OnVideo Guide to Home Video Releases: March Calendar of Releases

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Guide to Home Video Releases:
March Release Calendar


DVD Releases

Movies are rated on a scale of one to five, with five denoting a classic. For more information on how we rate, check out our
Rentability Index.

calendar page Back to Calendar Index.

March 4
  • Ring, The This nightmarish thriller is about a legendary videocassette that causes anyone who watches it to die seven days later. When four teenagers all meet with mysterious deaths exactly one week after watching just such a tape, investigative reporter Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) tracks down the video, watches it and has just seven days to unravel the mystery. Both the VHS and DVD will feature an all-new 15-minute experimental short film created by director Gore Verbinski exclusively for the video release. It reveals more secrets that bring viewers closer to understanding the mystery of "The Ring." The whole affair is an incredibly delighful thrill-fest that will keep you on the edge of your seat -- with you hand suitably poised to hit the remote's "stop" button. Director: Gore Verbinski. Stars: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox, David Dorfman, Daveigh Chase. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 114 min., Horror, Box office gross: $129.0 million, DreamWorks, $14.95 SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Ringu Coinciding with the release of "The Ring," DreamWorks will also debut the original, record-breaking international cult hit that started it all, "Ringu." Highly anticipated by fans of "The Ring," the "Ringu" DVD and VHS will feature a newly created digital film-to-video transfer of the movie, and the DVD will feature a new 5.1 Japanese Digital Surround mix. After record-breaking boxoffice attendance in Japan and critical acclaim, "Ringu" spawned a dedicated fan-base. It's based on a series of best-selling novels by Koji Suzuki -- considered the Stephen King of Japan. It was first brought to the Japanese public's attention by a TV feature that starred many of the actors who went on to appear in the theatrical version. The TV movie proved incredibly popular, and from there a screenplay was written by Hiroshi Takahashi directly from the original novel. Director: Hideo Nakata. Stars: Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatami, Hiroyuki Sanada. 1998, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 96 min., Horror, DreamWorks, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Jonah: A Veggietales Movie The very popular VeggieTales characters from the direct-to-video kids series makes its way to the big screen in this wholesome animated adventure. Stars Larry the Cucumber (as Pirate Larry), Bob the Tomato (as himself) and Archibald the Asparagus as the monocle-sporting prophet Jonah. Larry, Bob, Archibald and the rest of the Veggie gang set sail on a whale of an adventure. Filled with music, laughs, and the strangest adventurers ever to be swallowed whole, this is the story of Jonah and the whale as you've never seen it before -- a story where everyone learns that one of the best gifts you can give, or get, is a second chance. Director: Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki. Voices of Phil Vischer, Mike Nawrocki, Tim Hodge, Lisa Vischer, Dan Anderson, Kristin Blegen. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: G, 83 min., Animated, Box office gross: $24.938 million, Artisan, $19.98 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • The Weight of Water A century-old double murder haunts Jean, a young photographer who travels to a remote island to investigate the scene of the crime. Attempting to save her troubled marriage to renowned poet Thomas, she invites him along with his brother Rich and girlfriend Adaline. As Jean delves deeper into the old case files, she finds evidence that the man convicted and put to death for the killings may not have been the murderer. The sole survivor of the slaughter was a woman whose unhappy marriage mirrors Jean's. Past and present collide when a cataclysmic storm burgeons into jealousy and suddenly it becomes clear to jean who the real killer is. Director: Kathryn Bigelow. Stars: Sean Penn, Elizabeth Hurley, Catherine McCormack, Sarah Polley, Josh Lucas. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 113 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $0.182 million, Lions Gate, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Quitting The true story of Jia Hongsheng, a chinese actor who came to fame in the late 1980's, who was hospitalized in a mental institution after experimentation with drugs threw him into deep despair. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Director: Zhang Yang. Stars: . 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 112 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $0.017 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date.

  • Half Past Dead Latest attempt by action maven Steven Seagal to recapture his audience only brought forth another loser. Here Seagal plays Sascha, a Russian immigrant undercover FBI agent whose quick wits and even quicker temper leave no room for argument. A criminal mastermind (Morris Chestnut) has set in motion a plan to infiltrate a high tech prison in order to persuade a death row inmate to tell the whereabouts of $200 million worth of gold. To make matters worse, a Supreme Court Justice is held hostage in the prison, and Sascha and his reluctant partner Nick (Ja Rule) have to neutralize things pretty quick. Not quick enough, though -- the film runs a dreary 98 minutes. Director: Don Michael Paul. Stars: Steven Seagal, Morris Chestnut, Ja Rule. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $15.361 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 2 stars

March 11
  • White Oleander After her mother Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) is sentenced to life in prison for murdering her boyfriend in a fit of passion, 15-year-old Astrid (Alison Lohman) must learn to survive in the Los Angeles foster care system. Forever changed by the loss of her mother, Astrid is forced to confront the harsh reality of growing up alone in a series of unstable foster homes. While Astrid struggles to forge an identity of her own in a cold, indifferent world, Ingrid is determined to maintain control over her daughter's life despite their separation. As a result, Ingrid's powerful force is the only constant in Astrid's life -- for better or for worse. Director: Peter Kosminsky. Stars: Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Amy Aquino, Billy Connolly. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 110 min., Drama, Box office gross: $16.346 million, Warner, $22.98 SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Moonlight Mile Jake Gyllenhaal plays Joe Nast, a young man whose plans for marriage and a happy life are dashed when his fiancee is killed in an accident. Now he wants to be the man he believes everyone wants him to be: dutifully bereaved husband-to-be and perfect would-be son-in-law to Ben (Dustin Hoffman) and Jojo (Susan Sarandon). But when another woman unexpectedly enters his life, Joe is torn between fulfilling his role with his former girlfriend's family -- and entering into business with Ben and a lecherous real estate agent (Dabney Coleman) -- and following his heart toward a new romantic soul mate. Director: Brad Silberling. Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Holly Hunter, Jake Gyllenhaal, Dabney Coleman, Ellen Pompeo. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 117 min., Drama, Box office gross: $6.785 million, Touchstone, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • I Spy No, not a remake of the remarkable 1960s TV spy series starring Robert Culp and Bill Cosby. This modern-day spy thriller uses the "I Spy" moniker to team up a Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy in a comedy simulcra of the classic existential spy adventures that put Culp and Cosby on the map. A super-powerful experimental spy plane is stolen by an evil arms dealer and is about to be handed over to an international terrorist. The U.S. Government drafts an egotistical boxing champion (Murphy) to join a very earnest special agent (Wilson) on a dangerous top-secret mission to get the plane back. Armed with the latest high tech gadgets and a whole lot of attitude, this odd couple has to learn to get along together to save the world. Famke Janssen also stars as an ultra-sexy secret agent who captivates the two men. The twists and turns -- involving double and triple agents -- and the spy gags spring less from the espionage tale than from Hollywood gloss screenwriting. Acting and directing is passable, but on the whole the event is misfired and wearisome to watch. Sheldon Leonard -- creator of "I Spy" -- must be turning in his grave. Director: Betty Thomas. Stars: Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson, Famke Janssen, Malcolm McDowell, Gary Cole. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Comedy Thriller, Box office gross: $33.105 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 2 stars

  • Below Haunted submarine saga set during the height of WWII as the USS Tiger Shark patrols the mid-Atlantic, fending off the Germans above and ghosts below. After a trio of survivors of a sunken hospital ship are fished out of the ocean, strange things begin to happen on the U.S. sub. Is there a ghostly presence on board -- or a saboteur? Though this thriller -- directed by David Twohy ("Pitch Black") and written by Darren Aronofsky ("Requiem for a Dream") -- tanked at the box office, it's actually quite good. The effects and chills are top-notch and the claustrophobia all-encompassing. A good evening's viewing. Director: David Twohy. Stars: Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Davis, Olivia Williams, Scott Foley, Zach Galifianakis, Holt McCallany. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 104 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $0.589 million, Dimension, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Swimfan Jesse Bradford plays local school swimming hero Ben and Erika Christensen plays the bad seed new-girl-in-town Madison who just has to have the boy all to herself -- or else. When Ben rejects Madison's advances, all hell breaks loose, and Madison causes Ben to lose his swim career, best friend, girl friend, job, and on and on (haven't we been here before so many times before?). Ben eventually decides to get even: it's a well-traveled -- and weak -- teen "Fatal Attraction." Director: John Polson. Stars: Jesse Bradford, Erika Christensen, Shiri Appleby, Kate Burton, Clayne Crawford, Jason Ritter, Kia Joy Goodwin. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 85 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $28.563 million, Fox, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 2 stars

  • Inspector Gadget 2 In this direct-to-video sequel, Riverton City is patrolled by Inspector Gadget (French Stewart) and his trusty dog, Brain, and all seems well. When Gadget's many crime-fighting accessories go awry, however, he reports for a check-up -- and finds himself taking a backseat to Riverton's newest crimestopping robot, G2 (Elaine Hendrix). Gadget is thrown for a bigger loop when he finds himself attracted to his robotic rival. Gadget's niece Penny (Caitlin Wachs) announces that she's taken up fighting crime as well, but that's not enough to stop the new threat to the city -- the villainous Claw (Tony Martin) has escaped prison and is back to his dastardly ways. Soon, Gadget, G2, Penny and Brain pull out all the stops to stop Claw before it's too late. Director: Alex Zamm. Stars: French Stewart, Caitlin Wachs, Elaine Hendrix, Tony Martin. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: NR, Family, Disney, $24.95 SRP. DVD: Day & Date.

  • Alias Betty Based on the book "Tree of Hands," written by best- selling crime novelist Ruth Rendell. Betty (Sandrine Kiberlain), a young mother, suffers the loss of her little boy due to an accident that happens while her clinically disturbed mother, Margot (Nicole Garcia) is visiting. To cheer her daughter up Margot snatches a small child close to her grandson's age from a poor neighborhood. The child's mother, Carole (Mathilde Seigner), is a highly sexed bar maid whose live-in lover is blamed for the disappearance of the young boy. At first Betty is cold towards the "replacement" boy, and wants to undo her mother's criminal act. But gradually she recognizes that keeping the boy will save him from an abusive and dismal life. Soon she decides she wants to keep her new son, Jose, and becomes an unwilling accomplice in the criminal act. When Betty and Jose's worlds meet, they're fraught with danger. As the story builds to its dramatic climax, worlds collide with an unpredictable yet life-affirming force. In French with English subtitles. Director: Claude Miller. Stars: Sandrine Kiberlain, Nicole Garcia, Mathilde Seigner. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 101 min., Drama, Box office gross: $0.187 million, Wellspring, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

March 18
  • 8 Mile For Jimmy Smith Jr. (Eminem), life is a daily fight just to keep hope alive. Feeding his dreams in the city's vibrant movie scene, Jimmy wages an extraordinary personal struggle to find his own voice -- and earn a place in the world where rhymes rule, legends are born and every moment ... is another chance. A terrific outing for director Curtis ("L.A. Confidential") Hanson and rap star Eminem. It's an underdog movie about the struggles of a young rapper to rise above his desolate life on the wrong side of 8 Mile Road, a street that separates the inner city from the suburbs in 1995 Detroit. Eminem turns in a robust performance in one crucial week of the life of Jimmy, known as Rabbit, as he juggles the conflicting needs of his girl friends, his crew, his job and his dysfunctional family. Its modern day existential angst for the hip-hop generation. Or, if you're familiar with the call-and-bait of rap battles, this might be billed as the new millennium's "Rebel Without a Pause." Director: Curtis Hanson. Stars: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller, De'Angelo Wilson, Eugene Byrd, Taryn Manning. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 111 min., Drama, Box office gross: $117.000 million, Universal, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Welcome to Collinwood "Welcome to Collinwood" is a comedy of errors in which a group of bumbling, small-time criminals screw-up what should be the perfect heist. In this remake of the 1958 Italian comedy, "Big Deal on Madonna Street," Collinwood, a seedy suburb of Cleveland, is home to a group of hapless but colorful low-lifes. When petty thief Cosimo (Luis Guzman) hears of a plan for the perfect heist from a fellow prison inmate, he enlists the help of his girlfriend (Patricia Clarkson) to find a group of patsies to execute this dream job. Led by Pero (Sam Rockwell), the motley crew consisting of Riley (William H. Macy), Leon (Isaiah Washington), Toto (Michael Jeter) and Basil (Andrew Davoli) set out to steal from a pawnbroker's safe. Even the expert advice of veteran safecracker Jerzy (George Clooney) can't save these fools from screwing up what's supposed to be a perfectly foolproof plan. Director: Anthony and Joe Russo. Stars: William H. Macy, Sam Rockwell, Michael Jeter, Luis Guzman, Patricia Clarkson, Isaiah Washington, Andrew Davoli, George Clooney. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 86 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $0.333 million, Warner, $22.98 SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Personal Velocity Based on writer-director Rebecca Miller's book of short stories. Three stories on three very different women: Delia (Kyra Sedgwick) escapes from an abusive husband. Greta (Parker Posey) risks everything on a new career. Paula (Fairuza Balk) takes flight after a tragic accident. The three women must overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles that confine them. But are they really on their way to new lives -- or are they just making new versions of old mistakes. Succinct, tight, expressive writing and wonderful performances by the three lead women makes for an impressive debut by Miller. Winner of the Grand Jury prize at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. Director: Rebecca Miller. Stars: Kyra Sedgwick, David Warshofsky, Parker Posey, Tim Guinee, Wallace Shawn, Ron Liebman, Fairuza Balk, Taylor Pucci, Patti D'Arbanville. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 85 min., Drama, Box office gross: $0.703 million, MGM, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Abandon Collegiate thriller that investigates the mysterious disappearance of a student. Katie (Katie Holmes) is in her senior year of college, swamped with essays, a final thesis paper, job interviews and exams. Compounding her stress is the arrival of Detective Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt) to investigate the 2-year-old disappearance of Katie's last boyfriend, Embry. Haunted by the memory of the missing boyfriend and plagued by a fear of abandonment as a result of being left behind by her father at the age of three, Katie is forced to choose between past passions and new possibilities as Wade uncovers the truth behind Embry's final days. Director: Stephen Gaghan. Stars: Katie Holmes, Benjamin Bratt, Charlie Hunnam, Zooey Deschanel, Gabriel Union. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 98 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $10.719 million, Paramount, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Roger Dodger Well-done indie film explores the psyche of a single-minded, intelligent, witty modern-day Lothario, who's only goal in life is to snare women. Having just been dumped by his older boss (Isabella Rossellini), with whom he had been having an affair, Roger (Campbell Scott) takes the opportunity to vent his anger against the opposite sex by tutoring his 16-year-old nephew in the fine art of seduction. What follows is a scathing barrage of pickups, one-ups and wild encounters, from underground sex clubs to upper crust parties, as Roger and nephew meet and woo and destroy women, and get back as good as they give ... all in the course of one night. A finely written, acted and tuned production. Director: Dylan Kidd. Stars: Campbell Scott, Isabella Rossellini, Jesse Eisenberg, Elizabeth Berkley, Jennifer Beals, Ben Shenkman, Mina Badie, Chris Stack. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 104 min., Drama, Box office gross: $1.245 million, Artisan, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Auto Focus Fascinating study of radio and TV personality Bob Crane, who rose from obscurity -- by hard work -- in the late 1950s on drive-time L.A. radio to the pinnacle of stardom as the lead in primetime's "Hogan's Heroes." But success brings -- or unleashes -- demons, and Crane (played by Greg Kinnear) gets involved with the seedy side of Hollywood -- wild sex, strip clubs, pornography -- especially when he falls under the spell of a pioneer in videography, John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe), who shows Crane the fine art of recording one's own sexual escapades. Eventually, so the story goes, Crane tried to pull himself away from Carpenter's spell -- his career and marriage were beginning to slip -- but Crane turned up dead -- murdered in a motel room in Scottsdale, Arizona. Director: Paul Schrader. Stars: Greg Kinnear, Willem Dafoe, Rita Wilson, Maria Bello, Rob Leibman. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 107 min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.008 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Empire A compelling tale of crime, greed and retribution that chronicles gangster Victor Rosa's quest for the American Dream that goes awry when the gritty streets of the South Bronx meet the white-collar world of Wall Street. Victor (John Leguizamo) is determined to escape his criminal past and make a new, legitimate life for himself and his girlfriend (Delilah Cotto). He thinks he may have found a way out of the trappings of easy money and the violent streets when he meets a Wall Street investment banker (Peter Sarsgaard), who promises Victor a new lifestyle. Victor soon discovers, however, that the price he must pay for his new life is more than he bargained for in a shocking climax that leads to the destruction of an Empire. Original score by multi-Grammy Award winner and Latin music legend Ruben Blades. Director: Franc Reyes. Stars: John Leguizamo, Denise Richards, Isabella Rossellini, Peter Sarsgaard, Delilah Cotto, Sonia Braga, and rap superstars, Fat Joe and Treach. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Drama, Universal, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date.

  • Just a Kiss Slow-moving romantic comedy explores the tangled web that infidelity weaves. When commercial director Dag (Ron Eldard) kisses (and then some) his friend Peter's (Patrick Breen) insecure dancer-girlfriend Rebecca (Marley Shelton), this single act of infidelity sets off a chain reaction. Dag's girlfriend Halley (Kyra Sedgwick) leaves him and ends up with a smooth talking cellist (Taye Diggs), who recently walked out on his wife, flight attendant Colleen (Sarita Choudhury). Colleen later runs into Peter, whom she invites to join the Mile-High Club, only to result in an embarrassing display. Meanwhile, at a bowling alley where Dag and Peter come to heads over Rebecca, Dag becomes enticed by the bowling alley attendant and dominatrix Paula (Marisa Tomei), who has the hots for Peter. As each individual is thrown for a dizzying loop, a twist in time's arrow suddenly brings Dag and his friends full circle back to where all the mayhem started: with just a kiss and a rare second chance to make things right. First-time director Fisher Stevens uses the rotomation animation technique to highlight climactic scenes in brilliant color and surrealistic forms. It's the same technique used in "Waking Life," but where in that film it was an experimental delight and integral to the storyline, here it seems tacked on just as an affect. Director: Fisher Stevens. Stars: Ron Eldard, Kyra Sedgwick, Patrick Breen, Marley Shelton, Taye Diggs, Marisa Tomei, Sarita Choudhury. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Romantic comedy, Box office gross: $6.797 million, Paramount, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 2 stars

  • Man From Elysian Fields, The Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger and Julianna Margulies star in the provocative tale of a struggling novelist who resorts to extreme measures in order to provide for his family. Becoming a successful writer remains an elusive dream for Byron Tiller (Garcia). No longer able to pay the bills, worried about his family's livelihood and seeing no other option, he reluctantly seeks employment at Elysian Fields, an upscale male escort service. But as Byron slowly succumbs to the demands of the job -- and his own desires -- a destructive pattern of deception threatens the very thing that he sought to protect -- his family. A romantic drama about seduction and betrayal. Director: George Hickenlooper. Stars: Olivia Williams, Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Julianna Margulies, James Coburn, Anjelica Huston. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 106 min., Drama, Box office gross: $1.413 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date.

  • Sordid Lives A small-town Texas clan reunites for the funeral of the family matriarch in a black comedy about white trash that has become a midnight cult hit. The sordid details about a southern family surface with a vengeance when relatives converge for the funeral of "Grandma Peggy," who died after tripping over her lover's wooden legs. Toss in a couple of feuding, big-haired daughters, a jumpy aunt who just quit smoking, the scorned neighbor from hell, and crazy, cross-dressing "Brother Boy," and you've got an wildly black comedy about people you love to hate. Director: Del Shores. Stars: Olivia Newton-John, Beau Bridges, Bonnie Bedelia, Delta Burke. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 111 min., Black comedy, Box office gross: $0.809 million, Fox, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Grey Zone, The Heart-wrenching drama about a group of Sonderkommandos who attempt to organize a Jewish uprising in the infamous Auschwitz death camp. Director: Tim Blake Nelson. Stars: Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Mira Sorvini, David Arquette, Natasha Lyonne. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 108 min., Drama, Box office gross: $0.507 million, Lions Gate, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 2 stars

March 25
  • Maid in Manhattan Charming romantic comedy that harkens back to social class comedies of the 1930s. Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) is a single mother born and bred in the boroughs of New York City who works as a maid in a premiere, luxury hotel in Manhattan. A street smart, beautiful young woman, Marisa is not initially motivated to rise to greater things until she is given the chance for a management position. But the future has some obstacles in store for her. By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, she meets Christopher Marshall (Ralph Fiennes), a handsome heir to a political dynasty who believes that she is a wealthy guest at the hotel. Fate steps in and throws the unlikely pair together for a series of comical mix-ups and romantic interludes. But when Marisa's true identity is revealed, the two find that they are worlds apart -- even though the distance separating them is just a subway ride between Manhattan and the Bronx. Director: Wayne Wang. Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Bob Hoskins, Frances Conroy, Chris Eigeman, Amy Sedaris, Priscilla Lopez, Tyler Garcia Posey, Marissa Matrone. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 105 min., Romantic comedy, Box office gross: $95.0 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Femme Fatale Master manipulator Laure Ash (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) plays a crucial role in an involved and seductive diamond heist at the Cannes Film Festival. After succeeding in the theft, Ash assumes the identity of a high-profile, respected politico's wife, but her true identity is revealed when Nicholas (Antonio Banderas), a paparazzo, snaps her picture. Ash must now reinvent herself and she uses Nicholas as part of her meticulous plot of deceit. A wild twisting and turning thriller with all manner of double- crosses, deceits and fake identities. What's real and what's not? Director: Brian De Palma. Stars: Antonio Banderas, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Peter Coyote, Eriq Ebouaney, Edouard Montoute. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 118 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $6.592 million, Warner, $22.98 SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Friday After Next Third installment in the hit "Friday" series finds Craig (Ice Cube) and Day-Day (Mike Epps) back in the old neighborhood and ready for Christmas. Although they've left behind the security of living with their parents, the rundown Shady Palms apartment they share is decked out in the spirit of the holiday season. It's a time for giving -- until Craig wakes up in the middle of the night to find a ghetto Santa Claus stealing their presents and their rent money. With the rent due, Craig and Day-Day are forced to score some quick cash at the local strip mall where their fathers have opened Bros. Bar-B-Q restaurant and landed them jobs as unarmed security guards. As the clock ticks down on another unforgettable Friday, Craig and Day-Day learn some comic lessons about the true meaning of the holiday season. Director: Marcus Raboy. Stars: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, Katt Williams, Anna Maria Horsford, Terry Crews, K.D. Aubert. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 85 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $32.220 million, New Line, $22.98 SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Sex and Lucia A daring, evocative look at elusive relationships and deep bonds between people who thought they were strangers, and a landmark film in its demonstration of explicit sex onscreen. Lucia is a young waitress in Madrid, who seeks refuge on a quiet, secluded Mediterranean island after the loss of her longtime boyfriend. Amidst an atmosphere of fresh air, dazzling sun, and glistening deep blue water, Lucia begins to piece together the dark corners of her past relationship. The film is enthralling at every level with its the labyrinthine plot, the breathtaking cinematography and the erotic passion of the players. Julio Medem successfully crosses the taboo of erotic passion that American films never dare to touch. His depiction of sex goes beyond the typical baring of only the female body, and audiences encounter bold and erotic images of both sexes' anatomy. Medem's insistence on not censoring the film for its U.S. run presented complications in advertising the theatrical release. Seattle's two daily newspapers banned advertising for "Sex and Lucia," even though the film received four honors at the 2002 Seattle International Film Festival. Spanish with English subtitles. Director: Julio Medem. Stars: Paz Vega, Tristan Ulloa, Najwa Nimri. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 125 min. (unrated, 128 min.), Erotic Drama, Box office gross: $1.490 million, Lions Gate, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars

  • Jackass: The Movie Big screen adaptation of MTV's popular and controversial reality TV series featuring a bunch of dumb guys doing really gross and stupid daredevil stunts. Director: Jeff Tremaine. Stars: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Ryan Dunn, Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, Preston Lacy, Dave England. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 84 min., Reality, Box office gross: $64.209 million, Paramount, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. 2 stars

  • Killing Me Softly Too much of a good thing ... can be deadly. When Alice (Heather Graham), an American living in London, meets Adam (Joseph Fiennes), a striking adventurer, she's lured out of her mundane, safe life to pursue an affair that brings her to the heights of excitement and ecstasy. But when Adam's mysterious and violent past begins to surface, Alice begins to investigate -- and learns that Adam's past -- and her future -- may both point to murder. Available in R-rated and unrated versions. Director: Kaige Chen. Stars: Heather Graham. Joseph Fiennes. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Thriller, MGM, No SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date.

March 28 (Friday)
  • Ghost Ship When an expert salvage team is called upon to investigate a mysterious vessel adrift off the coast of Alaska, they discover the remains of the fabled "Antonia Graza," thought lost at sea for more than 40 years. The crew, under the direction of their tough team leader (Julianna Margulies), claims the decrepit ship and begins to excavate its cavernous interior. As soon as they set foot on the eerie abandoned ship, however, they are shocked to discover that the decaying vessel is anything but deserted, and are forced to face the most horrifying thing ever encountered on the open sea. "Ghost Ship" puts an interesting twist on the conventional haunted house narrative. Chilling horror and gore scenes that will freak you out. Marred by a hokey ending. Director: Steve Beck. Stars: Gabriel Byrne, Julianna Margulies, Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington, Isaiah Washington. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 91 min., Horror, Box office gross: $29.320 million, Warner, $22.98 SRP. DVD: Day & Date. 3 stars


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    All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a Rotel RDV-1080 DVD Audio/Video Player, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.

December 2003 Releases

November 2003 Releases

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February 24, 2003