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Please click on any movie title below to order from Amazon.Com.
Thanks,
Lonewolf
"Election" (1999) (R) VHS
starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon; directed by
Alexander Payne
Here's a name to remember: Alexander Payne. The writer-
director has only made two films, both edgy black
comedies. Like "Citizen Ruth" (a comedy about abortion
rights), "Election" takes wicked aim at an unlikely target:
teacher-student relations. The film centers on an admirable
teacher's (Matthew Broderick) fall from grace when revenge
becomes his lifework. His target is Miss Perfection (Reese
Witherspoon in a performance that nabbed Best Actress honors
from the National Society of Film Critics) who is running
unopposed for class president. A movie for everyone? Not on
your life, but for those looking for the sarcastic wit of
America's dark side, this feature is your pick and Payne
your filmmaker of the future. The script has been nominated
for an Oscar.
"Sandra Bernhard: I'm Still Here... Damn It" (2000) (NR) VHS
a filmed performance by Sandra Bernhard
The killer elite of stand-up comedy has her nails sharpened
for this filmed concert. Sandra Bernhard's shameless,
stinging comedy cuts a wide swath through American culture:
cordless phones, Lilith Fair, and Paula Jones are just some
of the prime targets for Bernhard's attacks. This HBO
concert is Bernhard's only stand-up performance on video,
and while mainstream America has seemingly passed her by,
the rest of us can enjoy Bernhard in her element. Not rated,
but the Parental Advisory sticker ain't there for nothing.
"The Thirteenth Floor" (1999) (R) VHS
starring Craig Bierko and Gretchen Mol; directed by Josef Rusnak
Here's one of those minor sci-fi films that are so much fun
to discover. A computer programmer leaves an urgent message
for his colleague inside a virtual reality program (set in
pre-war Los Angeles) before he is murdered. The colleague
(Craig Bierko, the heavy from "The Long Kiss Goodnight") is
fascinated by this fantasy world and is seduced by his
alternate personality. Slightly recooked from a dozen other
movies, "The Thirteenth Floor" is still quite spry,
something Rod Serling might have delivered in his prime.
"Varsity Blues" (1999) (R) VHS
starring James Van Der Beek and Jon Voight; directed by
Brian Robbins
Near-fantasy of Gen-Y football, Texas style. MTV coproduced
this film, and it shows with lots of flash, crazy football
action, and a good dose of nudity. What makes you care,
though, is the earnest work by James Van Der Beek as the
perpetual backup quarterback who finds the limelight
intoxicating when he becomes the starter. Jon Voight eats
gobs of scenery as the tyrannical coach making for a
masterful villain to hiss. All this plus a whipped-cream
bikini on top.
"Pi" (1998) (R) VHS
starring Sean Gullette and Mark Margolis; directed by Darren
Aronofsky
"Mathematics is the language of nature. Everything around us
can be represented and understood through numbers." Sounds
like something from "The Matrix," but "Pi" certainly isn't
cut from the same cloth. This moody, cerebral thriller
centers on a mathematician whose fascination with numbers
makes him a marked man. Made with a "Blair Witch"-type
budget, this Sundance Film Festival winner proves there are
young filmmakers out there who will challenge a film
audience with an intellectual subject. And at under $10, the
number is right.
"Pokemon: The First Movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back " (1999) (G) VHS Clamshell
starring Ash, Brock, Misty, Team Rocket, and loads of Pokemon
If you're reading this, then you're probably far older than
the core audience for the phenomenon of 1999. The first
movie (yes, there will be more) will not explain the world
of Pokemon to the novice, but the fan will find lots of cool
stuff, new Pokemon to meet, and a catchy soundtrack. Is the
film any different from the popular TV show? Not really.
Hey, would you mess with a formula that's bringing in
billions from around the world? Yes, the kids will love
it. A new Pokemon card is included in each package.
"Tarzan" (1999) (G) VHS Clamshell
starring the voices of Tony Goldwyn and Minnie Driver;
directed by Chris Buck and Kevin Lima
By slightly altering their popular formula, Disney found a
gem in the jungle with last year's animated feature. What
gives the film its zing is the clever use of music (the
songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen
characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a new
3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a
jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees,
often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant
tree limbs.
"October Sky" (1999) (PG-13) VHS
starring Chris Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal; directed by Joe
Johnston
Based on the memoir "Rocket Boys" by Homer H. Hickam Jr.,
"October Sky" emerged as one of the most delightful sleepers
of 1999. It's a simple memoir of a classic movie theme: a
dreamer yearning to dream. Here the dreamer is a boy
(newcomer Jake Gyllenhaal) who wants to be a part of the new
space race to the moon. Laura Dern costars as the teacher
who supports the dream, and Chris Cooper is the hard-working
dad who believes his son's destiny is to follow him into the
West Virginia coal mines.
"Rushmore" (1998) (R) VHS
starring Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman; directed by Wes
Anderson
There was a lot of hubbub about the non-nomination of
critics' favorite Bill Murray for his stellar work in this
comedy about an unorthodox student. Lost in the shuffle is
how poorly the movie did at the box office. Justice wasn't
served: "Rushmore" is nothing less than a modern American
masterpiece. Writers Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson channel
Mark Twain to tell the tale of Max Fisher, Rushmore
Academy's top extracurricular leader--and worst
student. Under the influence of alumnus Herman Blume
(Murray), Max goes into a new direction, until both fall for
a 1st grade teacher and, well, a war breaks out.
"Bull Durham" (1988) (R) VHS
starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins;
directed by Ron Shelton
As the baseball talk heats up, here's a perfect companion.
If "Bull Durham" isn't the best baseball movie ever made, it
certainly is the funniest and sexiest. Kevin Costner (never
better) and Susan Sarandon have the time of their lives with
writer-director Ron Shelton's playful (and often blue)
prose. Long out of print on VHS, "Bull Durham" is another of
the defunct Orion Pictures gems that MGM is rereleasing on
video.
"A Civil Action" (1998) (PG-13) VHS
starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall; directed by Steven
Zaillian
Jonathan Harr's nonfiction bestseller about a labyrinthine
case involving industrial pollution, contaminated drinking
water, and the deaths of innocent children in New England is
potent stuff. John Travolta and "Schindler's List" scribe
Steve Zaillian boil down the maddening case to a magnetic
look at contemporary law and personal ethics. However, it's
Robert Duvall who steals the show as a cagey veteran
representing the law at its brilliant foundation: to best
represent one's client.
"Super Bowl XXXIV" (2000) (NR) VHS
Some call it the best ever. Now you can see for yourself (or
relive it) with this highlights video of Super Bowl XXXIV
between the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans played
last month.
"Toy Story" (G) Clamshell Special Edition (VHS)
starring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen; directed by
John Lasseter
With the sequel now entertaining audiences in theaters,
Disney rereleases Pixar's original animated film showing us
the secret life of toys. With all the fun and fantastic
computer animation, director John Lasseter and crew still
make a whopping tale the old fashioned way: they start with
a great story. Of all the accolades deservedly bestowed upon
this film, the most significant is its distinction as the
only animated movie to receive an Oscar nomination for its
screenplay. This new special edition contains a music video,
a look behind the scenes, and Pixar's Oscar-winning short
"Tin Toy."
"Ally McBeal" Boxed Set (NR) (VHS)
starring Calista Flockhart
With six episodes from the first year of the touchstone Fox
TV series, this set certainly captures the show's
highlights, hitting the major character developments and the
catchy did-you-see-it-last-night shenanigans, including the
infamous dancing baby. The retrospective also drives home
the frank perspectives that made the film a hit for both
sexes. Fans will certainly want this on their collector's
shelf.
"Go" (R) (VHS)
starring Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Scott Wolf; directed by
Doug Liman
Like the rest of Hollywood, we're scratching our heads
trying to figure out why this energetic comedy-drama wasn't
a big hit. Tabbed the "son of 'Pulp Fiction,'" this day in
the life of numerous twentysomething Angelenos has the
danger and giddy unpredictability of Tarantino's own ode to
L.A. Filled with some of the brightest young stars and
helmed by the director of the equally hip "Swingers," "Go"
is one of last year's best unseen gems that still made its
way onto several Top 10 lists of 1999, including that of
"Entertainment Weekly."
Last updated February 28, 2001