wahlberg, Mark Allen, Karen Mastrantonio, Mary Elizabeth Clooney, George Gunton, Bob Lane, Diane Payne, Allen Wahlberg, Mark Fichtner, William Petersen, Wolfgang Wittliff, William D Seale, John Horner, James 85391858423 DVD Warner Home Video 14-Sep-04 PG-13 Y Y Dolby Color 130 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : Disaster Films N $11.99 Amazon.com&newline;Setting out for the one last catch that will make up for a lackluster fishing season, Captain Billy Tyne (George Clooney) pushes his boat the Andrea Gail out to the waters of the Flemish Cap off Nova Scotia for what will be a huge swordfish haul. While his crew is gathering fish, three storm fronts (including a hurricane) collide to create a &doublequote;perfect storm&doublequote; of colossal force, and Billy's path back to Gloucester, Massachusetts, takes them right smack into the middle of it. Wolfgang Petersen's adaptation of Sebastian Junger's seafaring bestseller is a faithful if by-the-numbers true-story account of a monster storm that rocked New England in 1991, specifically Tyne's commercial fishing boat and its crew. Junger's tale fashioned a compelling if staid narrative out of seemingly disparate events, but this film adaptation tends to flatten out the story into a conventional if absorbing story of man vs. nature, as the crew fights for survival against the awesome waves the storm kicks up. The central part of the film, which cuts between the Andrea Gail's fight to stay afloat and the attempts of the Coast Guard to rescue a yacht in peril, is suspenseful action of the first degree, aided by some awesome computer-generated waves. &newline;&newline;Still, it's a long way to that action, with an extended first act that consists mainly of stoic men, crying women, and a fair amount of &doublequote;don't go out into the sea&doublequote; dialogue--in other words, a compelling story has been shoehorned into standard summer movie fare. It's too bad, as Peterson assembled an excellent cast--including Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, John C. Reilly, and William Fichtner among them--but seems to opt for only a surface exploration of these characters, though Clooney seems to have a touch of Captain Ahab in him. You may still be won over by the movie, but for a more in-depth portrait, go to Junger's book for the missing details. --Mark Englehart --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Amazon
Armageddon Willis, Bruce Thornton, Billy Bob Tyler, Liv Affleck, Ben Patton, Will Stormare, Peter David, Keith Buscemi, Steve Duncan, Michael Clarke Fichtner, William Bay, Michael Hensleigh, Jonathan /  Abrams, Jeffrey /  Abrams, J.J. Schwartzman, John Rabin, Trevor Goldblatt, Mark /  Lebenzon, Chris /  Scantlebury, Glen 717951000842 DVD Touchstone Video 14-Jan-03 Unrated Y Y Stereo Color 150 Minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $16.39 Amazon.com essential video&newline;The latest testosterone-saturated blow-'em-up from producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay (The Rock, Bad Boys) continues Hollywood's millennium-fueled fascination with the destruction of our planet. There's no arguing that the successful duo understands what mainstream American audiences want in their blockbuster movies--loads of loud, eye-popping special effects, rapid- fire pacing, and patriotic flag waving. Bay's protagonists--the eight crude, lewd, oversexed (but lovable, of course) oil drillers summoned to save the world from a Texas-sized meteor hurling toward the earth--are not flawless heroes, but common men with whom all can relate. In this huge Western-in-space soap opera, they're American cowboys turned astronauts. Sci-fi buffs will appreciate Bay's fetishizing of technology, even though it's apparent he doesn't understand it as anything more than flashing lights and shiny gadgets. Smartly, the duo also tries to lure the art-house crowd, raiding the local indie acting stable and populating the film with guys like Steve Buscemi, Billy Bob Thornton, Owen Wilson, and Michael Duncan, all adding needed touches of humor and charisma. When Bay applies his sledgehammer aesthetics to the action portions of the film, it's mindless fun; it's only when Armageddon tackles humanity that it becomes truly offensive. Not since Mississippi Burning have racial and cultural stereotypes been substituted for characters so blatantly--African Americans, Japanese, Chinese, Scottish, Samoans, Muslims, French ... if it's not white and American, Bay simplifies it. Or, make that white male America; the film features only three notable females--four if you count the meteor, who's constantly referred to as a &doublequote;bitch that needs drillin',&doublequote; but she's a hell of a lot more developed and unpredictable than the other women characters combined. Sure, Bay's film creates some tension and contains some visceral moments, but if he can't create any redeemable characters outside of those in space, what's the point of saving the planet? --Dave McCoy --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Ballistic - Ecks vs. Sever Banderas, Antonio Liu, Lucy Banderas, Antonio Grier, Pam Quaid, Randy Henry, Gregg Pantoliano, Joe Soto, Talisa Douglas, Illeana Rebhorn, James Kaosayananda, Wych McElroy, Alan 85392341627 DVD Warner Home Video 1-Jun-04 R Y Y Dolby Color 91 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $13.47 Amazon.com&newline;If you have a hearty appetite for fiery explosions, heavy ordnance, and nonsensical mayhem, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever is just for you. This mindless action flick is so wrong-headed that even its ungainly title is inaccurate: as expert assassins on the fringes of government intelligence, FBI agent Ecks (Antonio Banderas) and Defense Intelligence agent Sever (Lucy Liu) aren't battling each other at all. Instead, he's trying to find his missing ex-wife (the stunning but expressionless Talisa Soto) and young son, while she's pursuing an agency turncoat (Gregg Henry) who's stolen the ultimate micro-technology for clandestine killing. United against a common enemy, Ecks and Sever lay waste to half of Vancouver (the film's budget-conscious location), and it all makes as much sense as meatballs on a vegetarian menu. Banderas and Liu look fabulous as corpses pile up around them, but Thai action director Kaos (a.k.a. Wych Kaosayananda) must have confused his nickname with the incomprehensible plot of his movie. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to the  Theatrical Release edition. &newline;&newline;Description&newline;This is a story of two spies, who are lifelong adversaries, engaged in a cat-and-mouse hunt. Jonathan Ecks (Banderas) is an FBI agent hunting the other, Sever (Liu) a rogue NSA agent. What they learn, however, while trying to kill each other... is that they might be on the same side, and faced with a threat greater to each other than themselves. Amazon
Braveheart Gibson, Mel Marceau, Sophie Gibson, Mel 97361558448 DVD Paramount Studio 8-Jan-02 R Y Y Dolby Color 1 Action & Adventure : General N $14.99 Amazon.com essential video&newline;Mel Gibson's Oscar-winning 1995 Braveheart is an impassioned epic about William Wallace, the 13th-century Scottish leader of a popular revolt against England's tyrannical Edward I (Patrick McGoohan). Gibson cannily plays Wallace as a man trying to stay out of history's way until events force his hand, an attribute that instantly resonates with several of the actor's best-known roles, especially Mad Max. The subsequent camaraderie and courage Wallace shares in the field with fellow warriors is pure enough and inspiring enough to bring envy to a viewer, and even as things go wrong for Wallace in the second half, the film does not easily cave in to a somber tone. One of the most impressive elements is the originality with which Gibson films battle scenes, featuring hundreds of extras wielding medieval weapons. After Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky, Orson Welles's Chimes at Midnight, and even Kenneth Branagh's Henry V, you might think there is little new that could be done in creating scenes of ancient combat; yet Gibson does it. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. &newline;&newline;DVD features&newline;In his engaging audio commentary, Mel Gibson is deeply appreciative of his cast and collaborators (especially Oscar-winning cinematographer John Toll) and, of course, quite amusing when he wants to be. Gibson notes, &doublequote;I fell in love a little bit&doublequote; when he cast then-newcomer Catherine McCormack as William Wallace's ill-fated bride, and throughout his informative commentary, the actor-director conveys genuine passion for the story and a firm understanding of the period history that informed the... read more Amazon
Charlie's Angels Diaz, Cameron Barrymore, Drew McG DVD Columbia/Tristar Studios 11-Dec-01 PG-13 Y Y Dolby Color 1 Action & Adventure : General N $2.40 Amazon.com&newline;For every TV-into-movie success like The Fugitive, there are dozens of uninspired films like The Mod Squad. Happily--and surprisingly--this breezy update of the seminal '70s jiggle show falls into the first category, with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore (who also produced), and Lucy Liu starring as the hair-tossing, fashion-setting, kung fu-fighting trio employed by the mysterious Charlie (voiced by the original Charlie, John Forsythe). When a high-tech programmer (Sam Rockwell) is kidnapped, the angels seek out the suspects, with the daffy Bosley (Bill Murray in a casting coup) in tow. A happy, cornball popcorn flick, Charlie's Angels is played for laughs with plenty of ribbing references to the old TV show as well as modern caper films like Mission: Impossible. McG, a music video director making his feature film debut (usually a death warrant for a movie's integrity), infuses the film with plenty of Matrix-style combat pyrotechnics, and the result is the first successful all-American Hong Kong-style action flick. Plenty of movies boast a New Age feminism that has their stars touting their sexuality while being their own women, but unlike something as obnoxious as Coyote Ugly, Angels succeeds with a positive spin on Girl Power for the new millennium (Diaz especially sizzles in her role of crack super agent/airhead blonde). From the send-up of the TV show's credit sequence to the outtakes over the end credits, Charlie's Angels is a delight. --Doug Thomas --This text refers to the  Theatrical Release edition. &newline;&newline;Description&newline;They're beautiful, they're brilliant and they work for Charlie. This is a sexy, high-octane update of the popular hit show, Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Dylan (Drew Barrymore) and Alex (Lucy Liu), alongside faithful lieutenant Bosley (Bill Murray), must foil an elaborate murder-revenge plot that could not only destroy individual privacy and corporate security worldwide, but spell the end of Charlie and his Angels. Amazon
Diamonds are Forever Connery, Sean John, Jill St. Hamilton, Guy 27616853929 DVD MGM/UA Video 17-Oct-00 PG Y Y Stereo Color 1 Action & Adventure : General N $18.78 Amazon.com&newline;Sean Connery retired from the 007 franchise after You Only Live Twice (replaced by George Lazenby in the underrated and underperforming On Her Majesty's Secret Service) but was lured back for one last official appearance as James Bond in Diamonds Are Forever. He's in fine form--cool but ruthless--in a sharp precredits sequence hunting the unkillable Blofeld (a suavely menacing Charles Gray in this incarnation), but the MacGuffin of a story (involving diamond smuggling, a superlaser on a satellite, and Blofeld's latest plot to rule the world ) is full of the groaning tongue-in-cheek gags that Roger Moore would make his signature. Goldfinger director Guy Hamilton keeps the film zipping along gamely from one entertaining set piece to another, including a terrific car chase in a parking lot, a battle with a pair of bikini-clad killer gymnasts named Bambi and Thumper, and a deadly game with a bizarre pair of fey, sardonic killers who dispatch their victims with elaborate invention. Jill St. John is the brassy but not too bright American smuggler Tiffany Case, and country singer and pork sausage king Jimmy Dean costars as a reclusive billionaire with not-so-subtle parallels to Howard Hughes. Shirley Bassey belts out the memorable theme song, one of the series' best. Connery retired again after this one but he returned once more, for Never Say Never Again 15 years later for a rival production company. --Sean Axmaker Amazon
Dr. No (Special Edition) Connery, Sean Andress, Ursula Lord, Jack Young, Terence Barry, John /  Norman, Monty 27616812322 DVD MGM/UA Video 22-Oct-02 PG Y Y Stereo Color 111 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $8.99 Amazon.com essential video&newline;Released in 1962, this first James Bond movie remains one of the best, and serves as an entertaining reminder that the Bond series began (in keeping with Ian Fleming's novels) with a surprising lack of gadgetry and big-budget fireworks. Sean Connery was just 32 years old when he won the role of Agent 007. In his first adventure James Bond is called to Jamaica where a colleague and secretary have been mysteriously killed. With an American CIA agent (Jack Lord, pre-Hawaii Five-O), they discover that the nefarious Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) is scheming to blackmail the U.S. government with a device capable of deflecting and destroying U.S. rockets launched from Cape Canaveral. Of course, Bond takes time off from his exploits to enjoy the company of a few gorgeous women, including the bikini-clad Ursula Andress. She gloriously kicks off the long-standing tradition of Bond women who know how to please their favorite secret agent. A sexist anachronism? Maybe, but this is Bond at his purest, kicking off a series of movies that shows no sign of slowing down. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Amazon
Gladiator Crowe, Russell Phoenix, Joaquin Hounsou, Djimon Reed, Oliver Clark, Spencer Treat Moeller, Ralph Arana, Tomas Harris, Richard Jacobi, Derek Nielsen, Connie Scott, Ridley Franzoni, David H. /  Nicholson, William /  Logan, John Mathieson, John Zimmer, Hans /  Gerrard, Lisa Scalia, Pietro 667068720426 DVD Universal Studios 21-Nov-00 R Y Y DTS Surround Sound Color 155 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $24.59 Amazon.com essential video&newline;A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately &doublequote;classical&doublequote;), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart Amazon
GoldenEye Brosnan, Pierce Bean, Sean Scorupco, Izabella Janssen, Famke Baker, Joe Don Dench, Judi Dench, Dame Judi Coltrane, Robbie Karyo, Tcheky John, Gottfried Campbell, Martin France, Michael Caine, Jeffrey /  Feirstein, Bruce Meheux, Phil Serra, Eric Rawlings, Terry /  Rawlings, Terence 27616603593 DVD Mgm/Ua Studios 22-Aug-97 PG-13 Y Y Stereo Color 130 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $8.90 Amazon.com&newline;The 18th James Bond adventure was a runaway box-office success when released in 1995, thanks to the arrival of Pierce Brosnan as the fifth actor (following the departure of Timothy Dalton) to play the suave, danger-loving Agent 007. This James Bond is a bit more vulnerable and psychologically complex--and just a shade more politically correct--but he's still a formally attired playboy at heart, with a lovely Russian beauty (Izabella Scorupco) as his sexy ally against a cadre of renegade Russians bent on--what else?--global domination. There's also a seductive villainous with the suggestive name of Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen), and the great actress Judi Dench makes her first appearance as Bond's superior, M, who wisecracks about 007's &doublequote;dinosaur&doublequote; status as a globetrotting sexist. All in all, this action-packed Bond adventure provided a much-needed boost the long-running movie series, revitalizing the 007 franchise for the turn of the millennium. --Jeff Shannon Amazon
Interview with the Vampire - DTS Cruise, Tom Pitt, Brad Rea, Stephen Banderas, Antonio Cruise, Tom Slater, Christian Jordan, Neil 85391831327 DVD Warner Studios 3-Feb-04 R Y Y DTS Surround Sound Color 123 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $16.38 Amazon.com essential video&newline;When it was announced that Tom Cruise would play the vampire Lestat in this adaptation of Anne Rice's bestselling novel, even Rice chimed in with a highly publicized objection. The author wisely and justifiably recanted her negative opinion when she saw Cruise's excellent performance, which perceptively addresses the pain and chronic melancholy that plagues anyone cursed with immortal bloodlust. Brad Pitt and Kirsten Dunst are equally good at maintaining the dark and brooding tone of Rice's novel. And in this rare mainstream project for a major studio, director Neil Jordan compensates for a lumbering plot by honoring the literate, Romantic qualities of Rice's screenplay. Considered a disappointment while being embraced by Rice's loyal followers, the movie is too slow to be a satisfying thriller, but it is definitely one of the most lavish, intelligent horror films ever made. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to the  DVD edition. Amazon
Jurassic Park 03 Dern, Laura Diehl, John Jeter, Michael Leoni, Téa Macy, William H. Morgan, Trevor Nivola, Alessandro Harelik, Mark Neill, Sam Mechoso, Julio Johnston, Joe Taylor, Jim Davis, Don Dalva, Robert 25192110122 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 8/24/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 93 1 Action & Adventure : General N $11.99 Paleontologist Alan Grant (Sam Neill) has sworn never to return to Jurassic Park. But he needs funding for his research, so when a wealthy thrill-seeking couple (William H. Macy and Téa Leoni) come calling, Grant and his protégée, Billy (Alessandro Nivola), agree to take them on a sightseeing flight. By the time Grant finds out what their true purpose is--to land on the island and search for their missing son--all of their lives are in peril. And Grant's newfound theory about Raptor intelligence will have its deadly proof.&newline;&newline;Joe Johnston was the right director to take over Steven Spielberg's JURASSIC PARK series. He's experienced with special effects, having worked on the STAR WARS films, while his OCTOBER SKY demonstrates his skill at telling an emotionally involving tale. In JURASSIC PARK 3, with the help of a top-notch technical team and a talented cast (who began filming before the script was finished, improvising much of their dialogue), and a new dinosaur, Spinosaurus, that makes even T-Rex nervous, Johnston has fashioned a rousing adventure with state-of-the-art visuals. Clocking in at a tense 92 minutes, it's the fastest-moving, most action-packed film of the series.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: July 18, 2001. Tower Records
Jurassic Park/Lost World Neill, Sam Dern, Laura Schiff, Richard Sachs, Robin Wheeler, Rick Abercrombie, Ian Howard, Arliss Jason, Harvey Richards, Ariana Moore, Julianne Spielberg, Steven Crichton, Michael Koepp, David Kaminski, Janusz Kahn, Michael 25192078927 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 7/10/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Digital Stereo Color 256 1 Action & Adventure : General N $41.99 Dinosaurs are back...to-back in JURASSIC PARK and JURASSIC PARK: THE LOST WORLD.&newline;&newline;In JURASSIC PARK, an eccentric billionaire invites two paleontologists to his private island off South America, where he is constructing a wild animal park--whose specimens are genetically engineered dinosaurs. Breakthrough digital effects bring these extinct animals roaring back to life. Based on Michael Crichton's ravenous bestseller. Academy Award Nominations: 3.  Academy Awards: 3, including Best Visual Effects.&newline;&newline;JURASSIC PARK: THE LOST WORLD is the sequel to the smash dinosaur thriller. Dr. Ian Malcolm returns for more dino-horror when, four years after the disaster at the would-be amusement park attraction, another expedition is mounted to document the natural behavior of the beasts at mysterious Site B, the island where they were originally bred. The team--composed of Malcolm, a prehistoric behavioralist, a wildlife videographer, and a systems specialist--faces adversity in the form of a less-than-scrupulous company executive, an Ahab-like big game hunter, and, of course, the terrible lizards themselves. Marginally based on the Michael Crichton novel THE LOST WORLD. Academy Award Nomination: Best Visual Effects. Tower Records
Licence To Kill (Special Edition) Dalton, Timothy Davi, Robert Davi, Robert Soto, Talisa Newton, Wayne (II), John Glen Maibaum, Richard Wilson, Michael G. Mills, Alec Kamen, Michael Grover, John 27616770820 DVD MGM/UA Video 22-Oct-02 PG Y Y Dolby Color 134 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $6.46 Amazon.com&newline;Timothy Dalton's second and last shot at playing James Bond isn't nearly as much fun as his debut, two years earlier, in the 1987 The Living Daylights. This time Bond gets mad after a close friend (David Hedison) from the intelligence sector is assassinated on his wedding day, and 007 goes undercover to link the murder to an international drug cartel. Robert Davi makes an interesting adversary, but as with most of the Bond films in the '70s, '80s, and '90s--and especially since the end of the cold war--one has to wonder why we should still care about these lesser villains and their unimaginative crimes. Still, Dalton did manage in his short time with the character to make 007 his own, which neither Roger Moore did nor Pierce Brosnan did. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Mission Impossible 2 Cruise, Tom Mapother IV, Thomas Cruise Hopkins, Anthony Hopkins, Sir Anthony Hopkines, Sir Anthony Serbedzija, Rade Mapother, William R. Rhames, Ving Newton, Thandie Gleeson, Brendan Woo, John Braga, Brannon /  Moore, Ronald D. Towne, Robert Kimball, Jeffrey L. Zimmer, Hans /  BT Wagner, Christian /  Kemper, Steven 97363348740 DVD Paramount Home Video 19-Aug-03 PG-13 Y Y Dolby Color 124 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $13.04 Amazon.com&newline;Visually stunning, and a likely must for John Woo aficionados, the second Mission: Impossible outing from megastar Tom Cruise suffers from an inconsistent tone and tired plot devices--not only recycled from other films, but repeated throughout the film. Despite remarkable cinematography and awe-inspiring, trademark Woo photography, the movie offers a tepid story from legendary screenwriter-director Robert Towne (Chinatown, Without Limits) and a host of other writers, most uncredited.&newline;&newline;It is, regrettably, as forgettable as the first big-budget, big box-office MI in 1996, and it's clear (as Towne confirms) that the plot was developed around Woo- and Cruise-written action sequences. The film combines equal elements of romance and action, and is best when it features the stunning allure of Thandie Newton as Nyah, a master thief recruited by the sinewy charms of Ethan Hunt (a fit Cruise). Deeply in love after a passionate night, the couple must then combat MI nemesis (and Nyah's former lover) Sean Ambrose (Ever After's Dougray Scott). Ambrose holds hostage a virus and its cure, and offers them to the highest bidder.&newline;&newline;Woo's famed mythic filmmaking is far from subtle, with heroic Hunt frequently slow-motion walking through fire, smoke, or other similar devices, replete with a white dove among pigeons to signal his presence. The emphasis on romance is an attempt to develop character and a more human side to superspy Hunt, but still the dreary story proves a distraction from the exciting action sequences. John Polson (as an MI team member) is an Aussie talent to keep an eye on. --N.F. Mendoza --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Amazon
On Her Majesty's Secret Service Lazenby, George Rigg, Diana Lee, Bernard Savalas, Telly Ferzetti, Gabriele Lazenby, George Steppat, Ilse Horsfall, Bernard Hunt, Peter R. Wood, Christopher /  Maibaum, Richard / Raven, Simon Hamlisch, Marvin Glen, John 27616812629 DVD MGM/UA Video 16-May-00 PG N N Stereo Color 140 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $22.99 Amazon.com&newline;Australian model George Lazenby took up the mantle of the world's most suave secret agent when Sean Connery retired as James Bond--prematurely, it turned out. Connery returned in Diamonds Are Forever before leaving the role to Roger Moore and Lazenby's subsequent career fizzled, yet this one-hit wonder is responsible for one of the best Bond films of all time. &newline;&newline;In On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 007 leaves the Service to privately pursue his SPECTRE nemesis Blofeld (played this time by Telly Savalas), whose latest master plan involves a threat to the world's crops by agricultural sterilization. Bond teams up with suave international crime lord Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) and falls in love with--and marries--his elegant daughter, Tracy (Diana Rigg). Bond goes monogamous? Not at first; after all he has Blofeld's harem to seduce. Lazenby hasn't the intensity of Connery but he has fun with his quips and even lampoons the Bond image in a playful pre-credits sequence, and Rigg, fresh from playing sexy Emma Peel in The Avengers, matches 007 in every way. Former editor Peter Hunt makes a strong directorial debut, deftly handling the elaborate action sequences--including a car chase turned road rally through the icy snow--with a kinetic finesse and a dash of humor. Though not a hit on its original release, On Her Majesty's Secret Service has become a fan favorite and the closest the series has come to capturing the spirit of Ian Fleming's books. --Sean Axmaker --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Rush Hour 2 Chan, Jackie Tucker, Chris Penn, Christopher Yulin, Harris Tsang, Ken Tsang, Kenneth King, Alan Tucker, Chris Rubinek, Saul Chan, Jackie Ratner, Brett Nathanson, Jeff Jones, Darryl /  Schifrin, Lalo Helfrich, Mark 794043540424 DVD Warner Home Video 12/11/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 91 1 Action & Adventure : General N $11.99 Amazon.com&newline;Rush Hour 2 retains the appeal of its popular predecessor, so it's easily recommended to fans of its returning stars, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. The action--and there's plenty of it--starts in Hong Kong, where Detective Lee (Chan) and his L.A. counterpart Detective Carter (Tucker) are attempting a vacation, only to get assigned to sleuth a counterfeiting scheme involving a triad kingpin (John Lone), his lethal henchwoman (Zhang Ziyi, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and an American billionaire (Alan King). Director Brett Ratner simply lets his stars strut their stuff, so it hardly matters that the plot is disposable, or that his direction is so bland he could've phoned it in from a Jacuzzi.&newline;&newline;At its best, Rush Hour 2 compares favorably to Chan's glossiest Hong Kong hits, and when the action moves to Las Vegas (where Don Cheadle makes an unbilled cameo), the movie goes into high-pitched hyperdrive, riding an easy wave of ambitious stuntwork and broad, derivative humor. Echoes of Beverly Hills Cop are too loud, however, and stale ideas (including a comedic highlight for Jeremy Piven as a gay clothier) are made even more aggravating by dialogue that's almost Neanderthal in its embrace of retro-racial stereotypes. Of course, that's what makes Rush Hour 2 a palatable dish of mainstream comedy; it insults and comforts the viewer at the same time, and while some may find Tucker's relentless hamming unbearable, those who enjoyed Rush Hour are sure to appreciate another dose of Chan-Tucker lunacy. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to the  Theatrical Release edition. &newline;&newline;Additional features &newline;New Line's Infinifilm series has set a high bar for DVD supplements, but where previous editions have been dedicated to director's visions, Rush Hour 2 is about the stars. This peek beyond the movie is most interested in looking at the performers. Watch Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in &doublequote;Evolution of a Scene&doublequote; as they rework three separate moments in rehearsal, and get an intimate glimpse of Chan's working methods in &doublequote;Kung Fu Choreography.&doublequote; &doublequote;Culture Clash&doublequote; and &doublequote;Language Barrier&doublequote; view the unique... read more Tower Records
Space Cowboys Eastwood, Clint Jones, Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Lee Sutherland, Donald Garner, James Cromwell, James Babcock, Barbara Brown, Blair Devane, William Harden, Marcia Gay Eastwood, Clint Kaufman, Ken /  Klausner, Howard Niehaus, Lennie Cox, Joel 85391872221 DVD Warner Studios 3-Feb-04 PG-13 Y Y Dolby Color 135 Minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $13.47 Amazon.com&newline;This slice of cornball Americana is so much fun you'll be tempted to stand up and salute. Director and costar Clint Eastwood manages to turn what might have been ludicrous into a jubilant tribute to age and experience, and Space Cowboys succeeds as two movies in one--a comedy about retired pilots given one last shot at glory and an Apollo 13-like thriller with all the requisite heroics. With a dream cast of Hollywood vets playing old farts described in tabloids as &doublequote;The Ripe Stuff,&doublequote; the movie jumps from a 1958 prologue (establishing their lost bid for space travel) to 40-plus years later, when the retired Air Force aces (Eastwood, James Garner, Donald Sutherland, Tommy Lee Jones) volunteer to rescue a falling Russian satellite that only Eastwood's character can repair.&newline;&newline;It turns out that Russky bird is a cold war leftover equipped with live nuclear warheads, and Space Cowboys revs up to a rousing climax in which our heroes prove their mettle. But first the comedy: watching these codgers struggle to pass NASA's physical tests is a total hoot, with running gags about wrinkles, dentures, and oysters for sagging libidos. (Sutherland is the scene-stealer, but they're all having a blast.) Once in space, the movie gets down to business, and the visual-effects wizards at Industrial Light and Magic provide stunning vistas from Earth's orbit; a shot looking down at the boot of Italy is particularly beautiful. A subplot involving a weasely NASA administrator (James Cromwell) is rather perfunctory, but it hardly matters. Space Cowboys earns its wings, once again demonstrating Eastwood's comfort with any genre he chooses. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. &newline;&newline;Additional features &newline;Even though this DVD doesn't boast that it's a special edition, it has some of the nicest extras you'd want to see. There's nearly an hour of behind-the-footage material, all of it superior made-for-cable featurettes so often included on DVDs. The technicians divulge little tricks of the trade, revealing more computer effects in the film than you'd think. Longtime Eastwood editor Joel Cox provides insight into the director's work routine. The highlight, though, is an extended version of the four... read more &newline;&newline;Description&newline;In 1958, the members of Team Daedalus, a group of top Air Force test pilots, were ready to serve their country as the first Americans in space but were pushed aside. Now, as a Russian satellite fails and is about to crash into earth, Team Daedalus is back in action in a rescue mission. Amazon
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (Special Edition) Weller, Peter Lithgow, John Lithgow, John Barkin, Ellen Brown, Clancy Goldblum, Jeff Richter, W.D. Rauch, Earl Mac 27616862785 DVD MGM/UA Video 8-Jun-04 PG Y Y Dolby Color 94 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $12.26 Amazon.com essential video&newline;The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the 8th Dimension is one of the most agreeably insane movies ever made. Peter Weller stars as Buckaroo, an acclaimed neurosurgeon, particle physicist, and, of course, rock star. He travels with the Hong Kong Cavaliers, a band of hard-rocking scientists who are also really good dressers. Buckaroo's interdimensional experiments with his Operation Overthruster throw him (and the Earth) straight into the middle of an alien war, and before you know it, he's got just a few hours to save the world. Confused? Hang on, we're only 10 minutes into the movie. Buckaroo Banzai hurls you right into the middle of its comic-book universe and keeps going at a breakneck pace. It's chock-full of overlapping jokes (even as we're trying to make sense of Dr. Lizardo's hospital room, a voice calmly announces that &doublequote;lithium is no longer available on credit&doublequote; over the PA system), hilarious throwaway dialogue (&doublequote;You're like Jerry Lewis: you give me hope to carry on.&doublequote;), and weirdness just for the sheer joy of it (&doublequote;Why is there a watermelon there?&doublequote; &doublequote;I'll tell you later.&doublequote;). You'll want to watch it at least twice--there's just no way to catch everything the first time around. Ellen Barkin has a terrific time doing a dead-on film noir moll parody as Penny Priddy, and John Lithgow turns in a brilliant manic performance as Dr. Lizardo/John Whorfin. There is no reason not to own this movie unless you are cold and dead inside. Laugh while you can, Monkey Boys. --Ali Davis --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. &newline;&newline;Amazon.com&newline;Peter Weller plays that Renaissance Man, Buckaroo Banzai, a neurosurgeon, car racer, rock singer, and alien chaser in this overdone sci-fi adventure from 1984. After crashing his nuclear-fueled race car and causing a disturbance in the eighth dimension, Banzai releases some extremely unappealing aliens into our atmosphere. First-time director W.D. Richter (Late for Dinner) pulls out all the stops, resulting in a manic dash that is often incoherent. The intent may have been to re-create old-time... read more --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
The Longest Day Burton, Richard Wagner, Robert Wayne, John Connery, Sean Fonda, Henry Buttons, Red Anka, Paul Mitchum, Robert Annakin, Ken Ryan, Cornelius 24543029977 DVD Twentieth Century Fox 20-May-03 G Y Y Stereo Color 178 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $12.28 Amazon.com&newline;The Longest Day is Hollywood's definitive D-day movie. More modern accounts such as Saving Private Ryan are more vividly realistic, but producer Darryl F. Zanuck's epic 1962 account is the only one to attempt the daunting task of covering that fateful day from all perspectives. From the German high command and front-line officers to the French Resistance and all the key Allied participants, the screenplay by Cornelius Ryan, based on his own authoritative book, is as factually accurate as possible. The endless parade of stars (John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, and Richard Burton, to name a few) makes for an uneasy mix of verisimilitude and Hollywood star-power, however, and the film falls a little flat for too much of its three-hour running time. But the set-piece battles are still spectacular, and if the landings on Omaha Beach lack the graphic gore of Private Ryan they nonetheless show the sheer scale and audacity of the invasion. --Mark Walker Amazon
The Man With The Golden Gun (Special Edition) Moore, Roger Lee, Christopher Lee, Christopher Moore, Roger Lee, Bernard Lawrence, Marc Ekland, Britt Adams, Maud Loo, Richard Oh, Soon-Teck Hamilton, Guy Maibaum, Richard Barry, John Shirley, John 27616812421 DVD MGM/UA Video 22-Oct-02 PG Y Y Stereo Color 125 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $17.98 Amazon.com&newline;The British superspy with a license to kill takes on his dark underworld double, a classy assassin who kills with golden bullets at $1 million a hit. Roger Moore, in his second outing as James Bond, meets Christopher Lee's Scaramanga, one of the most magnetic villains in the entire series, in this entertaining but rather wan entry in the 007 sweepstakes. Bond's globetrotting search takes him to Hong Kong, Bangkok, and finally China, where Scaramanga turns his island retreat into a twisted theme park for a deadly game of wits between the gunmen, moderated by Scaramanga's diminutive man Friday Nick Nack (Fantasy Island's Hervé Villechaize). Britt Ekland does her best as the most embarrassingly inept Bond girl in 007 history, a clumsy, dim agent named Mary Goodnight who looks fetching in a bikini, while Maud Adams is Scaramanga's tough but haunted lover and assistant (she returns to the series as the title character in Octopussy). Clifton James, the redneck sheriff from Live and Let Die, makes an embarrassing and ill-advised appearance as a racist tourist who briefly teams up with 007 in what is otherwise the film's highlight, a high-energy chase through the crowded streets of Bangkok that climaxes with a breathtaking midair corkscrew jump. Bond and company are let down by a lazy script, but Moore balances the overplayed humor with a steely performance and Lee's charm and enthusiasm makes Scaramanga a cool, deadly, and thoroughly enchanting adversary. --Sean Axmaker --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Thunderball Connery, Sean Auger, Claudine Auger, Claudine Paluzzi, Luciana Lee, Bernard Doleman, Guy Peters, Molly Llewelyn, Desmond Young, Terence Maibaum, Richard /  Hopkins, John Barry, John Hunt, Peter 27616785725 DVD Mgm/Ua Studios 19-Oct-99 PG Y Y Stereo Color 131 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $29.99 Amazon.com&newline;James Bond's fourth adventure takes him to the Bahamas, where a NATO warplane with a nuclear payload has disappeared into the sea. Bond (Sean Connery) travels from a tony health spa (where he tangles with a mechanized masseuse run amuck) to the casinos of Nassau and soon picks up the trail of SPECTRE's number-two man, Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), and his beautiful mistress, Domino (Claudine Auger), whom Bond soon seduces to his side. Equipped with more gadgets than ever, courtesy of the resourceful &doublequote;Q&doublequote; (Desmond Llewelyn), agent 007 escapes an ambush with a personal-size jet pack and takes to the water as he searches for the undersea plane, battles Largo's pet sharks, and finally leads the battle against Largo's scuba-equipped henchmen in a spectacular underwater climax. This thrilling Bond entry became Connery's most successful outing in the series and was remade in 1983 as Never Say Never Again, with Connery returning to the role after a 12-year hiatus. Tom Jones belts out the bold theme song to another classic Maurice Binder title sequence. --Sean Axmaker --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
U-571 - Collector's Edition McConaughey, Matthew Paxton, Bill Bon Jovi, Jon Keith, David Jovi, Jon Bon Askwith, Robin Keitel, Harvey Carson, T.C. Weber, Jake Gury, Thomas Mostow, Jonathan Mostow, Jonathan Mostow, Jonathan /  Montgomery, Sam /  Ayer, David Marvin, Richard Wahrman, Wayne 25192078521 DVD Universal Studios 2-Sep-03 PG-13 Y Y DTS Surround Sound Color 117 minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $13.03 Amazon.com&newline;Taut and gripping, U-571 follows the exploits of a fictional team of World War II U.S. submariners who undertake a secret mission to capture a German Enigma machine to decode German documents. Writer-director Jonathan Mostow (Breakdown) tells an intense, economical tale, reminiscent of the best classic war films, while infusing it with modern sentiments. &newline;&newline;Spring 1942: A crew of young submarine sailors are on a much-needed 48-hour liberty when they're suddenly called together and engaged in an expedition. At the helm are Lieutenant Commander Mike Dahlgren (Bill Paxton), Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey), and Chief Klough (Harvey Keitel). Other pivotal crew members include Tyler's Annapolis pal Lieutenant Pete Emmett (Jon Bon Jovi, proving his acting mettle) and Lieutenant Hirsch (Jake Weber), who, along with Marine Major Coonan (David Keith), organizes the mission. As much of the movie takes place in a submarine during WWII, there are inevitable comparisons with the technical masterpiece Das Boot, but Mostow's masterfully shot tale can hold its own. &newline;&newline;McConaughey's Tyler is believably earnest as he comes to grips with the reality, tragedy, and consequence of being in command. While this explosion-filled film consistently maintains its tense pace (as did the underrated Breakdown), it also presents with surprising restraint a genuine human story--and the remarkable journey of an unexpected hero. --N.F. Mendoza --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Amazon
You Only Live Twice Connery, Sean Wakabayashi, Akiko Dor, Karin Maxwell, Lois Wakabayashi, Akiko Shimada, Teru Tamba, Tetsuro Llewelyn, Desmond (II), Lewis Gilbert Dahl, Roald /  Bloom, Harold Jack Barry, John Hunt, Peter 27616853974 DVD MGM/UA Video 17-Oct-00 PG Y Y Stereo Color 117 Minutes 1 Action & Adventure : General N $18.78 Amazon.com&newline;The film boasts the best of the Bond title songs (this one sung on a dreamy track by Nancy Sinatra), but the movie itself is one of the weaker ones of the Sean Connery phase of the 007 franchise. The story concerns an effort by the evil organization SPECTRE to start a world war, but the not-so-super villain behind the plot is the awfully civilized Donald Pleasence. The thin script is by Roald Dahl (shouldn't we have expected a better Bond nemesis from the creator of mad genius Willy Wonka?), and direction is by British veteran Lewis Gilbert (Alfie). But the movie can't hold a candle to Dr. No, From Russia with Love, or Goldfinger. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Justice League:Justice On Trial Eisenberg, Susan Newbern, George Canals, Maria Conroy, Kevin Rosenbaum, Michael Lumbly, Carl LaMarr, Phil Lukic, Butch 85392395323 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2004 1 Not Rated N Y Mono Color 89 1 Action & Adventure : Superheroes : Justice League N $12.99 The Cartoon Network delighted millions of comic book fans when they reunited SUPERFRIENDS in this animated update that introduces a hip new look and additional characters more in tune with the 21st century. Vintage superheroes Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman team with a completely revamped Green Lantern, new addition Hawkgirl, and lesser-knowns The Flash and Martian Manhunter to combat villains in an interplanetary quest for justice. This volume includes a pair of two-part episodes: &doublequote;Blackest Knight&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Enemy Below.&doublequote; Tower Records
Avengers 65 Macnee, Patrick Rigg, Diana Hammond, Peter 733961700336 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 12/19/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered B&W 400 1 Action/Adventure N $36.99 Includes the remaining episodes from 1965's fourth season: &doublequote;The Murder Market,&doublequote; &doublequote;A Surfeit of H2O,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Hour That Never Was,&doublequote; &doublequote;Dial A Deadly Number,&doublequote; &doublequote;Man Eater of Surrey Green,&doublequote; &doublequote;Two's a Crowd,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Too Many Christmas Trees.&doublequote; Tower Records
Avengers 65 Macnee, Patrick Rigg, Diana Hammond, Peter 733961700282 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 12/19/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered B&W 340 1 Action/Adventure N $29.99 John Steed and Mrs. Emma Peel in their fourth season of the espionage classic series. Features six black-and-white episodes, including: &doublequote;The Cybernauts,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Town of No Return,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Gravediggers,&doublequote; &doublequote;Death at Bargain Prices,&doublequote; &doublequote;Castle D'eath,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Mister Minds.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Contains 6 episodes on 2 discs. Volume 1: &doublequote;The Town of No Return,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Gravediggers,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Cybernauts.&doublequote; On Volume 2: &doublequote;Death at Bargain Prices,&doublequote; &doublequote;Castle De'ath,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Master Minds.&doublequote; Tower Records
Avengers 66 Rigg, Diana Macnee, Patrick Hammond, Peter 733961700350 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 12/19/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered B&W 400 1 Action/Adventure N $36.99 This set of episodes from the show's fifth season includes the controversial and popular episode &doublequote;A Touch of Brimstone,&doublequote; as well as &doublequote;The Danger Makers,&doublequote; &doublequote;What the Butler Saw,&doublequote;  &doublequote;The House That Jack Built,&doublequote; &doublequote;A Sense of History,&doublequote; &doublequote;How to Succeed... at Murder.&doublequote; The DVD collection contains the bonus episode &doublequote;Honey for the Prince.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Contains the first two volumes of episodes from the popular show's fifth season. Volume 1: &doublequote;Silent Dust,&doublequote; &doublequote;Room Without a View,&doublequote; &doublequote;Small Game for Big Hunters.&doublequote; Volume 2: &doublequote;The Girl from Auntie,&doublequote; &doublequote;The 13th Hole,&doublequote; &doublequote;Quick-Quick-Slow Death.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Set 2 contains 7 episodes on 2 discs. Volume 3 includes &doublequote;The Danger Makers,&doublequote; &doublequote;A Touch of Brimstone,&doublequote; &doublequote;What the Butler Saw.&doublequote; Volume 4 includes: &doublequote;The House That Jack Built,&doublequote; &doublequote;A Sense of History,&doublequote; &doublequote;How to Succeed... at Murder,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Honey for the Prince.&doublequote; Tower Records
Charlie's Angels:Full Throttle Liu, Lucy Mac, Bernie Diaz, Cameron Moore, Demi Wilson, Luke Barrymore, Drew McG, August, John Carpenter, Russell Shearmur, Ed 43396021457 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 3/16/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 107 1 Action/Adventure N $17.99 CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE reunites Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu as they once again wage battle against some formidable opponents. This time around the three angels are on a mission to track down two stolen rings that contain encrypted information relating to the Witness Protection Program. Naturally the girls kick some serious butt, often facing some familiar villains in the shape of a returning Crispin Glover (as the Thin Man) and Justin Theroux (as Seamus O'Grady), a former beau of Barrymore's character. To further spice things up, there is an ex-angel, played by a shapely Demi Moore, who is rather keen on getting her hands on the rings, all adding up to lots of thrills and spills for the girls.&newline;&newline;Director McG returns from the original movie, this time upping the action ante with a series of spectacular stunts and CGI-assisted tricks. Employing a neverending array of celebrity cameo appearances, McG builds on the momentum of the previous movie and neatly balances the combination of comedy set pieces and action sequences. Cast and crew keep their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks throughout, leading to a not-too-serious romp that is a feast for the eyes. Tower Records
Dare Devil Duncan, Michael Clarke Farrell, Colin Favreau, Jon Garner, Jennifer Ben-Victor, Paul Terra, Scott Pompeo, Ellen Pantoliano, Joe Affleck, Ben Orser, Leland Johnson, Mark Steven Johnson, Mark Steven Core, Ericson Revell, Graeme 24543077886 DVD 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 1/27/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 103 1 Action/Adventure N $17.99 The latest Marvel Comics superhero to hit the big screen is Daredevil (Ben Affleck), a man blinded by a radioactive chemical accident as a young boy but left with superhuman senses and agile acrobatic ability. Like his Marvel compatriot Spider-Man, Daredevil attempts to lead a normal life by day as Matt Murdock, a Hell's Kitchen defense attorney. By night Matt becomes Daredevil, a brooding superhero fighting for justice in the dark and squalid New York streets overrun with vermin and criminal injustice. Wearing a red leather suit and mask, Daredevil leaps from high skyscrapers and tracks his enemies with his radar-like vision, punishing those who are guilty but who he cannot tackle in the courtroom. At the center of the city's villainous underbelly is Daredevil's nemesis Kingpin (Michael Clarke Duncan), and his psychotic, knife-wielding deputy-assassin Bullseye (Colin Farrell). Daredevil fights their powerful forces alone, until he meets Elektra Natchios (Jennifer Garner of ALIAS fame), a skilled martial artist and sexy superheroine who is after Bullseye and Kingpin for murdering her father. Sparks fly as the two heroes take on the underlords of crime together in this action-packed adventure fantasy that will surely delight fans of SPIDER-MAN, X-MEN, or BATMAN.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: February 14, 2003 Tower Records
Die Another Day Pike, Rosamund Stephens, Toby Yune, Rick Brosnan, Pierce Cleese, John Madsen, Michael Berry, Halle Dench, Judi Lee, Will Yun Bond, Samantha Tamahori, Lee Wade, Robert Arnold, David 27616884282 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 6/8/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 132 1 Action/Adventure N $9.99 In DIE ANOTHER DAY, the 20th James Bond adventure, 007 (Pierce Brosnan) gets off to a rough start when he's captured and subsequently tortured during an assignment in North Korea. When the suave secret agent is eventually liberated, he embarks on a dangerous mission that involves tracking a terrorist named Zao (Rick Yune) to Cuba, where 007 also encounters Jinx (Halle Berry), a highly formidable and alluring fellow spy. Soon Bond is back in England following a mysterious trail that leads to Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens), a flamboyant diamond mogul. After a rather bloody introduction, Graves invites 007 to Iceland, where he plans to unveil his enigmatic Icarus project. Before long, Bond and Jinx are reunited and battling Graves, Zao, and other villains bent on world domination.&newline;&newline;With this Bond installment, directed by Lee Tamahori, 007 catches up with the 21st century, and the results are grittier and more explosive than ever before. Although it begins as one of the darkest and most violent Bond films, the intense mood of DIE ANOTHER DAY is also counterbalanced by typically clever and funny moments. Brosnan is in fine form as the iconic hero, while Berry shines as the immediately likeable Jinx. Stephens and Yune are excellent as the two main bad guys, and the rest of the cast--including Judi Dench, John Cleese, Rosamund Pike, and Michael Madsen--provide key supporting roles. With its hi-tech gadgets and special-effects-laden set pieces, DIE ANOTHER DAY clearly has its eye on the future, but in numerous scenes it also lovingly embraces the past, placing the film in the upper tier of Bond movies.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release date: November 22, 2002.&newline;&newline;In DIE ANOTHER DAY, Bond drives an Aston Martin V-12 Vanquish. After the movie was released, sales of this car skyrocketed, breaking all records against other Aston Martin models.&newline;&newline;Halle Berry's Jinx in DIE ANOTHER DAY performs the same seductive scene, emerging from the sea clad in a bikini and knife holster, as Ursula Andress's Honey Ryder in DR. NO. Tower Records
Easy Rider Askew, Luke Scharf, Sabrina Spector, Phil Walker, Robert Nicholson, Jack Black, Karen Hopper, Dennis Fonda, Peter Finnerty, Warren Hopper, Dennis Fonda, Peter Kovacs, Laszlo Cambern, Donn 43396017498 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 3/16/2004 R (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 95 1 Action/Adventure N $11.99 A landmark in film history, EASY RIDER blew the studio doors open for more young directors than any film before or since, helping to create the wide-open climate that would lead to the production of many outstanding films in the 1970s. As its director, Dennis Hopper is usually given the lion's share of credit for the film's success, but the revelations of time suggest that the contributions of the late Terry Southern and, to some degree, Jack Nicholson have endowed the film with much of its residual power.&newline;&newline;Starring Peter Fonda as Wyatt (alias Captain America) and Hopper as Billy, it traces the hippie duo's adventures as they mount their seriously chopped hogs on a journey to find the real America en route to Mardi Gras. In Arizona, they visit a commune whose members are having a tough time, and in a small Texas town they're jailed for joining a parade. But they're quickly sprung by an ACLU lawyer, the quirky, hard-drinking George Hanson (Jack Nicholson), who accepts their offer to join them on the trip to New Orleans, eager to visit the best whorehouse in the South. EASY RIDER accurately reflects the tensions and hostilities of the period, Laszlo Kovacs's photography is superb, Nicholson is exceptional in his breakthrough role--and the startling, stunning ending is a shocker.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;You know, Billy, we blew it.&doublequote;--Wyatt (Peter Fonda) to Billy (Dennis Hopper)&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: July 14, 1969.&newline;&newline;Shooting locations: Lafayette and New Orleans, LA; Las Vegas, NV; Monument Valley, UT; Wupatki Sunset Crater Volcano, AZ; and New Mexico.&newline;&newline;EASY RIDER was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1998.&newline;&newline;Rip Torn was originally slated for the role of George Hanson, but withdrew shortly before production began.&newline;&newline;Dennis Hopper carried a loaded pistol throughout production.&newline;&newline;Of the motorcycles used in the film, one burned, and three were stolen before the end of production. As a result, the final scene had to be shot around a campfire.&newline;&newline;EASY RIDER is number 88 in the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American movies.&newline;&newline;EASY RIDER was Dennis Hopper's directorial debut.&newline;&newline;The film cost $340,000 to make; it grossed $19 million in the U.S. alone. Tower Records
Final Fantasy Sutherland, Donald Rhames, Ving Buscemi, Steve Gilpin, Peri Baldwin, Alec Ming-Na David, Keith Woods, James Simmons, Jean David, Keith Sakaguchi, Hironobu Reinert, Al Goldenthal, Elliot Capp, Christopher S. 43396062498 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 10/23/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Mono Color 106 1 Action/Adventure N $26.99 Directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi (who also created the best-selling series of video games that inspired the film), the groundbreaking FINAL FANTASY, which stars a startlingly lifelike cast of animated characters, is the first photo-realistic computer-generated feature film ever made. In the year 2065, Earth has been taken over by a race of alien phantoms and transformed into a barren wasteland sprinkled with dome-enclosed barrier cities--the last remaining bastions of human civilization. Dr. Aki Ross (voiced by actress Ming-Na) has teamed up with Captain Gray Edwards (Alec Baldwin) to search for the &doublequote;eighth spirit,&doublequote; a powerful entity dwelling in an unknown life form somewhere on the planet. It holds the key to perfecting a system of energy waves that will neutralize the phantoms. Ross's opponent is the reckless General Hein (James Woods), who is determined to put a stop to the alien invasion by firing a satellite cannon directly into a nest of phantoms located deep within the Earth, even though this could mean obliterating the planet itself and all life upon it.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: JULY 11, 2001 Tower Records
From Russia With Love (WS/DD) Lenya, Lotte Connery, Sean Shaw, Robert Bianchi, Daniela Armendariz, Pedro Connery, Thomas Young, Terence Fleming, Ian Barry, John 27616853936 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 10/17/2000 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 115 1 Action/Adventure N $18.78 Secret agent James Bond battles the all-enveloping tentacles of an international crime syndicate called SPECTRE. The organization's mad plan for world supremacy unfolds with the icy efficiency of a chessmaster's complex strategy, and if they succeed, the antagonism of the cold war will be pushed from deep-freeze to the supernova of atomic oblivion. But our man Bond dispatches sultry spies, madmen, and double agents with the same coolness he displays while downing martinis and making love to beautiful blondes. In this, the second of the series, Bond travels to Turkey to meet a mysterious Russian woman who claims to have fallen in love with his photograph. She offers him a secret translating device if he will join her, although he does not know that she has been put up to the task by Rosa Klebb, formerly of the KGB, who has gone to work for SPECTRE. It's Bond's assignment to get the girl and the machine back to England--and to do it, of course, in style.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Meet James Bond, Secret Agent 007&newline;&newline;His Incredible New Women...&newline;&newline;His Incredible New Enemies...&newline;&newline;His Incredible New Adventures...&doublequote;--marketing line for the film&newline;&newline;Based on Ian Fleming's 1951 novel. The suave agent 007 is the object of an international conspiracy to humiliate the West. They use a voluptuous Russian girl to entice him into their trap. Classic fight scene between Connery and Shaw.&newline;&newline;Shot in Technicolor. Tower Records
Goldfinger (WS) Frobe, Gert Blackman, Honor Eaton, Shirley Sakata, Harold %22Odd Job%22 Llewelyn, Desmond Lee, Bernard Connery, Sean Mallet, Tania Maxwell, Lois Kwouk, Burt Hamilton, Guy Maibaum, Richard Barry, John 27616771223 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 10/22/2002 PG (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 110 1 Action/Adventure N $9.78 In James Bond's third cinematic adventure, the dangerously suave spy (Sean Connery) must stop the criminal capitalist Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) from contaminating Fort Knox's gold with atomic radiation. Aiding the villain is the alluring Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) and the imposing Oddjob (Harold Sakata). Bond, on the other hand, is armed with his trademark charm and, of course, a slew of gadgets, courtesy of Q (Desmond Llewelyn). Encountering the usual bevy of beautiful women and perilous traps, 007 sets out for America to foil Goldfinger's financial fiasco.&newline;&newline;Based on Ian Fleming's 1959 novel, GOLDFINGER marks the appearance of a more carefree, wisecracking Bond and is widely considered to be one of the best films in the series. In fact, with stylized elements such as the gold-painted girl, the wince-inducing laser beam, Oddjob's razor-sharp bowler hat, and Bond's modified Aston Martin car, the film is quite possibly the most memorable Bond outing, and would be famously parodied decades later in the AUSTIN POWERS series, particularly GOLDMEMBER.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: December 25, 1964.&newline;&newline;Shot in Technicolor.&newline;&newline;GOLDFINGER is the third installment in the James Bond series. DR. NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE were its predecessors.&newline;&newline;All of Bond's scenes in America were actually shot at Pinewood Studios in London.&newline;&newline;Since the actor playing Auric Goldfinger, Gert Frobe, spoke very little English, his voice was dubbed by another actor.&newline;&newline;Sean Connery didn't join the shoot until several weeks in, as he was filming MARNIE with Alfred Hitchcock.&newline;&newline;GOLDFINGER's title sequence features scenes from the first two Bond films projected onto the gold-painted model, Margaret Nolan. Nolan also plays the character Dink in the film.&newline;&newline;At the time of its release in 1964, GOLDFINGER entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest-grossing film in history.&newline;&newline;John Barry's GOLDFINGER theme, sung by Shirley Bassey, broke into the top 10 upon its release in the United States.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Do you expect me to talk?&doublequote;--James Bond (Sean Connery)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.&doublequote;--Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) Tower Records
In The Line Of Fire (WS) Cole, Gary Mahoney, John McDermott, Dylan Thompson, Fred Dalton Russo, Rene Malkovich, John Eastwood, Clint Petersen, Wolfgang Maguire, Jeff Bailey, John Morricone, Ennio Coates, Anne V. 43396523197 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 4/29/1997 R (MPAA) N Y Stereo Color 127 1 Action/Adventure N $9.49 Aging secret service agent Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood), on duty the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, is still unable to forget his failure on that fateful day, even as he nears retirement in 1993. When Mitch Leary (John Malkovich), a psychotic man calling himself Booth, threatens to kill the current president, Horrigan is the only one who takes the threat seriously. Over time, a cat-and-mouse game develops between the potential assassin and the agent; Horrigan sees the game as a chance to redeem his earlier failure and escape a life that has fallen into alcoholism and self-pity. With his only allies his partner (Dylan McDermott), who realizes he can't handle being a secret service agent and wants to resign, and a female agent (Rene Russo) whom he alternately annoys and attracts, Horrigan takes on Leary one-on-one in a fight to save the president, his job, and his self-respect. Directed with panache and precision by Wolfgang Petersen, IN THE LINE OF FIRE is an expertly crafted thriller that features spectacular performances by Eastwood and Malkovich.&newline;&newline;Filmed at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, and in Washington, D.C.&newline;&newline;One of the film's technical advisers was a former assistant director of the U.S. Secret Service, Robert Snow.&newline;&newline;In addition to IN THE LINE OF FIRE, Ennio Morricone composed music for more than 350 films, including A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS and A FEW DOLLARS MORE, both also starring Clint Eastwood.&newline;&newline;Rene Russo also starred in director Wolfgang Petersen's following film, OUTBREAK.&newline;&newline;A secret service agent blames himself for the loss of President Kennedy. Now, thirty years later, a diabolical assassin plans to humiliate him again--only, it's not going to happen that way--not this time.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;What's kept you in the game all these years?&doublequote;--Mitch Leary (John Malkovich) to Frank Horrigan (Clint Eastwood)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Why don't we get together and have a drink? We could talk about that.&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Oh, I'd love to, but I think the less you know about me the better.&doublequote;--Leary&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Oh, why?&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Because I'm planning to kill the president.&doublequote;--Leary&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Oh, now you shouldn't have gone and said that. It's a federal offense to threaten the president. You could go to jail, even if you don't mean it.&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I mean it all right.&doublequote;--Leary&newline;&newline;&doublequote;What makes you think he'll call again?&doublequote;--Lilly Raines (Rene Russo)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Oh, he'll call again. He's got, uh, panache.&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Panache?&doublequote;--Raines&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Yeah, it means flamboyance.&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Mm, I know what it means.&doublequote;--Raines&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Really? I had to look it up.&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Do you make an effort to be obnoxious, or is it a gift?&doublequote;--Raines&newline;&newline;&doublequote;It's a gift.&doublequote;--Horrigan&newline;&newline;&doublequote;There's no cause left worth fighting for, Frank. All we have is the game. I'm on offense, you're on defense.&doublequote;--Leary to Horrigan Tower Records
Jumanji (WS) Hunt, Bonnie Williams, Robin Dunst, Kirsten Grier, David Alan Pierce, Bradley Hyde, Jonathan Hyde, Jonathan Grier, David Alan Johnston, Joe Horner, James 43396117495 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 3/6/2001 1 PG (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 104 1 Action/Adventure N $24.99 A magical board game serves as a door to another dimension in this adventure fantasy based on Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning children's book. When a pair of orphans discover the game and start playing it they unwittingly unleash a man (Robin Williams) who's been trapped inside--as well as an array of stampeding jungle animals, brought vividly to the screen courtesy of ILM's computer-generated special effects. Directed by Joe Johnston (THE ROCKETEER, JURASSIC PARK III.) Tower Records
Lara Croft:Tomb Raider Craig, Daniel Voight, Jon Phillips, Leslie Jolie, Angelina Glen, Iain Taylor, Noah Rhind-Tutt, Julian Barrie, Chris West, Simon Massett, Patrick Revell, Graeme 97363367543 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 12/27/2002 Not Rated Y Y Digital Stereo Color 100 1 Action/Adventure N $17.99 Angelina Jolie stars as Lara Croft, a tough, sexy, heavily armed adventurer, in this action film based on the wildly popular video game series of the same name. When mercenaries invade her cavernous, hi-tech mansion and steal an ancient relic, Lara journeys to various international locations, including Cambodia, Italy, and the Arctic Circle, to retrieve the strange object and discover its mysterious properties. As Lara's quest becomes increasingly dangerous, it begins to shed light on the life of her deceased father, Lord Croft (Jon Voight, Jolie's real-life father), and a secretive group known as the Illuminati.&newline;&newline;Director Simon West's film boasts an energetic techno soundtrack and a charming performance by Jolie, who blasts her way past various monsters, villains, and pitfalls, smirking all the while. (In one of the film's most memorable sequences, she battles dozens of deadly assassins while suspended from a bungee cord in her pajamas.) Perfectly cast as the voluptuous heroine (and sporting a fine British accent), Jolie's commanding presence carries this fast-paced blockbuster, which will appeal to hardcore video game junkies and action movie fans alike.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: JUNE 16, 2001 Tower Records
Lara Croft:Tomb Raider Cradle Of Life Butler, Gerard Hounsou, Djimon Barrie, Chris Taylor, Noah Jolie, Angelina Schweiger, Til Yam, Simon Hinds, Ciaran Bont, Jan de Georgaris, Dean Tattersall, David Silvestri, Alan Kahn, Michael 97363407249 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 5/3/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 117 1 Action/Adventure N $16.99 Popular video game character Lara Croft returns to the big screen in this sequel to LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER. Intrepid British archaeologist Lara Croft (Angelina Jolie) has made perhaps the most important archaeological discovery in history: an orb that leads to the mythical Pandora's Box. Unfortunately, the orb falls into the hands of Jonathan Reiss (Ciaran Hinds), an evil scientist who deals in killer viruses and hopes to sell the secrets of the box as the ultimate weapon. Recruited by British Intelligence to get the orb back from Reiss, Lara enlists Terry Sheridan (Gerard Butler), a British marine turned mercenary--and her former love interest--to help. The two embark on an adventure that spans continents in an attempt to regain the orb. Lara is a walking advertisement for &doublequote;girl power.&doublequote; She's brilliant, athletic, courageous, and saucy. She flips jet skis, parachutes to safety from tall buildings, dives, rides horses--nothing seems beyond her. Best of all, Lara is one of the good ones--she'll do whatever she must to keep the world safe. Directed by Jan de Bont, this film was shot on location in Greece, Kenya, Hong Kong, England, and Wales. Tower Records
Lawrence Of Arabia Guinness, Alec Quinn, Anthony Hawkins, Jack Sharif, Omar Ferrer, José Rains, Claude Quayle, Anthony Kennedy, Arthur Johar, I.S. Miller, Hugh Lean, David Bolt, Robert Young, Freddie Jarre, Maurice Coates, Anne V. 43396058323 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 4/3/2001 1 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Re-Mastered Color 227 1 Action/Adventure N $23.76 David Lean's masterpiece, perhaps the greatest of screen epics, stars Peter O'Toole in one of the most electrifying debuts in film history. The film is less an ordinary adventure than an experience that leaves an overwhelming sense memory of the struggle between two powerful forces: the Arabian deserts, immense, intractable, ever-shifting, punishing; and T.E. Lawrence, humble as a monk, flamboyant as a rock star, protean, polymathic, heroic, enigmatic, mad. While working on the staff of British Intelligence in Cairo in 1916, Lawrence's fluency in Arabic earns him a post on a mission sent to establish contact with Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness), leader of the Arab revolt and ally of the British against the German-sponsored Turks in WWI. Impressed by Lawrence's knowledge of their culture, the prince allows the young officer to join his staff, and Lawrence quickly earns the Arabs' respect after he executes acts of extraordinary heroism. As the Englishman's genius for guerrilla warfare becomes evident, he assumes the role of de facto leader of the Arab revolt, uniting the heretofore warring tribes into a devastatingly effective weapon. But the chaos of war also unleashes the repressed officer's powerful need for self-abasement and mortification of the flesh. A visionary work that unfolds one indelible image after another, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA fuses the conflict of man against man, man against nature, and man against himself into a sublime poem of force. The film features a literate script by Robert Bolt and an outstanding cast, which also includes Claude Rains, Jack Hawkins, Arthur Kennedy, Anthony Quinn, Jose Ferrer, and Omar Sharif in his unforgettable desert-crossing debut.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 1962 (England), after a premiere for Queen Elizabeth.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: December 16, 1962 (USA).&newline;&newline;Filmed at Shepperton Studios in Middlesex, England, and on location in Jebel Tubeiq and Wadi Rhumm, Jordan; in Sevilla, Spain; Aqaba, Turkey; and in Morocco. The three-year project completed shooting in October 1962.&newline;&newline;Estimated budget: $13-15 million.&newline;&newline;LAWRENCE OF ARABIA was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1991.&newline;&newline;John Ford was originally slated to direct the film, with Alexander Korda attached as producer.&newline;&newline;Director David Lean died in 1991 shortly after he was awarded the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in March 1990.&newline;&newline;Academy Award nominations: 10, including Best Actor--Peter O'Toole, Best (Adapted) Screenplay. Academy Awards: 7, including Best Picture, Best Director.&newline;&newline;The restored version contains 35 minutes of previously cut footage.&newline;&newline;Producer Sam Spiegel reportedly wanted Marlon Brando for the role of T.E. Lawrence, but he was already occupied with MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY. Albert Finney was also offered the role but declined because he didn't &doublequote;want to be a star.&doublequote; (American Film, March 1990)&newline;&newline;Director David Lean once described T.E. Lawrence as &doublequote;a fascinating character. This Oxford don on camelback--I mean, it was absolutely nutty. Sort of intellectual, with a gang of Arabs on camels, you know.&doublequote; (American Film, March 1990)&newline;&newline;LAWRENCE OF ARABIA was named Best Film of 1963 by Italy's David Awards, Best Foreign Film of 1963 by Japan's Kinema Jumpo, and Best English Language Film of 1962 by the National Film Board.&newline;&newline;Lean received Italy's Silver Ribbon Award and Japan's Kinema Jumpo Award for Best Director of 1963. He was also named Best Director of 1962 by the National Film Board.&newline;&newline;Peter O'Toole received Italy's David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Actor of 1963.&newline;&newline;Sources for the film included&newline;&newline;SEVEN PILLARS OF WISDOM by Thomas Edward Lawrence&newline;&newline;REVOLT IN THE DESERT by Lawrence&newline;&newline;THE ESSENTIAL T.E. LAWRENCE by Lawrence (with a preface by David Garnett)&newline;&newline;SECRET DISPATCHES FROM ARABIA by Lawrence&newline;&newline;CRUSADER CASTLES by Lawrence&newline;&newline;THE DIARY OF T.E. LAWRENCE by Lawrence&newline;&newline;LA BIBLIOTHEQUE IDEALE: T.E. LAWRENCE by Lawrence&newline;&newline;THE HOME LETTERS OF T.E. LAWRENCE AND HIS BROTHERS by Lawrence&newline;&newline;SELECTED LETTERS OF T.E. LAWRENCE by Lawrence (edited by Garnett)&newline;&newline;THE SELECTED LETTERS OF T.E. LAWRENCE by Law Tower Records
Lethal Weapon Glover, Danny Busey, Gary Atkins, Tom Gibson, Mel Ryan, Mitchell Love, Darlene Swanson, Jackie Hines, Damon Naff, Lycia Smith, Ebonie Donner, Richard Black, Shane Goldblatt, Stephen Clapton, Eric Baird, Stuart 85391628927 DVD Warner Home Video 9/2/2003 1 Not Rated Y Y Digital Stereo Color 117 1 Action/Adventure N $11.24 Two tough Los Angeles cops, one who carries a lethal weapon (Glover) and the other who is one (Gibson), are teamed as partners in a highly unusual case involving a massive international ring which has its roots in Vietnam - a place they are both all too familiar with. This film, with its fresh, energetic combination of comedy, drama and action, has managed to spurn three highly successful sequels.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Two cops. Glover carries a weapon... Gibson is one. He's the only L.A. cop registered as a LETHAL WEAPON.&doublequote; -- marketing line for the film. Tower Records
Lethal Weapon 02 Kahan, Stephen Rolston, Mark Goldstein, Jenette Norris, Dean Serrano, Nestor Kensit, Patsy Hines, Damon Ackland, Joss Trainor, Mary Ellen Tigar, Ken Donner, Richard Goldblatt, Stephen Sanborn, David 85391629023 DVD Warner Home Video 9/14/2004 Not Rated Y Y Digital Color 116 1 Action/Adventure N $14.99 Murtaugh is still the family man. Riggs is still the daredevil, but now he counts the odds before bucking them. This time, they must protect an accountant who has laundered a half billion dollars in narcotics money. He leads them to a murderous syndicate with ties to a foreign power. Along the way, there's a six-story plummet from a window, a booby-trapped toilet, an underwater escape, and more. Academy Award Nominations: Best Sound Effects Editing.&newline;&newline;This 1989 sequel was followed by a third &doublequote;Lethal Weapon&doublequote; film in 1992. All three films have been extremely successful both at the box office and on home video, and all three have starred Danny Glover and Mel Gibson as cops Murtaugh and Riggs.&newline;&newline;Screenwriter Jeffrey Boam also wrote &doublequote;Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade&doublequote; (1990).&newline;&newline;The film cost an estimated $20 million. It was shown at the Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund.&newline;&newline;The end credits note that the film is dedicated to Jay Engel.&newline;&newline;Shot in Panavision.&newline;&newline;Mismatched cops Riggs and Murtaugh reunite as they set out to apprehend a duo of corrupt South African emissaries.  The catch?  The bad guys have diplomatic immunity, and the police can't touch them.  But Riggs and Murtaugh are expert at bending the rules. Tower Records
Lethal Weapon 03 Pesci, Joe Russo, Rene Wilson, Stuart Iorg, Jason Kahan, Stephen Hines, Damon Millar, Gregory Chinlund, Nick Scarfe, Alan Trainor, Mary Ellen Donner, Richard Bont, Jan de Sanborn, David 85391629122 DVD Warner Home Video 9/14/2004 Not Rated Y Y Digital Color 117 1 Action/Adventure N $11.24 L.A. police detectives Riggs and Murtaugh team up again to track down an ex-cop who has been smuggling guns out of impound back to gangs on the street. Days away from retirement, Murtaugh is reluctantly pushed into action by Riggs.&newline;&newline;Although &doublequote;Lethal Weapon 3,&doublequote; with it's images of violent Los Angeles cops, opened on the coattails of the Rodney King beating -- which some thought would hurt its box-office draw -- it went on to become one of the top-grossing movies of 1992. Some critics speculated that audiences enjoy the film's interracial friendship between Gibson's spontaneously unstable Riggs and the restraint of Glover's solidly middle class Murtaugh.&newline;&newline;Shot in Technicolor and Panavision.&newline;&newline;Additional credits: Gregory Kent Simmons (assistant director); Controlled Demolition International (structural implosion effects)&newline;&newline;SEE-ALSO for Best Lead Performer refers to Mel Gibson.&newline;&newline;SEE-ALSO for Best Supporting Performer refers to British Actor Stuart Wilson, who portrays Jack Travis.&newline;&newline;Copyright 1992 Warner Bros.&newline;&newline;In this installment of the popular &doublequote;Lethal Weapon&doublequote; series, Riggs and Murtaugh stumble upon a gun racket run by ex-cop Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson). Travis provides Los Angeles' toughest gangs with high tech weaponry, but now (to Riggs' delight) Lorna Cole, an attractive martial-arts trained internal affairs investigator, has been assigned to help the dynamic duo turn mayhem into order. Together, they can manage it -- the hard way. Tower Records
Master & Commander: Woodall, Edward Jones, Mark Lewis Pugh, Robert Crowe, Russell Bettany, Paul Boyd, Billy D'Arcy, James Threlfall, David Innes, George Weir, Peter O'Brian, Patrick Weir, Peter Boyd, Russell Davies, Iva 24543114215 DVD 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 7/27/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 135 1 Action/Adventure N $14.99 Based on a series of books by Patrick O'Brian, and directed by Peter Weir,  MASTER AND COMMANDER plunges viewers deep into the story of a British Navy ship at sea during the Napoleonic war. Russell Crowe stars as Aubrey, the charismatic captain who wrestles with issues like honor, pride, duty, sacrifice and loyalty while using ingenious tactics to engage his prey--a much larger and better-equipped French Man o' War. Paul Bettany plays his friend, the ship's doctor, who cautions Aubrey about letting revenge cloud his judgement after the French Man o' War almost sinks them in an early battle. Before the incredibly intense final skirmish the men battle a raging storm, launch an excursion to the Galapagos Islands, find time for grog-enhanced merriment, and endure some primitive surgery. Weir fills the film with a rich wealth of period detail, convincing dialogue and the same haunting, dreamlike mood that has informed his best films, like PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, THE LAST WAVE and THE TRUMAN SHOW. The wealth of sounds and sights on display are so evocative one can practically smell the salt air and feel the heave of the ocean beneath their seats. Russell is intense and inspiring as Aubrey and Bettany proves a worthy match. MASTER AND COMMANDER is another triumph for Weir, and further evidence of his ability to fuse poetic realism with rousing entertainment.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: November 14, 2003 Tower Records
Moonraker Chiles, Lois Kiel, Richard Moore, Roger Clery, Corinne Maxwell, Lois Lee, Bernard Keen, Geoffrey Llewelyn, Desmond Lonsdale, Michael Gilbert, Lewis Wood, Christopher Tournier, Jean Barry, John Glen, John 27616699626 1 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 1/27/1998 PG (MPAA) N N Mono Color 128 1 Action/Adventure N N/A In the 11th installment of the 007 series, director Lewis Gilbert delivers a visually thrilling progression in filmmaking. Roger Moore returns as dashing secret service agent James Bond. This time around Bond must investigate the theft of a space shuttle with help from beautiful CIA agent Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles) and sexy Euro supermodel Corrine (Corrine Clery). Agent 007 discovers that genocidal maniac-millionaire Hugo Drax (Michel Lonsdale) plans to poison all of humanity from outer space and repopulate earth with only the most perfectly bred humans. A variety of traps and villains awaits Bond, including the recurring character Jaws (Richard Kiel, also featured in THE SPY WHO LOVED ME).&newline;&newline;Filmed in such exotic locations as Southern California, Venice, and the Amazon, Gilbert delivers the formula Bond packet of girls, gadgets, and guns. However, he also goes further, sending Agent 007 into space. MOONRAKER takes great risks in blending the spy and science fiction genres. In spite of such an unruly coupling, the film rewards viewers with its finale of climactic plot twists and stellar special effects.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 1979.&newline;&newline;Although FOR YOUR EYES ONLY was supposed to be the next Bond film after THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, producer Albert Broccoli chose MOONRAKER as the next installment, due to the success of STAR WARS.&newline;&newline;Actor James Mason was originally offered the role of Hugo Drax.&newline;&newline;An evolution in the 007 series, MOONRAKER is the first of the Bond films to use science fiction special effects. Roger Moore reprises his role as James Bond, the charismatic British secret service agent. While investigating the disappearance of a space shuttle, Bond uncovers millionaire Hugo Drax's (Michel Lonsdale) plan to eliminate the human race, and populate the planet earth with ideal superhumans. Catapulted into outer space and assisted by sexy CIA agent Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), Bond battles for not only his own life, but for the fate of humanity as well.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;You know him?&doublequote;--Dr. Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Not socially. His name's Jaws. He kills people.&doublequote;--James Bond (Roger Moore)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Why are you so late, James?&doublequote;--Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I fell out of an airplane without a parachute.&doublequote;--James Bond&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Take good care of Mr. Bond. See that some harm comes to him.&doublequote;--Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Well, here's to us.&doublequote;--Jaws (Richard Kiel) to James Bond, in his only speaking line Tower Records
Never Say Never Again Sydow, Max Von Connery, Sean Carrera, Barbara Brandauer, Klaus Maria Kershner, Irvin 27616853981 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 9/4/2001 1 PG (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 133 1 Action/Adventure N $11.24 In this remake and updated version of the 1965 THUNDERBALL, James Bond, who has been primarily teaching for the last few years, is quite happily yanked out of semiretirement to deal with the deadly SPECTRE organization's newest plan for the destruction of the planet. (The Bond story line mimics Sean Connery's semiretirement from the role, which he had last played in 1971's DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.) Agent Number 2, also known as Maximilian Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer), has managed to steal two cruise missiles armed with nuclear warheads, and Agent Number 1, Blofeld (Max von Sydow), has threatened to explode them in areas with large populations if a huge, and almost impossible, ransom demand from the NATO countries is not met. The film features an excellent gaming battle between Largo and Bond, as well as stunning turns by Barbara Carrera and Kim Basinger.&newline;&newline;Sean Connery, as suave as ever, returns to the role that made him an international star. This time Bond must stop a power-hungry madman who attempts to extort the world's major governments in a story that revisits THUNDERBALL.&newline;&newline;Shot in Panavision; color by Technicolor.&newline;&newline;Additional cast: Pamela Salem (Miss Moneypenny), Milow Kirek (Kovacs), Pat Roach (Lippe), Anthony Sharp (Lord Ambrose),Gavan O'Herlihy (Jack Petachi) and Saskia Cohen Tanugi (Nicole).&newline;&newline;The film is a remake of an earlier James Bond picture THUDNERBALL (1965).&newline;&newline;NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN is the first James Bond film for Sean Connery in 12 years. Tower Records
Pirates Of The Caribbean:Curse Of The BL Bloom, Orlando Knightley, Keira Depp, Johnny Davenport, Jack Saldana, Zoe Pryce, Jonathan Rush, Geoffrey Arenberg, Lee Crook, Mackenzie Verbinski, Gore Rossio, Terry Badelt, Klaus 786936224306 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 12/2/2003 PG-13 (MPAA) N N Mono Color 143 1 Action/Adventure N $19.99 Loosely inspired by the time-honored Disney theme-park ride, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL is a swashbuckling high-seas tale directed by Gore Verbinski. When Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), an eccentric rogue, arrives at Port Royal, he barely avoids going down with his ship. Soon enough, he's in the market for a new one, but not before he saves the life of Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the beautiful daughter of the governor (Jonathan Pryce). This act of bravery sets into motion a sweeping adventure involving Elizabeth's childhood friend, blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom); a mysterious medallion; and a legendary pirate ship, the Black Pearl. The Pearl's mottled Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) wants Elizabeth's doubloon necklace, and when she's kidnapped by the ol' salty dog and his crew, Sparrow and young Will must rescue her and find out the truth behind the ship's curse.&newline;&newline;Verbinski's PIRATES is a welcome throwback to Hollywood offerings of yesteryear, filled with rope-swinging heroes, crusty villains, treasure hoards, swift swordplay, and even wittier wordplay. Screenwriters Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott have crafted one of the most clever action-movie scripts in many moons, and this gives the filmmakers and cast (especially Depp) plenty of room to cut loose. Although the skeletal pirates may be a bit frightening for small children, there's lots of humor to temper the scary moments, making PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL a nearly flawless fun film.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: JULY 9, 2003 Tower Records
Ronin Niro, Robert De McElhone, Natascha Skarsgaard, Stellan Bean, Sean Reno, Jean Witt, Katarina Pryce, Jonathan Witt, Katarina Frankenheimer, John Mamet, David Fraisse, Robert Cmiral, Elia Gibbs, Antony 27616743923 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 7/30/2002 R (MPAA) Y N Digital Stereo Color 121 1 Action/Adventure N $9.99 David Mamet wrote this screenplay under the name Richard Weisz, as a gun for hire, much like the masterless samurai of the film's title, who roamed Japan in the 19th Century, loyal only to themselves. A group of men with highly developed skills are called to a meeting in a deserted warehouse in Paris. Sam (Robert De Niro), an American, may be ex-CIA. Vincent (Jean Reno), the terminally cool Frenchman, is a mystery. Russian computer whiz Gregor (Stellan Skarsgaard) is presumably ex-KGB, and Spence (Sean Bean), a British demolitions man, and Larry (Skipp Suddith), another Yank, round out the team. They've been hired by the IRA, through liaison Deirdre (Natascha McElhone), to steal a briefcase of unknown contents somewhere in Europe. As the unit races from one spectacular location on the French Riviera to another, the Tec-9 reigns, the body count mounts, some Russian gangsters get into the act, and the betrayals come fast and furious. In a rare comic moment, Sam stitches up his own bullet wound, an act of tongue-in-cheek Hemingwayism, and asks a friend to finish before he passes out. RONIN features an exceptional cast, sumptuous locations, and the kind of realistic, high-coefficient-of-adversity car chases and action scenes that one expects from a director of John Frankenheimer's skills.&newline;&newline;When an international team of former intelligence agents meet in a deserted warehouse in Paris, they have no idea that they are about to embark on the most complex and deadly mission of their careers. These modern-day Ronin must pursue, without questioning, a mysterious briefcase for an unknown employer that will make them rivals for its secret. Not for the weak of stomach, the film includes intense, riveting car chases through picturesque Paris streets and plenty of cold-blooded ambushes.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: September 23, 1998.&newline;&newline;Shooting locations: Nice, Arles, Villefranche-sur-mer,  and Paris, France.&newline;&newline;Frankenheimer spent years living in France, some of them studying at the fame Cordon Bleu culinary academy. Tower Records
Spartacus Simmons, Jean Laughton, Charles Ustinov, Peter Curtis, Tony Gavin, John Douglas, Kirk Foch, Nina Olivier, Laurence Simmons, Jean Olivier, Sir Laurence Kubrick, Stanley Trumbo, Dalton Metty, Russell North, Alex Lawrence, Robert 715515011723 DVD Criterion Collection 4/24/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 196 1 Action/Adventure N $37.49 SPARTACUS, based on Howard Fast's popular novel, is Stanley Kubrick's glorious masterpiece about a slave uprising in Rome in 70 B.C. Kirk Douglas, who also served as executive producer, stars as the title character, a man born of a slave woman and a slave master who has known nothing but chains his entire life. After being forced to put on a gladiator show--that almost leads to his death--for wealthy Romans (including a marvelously conniving Laurence Olivier as the power-hungry Crassus), Spartacus leads a slave revolt across Italy that soon has thousands marching on Rome. Meanwhile, he has fallen in love with the beautiful Varinia (an effervescent Jean Simmons), pledging his life to her.&newline;&newline;Douglas assembled a fabulous all-star cast for the film; in addition to himself, Simmons, and Olivier, terrific performances are turned in by Charles Laughton as the curmudgeonly senator Gracchus, John Gavin as the young Julius Caesar, Tony Curtis as Antoninus (a &doublequote;singer of songs,&doublequote; with all lines delivered in a beautifully thick New York accent), and especially Peter Ustinov, an Oscar winner for his portrayal of the businessman Batiatus, who always wants to know what's in it for him. Blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo's melodramatic script and Alex North's thrilling, soaring score add a majesty that helps make SPARTACUS one of the finest costume epics to ever come out of Hollywood.&newline;&newline;Stanley Kubrick's SPARTACUS is the epic saga of the rebellious slave Spartacus, a Thracian who was born into slavery and becomes one of the notorious Roman gladiators. During what became known in history as the Servile Wars, he led an uprising against the mighty Roman republic that threatened to tear apart Italy.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: October 7, 1960.&newline;&newline;Filmed in Death Valley, Spain, and Univeral Studios in Hollywood.&newline;&newline;Estimated budget: $12 million.&newline;&newline;Estimated shooting time: 167 days.&newline;&newline;Estimated cast: More than 10,000.&newline;&newline;When the film was restored in 1991, Anthony Hopkins dubbed in the voice of Laurence Olivier in the &doublequote;snails and oysters&doublequote; scene and Tony Curtis dubbed in his own voice, as the original soundtrack could not be used.&newline;&newline;Anthony Mann started as the director of the film on January 27, 1959, but was fired on February 13. Kirk Douglas then brought in Kubrick, who had directed Douglas in PATHS OF GLORY a few years earlier.&newline;&newline;SPARTACUS was the only film on which Kubrick was essentially a hired director, not involved with the development of the project from the start. Because Kubrick was never fully in control of the production, he essentially disowned the film, claiming it was not truly his vision.&newline;&newline;Sabina Bethmann began production as Varinia, but Kubrick replaced her with Jean Simmons.&newline;&newline;SPARTACUS was the first film to credit blacklisted figures--in this case, screenwriter extraordinaire Dalton Trumbo and actor Peter Bracco. Douglas insisted on crediting them in order to help break the blacklist.&newline;&newline;Some of the crowd cheering was actually recorded at a Michigan State-Notre Dame college football game hosted by the Spartans.&newline;&newline;Although the film is based on a true story, the real Spartacus did not suffer the same fate as the Hollywood Spartacus does.&newline;&newline;Calder Willingham helped write the battle scenes.&newline;&newline;The restored version was produced by James C. Katz, reconstructed and restored by Robert A. Harris, with original editor Robert Lawrence serving as the editorial consultant.&newline;&newline;Richard Farnsworth (THE STRAIGHT STORY) was a stuntman in the movie and also appears as an extra.&newline;&newline;The Legion of Decency had a number of scenes cut from the original--specifically, scenes it felt were too graphically violent and sexual. The scenes were restored for the 1991 edition.&newline;&newline;Additional scenes photographed by Clifford Stine.&newline;&newline;The fabulous title sequence was designed by Saul Bass.&newline;&newline;Despite having a historical consultant review the material, the film takes many liberties with the facts of the story.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Do you eat oysters?&doublequote;--Crassus (Laurence Olivier)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;When I have them, master.&doublequote;--Antoninus (Tony Curtis)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Do you eat snails?&doublequote;--Crassus&newline;&newline;&doublequote;No, master.&doublequote;--Antoninus&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Do you consider the easting of Tower Records
Spider-Man Dunst, Kirsten Dafoe, Willem Franco, James Robertson, Cliff Harris, Rosemary Simmons, J.K. Nunn, Bill Wakeham, Deborah Schwartz, Scott Savage, Randy Raimi, Sam Koepp, David Burgess, Don Elfman, Danny 43396096615 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 2/3/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 121 1 Action/Adventure N $14.99 Based on the classic Marvel Comics series, Sam Raimi's SPIDER-MAN deftly details the origin of the web-slinging superhero. When awkward New York City teenager Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) attends a class field trip to a laboratory, he gets bitten by a genetically altered spider while taking photos of his longtime crush, the lovely Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Soon he discovers this bite has given him remarkable powers--heightened strength, dexterity, and awareness, along with the ability to cling to walls and shoot webs from his wrists. Hoping to win Mary Jane's heart using his new talents, Peter becomes distracted from home life with his doting Aunt May (Rosemary Harris) and Uncle Ben (Cliff Robertson), ultimately leading to tragedy--and his new role as the crime-fighting Spider-Man. Meanwhile Harry Osborn (Willem Dafoe), the industrialist father of Peter's friend Norman (James Franco), undergoes a transformation of his own, bringing about the creation of Spider-Man's arch-nemesis: The Green Goblin. In order to save his loved ones--and all of New York City--from the devastating force of the deluded Goblin, Spider-Man must take on the villain in a series of stunning battles.&newline;&newline;By staying true to the essence of the comic book, Raimi accomplishes the rare feat of crafting a superhero movie with a real heart. Rather than focusing solely on action and explosions, SPIDER-MAN wisely shines the spotlight on the character of Peter Parker, played with perfect bewilderment by Maguire. The special effects, of course, are dazzling, but they are topped by an excellent cast that also includes the radiant Dunst, the menacing Dafoe, the brooding Franco, and the scene-stealing J.K. Simmons as Peter's tough-talking boss. (Raimi fans will notice cameos by the director's brother, Ted Raimi, and EVIL DEAD series star Bruce Campbell.) The result is a charming and amazingly entertaining film unafraid to combine CGI animation with sincere human emotion.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: May 3, 2002 (Wide) Tower Records
Spy Kids 02:Island Of Lost Dreams Vega, Alexa Gugino, Carla Banderas, Antonio Paxton, Bill Montalban, Ricardo Taylor, Holland Trejo, Danny Sabara, Daryl Buscemi, Steve Judge, Mike Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert 786936164862 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 1/30/2004 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 90 Minutes 1 Action/Adventure N $17.99 The spy kids are back in this highly inventive sequel to the original smash hit. Once again, cinematic multi-tasker Robert Rodriguez (SPY KIDS 2's director, writer, producer, director of photography, editor, and composer) brings his high-octane, technicolor brand of antics and special effects to the screen. This time the kids are a little older and a lot more experienced as they fight to save the world and secure their reputation as the best in town. After proving themselves as top-notch spies like their parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) in the original SPY KIDS, Carmen and Juni Cortez (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara) are now at the top of the new OSS kids division. That is, until they meet a new sibling spy team, Gary and Gerti Giggles (Matthew O'Leary and Emily Osment), and their position is threatened. In a race to save the world, the rival spies travel to the Island of Lost Dreams, a world that resembles the Bermuda Triangle, which is populated by fantastical genetically altered creatures, brought to life by the resident mad scientist, Romero (Steve Buscemi). However, on the mysterious island none of the kids' high-tech James Bond-inspired gadgets work, so they must rely on their own cunning and family smarts to save the world. Viewers of all ages will enjoy this delightful sequel full of tongue-in-cheek humor, wacky creatures of all shapes and sizes, and nonstop action.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: August 7, 2002 Tower Records
Spy Kids 03:Game Over Sabara, Daryl Banderas, Antonio Gugino, Carla Montalban, Ricardo Buscemi, Steve Cumming, Alan Vega, Alexa Paxton, Bill Stallone, Sylvester Marin, Cheech Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert Rodriguez, Robert 786936230550 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 8/24/2004 PG (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 72 1 Action/Adventure N $14.99 The SPY KIDS are back in this third installment of the popular series from Robert Rodriguez that features high-tech 3-D animation woven into the images of the film with digital technology. Juni Cortez (Daryl Sabara) is ready to quit the OSS spy Agency until the President (George Clooney, in one of the film's many celebrity cameos) warns him that the evil Toymaker (Sylvester Stallone) has taken his sister Carmen (Alexa Vega) hostage in a technicolor virtual reality videogame created to take over the minds of the young people playing it. In order to rescue Carmen and save the world from the domination of the Toymaker, Juni must journey inside of the videogame and risk his own life to beat it and the various riddles and monsters designed to challenge him. Leaving his spy parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) behind, Juni brings along his Grandfather (Ricardo Montelban) and OSS agents Cesca (Salma Hayek) and Donnagon Giggles (Mike Judge) to help him save the world. Once inside the technicolor reality Juni must conquer each level of the game while avoiding death and the ultimate videogame defeat: &doublequote;game over.&doublequote; Rodriguez's usual brand of high-octane adventure and nonstop action is fueled by the film's 3-D animation and numerous celebrity cameos including: Steve Buscemi, Alan Cumming, Bill Paxton, and Elijah Wood.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: July 25, 2003 Tower Records
Sweeney/Sweeeney 02 Waterman, Dennis Thaw, John Foster, Barry Keen, Diane Bannen, Ian Welland, Colin Wickes, David 13131231892 DVD Anchor Bay Entertainment 2/4/2003 1 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 205 1 Action/Adventure N $21.99 These two films are based on the popular 1970s British cop show THE SWEENEY that follows the exploits of maverick detectives Jack Regan and George Carter, members of Scotland Yard's plain clothed Flying Squad. SWEENEY! finds D.I. Regan and D.S. Carter curbing their steady diet of alcohol and loose women long enough to take on a case that begins with the death of cabinet minister's mistress and ends up leading them into a conspiracy that seemingly goes beyond the law.&newline;&newline;In SWEENEY 2, Britain's toughest cops are given one last order by the recently disgraced Chief of the Flying Squad: find and take out a band of armed robbers who are terrorizing London. Soon, Regan and Carter learn that these are no ordinary crooks and their investigation leads them deep into the criminal underworld where the detectives must sort their way through beautiful women, crooked cops, and the government of Malta before a final showdown with the heavily armed crooks. Tower Records
The Fifth Element Caron, Jean-Luc Meedin, Riz Ezekiel, Jerry Ove, Indra Merry, Nicole McKenzie, Stacey Willis, Rachel Maylam, Genevieve Perez, Josie Brice, Natasha Besson, Luc Besson, Luc Besson, Luc Arbogast, Thierry Serra, Eric Landra, Sylvie 43396824096 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 8/28/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 126 1 Action/Adventure N $14.99 A visual feast combining ancient mysticism, cyberpunk sensibilities, flamboyant entertainment personalities, and gun-toting alien mercenaries. In the 23rd century, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), an ex-special forces agent who now practices as a down-and-out cabbie, finds himself caught in a struggle to defy a prophesied Evil from destroying the Earth when a mysterious woman (Milla Jovovich) falls into the back seat of his cab. Pursued by both the government and a powerful magnate enlisted by the forces of Evil (Gary Oldman), the woman is the key to Earth's salvation, known only as the Fifth Element. This was French auteur Besson's first offering with Hollywood backing. Academy Award Nomination: Best Sound Effects Editing.&newline;&newline;Additional Credits: Sound Effects - Patrick Gibbs Tower Records
The Fugitive Jones, Tommy Lee Katsulas, Andreas Krabbe, Jeroen Pantoliano, Joe Ward, Sela Ford, Harrison Moore, Julianne Dean, Ron Roebuck, Daniel Wood, Tom Davis, Andrew Twohy, David /  Huggins, Roy Stuart, Jeb Chapman, Michael Howard, James Newton Finfer, David 85392100026 DVD Warner Home Video 3/24/1997 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 131 1 Action/Adventure N $5.98 In this near-perfect suspense movie adapted from the popular 1960s television series that starred David Janssen, renowned vascular surgeon Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) has been falsely accused and convicted--on circumstantial evidence--of his wife's (Sela Ward) murder. While Kimble is being transported to prison, another convict stabs an inattentive guard, causing a massive wreck. Kimble escapes but is hunted by tough U.S. marshal Sam Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones). The fugitive from injustice attempts to set the record straight: He transforms himself into a jack-of-all-trades and a man of a thousand faces in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth about his wife's murder and track down the real killer. Spectacular special effects and a pulse-pounding performance by Ford turned Andrew Davis's thrilling film into a blockbuster at the box office, leading to a sequel, U.S. MARSHALS.&newline;&newline;A doctor wrongly accused of killing his wife escapes authorities, continually eludes a zealous detective, and hunts for clues to solve his wife's murder himself in order to prove his innocence. The bizarre circumstances that led to the death only sweeten the suspense.&newline;&newline;The FUGITIVE TV series ran from 1963 to 1967. It wasn't until the conclusion of the series in 1967 that Barry Morse's Lieutenant Gerard realized he had been chasing the wrong man.&newline;&newline;The $2 million &doublequote;dam fall,&doublequote; as it has aptly been called by director Andrew Davis, took two days to film and was shot by static and aerial cameras. The shot was designed and plotted by stunt coordinator Terry Leonard. The stunt was filmed at the Cheoah Dam in North Carolina. The section of tunnel that opens above the dam was removed from Chicago and placed above the dam so as to give the illusion that it had an outlet directly over top of the dam. Warner Bros. had to pay Alcoa, the dam's operators, a large fee for using the property. The Harrison Ford look-alike dummies were also expensive, ranging in  price from $7,000 to $12,000 apiece. Ford apparently didn't want to have stuntmen perform in his place, so he agreed to be in the water for the survival shot that comes after the jump. There were two navy SEALs on the set as consultants.&newline;&newline;The film's Richard Kimble was originally a fugitive fleeing Wisconsin but the film producer had to make a change when they discovered that Wisconsin doesn't have the death penalty.&newline;&newline;The final episode of THE FUGITIVE series was watched by more people than any single episode of a regular series in the history of television at the time.&newline;&newline;The film took in $183 million at the box office.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;A murdered wife.&newline;&newline;A one-armed man.&newline;&newline;An obsessed detective.&newline;&newline;The chase begins.&doublequote; -- marketing line for the film Tower Records
The Guns Of Navarone Niven, David Peck, Gregory Quinn, Anthony Scala, Gia Baker, Stanley Quayle, Anthony Thompson, J. Lee 43396721296 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 2/10/2004 PG (MPAA) Y N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 157 1 Action/Adventure N $18.74 One of the great war movies of all time, with an all start cast, and a gripping plot--based on the Alistair MacLean novel. A commando team is sent to a Greek Island to destroy the giant guns of World War II Germany which are controlling a strategic channel in the Aegean Sea. This was a groundbreaker in the Special Effects department, too. Academy Award Nominations: 7, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best (Adapted) Screenplay. Academy Awards: Best Special Effects.&newline;&newline;Produced at Shepperton Studios, and Associated British Studios, Elstree, UK; color by Eastmancolor; shot in CinemaScope.&newline;&newline;Cleo Scouloudi played the Bride and Nicholas Papakonstantinou played the Patrol Boat Captain.&newline;&newline;In 1993, this version was replaced by a newly-restored version.&newline;&newline;The restored version (VHS #72123) replaces the older videocassette version, which is no longer available from Columbia TriStar Home Video.&newline;&newline;Available to buy in the UK (widescreen version).&newline;&newline;A specialized commando team is organized in 1943, during WWII, to sabotage and put out of commission the Axis firepower on the mountainous Greek island of Navarone in the Aegean Sea. Tower Records
The Hulk Bana, Eric Connelly, Jennifer Nolte, Nick Elliott, Sam Lucas, Joshua Bana, Eric Kersey, Paul Lucas, Josh Lee, Ang France, Michael Elfman, Danny 25192248924 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 6/1/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 138 1 Action/Adventure N $17.99 THE HULK, adapted by Ang Lee (CROUCHING TIGER/HIDDEN DRAGON, THE ICE STORM) from the Marvel comic book series, stars Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, the tormented scientist whose temper periodically transforms him into a raging green monster. Fellow scientist and Hulk-love-interest Betty Ross (Jennifer Connelly), shares a strange connection with Banner--both have abstract childhood nightmares that hint at a shared dark past. The missing pieces of the puzzle are revealed when Banner's unstable, mad-scientist father David (Nick Nolte) appears out of the blue, followed by Betty's father Ross (Sam Elliot), a military cowboy. Banner is ultimately trying to understand what it is that makes his strange and unpredictable metamorphosis occur, while his outbursts distract him, leading him out into the streets of San Francisco, to the Golden Gate Bridge, and on a tour of the American west's national parks where he unleashes his anger in violent tantrums. Posing a threat to the country that is treated like a natural disaster, the hulk attracts the attention of the military. They respond by chasing the hulk with helicopters, machine guys, and even heavy artillery, as he bounds away in mighty leaps, trying to escape. The CGI work used in creating the hulk is funny and convincing, and the gorgeous landscape photography makes his presence all the more amazing. A vibrant color scheme adds to the film's visual thrills, split-screen editing breaks up the slower scenes, and the music by composer Danny Elfman perfectly punctuates the contrast between the soft love story and wild action sequences. While parts of the film recall the introspection of FRANKENSTEIN, the outrageous crowd-pleasing monster-military chases hearken back to KING KONG and the GODZILLA movies.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 20, 2003 Tower Records
The Indiana Jones:Comp DVD Movie Coll Allen, Karen Freeman, Paul Lacey, Ronald Elliott, Denholm Molina, Alfred Rhys-Davies, John Doody, Alison Glover, Julian Capshaw, Kate Quan, Ke Huy Spielberg, Steven Lucas, George /  Meyjes, Menno /  Kaufman, Philip Boam, Jeffrey 97360612547 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 10/21/2003 PG-13 (MPAA) N N Mono Color Paramount Home Video 1 Action/Adventure N $59.99 This multi-pack collects Steven Spielberg and George Lucas's Indiana Jones Trilogy, in which Harrison Ford portrays the titular globe-trotting archaeologist. Titles include INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM, and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE. The 4-disc DVD set includes a bonus disc featuring over 3 hours of bonus features, including a feature-length documentary on the making of the films. DVDs are not available separately. For more detailed descriptions, see individual titles. Tower Records
The Living Daylights (WS/DD) D'Abo, Maryam Krabbe, Jeroen Baker, Joe Don Dalton, Timothy Rhys-Davies, John Terry, John Brown, Robert Malik, Art Llewelyn, Desmond d'Abo, Maryam Glen, John Barry, John 27616853943 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 10/17/2000 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 131 1 Action/Adventure N $16.92 In this installment of the James Bond series, Agent 007 (Timothy Dalton) is assigned to protect a Russian defector (Maryam d'Abo) from the KGB. When the defection proves to be an elaborate ploy, Bond woos her anyway, and together they follow a trail to a crooked American arms dealer supplying weapons to Afghanistan. Dalton finally assumes the role of Bond after refusing it 16 years earlier with DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. The film is loosely based on Ian Fleming's short story.&newline;&newline;In British actor Timothy Dalton's first outing as James Bond, the intrepid spy once again travels to countless scenic spots, becomes involved with a beautiful woman, and smoothly dispenses with a &doublequote;supposed&doublequote; Soviet KGB defector, arms dealers, and Afghan rebels. Visual highlights: a car chase through snowy mountains (featuring Bond's usual, hardy Aston Martin) and a thrilling, dangerous airplane ride.&newline;&newline;Filmed on the soundstages of England's Pinewood Studios and on location in Gibraltar, Austria, Morocco, the USA, Italy, and England, in Technicolor and Panavision.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;The Living Daylights&doublequote; was the 16th James Bond film in 25 years, not counting the 1967 Bond parody, &doublequote;Casino Royale.&doublequote; Timothy Dalton was the fourth James Bond, following Sean Connery, George Lazenby, and Roger Moore. Caroline Bliss replaces Lois Maxwell as Miss Moneypenny in this installment.&newline;&newline;The role was originally written for Roger Moore.&newline;&newline;Additional credits: Philip Kohler, Sparky Greene, Arno Ortmar, Leonhard Gmur and Denise O'Dell (production manager); Dick Lewzey (music mixer); Alan Killick (music editor); Malcolm Macintosh (2nd unit camera operator); Screen Opticals (title opticals).&newline;&newline;Additional music credits: Austrian Youth Symphony Orchestra (music performers); Gert Meditz (conductor for the Youth Symphony Orchestra); Stefan Kropfitsch (cellist). Tower Records
The Mask Of Zorro (WS/DD/5.1/THX) Wilson, Stuart Hopkins, Anthony Zeta-Jones, Catherine Banderas, Antonio Jones, Catherine Zeta Zeta-Jones, Catherine Wilson, Stuart Campbell, Martin Rossio, Terry 43396216990 1 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 10/16/1998 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 137 1 Action/Adventure N N/A Don Diego de la Vega (Hopkins) recruits Alejandro Murieta (Banderas) to become his replacement as Zorro, the legendary hero.  Together, they infiltrate the circle of Don Raphael - the fiercest of the Spanish tyrants.  Armed with his mask, sword, whip and jet-black stallion, Tornado, the new Zorro embarks on a mission to stop Don Raphael's plot to buy California, set right twenty years of wrongs, bring justice to the people ensnared by Spanish greed, and win the heart of Elma - Don Diego's daughter. Tower Records
The Mummy Returns Weisz, Rachel Hannah, John Velazquez, Patricia Johnson, Dwayne Fehr, Oded Fraser, Brendan Vosloo, Arnold Boath, Freddie Johnson, Dwayne Boath, Freddie Sommers, Stephen Sommers, Stephen Biddle, Adrian Silvestri, Alan Ducsay, Bob 25192110023 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 8/24/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Processed Color 130 1 Action/Adventure N $12.99 Flanked by fabulous computer-generated battle scenes that would make BRAVEHEART proud, THE MUMMY RETURNS is a fast-paced sequel that surpasses the hit 1999 original, both directed by Stephen Sommers. Virtually the entire cast has come back for another exciting go-round, this time trying to prevent Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) from gaining control of the Bracelet of Anubis and taking on the Scorpion King (the Rock) for control of the world. But to gain that power, Imhotep and his vicious true love, Anck-Su-Namun (Patricia Velasquez), must get to the Oasis of Ahm Shere before Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser), his wife, Evie (Rachel Weisz), their son, Alex (Freddie Boath), the mysterious Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), and Evie's brother, Jonathan (John Hannah, who provides much of the comic relief). Set in 1933, THE MUMMY RETURNS combines elements of the STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES films in letting loose a scintillating thrill-ride of a movie, chock-full of terrific special effects and marvelous locations (Morocco, Jordan, and London), erupting in a spirited tale of flight and fantasy, sword and sorcery. The addition of Freddie Boath to the cast increases the suspense as well as the comedy; his scenes with the evil Lock-Nah (fiercely played by OZ veteran Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) are among the best in the film. THE MUMMY RETURNS also features professional wrestler the Rock as the Scorpion King, who was defeated in 3067 BC and is ready to be resurrected in the Year of the Scorpion.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: May 4, 2001 Tower Records
The Road To El Dorado Kline, Kevin Branagh, Kenneth Kline, Kevin Assante, Armand Perez, Rosie Paul, Don Elliott, Ted Zimmer, Hans 667068654523 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 11/19/2002 PG (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 89 1 Action/Adventure N $17.99 Two eccentric con artists, Tulio and Miguel, are shooting craps in the sun-squelched streets of 16th-century Spain when they win a sacred map charting the way to El Dorado, the lost City of Gold, and see it as their ticket both to adventure and an enormous fortune. With the map in hand, they stow away on the ship of evil Spanish leader Cortez, bound for Cuba. By chance, the two men are thrown off course and find themselves in a lush and vibrant rainforest replete with exotic animals, hidden waterfalls, and traces of an Indian civilization. Stumbling upon the gate to El Dorado, Tulio and Miguel are thought to be gods by a group of Mayan natives, and they are led into the heart of the city for a special welcoming ceremony. There they meet the adorable Chel, a con artist herself, who practically bests them at their own tricks. In the end, the two friends must choose whether they will stay and enjoy life in the magical city of El Dorado or make off with the gold and return to Western culture as rich men.&newline;&newline;THE ROAD TO EL DORADO is the animated tale of two con men who discover a secret map that leads to the lost City of Gold, El Dorado. After a long, distracted journey, the pair finally lands at the gates of the mystical city, only to be mistaken for gods. Enjoying a pampered existence, they must decide for themselves if they should remain in El Dorado or steal the gold and return to life in the Western world as outrageously wealthy men. The animation itself is vibrant and well researched, making for an enjoyable viewing experience for individuals of all ages.&newline;&newline;Originally Released in Theatres March 31, 2000 (National)&newline;&newline;The Broadcast Film Critics Association named Hans Zimmer Best Composer for his work on THE ROAD TO EL DORADO, GLADIATOR, AND M:I-2. Tower Records
The Siege Shalhoub, Tony Bening, Annette Pai, Liana Bouajila, Sami Washington, Denzel Willis, Bruce Zwick, Edward Zwick, Edward Deakins, Roger Revell, Graeme Rosenblum, Steven 86162001307 DVD 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 4/20/1999 R (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 116 1 Action/Adventure N $5.50 When the U.S. military abducts a Muslim leader, New York City becomes the target of several terrorist attacks in this gripping political thriller ripped from newspaper headlines. Denzel Washington stars as Anthony &doublequote;Hub&doublequote; Hubbard, the head of the FBI terrorism task force who is charge of investigating the bombings. Ironically, Hub's partner, Frank Haddad (Tony Shalhoub), is Arab-American and must fight for his family's rights as the citizens of New York become increasingly paranoid about the Arab-American population. Elise Kraft (Annette Bening) is an undercover CIA official and Middle East expert who is also investigating the terrorist attacks and joins Hub and Frank as they search for the terrorists. As Hub, Elise, and Frank work to uncover the source of the terrorism, the city erupts in escalating madness, spiraling out of control until the government sends in General William Devereaux (Bruce Willis), who takes over the city and declares martial law. Ultimately, the government seizes the male Arab-American population of New York in makeshift internment camps in this incredibly relevant and cautionary thriller that examines the real dilemma of how a democratic society can uphold the rights of its citizens while under military protection. Director Edward Zwick's film features excellent performances from an all-star cast and includes real footage of President Clinton addressing the problem of terrorism.&newline;&newline;In Edward Zwick's THE SIEGE, New York City becomes the target of several terrorist attacks after the U.S. military captures a Muslim leader. Government officials try to contain the escalating madness, but when it spirals out of control, martial law is declared.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 6, 1998.&newline;&newline;Shot on location in New York City. Tower Records
The World Is Not Enough Cucinotta, Maria Grazia Richards, Denise Carlyle, Robert Marceau, Sophie Llewelyn, Desmond Bond, Samantha Dench, Judi Coltrane, Robbie Cleese, John Brosnan, Pierce Apted, Michael Feirstein, Bruce Biddle, Adrian Arnold, David Clark, Jim 27616813022 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 5/16/2000 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 127 1 Action/Adventure N $11.39 Complete with ski chases, casino hijinks, high-tech gadgetry, and sultry women, the 19th installment in the James Bond franchise features the increasingly at-ease Pierce Brosnan in his third appearance as 007, in a race to save the world's oil supply. Sophie Marceau (BRAVEHEART) stars as Elektra King, the daughter of a murdered oil tycoon, while Robert Carlyle (THE FULL MONTY) plays one of the most unusual Bond villains ever: Renard, who is unable to feel pain because of a bullet lodged in his brain. Director Michael Apted, known for such films as COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER, was brought in to make the story more dramatic and facilitate the addition of more complex female characters. One of the fruits of Apted's involvement is that M (Judi Dench) gets to move from behind her desk, while curvy Denise Richards (WILD THINGS) gets to show off more than her figure. Dangerous stunt work, exhilarating action sequences, and a rousing theme song from alternative rock band Garbage make this a worthy addition to the 007 series. The film also marks the 17th and final appearance of Desmond Llewelyn as Q; John Cleese is introduced as Q's successor, R.&newline;&newline;Bond (Pierce Brosnan) must race to defuse an international power struggle with the world's oil supply hanging in the balance. Sophie Marceau is the sultry Elektra King, the daughter of a murdered oil tycoon whom Bond is assigned to protect. Robert Carlyle steps into the villain role of Renard, who can feel no pain, and Denise Richards is nuclear weapons expert Dr. Christmas Jones; John Cleese and Judi Dench also star. This installment is directed by Briton Michael Apted (GORILLAS IN THE MIST).&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 19, 1999.&newline;&newline;Shot on location in Azerbaijan, Turkey, the French Alps, and Spain.&newline;&newline;THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH grossed nearly $127 million at the domestic box office and more than $350 million worldwide.&newline;&newline;Pierce Brosnan wanted Apted to direct because Brosnan wanted to work with more challenging material. One thing that Apted tried to do was to get M more involved in the story. Apted also wanted the the villain to display more vulnerability and be more sympathetic than the typical Bond nemesis. At one point Apted considered having Bond talk about his personal history to Elektra King. However, the producers nixed the idea, explaining that one of the characteristics of Bond is that he never talks about himself.&newline;&newline;After working to make the female characters (M, Elektra, and Christmas Jones) more three-dimensional, Apted brought in coscreenwriter Bruce Feirstein (author of the books REAL MEN DON'T EAT QUICHE and NICE GUYS SLEEP ALONE) to add some of the more typical macho elements to the film.&newline;&newline;Employing up to three units operating simultaneously, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH is the biggest production Apted has had to manage, as well as the highest budgeted (it was three times that of EXTREME MEASURES).&newline;&newline;The Bond franchise has been going on for about as long as Apted's SEVEN UP series, making Apted a contributor to two of the longest running film projects in history.&newline;&newline;Many of the principal crew members have worked on Bond films before, ensuring continuity between each film. Bruce Feirstein has worked on 3 previous projects; production designer Peter Lamont, 15; stunt coordinator Simon Crane, 3; costume designer Lindy Hemming, 2; casting director Debbie McWilliams, 6; special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, 8; miniature effects supervisor John Richardson, 6; and music composer David Arnold, 1.&newline;&newline;THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH is the 15th Bond film to be shot at Pinewood Studios in England.&newline;&newline;Desmond Llewelyn, the only actor who has portrayed Q, died at the age of 85 in a car crash on December 19, 1999. Ever since GOLDEN EYE, Llewelyn had been talking about a way for his character to make a graceful exit from the Bond films. Coscreenwriter Bruce Feirstein explained in SALON, &doublequote;It became sort of a running joke: Whenever we left a restaurant, he'd stuff a 10- or 12-page handwritten sequence into my pocket, each one detailing a new, ever more elaborate exit for his character.&doublequote; An option for Q to retire Tower Records
Tomorrow Never Dies Pryce, Jonathan Yeoh, Michelle Hatcher, Teri Jay, Ricky Otto, Gotz Baker, Joe Don Schiavelli, Vincent Dench, Judi Llewelyn, Desmond Bond, Samantha Spottiswoode, Roger Feirstein, Bruce Elswit, Robert Arnold, David Fortin, Dominique 27616675620 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 11/17/1998 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 117 1 Action/Adventure N $26.24 In TOMORROW NEVER DIES, British super-spy James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) goes after a ruthless media baron, Elliot Carver--an amalgam of Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, and Bill Gates--played with feisty aplomb by Jonathan Pryce. Carver's diabolical plan is to instigate World War III so that his empire can obtain exclusive coverage (a la CNN during the Gulf War). This time, 007 must endure the sorrow of love lost as he shares a nostalgic interlude with his ex-lover Paris (Teri Hatcher) who is now married to his nemesis, Carver. He also discovers a worthwhile partner in a female Chinese counterpart, Wai Lin (Hong Kong action diva Michelle Yeoh). Noteworthy for its unabashed commercial product placement, TOMORROW NEVER DIES follows the sharp direction of Roger Spottiswoode.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release date: December 17, 1997.&newline;&newline;Sheryl Crow's title song was nominated for a Golden Globe. K.D. Lang's &doublequote;Surrender&doublequote; was also a popular addition to the soundtrack.&newline;&newline;TOMORROW NEVER DIES was filmed in Bangkok, Hamburg, the Pyrenees, and Mexico.&newline;&newline;Bond drives a BMW that is loaded with spy gadgets. It has a remote control auto-pilot activated by 007's phone, it shoots rockets from its sun roof, its tires re-inflate when popped, it releases tear gas, it has a safe in the glove compartment, and it has voice command (predictably, a sexy female voice.)&newline;&newline;Bond girl Wai Lin is likewise equipped with some special high-tech tools. She has a full arsenal of weapons and armor, hidden behind sliding walls. She uses a knife that looks like a simple fan. And she uses a disguised flame-thrower. Tower Records
Twister Paxton, Bill Elwes, Cary Gertz, Jami Grenier, Zach Smith, Lois Hoffman, Philip Seymour Ruck, Alan Whalen, Sean Hunt, Helen Thomson, Scott Bont, Jan de Martin, Anne-Marie Green, Jack N. Kahn, Michael 85392010028 DVD Warner Home Video 8/22/1997 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Digitally Mastered Color 113 1 Action/Adventure N $7.45 An ex-husband-and-wife team of stormchasers rush to be the first to study the dynamics of tornados in America's heartland. The uncredited lead roles are the tornados, created with eye-dazzling computer generated effects. Michael Crichton contributed the fast-moving story. Academy Award Nominations: Best Sound, Best Visual Effects.&newline;&newline;This special effects-laden blockbuster chronicles one day in the life of a band of gung-ho &doublequote;storm chasers,&doublequote; who track and follow twisters and tornadoes. The group, led by the gutsy Jo and her macho, soon-to-be-ex Bill, have invented &doublequote;Dorothy,&doublequote; a tank containing sensors that can provide much-needed info about these mysterious, severe weather conditions.&newline;&newline;But in order for Dorothy to work, she first must be swallowed by a twister. So Jo, Bill, and the gang put their lives on the line innumerable times, as getting close to the storm means dodging everything from windswept cattle to flying oil tankers.&newline;&newline;For Jo and Bill in particular, making meteorological history means having firsthand experience of the inside of a twister...&newline;&newline;Released theatrically in the USA on May 10, 1996, &doublequote;Twister&doublequote; created a storm, blowing away the competition with its $41 million gross its opening weekend, breaking box office records in the process.&newline;&newline;Digitally mastered by THX for superior sound and picture quality.&newline;&newline;Each Warner Home Video VHS version includes a 30-second public service announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency about preparing for the kind of natural disaster that is depicted in the film. The tie-in represents an unprecedented partnership between the federal government and a major motion picture studio.&newline;&newline;Color by Technicolor; in Panavision widescreen; in DTS and SDDS (Sony Dynamic Digital Sound).&newline;&newline;Additional cast: Zach Grenier (Eddie) and Scott Thomson (Preacher).&newline;&newline;Additional credits: Patrick Sullivan (set design) and Stefen Fangmeier (visual effects supervisor). Tower Records
XXX Jackson, Samuel L. Eve Diesel, Vin Argento, Asia Trejo, Danny Csokas, Marton Everett, Tom Roof, Michael Cohen, Rob Wilkes, Rich Semler, Dean Edelman, Randy 43396082939 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 9/7/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 124 1 Action/Adventure N $14.99 This amped action drama stars Vin Diesel as Xander (aka Triple X), a rebellious extreme sports star with a mission to defy authority and create anarchy. In the dramatic opening scene of the movie, Xander pulls an outrageous serious of stunts with the help of a band of similar-minded jocks, broadcasts the whole event live onto the Internet with a network of strategically placed digital cameras, and then avoids being captured by the squadron of police who pursue him. When Triple X is later taken into custody, Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), a representative from a government agency, hires the chiseled athlete and turns him into a secret agent with a mission to travel to Prague and collapse a dangerous terrorist cell operated by Yorgi (Martin Csokas) and the seductive Yelena (Asia Argento). Triple X is quickly drawn into Yorgi's lair, a stunning chateau situated in the mountains that is equipped with every high-tech modern amenity imaginable, along with a sizeable team of extra-large Slav bodyguards, a laboratory staffed by top scientists, and an always-ready gaggle of gorgeous concubines. Non-stop stunts, pounding hard-core music, elaborate sets, and inventive costumes make this Rob Cohen-directed adrenaline overload a visually exciting, aurally engaging, highly entertaining success.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: August 9, 2002 Tower Records
Inside The Space Station Lespinois, Pierre de 12236114529 DVD Artisan Entertainment 5/21/2002 Not Rated N N Digital Stereo Color Discovery Channel 1 All Deals N $11.24 The International Space Station is under construction 220 miles in the sky, and here is your chance to check up on the efforts of the aerospace architects. Using computer animation, the Discovery Channel allows you a unique glimpse at the future of man in space. A rare look into humanity's hypothetical future. Tower Records
Jefferson Starship: Definitive Concert Starship, Jefferson 14381470727 DVD Image Entertainment, Inc. 8/23/2002 Not Rated N N Mono Color 63 1 All Deals N $12.99 In this pre-'Knee Deep in the Hoopla' 1983 performance, the later incarnation of Jefferson Airplane performs hits such as 'Find Your Way Back', 'Winds of Change' and 'White Rabbit'.  Featuring David Freiberg of Quicksilver Messenger Service on guitar. Tower Records
Michael Jordan to the Max (Large Format) Jordan, Michael Lee, Spike Lee, Shelton Jackson Murray, Bill Costas, Bob Jackson, Phil Kempf, Don Bailey, John /  Taylor, Rodney /  Kessler, David /  Neihouse, James Hock, Jonathan 24543012832 DVD Twentieth Century Fox 16-Dec-03 NR Y Y Dolby Color 46 minutes 1 All Deals N $9.99 Amazon.com essential video&newline;The greatest basketball player of all time gets an appropriate clip reel in this 45-minute documentary, which was originally released in the IMAX format. While you can't simulate IMAX's 80-foot-high screen in your living room, you can still get the thrills and awe-inspiring footage of this tribute to one man's talent and endurance. Much of the original footage was shot during the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. With great behind-the-scenes footage and terrific game material, the film gets close to Jordan in practice and on the court. And the film includes a number of greatest hits, including his commercials and most memorable dunks. Still, while there are intriguing interviews with everyone from former Bulls coach Phil Jackson to professional Jordan hanger-on Bob Greene, this film seems a little self-serving at times (Jordan's company coproduced it). Also, some key voices from that team are conspicuously absent, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Ron Harper. In the end, however, it's all about the highlights--and Jordan's career (and his NBA finale) was one long one. --Marshall Fine --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. &newline;&newline;Additional features &newline;In a 21-minute feature, the filmmakers (but not Jordan himself) discuss various aspects of Michael Jordan to the Max, particularly how Matrix-style technology was used to film one of Jordan's signature moves--a dunk launched from the free-throw line. The computer graphics are displayed more closely in a 2-minute segment &doublequote;Michael Jordan Bullet Time Slam Dunk.&doublequote; Amazon
Rascals - Vol. 1 & 2 Rascals DVD Brentwood Communications 17-Oct-00 NR N N Stereo Black & White 1 All Deals N $13.48 Amazon
Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four Hardwicke, Edward Hammond, Peter 30306178790 DVD Mpi Media Group 25-Feb-03 NR N N Stereo Color 120 minutes 1 All Deals N $13.48 Amazon.com&newline;This 1987 feature version of the second Sherlock Holmes novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is faithful to the original story except in one important detail: Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) does not get the girl. Otherwise, the familiar tale of the death of Bartholomew Sholto and the theft of the Agra treasure is all here, featuring a snappy performance by Jeremy Brett as Holmes doing some of the finest investigative work of his career. The famous climax, a chase on the Thames in which Holmes is almost struck dead by an exotic weapon, is handled very well. Sherlockians may have a hard time not seeing Watson's romantic pursuit of Mary Morstan (Lila Kaye), his first wife according to Doyle's book, but it would hardly have been practical in the context of the long-running Granada Television series. The rest is to be enjoyed, however. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live From Austin Texas Vaughan, Stevie Ray 74645013091 DVD Sony Music Distribution 9/2/1997 1 Not Rated N N Digital Stereo Color 63 1 All Deals N $9.99 Blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was already a legend when he was killed in a helicopter crash in 1990. Like all talents who die early, he has left behind a legacy of myths and stories concerning his complex life and persona. This very special video release -- which contains a 1983 and a 1989 appearance on the television show &doublequote;Austin City Limits&doublequote; -- provide a glimpse into the mythical musician at the beginning and the end of his short career. Eleven tracks are virtuostically performed here; half by the young, newly successful Vaughan, and half by an older, calmer and more together Vaughan. An intriguing musical look at the evolution of a man who became a myth. Tower Records
The Alamo Widmark, Richard Harvey, Laurence Wayne, John Boone, Richard Avalon, Frankie Wayne, Patrick Pyle, Denver Wayne, John Clothier, William Tiomkin, Dimitri Gilmore, Stuart 27616855503 DVD MGM Home Entertainment 4/2/2002 1 Not Rated Y Y Digital Stereo Color 162 1 All Deals N $11.24 The Duke directs (with the uncredited help of his friend and mentor John Ford) this flag-waving spectacular about the courageous struggle by 182 American heroes to defend a small Catholic mission to the death and eventually win Texas with the help of Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, and Sam Houston. The restored, widescreen edition of Wayne's epic is at the original length and includes the theatrical trailer. Academy Award Nominations: 7, including Best Picture, Best Song (&doublequote;Green Leaves of Summer&doublequote;). Academy Awards: Best Sound. This restored version contains extra footage, previously unseen.&newline;&newline;THE ALAMO is John's Wayne's patriotic, pro-American recounting of the famous siege at a Texas fort. For 13 days in 1836, a group of Americans, led by Sam Houston, fought 7,000 Mexican soldiers to retain control of the Alamo and to wrest Texas from Mexico and make it part of the United States.&newline;&newline;Film was cut by about 30 minutes after its Los Angeles premiere, and it is that cut version that is available on video. (The original time was 193 minutes, and the video is 161.)&newline;&newline;Although Wayne directed (this was his first time at the helm), there is supposition that John Ford, who was on the set, might have assisted with some of the filming. There is also a possibility that the final battle scene, which received critical acclaim, might be attributable to second-unit director Cliff Lyons.&newline;&newline;There is much historical research on the period suggesting that some of the heroes of the Alamo might not have been so heroic--particularly Davy Crockett, who allegedly surrendered, was alcoholic, and beat his wife.&newline;&newline;The film was shot in Texas, in 12 days, near the actual location of the Alamo, although Wayne had originally thought of filming in Mexico.&newline;&newline;Shot in Todd-AO; color by Technicolor.&newline;&newline;Budget estimate $12 million. Tower Records
The Ultimate Space Experience Experience, Ultimate Space 56775013097 DVD Madacy Entertainment 2-Feb-99 NR N N Stereo Color 48 minutes 1 All Deals N $7.98 Amazon.com&newline;This disc is an embarrassment to its manufacturers and an insult to anyone who buys it. The Ultimate Space Experience is a misnomer, to say the least, because this 48-minute disc consists of little more than official NASA videos spliced together in a manner that might courteously be described as haphazard. The image quality is no better than VHS, and in the absence of narration the disconnected footage of rocket launches, moonwalks, and shuttle maneuvers is virtually no different from anything that's been shown many times on global TV news broadcasts. To make matters worse, the entire program is accompanied by random sound bites and cheesy MIDI-composed electronic music, including the morbidly ominous use of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor over scenes of the ill-fated crew of the shuttle Challenger preparing for their disastrous final flight. (Whoever thought this was appropriate music for those images should be severely punished.) Additional features on this DVD are of minimal interest at best, but as one customer comment has noted (see below), the disc could possibly serve as a basic primer for young children. However, even this is a hesitant recommendation, as so many better videos and DVDs are available about the topic of space exploration. Consider this disc a last resort, and even then you may simply decide to use it as a table coaster for your beverage of choice. --Jeff Shannon Amazon
Princess Mononoke Matsuda, Yôji Ishida, Yuriko DeMita, John Pinkett, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jada David, Keith Miyazaki, Hayao Hisaishi, Joe Miyazaki, Hayao /  Seyama, Takeshi 717951007414 DVD Miramax 20-Jul-00 PG-13 N N Stereo Color 126 minutes 1 Anime & Manga : Feature Films N $28.04 Amazon.com essential video&newline;This epic, animated 1997 fantasy has already made history as the top-grossing domestic feature ever released in Japan, where its combination of mythic themes, mystical forces, and ravishing visuals tapped deeply into cultural identity and contemporary, ecological anxieties. For international animation and anime fans, Princess Mononoke represents an auspicious next step for its revered creator, Hayao Miyazaki (My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service), an acknowledged anime pioneer, whose painterly style, vivid character design, and stylized approach to storytelling take ambitious, evolutionary steps here. &newline;&newline;Set in medieval Japan, Miyazaki's original story envisions a struggle between nature and man. The march of technology, embodied in the dark iron forges of the ambitious Tatara clan, threatens the natural forces explicit in the benevolent Great God of the Forest and the wide-eyed, spectral spirits he protects. When Ashitaka, a young warrior from a remote, and endangered, village clan, kills a ravenous, boar-like monster, he discovers the beast is in fact an infectious &doublequote;demon god,&doublequote; transformed by human anger. Ashitaka's quest to solve the beast's fatal curse brings him into the midst of human political intrigues as well as the more crucial battle between man and nature.&newline;&newline;Miyazaki's convoluted fable is clearly not the stuff of kiddie matinees, nor is the often graphic violence depicted during the battles that ensue. If some younger viewers (or less attentive older ones) will wish for a diagram to sort out the players, Miyazaki's atmospheric world and its lush visual design are reasons enough to watch. For the English-language version, Miramax assembled an impressive vocal cast including Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup (as Ashitaka), Claire Danes (as San), Minnie Driver (as Lady Eboshi), Billy Bob Thornton, and Jada Pinkett Smith. They bring added nuance to a very different kind of magic kingdom. Recommended for ages 12 and older. --Sam Sutherland Amazon
Back to Blues 29156113105 VHS Warner Brothers Pub. 19-Oct-00 Unrated N N Stereo Color 60 minutes 1 Blues : Blues Music : Blues Singers : Music Instruction : Musical & Performing Arts N $79.95 Description: BACK TO THE BLUES is a complete set of some of the most important blues singers' and players' of our time. Amazon
Avengers Macnee, Patrick Rigg, Diana Thorson, Linda Hammond, Peter 733961700152 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 12/19/2001 Not Rated N N Mono Color 312 1 Boxed Sets : Classics N $36.99 Six more swingin' sequential episodes from the fifth season of the cult-favorite spy series: &doublequote;The Living Dead,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Hidden Tiger,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Correct Way to Kill,&doublequote; &doublequote;Never, Never Say Die,&doublequote; &doublequote;Epic,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Superlative Seven.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Contains the episodes &doublequote;Escape in Time&doublequote; and &doublequote;The See-Through Man.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 Encoding&newline;&newline;Keep Case Tower Records
Avengers Macnee, Patrick Rigg, Diana Thorson, Linda Hammond, Peter 733961700145 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 12/19/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 312 1 Boxed Sets : Classics N $36.99 Emma Peel and John Steed save the planet from an insidious plot in six sequential fifth-season episodes of the superfly superspy series, re-mastered and re-released to commemorate the 1998 big-screen version. Titles include &doublequote;From Venus With Love,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Fear Merchants,&doublequote; &doublequote;Escape in Time,&doublequote; &doublequote;The See-Through Man,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Bird I Knew Too Much,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Winged Avenger.&doublequote; Tower Records
Avengers Blackman, Honor Macnee, Patrick Hammond, Peter 733961700701 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 12/19/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered B&W 340 1 Boxed Sets : Classics N $36.99 John Steed (Patrick Macnee) and Mrs. Cathy Gale (Honor Blackman), the original duo of the British television cult classic THE AVENGERS, are on video for American audiences for the first time in this special collector's set. Includes six episodes from the third Avengers season: &doublequote;The White Elephant,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Little Wonders,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Wringer,&doublequote; &doublequote;Mandrake,&doublequote; &doublequote;The Secrets Broker,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Trojan Horse.&doublequote; Tower Records
Prisoner Complete Set McGoohan, Patrick 733961703351 DVD A&E Home Video 9/25/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 884 1 Boxed Sets : Classics N $144.99 Though it ran for a mere 17 episodes, the British sci-fi spy drama THE PRISONER is one of television's biggest cult hits. The brainchild of star Patrick McGoohan, the series followed the adventures of No.2, a former secret agent who is being held captive on a highly secured island. This Mega-Set is a definitive collection of all 17 episodes, uncut and digitally remastered. Tower Records
Thunderbirds 01 Rimmer, Shane Dyneley, Peter Saunders, Desmond 733961701593 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 2/27/2001 Not Rated N N Digital Stereo Color 312 1 Boxed Sets : Classics N $36.99 Gerry Anderson's cult sci-fi series brought &doublequote;super-marionation&doublequote; into the forefront. The story follows Jeff Tracy (voiced by Peter Dyneley of MANSTER) and his sons--the eponymous Thunderbirds--as they fly around in their multimillion dollar spaceship, answering calls of distress throughout the galaxy in the name of International Rescue.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Trapped in the Sky&doublequote; - The Thunderbirds attempt to disarm a bomb aboard a jet in midair, all the while being monitored by the sinister Hood.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Pit of Peril&doublequote; - &doublequote;The Sidewinder&doublequote;, an innovative Army troop transport, goes south on its first test mission - literally. Trapped below the earth, the transport's crew wait breathlessly to be rescued by the Thunderbirds.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;City of Fire&doublequote; - A family is trapped in a blazing shopping mall. Can the Thunderbirds get to their aide fast enough?&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Sunprobe&doublequote; - The Thunderbirds have to intervene when a derelict ship begins heading directly for the sun (and not get burned in the process).&newline;&newline;&doublequote;The Uninvited&doublequote; - The pyramid-dwelling Zombites apprehend Scott (voiced by Shane Rimmer) when he crashes in the desert. It's up to him to blind the creatures and escape.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;The Mighty Atom&doublequote; - The Hood gets his diabolical hands on a robotic, photo-taking rat and attempts to use it against the Thunderbirds. Little does he know what the film will show when it's actually developed! Tower Records
Thunderbirds 02 Rimmer, Shane Dyneley, Peter Saunders, Desmond 733961701623 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 2/27/2001 Not Rated N N Digital Stereo Color 312 1 Boxed Sets : Classics N $36.99 erry Anderson's cult sci-fi series brought &doublequote;super-marionation&doublequote; into the forefront. The story follows Jeff Tracy (voiced by Peter Dyneley of MANSTER) and his sons--the eponymous Thunderbirds--as they fly around in their multimillion dollar spaceship, answering calls of distress throughout the galaxy in the name of International Rescue.&newline;&newline;Set includes:&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Vault of Death&doublequote; - A bank teller for the Bank of England is trapped in a time-sealed vault. He has two years until it opens, but only hours before he runs out of air. It's up to the Thunderbirds, once again, to avert disaster.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Operation: Crash Dive&doublequote; - Two jets crash into the Atlantic. With only a single survivor--one of the pilots--and nothing else to go on, the Thunderbirds have to ascertain the cause of the accident before the third airliner hits the ocean.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Move and You're Dead&doublequote; - A maniacal race car driver captures three Thunderbirds and links them to a motion-sensitive bomb. Can Scott (voice of Shane Rimmer) save his companions and track down the driver?&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Martian Invasion&doublequote; - Finally, the Hood thinks he has caught the Thunderbirds on film! But will he develop it in time?&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Brink of Disaster&doublequote; - A monorail trip goes awry, thanks to a corrupt railroadman. The Thunderbirds must save the passengers and apprehend the criminal responsible.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;The Perils of Penelope&doublequote; - Penelope (voiced by Sylvia Anderson) researches a scientist's kidnapping, only to wind up abducted herself! Tied to a train track, Penelope's last hope is aid from her fellow Thunderbirds. Tower Records
Maxtor L01P200 7200 RPM 200 GB Hard Drive 751921027637 N N Stereo Color 1 Brands : Maxtor N $159.99 Amazon
Alphabet Jungle Game Muppets 74644936698 DVD Sony Wonder 1/14/2002 Not Rated N N Digital Color 30 1 Childrens N $9.74 On safari in the treacherous Alphabet Jungle, Elmo, Zoe, and Telly can find all the letters on the alphabet growing on trees!  Except for one, that is: &doublequote;Z.&doublequote; Since Zoe can't spell her name without it, the three set off to find the errant letter. Tower Records
Bear In The Big Blue House 02 Fernandes, Richard A. 43396048430 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 1/28/2003 Not Rated N N Stereo Color 75 1 Childrens N $11.31 Includes three episodes: THE BIG SLEEP, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT, and FRIENDS FOR LIFE; plus six sing-alongs: BRUSH BRUSH TREE, GO TO BED SLEEPYHEAD, FRIENDS FOR LIFE, MAKE YOURSELF A FRIEND, and GOODBYE SONG. Tower Records
Bear In The Big Blue House-Shapes Sound Fernandes, Richard A. 43396054523 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 1/28/2003 Not Rated N N Stereo Color 75 1 Childrens N $10.20 Three classic episodes from the acclaimed Henson-created children's' series. Includes &doublequote;A Wagon of a Different Color,&doublequote; &doublequote;Shape of a Bear,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Listen Up,&doublequote; as well as four great songs: &doublequote;Shape of a Bear,&doublequote; &doublequote;What's in the Mail Today?,&doublequote; &doublequote;Some of the Colors I See,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Listen Up.&doublequote; Tower Records
Muppets From Space Goelz, Dave Muppets Frog, Kermit the Arquette, David Abraham, F. Murray Liotta, Ray Hill, Tim Juhl, Jerry Caso, Alan Sharifi, Jamshied Stevenson, Michael A. 43396039322 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 10/30/2001 G (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Processed Color 88 1 Childrens N $6.99 One of the better Muppet features in recent years, MUPPETS FROM SPACE begins with Gonzo wondering where he came from and then promptly receiving messages from his alien brethren. Though the rest of the Muppet clan believe Gonzo insane, especially after he announces his revelation on Mrs. Piggy's talk show, he arouses the interest of an idiotic government official, which leads to his imprisonment. Kermit reluctantly realizes Gonzo is in trouble and brings his fellow Muppets to try and help him escape. This one features a soundtrack made up of mostly 70s funk and introduces a new Muppet - Pepe the prawn, who gets quite a few laughs here. Tower Records
Paulie Davison, Bruce Rowlands, Gena Shalhoub, Tony Marin, Cheech Paulie Roberts, John Craig, Laurie Pierce-Roberts, Tony Debney, John Cannon, Bruce 667068416329 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 6/1/2004 1 PG (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 92 1 Childrens N $12.99 When a little bird wih a big personality sets out to find the living girl who raised him, he discovers his way with words has a way of landing him in big trouble.  But as fast as he can talk himself into a fix, he finds his gift of gab, a heart full of hope, and an odd menagerie of human friends can help him realize his most important dream: to be home at last. Tower Records
Power Rangers:Ultimate Rangers Weil, John 786936206234 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 4/1/2003 1 Not Rated N Y Digitally Re-Mastered Color 168 1 Childrens N $14.99 This first ever POWER RANGERS DVD features episodes voted on by fans as their favorites. As always, the Rangers find themselves up against terrifying forces of evil in the form of diabolical villains and giant monsters, on Earth and throughout the universe. Containing only episodes voted on as number one by fans, THE ULTIMATE RANGERS is sure to please any fan of the series. Tower Records
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Ives, Burl Richards, Billie Mae Mann, Larry D. Richards, Billie Mae Francis, Stan Scopp, Alfie Orenstein, Janis Kligman, Paul Banas, Carl Conley, Corinne Roemer, Larry Muller, Romeo Marks, Johnny 74645141695 DVD Sony Music Distribution 9/12/2000 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 135 1 Childrens N $17.98 The modern Christmas classic is brought to life in this stop-motion animated feature. Rudolph is shunned by the other reindeer because of his strange red nose. Rudolph and Herbie the Elf decide to run away and wind up having a series of adventures, meeting the Abominable Snowman and making their way through the Land of Misfit Toys before coming back in time to help Santa on Christmas Eve.&newline;&newline;A presentation of Broadway Video.&newline;&newline;Copyright 1964 Videocraft International, Ltd.&newline;&newline;Music copyright St. Nicholas Music, Inc.&newline;&newline;The stop-motion animation classic, narrated and sung by Burl Ives, about the little reindeer who saved Christmas from being cancelled. Tower Records
Teletubbies:Baby Animals Saxon, Rolf Finch, Vic 794054851922 DVD Warner Home Video 8/3/2003 1 Not Rated N N Mono Color 100 1 Childrens N $19.98 Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po, better known as the Teletubbies, show how to take care of their favorite baby animals in this fun video. All children and all Teletubbies love baby animals, including puppies, elephants, birds and lambs! Tower Records
The Santa Clause 02 Mitchell, Elizabeth Breslin, Spencer Crewson, Wendy Allen, Tim Dorn, Michael Lloyd, Eric Krumholtz, David Krumholtz, David Shannon, Molly Breslin, Spencer Lembeck, Michael Daurio, Ken Greenberg, Adam Clinton, George S. 786936221800 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 8/24/2004 G (MPAA) N Y Digitally Processed Color 105 1 Childrens N $17.99 Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) found a jacket eight years ago that turned him into Santa Claus. Unfortunately, 900-year old elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin) failed to read the fine print in the Santa Clause and didn't notice that Santa has to find a wife or stop being Santa. As Christmas Eve--the marriage deadline--approaches, Santa finds himself slowly returning to his mortal appearance as the &doublequote;de-Santification process&doublequote; begins. To make matters worse, his mortal son, Charlie, is acting out in school and is on the Naughty list. Searching for a wife and worried about Charlie, Santa returns home as Scott, leaving a toy Santa (also played by Allen) in his place to run the North Pole. Unfortunately, the toy Santa becomes obsesses with the rules in the Santa handbook and turns into a dictator, complete with an army of toy soldiers. Allen is extremely engaging as Scott, a normal guy who loves his role as perhaps the most beloved character in the lives of children. David Krumholtz stars as Bernard, Santa's right-hand elf, and Elizabeth Mitchell is Carol Newman, Charlie's school principal and Scott's unlikely love interest.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 1, 2002 Tower Records
Thomas & The Magic Railroad Baldwin, Alec Wilson, Mara Fonda, Peter Fonda, Peter Conn, Didi Wilson, Mara Mcmains, Cody Allcroft, Britt Allcroft, Britt Ryan, Paul Mann, Hummie Wisman, Ron 43396054264 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 5/29/2001 G (MPAA) N Y Digitally Mastered Color 87 1 Childrens N $6.99 Eleven-year old Lily (Mara Wilson) sets off to see her grandpa (Peter Fonda), but she ends up on the wrong train. Lily meets Mr. Conductor (Alec Baldwin), who lives in the town of Shining Time. Mr. Conductor uses magic gold dust to visit the Island of Sodor and Thomas the Tank Engine and the Magic Railroad. When Lily arrives, Thomas is having problems with Diesel 10, a renegade diesel engine, and Mr. Conductor is running out of the magic dust. But all will be well if Lady, a missing golden engine, can be found. In the meantime, Grandpa has an engine hidden away in the mountain. Could it be Lady? Will Mr. Conductor find more magic gold dust? And will Thomas again be the number one hero of the Magic Railroad?&newline;&newline;In the early 1980s, Britt Allcroft found Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends in the Reverend W. Awdry's THE RAILWAY SERIES and brought them to television. Now--aiming at an audience of children between 3 and 7 years old--Allcroft transfers Thomas and his friends to the big screen, and she uses all manner of special effects in capturing the storybook feel of the original stories.&newline;&newline;Based on the television show THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS, this directorial film debut from writer and producer Britt Allcroft features new animation techniques that combine talking trains with live-action actors. THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD is about a young girl named Lily (Mara Wilson) who takes it upon herself to save the tank trains such as Thomas (Edward Glen), living on the magical Island of Sodar, from bully trains like Deisel 10, Splotch, and Splatter.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: July 26, 2000.&newline;&newline;Locations for THOMAS AND THE MAGIC RAILROAD included the Isle of Man; Ontario, Canada; and Pennsylvania. Tower Records
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Albertson, Jack Ostrum, Peter Cole, Julie Dawn Bollner, Michael Reit, Ursula Nickerson, Denise Wilder, Gene Stone, Leonard Reit, Ursula Cole, Julie Dawn Stuart, Mel Dahl, Roald Ibbetson, Arthur Scharf, Walter Saxon, David 85391898122 DVD Warner Home Video 2/3/2004 1 G (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 100 1 Childrens N $18.74 A wry and amusing musical about a world famous candymaker who hides five golden tickets in candy bars for five lucky children. Young, good-natured Charlie (Peter Ostrum) wins one of the tickets hidden amongst thousands of Wonka chocolate bars. What have Charlie and the other four kids won? A tour through Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, led by the loveable, eccentric, but often mean-spirited Wonka (Gene Wilder) himself. The factory itself is like a fantasy world: crazy color schemes, wild inventions, secret rooms, busy oompa-loompas, and lots and lots of delectable sweets. But Wonka has a hidden agenda, and during the tour he tests each child's character and honesty. Based on Roald Dahl's children's book &doublequote;Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Produced in partnership with Quaker Oats.&newline;&newline;Released theatrically in the USA June 30, 1971.&newline;&newline;Film debut for young Peter Ostrum, who plays Charlie. The actor later left the movie business for a career as a veterinarian in New York.&newline;&newline;The laserdisc version features the original and 1996 re-issue theatrical trailers; it also includes a musical score without vocals (on a separate audio channel) for families to sing-along.&newline;&newline;Songs include &doublequote;Candy Man,&doublequote; &doublequote;Oompa-Loompa Doopody Doo&doublequote; and &doublequote;Pure Imagination.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Rereleased theatrically, for its 25th anniversary, in Chicago on July 19, 1996.&newline;&newline;Filmed on location in Munich, Germany.&newline;&newline;Young, good-natured Charlie wins one of five golden tickets hidden amongst thousands of Wonka chocolate bars. What have Charlie and the other four kids won? A tour through Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, led by the eccentric but often mean-spirited Wonka himself. The factory itself is like a fantasy world: crazy color schemes, wild inventions, secret rooms, busy elves, and lots and lots of delectable sweets. But Wonka has a hidden agenda, and during the tour he tests each child's character and honesty. When it is clear that Charlie is the most trustworthy, kind-hearted and dependable kid, Wonka awards him with a gift that is every child's dream. Tower Records
Dumbo Holloway, Sterling Brophy, Edward Bing, Herman Felton, Verna Holloway, Sterling Sharpsteen, Ben Grant, Joe 786936144390 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 10/23/2001 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 64 1 Classics : General N $22.49 Deceptively simple, beautiful, moving, and hilarious, DUMBO is often overlooked when considering Disney's greatest films because perhaps of its lack of extravagance, its brief running time, and its simple story. Baby elephant Jumbo Jr. is delivered by the stork to his elephant mom with much fanfare but soon receives a cold shoulder from the snobby female pachyderms and the rest of the circus due to his oversize ears. When his mother goes on a rampage in order to protect him from some snickering rubes, she winds up locked away. Dumbo is left without a friend in the world until the street-smart Timothy Mouse decides to become his manager and a telephone line full of delightful jive-talking crows convince him he can fly. Highlights include Dumbo accidentally getting drunk and experiencing the surreal musical sequence &doublequote;Pink Elephants on Parade&doublequote; and a soundtrack packed with such priceless songs as the Oscar-winning &doublequote;Baby Mine&doublequote; and the crow's soulful number, &doublequote;When I see an Elephant Fly.&doublequote; There's nary an imperfect moment to be found in this raucous, tender, sublime film, which has been delighting audiences for generations.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: October 23, 1941.&newline;&newline;Rereleased in 1949, 1959, 1972, and 1976.&newline;&newline;DUMBO is the fourth full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.&newline;&newline;Shot in three-strip Technicolor.&newline;&newline;The film won the 1947 Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Animation Design.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;That's it! Dumbo, you flew! Boy, am I stupid; why didn't I think of this before?! Your ears--they're perfect wings! The very things that held you down are gonna carry you up, and up, and up!&doublequote;--Timothy Mouse (voice of Edward Brophy)&newline;&newline;In this classic animated Disney film, a baby circus elephant is cruelly mocked until he realizes that his enormous ears are a blessing in disguise: He can fly. Soon Dumbo becomes the greatest show on earth. Tower Records
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Verne, Lucille La Stockwell, Harry Olsen, Moroni Harlan, Otis Colvig, Pinto Caselotti, Adriana Stockwell, Harry Verne, Lucille La Sharpsteen, Ben Rickard, Dick Churchill, Frank 786936150605 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 10/9/2001 G (MPAA) N Y Digitally Re-Mastered Color 84 1 Classics : General N $33.95 Amazon.com essential video&newline;One of the brightest nuggets from Disney's golden age, this 1937 film is almost dizzying in its meticulous construction of an enchanted world, with scores of major and minor characters (including fauna and fowl), each with a distinct identity. When you watch Snow White's intricate, graceful movements of fingers, arms, and head all in one shot, it is not the technical brilliance of Disney's artists that leaps out at you, but the very spirit of her engaging, girl-woman character. When the wicked queen's poisoned apple turns from killer green to rose red, the effect of knowing something so beautiful can be so terrible is absolutely elemental, so pure it forces one to surrender to the horror of it. Based on the Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is probably the best family film ever to deal, in mythic terms, with the psychological foundation for growing up. It's a crowning achievement and should not be missed. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. &newline;&newline;DVD features&newline;Disney figured out that it's not necessarily how many extras a DVD offers, it's how effortlessly the fan can view them. In two &doublequote;guided tours,&doublequote; a viewer can see a selection of the excellent extras on the history and creation of Walt Disney's crown jewel. Disc 1 has an informative 40-minute documentary, plus karaoke songs, a neat trivia game, and Barbra Streisand's new version of &doublequote;Some Day My Prince Will Come.&doublequote; Like Fantasia, the commentary track is expertly made up of historical recordings... read more Tower Records
Blues Brothers 2000 Goodman, John Morton, Joe Bonifant, Evan Cropper, Steve Dunn, Donald %22Duck%22 Dunne, Murphy Hall, Willie Marini, Lou Malone, Tom Rubin, Alan Landis, John Landis, John Herrington, David Shaffer, Paul Beldin, Dale 25192028120 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 1/6/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 124 1 Comedies N $14.99 Upon his release from prison, now-brotherless Blues Brother Jake Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) puts the band back together with the help of a golden-voiced strip joint bartender (John Goodman) and a precocious 10-year-old orphan (J. Evan Bonifant) on loan from the comically abusive Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman). This hysterical sequel to the original BLUE BROTHERS comedy/musical makes good use of its copious celebrity cameos, which include appearances from old schoolers James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, and Isaac Hayes in addition to bits from blues phenom Jonny Lang, Erykah Badu, and John Popper.&newline;&newline;The now-brotherless Ellwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) is finally out of prison, attempting to reunite the old band and find a few new partners in crime (John Goodman and J. Evan Bonifant). In this sequel to the original BLUE BROTHERS comedy/musical, Ellwood battles the Chicago police, sings and dances his way out of numerous sticky situations, and manages to get the old band on the road for a hair-raising adventure. With the police in hot pursuit, the Blues Brothers set off on a road trip to Kentucky for their first gig at a redneck fair where they have been billed as the Bluegrass Brothers, stopping to perform a thunderous rendition of &doublequote;Riders on the Storm&doublequote; and narrowly escaping the clutches of the police and a raving band of neo-Nazis, among other archenemies. With the help of gospel revivals and good disguises, Ellwood and the boys reach their final destination: the Plantation Club of Louisiana's Queen Mousette (Erykah Badu), where they must conquer the queen's powerful voodoo to win the battle of the bands. In this breathtaking finale the stage is packed with musical giants, including B. B. King, Lou Rawls, Bo Diddley, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Dr. John, and Screaming Jay Hawkins, among others.&newline;&newline;Lead singer John Popper of the popular band Blues Traveler makes a cameo appearance as a Blues Bros. Band fan who invites Ellwood to hear his band perform.&newline;&newline;Macaulay Culkin was originally considered for the role of Buster.&newline;&newline;In Ellwood's motivational speech to his bandmates he lists American inspirations, such as Elvis, Otis Redding, and finally the name Robert K. Weiss. Donald &doublequote;Duck&doublequote; Dunn asks, &doublequote;Who's Robert K. Weiss?&doublequote; Robert K. Weiss was the producer of the original BLUES BROTHERS.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;We'll have to get off this road, they've called ahead by now and you can't outrun a Motorola.&doublequote;--Ellwood (Dan Aykroyd) to bandmates Tower Records
Breakfast At Tiffanys McGiver, John Ebsen, Buddy Rooney, Mickey Balsam, Martin Hepburn, Audrey Neal, Patricia Peppard, George Edwards, Blake Axelrod, George Planer, Franz Mancini, Henry Smith, Howard A. 97360650549 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 3/1/2004 1 Not Rated Y Y Digital Stereo Color 114 1 Comedies N $14.99 Blake Edwards's adaptation of Truman Capote's classic novella is ideally cast with Audrey Hepburn in the role of Holly Golightly. The free-spirited gamine darts about New York, feted by wealthy men drawn to her megawatt charm and elegance, hoping that the party will never end. After &doublequote;shopping&doublequote; in front of Tiffany's window, she meets aspiring writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard), and they begin a platonic friendship. &doublequote;Sponsored&doublequote; by an older woman (Patricia Neal) whose interest in the young man is more than literary, he can identify with her experience better than most, taking it  upon himself to protect her from the worst aspects of city life. But she seems to need little protection from such friends as incarcerated mob boss Sally Tomato (Alan Reed), who pays her to carry messages to Sing Sing. With her infectious joi de vivre, she helps Paul break through a paralyzing case of writer's block. But when the genial Doc Golightly (Buddy Ebsen) appears in New York in search of Holly, the sources of her gossamer lifestyle suddenly become clearer. Edwards's lighter-than-air romantic comedy, set in a fantasy New York, rides on the irresistible charm of Hepburn at her peak, as well as a memorable score by Henry Mancini. Although George Axelrod's screenplay is as different from the original story as George Peppard is from the young Capote, the film succeeds on its own terms.&newline;&newline;BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S is one more reason to fall in love with Audrey Hepburn in this this sparkling and, at times, poignant comedy about a free-spirited young woman from the hinterlands redefining herself in New York City. Based on a Truman Capote story, it also features the timeless melody &doublequote;Moon River&doublequote; by Henry Mancini.&newline;&newline;The film was changed extensively from Capote's novel, in which the character of Paul Varjack (played by George Peppard onscreen) was gay. Tower Records
Bruce Almighty Freeman, Morgan Aniston, Jennifer Carrey, Jim Hall, Philip Baker Dunn, Nora Bell, Catherine Walter, Lisa Ann Carrell, Steven Shadyac, Tom Koren, Steve 25192282324 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 8/24/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 102 1 Comedies N $16.99 Jim Carrey returns to his zany, manic roots in this Capraesque comedy from director Tom Shadyac (ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE and LIAR LIAR). Carrey stars as Bruce Nolan, a television reporter in Buffalo, New York who lives a normal life with his sweet girlfriend Grace (Jennifer Aniston). But Bruce isn't satisfied, and after a particularly bad day where everything goes wrong, he blames God. After spewing a tirade of curses God's way, God (Morgan Freeman in a gentlemanly white suit) responds and challenges Bruce to take over and see if he can run things better. Of course, there are some conditions; Bruce can only have the &doublequote;almighty&doublequote; powers for 24 hours and only in the Buffalo area. This doesn't stop Bruce, and he responds to his newfound powers with selfish, childlike zeal. Like a kid in a candy store, Bruce sets off making one hysterical, yet disastrous, decision after another. He pulls the moon closer to the earth so he can have a more romantic evening with Grace, unaware that his actions cause a tidal wave in Japan and responds to the prayers of the world with a mass-email &doublequote;yes&doublequote; that creates millions of lottery winners, riots, and mayhem. Ultimately, Bruce proves he is only human, and cannot possibly fill God's shoes, although he has a great time trying.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: May 23, 2003 Tower Records
Galaxy Quest Pyle, Missi Mitchell, Daryl Colantoni, Enrico Sachs, Robin Rockwell, Sam Allen, Tim Weaver, Sigourney Rickman, Alan Shalhoub, Tony Allen, Tim Parisot, Dean Howard, David Zielinski, Jerzy Newman, David Zimmerman, Don 667068601725 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 8/24/2004 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Processed Color 102 1 Comedies N $11.95 GALAXY QUEST is a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the influence science fiction shows such as STAR TREK have had on their audience. The cast members of the cult sci-fi television series GALAXY QUEST now earn their livings appearing at conventions and grand openings, led by their bomastic captain Jason Nesmith, played by Tim Allen. When an alien race--the Thermians--arrives on earth, it appears that they have mistakenly appropriated the show's culture as their own, thinking the series was actual fact. Desperate for help in battling the evil General Sarris, they bring the actors with them into space to save their planet. A surprisingly smart and funny send-up of the science-fiction culture and the influence television has on the world at large, GALAXY QUEST is a comedy that even nongenre fans can enjoy, with terrific turns by Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, and Tony Shalhoub.&newline;&newline;Shot in Los Angeles, California, and Goblin Valley, Utah.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Never give up, never surrender!&doublequote;--Captain Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) Tower Records
Miss Congeniality Caine, Michael Shatner, William Bratt, Benjamin Hudson, Ernie Bergen, Candice DiResta, John Bullock, Sandra Quinn, Deirdre Burns, Heather Robinson, Wendy Raquel Petrie, Donald Lawrence, Marc Kovacs, Laszlo Shearmur, Edward Weber, Billy 85391897620 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 109 1 Comedies N $14.99 When a notorious criminal mastermind known only as the Citizen threatens to terrorize the Miss United States Pageant, the FBI scours their ranks to find a female agent capable of winning the contest and capturing the killer before it's too late. Special Agent Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) may be the most physically beautiful woman in the Bureau, but her tomboyish lack of feminine grace jeopardizes the plan and spells disaster. Forced to turn to the once-proud beauty pageant consultant Victor Melling (Michael Caine), Agent Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) tries to accomplish the impossible goal of transforming Hart from an unrefined rogue to a model candidate of elegance, poise, and style, with the irresistible power to win the pageant and simultaneously catch the killer. MISS CONGENIALITY combines the hilarious physical comedy and girl-next-door charm of Sandra Bullock with Michael Caine's trademark British wit and impotent outrage, adding up to a devastating orgy of comedy, glamour, and catastrophe.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: December 22, 2000.&newline;&newline;The song &doublequote;One in a Million,&doublequote; music and lyrics by Steffan Olsson, was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song--Motion Picture.&newline;&newline;Sandra Bullock was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture--Musical or Comedy.&newline;&newline;The film was born from observations made by screenwriter Marc Lawrence in interviews with female FBI agents who struggle with the social stigma of displaced gender roles.&newline;&newline;Miss USA and Miss Universe pageant choreographer Scott Grossman worked as a consultant on the film and coordinated the dance numbers.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I haven't seen a woman like that since Jurassic Park.&doublequote;--Victor Melling (Michael Caine)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;You think I'm gorgeous. You want to kiss me.&doublequote;--Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) to Eric Matthews (Benjamin Bratt) Tower Records
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation D'Angelo, Beverly Quaid, Randy Randolph, John Ladd, Diane Marshall, E.G. Roberts, Doris Hickey, William Chase, Chevy Lewis, Juliette Galecki, Johnny Chechik, Jeremiah Hughes, John Ackerman, Thomas Badalamenti, Angelo Stevenson, Michael A. 85391188926 DVD Warner Home Video 5/22/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) N N Stereo Color 97 1 Comedies N $6.57 The third in the series of National Lampoon's 'Vacation' films, this sequel concerns the Griswold family's holiday get-together. This time they're trying to have a picture book, old-fashioned Christmastime--even though all the in-laws are dropping by, including Clark's (Chevy Chase) redneck cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid). Looks like it's going to be a real holly-jolly holiday--if they can make it through.&newline;&newline;The third in the series of National Lampoon's 'Vacations ' films, this sequel concerns the Griswold family's holiday get-together. This time they're trying to have a picture book, old-fashioned Christmastime -- even though all the in-laws are dropping by, including Clark's redneck cousin, Eddie. Looks like it's going to be a real holly-jolly holiday -- if they can make it through.&newline;&newline;Budget estimate $25 million.&newline;&newline;Shot on location in Los Angeles, California; Breckenridge, Frisco and Silverthorne, Colorado in Technicolor using Dolby sound.&newline;&newline;Began shooting March 27, 1989; Completed shooting June 30, 1989; Released in USA December 1, 1989.&newline;&newline;Directorial debut for Jeremiah Chechik, who also directed &doublequote;Benny & Joon&doublequote; (1993). Tower Records
Scooby Doo:The Movie Lillard, Matthew Cardellini, Linda Gellar, Sarah Michelle Atkinson, Rowan Fisher, Isla Anderson, Pamela Prinze, Freddie Nunez, Miguel A. Gosnell, Raja Gunn, James Eggby, David Newman, David 85392343027 DVD Warner Home Video 9/2/2003 1 PG (MPAA) Y N Mono Color 86 1 Comedies N $14.99 In this live action rethink of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon series, director Raja Gosnell puts Fred (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Velma (FREAKS & GEEKS' Linda Cardellini), and Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) back into the Mystery Machine with a CGI version of the canine title character. After parting ways to protest Fred's self-centered treatment of the Mystery Inc. gang, they are brought back together by Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson) to help solve a ghoulish mystery at his teen resort and fun park, Spooky Island.&newline;&newline;Although SCOOBY-DOO is primarily a live action movie, Gosnell keeps the characters and visuals cartoonish at all times. For fans of the series, all of the expected trappings are present (from Fred's ascot to the inevitable &doublequote;meddling kids&doublequote; line from the bad guy), but the film also pokes fun at these elements throughout, managing to balance kiddie fun with a more grown-up self-mocking. The CGI Scooby is both convincingly lifelike and clearly make-believe, with action that is more silly than scary so kids and adults can enjoy the film together.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: June 14, 2002 (Wide) Tower Records
Stuart Little Laurie, Hugh Lipnicki, Jonathan Murray, Brian Doyle Davis, Geena Sweeney, Julia Doughan, Jim Getty, Estelle Laurie, Hugh Coleman, Dabney Davis, Geena Minkoff, Rob Shyamalan, M. Night Navarro, Guillermo Silvestri, Alan Finan, Tom 43396052147 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 3/6/2001 1 PG (MPAA) N Y Stereo Color 85 1 Comedies N $7.69 Based on the novel by E.B. White, this is the heartwarming story of Stuart Little, a charming mouse who is adopted by a human family, to the disgust of the housecat and his new brother George. The tale unfolds as Stuart grows accustomed to his new role, eventually winning over everyone he meets. Seamless technical effects make this a work of entertainment that even the most jaded of filmgoers will fall for.&newline;&newline;M. Night Shyamalan (THE SIXTH SENSE, UNBREAKABLE) cowrote the screenplay. Tower Records
The School Of Rock Cusack, Joan Cosgrove, Miranda Gaydes, Joey White, Mike Black, Jack Silverman, Sarah Clark, Kevin Cusack, Joan Gaydos, Joey  Jr. Hassan, Maryam Linklater, Richard White, Mike Stoffers, Rogier Wedren, Craig 97363385141 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 3/2/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) N N Mono Color 102 1 Comedies N $25.99 SCHOOL OF ROCK is a hilarious romp that parents will enjoy as much as their children. Jack Black stars as Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star who doesn't seem to be rocking much of anything these days. Kicked out of the band that he started and about to be kicked out of his apartment, Dewey pretends that he's his roommate Ned Schneebly (Mike White) in order to take a job as a substitute teacher. Arriving at an ultra conservative--and ultra expensive--prep school, Dewey manages to fool the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). Soon, he finds himself in a classroom with a bunch of fifth graders. Obviously, Dewey has no intentions of teaching these kids anything, but when he discovers that a handful of them are talented musicians, a light bulb goes off. Determined to enter the local battle of the bands and win $25,000, Dewey embarks on his greatest mission of all: Teaching these kids how to rock!&newline;&newline;Director Richard Linklater (DAZED AND CONFUSED, WAKING LIFE) delivers his most universally appealing film with SCHOOL OF ROCK. Written specifically for Black by screenwriter/actor White, this outrageously entertaining crowd-pleaser elevates Black to superstar status.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: OCTOBER 3, 2003 Tower Records
The Three Stooges:Curly Classics Stooges,  Three Fine, Larry McCarey, Ray 43396028562 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 9/23/2003 Not Rated N N Mono B&W 104 1 Comedies N $14.99 Six classic shorts starring Larry, Moe, and Curly. &doublequote;A Plumbing We Will Go&doublequote;, the Oscar-nominated  &doublequote;Men in Black&doublequote;, &doublequote;Micro-Phonies&doublequote;, &doublequote;Punch Drunks&doublequote;, &doublequote;Three Little Pigskins&doublequote;, and the Stooges' first short (in rhyme!) &doublequote;Woman Haters&doublequote;. Tower Records
What Women Want Burke, Delta Gasteyer, Ana Holly, Lauren Hunt, Helen Tomei, Marisa Feuerstein, Mark Gibson, Mel Johnson, Ashley Greer, Judy Alda, Alan Meyers, Nancy Drake, Diane Goldsmith, Josh Cundey, Dean Silvestri, Alan Rotter, Stephen A. 97363383840 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 12/28/2001 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 126 1 Comedies N $14.99 Director, writer, and producer Nancy Meyers's (THE PARENT TRAP) sophomore directorial effort is a lively screwball fantasy featuring Mel Gibson in his first romantic comedy. Gibson plays Nick Marshall, a high-flying chauvinistic Chicago advertising executive who, like his musical idol, Frank Sinatra, calls women &doublequote;baby&doublequote; and believes he has the world on a string. Nick experiences a rude awakening when the creative director position he coveted goes to Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt), a savvy outsider--and a woman--who intends to aggressively pursue the lucrative women's market. While trying to brainstorm ideas for &doublequote;feminine&doublequote; products, Nick experiences a freak accident that gives him the ability to hear women's thoughts. Determined to win back his stolen job, Nick uses his terrifying yet useful new talent to scrutinize Darcy and finds his smart, beautiful rival may not be the &doublequote;bitch on wheels&doublequote; he imagined. Meanwhile, he also must maneuver carefully within complex relationships with his estranged teenage daughter, Alex (Ashley Johnson), and a pretty coffee shop waitress, Lola (Marisa Tomei). Once Nick begins to listen to the new voices he hears, his previous worldview is challenged, and he finds that he finally might understand what women want.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: December 15, 2000.&newline;&newline;Director Nancy Meyers has cowritten many well-known screenplays with her husband, writer-director Charles Shyer, including PRIVATE BENJAMIN, IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES, and FATHER OF THE BRIDE.&newline;&newline;Mel Gibson (Nick Marshall) is also an accomplished director--his film BRAVEHEART won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.&newline;&newline;Helen Hunt (Darcy Maguire) won a Best Actress Oscar for her role in AS GOOD AS IT GETS and five Best Actress Emmy awards for playing Jamie Buchman on the popular sitcom MAD ABOUT YOU.&newline;&newline;Alan Alda (Dan Wanamaker) won five Emmy awards for portraying Hawkeye Pierce on the beloved television series M*A*S*H, which ran for 11 years. Alda was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1994.&newline;&newline;Screenwriters Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa are both writers and producers for the popular television sitcom THE KING OF QUEENS. Tower Records
Wild Wild West Smith, Will Kline, Kevin Branagh, Kenneth Hayek, Salma Levine, Ted Walsh, M. Emmet Hayek, Selma Sonnenfeld, Barry Wilson, S.S. /  Maddock, Brent /  Price, Jeffrey /  Seaman, Peter S. Ballhaus, Michael /  Czapsky, Stefan Bernstein, Elmer Miller, Jim 85391717522 DVD Warner Studios 30-Nov-99 PG-13 Y Y Dolby Color 107 minutes 1 Comedy N $10.99 Amazon.com&newline;One of the box-office smashes of the summer of 1999, this film by director Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black, Get Shorty) was raked by critics but embraced by audiences. Based on the 1960s TV adventure show that starred Robert Conrad, this film reimagined Secret Service agent James West as Will Smith, adding Oscar-winner Kevin Kline as his sidekick, agent-inventor Artemus Gordon. President Ulysses S. Grant puts West and Gordon on the trail of malign genius (and former Confederate soldier) Dr. Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh) in a story about racism, partnership, and world domination. The special effects are lavish, even garish, but not all that special; they're not enough to elevate a mundane and familiar plot. Even Branagh, playing a man who only exists from the waist up--literally--can't find the juice in this lumbering affair. Still, the fast-talking team of Smith and Kline is a nimble one. Smith's affable charm and Kline's subversive wit win many points, though not nearly enough. --Marshall Fine --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
Young Frankenstein Wilder, Gene Kahn, Madeline Brooks, Mel 24543025603 DVD (studio name not provided) 6/3/2003 1 N Y Mono Color 1 Comedy N $11.24 Amazon.com essential video&newline;If you were to argue that Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein ranks among the top-ten funniest movies of all time, nobody could reasonably dispute the claim. Spoofing classic horror in the way that Brooks's previous film Blazing Saddles sent up classic Westerns, the movie is both a loving tribute and a raucous, irreverent parody of Universal's classic horror films Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Filming in glorious black and white, Brooks re-created the Frankenstein laboratory using the same equipment from the original Frankenstein (courtesy of designer Kenneth Strickfaden), and this loving attention to physical and stylistic detail creates a solid foundation for nonstop comedy. The story, of course, involves Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and his effort to resume experiments in re-animation pioneered by his late father. (He's got some help, since dad left behind a book titled How I Did It.) Assisting him is the hapless hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman) and the buxom but none-too-bright maiden Inga (Teri Garr), and when Frankenstein succeeds in creating his monster (Peter Boyle), the stage is set for an outrageous revision of the Frankenstein legend. With comedy highlights too numerous to mention, Brooks guides his brilliant cast (also including Cloris Leachman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, and Gene Hackman in a classic cameo role) through scene after scene of inspired hilarity. Indeed, Young Frankenstein is a charmed film, nothing less than a comedy classic, representing the finest work from everyone involved. Not one joke has lost its payoff, and none of the countless gags have lost their zany appeal. From a career that includes some of the best comedies ever made, this is the film for which Mel Brooks will be most fondly remembered. Befitting a classic, the Special Edition DVD includes audio commentary by Mel Brooks, a &doublequote;making of&doublequote; documentary, interviews with the cast, hilarious bloopers and outtakes, and the original theatrical trailers. No video library should be without a copy of Young Frankenstein. And just remember--that's Fronkensteen. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to the  DVD edition. Tower Records
Dumb and Dumber Carrey, Jim Daniels, Jeff Holly, Lauren Farrelly, Peter 794043403620 DVD NEW LINE HOME VIDEO 5/21/1997 PG-13 (MPAA) N N Dolby Digital Color 1 Hour 46 Minutes 1 Comedy - Cops/Crooks : Comedy - Screwball : Comedy of Errors : Comedy - general : Romantic Comedy : Slapstick N $12.73 All Movie Guide&newline;Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles (though viewers may find themselves debating which is which) in this genially low-brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two intellectually-challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters aren't sure how to trash the place; the guys also have a certain problem (not difficult to understand) holding on to jobs. Lloyd is working as a limo driver in Rhode Island when he picks up a beautiful and wealthy woman named Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) who is being taken to the airport. Lloyd immediately falls head over heels in love with Mary, and when she leaves a briefcase at the airport, he's determined to return it in hopes of impressing her. Lloyd isn't able to get aboard Mary's flight (though not for lack of trying). Harry has a van decorated to look like a dog (to promote his failing dog-grooming business), and the pair hop in the Poochmobile to find Mary in Aspen. What Lloyd and Harry don't know is that the briefcase is full of money, which Mary deliberately left at the airport as a ransom payment to save the life of her kidnapped husband. Incidentally, Lloyd's chipped front tooth happens to be real; while Jim Carrey had the injured tooth capped many years ago, he thought a broken smile would suit Lloyd's character and had the cap removed for the duration of filming. Mark Deming&newline;&newline;&newline;PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL NOTES:&newline;&newline;Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)&newline;Presentation: Pan & Scan&newline;Sound: Dolby Digital&newline;Features: Original theatrical trailer; International trailer; Cast notes; Photo gallery&newline;Language: English&newline;SubTitles: English&newline;Time: 1 Hour 46 Minutes Barnes & Noble
Caddyshack Chase, Chevy Dangerfield, Rodney Morgan, Cindy Resin, Dan Doyle-Murray, Brian Murray, Brian Doyle Dangerfield, Rodney Murray, Bill O'Keefe, Michael Chase, Chevy Ramis, Harold Doyle-Murray, Brian /  Murray, Brian Doyle /  Ramis, Harold /  Kenney, Doug Larner, Stevan Mandel, Johnny Carruth, William 85391721529 DVD Warner Studios 3-Feb-04 R Y N Stereo Color 99 minutes 1 Comedy : General N $14.98 Amazon.com&newline;A no-brainer that has become a low-brow classic, this 1980 comedy makes anarchy the rule of the day, unleashing the antics of Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, and Chevy Chase. Caddyshack is about the scheme of a vulgar land developer (Dangerfield) who wants to build condominiums on the site of a ritzy country club. Director Harold Ramis (who later reunited with Murray to make Groundhog Day) is content to let the comedy follow a variety of wacky detours, most notably Murray's maniacal war with a gopher that has been digging up the golf course. Dangerfield ultimately steals the show, firing off a battery of one-liners, insults, and tasteless gags. Caddyshack is the kind of movie some people have been known to watch several times a year, reciting every line of dialogue like the followers of a bizarre comedic ritual. --Jeff Shannon --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Amazon
Looney Tunes Back In Action Dalton, Timothy Fraser, Brendan Martin, Steve Locklear, Heather Cusack, Joan Cleese, John Elfman, Jenna Fraser, Brendan Elfman, Jenna Goldberg, Bill Dante, Joe Doyle, Larry Frizzell, John 85392880423 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2004 1 PG (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 90 1 Comedy : General N $17.99 Joe Dante directs this fast-paced, inventive combination of animation and live action with irreverent, comic flair. In Hollywood, Daffy Duck is jealous of Bugs Bunny's success and demands a pay increase. Instead of giving him a raise, Kate (Jenna Elfman) a fed-up studio executive, fires Daffy and has him escorted off the lot by security guard D.J. Drake (Brendan Fraser). Drake is a wannabe stunt man who is heading to Las Vegas to find his missing father, Damian Drake (Timothy Dalton), a famous actor/secret agent in search of the elusive Blue Monkey Diamond (a diamond that turns humans to monkeys). Out of work, Daffy joins D.J. while Kate and Bugs Bunny follow, desperate to rehire Daffy. Meanwhile, Damian Drake is being held captive by the evil Mr. Chairman (Steve Martin), a mad scientist who wants the Blue Monkey Diamond for his own nefarious plot to rule the world. Their quest for Damian and the Diamond sends Daffy, D.J., Kate and Bugs on a global adventure, full of hilarious Hollywood spoofs and pop culture trivia. References to INDIANA JONES in the African jungle, or STAR WARS while in space are just a few of the nonstop Hollywood parodies. The entire Looney Tunes cast of characters join the stars, including Elmer Fudd, Tweety Bird, Foghorn Leghorn and many others in this dizzying adventure.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: November 14, 2003 Tower Records
Michael Travolta, John MacDowell, Andie Hurt, William Hoskins, Bob Pastorelli, Robert Stapleton, Jean Ephron, Nora Ephron, Nora /  Ephron, Delia /  Dexter, Pete /  Quinlan, Jim Lindley, John Newman, Randy Peroni, Geraldine 53939630626 DVD Turner Home Video 4-Feb-03 PG N Y Stereo Color 106 minutes 1 Comedy : General N $13.03 Amazon.com essential video&newline;After the box-office success of Phenomenon, John Travolta continued to charm audiences with this 1996 comedy-fantasy in which he plays a grubby angel who's got one last good deed to do before heading back to heaven. Living peacefully in the rural Iowa home of an old, friendly motel owner (Jean Stapleton), the winged Michael (Travolta) is hardly the image of a perfect angel. He's scruffy, unshaven, eats sweetened cereal by the box-full and chain-smokes all day long. But when tabloid reporters (William Hurt, Robert Pastorelli) learn of Michael's alleged existence and head to Iowa to check him out, Michael soon realizes that it's his task to see that Hurt falls in love with an &doublequote;angel expert&doublequote; (Andie MacDowell) and breaks free from his habitually cynical attitude. There's more to the story, of course (and Chasing Amy fans will recognize Joey Lauren Adams as a waitress who charms the angel), but Michael is more about the effect that this enchanting angel has on the earthbound humans around him. Whether he's chipping away at Hurt's skepticism or attracting a crowd of women on a truck-stop dance floor, Michael is an enchanting figure, and Travolta plays him with just the right tone of humor, reverence, and effervescent charm. Sure, it's lightweight fluff, but director Nora Ephron specializes in lightweight fluff, and Michael is the kind of feel-good movie that never wears out its welcome. --Jeff Shannon Amazon
Scary Movie Faris, Anna Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Keenen Ivory 717951004857 DVD Dimension Home Video 5-Aug-03 R Y Y Dolby Color 1 Comedy : General N $17.99 Amazon.com&newline;If you've seen Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, then you know the entire plot of Scary Movie. That's okay, though, because this is a parody, and it helps to know the story in order to be able to get the jokes. No, the biggest surprise here is not the story as much as the amount of full-frontal male nudity. Really, in addition to all the dick jokes (and the ass jokes and fart jokes), there's a couple of shots of the male member, one of which is erect and used as a weapon. Scary Movie somehow ended up with an R rating, which in a sense is groundbreaking; perhaps our ratings board is loosening up after all.&newline;&newline;But is it funny? That's the most important question, and the answer to that is yes. In the vein of Airplane!, with a dash of the Farrelly brothers, Scary Movie keeps throwing jokes at you one after another. The law of averages says some of them have to hit, and enough of them do to keep the movie entertaining. Unlike the makers of Airplane!, however, the Wayans brothers aren't making this movie out of a love of the genre, and unlike the Farrelly brothers, they don't make fun of retarded people with any sort of respect, so the humor throughout feels a lot uglier. Still, there are enough funny scenes in Scary Movie to make the viewing experience worthwhile. Special credit must go to Lochlyn Munro as Greg, the over-the-top jock, who steals the movie up until the time he's gotta die.--Andy Spletzer Amazon
The Princess Bride Elwes, Cary Patinkin, Mandy Andre the Giant Kane, Carol Shawn, Wallace Crystal, Billy Wright, Robin Smith, Mel Falk, Peter Patinkin, Mandy Reiner, Rob Goldman, William Biddle, Adrian Knopfler, Mark Leighton, Robert 27616806420 DVD Mgm/Ua Studios 18-Jul-00 PG Y Y Stereo Color 102Minutes 1 Comedy : General N $7.44 Amazon.com essential video&newline;Screenwriter William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride earned its own loyal audience on the strength of its narrative voice and its gently satirical, hyperbolic spin on swashbuckled adventure that seemed almost purely literary. For all its derring-do and vivid over-the-top characters, the book's joy was dictated as much by the deadpan tone of its narrator and a winking acknowledgement of the clichés being sent up. Miraculously, director Rob Reiner and Goldman himself managed to visualize this romantic fable while keeping that external voice largely intact: using a storytelling framework, avuncular Grandpa (Peter Falk) gradually seduces his skeptical grandson (Fred Savage) into the absurd, irresistible melodrama of the title story. &newline;&newline;And what a story: a lowly stable boy, Westley (Cary Elwes), pledges his love to the beautiful Buttercup (Robin Wright), only to be abducted and reportedly killed by pirates while Buttercup is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck. Even as Buttercup herself is kidnapped by a giant, a scheming criminal mastermind, and a master Spanish swordsman, a mysterious masked pirate (could it be Westley?) follows in pursuit. As they sail toward the Cliffs of Insanity... Amazon
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Jones, Simon Dixon, David Jones, Simon Morris, Gil Davey, Mark Wing Dickinson, Sandra Bell, Alan J.W. Adams, Douglas 794051161727 DVD BBC Video 30-Apr-02 NR N N Stereo Color 180 minutes 1 Comedy : Satire N $28.68 Amazon.com&newline;The production values aren't the greatest here, but this adaptation does capture some of the ebullient, hilarious anarchy of Douglas Adams's book. Arthur Dent discovers that his friend, Ford Prefect, isn't human at all but an alien on assignment, writing for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Many of Adams's delicious asides are dropped off here, like the woman who figures out the meaning of life right at the moment that she gets blown up with the rest of the Earth, but it retains what it can. Sure, the book was better, and the realization of Zaphod Beeblebox and Trillian are, well, just different, but it's a great introduction to the series for the uninitiated. --Keith Simanton --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. &newline;&newline;DVD features &newline;A suitably eclectic, if not to say eccentric, collection of extra features makes this a wholly satisfying two-DVD set. On the second disc there's an hour-long &doublequote;making of&doublequote; documentary from 1992 featuring contributions from the cast and crew, including Douglas Adams; and then there's even more in a 25-minute section entitled &doublequote;Don't Panic!&doublequote; A fascinating behind-the-scenes peek at filming as the clock runs on studio time and a look at the recording of the original radio series complete the first... read more &newline;&newline;Description&newline;With the galaxy's best-selling tour guide and a good towel, earthling Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect (actually from planet Betelgeuse) are transported, among other places, to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and back to the beginning of time. Amazon
Finding Nemo Brooks, Albert DeGeneres, Ellen Pendleton, Austin Ratzenberger, John Humphries, Barry Brooks, Albert Dafoe, Willem Root, Stephen Janney, Allison Rush, Geoffrey Stanton, Andrew Stanton, Andrew Newman, Thomas 786936215595 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 11/4/2003 G (MPAA) N N Mono Color Buena Vista Home Video 1 Disney Home Video : All Disney Titles N $22.99 FINDING NEMO, directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich, follows Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks), an overprotective clown fish father, as he desperately searches the sea for his missing son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). Marlin's journey leads him beyond the Great Barrier Reef into deeper and darker waters, where he meets Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a forgetful yet optimistic blue tang, and a number of not-so-friendly--and often very hungry--aquatic creatures. Meanwhile, little Nemo finds himself in a dentist's fish tank in Syndey, Australia, along with other underwater captives, including Gill (Willem Dafoe), the group's scarred Moorish idol leader. As Nemo works with his new friends on a plan to escape their tank, Marlin and Dory swim closer, but they'll need more than just fins to get into the dentist's office.&newline;&newline;This fifth computer-animated outing by Pixar continues the company's remarkable winning streak that began with TOY STORY. Like other Pixar films, FINDING NEMO features a story with heart--this time, a father-and-son tale--and thoroughly charming leads--in this case, Marlin, Nemo, and Dory. And, of course, there's an army of fascinating supporting characters, including Bruce (Barry Humphries), a great white shark on a no-fish diet; Crush (director/screenwriter Stanton), a surfer-dude sea turtle; Peach (Allison Janney), a stuck-to-the-aquarium starfish; and Nigel (Geoffrey Rush), a bold pelican. However, what truly distinguishes NEMO from even its CGI cousins is its stunning depiction of aquatic life, from the colorful creatures on a coral reef to a blue whale on the vast expanse of the open ocean. By combining the aesthetic of a National Geographic marine life documentary with clever jokes and Hitchcock references, NEMO succeeds in its bid to up the ante for animated films yet again. And be sure to watch the credits or you just might miss something!&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: May 30, 2003 Tower Records
Sleeping Beauty (Spec Ed) Costa, Mary Shirley, Bill Geronimi, Clyde Penner, Erdman Brewer, Roy M. 786936213645 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 9/9/2003 1 G (MPAA) N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 75 1 Disney Home Video : All Disney Titles N $25.99 A beautiful princess born in a faraway kingdom is destined by a terrible curse to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep which can only be awakened by true love's first kiss. This classic makes wondrous use of Tchaikovsky's same-titled ballet score. Academy Award Nominations: Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: 1959.&newline;&newline;Rereleased 1970, 1979, and 1986.&newline;&newline;SLEEPING BEAUTY is the 16th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures. Tower Records
Treasure Planet Rzeznik, John Short, Martin Short, Martin Browne, Roscoe Lee McGoohan, Patrick Metcalf, Laurie Wincott, Michael Gordon-Levitt, Joseph Pierce, David Hyde Majors, Austin Clements, Ron Levine, Sam Howard, James Newton 786936200027 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 4/29/2003 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 95 1 Disney Home Video : All Disney Titles N $26.99 In this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's TREASURE ISLAND, Disney presents a fantastic space adventure. Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a teenage boy with a taste for adventure who seems to always be in trouble, much to the chagrin of his hardworking mother (Laurie Metcalf). But when he comes into possession of a high-tech map leading to Treasure Planet where an ancient cache of jewels and gold lies buried, it's like a dream come true. His mother's friend Doctor Doppler (David Hyde Pierce) arranges for a ship, and the two set sail, traversing the universe on course for the treasure. Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson), a domineering feline, is in charge of a rough-and-tumble crew of odd creatures, who may have their own designs on the treasure. Jim is placed under the supervision of John Silver (Brian Murray), the cook, who is both his father figure and his adversary. Slowly but surely the ship makes its way toward its destination, as Jim comes of age, learning to follow his heart, do what's right, and be a leader.&newline;&newline;With stunning computer animation that combines both space and sea elements, TREASURE PLANET called upon the skills of 350 artists, animators, and technicians. The result is dazzling, colorful, and fast-moving, with some very realistic-looking creatures including variations on spiders, robots, and whales.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 27, 2002 Tower Records
African Treasures - Kilimanjaro, Jane Goodall's Wild Wild Chimpanzees, Africa: The Serengeti 17078607420 DVD C.A.V. Distribution 10-Aug-04 NR N Y Stereo Color 1 Documentary : General N $31.46 Amazon
Space Age Stewart, Patrick 82551740222 DVD Simitar Video 2-Jun-98 NR N N Stereo Color 1 Documentary : General N $7.49 Amazon
Step Into Liquid Beachley, Layne (II), Dan Malloy (II), Dana Brown DVD Lionsgate/Fox 20-Apr-04 PG Y N Dolby Color 1 Documentary : General N $14.99 Amazon.com&newline;Thanks to Dana Brown's delightful Step Into Liquid, the surfing scene in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, should get a healthy boost. That's because Brown, in the tradition of his father, filmmaker Bruce Brown (The Endless Summer), has captured dazzling images of surfers riding curls in some of the world's most exotic--and sometimes unlikely--places. Besides the action on Lake Michigan, Brown leads us to Costa Rica, where the sport's senior elite (including Summer star Robert August) prove they still have the moves, and Oahu's North Shore, where the legendary Pipeline inspires this quote: &doublequote;It's so scary, maybe you die a little.&doublequote; Most entertaining is a segment in County Donegal, where the American Malloy brothers startle the locals and meet their Irish counterparts on the grayest ocean imaginable. Great personal stories here, including the tale of Northern California's Dale Webster, who has never missed a day on the waves in 30 years. --Tom Keogh Amazon
Super Speedway (Large Format) Newman, Paul Low, Stephen Kitzanuk, Andrew Lahti, James 14381462227 DVD Image Entertainment 2-Sep-98 NR Y N Dolby Color 50 minutes 1 Documentary : General N $6.75 Amazon.com essential video&newline;One of the best directors of IMAX films, Stephen Low (Titanica) has always been a race fan. After obtaining permission from CART, a governing body of Indy car racing and Newman/Haas racing (a Championship team co-owned by Paul Newman), Low found his stars for Super Speedway: the racing Andrettis, father Mario and son Michael. Mounting cameras fore and aft on the Andrettis' cars, IMAX offers a better vantage point than an ESPN camera, at a superior grade of clarity. Add to that the excellent sound and you can &doublequote;feel&doublequote; the bumps on the asphalt as the cars zoom in and out of corners. The large format can turn a pit stop into a dramatic 12 seconds as we see the driver's eyes dart away from his cockpit for a few brief seconds. We watch Michael Andretti on oval tracks and exciting road courses going over hills and sharp turns. There's even a spin--probably staged--from an angle we've never seen before. &newline;&newline;Although true race conditions were impossible (the camera is just too bulky), Low sneakily edits his film to stretch the imagination. On race day, several Indy cars drove alongside the camera car hours before the main event, passing and drafting each other with crowds whizzing past them. When edited with footage of the race, it feels like the real thing. Low takes a few off-beat choices in setting up his story. The first image is the biggest chicken you've ever seen. The last shot is a '50s car (lovingly restored during the film) racing through perfect golden foliage on an autumn day. It gives his movie of modern technology a wonderful sense of nostalgia. --Doug Thomas &newline;&newline;Description&newline;Super Speedway delves into the death-defying drama of Indy car racing and weaves together the stories of the masters of the high-speed track. &doublequote;Super Speedway&doublequote; puts you in the cockpit of the car at mind-bending speeds in excess of 230 miles per hour, capturing a unique experience that has until now been the exclusive domain of a tiny handful of professional drivers. Amazon
When We Were Kings Ali, Muhammad Foreman, George Foreman, George Plimpton, George Mailer, Norman Gast, Leon 44004584722 DVD Usa Films 14-Sep-99 PG Y Y Dolby Color 94 minutes 1 Documentary : General N $19.99 Amazon.com essential video&newline;Decades ago, documentary filmmaker Leon Gast attempted to complete a feature about the 1974 &doublequote;Rumble in the Jungle&doublequote; championship bout between boxers Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Sundry complications, though, held up the project until its release in 1996. It was well worth the delay. From Gast's perspective of modern history, the six weeks Ali and Foreman were forced to spend waiting in Africa for their fight to take place now looks like an important moment in America's cultural understanding of African American roots. In a nutshell, Ali had been stripped of his heavyweight champion title because his opposition to the Vietnam War-era draft had landed him in prison. Reigning champ Foreman agreed to a Don King-promoted match in Kinshasa, but after all parties got there the fight was put off. Gast captures the charismatic Ali, in the ensuing days and weeks, going out among the people and getting to know them while the more reclusive Foreman keeps to his own company. Meanwhile, King brings over black American artists such as James Brown and the Spinners to mix it up with African musicians. The sense of excitement and connection is thrilling, as is the boxing footage of Foreman and Ali finally taking swings at one another in a titanic duel. Writers George Plimpton and Norman Mailer, each of whom was covering the fight as journalists, are on hand to recollect the details. Whether you're a fight fan or not, this is a unique experience and a fascinating insight into America's sense of identity. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. Amazon
A Clockwork Orange Magee, Patrick Corri, Adrienne Morris, Aubrey Marcus, James Clive, John Bates, Michael McDowell, Malcolm Clarke, Warren Prowse, David Duering, Carl Kubrick, Stanley Kubrick, Stanley Alcott, John Carlos, Walter Butler, Bill 85391736721 DVD Warner Home Video 6/29/1999 R (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 137 1 Drama : General N $10.00 From its opening shot of Malcolm McDowell staring with evil intent directly into the camera (which pulls back to reveal him drinking a glass of milk), Stanley Kubrick's brilliant CLOCKWORK ORANGE announces itself as a completely new kind of viewing experience. Banned in Britain for decades, the film, set in an unidentified future, overwhelms the senses with its almost comic depictions of rape and violence set to an upbeat classical and pop music score; its magnificent, colorful, futuristic set designs; and its utter determination to shock, frighten, and thoroughly entertain its audience. Kubrick based his chilling masterpiece on Anthony Burgess's culture-shaking novel about a young man, growing into adulthood, who has a bit of a problem with authority figures. (Interestingly, Burgess's stunning piece of fiction contains 21 chapters, but Kubrick ends his film after chapter 20.) When Alex (a career-defining performance by McDowell) and his droogs go out for a little bit of the old ultraviolence, he is caught and forced to undergo controversial treatment that will make it impossible for him to commit violent acts--but has severe side effects. Kubrick's film purposely confuses crime and punishment, cause and effect, hero and villain, irony and satire, filled with oxymoron and paradox, taking on science, politics, societal mores, education, sexual awakening, and parental responsibility all in a new language (both verbal and visual) that would change the cinema forever. No one who has seen it has ever been able to hear &doublequote;Singin' in the Rain&doublequote; or Ludwig van again in quite the same way.&newline;&newline;Kubrick's acclaimed but controversial film is discussed by lead actor Malcolm McDowell, film historian William Everson, and Anthony Burgess, author of the book upon which the film is based.&newline;&newline;A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, based on the prescient novel by Anthony Burgess, is director Stanley Kubrick's masterful satire on crime and punishment in an ultraviolent future.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie and Dim. And we sat in the Korova Milkbar, trying to make up our razudoks what to do with the evening.&doublequote;--Alex (Malcolm McDowell), the &doublequote;humble narrator&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: February 9, 1972 Tower Records
Chronicles Of Narnia Dempsey, Richard Perry, Jeffrey Scott, Jonathan Wilcox, Sophie Thwaites, David Baker, Tom Kellerman, Barbara Cook, Sophie Power, Carmilla Henders, Richard Kirby, Alex Mason, John Townsend, Chris Burgon, Geoffrey 37429171127 DVD Home Vision 8/27/2002 Not Rated N N Mono Color 511 1 Drama : General N $52.49 Four children stumble upon magical lands behind the doors of a wardrobe--a world of talking animals, evil witches, and a good and mysterious lion who can save them all. This BBC production includes &doublequote;The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,&doublequote; &doublequote;Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader,&doublequote; and &doublequote;The Silver Chair.&doublequote; Tower Records
Gone with the Wind Leigh, Vivien Fleming, Victor Mitchell, Margaret Rennahan, Ray 12569500921 DVD Warner Studios 3-Feb-04 G N Y Stereo Color 222 minutes 1 Drama : General N $16.38 Amazon.com essential video&newline;David O. Selznick wanted Gone with the Wind to be somehow more than a movie, a film that would broaden the very idea of what a film could be and do and look like. In many respects he got what he worked so hard to achieve in this 1939 epic (and all-time box-office champ in terms of tickets sold), and in some respects he fell far short of the goal. While the first half of this Civil War drama is taut and suspenseful and nostalgic, the second is ramshackle and arbitrary. But there's no question that the film is an enormous achievement in terms of its every resource--art direction, color, sound, cinematography--being pushed to new limits for the greater glory of telling an American story as fully as possible. Vivien Leigh is still magnificently narcissistic, Olivia de Havilland angelic and lovely, Leslie Howard reckless and aristocratic. As for Clark Gable: we're talking one of the most vital, masculine performances ever committed to film. --Tom Keogh --This text refers to the  VHS Tape edition. &newline;&newline;Description&newline;Vivien Leigh is Scarlett to Clark Gable's Rhett in cinema's greatest epic of passion and adventure. With its immortal cast, magnificent cinematography and sweeping score, this cherished classic continues to thrill audiences today. Year: 1939 Amazon
Saving Private Ryan Hanks, Tom Damon, Matt Davies, Jeremy Ribisi, Giovanni Burns, Edward Pepper, Barry Goldberg, Adam Damon, Matt Danson, Ted Diesel, Vin Spielberg, Steven Rodat, Robert Kaminski, Janusz Williams, John /  Williams, Johnny /  Williams, John Towner Kahn, Michael 667068443325 DVD Dreamworks Skg 2-Nov-99 R Y Y Dolby Color 169 minutes 1 Drama : General N $16.39 Amazon.com essential video&newline;When Steven Spielberg was an adolescent, his first home movie was a backyard war film. When he toured Europe with Duel in his 20s, he saw old men crumble in front of headstones at Omaha Beach. That image became the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan, his film of a mission following the D-day invasion that many have called the most realistic--and maybe the best--war film ever. With 1998 production standards, Spielberg has been able to create a stunning, unparalleled view of war as hell. We are at Omaha Beach as troops are slaughtered by Germans yet overcome the almost insurmountable odds. &newline;&newline;A stalwart Tom Hanks plays Captain Miller, a soldier's soldier, who takes a small band of troops behind enemy lines to retrieve a private whose three brothers have recently been killed in action. It's a public relations move for the Army, but it has historical precedent dating back to the Civil War. Some critics of the film have labeled the central characters stereotypes. If that is so, this movie gives stereotypes a good name: Tom Sizemore as the deft sergeant, Edward Burns as the hotheaded Private Reiben, Barry Pepper as the religious sniper, Adam Goldberg as the lone Jew, Vin Diesel as the oversize Private Caparzo, Giovanni Ribisi as the soulful medic, and Jeremy Davies, who as a meek corporal gives the film its most memorable performance. &newline;&newline;The movie is as heavy and realistic as Spielberg's Oscar-winning Schindler's List, but it's more kinetic. Spielberg and his ace technicians (the film won five Oscars: editing (Michael Kahn), cinematography (Janusz Kaminski), sound, sound effects, and directing) deliver battle sequences that wash over the eyes and hit the gut. The violence is extreme but never gratuitous. The final battle, a dizzying display of gusto, empathy, and chaos, leads to a profound repose. Saving Private Ryan touches us deeper than Schindler because it succinctly links the past with how we should feel today. It's the film Spielberg was destined to make. --Doug Thomas &newline;&newline;DVD features&newline;This &doublequote;special edition&doublequote; contains the 25-minute featurette Into the Breach. Besides interviews with the film's actors, there are interviews with D-day veterans and World War II historian Stephen Ambrose. Real D-day footage is edited together with scenes from the film that have been changed to black and white. The highlight is a glimpse of Steven Spielberg's early films. Using his dad's camera and his friends, the teenage Spielberg made two relatively impressive short war films, Escape to... read more Amazon
Standing In The Shadows of Motown Ashford, Jack Hunter, Joe Justman, Paul DVD ARTISAN ENTERTAINMENT 21-Oct-03 PG Y Y DTS Surround Sound Color 1 Drama : General N $9.98 Amazon.com&newline;Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a must-see film for any fan of the Supremes, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, or any other classic Motown stars. This swinging documentary celebrates the Funk Brothers--the team of studio musicians who powered dozens and dozens of hit Motown songs--by combining reminiscences, reenactments, and clips from a recent concert put on by the Funk Brothers, featuring singers like Chaka Khan, Ben Harper, and Joan Osborne on classic tunes like &doublequote;What's Going On,&doublequote; &doublequote;Ain't Too Proud to Beg,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Heatwave.&doublequote; This crafty gang of elderly musicians will charm your pants off with a slew of entertaining anecdotes. Though it seems that there's a lot of dirt they're declining to dish, the movie deftly outlines the history of Motown, surely the most significant music label in American history--the label that turned segregated &doublequote;race music&doublequote; into chart-topping success. A soulful delight. --Bret Fetzer --This text refers to the  Theatrical Release edition. &newline;&newline;Description&newline;Detroit, Michigan, 1959. Berry Gordy gathers the best musicians from the city's thriving jazz and blues scene for his new record company: Motown. For the next 14 years these players are the heartbeat on &doublequote;My Girl,&doublequote; &doublequote;Baby Love,&doublequote; &doublequote;Ooo Baby Baby,&doublequote; &doublequote;Bernadette,&doublequote; &doublequote;I Was Made To Love Her,&doublequote; &doublequote;I Heard It Through The Grapevine,&doublequote; &doublequote;Dancing In The Street,&doublequote; and every other hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, the unheralded group of musicians plays on more Number One hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles combined, making them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They call themselves the Funk Brothers. But no one knows their names...this is their story. Amazon
The Green Mile Hanks, Tom Duncan, Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Clarke Greene, Graham Hutchison, Doug Hutchinson, Doug Sinise, Gary Morse, David Sadler, William Stanton, Harry Dean Darabont, Frank Darabont, Frank /  King, Stephen Tattersall, David Newman, Thomas Francis-Bruce, Richard 53939257922 DVD Warner Home Video 14-Sep-04 R Y Y Dolby Color 189 minutes 1 Drama : General N $14.99 Amazon.com&newline;&doublequote;The book was better&doublequote; has been the complaint of many a reader since the invention of movies. Frank Darabont's second adaptation of a Stephen King prison drama (The Shawshank Redemption was the first) is a very faithful adaptation of King's serial novel. In the middle of the Depression, Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) runs death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary. Into this dreary world walks a mammoth prisoner, John Coffey (Michael Duncan) who, very slowly, reveals a special gift that will change the men working and dying (in the electric chair, masterfully and grippingly staged) on the mile . As with King's book, Darabont takes plenty of time to show us Edgecomb's world before delving into John Coffey's mystery. With Darabont's superior storytelling abilities, his touch for perfect casting, and a leisurely 188-minute running time, his movie brings to life nearly every character and scene from the novel. Darabont even improves the novel's two endings, creating a more emotionally satisfying experience. The running time may try patience, but those who want a story, as opposed to quick-fix entertainment, will be rewarded by this finely tailored tale. --Doug Thomas Amazon
The Lathe of Heaven Davison, Bruce Conway, Kevin Avery, Margaret Loxton, David R. 767685946732 DVD NEW VIDEO GROUP 29-Aug-00 PG N N Stereo Color 100 minutes 1 Drama : General N $22.46 Amazon.com&newline;&doublequote;Antwerp!&doublequote; For science fiction fans, the long-awaited VHS and DVD release of The Lathe of Heaven is a dream come true. This haunting adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin's genre-classic novel was broadcast but once on PBS in 1980 before rights and other legal snafus relegated it to the archives. Reportedly PBS's most requested program, the made-for-TV film was at last rebroadcast in 2000. Set in Portland, Oregon, in the near future, The Lathe of Heaven stars Bruce Davison as George Orr, who, to put it mildly, has a dream problem. Not only do his dreams come true, but they &doublequote;change reality back to the Stone Age.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Kevin Conway costars as Dr. Haber, a dream specialist who instantly recognizes George's gift and tries to harness it to make the whole world right. But, as George notes, &doublequote;Unlimited power means unlimited danger.&doublequote; The increasingly megalomaniacal Haber uses George to try to cure the world's ills, from overpopulation to war, resulting in, for starters, a devastating plague and even alien invasion.&newline;&newline;Many in this production went on to projects familiar to audiences: Cowriter Diane English went on to create TV's Murphy Brown; Scott Rudin, credited with &doublequote;Principle Casting,&doublequote; is now one of Hollywood's most formidable producers; Margaret Avery, who costars as a skeptical lawyer who comes to believe George's incredible tale, was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in The Color Purple. For those who have only been able to see this now-legendary production on poor-quality bootleg tapes, this release will be sheer heaven. The DVD contains an interview with Le Guin conducted by Bill Moyers. --Donald Liebenson &newline;&newline;Description&newline;This futuristic science-fiction film set in Portland, Oregon was written by Roger E. Swaybill and Diane English, and is based on a novel by Ursula K. Le Guin. A young man believes he has dreams that influence reality, though only he is aware of the resulting changes. He goes to a dream therapist who uses a new device to manipulate his dreams. When the doctor begins to manipulate the patient's dreams for his own purposes, the patient resists but finds he cannot stop him. The doctor's posthypnotic suggestions have unintended, temporary effects, including the destruction of mankind and alien invasions. Amazon
The Waiting Time Orme, Stuart 66805300622 DVD Bfs Entertainment/Mu 5-Aug-03 NR N N Stereo Color 1 Drama : General N $17.98 Amazon
Inspector Morse-Last Seen Wearing Whately, Kevin McEnery, Peter Woodthorpe, Peter Thaw, John Bertish, Suzanne Sawalha, Julia Houston, Glyn Tomelty, Frances Hurley, Elizabeth Bennett, Edward Ellice, Thomas 66805915352 DVD BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited 1/30/2001 Not Rated N N Mono Color 102 1 Drama : Murder & Mayhem N $17.99 When a young schoolgirl from a wealthy family disappears, Morse is convinced she has been murdered, despite the lack of any hard evidence. Before long Morse uncovers some dark secrets at the girl's school, and the killer may strike again. Tower Records
Inspector Morse-Remorseful Day Grout, James Holman, Clare Whately, Kevin Thaw, John Freeman, Paul McKenna, T.P. Gold, Jack Churchett, Stephen 66805300752 DVD BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited 1/30/2001 Not Rated N N Mono Color 150 1 Drama : Murder & Mayhem N $22.49 The popular and long-running INSPECTOR MORSE series comes to and end with this, an adaptation of author Colin Dexter's final novel. When a housewife is brutally murdered, Morse's superior decides the detective is not up to the case. A year later, new evidence comes into light and Morse comes back to learn the truth, but his health may still be a cause of concern. The DVD release includes the bonus featurette &doublequote;The Last Morse&doublequote;, featuring interviews and clips. Tower Records
A.I. Artificial Intelligence Thomas, Jake Law, Jude O'Connor, Frances Scott, Adam Robards, Sam Morris, Kathryn Gleeson, Brendan Hurt, William Osment, Haley Joel Campbell, Keith Spielberg, Steven Spielberg, Steven Kaminski, Janusz Williams, John Kahn, Michael 667068956726 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 1/6/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Processed Color 145 1 Dramas N $14.99 A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE is the story of David (Haley Joel Osment), the first mecha (a futuristic term for a mechanized human being) designed with the ability to love. A couple whose son is in a coma &doublequote;adopts&doublequote; David to help them recover from their loss. Naturally, things do not go as planned, and David is forced to leave the mother (Frances O'Connor) he's been &doublequote;imprinted&doublequote; to love, and make his way in the world. Traveling with Teddy, a hi-tech stuffed bear, David escapes the Flesh Fair, where angry humans destroy mechas to &doublequote;purge artificiality,&doublequote; and unexpectedly befriends Gigolo Joe (Jude Law in a wry performance), a robot designed to pleasure women. Joe agrees to help David in his quest to become human.&newline;&newline;Director Stanley Kubrick originally developed A.I., at one point asking Spielberg to direct it. When Kubrick passed away, Spielberg took the reins. Using a treatment and thousands of drawings commissioned by Kubrick, Spielberg wrote his own screenplay (his first since 1979's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND). Osment, perhaps the only pre-teen actor who can effectively convey existential angst, gives a marvelous performance, helping Spielberg create a gorgeous futuristic fairy tale that questions the very nature of what we call life.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 29, 2001. Tower Records
Ali Smith, Will Voight, Jon Smith, Jada Pinkett Foxx, Jamie Williamson, Mykelti Silver, Ron Gaye, Nona Peebles, Mario Van Wright, Jeffrey Esposito, Giancarlo Mann, Michael Howard, Gregory Allen Mann, Michael Lubezki, Emmanuel Bourke, Pieter 43396066892 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 10/7/2003 R (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 157 1 Dramas N $11.24 Michael Mann's ALI manages to be an informative look at the career of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and an entertaining and moving portrait of the man. The action begins with the brash young Cassius Clay's surprising victory over Sonny Liston. The film depicts Clay's conversion to Islam, his partnership with &doublequote;Bundini&doublequote; Brown (Jamie Foxx in a wonderfully complex turn), his friendship with Howard Cosell (a transformed Jon Voight), his principled refusal to serve in the military during Vietnam, and his subsequent problems with the law and the boxing commission. The film concludes with Ali's battle with George Foreman in the &doublequote;Rumble in the Jungle.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Will Smith delivers a worthy performance, transforming his body, face, and voice to capture the spirit of the charismatic fighter. The work of the supporting cast is superb, including Smith's real-life wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Marvin Gaye's daughter, Nona Gaye, as the women in Ali's life. Mann brings the viewer in close to the boxing action, effectively depicting Ali's unique grace and quickness, and the violent frenzy of the sport. The film shows the familiar public figure of fights and press conferences, and also gives a glimpse of the quiet, thoughtful private life of Ali.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: DECEMBER 25, 2001 Tower Records
Apocalypse Now-Redux Sheen, Martin Duvall, Robert Forrest, Frederic Brando, Marlon Hopper, Dennis Bottoms, Sam Glenn, Scott Ford, Harrison Fishburne, Laurence Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola, Francis Ford Storaro, Vittorio Coppola, Carmine Marks, Richard 97360962949 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 12/27/2002 R (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 202 1 Dramas N $13.99 Set in 1969; Produced and released in 1979.&newline;&newline;Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam epic, loosely based on HEART OF DARKNESS by Joseph Conrad, tells the story of Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), a special agent sent into Cambodia to assassinate an errant American colonel (Marlon Brando). Willard is assigned to a navy patrol boat operated by Chief (Albert Hall) and three hapless soldiers (Frederic Forrest, Sam Bottoms, and Larry Fishburne). They are escorted on part of their journey by an air cavalry unit led by Lt. Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall), a gung-ho commander with a love of Wagner, surfing, and napalm. After witnessing a surreal USO show featuring Playboy playmates, and an anarchic battle with the Viet Cong, Willard reaches Colonel Kurtz's compound. A crazed photo journalist and Kurtz groupie (Dennis Hopper) welcomes the crew, and Willard begins to question his orders to &doublequote;terminate the colonel's command.&doublequote; Considered to be one of the best war movies of all time, APOCALYPSE NOW features incredible performances and beautifully chaotic visuals that make it a powerful, unforgettable work.&newline;&newline;Released in August 2001, APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX, a restored and updated version of the 1979 film, includes 49 minutes of never-before-seen footage, a Technicolor enhancement, and a six-channel soundtrack.&newline;&newline;Original theatrical release of APOCALYPSE NOW: August 15, 1979.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release of APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX: August 3, 2001.&newline;&newline;Filmed on location in the Philippines.&newline;&newline;APOCALYPSE NOW was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 2000.&newline;&newline;At the 2001 Cannes Film Festival, when Coppola screened his director's cut of the film, he said, &doublequote;The result is a film that is fifty-three minutes longer, and whose theme emerges more clearly. It is a more disturbing, sometimes funnier and more romantic film whose historical perspective has become more forceful.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;The grueling production and Coppola's insistence on authenticity in making APOCALYPSE NOW led to vast budget overruns, as well as physical and emotional breakdowns.&newline;&newline;The film shoot was only supposed to take six weeks but ended up lasting for 16 months because of numerous complications, including a typhoon that wrecked much of the set.&newline;&newline;APOCALYPSE NOW is number 28 on the American Film Insitute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.&newline;&newline;Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack during the strenuous shoot. Prior to this, Sheen had a drunken emotional breakdown while filming the improvised hotel room scene. When he shatters the mirror with his hand in that scene, both the glass and the blood are real.&newline;&newline;Director Francis Ford Coppola had a nervous breakdown during the filming and threatened to commit suicide numerous times.&newline;&newline;When the film's budget went sorely over budget, Coppola contributed millions of his own fortune, which he had earned by making THE GODFATHER and THE GODFATHER II.&newline;&newline;Coppola briefly appears in the film as a newsreel director.&newline;&newline;Harvey Keitel was originally cast as Willard. He was fired shortly after filming began and was replaced by Martin Sheen.&newline;&newline;Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, and Al Pacino were all considered for the role of Kurtz.&newline;&newline;A Francis Ford Coppola private joke: The name tags on the army shirts of the two men (G.D. Spradlin and Harrison Ford) giving Willard his assassination orders are R. Corman and Colonel G. Lucas, Coppola's two director buddies.&newline;&newline;Marlon Brando was supposed to lose weight for his role as Kurtz but instead arrived on the set distinctly overweight. The actor also hadn't memorized his lines and insisted on improvising most of them.&newline;&newline;Larry Fishburne was only 14 years old when he played the part of Mr. Clean.&newline;&newline;Sam Bottoms was on various drugs for much of the filming.&newline;&newline;Coppola's wife, Eleanor, documented the chaotic filming of APOCALYPSE NOW in the 1991 film HEARTS OF DARKNESS: A FILMMAKER'S APOCALYPSE.&newline;&newline;Orson Welles wanted to make a version of HEART OF DARKNESS in 1939. He got as far as storyboarding the film before abandoning the project for CITIZEN KANE.&newline;&newline;Tim Roth and John Malkovich starred in a made-for-televison version of HEART OF DARKNESS directed by Tower Records
Ben-Hur Hawkins, Jack Boyd, Stephen Harareet, Haya Griffith, Hugh Scott, Martha O'Donnell, Cathy Jaffe, Sam Currie, Finlay Thring, Frank Longdon, Terence Wyler, William Tunberg, Karl Surtees, Robert Rozsa, Miklos Dunning, John D. 12569550629 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2004 1 G (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 222 1 Dramas N $14.99 Anno Domini: the seventh year of Augustus Caesar's reign. In the Roman province of Judea, Jews return to the city of their birth for the census. A bright star in the night over Bethlehem marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Years later, Roman commander Messala (Stephen Boyd), who was brought up in Judea, takes command of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem. His Jewish boyhood friend Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) greets him. Messala is delighted. But when Judah refuses to name Jewish patriots, Messala sentences him to the slave galleys and imprisons his mother, Miriam (Martha Scott), and sister, Tirzah (Cathy O'Donnell). Judah vows revenge.&newline;&newline;In BEN-HUR, William Wyler's much-lauded epic, the story of Judah's search for his mother and sister and his quest for revenge intersects with crucial biblical events such as the Sermon on the Mount and the crucifixion. Wyler gets fine performances from Heston, Boyd, Jack Hawkins (as a Roman admiral who befriends Judah), and Hugh Griffith (as an Arab sheik who dreams of racing his beautiful white horses against Messala). Among BEN-HUR's vivid dramatic sequences are a violent sea battle and the famous chariot race that pits Judah against Messala in one of cinema's great action sequences.&newline;&newline;William Wyler's biblical epic is a production of unheard-of scale, exhibiting the work of literally tens of thousands of people. The film tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Judean prince who as a galley slave saves the life of a Roman nobleman, changing his life forever. The 1880 novel by Lew Wallace had previously been filmed to great acclaim in 1927 with Ramon Navarro.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 18, 1959.&newline;&newline;Shot on location in Fiuggia, Folliano, Nettuno, and Rome, Italy.&newline;&newline;Upon its release, it was the third longest movie and most expensive movie (at $16 million) ever made. It was a spectacular success at the box office, grossing almost five times its cost in its initial run and subsequently taking more than twice its cost in video rentals.&newline;&newline;On November 4, 1958, five months into the movie's seven-month-long shoot, BEN-HUR's producer Sam Zimbalist collapsed and died. Director William Wyler said, &doublequote;It was as if the roof had fallen in on me. I felt alone. I'd never felt alone with Sam around.&doublequote; The MGM studio executives asked Wyler to take over as producer as well as director of the mammoth undertaking.&newline;&newline;The script went through many hands. After Wyler read the first version by Karl Tunberg, the director said it was &doublequote;very primitive, elementary.&doublequote; He was still unhappy after the playwrights S. N. Behrman and Maxwell Anderson had worked on the dialogue. Novelist Gore Vidal was on hand for the first month and a half of location shooting; he contributed the idea of motivating the conflict between Messala and Judah--and providing a spine to the movie--by suggesting there was an emotional bond between Messala and Judah that was broken when Judah refused to help Messala against his countrymen. (Years later Vidal admitted that there were serious homosexual undertones to the relationship, a fact that the cast and crew purposely never discussed with Heston.) English playwright Christopher Fry was on location for the last six months of the shoot. He acted as dialogue doctor--providing the formality that suggested earlier times--and undertook overnight revisions of the script. Wyler wanted to add Fry's name to Tunberg's on the script. Fry suggested Vidal should be credited as well. But, after arbitration by the Writers Guild of America, Tunberg alone received credit.&newline;&newline;It is well known that the chariot race--which cost one million dollars alone--was created by second-unit directors Andrew Marton, Yakima Canutt, and Mario Soldati. It is less well known that the slave-galley action sequences were directed (uncredited) by Hollywood veteran Richard Thorpe (1896-1991). Thorpe made 180 movies in his long career, but it was the series of costume dramas that he made early in the 1950s--IVANHOE (1952, with Robert Taylor), THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (1952 with Stewart Granger), KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (1953, with Taylor), ALL THE BROTHER Tower Records
Bicentennial Man Davidtz, Embeth Platt, Oliver Higgins, John Michael Thigpen, Lynne Whitford, Bradley Eisenberg, Hallie Kate Williams, Robin Warren, Kiersten Neill, Sam Root, Stephen Columbus, Chris Kazan, Nicholas Meheux, Phil Horner, James Toth, Nicholas De 717951004888 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 5/6/2003 1 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 131 1 Dramas N $11.99 Andrew Martin (Williams) is a household android whose intended function is thrown for a loop when he begins to feel genuine human emotions. Over the next two centuries the resulting dealings with his adopted family and new acquaintances provide the film with ample opportunities to raise important questions about individual human existence, as Andrew seeks to become human. Based on the Isaac Asimov story of the same name. Tower Records
Bird Whitaker, Forest Verona, Diane David, Keith Zelniker, Michael Eastwood, Clint 85391182023 DVD Warner Home Video 1/30/2001 R (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 160 1 Dramas N $14.99 Charlie &doublequote;Bird&doublequote; Parker had been a hero of Clint Eastwood's since childhood, and Eastwood, having been disappointed in such jazz biopics as YOUNG MAN WITH A HORN, really wanted to make a true jazz fan's movie about the music. He cast Forest Whitaker as Parker, the legendary alto sax player, and Diane Venora as Chan, Parker's wife. The film shows how Parker, a genius who changed the face of modern music, was hampered and eventually destroyed by his appetite for women, food, and drugs. The two leads do a great job giving a recognizable human face to the characters' complex relationship. With wit and warmth, BIRD tells the story in direct and honest terms, avoiding all sentimentality. Eastwood's love of Parker's music comes across in the tremendous care that he and composer Lennie Niehaus took with reconstructing it, using Parker's original solos. Eastwood and cinematographer Jack N. Green also patterned the dark, moody look of the film after old photos of musicians who used to appear in jazz magazines. Music lovers will be thrilled with the result, and movie lovers will find plenty to engage them in this moving tale of a great man battling his demons.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: October 14, 1988.&newline;&newline;The film was shot in Kansas City and in Sacramento.&newline;&newline;Estimated budget: $9.5 million.&newline;&newline;Joel Oliansky's script was originally written with Richard Pryor in mind; this was when the project belonged to Columbia Pictures.&newline;&newline;Actor Damon Whitaker, who plays the young Charlie Parker, is Forest Whitaker's brother. BIRD is his feature-film debut.&newline;&newline;Diane Venora received the 1988 New York Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress.&newline;&newline;Clint Eastwood: &doublequote;As far as I'm concerned, Americans don't have any original art except Western movies and jazz.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Eastwood is an accomplished pianist who has played professionally, and he used to play the flugelhorn and coronet.&newline;&newline;The soundtrack features Charlie Parker's original solos. They were electronically isolated from the original recordings, and current jazz musicians were hired to play all the other parts--allowing the filmmakers to create a set of &doublequote;new&doublequote; Charlie Parker recordings 30 years after his death.&newline;&newline;Chan Parker wrote a book about her life and marriage called LIFE IN E-FLAT.&newline;&newline;Forest Whitaker was named Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival in 1988.&newline;&newline;Clint Eastwood won the Golden Globe for Best Director (Drama) for the film.&newline;&newline;At Clint Eastwood's suggestion, Warner Bros. made a trade with producer Ray Stark to secure the rights to Oliansky's script. Stark got the rights to a Jim Thompson story, which was eventually made into the film REVENGE, starring Kevin Costner.&newline;&newline;Samuel E. Wright, who plays Dizzy Gillespie, was the voice of Sebastian the crab in THE LITTLE MERMAID.&newline;&newline;The film gave special thanks to the Estate of Charlie Parker, Chan Parker, Red Rodney, Dizzy Gillespie, Leonard Feather, Nica de Koenigswater, and Buddy Jones.&newline;&newline;Director Clint Eastwood indulges his lifelong passion for jazz with this dark, brooding interpretation of the life of revolutionary bebop saxophonist Charlie &doublequote;Yardbird&doublequote; Parker. Starting with Parker's early years, when he used to sneak into Kansas City clubs to listen to Count Basie's band, the film moves through the many ups and downs of Parker's troubled but brilliant career--which ended all too soon. The doctor who examined Parker soon after his death estimated that the musician was somewhere between 50 and 60 years old; he was actually only 34 when he died. Tower Records
Black Hawk Down Sexton, Brendan Holt, Brian Van Giovinazzo, Carmine Hofheimer, Charlie Bana, Eric Murciano, Enrique Bremner, Ewen McGregor, Ewan Casseus, Gabriel Dancy, Hugh Scott, Ridley Nolan, Ken Idziak, Slawomir Zimmer, Hans Scalia, Pietro 43396067660 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 9/2/2003 1 R (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 144 1 Dramas N $17.99 On October 3, 1993, Army Rangers and members of the elite Delta Force participated in a covert operation in Mogadishu, Somalia that went horribly wrong. Sent to abduct two lieutenants of a vicious Somali warlord, the soldiers found themselves surrounded by hostile militia. Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down and many men lost their lives. Mark Bowden of the Philadelphia Inquirer told the story of the battle in his exhaustively researched, critically acclaimed book, BLACK HAWK DOWN, and filmmaker Ridley Scott (GLADIATOR) and screenwriter Ken Nolan have done an amazing job of bringing the dramatic story to the screen. Like Bowden's book, the film does not thoroughly examine the context of the conflict, but gives a detailed and intense blow-by-blow account of the fighting. The outstanding ensemble cast includes Josh Hartnett as a competent but nervous Ranger sergeant leading his first mission, Ewan McGregor as a &doublequote;desk jockey&doublequote; who excels when sent into combat, Eric Bana (THE INCREDIBLE HULK) as a cocky and enigmatic Delta, and Ron Eldard as a downed Black Hawk pilot. The violence of the film is brutal and nearly constant. Scott unflinchingly captures the chaos and mayhem of battle with tremendous visual finesse.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: DECEMBER 28, 2001 (NY/LA)&newline;&newline;JANUARY 18, 2002 (EXPANDS) Tower Records
Crossroads Macchio, Ralph Seneca, Joe Gertz, Jami Lipscomb, Dennis Hill, Walter Fusco, John 43396047983 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 8/10/2004 R (MPAA) N N Mono Color 99 1 Dramas N $18.74 A young musical prodigy studying at New York City's Julliard School becomes obsessed with the music of the Mississippi Delta, the blues. Intent on discovering fame and fortune as a blues guitar player, he seeks out the legendary bluesman, Willie Brown.&newline;&newline;Based on the legend of Robert Johnson. Tower Records
Divine Secrets Of The Ya-Ya Sisterhood Bullock, Sandra Judd, Ashley Burstyn, Ellen Smith, Maggie Flanagan, Fionnula Knight, Shirley MacFadyen, Angus Garner, James Jones, Cherry Settle, Matthew Khouri, Callie Andrus, Mark Bailey, John Mansfield, David 85392330829 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2004 1 PG-13 (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 114 1 Dramas N $12.99 Sidda Walker (Sandra Bullock), who is high on life--about to marry Connor (Angus MacFadyen) and flushed with success because her new play is about to open on Broadway--gives an unguarded interview to TIME Magazine. After reading the interview, Sidda's mother, Vivi (Ellen Burnstein), is so livid that she disowns Sidda, takes down her pictures, and refuses to attend her daughter's wedding. Trying to heal the rift between mother and daughter, Vivi's best friends, Caro (Maggie Smith), Teensy (Fionnula Flanagan), and Necie (Shirley Knight), go to New York, take Sidda to dinner, slip her a Mickey Finn, and spirit her off to Louisiana.&newline;&newline;First-time director Callie Khouri (writer of THELMA AND LOUISE) uses an intricate series of flashbacks to slowly reveal the DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, which is based on the book by Rebecca Wells. The flashbacks are triggered by a scrapbook that Caro, Teensy, and Necie show Sidda. The scrapbook chronicles the hopes, dreams and disappointments that they shared with Vivi. Standouts in the great cast are Ashley Judd, as the younger Vivi, and Maggie Smith as the feisty Caro. Tower Records
Enemy At The Gates Fiennes, Joseph Law, Jude Weisz, Rachel Perlman, Ron Hoskins, Bob Harris, Ed Annaud, Jean-Jacques Godard, Alain Fraisse, Robert Horner, James Boisson, Noelle 97363386247 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment 12/27/2002 R (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 131 1 Dramas N $14.99 September 1942. The German Army has advanced to the gates of Stalingrad. The Russian Army holds on desperately. It is so poorly equipped that every pair of soldiers is given a single rifle--the second man only gets the weapon when the first is cut down. Trapped in no man's land between the opposing armies, Russian recruit Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law) finally acquires a rifle from Political Officer Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). Danilov is astonished when Zaitsev picks off several German officers. On their return to the Russian lines, Danilov writes about Zaitsev's exploits in the army newspaper. Zaitsev is assigned to a sniper unit. He kills more German officers and, thanks to Danilov, becomes a hero. In retaliation, the Germans bring in sharpshooter Major König (Ed Harris) from Berlin--to hunt Zaitsev. The two snipers engage in a desperate duel, as the appalling Battle of Stalingrad rages.&newline;&newline;In ENEMY AT THE GATES, director Jean-Jacques Annaud uses a palate of dull greens, blues, and greys to tell the powerful, true story of Russian sniper Vassili Zaitsev. The film is distinguished by fine performances from Law, Fiennes, Rachel Weisz as a female soldier, and Bob Hoskins as Nikita Khrushchev--with Harris particularly notable as the chilly, aristocratic König.&newline;&newline;THEATRICAL RELEASE: March 16, 2001 Tower Records
Frequency Caviezel, James Quaid, Dennis Doyle, Shawn Emmerich, Noah Mitchell, Elizabeth Braugher, Andre Hoblit, Gregory Emmerich, Toby Kivilo, Alar Kamen, Michael Rosenbloom, David 794043505829 DVD Warner Home Video 2/4/2003 1 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 119 1 Dramas N $11.99 An inspiring, hopeful psychological thriller, FREQUENCY features two standout performances by Quaid (D.O.A.) and Caviezel (THE THIN RED LINE). Caviezel is John Sullivan, a 36-year-old police officer who has never quite gotten over the early death of his father, Frank (Quaid), a firefighter who lost his life while on the job. When John discovers that he has begun to miraculously communicate with his father over short wave radio, circa 1969, he tries to warn him of the impending disaster, changing history in the process.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: April 28, 2000 (national).&newline;&newline;Early in the movie, an episode of Hill Street Blues can be seen playing on a television; FREQUENCY director Gregory Hoblit won an Emmy as co-executive producer of that popular cop show.&newline;&newline;Brian Greene, who is seen in scenes from both 1969 and 1999, served as the physics consultant on the film.&newline;&newline;Former New York City detective Bill Clark served as a consultant on the movie; he has also served as a consultant on Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue.&newline;&newline;Brian Greene and Dick Cavett re-create an interview they did in 1969 so the interview can be seen both in the past and the present.&newline;&newline;Noah Emmerich, who plays Gordo, is the brother of Toby Emmerich, the screenwriter of FREQUENCY.&newline;&newline;The official movie Web site, frequencymovie.com, offered the services of bigfoot.com in order to help people find long-lost friends and relatives. Surfers could also attach a memento for inclusion in a time capsule that would be secured for 30 years.&newline;&newline;Jack Matthews of the New York Daily News named FREQUENCY one of the 10 best films of 2000.&newline;&newline;Garth Brooks and Jenny Yates were nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song--Motion Picture for &doublequote;When You Come Back to Me Again.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;As the Amazin' Mets compete in the 1969 World Series, John Sullivan, in October 1999, talks to his father, who has been dead for 30 years, over a ham radio, trying to rebuild a past that a tragic fire took away from him. Director Gregory Hoblit has fashioned a thrilling suspense film built around a time disturbance brought on by the reappearance of the aurora borealis over New York City. John Sullivan, a lonely, despondent cop, is suddenly given the ability to change his family's past--but not without consequence. Every change affects the future, each time denying John the dream of reuniting his family.&newline;&newline;Hoblit, a successful television director and producer (Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law) who made a splash with PRIMAL FEAR, never lets up the tension as changes made back in 1969 instantly alter what is happening in 1999. Echoing BACK TO THE FUTURE, John refers to a constantly changing photograph of his family to tell who is alive and who is dead, based on how he and his father have changed the past. The two time periods collide as John and Frank struggle to catch a killer--and to save their family. Tower Records
Miracle (WS) Emmerich, Noah Clarkson, Patricia Russell, Kurt Demsey, Patrick O'Brien West, Nathan Schneider, Billy Cahill, Eddie Peter-Kaiser, Eric Mantenuto, Michael Schneider, Billy O'Connor, Gavin Guggenheim, Eric Stoloff, Dan Isham, Mark 786936231939 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 5/18/2004 PG (MPAA) N N Mono Color 130 1 Dramas N $25.99 From Walt Disney Pictures comes MIRACLE, an inspiring family drama that combines hockey and history in retelling the story of one of sports' all-time greatest upsets. In 1980, amidst the tense political climate of the Cold War, Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) took over as coach of the U.S. Olympic hockey team. With the help of affable assistant coach Craig Patrick (Noah Emmerich), Brooks selected a group of twenty amateur hockey players who faced the daunting task of bringing respectability to their country's floundering program. While Brooks was well aware that his team lacked the talent and experience of the team from Russia, he nonetheless devoted his energy to realizing his lifelong dream: to coach a team to Olympic gold.&newline;&newline;Stepping into the gaudy wardrobe of the legendary Brooks (who was a consultant on the film and died in an automobile accident just after production wrapped), Russell delivers one of his finest performances to date. Surrounded by a cast of unknown young actors, Russell captures the complexities of a man who dared to dream the impossible dream. Director Gavin O'Connor and screenwriter Eric Guggenheim deftly balance the drama of the game itself with the larger political implications the game inspired, celebrating this truly miraculous moment in time.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: February 6, 2004 Tower Records
Miss Marple 02 Marple, Agatha Christie's Miss Christie, Agatha Christie, Agatha 733961703801 DVD New Video Group, Inc. 1/2/2002 1 Not Rated N N Mono Color 500 1 Dramas N $46.99 Agatha Christie's most beloved character, Miss Jane Marple, is a prim, somewhat dour but good-hearted old bird with a knack for solving complicated mysteries. This collector's set features 5 feature films which star Miss Marple investigating over 8 hours of whodunnits. Tower Records
Pulp Fiction Rhames, Ving Plummer, Amanda Roth, Tim Arquette, Rosanna Tarantino, Quentin Buscemi, Steve Jones, Angela Keitel, Harvey Travolta, John Jackson, Samuel L. Tarantino, Quentin Tarantino, Quentin Tarantino, Quentin Sekula, Andrzej Menke, Sally 717951000217 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 3/12/1998 R (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 154 1 Dramas N $16.44 Writer-director Quentin Tarantino revisits the seedier side of Los Angeles--following 1992's RESERVOIR DOGS--with this funny, violent, tongue-in-cheek tribute to the less &doublequote;classic&doublequote; side of filmmaking--the potboilers and capers, the Blaxploitation flicks and gangster movies. The film interweaves three tales, told in a circular, fractured manner, which only fully connect by the time the final credits roll. The first story focuses on Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), two hit men on duty for &doublequote;the big boss,&doublequote; Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames), whose gorgeous wife, Mia (Uma Thurman), takes a liking to Vincent. In the second, a down-and-out pugilist (Bruce Willis), who is ordered to take a fall, decides that there's more money in doing the opposite. The final chapter follows a pair of lovers (Amanda Plummer and Tim Roth) as they prepare to hold up a diner.&newline;&newline;Tarantino wears his cinematic influences proudly, bringing them to life in the ironically hip, self-referential 1990s. The result is a work that changed the face of independent cinema forever, making it a legitimate player in the Hollywood mainstream. The all-star cast steps into their roles with obvious glee, and Tarantino once again uses his soundtrack to up the &doublequote;cool&doublequote; ante yet another notch, making for a motion picture event that has worked its way into our national vernacular.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Oh, I'm sorry. Did I break your concentration?&doublequote;--Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) to a young, would-be victim (Frank Whaley) after firing a pistol near him&newline;&newline;Quentin Tarantino's blockbuster follow-up to RESERVOIR DOGS is a breathtaking tribute to old dime store novels about small time hoods and dangerous criminals, and a lot of what they do between jobs. It features deftly woven plotlines, creating a mythic Los Angeles underworld of drug dealers, molls, affable hitmen, restaurant-robbing lovers, and a boxer out to scam the mob on his last professional bout. This is the film that put John Travolta back on the map as a major box-office draw in the '90s and officially established Samuel L. Jackson as a superstar. It also inspired a seemingly endless slew of imitators.&newline;&newline;PULP FICTION is number 95 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.&newline;&newline;PULP FICTION grossed $9.3 million the first weekend it opened. It took $8 million to produce.&newline;&newline;The film shoot took approximately 500 days.&newline;&newline;Jack Rabbit Slim's took 75 people, nine weeks and $75,000 to build. The restaurant was based on diners in the movies SPEEDWAY, RED LINE 7000, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, and GREASE.&newline;&newline;Uma Thurman (Mia Wallace) is the daughter of the first American to be ordained a Buddhist monk. She was named after the Hindu bestower of blessings. Tower Records
Swordfish Berry, Halle Cheadle, Don Travolta, John Jones, Vinnie Jackman, Hugh Shepard, Sam Grenier, Zach Grimes, Camryn Travolta, Ann Travolta, Sam Sena, Dominic Woods, Skip Cameron, Paul Okenfold, Paul Rivkin, Stephen E. 85392132225 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2004 1 R (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 99 1 Dramas N $14.99 Star John Travolta revisits the grinning villain territory he explored in BROKEN ARROW and FACE/OFF with this stylish, supercharged techno-thriller. He plays Gabriel, a charismatic, fast-living mystery man who, with help from his right-hand woman, Ginger (Halle Berry), recruits ex-con and former master hacker Stan (Hugh Jackman) to aid in a plan to steal billions from a secret government bank account. Stan reluctantly agrees to help in order to finance the legal battle for custody of his young daughter (Camryn Grimes). Meanwhile an FBI computer crimes specialist (Don Cheadle) is determined to find out what's about to go down, and plans to use Stan to find out.&newline;&newline;The movie amply earns its keep by cleverly zig-zagging away from audience's expectations and delivering many clever, pulse-pounding action set pieces--including an incredible opening explosion, a car chase through downtown Los Angeles replete with blazing machine guns, and a spectacular airborne climax. With the help of a propulsive electronica score by DJ Paul Okenfold, director Dominic Sena (GONE IN 60 SECONDS) lays down lots of style, and Travolta is mesmerizing in his juicy role. Tower Records
The 39 Steps Carroll, Madeleine Mannheim, Lucie Ashcroft, Peggy Tearle, Godfrey Laurie, John Watson, Wylie Donat, Robert Haye, Helen Cellier, Frank Cellier, Frank Hitchcock, Alfred Bath, Hubert Twist, Derek 18111202237 DVD Delta Entertainment Corporation 9/28/1999 Not Rated N N Mono B&W 86 1 Dramas N $7.95 A classic British spy mystery, and one of Hitchcock's best, THE 39 STEPS is the story of an innocent man who struggles to prove his innocence. Robert Donat gets more than he bargained for when he brings home a mysterious woman who confesses to be a British agent on the hot trail of a dangerous spy ring. The woman is killed in Donat's apartment and he immediately finds himself on the run, burdened with the charge for her murder and the dangerous knowledge of her mission. The film is distinguished by its pioneering use of contrapuntal sound effects, as well as the dynamism between Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 1935&newline;&newline;Filmed in Sheperd's Bush, London, England.&newline;&newline;Hitch onscreen: Hitchcock plays a pedestrian passing a bus in front of a music hall.&newline;&newline;Novelist John Buchan, who played the Baron Tweedsmuir, was Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada at the time of the film's release.&newline;&newline;Director Alfred Hitchcock's wife, writer Alma Reville, did continuity.&newline;&newline;Some laserdisc editions of the film include a 20-minute documentary on Hitchcock's British films.&newline;&newline;The film was remade twice, once in 1959 with Kenneth More and Taina Elg and again in 1978 with Robert Powell and David Warner.&newline;&newline;Richard Hannay (Robert Donat) is a Canadian rancher on vacation in London who sees a vaudeville act at the Palladium in which Mr. Memory (Wylie Watson) draws on his photographic memory to answer questions posed by the audience. When a shot rings out in the theater a frightened young woman approaches Hannay and asks for his help. The woman claims that foreign spies who plan to smuggle valuable military secrets out of the country are after her, and when she herself is later killed, Hannay finds himself both framed as the man responsible for her death as well as the next potential victim of the spy ring. Traversing through rural Scotland, on the run from both the police and the spies, Hannay finds himself attached to a cool but reluctant blonde, and together they have to figure out the meaning of the woman's last words and bring down the spy ring before the precious military secrets are smuggled abroad. THE THIRTY NINE STEPS is the film that established Hitchcock as the master of the mystery spy-thriller.&newline;&newline;DVD Features: Tower Records
The Doors (WS/Ac-3) Ryan, Meg MacLachlan, Kyle Whaley, Frank Madsen, Michael Idol, Billy Quinlan, Kathleen Dillon, Kevin Kilmer, Val Wincott, Michael Rogers, Mimi Stone, Oliver Jahnson, Randall Richardson, Robert Doors, The 12236045106 DVD Artisan Entertainment 8/26/1997 R (MPAA) Y N Mono Color 138 1 Dramas N $7.95 Covers the period from 1965-1971; Produced and released in 1991.&newline;&newline;Val Kilmer stars as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's electrifying profile of the Doors, which takes the group from its inception to its demise with the death of the &doublequote;Lizard King&doublequote; in a Paris hotel room in 1971. In the early days of the group's formation, Morrison is at his most benign; he's just a guy hanging out at the beach writing poetry. But soon the Doors' fame begins to spread--with Morrison as the focus of attention. Capable of an eerily correct vocal imitation of Morrison, Kilmer makes manifest the talent and charisma, as well as the confusion and despair, of the complex man who was the focal point of the group. As Morrisson's drug consumption and erratic behavior increase exponentially, the rest of the band--Ray Manzarek (Kyle McLachalan), John Densmore (Kevin Dillon), and Robby Krieger (Frank Whaley)--begins to grow tired of his late arrivals, the increasing number of cancellations, and the drunken recording sessions requiring infinite retakes. But no one can help Morrison as he spirals downward into an inferno of drugs, alcohol, public obscenity, and depression, bringing the music to an untimely close.&newline;&newline;Stone's intimate familiarity with SoCal in the 1960s provides the film with a high degree of surface verisimilitude, though the film is as much a tribute to the enduring power of the Doors' music as it is a cautionary tale about the perils of both celebrity and substance abuse.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release date: March 1, 1991.&newline;&newline;Oliver Stone makes a cameo appearance as a UCLA film professor.&newline;&newline;Doors drummer John Densmore appears as a recording engineer.&newline;&newline;The rock group took their name from British author Aldous Huxley's book THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION.&newline;&newline;In 2000 the surviving band members teamed with a variety of singers to rerecord some of the Doors' biggest hits.&newline;&newline;In one scene of the film, Jim Morrison goes to a party at Andy Warhol's factory. Warhol is standing in front of a Roy Lichtenstein painting, and &doublequote;Heroin&doublequote; by Nico plays in the background.&newline;&newline;In the film, Morrison is depicted acting out at a Miami concert, where he shouts obscenities and makes lude gestures at the audience. Also in the film, when the band performs &doublequote;Light My Fire&doublequote; on the Ed Sullivan show, Morrison makes a point of singing the controversial lyric &doublequote;...girl we couldn't get much higher...&doublequote; Tower Records
The Last Samurai Spall, Timothy Cruise, Tom Watanabe, Ken Harada, Masato Connolly, Billy Goldwyn, Tony Sanada, Hiroyuki Sugata, Shun Koyuki Fukomoto, Seizo Zwick, Edward Herskovitz, Marshall Toll, John Zimmer, Hans 85392838325 DVD Warner Home Video 9/14/2004 R (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 144 1 Dramas N $13.99 Edward Zwick directs this sumptuously designed, action-packed period epic that stars Tom Cruise as Captain Nathan Algren. Algren, a former Civil War hero, is adrift in 1870s San Francisco after the war, a lost soul struggling to stay afloat in a booze-soaked stupor. When he is recruited by the Japanese government to train the Emperor's army, he departs for the unknown shores of Japan and begins training the soldiers in American military tactics. But these skills are useless against a band of samurai rebels led by the proud warrior Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), and Algren is easily defeated. He is taken to a remote samurai village where he learns samurai warrior codes and ways of life, developing a deep bond with Katsumoto and sharing philosophical conversations with him. Caught between the feudal culture of the ancient samurai warriors and the encroachment of modern society, Algren is forced to choose between his own culture or Katsumoto's. THE LAST SAMURAI is lavish in its dramatic period costumes and intense performances, and will thrill fans of both historical drama and action films.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: December 5, 2003 Tower Records
The Passion Of The Christ Shopov, Hristo Naumov Morgenstern, Maia Bellucci, Monica Sbragia, Mattia Gerini, Claudia Lionello, Luca Caviezel, James Celentano, Rosalinda Lionello, Luca Shopov, Hristo Naumov Gibson, Mel Gibson, Mel Deschanel, Caleb Debney, John 24543129752 DVD 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 8/31/2004 R (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 127 1 Dramas N $19.99 THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST depicts the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth (Jim Caviezel), beginning with his betrayal by Judas Iscariot (Luca Lionello) and ending with his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. Directed by Mel Gibson (BRAVEHEART)--who funded the film himself and co-wrote the screenplay--PASSION uses flashbacks to substantiate a handful of pertinent moments in Jesus' life and teachings, such as the Sermon on the Mount and the Last Supper, as well as his relationships with his mother and his disciples. Still, the drama focuses on the seemingly endless torture inflicted upon Jesus by Roman soldiers at the urging of the Jewish crowd that considers him a blasphemer, despite the attempts of a sympathetic Pontius Pilate (Hristo Naumov Shopov) to spare him from death. The faint of heart should be prepared for the brutal, barbaric beatings that Christ endures. Maia Morgenstern, Monica Bellucci, and Hristo Jivkov are touching as Mary, Magdalene, and John respectively, who are devastated by Jesus' fate yet aware that they can do nothing to change it. Performed in Aramaic and Latin with English subtitles, Gibson's labor of love is sure to prompt discussion and debate as to historical and Biblical fact.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release Date: February 25, 2004 Tower Records
The Patriot Gibson, Mel Ledger, Heath Brenner, Lisa Richardson, Joely Isaacs, Jason Karyo, Tcheky Wilkinson, Tom Cooper, Chris Auberjonois, Rene Symansky, Adam Emmerich, Roland Rodat, Robert Deschanel, Caleb Williams, John Brenner, David 43396057319 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 6/26/2001 R (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 165 1 Dramas N $14.99 Mel Gibson stars in this action-packed historical drama from the director of INDEPENDENCE DAY and GODZILLA. Gibson portrays Benjamin Martin, an unassuming South Carolina widower who is forced to join the American Revolution when the British threaten to take his farm away from him. Together with his patriotic son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), the pair faces the vicious Redcoats with a heroism that reflects the stubborn pride of a young country's most dedicated supporters. THE PATRIOT is a sweeping epic adventure that sheds light on America's past, and at the same time entertains audiences.&newline;&newline;In this Revolutionary War epic from director Roland Emmerich (INDEPENDENCE DAY, GODZILLA) and writer Robert Rodat (SAVING PRIVATE RYAN), history unfolds as one man struggles to bury his demons and keep his family whole. Mel Gibson plays reluctant hero Benjamin Martin, a man who fought with both heroism and brutality in the French and Indian War, but who is now seeking to peacefully tend his own fields and ignore the later and greater conflict. Despite Martin's scrupulous parenting, however, his idealistic son Gabriel (Heath Ledger) leaves home to join the colonial army.  Soon the war is literally on Martin's doorstep; a cruel British officer named Tavington (Jason Isaacs) kills one of his children and unwittingly galvanizes Martin, Gabriel, and a ragtag militia of locals into a fierce guerilla unit bent on revenge and liberty.&newline;&newline;THE PATRIOT is concerned with honor among soldiers, finding and losing love in the midst of chaos, and also with a tactical shift from open-field combat to the hide-and-fight strategies that would come into their own in modern warfare. The historical details are imaginative, to say the least, but the spectacle is what's really effective in bringing the fight for independence to life.&newline;&newline;To recreate South Carolina in 1776, the filmmakers shot on location at colonial-period sites in the state. Historic Brattonsville and Charleston were among the locations used.&newline;&newline;Gibson received $25 million for starring in the film.&newline;&newline;The character of Benjamin Martin is based on a composite of at least five historical figures, including Colonel Daniel Morgan; Francis Marion, &doublequote;The Swamp Fox&doublequote;; Elijah Clark; Thomas Sumter; and Andrew Pickens. Marion was from South Carolina, was famed for his guerilla tactics, and had a nephew named Gabriel. Colonel Burwell (Chris Cooper) is based on Lt. Colonel &doublequote;Lighthorse Harry&doublequote; Lee; Frenchman Jean Villeneuve (Tchéky Karyo) is loosely based on Baron Friedrich von Steuben, who trained Washington's troops; General Charles Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) is based on his real-life counterpart; and Colonel Tavington is based on Colonel Banastre Tarleton, nicknamed &doublequote;Bloody Ban the Butcher.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;The final battle in the film corresponds to the historical Battle of Cowpens. Tower Records
The Quiet Man O'Hara, Maureen Fitzgerald, Barry Wayne, John Bond, Ward Shields, Arthur McLaglen, Victor Natwick, Mildred Ford, Francis Ford, John Nugent, Frank S. Hoch, Winton C. Young, Victor Murray, Jack 17153125283 DVD Lion's Gate Films 12/30/2003 Not Rated N N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 129 1 Dramas N $14.99 One of John Ford's most cherished projects, THE QUIET MAN took years to finance but became one of his greatest box-office successes and an enduringly beloved classic. John Wayne stars as Sean Thornton, a retired American boxing champion trying to put tragedy behind him by returning to Innisfree, the bucolic Irish village of his birth. He purchases his birthplace from its current owner, enraging the wealthy and bellicose Red Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), who had designs on the property. On arriving at his cottage, Thornton finds it being swept out by Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara), a redheaded vision from whom he steals a not completely unwelcome kiss. After engaging in a subterfuge involving a horse race, some of the locals manage to get the disgruntled Red Will to allow his sister to be courted by the American. But the courtship ritual of the village is only the first of many local practices that the bewildered Thornton must endure if he is to have Mary Kate. Wayne gives a surprisingly nuanced performance as the fish out of water, and he is perfectly matched with the radiantly rambunctious O'Hara. The rest of the cast is splendid as well, and the lush color photography garnered an Academy Award for Winston Hoch. John Ford also won an Oscar for his directing, and it's impossible not to be charmed by the artistry with which he weaves his rollicking, robust tale.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Impetuous -- Homeric&doublequote; Barry Fitzgerald (Michaeleen Oge Flynn) after seeing the broken bridal bed in the Thornton home.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Here's a stick to beat the lovely lady.&doublequote; May Craig (village woman) as Sean Thornton drags his bride Mary Kate home.&newline;&newline;An American boxer retires to his native Ireland where he tames the town bully and a strong-willed woman.&newline;&newline;Shot in Technicolor.&newline;&newline;Additional cast members: Eileen Crowe (Mrs. Playfair), May Craig (Woman), Charles Fitzsimmons (Forbes), Sean McGlory (Owen Glynn), Joseph O'Dea (Guard), Kevin Lawless (Fireman), Paddy O'Donnell (Porter) and Web Overlander (Station Master).&newline;&newline;Francis Cugat was the Technicolor consultant.&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1&newline;&newline;Keep Case&newline;&newline;Full Frame - 1.33&newline;&newline;Audio:&newline;&newline;Dolby Digital Mono - English&newline;&newline;THX Mastered Audio&newline;&newline;Additional Release Material:&newline;&newline;Audio Commentary - 1. Maureen O'Hara - Star&newline;&newline;Documentary - 1. THE MAKING OF THE QUIET MAN - Leonard Maltin - Host&newline;&newline;2. THE JOY OF IRELAND - Maureen O'Hara - Host&newline;&newline;Featurette - 1. THE QUIET MAN MONTAGE&newline;&newline;Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer&newline;&newline;Interactive Features:&newline;&newline;Scene Access&newline;&newline;Interactive Menus Tower Records
The Right Stuff Glenn, Scott Harris, Ed Frank, Charles Shepard, Sam Shearer, Harry Ward, Fred Hershey, Barbara Goldblum, Jeff Kaufman, Philip Wolfe, Tom 85392449927 DVD Warner Home Video 6/10/2003 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 193 1 Dramas N $19.99 This epic chronicle of the seven pilots chosen to become astronauts for Project Mercury is based on the novel by Tom Wolfe. Deep in the desert during the 1950s, army test pilots courageously fought to break the sound barrier. These maverick men would stop at nothing to achieve winning speed. Led by their champion, Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard), they caroused at the local watering hole while sharing tales of extreme sport and bravery--until the Russians successfully sent their Sputnik satellite into the skies, and the United States government panicked, quickly launching a space program of its own. In an effort to find the right men for the job, the government searched the desert and the seas, compiling a crew of daredevil space cowboys willing to do anything for the chance to represent America in the space race. After grueling medical, physical, and psychological tests, seven men were left standing, led by American hero John Glenn (Ed Harris), test pilots Gordon Cooper (Dennis Quaid), Gus Grissom (Fred Ward), and Scott Carpenter (Charles Frank), and Navy man Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn). With the help of the media and the government, these men became overnight heroes, sacrificing their freedom and their families for the dream of space travel. This piercing exploration of the men and wives behind the mission serves as a testament to the determination of America to dominate the field of space exploration, while offering an intriguing portrait of a period in which America wanted to believe in perfect men and their perfect wives, even if the reality was vastly more complex. Philip Kaufman's gripping film also features fabulous special effects and stunning aerial cinematography.&newline;&newline;Look for the cameo appearance by real-life pilot Chuck Yeager as a bartender.&newline;&newline;Film was originally rated R by the MPAA but received a PG on appeal.&newline;&newline;THE RIGHT STUFF is the epic chronicle of the seven pilots chosen to be the astronauts of Project Mercury. Also featured is the story of Chuck Yeager, the test pilot who first broke the sound barrier.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Punch a hole in the sky.&doublequote;--Glennis Yeager (Barbara Hershey) to Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard) Tower Records
The Right Stuff Glenn, Scott Harris, Ed Frank, Charles Shepard, Sam Shearer, Harry Ward, Fred Hershey, Barbara Goldblum, Jeff Herzstein, Barbara Goldblum, Jeff Kaufman, Philip 85392002726 DVD Warner Home Video 5/2/1997 1 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 193 1 Dramas N $17.99 This epic chronicle of the seven pilots chosen to become astronauts for Project Mercury is based on the novel by Tom Wolfe. Deep in the desert during the 1950s, army test pilots courageously fought to break the sound barrier. These maverick men would stop at nothing to achieve winning speed. Led by their champion, Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard), they caroused at the local watering hole while sharing tales of extreme sport and bravery--until the Russians successfully sent their Sputnik satellite into the skies, and the United States government panicked, quickly launching a space program of its own. In an effort to find the right men for the job, the government searched the desert and the seas, compiling a crew of daredevil space cowboys willing to do anything for the chance to represent America in the space race. After grueling medical, physical, and psychological tests, seven men were left standing, led by American hero John Glenn (Ed Harris), test pilots Gordon Cooper (Dennis Quaid), Gus Grissom (Fred Ward), and Scott Carpenter (Charles Frank), and Navy man Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn). With the help of the media and the government, these men became overnight heroes, sacrificing their freedom and their families for the dream of space travel. This piercing exploration of the men and wives behind the mission serves as a testament to the determination of America to dominate the field of space exploration, while offering an intriguing portrait of a period in which America wanted to believe in perfect men and their perfect wives, even if the reality was vastly more complex. Philip Kaufman's gripping film also features fabulous special effects and stunning aerial cinematography.&newline;&newline;Look for the cameo appearance by real-life pilot Chuck Yeager as a bartender.&newline;&newline;Film was originally rated R by the MPAA but received a PG on appeal.&newline;&newline;THE RIGHT STUFF is the epic chronicle of the seven pilots chosen to be the astronauts of Project Mercury. Also featured is the story of Chuck Yeager, the test pilot who first broke the sound barrier.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Punch a hole in the sky.&doublequote;--Glennis Yeager (Barbara Hershey) to Chuck Yeager (Sam Shepard) Tower Records
The Silence Of The Lambs (WS) Hopkins, Anthony Glenn, Scott Levine, Ted Baker, Diane Smith, Brooke Baker, Diane Lemmons, Kasi Foster, Jodie Napier, Charles Faison, Frankie Demme, Jonathan Harris, Thomas Tally, Ted Fujimoto, Tak Shore, Howard 14381406924 DVD Image Entertainment, Inc. 10/3/1997 R (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 118 1 Dramas N $5.95 Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins will likely be forever associated with their roles in this bone-chilling masterpiece, based on the novel by Thomas Harris and directed by Jonathan Demme. FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Foster) is sent by her supervisor (Scott Glenn) to interview ferociously intelligent serial killer Hannibal &doublequote;The Cannibal&doublequote; Lechter (Hopkins) at his cell in a Maryland mental hospital. The FBI hopes Lechter can provide insight into the mind of killer-at-large, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), whose current abductee happens to be the daughter of a senator. Intrigued by Clairice, Lechter demands information about her personal life and in exchange for clues, and the two begin to form a strangely intimate connection, with a girl's life hanging in the balance. Starling is gradually revealed as a woman struggling out of her own darkness, bound to aid the dysfunctional males around her on their own paths of transformation, liberation, and destruction. This is a film of brilliant and disturbing beauty that transcends its B-movie origins (though it does honor them with a cameo appearance by Roger Corman). Its enduring influence has led to a slew of similarly dark-toned serial killer films, and a sequel, HANNIBAL (2001).&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: February 13, 1991.&newline;&newline;Filmed on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.&newline;&newline;Shooting began on November 15, 1989, and wrapped on March 1, 1990.&newline;&newline;Estimated budget: $19 million.&newline;&newline;THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is number 65 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.&newline;&newline;To perfect the voice of Hannibal, Anthony Hopkins based his speech on the dry voice of the Hal 9000 computer from 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.&newline;&newline;Hopkins won the Best Actor Oscar despite being in the film for no more than 30 minutes, the shortest screen appearance for any Best Actor winner.&newline;&newline;THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS actually features the second screen appearance of Hannibal Lecter. Played by Brian Cox, the character first appears in Michael Mann's MANHUNTER, which is based on the Thomas Harris novel RED DRAGON.&newline;&newline;Roger Corman plays FBI Director Hayden Burke in the film.&newline;&newline;Demme regular Charles Napier plays Boyle.&newline;&newline;Chris Isaak appears briefly as a SWAT commander.&newline;&newline;Try to catch how many times Anthony Hopkins blinks in various scenes....&newline;&newline;The sequel, HANNIBAL, opened on February 9, 2001. Ridley Scott took over the direction, and Julianne Moore played Clarice Starling instead of Jodie Foster. Hopkins again played Hannibal, deliciously.&newline;&newline;Jonathan Demme directs this intense thriller about a young FBI agent named Clarice Starling, who has been enlisted to tap into the psyche of Hannibal &doublequote;the Cannibal&doublequote; Lecter, a brilliant serial killer. Starling exchanges access to her deepest thoughts in exchange for information to track down another serial killer named Buffalo Bill, who is about to kill again. Bill is known for skinning his victims and has recently kidnapped a politician's daughter.&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 Encoding&newline;&newline;Special Features: Includes deleted scenes, storyboards, and audio commentary by the stars and filmmakers.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Believe me, you don't want Hannibal Lecter inside your head.&doublequote;--Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.&doublequote;--Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins); the classic sucking sound Hopkins made after this line was ad-libbed&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I do wish we could chat a little longer, but I'm having an old friend for dinner.&doublequote;--Hannibal Lecter Tower Records
The Temptations Rosenberg, Alan Leon Lewis, Jenifer Temptations Woodside, DB Babatunde, Obba Brooks, Terron Payton, Christian Whitfield, Charles Malik Payton, Christian Arkush, Allan Johnson, Robert 707729114499 DVD Artisan Entertainment 7/24/2001 Not Rated N N Stereo Color 150 1 Dramas N $11.99 Musically oriented filmmaker Allan Arkush directs this fine biopic which tracks the legendary career of The Temptations. One of R&B's most influential, revered bands, the five men enjoyed overnight success and helped define the Motown period. Like many other success stories, though, this one has a dark side -- with self-destructive impulses and personal problems threatening to destroy the band's reign. In addition to capturing the drama of the group's rise and fall, THE TEMPTATIONS features eight of the classic songs which made them legendary, including &doublequote;My Girl,&doublequote; &doublequote;Papa Was A Rollin' Stone,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Get Ready.&doublequote; Tower Records
Star Trek - The Complete Second Season Shatner, William Nimoy, Leonard Kelley, DeForest Doohan, James Takei, George Nichols, Nichelle 97360509328 1 DVD Nov-04 Not Rated N N Mono Color Closed Captioned 1 DVD 1960s : Action : Alien Encounters : Alien Life Forms : Classic : Classic Television : Cult : Drama : Futuristic : Outer Spac N $129.99 Description: Going boldly where no man had gone before, Gene Roddenberry's cult phenomenon STAR TREK debuted in 1966 and reflected that decade's optimistic preoccupation with space travel. Set in the 23rd century, the series chronicled the intergalactic adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise on its five-year mission to explore the outer reaches of space. Encountering a now-iconic assembly of innovative alien life forms such as the Klingons, Romulans, Tribbles, and Khan Noonian Singh, the ship's jumpsuited crew was a then unheard-of font of multiculturism: Asian Sulu (George Takei), African-American Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Scotsman Montgomery Scott (James Doohan). But it was the contrasting personalities of cooly logical Vulcan Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), emotionally intuitive medical officer Leonard &doublequote;Bones&doublequote; McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and womanizing ship captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) that lent the series much of its charm--and spawned a rabid cult following that continues to fuel costume sales and convention bookings to this very day. This collection includes all 26 episodes of the series' second season. Beam me up, Scotty! Borders
Star Trek - The Complete First Season Shatner, William Nimoy, Leonard Kelley, DeForest Doohan, James Takei, George Nichols, Nichelle 97360509229 8 DVD Paramount Home Entertainment Aug-04 Not Rated N Y Mono Color 1464 minutes 1 DVD 1960s : Adventure : Alien Encounters : Alien Life Forms : Aliens : Classic : Classic Television : Cult : Drama : Future/Futu N $129.99 Description: Going boldly where no man had gone before, Gene Roddenberry's cult phenomenon STAR TREK debuted in 1966 and reflected that decade's optimistic preoccupation with space travel. Set in the 23rd century, the series chronicled the intergalactic adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise on its five-year mission to explore the outer reaches of space. Encountering a now-iconic assembly of innovative alien life forms such as the Klingons, Romulans, Tribbles, and Khan Noonian Singh, the ship's jumpsuited crew was a then unheard-of font of multiculturism: Asian Sulu (George Takei), African-American Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), and Scotsman Montgomery Scott (James Doohan). But it was the contrasting personalities of cooly logical Vulcan Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), emotionally intuitive medical officer Leonard &doublequote;Bones&doublequote; McCoy (DeForest Kelley), and womanizing ship captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner in definitive overacting mode) that lent the series much of its charm--and spawned a rabid cult following that continues to fuel costume sales and convention bookings to this very day. This collection includes all 28 episodes of the series' debut season. Beam me up, Scotty! Borders
Breaking The Codes:Rise Of Enigma/Triump 18111911092 DVD Delta Entertainment Corporation 9/5/2001 1 Not Rated N N Mono B&W and Color 145 1 Education/General Interest N $14.99 This collection of two volumes of historical war documentaries delves into two incidents where cracking codes of the enemy brought forth military victory. First, the British break the codes used by the Germans and bring the United States into the World War I. Also revealed are the techniques which enabled the U.S. military to crack the secret language of the Japanese Naval Codes, giving the U.S. a needed lift to claim victory in the Battle of the Midway. Tower Records
L Hopkins/Mance Lipscomb: Masters Of Country Blues Lipscomb, Mance Hopkins, Lightnin' 16351050298 VHS Video Shanachie Entertainment 6/6/2000 1 Not Rated N N Mono Color 60 1 Education/General Interest N $19.95 Lipscomb and Hopkins, both Texas bluesmen, could hardly have had more different styles. Lipscomb played a little bit of everything: pop, bottleneck, rags, polkas, whatever he was called upon to play. Being the sole source of income for his 11 brothers and sisters, he wasn't picky about what he would play. He was, however, a master at just about everything he attempted, and stands as one of the greatest country blues fingerpickers. Hopkins virtually invented the archetypal hard drinking, roaming blues man. One of the most popular blues artists of his era, Hopkins had a number of hit records in the forties, and his ability to tell a story within a song was unparalleled.&newline;&newline;Complete Title: &doublequote;Masters of the Country Blues: Mance Lipscomb/Lightnin' Hopkins.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;DVD Special Features Tower Records
Living Sea Kitana, Steve MacGillivray, Greg Sting 14381912029 DVD Image Entertainment, Inc. 3/21/2000 Not Rated N N Mono Color 40 1 Education/General Interest N $14.99 Created for exhibition in IMAX Theaters, THE LIVING SEA explores the Earth's largest bodies of water and their inhabitants. Tower Records
Nasa 25 Years Of Glory Years, Nasa-25 56775000790 DVD Madacy Entertainment Group 12/2/1997 Not Rated N N Mono Color 600 1 Education/General Interest N $46.99 Contains Freedom 7/Voyage of Friendship 7/Four Days of Gemini/This is Houston Flight; The Eagle Has Landed/Houston, We've Got a Problem/Apollo 15/Apollo 16; Apollo 17/Mission of Apollo-Soyuz/Skylab The First 40 Days/Four Rooms/Earth View; Opening New Frontiers/We Deliver/Launch and Retrieval of Satellites/Satellite Repairs; Challenger - Disaster and Investigation/NASA, the 25th Year. Tower Records
Video Essentials Dalton, Sam Jr., Joseph J. Kane 647715071125 DVD DVD International 10/1/1997 Not Rated Y N Digital Stereo Color Digital Versatile Disc Limited 1 Education/General Interest N $49.98 This DVD guides the viewer through the set-up and fine-tuning of his/her DVD home theater system. Tower Records
Walking With Dinosaurs Haines, Tim 794051150424 DVD Warner Home Video 2/5/2002 1 Not Rated N Y Mono Color 180 1 Education/General Interest N $26.99 Learn all about the dinosaurs and how they ate, fought, mated, and more. High-tech animatronics and computer graphics are used to bring the world of the dinosaurs to life, in this popular documentary series. Includes six episodes featuring the most up-to-date discoveries, narrated by Kenneth Branagh. Made in association with The Discovery Channel. Tower Records
Das Boot Prochnow, J%fcrgen Gronemeyer, Herbert Petersen, Wolfgang 43396222199 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 12/11/2001 R (MPAA) Y Y Digital Stereo Color 209 1 Foreign Films N $14.99 In the midst of World War II, as the tide turns against the Axis, a German U-boat crew is sent out to patrol the Atlantic and fire at Allied ships bringing supplies to England. The submarine also carries a press correspondent, there to report from the front lines of nautical warfare. Meanwhile, the crew's captain (Jürgen Prochnow) is becoming disillusioned with the Nazi regime and with war in general. What starts out as a routine mission is soon livened up beyond the crew's expectations when their boat's surprise attack on a convoy is thwarted by a fast-moving destroyer. Battered by depth charges, the crew must pull together to survive the attacks of their unseen enemy.&newline;&newline;Widely considered to be director Wolfgang Petersen's best film and one of the finest German films ever made, DAS BOOT is stunningly realistic in its portrayal of the cramped conditions aboard a German submarine. Based on a novel by Lothar G. Buchheim, it is a striking example of an intelligent antiwar film clothed in the guise of a military thriller.&newline;&newline;In the midst of World War II, as the tide turns against the Axis, a German U-boat crew is sent out to patrol the Atlantic and fire at Allied ships bringing supplies to England. The submarine also carries a press correspondent, there to report from the front lines of nautical warfare. Meanwhile, the crew's captain (Jürgen Prochnow) is becoming disillusioned with the Nazi regime and with war in general. What starts out as a routine mission is soon livened up beyond the crew's expectations when their boat's surprise attack on a convoy is thwarted by a fast-moving destroyer. Battered by depth charges, the crew must pull together to survive the attacks of their unseen enemy.&newline;&newline;Widely considered to be director Wolfgang Petersen's best film and one of the finest German films ever made, DAS BOOT is stunningly realistic in its portrayal of the cramped conditions aboard a German submarine. Based on a novel by Lothar G. Buchheim, it is a striking example of an intelligent antiwar film clothed in the guise of a military thriller. Tower Records
Stitch! The Movie Gannaway, Robert 786936211184 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 8/26/2003 Not Rated Y Y Mono Color 64 1 Fully Loaded DVDs : DTS N $26.99 Stitch returns in this sequel to Disney's 2002 hit LILO & STITCH wherein Experiment 626 learns that he is not alone in the universe. Along with Lilo and their adopted aunt and uncle, Pleakley and Jumba, Stitch sets out to free the other 625 alien experiments who make up his incredibly fantastic family. Filled with aliens, Elvis songs, and &doublequote;Ohana&doublequote;, STITCH! THE MOVIE recaptures the magic and comedic whimsy of its predecessor. Tower Records
Evil Dead (Special Edition) Campbell, Bruce Sandweiss, Ellen Delrich, Hal Raimi, Sam Raimi, Sam Philo, Tim 790594726522 DVD Elite Entertainment 18-May-99 NC-17 N N Stereo Color 85 minutes 1 Horror N $12.26 Amazon.com essential video&newline;In the fall of 1979, Sam Raimi and his merry band headed into the woods of rural Tennessee to make a movie. They emerged with a roller coaster of a film packed with shocks, gore, and wild humor, a film that remains a benchmark for the genre. Ash (cult favorite Bruce Campbell) and four friends arrive at a backwoods cabin for a vacation, where they find a tape recorder containing incantations from an ancient book of the dead. When they play the tape, evil forces are unleashed, and one by one the friends are possessed. Wouldn't you know it, the only way to kill a &doublequote;deadite&doublequote; is by total bodily dismemberment, and soon the blood starts to fly. Raimi injects tremendous energy into this simple plot, using the claustrophobic set, disorienting camera angles, and even the graininess of the film stock itself to create an atmosphere of dread, punctuated by a relentless series of jump-out-of-your-seat shocks. The Evil Dead lacks the more highly developed sense of the absurd that distinguish later entries in the series--Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness--but it is still much more than a gore movie. It marks the appearance of one of the most original and visually exciting directors of his generation, and it stands as a monument to the triumph of imagination over budget. --Simon Leake Amazon
Spawn 03 Paur, Frank McFarlane, Todd 26359158926 DVD Warner Home Video 1/6/2004 1 Unrated N N Digital Color 150 1 Horror N $9.95 Based on Todd McFarlane's comic book character, Spawn, must rise up and prepare for the ULTIMATE BATTLE. Tower Records
Stigmata Arquette, Patricia Byrne, Gabriel Pryce, Jonathan Long, Nia Wainwright, Rupert Lazarus, Tom Kimball, Jeffrey L. Corgan, Billy Miller, Michael R. 27616745125 DVD Mgm/Ua Studios 17-Jul-01 R Y Y Stereo Color 102 Minutes 1 Horror N $12.99 Amazon.com&newline;Gabriel Byrne plays Father Kiernan, a young Jesuit priest whose degree in chemistry makes him a sort of priest/detective as he investigates weeping Marys and the like around the world. Meanwhile, Frankie (Patricia Arquette), a rave-generation Pittsburgher, is afflicted with the stigmata--holes that appear in her wrists, resembling the wounds of Christ. The young woman's symptoms filter back to the Vatican and Father Kiernan is assigned to the case. The priest is puzzled by Frankie's atheism; usually the stigmata only appear on the devout (hence the age-old controversy of miracles vs. hysteria). Other manifestations appear on Frankie, and the priest's cardinal (Jonathan Pryce) is brought in, leading to political maneuvering within the Church hierarchy. The film owes a large and obvious debt to The Exorcist (at one point, Frankie's bed scoots across the room and she levitates into a crucifix position), but to term it an Exorcist rip-off would be to shortchange Stigmata. The premise and screenplay are more cerebral than in the l973 film, and the source of the phenomenon is coming from a completely different place.&newline;&newline;Unfortunately, amid Stigmata's high-octane editing and slick technique, the chills of The Exorcist aren't there, giving the movie a sort of identity crisis: horror movie or intellectual thriller? Several elements of the film challenge basic tenets of the Catholic faith, hence the brief furor that erupted at the time of the film's release; if nothing else, the internal workings of the Church are shown in a very unflattering light indeed. Byrne excels as the skeptical priest, as does Arquette as the tortured young woman. All told, Stigmata is a rather uneven effort, but one with a thought-provoking combination of theology and thrills served up in a thoroughly modern, stylish package. Fans of TV's Ally McBeal will recognize Portia DeRossi in a supporting role. --Jerry Renshaw Amazon
The Lost Boys Patric, Jason Haim, Corey Haim, Corey Patric, Jason Sutherland, Kiefer Wirth, Billy Schumacher, Joel 85391174820 DVD Warner Studios 3-Jun-03 R N Y Dolby Color 98 minutes 1 Horror N $13.03 Amazon.com&newline;This 1987 thriller was a predictable hit with the teen audience it worked overtime to attract. Like most of director Joel Schumacher's films, it's conspicuously designed to push the right marketing and demographic buttons, and granted, there's some pretty cool stuff going on here and there. Take Kiefer Sutherland, for instance. In Stand by Me he played a memorable bully, but here he goes one step further as a memorable bully vampire who leads a tribe of teenage vampires on their nocturnal spree of bloodsucking havoc. Jason Patric plays the new guy in town, who quickly attracts a lovely girlfriend (Jami Gertz), only to find that she might be recruiting him into the vampire fold. The movie gets sillier as it goes along, and resorts to a routine action-movie showdown, but it's a visual knockout (featuring great cinematography by Michael Chapman) and boasts a cast that's eminently able (pardon the pun) to sink their teeth into the best parts of an uneven screenplay. --Jeff Shannon Amazon
Exorcist Burstyn, Ellen Sydow, Max von McCambridge, Mercedes Burstyn, Ellen Von Sydow, Max Cobb, Lee J. MacGowran, Jack Winn, Kitty Friedkin, William Blatty, William Peter Crumb, George /  Nitzsche, Jack 12569100725 DVD Warner Studios 22-Aug-97 N N Mono Color 121 Minutes 1 Horror : General N $21.99 Amazon.com essential video&newline;Director William Friedkin was a hot ticket in Hollywood after the success of The French Connection, and he turned heads (in more ways than one) when he decided to make The Exorcist as his follow-up film. Adapted by William Peter Blatty from his controversial bestseller, this shocking 1973 thriller set an intense and often-copied milestone for screen terror with its unflinching depiction of a young girl (Linda Blair) who is possessed by an evil spirit. Jason Miller and Max von Sydow are perfectly cast as the priests who risk their sanity and their lives to administer the rites of demonic exorcism, and Ellen Burstyn plays Blair's mother, who can only stand by in horror as her daughter's body is wracked by satanic disfiguration. One of the most frightening films ever made, The Exorcist was mysteriously plagued by troubles during production, and the years have not diminished its capacity to disturb even the most stoical viewers. The film is presented in letterbox format on digital video disc, with a soundtrack that's guaranteed to curdle your blood. Don't say you weren't warned! --Jeff Shannon Tower Records
The Mummy O'Connor, Kevin J. Hyde, Jonathan Fehr, Oded Fox, Bernard Velazquez, Patricia Watkins, Tuc Dunham, Stephen Weisz, Rachel Johnson, Corey Hannah, John Sommers, Stephen Sommers, Stephen Biddle, Adrian Goldsmith, Jerry Ducsay, Bob 25192063626 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 8/24/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 125 1 Horror : General N $11.99 DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 encoding&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 encoding&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 encoding&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 encoding&newline;&newline;In the 1920s, a group of archaeologists led by adventurer Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraser) discovers the mummified body of Imhotep, an Egyptian priest who was cursed for falling in love with the Pharoah's mistress. When they accidentally resurrect him, the battle for survival begins, as the mummy begins to use his powers to reclaim his long-lost love. Director Stephen Sommers updates this classic Universal monster for the 1990s, using a dazzling array of computer-generated special effects. Fun performances from Fraser and Weisz add to the tongue-in-cheek Saturday matinee appeal. Tower Records
The Sixth Sense (Collector's Edition Series) Willis, Bruce Osment, Haley Joel Collette, Toni Fitzgerald, Glenn Williams, Olivia Wahlberg, Donnie Shyamalan, M. Night Shyamalan, M. Night 717951004925 DVD Walt Disney Home Video 28-Mar-00 PG-13 Y Y Dolby Color 107 minutes 1 Horror : General N $16.39 Amazon.com essential video&newline;&doublequote;I see dead people,&doublequote; whispers little Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), scared to affirm what is to him now a daily occurrence. This peaked 9-year old, already hypersensitive to begin with, is now being haunted by seemingly malevolent spirits. Child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is trying to find out what's triggering Cole's visions, but what appears to be a psychological manifestation turns out to be frighteningly real. It might be enough to scare off a lesser man, but for Malcolm it's personal--several months before, he was accosted and shot by an unhinged patient, who then turned the gun on himself. Since then, Malcolm has been in turmoil--he and his wife (Olivia Williams) are barely speaking, and his life has taken an aimless turn. Having failed his loved ones and himself, he's not about to give up on Cole.&newline;&newline;This third feature by M. Night Shyamalan sets itself up as a thriller, poised on the brink of delivering monstrous scares, but gradually evolves into more of a psychological drama with supernatural undertones. Many critics faulted the film for being mawkish and New Age-y, but no matter how you slice it, this is one mightily effective piece of filmmaking. The bare bones of the story are basic enough, but the moody atmosphere created by Shyamalan and cinematographer Tak Fujimoto made this one of the creepiest pictures of 1999, forsaking excessive gore for a sinisterly simple feeling of chilly otherworldliness. Willis is in his strong, silent type mode here, and gives the film wholly over to Osment, whose crumpled face and big eyes convey a child too wise for his years; his scenes with his mother (Toni Collette) are small, heartbreaking marvels. And even if you figure out the film's surprise ending, it packs an amazingly emotional wallop when it comes, and will have you racing to watch the movie again with a new perspective. You may be able to shake off the sentimentality of The Sixth Sense, but its craftsmanship and atmosphere will stay with you for days. --Mark Englehart Amazon
Army Of Darkness Davidtz, Embeth Gilbert, Marcus Grove, Richard Campbell, Bruce Abercrombie, Ian Raimi, Sam Raimi, Ivan Pope, Bill Elfman, Danny 25192032226 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 6/1/2004 1 R (MPAA) Y Y Stereo Color 81 1 Horror/Suspense N $11.99 Unassuming store clerk Ash (Bruce Campbell) is time-warped into England's Dark Ages, where he must find the Necronomicon, a compendium of the black arts, before he can return home. Fortunately, he has time to romance a beautiful princess and battle an army of skeletons. This is the inspired sequel to EVIL DEAD and EVIL DEAD 2.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Give me some sugar, baby.&doublequote; -- Ash (BRUCE CAMPBELL) to his beloved (EMBETH DAVIDTZ).&newline;&newline;Through a magic spell, Ash, a modern-day discount-store employee, finds himself back in the middle ages. Given the key to return home by an alchemist, he bungles the incantation and, instead, releases the forces of darkness.&newline;&newline;Now Ash has one job to do before transporting to the future: defeat the army of the evil dead... if they don't defeat him first.&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1 Encoding&newline;&newline;Special Features: Includes production notes, talent bios, clips, and the original theatrical trailer. Tower Records
Dracula Ryder, Winona Reeves, Keanu Elwes, Cary Hopkins, Anthony Waits, Tom Oldman, Gary Campbell, Billy Frost, Sadie Grant, Richard E. Coppola, Francis Ford Hart, James V. Ballhaus, Michael Kilar, Wojciech Goursaud, Anne 43396514195 DVD Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment 9/7/2004 1 R (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 127 1 Horror/Suspense N $10.99 Vlad the Impaler (Gary Oldman), a count and fierce warrior, goes off to fight in the Crusades. Falsely hearing of his death, his beloved wife Elisabeta kills herself. Upon returning home and finding her, Vlad renounces God and becomes Count Dracula, embracing Satan in exchange for immortality. Flash forward to 1897 London. Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) leaves fiancée Mina (Winona Ryder) and journeys to Transylvania to meet Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) to complete a real estate transaction. After seeing a photo of Mina, whom he believes to be his wife reincarnated, Dracula keeps Jonathan as a prisoner in his castle while he travels to London to meet his long lost love.&newline;&newline;In his version of the oft-told tale, Francis Ford Coppola takes Bram Stoker's archetypical horror story and accentuates the romantic angle. Blood still flows in large amounts, and Coppola opted to do all the eye-pleasing visual effects in-camera, utilizing shadow puppets, smoke, miniatures, and other time-honored tricks of the trade--creating a visual style not unlike that of a storybook come to life. Tower Records
Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn Berry, Sarah Hicks, Dan Campbell, Bruce Wesley, Kassie Domeier, Richard Domeier, Richard Raimi, Sam Spiegel, Scott Deming, Peter LoDuca, Joseph Davis, Kaye 13131050493 DVD Anchor Bay Entertainment 7/20/1998 R (MPAA) Y N Digitally Re-Mastered Color 85 1 Horror/Suspense N $26.99 In this sequel-remake of the original EVIL DEAD, a group of people are trapped in a cabin while ancient evil lurks outside and threatens a fate worse than death. Can brawny wiseguy Ash save the day, or will his dead girlfriend come back to cause more trouble? An influential comic horror movie from director Raimi.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;The first passage will allow the demon to manifest itself in the flesh.&doublequote;--Annie (Sarah Berry)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Why the hell would we want to do that?&doublequote;--Ash (Bruce Campbell)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;You're goin' down.&doublequote;--Ash to a demon&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I'll swallow your soul! I'll swallow your soul!&doublequote;--Demon&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Swallow this!&doublequote;--Ash, as his puts a shotgun to its head Tower Records
Hellraiser Robinson, Andrew Laurence, Ashley Higgins, Clare Barker, Clive 13131033090 DVD Anchor Bay Entertainment 2/24/1998 R (MPAA) Y N Mono Color 118 1 Horror/Suspense N $5.99 Clive Barker's feature directing debut graphically depicts the tale of a man and wife who move into an old house and discover a hideous creature--the man's half-brother, who is also the woman's former lover--hiding upstairs. Having lost his earthly body to a trio of S&M demons called the Cenobites, he is brought back into existence by a drop of blood on the floor. He soon forces his former mistress to bring him human sacrifices to complete his body... but the Cenobites won't be happy about this. One of the best horror films of the 80s, based on Barker's novel THE HELLBOUND HEART and followed by 3 sequels.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;We're going to tear your soul apart!&doublequote; -- Pinhead (DOUG BRADLEY).&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Demon to some. Angel to others.&doublequote; -- ad tagline for the film&newline;&newline;Novelist Clive Barker made his directorial debut with &doublequote;Hellraiser.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;The Starmaker Entertainment Collector's Edition (Cat. #99102) features 10:22 minutes worth of supplementary material. Included are a TV commercial and interviews with Clive Barker, Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, and Ashley Laurence. The film itself runs 94 minutes.&newline;&newline;The Lumivision Laserdisc Widescreen Edition (Cat. #9524)  includes the original theatrical trailer.&newline;&newline;The Lumivision Deluxe Collector's Edition laserdisc (Cat. #LVD- 9546) includes the following special features:&newline;&newline;* Audio commentary by Clive Barker accompanying the film.&newline;&newline;* A reproduction of the original shooting script, plus an&newline;&newline;early draft of Barker's screenplay that includes scenes&newline;&newline;never filmed.&newline;&newline;* Scenes from Clive Barker's original storyboards and&newline;&newline;other storyboard designs.&newline;&newline;* Artwork and promotional material.&newline;&newline;* Extensive still-frame archive of behind-the-scenes&newline;&newline;photos, promotional photos, and special effects and&newline;&newline;make-up photos.&newline;&newline;* Creature effects.&newline;&newline;* Original domestic and international theatrical trailers&newline;&newline;and TV spot trailers.&newline;&newline;* Annotated biography of Clive Barker.&newline;&newline;* Featurette including interviews with Clive Barker,&newline;&newline;Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins and Ashley Laurence.&newline;&newline;Always seeking greater pleasures and greater thrills, an explorer uncovers a key to another dimension of unlimited pleasure. The dimension is hell and after he is satiated the demons known as Cenobites rip the flesh from his bones. After his death, he haunts his lover, his brother's wife. She re-animates the adventurer through numerous murders. The key opens creating a hell on earth that consumes the family. Tower Records
The Haunting Neeson, Liam Zeta-Jones, Catherine Taylor, Lili Wilson, Owen Bont, Jan de Lindenlaub, Karl Walter Goldsmith, Jerry Kahn, Michael 667068482027 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 8/24/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 113 1 Horror/Suspense N $12.95 Jan DeBont (SPEED, TWISTER) remakes Robert Wise's subtle and terrifying 1963 haunted house tale as a computer-effects laden thrill ride. A professor (Neeson) and three subjects (Zeta-Jones and indie heroes Taylor and Wilson) spend an night in an old house with sinister secrets for the sake of a sleep disorder study...but no one gets much sleep. Based on Shirley Jackson's novel. Tower Records
The Shining Duvall, Shelley Nicholson, Jack Crothers, Scatman Lloyd, Danny Kubrick, Stanley King, Stephen Johnson, Diane 85391736929 DVD Warner Home Video 6/29/1999 R (MPAA) N Y Digital Color 144 1 Horror/Suspense N $9.45 Adapted from the bestseller by Stephen King, Kubrick's mesmerizing horror epic concerns a family who moves into a vast, haunted hotel to take care of the premises during a long, deep winter as the writer's-blocked dad slowly goes mad. Meanwhile, the young son begins to get a grip on his telepathic powers....Features an early use of the Steadicam to illustrate the &doublequote;consciousness&doublequote; of the Overlook Hotel and a performance by Jack Nicholson that is now the stuff of legend. King was apparently unhappy with Kubrick's adaptation of his novel and, as a result, wrote his own script, resulting in a 1997 TV mini-series emphasizing themes of alcoholism and child abuse.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: May 23, 1980.&newline;&newline;Filmed at EMI Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, England, and at the Timberline Lodge in Mount Hood, Oregon.&newline;&newline;The shoot lasted from May 1978 through April 1979.&newline;&newline;Estimated budget: $10-15 million.&newline;&newline;Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick clashed over the production of THE SHINING. One surreal anecdote records a telephone call from Kubrick to King in the wee hours of the morning in which the director asked the author, &doublequote;Do you believe in God?&doublequote; Upon answering yes, Kubrick responded, &doublequote;I thought so,&doublequote; and hung up. For years King railed against the film but said he came to appreciate the psychological style of horror that Kubrick was mining. A television miniseries based on the novel follows the original story much more faithfully--the screenplay for the miniseries was written by King himself.&newline;&newline;The topiary from the book was too difficult to reproduce, so the hedge maze was created in its place.&newline;&newline;The ominous snow was actually a mixture of Styrofoam and salt.&newline;&newline;The use of the Steadicam, invented by camera operator Garrett Brown, was revolutionary in its ability to get moving shots never before possible.&newline;&newline;Cowriters Kubrick and Diane Johnson read works by Sigmund Freud and Bruno Bettelheim to prepare for the psychological nature of THE SHINING.&newline;&newline;Of horror films, Kubrick said, &doublequote;I think the unconscious appeal of a ghost story, for instance, lies in its promise of immortality. If you can be frightened by a ghost story, then you must accept the probability that supernatural beings exist. If they do, then there is more than just oblivion waiting beyond the grave.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;The interior of the Overlook Hotel was actually a huge set built in a British studio.&newline;&newline;Philip Stone also appeared in Kubrick's BARRY LYNDON and A CLOCKWORK ORANGE; Joe Turkel also appeared in Kubrick's THE KILLING and PATHS OF GLORY.&newline;&newline;The film was originally shown with a final hospital scene, but Kubrick quickly edited it out five days after the release, sending editors on bicycles to the theaters to cut the scene.&newline;&newline;The Timberline Lodge in Mount Hood, Oregon, served as the Overlook in exterior shots.&newline;&newline;In the book, room 217 holds some evil secrets; the room number was changed to 237 for the movie because there is no room 237 at the Timberline Lodge--and the owners felt that no one again would have ever stayed in room 217 after they'd seen the movie.&newline;&newline;The book that Wendy Torrance is reading in the beginning of the film is J.D. Salinger's THE CATCHER IN THE RYE--which deals with mental instability and the urge to save a child.&newline;&newline;The documentary MAKING &doublequote;THE SHINING&doublequote; was directed by Vivian Kubrick--Stanley Kubrick's daughter--who, among other things, followed around Jack Nicholson as he prepared for the &doublequote;Here's Johnny!&doublequote; scene and interviewed the actors.&newline;&newline;In the film Dick Halloran (Scatman Crothers) describes the shining as the special ability to see the past and the future.&newline;&newline;Shelley Duvall described her time making the picture as &doublequote;tumultuous&doublequote;; she was in and out of ill health, partially because of the stress of the role and being away from home for so long. Despite several flare-ups with Kubrick, she was wholly satisfied with the final film, and she said she learned more from Kubrick during this shoot than she learned in all her other films.&newline;&newline;About his detail and technical proficiency Kubrick has said, &doublequote;Eisenstein does it with cuts. Max Ophuls does it with fluid movements. Chaplin is all content and little Tower Records
Van Helsing Beckinsale, Kate Roxburgh, Richard Wenham, David Kempe, Will Jackman, Hugh Hensley, Shuler Colloca, Silvia O'Connor, Kevin J. Anaya, Elena Maran, Josie Sommers, Stephen Sommers, Stephen 25192326622 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 10/19/2004 PG-13 (MPAA) N N Mono Color 132 1 Horror/Suspense N $19.99 All varieties of otherworldly creatures come out to play in Stephen Sommers' gothic carnival. Frankenstein's monster, ferocious werewolves, vampire bat babies, a maniacal scientist named Igor, and a CGI Dr. Jekyll are just a few. When they come together, a thrilling fantasy adventure results, making VAN HELSING a visual feast. Destined to fight the world's evil, Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is a warrior in a cowboy hat and a trench coat, heavily armed with a rapid-fire multi-arrow crossbow, among other gadgetry. A legion of monks in Rome send Van Helsing to Transylvania to hunt the immortal Count Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), who terrorizes the local people with the help of his three vampire brides. Especially threatened is the vixen Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale), whose family also strives to kill the Count. Van Helsing and Anna Valerious work together, searching for the secret door to Dracula's lair. But it is only after massive battles involving impossible stunts, races on horse-pulled carriages, and the desecration of enchanting medieval castles (all done with dizzying computer graphics) that they succeed. Not only does the eye candy keep on coming, the tongue-in-cheek writing and deep Transylvanian accents perfect the film with a dose of dark humor.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: MAY 7, 2004 Tower Records
Village Of The Damned/Children Of The Da Sanders, George Shelley, Barbara Burke, Alfred Naismith, Laurence Ferris, Barbara Hendry, Ian Shelley, Barbara Gwynn, Michael Rilla, Wolf Wyndham, John Rilla, Wolf /  Silliphant, Stirling /  Briley, John /  Kinnoch, Ronald 12569691827 DVD Warner Home Video 8/10/2004 Not Rated N Y Mono B&W and Color 167 1 Horror/Suspense N $13.99 This release contains two suspenseful horror films from the 1960s: VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED and CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED. See invididual titles for detailed information. Tower Records
The King & I Richardson, Miranda Vidnovic, Martin Rich, Richard Bakalian, Peter 85391746829 DVD Warner Home Video 6/1/2001 1 G (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 90 1 Kids & Family N $6.99 An animated re-telling of the musical classic. English schoolteacher Anna and her son, Louis, travel to Siam in 1862 at His Majesty's request. She teaches the King's children about Western ideas while teaching the King some lessons about loyalty and friendship. Featuring songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1956 version. Tower Records
Aladdin (Spec Ed) Weinger, Scott Williams, Robin Larkin, Linda Gottfried, Gilbert Freeman, Jonathan Kane, Brad Weinger, Scott Clements, Ron Menken, Alan 786936223996 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 10/5/2004 G (MPAA) N N Mono Color 90 1 Kids & Family : Adventure N $19.99 Disney brings a whole new world vividly to life once again in this musical story from the Arabian Nights. Aladdin, an eager genie (with the voice of Robin Williams) and a sultan's daughter take a magic carpet ride through a fireworks display of incredible animation. Direct-to-video sequel: &doublequote;The Return of Jafar.&doublequote; Academy Award Nominations: 5, including Best Song (&doublequote;Friend Like Me&doublequote;). Academy Awards: Best Original Score, Best Song (&doublequote;Whole New World&doublequote;).&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: November 11, 1992.&newline;&newline;ALADDIN is the 31st full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.&newline;&newline;Shot on Eastman film; Technicolor prints.&newline;&newline;Other effects credits include Ed Gombert (Story Supervisor); Rasoul Azadani (Layout Supervisor); Kathy Altieri (Background Supervisor); Vera Lanpher (Cleanup Supervisor); Steve Goldberg (Computer Graphics Imagery Supervisor); Dan Hansen (Artistic Coordinator).&newline;&newline;Other credits include Alice Dewey (Production Manager) and Baker Bloodworth Florida unit production manager. Title design by Burke Mattsson; titles by Buena Vista Optical.&newline;&newline;Rated BBFC-U by the British Board of Film Classification.&newline;&newline;In March, 1994, the film's music garnered 5 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for &doublequote;Whole New World,&doublequote; sung by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, who themselves won the award for Best Pop Performance by A Duo or Group.&newline;&newline;For Alen Menken, the composer, had previously won 5 Grammies for his music for Disney's &doublequote;The Little Mermaid&doublequote; (1991) and &doublequote;Beauty and the Beast&doublequote; (1992).&newline;&newline;Copyright The Walt Disney Company.&newline;&newline;This funny, romantic tale about a spunky orphan and a smart princess won the hearts of children and adults alike.&newline;&newline;Poor Aladdin looks longingly at the Sultan's luxurious castle, and dreams of living inside, but Princess Jasmine wants only to escape that pampered life. Finally, she does run away, only to discover how hard life on the streets can be -- especially when a vendor accuses you of thievery. Aladdin comes to her rescue, and soon the two have fallen in love. But how can a beggar marry the sultan's daughter? His only hope lies in a magic lamp from the Cave of Wonders and a wisecracking genie who can grant wishes. But Jafar, the Sultan's evil advisor, desires that lamp himself, so he can rule the kingdom and possess Jasmine. Soon the handsome young boy and the cruel Jafar are locked in a battle of wits -- and unleashing magic the likes of which no one has seen before. Tower Records
The Lion King Broderick, Matthew Goldberg, Whoopi Irons, Jeremy Jones, James Earl Guillaume, Robert Broderick, Matthew Kelly, Moira Lane, Nathan Thomas, Jonathan Taylor Sabella, Ernie Minkoff, Rob Zimmer, Hans 786936217421 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 10/7/2003 G (MPAA) N N Mono Color 89 1 Kids & Family : Adventure N $22.99 Wild Africa is the setting for this animated tale of a young lion cub whose evil uncle usurps his father's crown and lets hyenas overrun the kingdom. Dodging danger and befriending some oddball characters, the cub wanders until the day he's ready to return. Songs by Elton John and featuring the voices of Whoopie Goldberg, Cheech Marin, James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Jeremy Irons. Academy Award Nominations: 4, including 3 for Best Original Song.  Academy Awards: 2, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Elton John and Tim Rice: &doublequote;Can You Feel the Love Tonight&doublequote;).&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 17, 1994 (NY/LA).&newline;&newline;June 24, 1994 (Wide Release).&newline;&newline;THE LION KING is the 32nd full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.&newline;&newline;In 1995, &doublequote;The Lion King&doublequote; was the top-selling video, surpassing &doublequote;Aladdin,&doublequote; &doublequote;Snow White,&doublequote; and &doublequote;Beauty and the Beast.&doublequote; It actually sold 20 million copies in the first six days of its release.&newline;&newline;This delightful Disney film features sumptuous animation, and wonderful, catchy songs by lyricist Tim Rice and pop star Elton John.&newline;&newline;The story focuses on Simba, a young lion cub who's heir to the throne of the animal kingdom. But his evil uncle Scar longs to become king himself, and will do anything to make his wish come true. So he enlists the aid of three wicked hyenas and plots to kill not only Simba's father, but Simba himself.&newline;&newline;If Scar's plans succeed, all the animals will suffer. But can little Simba do anything to stop his big, bad uncle?&newline;&newline;DVD Features:&newline;&newline;Region 1&newline;&newline;Limited Edition Collectible Package&newline;&newline;Letterboxed Widescreen - 1.78&newline;&newline;Audio:&newline;&newline;Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound&newline;&newline;DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound&newline;&newline;THX-Certified Tower Records
101 Dalmatians Richardson, Joely Close, Glenn Daniels, Jeff Laurie, Hugh Williams, Mark Herek, Stephen Hughes, John 717951000347 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 2/13/1998 G (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 103 1 Kids & Family : Animals N $19.00 Slapstick kingpin John Hughes translates the classic animated children's tale into a campy live-action slugfest.  The fur-loving, sadistic Cruella De Vil (Close, at her most outrageous) pants after the pelts of the titular puppies, hoping to sew them into a fabulous coat, but the dogs outsmart her and her bumbling henchmen.&newline;&newline;The live-action version of one Disney's most popular animated films.&newline;&newline;When dalmatians Pongo and Perdy meet in a park, it's love at first sight for them AND their owners, Roger and Anita. The humans marry, and soon the spotted pooches become parents to 15 puppies.&newline;&newline;Unfortunately, Anita's boss is the aptly-named fashion designer Cruella De Vil, an incredibly grandiose, maniacal diva. Cruella wants to make a coat of (gulp!) dalmatian fur, and although she already has 84 of the canines in captivity, she wants Anita's. When Anita refuses to sell her pups, Cruella sends her two ever-bumbling henchmen on a dog-napping mission.&newline;&newline;Can Pongo and Perdy save all 101 dalmatians -- and send Cruella and her minions to the doghouse in the process?&newline;&newline;Released theatrically in the USA November 27, 1996.&newline;&newline;Color by Technicolor; in Panavision widescreen.&newline;&newline;Live action remake of the 1961 Walt Disney animated film.&newline;&newline;Co-produced by Great Oaks.&newline;&newline;Additional credits: Rebekah Rudd (associate producer) and Gary Gero (head animal trainer).&newline;&newline;The film used 220 dalmatians in the film, prompting the need for round-the-clock vet care, numerous trainers, an endless supply of dog food, sterilized sets and crew members, and yes, lots of pooper-scoopers. The entire shoot was monitored by the ASPCA and other humane societies. Tower Records
Brother Bear Phoenix, Joaquin Suarez, Jeremy Copeland, Joan Phoenix, Joaquin Suarez, Jeremy Walker, Bob Bencich, Steve Mancina, Mark 786936224023 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 3/30/2004 G (MPAA) N N Mono Color 85 1 Kids & Family : Animals N $24.99 In Walt Disney Pictures' feature BROTHER BEAR, beautiful animation of the Pacific Northwest complements an upbeat musical score that includes songs by Phil Collins and Tina Turner. From snowcapped mountains and glaciers to lush springtime forest scenes, the colorful drawings are dazzling and dreamlike. Children will especially enjoy the animals in the film. There are rivers full of leaping salmon, forests inhabited by squirrels and chipmunks, and processions of giant wooly mammoths. The story carries messages about the power of friendship and community, the difficulty of losing a loved one, and the highs and lows of growing up. Kenai (Joaquin Phoenix) is a boy who longs to become a man but must learn a valuable lesson before he can achieve the maturity it requires. At a tribal ceremony the spirits give him the symbol of the bear, which stands for love. Then, through a series of events, he is transformed into a bear. Kenai must brave the wild, with only a little bear-cub brother, Koda (Jeremy Suarez), to guide him. In their travels, Kenai and Koda meet a couple of hilarious moose (Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) who provide comic relief to this otherwise heartrending family tale.&newline;&newline;Theatrical Release: November 1, 2003 (LIMITED) Tower Records
Ice Age Leguizamo, John Leary, Denis Leary, Denis Black, Jack Bader, Diedrich Wedge, Chris Berg, Michael Newman, David 24543046646 DVD 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment 11/4/2003 Not Rated Y Y Digital Stereo Color 81 1 Kids & Family : Animals N $16.99 A star-studded cast provides the voices for the prehistoric creatures in this computer-animated feature set 20,000 years ago as the Ice Age approaches. Seemingly anti-social Manny, a woolly mammoth (voiced by Ray Romano), acts as if he just wants to be left alone. When he meets Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo), a sloth, the two become unlikely traveling companions. The plot thickens when the duo finds a human infant and decides to try to return the child to its &doublequote;herd.&doublequote; Manny slowly but surely reveals his heart of gold, while Sid continues to provide comic relief. Diego (voiced by Denis Leary), a saber-tooth tiger with ulterior motives, soon joins them in their search for the humans. Ultimately, this group of misfits becomes its own herd, learning about friendship and loyalty as they brave snow, ice, freezing temperatures, predators, hail, and even boiling lava pits. All the while, a saber-tooth squirrel, Scat, provides comic relief as he valiantly struggles with an acorn. A well-written, humorous script and endearing characters mesh well with the state-of-the-art technology and effects. Other stars lending their voices to the feature include Goran Visnjic, Jack Black, and Jane Krakowski. Tower Records
The Lion King II:Simba's Pride Campbell, Neve Dick, Andy Broderick, Matthew Guillaume, Robert Pleshette, Suzanne Jones, James Earl Kelly, Moira Lane, Nathan Sabella, Ernie Rooney, Darrell 786936231717 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 8/31/2004 G (MPAA) N N Mono Color 81 1 Kids & Family : Animals N $19.99 In this direct-to-video sequel, majestic jungle king Simba prepares his daughter, now of age, for the throne. Features six new songs and the voices of original stars Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella.&newline;&newline;In this direct-to-video sequel to one of Disney's most beloved animation classics, the majestic jungle king Simba prepares his daughter Kiara, who has come of age, to inherit the throne of the Pride Lands. While out roaming the countryside, she meets Kovu, chosen by the defeated Outland Pride to destroy Simba. The two lions thwart the plan when they fall for each other, and discover their union may be the key to resolving the two warring Prides. Featured are the voices of original stars Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella. This special edition release, which has vivid images from the digital master, includes entirely new scenes that were not featured in other releases. Tower Records
A Bug's Life Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Diller, Phyllis Kind, Richard Spacey, Kevin Ratzenberger, John Harris, Jonathan Foley, Dave Kahn, Madeline Garrett, Brad Leary, Denis Lasseter, John 717951004024 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 11/1/2001 PG (MPAA) Y Y Mono Color 96 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $16.99 The computer animation crew at Pixar--the creators of TOY STORY--return with another feature rife with stunningly rendered worlds populated by cute critters you can't help but care about. The story is simple--an ant colony led by Flik (Dave Foley) seeks help from a flea circus and other insects in their struggles against the oppressive grasshopper bullies led by Hopper (Kevin Spacey).  However, as with TOY STORY, there is as much for adults to enjoy here as there is for the kids. (In fact, the story is loosely based on Akira Kurosawa's classic SEVEN SAMURAI.) And don't miss the wonderful &doublequote;outtakes&doublequote; that roll with the closing credits! Tower Records
A Goofy Movie Farmer, Bill Marsden, Jason Shawn, Wallace Cummings, Jim Shore, Pauly Paulsen, Rob Martin, Kellie Welker, Frank Worley, Jo Anne Oy, Jenna von Lima, Kevin Matheson, Chris Burwell, Carter 717951008435 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 7/1/2003 1 G (MPAA) N N Stereo Color 78 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $17.99 Disney's lovable, big-toothed mutt takes his son on a road trip in this musical family adventure. They encounter theme parks, difficult bodies of water, Bigfoot and more and learn more about each other through their journey. Gold Collection Edition includes animated short &doublequote;Calling All Goofs&doublequote;.&newline;&newline;Color by Technicolor.&newline;&newline;Rated BBFC U by the British Board of Film Classification.&newline;&newline;&doublequote;A Goofy Movie&doublequote; is full of laughs and silly mishaps. Goofy takes his teenage son Max out in the woods for some fishing, so they can spend more time together. They have a narrow escape when they cross paths with Bigfoot!&newline;&newline;Max has other ideas: he wants to go to L.A. to see a rock concert so he gets Goofy to hit the road and they travel all the way from the forest to backstage... in the goofiest way possible, of course! Tower Records
Alice In Wonderland Beaumont, Kathryn Wynn, Ed Wynn, Ed Jackson, Wilfred Wallace, Oliver 717951000439 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 7/4/2000 1 G (MPAA) N N Digitally Mastered Color 75 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $11.99 Based on the 1865 book by Lewis Carroll, this is the classic Disney animated version of Alice's adventures as she follows a white rabbit into a &doublequote;Wonderland&doublequote; of her own imagination. On her journey, she encounters the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and a host of other beloved characters brought to life with the usual Disney zest. Combining stellar animation with upbeat songs such as &doublequote;I'm Late,&doublequote; ALICE IN WONDERLAND garnered an Academy Award nomination for &doublequote;Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Animated musical version of the Lewis Carroll classic about a prim young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and encounters an upside-down, illogical, magical world. This is the classic Disney version, featuring beautiful animation and startling imagery.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: 1951.&newline;&newline;Rereleased 1974 and 1981.&newline;&newline;ALICE IN WONDERLAND is the 13th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.&newline;&newline;Shot in Technicolor.&newline;&newline;Debut film for actress Kathryn Beaumont.&newline;&newline;Additional credits: Milt Banta & Tom Oreb (story); Mac Davis (directing animator); Jud Conlon (vocal arranger); Joseph Dubin (orchestrator); Al Hoffman (songs).&newline;&newline;Layout Artists: Mac Stewart; Tom Codrick; Charles Philippi; A. Kendall O'Connor; Hugh Hennesy; Don Griffith; Thor Putnam; and Lance Nolley&newline;&newline;Color and Styling: Mary Blair; John Hench; Claude Coats; Ken Anderson; and Don Da Gradi&newline;&newline;Character Animation: Hal King; Don Lusk; Judge Whitaker; Cliff Nordberg; Hal Ambro; Harvey Toombs; Bill Justice; Fred Moore; Phil Duncan; Marvin Woodward; Bob Carlson; Hugh Fraser; and Charles Nicholas.&newline;&newline;Effects Animation: Josh Meador; George Rowley; DanMacManus; and Blaine Gibson&newline;&newline;Backgrounds: RayHuffine; Ralph Hulett; Art Riley; Brice Mack; Dick Anthony; and Thelma Witmer&newline;&newline;Copyright 1951 Walt Disney Productions. Tower Records
Alice In Wonderland Beaumont, Kathryn Wynn, Ed Beaumont, Kathryn Jackson, Wilfred Wallace, Oliver 786936232301 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 1/27/2004 G (MPAA) N Y Mono Color 75 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $24.99 Based on the 1865 book by Lewis Carroll, this is the classic Disney animated version of Alice's adventures as she follows a white rabbit into a &doublequote;Wonderland&doublequote; of her own imagination. On her journey, she encounters the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and a host of other beloved characters brought to life with the usual Disney zest. Combining stellar animation with upbeat songs such as &doublequote;I'm Late,&doublequote; ALICE IN WONDERLAND garnered an Academy Award nomination for &doublequote;Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;Animated musical version of the Lewis Carroll classic about a prim young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and encounters an upside-down, illogical, magical world. This is the classic Disney version, featuring beautiful animation and startling imagery.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: 1951.&newline;&newline;Rereleased 1974 and 1981.&newline;&newline;ALICE IN WONDERLAND is the 13th full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.&newline;&newline;Shot in Technicolor.&newline;&newline;Debut film for actress Kathryn Beaumont.&newline;&newline;Additional credits: Milt Banta & Tom Oreb (story); Mac Davis (directing animator); Jud Conlon (vocal arranger); Joseph Dubin (orchestrator); Al Hoffman (songs).&newline;&newline;Layout Artists: Mac Stewart; Tom Codrick; Charles Philippi; A. Kendall O'Connor; Hugh Hennesy; Don Griffith; Thor Putnam; and Lance Nolley&newline;&newline;Color and Styling: Mary Blair; John Hench; Claude Coats; Ken Anderson; and Don Da Gradi&newline;&newline;Character Animation: Hal King; Don Lusk; Judge Whitaker; Cliff Nordberg; Hal Ambro; Harvey Toombs; Bill Justice; Fred Moore; Phil Duncan; Marvin Woodward; Bob Carlson; Hugh Fraser; and Charles Nicholas.&newline;&newline;Effects Animation: Josh Meador; George Rowley; DanMacManus; and Blaine Gibson&newline;&newline;Backgrounds: RayHuffine; Ralph Hulett; Art Riley; Brice Mack; Dick Anthony; and Thelma Witmer&newline;&newline;Copyright 1951 Walt Disney Productions. Tower Records
An Extremely Goofy Movie Marsden, Jason Farmer, Bill Shore, Pauly Neuwirth, Bebe Lewis, Vicki Harrowell, Ian 717951007100 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 7/1/2003 1 Not Rated N Y Digital Color 79 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $14.99 When Goofy's son Max enrolls in college, Goofy copes by enrolling as well. As if that wasn't awkward enough, Goofy's stuck-in-the-seventies styles and new romance with the school librarian add up to a whole lot of wackiness. Includes bonus &doublequote;Kids' Goofiest Jokes&doublequote; and a video from British music group Cleopatra. Tower Records
Atlantis:Milo's Return 786936180145 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 5/20/2003 Not Rated Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 80 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $26.99 This sequel to Disney's 2001 hit ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE finds explorer Milo Thatch and his team returning to Atlantis when Milo uncovers a new mystery that appears to be related to the crystal of Atlantis. Unfortunately, this mystery also spells trouble for the storied underwater civilization and draws Milo and Kida above water to once again defend the formerly lost empire. Tower Records
Atlantis:The Lost Empire Fox, Michael J. Varney, Jim Wise, Kirk Whedon, Joss Waren, Diane 786936166095 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 1/29/2002 PG (MPAA) Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 95 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $26.99 Part INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, part 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE marries mythology, cool futuristic underwater space crafts, and turn-of-the-century adventure for an animated treat. Thanks in part to cowriter Joss Whedon (creator of the edgy BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER series), the film is filled with relaxed wit and more grown-up, pseudo-supernatural perils than some recent Disney films, without being inappropriate for kids. This non-musical extravaganza pits Good against Evil, and pairs a nerdy young scientist-turned-explorer, Milo Thatch (Michael J. Fox), with an independent-minded blond bombshell of a princess, Kida (Cree Summer)--provided Kida's father, the distrusting king (Leonard Nimoy) approves. Milo, a museum curator relegated to menial jobs, is obsessed with the famed lost empire of Atlantis. His grandfather once told him about a mysterious Shepherd's Journal that could help him find the now-sunken kingdom and, with the help of eccentric millionaire Preston B. Whitmore (John Mahoney), Milo and several other funny, quirky crew members set out on a heart-pounding adventure. The crew includes Vinny, a demolitionist (Don Novello, better known as Father Guido Sarducci), Dr. Sweet, the gentle cook (Phil Morris, a.k.a. Kramer's lawyer on SEINFELD), and a paternal but brusque Captain Rourke (James Garner). The plot is intricate and suspenseful, and artist Mike Mignola (creator of the graphic comic book HELLBOY) offers up an intense but beautifully simple animated environment as stunning as Queen Amadala's planet in STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE. With monsters like the vicious Leviathan (a mechanical lobster that guards the gates to the city) adding thrills and chills, who could ask for more?&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 15, 2001 Tower Records
Chicken Run Gibson, Mel Sawalha, Julia Spall, Timothy Daniels, Phil Richardson, Miranda Horrocks, Jane Staunton, Imelda Sawalha, Julia Haygarth, Tony Park, Nick Rosenthal, Jack 667068645323 DVD Universal Studios Home Video 11/19/2002 G (MPAA) Y N Stereo Color 84 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $14.99 Facing imminent death while laying eggs at Tweedy's English farm, a group of chickens led by the determined Ginger (Julia Sawahla, BBC-TV's ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS) plan to escape their prisonlike coop. The situation goes from bad to worse when the sinister Mrs. Tweedy (Miranda Richardson) decides to stop selling eggs and use the hens as the main ingredient in chicken pot pies. However, some hope literally falls from the sky in the form of Rocky (Mel Gibson), an American rooster who promises to teach the chickens how to fly. As the hens begin their struggle to get airborne, the monstrous pie-making machine arrives, giving the chickens precious little time to make their great escape.&newline;&newline;Aardman Studios' first full-length feature film is a stunning showcase of stop-motion animation. Utilizing the unique Plasticine designs of the acclaimed WALLACE & GROMIT and CREATURE COMFORT shorts, CHICKEN RUN features vibrant visuals and colorful characters that are immediately endearing. (The naive and constantly knitting Babs, voiced by Jane Horrocks, is particularly hilarious.) With its clever writing, witty film references, and pitch-perfect combination of comedy, drama, and romance, CHICKEN RUN is one of those rare movies that genuinely appeals to viewers of every age.&newline;&newline;This engaging stop-motion, claymation adventure tells the story of an American rooster who falls in love with a gorgeous hen on a British farm. The couple decides to run away from the farm, but they must first contend with the evil farmer who is intent on keeping them under her control. Brought to you by the creative team behind WALLACE AND GROMIT, CHICKEN RUN is an animated work of entertainment for individuals of every age.&newline;&newline;Theatrical release: June 21, 2000 (N.Y./L.A.); June 23, 2000 (national).&newline;&newline;The Plasticine characters in CHICKEN RUN were often moved 24 times for every second of exposed film. At the height of the movie's production, up to 40 stop-motion animators worked around the clock to capture just 10 seconds of footage per day.&newline;&newline;Phil Daniels was the star of the cult film QUADROPHENIA (1979) and also contributed vocals to the 1994 British hit single &doublequote;Parklife&doublequote; by Blur.&newline;&newline;Paul Clinton of cnn.com, Jan Stuart and Gene Seymour of Newsday, Desson Howe of the Washington Post, A.O. Scott of the New York Times, Jeff Strickler of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly, the Austin Chronicle, and Time magazine named CHICKEN RUN one of the 10 best films of 2000.&newline;&newline;The National Board of Review, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Florida Film Critics Circle, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association named CHICKEN RUN Best Animated Feature of 2000.&newline;&newline;The Las Vegas Film Critics Society named CHICKEN RUN Best Family Film of 2000.&newline;&newline;CHICKEN RUN was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture--Musical or Comedy.&newline;&newline;CHICKEN RUN was the feature-film winner at the 15th Annual Genesis Awards: &doublequote;The only major media and arts award concerning animal issues, the Genesis Award is presented by The Ark Trust, Inc. to honor outstanding individuals in the major media and artistic community who have communicated animal-rights and animal-welfare issues with courage, artistry and integrity.&doublequote;&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Morning, Ginger. Back from holiday?&doublequote;--Babs (Jane Horrocks) to Ginger (Julie Sawahla)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I wasn't on holiday, Babs. I was in solitary confinement.&doublequote;--Ginger&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Aw...it's nice to get some time to yourself, isn't it?&doublequote;--Babs&newline;&newline;&doublequote;So laying eggs all your life and then getting stuffed and roasted, that's good enough for you, is it?&doublequote;--Ginger to Babs&newline;&newline;&doublequote;It's a living.&doublequote;--Babs&newline;&newline;&doublequote;I saw my whole life flash before my eyes! It was boring!&doublequote;--Babs on almost getting the ax&newline;&newline;&doublequote;The name's Rocky. Rocky the Rhode Island Red. Rhodes for short.&doublequote;--Rocky (Mel Gibson)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Rocky Rhodes?&doublequote;--Bunty (Imelda Staunton)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Catchy, huh?&doublequote;--Rocky&newline;&newline;&doublequote;You mean you weren't the pilot?&doublequote;--Ginger to Fowler (Benjamin Whitrow)&newline;&newline;&doublequote;Good heavens, no! I'm a chicken! The Royal Air Force doesn't allow chickens behind the controls of complex aircraft!&doublequote;--Fowler Tower Records
Cinderella II: Dreams Come True Kafka, John 786936148435 DVD Buena Vista Home Entertainment 2/26/2002 Not Rated Y Y Digitally Mastered Color 73 1 Kids & Family : Animation N $23.99 This sequel to Disney's classic CINDERELLA, made over 50 years after its predecessor, picks up where the original left off. Cinderella has married Prince Charming and returned to the palace, her new home, after the honeymoon when she learns that adapting to her lifestyle may be even more difficult than escaping her evil stepmother. Finding herself in the role of Royal Hostess but unfamiliar with the traditions of the Royal Court, Cinderella worries that her provincial manner of entertaining will be inappropriate. Ho