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"The Limey" (1999) (R) Widescreen Format
starring Terence Stamp, Peter Fonda, and Lesley Ann Warren;
directed by Steven Soderbergh
Steven Soderbergh is on a roll. Between the critical success
of "Out of Sight" and the current popularity of "Erin
Brockovich" (see more below), Soderbergh directed "The
Limey," a visceral sucker punch of a thriller starring
Terence Stamp in an unforgettable performance. Stamp plays a
tenacious Cockney bruiser who's come to L.A. to solve the
mystery of his daughter's disappearance, and to pummel
anyone who gets in his way. Peter Fonda plays the laid-back
mogul who's hiding too many secrets, and Soderbergh weaves
it all together with brash style and time-leaping editorial
bravado. The DVD includes not one but two audio commentaries
(by Soderbergh with screenwriter Lem Dobbs, and Stamp with
Fonda), a behind-the-scenes featurette, and an isolated
music track.
"El Dorado" (1967) (NR) Widescreen Format
starring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan;
directed by Howard Hawks
One of the last of the great Westerns, and a latter-day
classic in the stellar careers of John Wayne and director
Howard Hawks, "El Dorado" is a belated follow-up to their
earlier "Rio Bravo." An easygoing camaraderie prevails, as
Wayne and Mitchum share an abundance of witty repartee while
greenhorn James Caan is the target of good-natured ridicule
for wearing a goofy hat and battling a case of poor
marksmanship. Mitchum's a drunken sheriff on a terrific
bender, and the Duke hits town to dispense with the
gunslinger (Christopher George) who's causing a lot of
trouble. A smooth, masterfully crafted entertainment, "El
Dorado" plays like a beautiful sunset on Hollywood's golden
age, with "Easy Rider" and the "New Hollywood" movement
waiting in the wings.
"Steely Dan: Aja" (1999) (NR) Full-Screen Format
featuring Donald Fagen and Walter Becker
Now that Steely Dan has released its first album ("Two
Against Nature") in 20 years, it's a great time to check out
this new DVD celebrating their great (some would say
greatest) album, "Aja." Released in 1977, the album quickly
attained classic status with such hits as "Black Cow,"
"Deacon Blues," and the ultrasmooth title track. In this
documentary (part of Rhino's Classic Albums series), Steely
Dan masterminds Becker and Fagen discuss the composition,
arrangement, and immaculate recording of several of the best
tracks on "Aja," adding to anyone's appreciation for their
musical mastery. Simply put, this is a must-have for Steely
Dan fans.
"Eyes Wide Shut" (1999) (R) Full-Screen Format
starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman; directed by Stanley
Kubrick
March 7--the first anniversary of Stanley Kubrick's
death--is the DVD release date of the late, great director's
final film, "Eyes Wide Shut." As often was the case with
Kubrick's films, the DVD arrives amidst moderate dissent and
controversy, because it does not include the "unrated"
version of the film that was shown outside the U.S. This is
the R- rated American theatrical version, with figures
digitally inserted to obscure certain sexual activities in
the film's most explicit scene. Kubrick purists may protest,
but the DVD looks and sounds terrific, and the bonus
interviews with Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Steven
Spielberg are fascinating.
"The Bear" (1989) (PG) Widescreen Format
starring Bart the Bear and Douk the Bear Cub, plus a few
humans; directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud
A strong contender for one of the most astonishing nature
films ever made, "The Bear" is a tribute to the patience,
tenacity, and technical craftsmanship of director
Jean-Jacques Annaud and his expert crew--notably
cinematographer Philippe Rousselot. Filmed primarily in the
Dolomite mountain range of Northern Italy, this remarkable
film unfolds almost without words, telling the story of a
young, orphaned bear cub, his friendship with an adult
Kodiak bear, and their grand adventures in the wild.
"How Green Was My Valley" (1941) (NR) Full-Screen Format
starring Roddy McDowall, Walter Pidgeon, and Maureen O'Hara;
directed by John Ford
Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture
(winning over "Citizen Kane," no less) and Best Director,
John Ford's exquisite drama about a Welsh mining family is
one of the director's masterpieces. Adapted from the
acclaimed novel by Richard Llewellyn, the film offers a deft
balance of family values and tensions, bittersweet memoir,
discreet romance, and--with Roddy McDowall in his film
debut--one of Hollywood's finest coming-of-age stories. A
must-have DVD for any fan of classic movies.
"An Extremely Goofy Movie" (2000) (NR) Full-Screen Format,
starring Goofy and Max
Goofy puts on his boogie shoes and gets funky in "An
Extremely Goofy Movie," a Disney feature aimed at a very
young audience with some savvy jokes tossed in for parental
enjoyment. This time out, Goofy's desperately in need of a
job but needs a college degree--so he attends college with
his son Max, and gets a serious case of disco fever while
he's at it. Seventies nostalgia and a danceable soundtrack
make this a rousing sample of family entertainment.
"An Affair to Remember" (1957) (NR) Widescreen Format
starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr; directed by Leo McCarey
Remember that classic "chick flick" that everyone was
bawling over in "Sleepless in Seattle"? Here's that
movie--"An Affair to Remember"--with Cary Grant and Deborah
Kerr in a remake of director Leo McCarey's own earlier film,
"Love Story" (later remade with Warren Beatty and Annette
Bening). After meeting on an ocean liner, Grant and Kerr put
their love to the test by agreeing to split for six months
and then, if their passion remains, meet again atop the
Empire State Building. Get out your Kleenex--classic
Hollywood weepers don't get any better than this.
"Never Cry Wolf" (1983) (PG) Widescreen Anamorphic
starring Charles Martin Smith and Brian Dennehy; directed by
Carroll Ballard
Director Carroll Ballard has contributed three of the very
best family-oriented films of the past 25 years: "The Black
Stallion," "Never Cry Wolf," and "Fly Away Home." Of those
three, "Never Cry Wolf" is the most underrated, and has been
unavailable on video for years. Now, thanks to its agreement
with Disney Home Video, Anchor Bay Video has released a
splendid DVD of this remarkable film, based on Farley
Mowat's fine book about a man who studies wolves by living
among them. An unforgettable film--don't miss it!
"Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939) (NR) Full-Screen Format
starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur; directed by Frank Capra
The latest of Columbia's glorious DVD releases of Frank
Capra classics, this timeless gem stars James Stewart in one
of his most beloved roles as Jefferson Smith, a naive but
intelligent new senator whose idealized view of Washington,
D.C. politics cannot be undermined by corrupt congressmen.
Capra's own idealism and faith in America shine through, and
this briskly paced indictment of cynicism hasn't lost any of
its relevance. Included on the DVD is a retrospective
featurette with Frank Capra Jr., who also provides audio
commentary.
"Double Jeopardy" (1999) (R) Widescreen Format
starring Ashley Judd, Tommy Lee Jones, and Bruce Greenwood;
directed by Bruce Beresford
A surprise box office hit from last year, "Double Jeopardy"
stars Ashley Judd (currently appearing in "Eye of the
Beholder") as a woman who's been framed for the alleged
murder of her husband (Bruce Greenwood), who has gone on to
pursue a successful life under a new identity. Tommy Lee
Jones is fine as the hardboiled detective who sorts out the
facts, but it's Judd's performance that holds together this
slightly absurd but highly entertaining thriller. She's so
good you'll probably ignore the plot holes, which are
occasionally large enough to drive a truck through.
"Tarzan" (1999) (G) Widescreen Anamorphic
featuring the voices of Tony Goldwyn and Minnie Driver;
directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima
Adapted from the fiction of Edgar Rice Burroughs, "Tarzan"
was a Disney hit in 1999, incorporating a new 3-D technology
called Deep Canvas to add rich dimension to Tarzan's agile
moves in the jungle. Featuring songs performed by Phil
Collins and a voice cast including Rosie O'Donnell, Glenn
Close, and Nigel Hawthorne, the film is available now on
DVD, and a deluxe special edition will be released on April
18.
"The Astronaut's Wife" (1999) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen Formats
starring Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron; directed by Rand
Ravich
OK, so it ain't "Citizen Kane," but the sci-fi thriller "The
Astronaut's Wife" offers some stylish fun, with Johnny Depp
playing an astronaut who experienced something strange
during his most recent space mission. Back on earth, he
starts acting even more strange, and his lovely wife
(Charlize Theron) is soon pregnant with some very strange
twins. Get the picture? Nobody's going to mistake this for a
classic, but as creepy thrillers go, it's good for a rainy
night with lots of popcorn.
"Trick" (1999) (R) Widescreen Format
starring Christian Campbell and J.P. Pitoc; directed by Jim
Fall
A talented cast, a witty screenplay, and a sweet sense of
romance... "Trick" emerged as the most acclaimed gay-themed
indie film of 1999. Christian Campbell (older brother of
"Party of Five" and "Scream" star Neve Campbell) costars
with J.P. Pitoc as a pair of amorous lovers who can't seem
to find the right time or place to develop their
relationship. Fueled by snappy dialogue and a finely tuned
supporting cast including Tori Spelling (don't
snicker--she's good!), "Trick" is not likely to find a large
mainstream audience, but those who discover it will be
richly rewarded.
"Rushmore--Criterion Collection" (1999) (R) Widescreen
starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams; directed
by Wes Anderson
When Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket" was released in 1996, a
handful of astute critics recognized the arrival of a
promising new filmmaker. That early promise was further
proven when Anderson's "Rushmore" was released in
1998. Included on hundreds of critics' top 10 lists that
year, this bracingly original comedy became a cause celebre
among discerning filmgoers, so it's only fitting that this
unique comedy (previously available as a "plain vanilla"
DVD) has now been released as a Criterion Collection DVD. In
addition to a feature-length audio commentary by Anderson,
actor Jason Schwartzman, and cowriter Owen Wilson, this
feature-packed disc includes footage of the cast auditions,
a behind-the-scenes featurette on "The Making of
'Rushmore,'" and the entire hour-long segment of PBS's "The
Charlie Rose Show" featuring Anderson and Bill Murray. Like
Schwartzman's quirky character in the film, this DVD's a
real overachiever!
"Bowfinger" (1999) (PG-13) Widescreen
starring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy; directed by Frank Oz
A hilarious look at the lower depths of Hollywood's talent
pool, "Bowfinger" stars Steve Martin as a low-rent producer
who desperately needs a major star (Eddie Murphy) to topline
his latest sci-fi extravaganza. Instead he's forced to hire
a look-alike (also Eddie Murphy) to get the film in the can,
and this sets the groundwork for one of the best comedies of
1999 (written by Martin), with Eddie Murphy doing excellent
work in dual roles.
"The 13th Warrior" (1999) (rated R) Widescreen
starring Antonio Banderas; directed by John McTiernan
In 1999, director John McTiernan (of "Die Hard" fame) felt
the high of success and the sting of failure at the box
office, scoring a hit with "The Thomas Crown Affair" and a
miss with "The 13th Warrior." The latter wasn't exactly a
box-office bomb, but this epic adventure (based on Michael
Crichton's novel "Eaters of the Dead") had been sitting on
the studio shelf for well over a year, and was dumped into
theaters with little fanfare. It's a flawed but engrossing
film that's guaranteed to satisfy anyone's appetite for
full-blooded action and historical adventure.
"The Night of the Hunter" (1955) (NR) Full-Screen
starring Robert Mitchum; directed by Charles Laughton
The first and only film directed by actor Charles Laughton,
this 1955 thriller is a timeless masterpiece of terror, with
Robert Mitchum in one of his finest, scariest roles as a
psychotic preacher obsessed with extracting the secret of
hidden money from two frightened children. An American
classic, as artfully effective now as it was 45 years ago.
"An Ideal Husband" (1999) (PG-13) Widescreen Anamorphic
starring Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, and Minnie Driver;
directed by Oliver Parker
When it comes to upscale dialogue and witty repartee, Oscar
Wilde was a master without peer. Faithfully adapted by
director Oliver Parker (who directed Laurence Fishburne in
"Othello"), "An Ideal Husband" breathes vibrant life into
one of Wilde's lesser-known plays, with a stellar cast ready
and willing to make the most of Wilde's elaborate plot of
blackmail, mistaken identity, and quirks of fate. Briskly
paced and beautifully designed, this satirical romp adds
romantic comedy to give it an added kick of entertainment.
"American Pie" (1999) (Unrated Version)
Full-Screen and
Widescreen now available
starring Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, and Mena Suvari; directed
by Paul Weitz
It should come as no surprise that of the two versions of
"American Pie" released on DVD last week, the unrated
version is by far the more popular. You can't go wrong
either way, and this entertaining teen comedy is pretty much
the same slice of pie either way you cut it--it's just that
the unrated version gives you a few more crumbs of comedy to
savor. You can hardly tell the difference, really, except
for the unrated version's alternate scene in which Jim
(Jason Biggs) practices "doing it" with a warm apple
pie. (In the R- rated version he's vertical; here he's on
the kitchen counter!) And while drooling guys may wish to
see more of the lovely Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), the
unrated version opts instead to reveal more explicit details
of the homemade "Bible" sex manual that had been cut from
the R-rated version. Apart from that, there's nothing here
to offend anyone that wasn't there already; we still learn
what a M.I.L.F. is, and the guys still manage to lose their
virginity without demeaning themselves or their equally
willing girlfriends. And the DVD bonus features are a kick
in the pants--especially a series of outtakes and the audio
commentary with the director and several cast members,
proving yet again that boys will be boys.
Also available in the original theatrical R-rated version
"Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Collector's Edition)" (1982)
(R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judge
Reinhold; directed by Amy Heckerling
"American Pie" may be an honest and brazenly frank look at
teenage sex and high school anxiety, but 1982's "Fast Times
at Ridgemont High" is still the movie to beat when it comes
to capturing the high school experience with emotional
authenticity. Of course, everyone remembers two things:
Phoebe Cates as the topless object of Judge Reinhold's
sexual fantasy, and Sean Penn's perfectly gnarly performance
as everyone's favorite stoner, Jeff Spicoli. What's so great
about this movie, in addition to its timeless appeal, is the
fantastic ensemble cast of then-unknowns at the start of
their careers. This collector's edition DVD offers a fine
retrospective documentary including interviews with most of
the cast, and there's a terrific audio commentary by
director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter (now
writer-director) Cameron Crowe, along with an interactive
map to "Ridgemont" hangouts then and now.
"It Happened One Night" (1934) (NR) Full-Screen
starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert; directed by
Frank Capra.
One of the greatest-ever romantic comedies and the first
film to win the Academy Award in all five top categories
(Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay), "It
Happened One Night" just gets better with age (it's now 65
years old). Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert costar in two
of their most memorable roles, as (respectively) a reporter
who falls in love with a runaway heiress during a romantically
eventful road trip. Directed by Frank Capra, the film
arrives on DVD in high style, with commentary by Capra's
son, vintage advertising materials, and the original live
radio broadcast to promote the film. Another release in the
line of Columbia Classics, this one's not to be missed.
"Pink Floyd: The Wall" (1982) (NR) Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1
Critics were decidedly mixed when "Pink Floyd: The Wall" was
released in 1982. Director Alan Parker's visual
interpretation of Pink Floyd's brilliant double album is a
daring experiment that's not altogether successful, but it's
become a bona fide cult picture that Floyd fans will surely
want to own on DVD. Boasting a new high-definition film
transfer that preserves the film's original 2.35:1
widescreen aspect ratio, the DVD also offers a remastered
Dolby Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack. But the real treat for
Floyd fans is the opportunity to hear and see the man behind
the music: Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, who conceived the
original album, can be heard on the DVD commentary along
with the film's animation director, Gerald Scarfe. Waters
also appears in a new 45-minute retrospective documentary,
which is included on the DVD with another behind-the-scenes
documentary, "The Other Side of the Wall." As if that
weren't enough, you also get deleted footage, a production
stills gallery, the original theatrical trailer, and
more. If you're a fan of Pink Floyd's landmark musical
masterpiece, this is a must-have DVD.
"Dick" (1999) (PG-13) Full-Screen and Widescreen
starring Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, and Dan Hedaya;
directed by Andrew Fleming
Aptly described as a cross between "Clueless" and "All the
President's Men," "Dick" is a terrific comedy that poses a
hilarious scenario: What if two teenage girls witnessed the
Watergate break-in and passed their info to "Post" reporters
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein? Better yet, what if they
were airheads who really didn't know what was going on, but
still managed to break the case that led to President "Dick"
Nixon's resignation? Clever writing and great performances
by Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams make this one of the
best comedies of 1999 (along with "Election"), and "Dick" is
a real treat on DVD, with a deleted scene, bloopers, a
behind-the-scenes featurette, and commentary by director
Andrew Fleming and cowriter Sheryl Longin.
"Buena Vista Social Club" (1999) (G) Full-Screen
directed by Wim Wenders
As a follow-up to Ry Cooder's Grammy-winning album, the film
"Buena Vista Social Club" joins Cooder as he returns to
Havana, Cuba, to record a solo album with 72-year-old
vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer. Cooder's longtime friend Wim
Wenders was on hand to record the occasion on film, and this
splendid documentary serves as an affectionate portrait of
several veteran Cuban musicians, who reminisce about their
past in Havana and reunite for concerts that captivated
audiences in Amsterdam and New York City. A celebration of
life and music, this extraordinary film is now on DVD with
commentary by Wenders and additional footage not shown in
theaters.
"The Last Detail" (1974) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
starring Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, and Otis Young;
directed by Hal Ashby
Highlighting two of Jack Nicholson's finest earlier
performances, "Five Easy Pieces" and "The Last Detail" are
milestones of American film in the early 1970s, showcasing
Nicholson's talent as a rising star and defining the daring
quality of movies during that robust era of Hollywood
creativity. A brilliant character study, "Five Easy Pieces"
stars Nicholson as an outcast who travels to Washington
State to visit his dying father. Written by "Chinatown"
screenwriter Robert Towne "The Last Detail" is a salty
comedy-drama in which two errant sailors (Nicholson and
Young) are assigned to escort a naive thief (Randy Quaid)
from Norfolk, Virginia, to a Navy brig in Massachusetts…
but not before giving their prisoner a wild time before
prison. Both of these films show Nicholson at his finest,
just before he was catapulted to stardom in "Chinatown."
"Five Easy Pieces" (1970) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
starring Jack Nicholson and Karen Black; directed by Bob Rafelson
"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (PG-13)
starring Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Verne Troyer, and Michael York;
directed by Jay Roach
Cast your memory back to 1997, when "Austin Powers,
International Man of Mystery" drew critical raves but hardly
a stampede at the box office. Its phenomenal popularity was
fully established by video and DVD, and this year's sequel,
"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," was a guaranteed
box-office smash. Now it's one of the hottest DVDs of 1999,
and like its predecessor it's been released as a shagadelic
DVD in New Line's Platinum Series, loaded with enough bonus
features to keep you laughing for hours. There's a
commentary by Mike Myers (you'll know this one's a hoot if
you heard his track on the first DVD), nearly 20 minutes of
deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a
"Biography" spoof about Dr. Evil, DVD-ROM features, and
more. Oh, and let's not forget the scene-stealing Mini-Me
(Verne Troyer) and Heather Graham as Austin's sexy American
sidekick, Felicity Shagwell--grrrrrr!
"The Wolfgang Petersen Collection" (R)
includes three films: "Das Boot," "In the Line of Fire," and "Air
Force One"
If you're just starting a DVD collection or looking for a
great gift for a DVD enthusiast, this boxed set of thrillers
by German emigre director Wolfgang Petersen is highly
recommended. Ever since his international breakthrough with
the landmark submarine epic "Das Boot," Petersen has been
crafting superior mainstream hits for top-ranking Hollywood
stars, and all three of these films showcase his remarkable
talent for combining lavish production values with human
drama and nail-biting tension. A great vehicle for Clint
Eastwood, "In the Line of Fire" also features John Malkovich
in one of the best villain roles of the 1990s, and "Air
Force One" is a rousing terrorist thriller that perfectly
casts Harrison Ford as a U.S. president who's a genuine man
of action. All three films stand up to multiple viewings,
and they're all impressive on DVD.
"Monty Python's Life of Brian--Criterion Collection" (R)
starring Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry
Jones, and Terry Gilliam; directed by Terry Jones
Can comedy be blasphemous? A lot of prematurely judgmental
people thought so when the Monty Python gang released "Life
of Brian" in 1979, but the movie's satirical take on
organized religion is only offensive to those who lack a
sense of humor. For everyone else, this is surely one of the
troupe's best features, and its story about a man (Graham
Chapman) mistaken for a messiah is certain to provide some
hilarious food for thought. As always, the Criterion
Collection has produced a splendid DVD, with two
commentaries by Python alumni, deleted scenes, production
notes, and widescreen presentation.
The above reviews are from Amazon.com.
