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1997 Catalog of Releases
- Absolute Power Riveting thriller about a cat-burglar (Clint Eastwood) who witnesses a murder involving the President of the U.S. (Gene Hackman); a cover-up puts a price on the crook's head. Eastwood directed. MPAA rating: R.
- Addicted to Love Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan play spurned lovers who team up to spy on and get revenge with their respective ex-lovers, ending up falling for each other. Unfortunately, the (comic) violence toward the end escalates a bit too much and overplays the tone of the film. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Adrenalin: Fear the Rush Christopher Lambert stars as a gutsy cop in a race against time to stop a savage murderer who carries a highly contagious, deadly disease; Natasha Henstridge plays a rookie cop. MPAA rating: R.
- Air Bud A lonely boy, a basketball star in a new town, befriends a stray dog that just happens to have the ability to make baskets. Between them they take the school team on the way to state finals and all seems well -- until the dogs real brute of an owner shows up. Stars Michael Jeter, Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena, Buddy. Disney, 1997, MPAA rating: PG, $19.99.
- Alaska Brother and sister (15- and 13-years-old respectively) in Alaska head out to the wilderness when their father crashes his airplane and is given up for dead. MPAA rating: PG.
- Albino Alligator Three robbers on the lam take over a bar and hold five patrons hostage in this talky but intriguing drama. Stars Matt Dillon, Gary Sinise, Joe Mantegna, Faye Dunaway, Skeet Ulrich. Directed by Kevin Spacey Miramax, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Alias Jesses James Insurance salesman Bob Hope is assigned to keep the deadliest outlaw in history alive. MGM Comedy Night, 1959, MPAA rating: PG, $14.95
- All Over Me Two girls' struggle to find friendship and love living on the edge in New York City; they discover that they can only rely upon, and love, each other. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- American Buffalo David Mamet's play about a down-and-out junk dealer who sells a rare coin and then tries to steal it back when he discovers its true value. Stars Dennis Franz, Dustin Hoffman. MPAA rating: R.
- American Madness In this Frank Capra-directed film, a banker-of-the-people (Walter Huston) and his American dream is buffeted on all sides by stupidity, corruption and cynicism. Sound familiar? First time to video. 1932, MPAA rating: NR; $19.95
- Anaconda Crazed hunter (Jon Voight) leads a documentary film crew deep into the Amazon in search of 40-foot killer anaconda snake, the stuff of legends, something the film is not. Stars Eric Stoltz, Ice Cube, Jennifer Lopez. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Angel Baby Intensely passionate story of two star-crossed young lovers faced with the challenges of mental illness and impending parenthood. Received seven Australian Film Institute Awards. Republic Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Angel Dust Billed as "The Silence of the Lambs" on acid, this edgy Japanese futuristic noir mixes together mind control, hallucination and terror as a female police detective tracks down a serial killer of women. MPAA rating: NR; $89.95.
- Annabelle's Wish Made for video Christmas release about a calf named Annabelle, born on Christmas eve, who has a very special wish - to fly like one of Santa's reindeer - and who befriends a boy who cannot talk. Voices of Randy Travis, Cloris Leachman, Jerry Van Dyke, Jim Varney, Rue McClanahan, Alison Krauss. Hallmark, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $19.95.
- Annie Digitally remastered edition of director John Huston's version of the Broadway musical, starring Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Aileen Quinn, Tim Curry, Bernadette Peters. In clamshell case. Columbia TriStar, 1982, MPAA rating: PG, $19.95
- Any Place But Home Kind-hearted couple try to foil a kidnapping but end up on the run one step ahead of the relentless kidnappers and the FBI. Stars Joe Lando, Dale Midkiff, Mary Page Keller. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Assassination File, The Sherilyn Fenn plays an FBI agent who leaves the Bureau after the first black President is assassinated; she later discovers that the murder was part of a conspiracy deep in the government. Universal Studios, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Associate, The Goldberg plays an investment banker who invents a white male business "partner" in order to make it in the white business world. MPAA rating: PG.
- Asteroid Two-hour condensation of NBC's science fiction mini-series about an asteroid hitting the Earth. LIVE Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $12.95
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Mike Myers stars as a playboy and part-time secret agent who is frozen in the 1960s and thawed out in the 1990s to battle a master criminal (also played by Myers). Co-stars Elizabeth Hurley, Mimi Rogers, Michael York. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- B.A.P.S. Two clueless Georgia homegirls with big hearts and even bigger hair travel west to Beverly Hills in search of fame and money; it's hard to believe Robert Townsend directed this weak Halle Berry starrer. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Babes in Toyland Animated feature version of Victor Herbert operetta, with voices of Christopher Plummer, James Belushi, Bronson Pinchot, Charles Nelson Reilly. MGM, 1997, MPAA rating G, $19.98.
- Bad Moon Weak variation on werewolf legend with Michael Pare bitten by a wolf on expedition in Nepal. He returns to the Pacific Northwest, where he endangers his sister (Mariel Hemingway) and her son (Mason Gamble). MPAA rating: R.
- Bagdad Maureen O'Hara costume drama about Arabian tribal chieftain's daughter seeking revenge for her father's murder. 1949; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98; new to video.
- Bambi Special 55th Anniversary edition of the classic will go on sale for a very limited time: 55 days, to be exact. MPAA rating: NR; $26.99
- Basquiat Tragic true story of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a 19-year-old graffiti artist catapulted to overnight fame in the New York art world -- who died at 27. Written, directed by famed artist Julian Schnabel. MPAA rating: R.
- Bastard Out of Carolina Anjelica Huston's controversial directorial debut about a young girl's abuse by her stepfather. Originally made for TNT but Ted Turner chickened out and Showtime aired it instead. MPAA rating: R.
- Batman & Robin Fourth installment in the "Batman" big screen series disappointed but still made hay at the box office; action and acting may be silly but oh those sets and costumes. Stars George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alicia Silverstone, Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman. Warner Home Video, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13, $22.97.
- Beautician and the Beast, The "The King and I" updated with TV's Nanny Fran Drescher as a teacher to the children of the benevolent dictator (Timothy Dalton) of a formerly Communist Eastern European nation. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Beautiful Thing Heartfelt drama of young love triumphant against all odds. MPAA rating: R.
- Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Direct to video sequel for Christmas season sales. Walt Disney, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $26.99.
- Beavis and Butt-head Do America The rude animated TV characters take their trip to the big screen. Paramount, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Beverly Hills Ninja An overweight, under-skilled American (Chris Farley) is mistaken for the Great White Ninja of Japanese legend. Much great stupidly and slapstick. Co-stars Nicollette Sheridan, Chris Rock. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Big Squeeze, The Low-budget comedy about misfit schemers out to get insurance money from husband of waitress (Lara Flynn Boyle). MPAA rating: R; $97.99.
- Big Night Two Italian immigrant brothers try to make a go of a restaurant in New Jersey in the 1950s in this bittersweet film about the ups and downs of the American Dream. MPAA rating: R.
- Billy Two Hats Elderly bandit (Gregory Peck) and his young partner (Desi Arnaz Jr.) on the run from ruthless lawmen in the old West; first time on video. 1973; MPAA rating: PG; $14.95
- Bitter Sugar Impassioned love story set in modern Havana, about an idealistic Castroite and a disenchanted dancer who longs to escape to Miami. From Leon Ichaso ("Sugar Hill," "Crossover Dreams," "El Super"). Stars Rene Lavan, Mayte Vilan. In Spanish with English subtitles. New Yorker, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Blazing Across the Pecos (Pecos River) The Durango Kid (Charles Starrett) tries to stop a gun runner supplying the local Indians with armaments. Two-fisted action. Columbia TriStar, 1951, MPAA rating: NR, $14.95
- Bliss Steamy action as a married couple join in therapy with an unconventional sexual surrogate, leading to the bizarre. Stars Craig Sheffer, Sheryl Lee, Terence Stamp. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Blood & Wine Jack Nicholson teams up again with director Bob Rafelson for this crime drama about a wine dealer who gets involved in a big hesit. Co-stars Stephen Dorff, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Caine, Judy Davis. MPAA rating: R.
- Bloody Child, The Independent film that explores a real-life murder from oblique points-of-view: A Marine, just back from the Gulf War, is arrested in the Mojave Desert while digging a grave for his dead wife. World Artists, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $79.95.
- Body Armor Typical actioner about agent who must fight off bad guys to prevent spread of a deadly virus. Stars Matt McColm, Annabel Schofield, Ron Perlman, Carol Alt, Morgan Brittany, John Rhys-Davies. A-Pix, 1996, MPAA rating: R, $94.98.
- Bogus Young boy has imaginary grown-up friend. Stars Whoopi Goldberg and Gerard Depardieu. MPAA rating: PG.
- Bonanza Town The Durango Kid (Charles Starrett) and his comic sidekick Smiley Burnette track down $30,000 in stolen loot, fighting off a crooked town boss. Columbia TriStar, 1951, MPAA rating: NR, $14.95
- Booty Call A young man's plans for romance are foiled by his crude best friend, safe-sex girlfriend, and a voluptuous neighbor. Stars Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Vivica A. Fox. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Bordello of Blood From the folks at "Tales From the Crypt": the name says it all. MPAA rating: R.
- Bound Kept woman (Jennifer Tilly) of a money launderer for the Mob and her girlfriend, an ex-con out on parole, decide to rip-off $2 million of Mafia money stashed in her apartment. MPAA rating: R.
- Bounty Hunters Typical two-fisted adventure with action star Michael Dudikoff, here about two bounty hunters who team up to beat the mob to capture an escaped criminal. Dimension, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Box of Moonlight A prototypical, hard-working American, facing middle-age, goes on a journey in search of a happy childhood memory, encountering his exact opposite in the Kid, a free-spirited eccentric dressed in a Davy Crockett outfit. They change each other's lives forever. Stars John Turturro, Dermot Mulroney, Catherine Keener. Trimark, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Breakdown Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan are husband and wife traveling cross country from Boston to San Diego. Stranded in the desert, she gets a ride with a trucker to get help, then disappears. Russell goes after her. Also stars J.T. Walsh. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Breaking the Waves Poignant drama stars Emily Watson as a young woman whose marriage to an handsome oil-rig worker is thrown upside down when he gets paralyzed in an accident. Grand Jury Prize winner at Cannes. In both pan-and-scan and letterbox versions. MPAA rating: R.
- Brother of Sleep Romantic drama about a man torn between his eternal love for a young woman and the musical genius that consumes him. In German with English subtitles. Columbia TriStar, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Bullet Stars Mickey Rourke and Tupac Shakur. Gruesome action here. And that's even before the movie starts. Shakur's last film. Not released theatrically. MPAA rating: R.
- Bullet to Beijing Len Deighton's mild-mannered British spy Harry Palmer is back in this Showtime telefilm, with Michael Caine reprising the role he made famous in "The Ipcress File" and "Funeral in Berlin." Co-stars Jason Connery, Mia Sara. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Bulletproof Once the best of friends, small-time crook Adam Sandler and undercover cop Damon Wayans are at each other's throats as Wayans must bring his fugitive pal back to L.A. to testify against a drug kingpin. MPAA rating: R.
- Butterfly Kiss Art-house film about pair of lovers (Amanda Plummer and Saskia Reeves) on a lethal rampage through Britain; critically acclaimed as "Thelma & Louis" on acid. First Run Features, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $79.95.
- Bye-Bye Gritty drama about modern day tenement and street life in Marseilles, France, depicting political and economic struggles between French and North African descendants. In French with English subtitles. Fox Lorber, 1995, MPAA rating: NR.
- Cabaret 25th anniversary, enhanced edition of the Oscar-winning classic. Contains out takes and screen tests, behind-the-scenes documentary, and the theatrical trailer. Stars Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey. Warner, 1972, MPAA rating: PG, $19.98
- Cadillac Ranch Three estranged sisters team up and head out to the famous Cadillac Ranch in Texas to find loot hidden there by their convict dad. MPAA rating: R; $94.99.
- Captain From Castille Tyrone Power plays a nobleman who flees the Spanish Inquisition and serves with Cortez during the invasion of the New World; filmed on location in Mexico. Jean Peters plays Power's love interest. 1947; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98; new to video.
- Casper, a Spirited Beginning Prequel to 1995's "Casper." FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: G, $19.98.
- Cats Don't Dance Animated cat tries to make it in Hollywood. Voices of Scott Bakula, Jasmine Guy; singing by Natalie Cole; music by Randy Newman. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: G, $22.96.
- Caught Drifter on the run from the police touches down in a Jersey City fish store and gets a job and room from the married couple owners, changing their lives. Stars Edward James Olmos, Maria Conchita Alonso. MPAA rating: R.
- Celestial Clockwork Young girl travels from Venezuela to Paris to find herself, encountering a fairy tale world of bizarre characters and situations. English subtitles. MPAA rating: NR.
- Celine and Julie Go Boating Quite possibly one of the greatest films of all time, certainly a modern classic, from Jacques Rivette, one of the founders of the French New Wave. This 1974 drama cum fantasy explores the connections between reality and fantasy when two women enter into a world one of them has created in a story. At 193 minutes, may be rough going for some ... but it's well-worth the investment in time and energy. On two cassettes; in French with English subtitles. MPAA rating: NR; $89.95.
- Chamber, The Young law associate (Chris O'Donnell) struggles to save racist convict (Gene Hackman) from gas chamber; the convict also happens to be his estranged grandfather. From the John Grisham novel. MPAA rating: R.
- Chasing Amy A comic book artist (Ben Affleck) falls for a fellow comic book artist (Joey Lauren Adams) only to discover she prefers women; a blossoming friendship ensues. Third in Smith's N.J. trilogy. Miramax, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Chef in Love, A Sweeping romance about free-spirited Frenchman, an illustrious chef, sybarite, adventurer and globe-trotter who lived, cooked and loved through the first three decades of the Russian revolution. A French and Russian co-production, with English subtitles. Stars Piere Richard, Nino Kirtadze. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- China American secretly sells oil to the Japanese during World War II. Stars Alan Ladd and Loretta Young. Universal Cinema Classics, 1943, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Christmas Carol, A Animated twist on Charles Dickens' classic tale with voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Ed Asner, Michael York, Tim Curry (as Scrooge). FoxVideo, 1997, $14.98
- Chungking Express Two offbeat, parallel stories about Hong Kong cops and the women they love. MPAA rating: R.
- cineBLAST! 3 Collection of short independent films, including one about the joys of bathroom plumbing, another that's a searing office drama and one about the clownish West Coast dating scene. Cinema Parallel, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Citizen Ruth A down-on-her-luck drifter, arrested for the "umpteenth time" and now pregnant for the fifth time, finds herself the focus of opposing groups of women who want to make her a national symbol; stars Laura Dern MPAA rating: PG-13.
- City of Industry Jewelry thief's last heist before quitting and leaving L.A. goes wrong (naturally, otherwise there wouldn't be a movie). Stars Harvey Keitel, Stephen Dorff, Timothy Hutton. Orion, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Closest Thing to Heaven, The Indie film that features five interwoven tales of love, death, hope, greed and lust that take place one day in the life of a group of people in Charlotte, N.C. World Artists, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $79.95.
- Cold Fever Young Japanese executive is forced to give up his yearly vacation to perform a traditional memorial ceremony for his parents in Iceland, where he meets bizarre locals and visitors. In English, Japanese, Icelandic with English subtitles. Fox Lorber, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- Commandments Dark comedy about a man who seeks revenge on God after a series of personal tragedies: he decides to break each of His Ten Commandments. The first being: don't make junky films. Stars Courtney Cox, Aidan Quinn. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Con Air The penal system's most dangerous inmates hijack a Con Air transportation flight taking them to a super-maximum security facility and only one man in the air and one on land can avert disaster as the jet heads for an appointment with the Las Vegas strip. Stars Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich, John Cusack. Touchstone, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Conspiracy Theory Richard Donner directed this light-headed thriller about a conspiracy-obsessed cabbie (Mel Gibson) who lives in fear of a past he can't remember, and the Justice Dept. attorney (Julia Roberts) who takes his latest theory seriously. Co-stars Patrick Stewart. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Contact Foster plays an astronomer who receives the first extra-terrestrial radio response from outer space. Available day and date in DVD. Stars Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey, James Woods, John Hurt, Tom Skerritt, Angela Bassett. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Cosi Based on a true story, this comedy is a flight of fancy about an aspiring theater director so desperate for work he agrees to stage Mozart's opera "Cosi fan tutte" in a mental hospital. Stars Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths. Miramax, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Courage Under Fire Denzel Washington investigates the events surrounding the death of a Medevac pilot (Meg Ryan) up for a Medal of Honor for her bravery during the Gulf War. MPAA rating: R.
- Crash Bizarre story of group of people who get erotic thrills from witnessing and partaking in auto crashes. Based on great social satire novel by J.G. Ballard. Stars James Spader, Holly Hunter. In both R-rated and NC-17 versions; the latter runs 10 minutes longer. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: R, NC-17 versions.
- Crime Story This is the first time to American home video for this 1993 Hong Kong (Golden Harvest) actioner starring Jackie Chan. MPAA rating: NR.
- Crucible, The Adaptation of Arthur Miller's play of the same name about Salem witchcraft in the 17th Century (loosely a standin for the Communist witch hunts of the '50s), with Winona Ryder and Daniel Day-Lewis. FoxVideo, 1996, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Curdled Black comedy about a curious young woman (Angela Jones) whose fascination with murder leads her to a job cleaning up after a serial killer (William Baldwin). Released with the Quentin Tarrantino Rolling Thunder imprint MPAA rating: R.
- Cyclo In the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, a young cyclo (pedicab driver) and his older sister are swept into the corrupt underworld by a charismatic gang leader. In Vietnamese with enhanced subtitles. New Yorker, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- D3: The Mighty Ducks Second sequel slightly better than the first sequel, but still stretching the bounds of the franchise. MPAA rating: PG; $22.99
- Dangerous Ground Ice Cube and Elizabeth Hurley star in this tame actioner about an exiled South African who returns to his home and gets entangled in the seedy side of his family, including drugs. MPAA rating: R.
- Dante's Peak Town of Dante's Peak won't believe that their beloved mountain is about to blow. It does. Stars Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton. In both pan-and-scan and letterbox (with 10 minutes of additional footage) versions. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Das Boot: The Director's Cut Re-issue with additional footage; available in both pan-and-scan (English dubbed) and letterbox versions (German with English subtitles); with digital soundtrack. Columbia TriStar, 1982, MPAA rating: R, $24.95.
- Day of the Jackal, The Incredibly suspenseful adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's novel about assassination attempt on General Charles de Gaulle, with Edward Fox as an impeccably thorough and heartless killer. First time video since 1983. Stars Edward Fox, Alan Badel, Eric Porter. Universal, 1973, MPAA rating: PG, $14.98.
- Daylight Action drama about a small group of survivors trapped in an underwater tunnel linking Manhattan and New Jersey. Typical Sylvester Stallone fare. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Daytrippers, The A dysfunctional family vacation comedy about Long Islanders searching Manhattan for a romantic truth. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Dead Man Young man's (Johnny Depp) spiritual and physical journey through old West through the eyes of director Jim Jarmusch. MPAA rating: R.
- Dead Men Can't Dance Typical military actioner about covert crew that infiltrates North Korea to destroy a nuclear plant. Stars Michael Biehn, Adrian Paul, Shawnee Smith, Niep Tai Lee. LIVE Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Dear God Greg Kinnear plays a con artist who gets a job at the Dead Letter Office in order to rip off people who send letters to God; his con backfires and he becomes a good guy. MPAA rating: PG.
- Desolation Angels Young man's rage in confronting his girlfriend's apparent rape by his college friends results in revenge. Indie film won several awards at Toronto and Telluride film festivals. Fox Lorber, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- Devil's Own, The Thriller about an IRA soldier (Brad Pitt) who secretly comes to the U.S. and is put up with the family of an unsuspecting Irish NYC cop (Harrison Ford). All hell breaks loose when the rebel's true mission is revealed. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Dirty Dancing 10 Anniversary Special Edition of the famous flick, in both pan-and-scan and letterbox editions. LIVE, 1987, MPAA rating: PG-13, $19.98
- Donnie Brasco An FBI agent infiltrates the mob in this exciting true crime drama. Great work by Al Pacino, Johnny Depp. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Double Team Counter-terrorist Jean-Claude Van Damme enlists help of weapons dealer Dennis Rodman in an attempt to prevent murder of his wife by a vengeful enemy (played in typically bad guy fashion by Mickey Rourke). Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Drunks Ensemble cast of Richard Lewis, Faye Dunaway, Spalding Gray, Amanda Plummer, Dianne Wiest, Parker Posey in story of group of people that gathers in basement of Times Square church to share stories and hopefully heal their wounds. BMG Video, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Duel at Silver Creek, The Audie Murphy stars as the "Silver Kid" who helps rid a town of a gang of gold-mine claim-jumpers who kill anyone who stands in their way. Universal Western Collection, 1952, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Eagle and the Hawk, The World War I action centered around a division of the Royal Flying Corps. Stars Fredric March, Cary Grant, Carole Lombard. Universal Cinema Classics, 1933, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Ed's Next Move After a Portrait of a Lady, The Jane Campion directs this acclaimed adaptation of Henry James' novel about an independent American heiress's adventures in Europe in the late 19th century. Stars Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, Barbara Hershey. In pan-and-scan and letterbox. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Eddie Weak comedy has Whoopi Goldberg becoming coach of the New York Knicks basketball team. MPAA rating: R.
- Eight on the Lam Father of seven finds $10 MGM Comedy Night, 1967, MPAA rating: PG, $14.95
- Eighth Day, The Salesman whose personal life is on the skids befriends a young man with Downs Syndrome; the friendship changes each other's lives for the better. French with English subtitles. PolyGram, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- Elementary School, The Coming of age drama from Jan Sverak, the director of "Kolya. In Czech with English substitles. Boulevard Films, 1991, MPAA rating: NR. Rescheduled from August.
- Elvira Madigan True story of 19th century illicit love affair between an aristocratic lieutenant who abandons his wife, children and military career for a free-spirited circus tightrope walker. Mozart's Piano Concert No. 21 became the theme song for the film. World Artists, 1967, MPAA rating: NR, $24.98
- Emma Gwyneth Paltrow stars in this version of Jane Austen's classic about a meddling matchmaker who meets her match. MPAA rating: PG.
- English Patient, The Intrigue and passion come to the fore in a monastery in Italy at the end of World War II as three people reveal themselves and uncover their painful pasts -- in particular the unknown English patient. Stars Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe. Winner of nine Academy Awards including best picture, best director and best supporting actress. In pan-and-scan and letterbox versions.Miramax, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Entertaining Angels Dramatization of life of political activist Dorothy Day. Stars Moira Kelly, Martin Sheen, Brian Keith. Warner Bros., 1996, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Ermo A humble noodle-maker in a remote Chinese province decides to buy the biggest, most expensive TV she can find to impress her family and friends, no matter how many noodles she has to peddle; subtitled in English. No MPAA rating.
- Ernest Goes to Africa Latest direct-to-video installment in the "Ernest" franchise (starring Jim Varney) finds Ernest P. Worrell in Africa on the run from crocodiles, hostile tribesmen and a rhino named Dorothy. Monarch, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Escape From L.A. Director John Carpenter's sequel to "Escape From New York" with Kurt Russell reprising his role in the original, had moviegoers escaping movie theatres. MPAA rating: R.
- Evening Star, The Sequel to "Terms of Endearment" with Shirley MacLaine reprising her role as Aurora Greenway fighting for her family, with Juliette Lewis and cameo by Jack Nicholson. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Everyone Says I Love You Woody Allen's latest foray into neurotic love and romance follows an eccentric and very extended New York upper East Side family as they fall in and out of love. Allen's first musical. Gigantic cast includes Drew Barrymore, Alan Alda, Edward Norton, Goldie Hawn, Gaby Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Tim Roth, Woody Allen. Miramax, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Everything Relative Story of a group of female college friends (both gay and straight, all political) reunited after 20 years. The film reveals with irony and humor how their lives, their politics and loves have changed. Wolfe Video, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Evita Filmed version of the hit play about Eva Peron, the young woman with the scandalous past who rose to international fame as the wife of Argentinean dictator Juan Peron. Stars Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce. In both widescreen and pan-and-scan versions. Hollywood Pictures, 1996, MPAA rating: PG.
- Extreme Measures Hugh Grant is a top notch ER doctor who uncovers unscrupulous medical experiments conducted by above-reproach medical figure, played by Gene Hackman, placing the British doctor's life in jeopardy. MPAA rating: R.
- Face/Off John Woo-directed action thriller has FBI agent and terorist switching identities, stars John Travolta and Nicolas Cage. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Facts of Life, The Bob Hope and Lucille Ball star as a couple deeply in love -- and in deep trouble with their spouses in this comedy. MGM Comedy Night, 1960, MPAA rating: PG-13, $14.95
- Fan, The Robert De Niro plays a knife salesman on the skids who goes nuts over a San Francisco Giants' player (played by Wesley Snipes) and kidnaps his kid. SF steals the show. MPAA rating: R.
- Fathers' Day Silly comedy about woman who cons two men into thinking they're the father of her child. Stars Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Nastassja Kinski, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Feeling Minnesota This romantic comedy features Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz in a love triangle of sorts: Diaz finally meets the man of her dreams -- on the day she's to marry his brother. Sound familiar? MPAA rating: R.
- Fiance, The When a young wife suspects her husband of cheating, she turns to a perfect stranger for sympathy -- and unleashes a nightmare of murderous romantic obsession. Stars William R. Moses, Lysette Anthony, Patrick Cassidy. LIVE, 1997, MPAA rating: R, $94.98.
- Fierce Creatures The cast from "A Fish Called Wanda" reunite in this comedy about the goings-on at a zoo, with John Cleese as a wacky zookeeper and Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline as execs out to make the zoo profitable. MPAA rating: PG-13; priced for rental, due July 1.
- Fifth Element, The In the 23rd century an unlikely hero arises to help fight the anti-life, anti-energy dark being in another dimension that has waited 5,000 years to destroy all life and light in the universe. Stars Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich. Directed by Luc Besson. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- First Do No Harm Inspirational true story about a family who struggles with their young son's severe case of epilepsy and the mother's search for a cure. Stars Meryl Streep and Fred Ward. Touchstone, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- First Kid Outrageous Secret Service agent (Sinbad) gets last chance to prove himself by guarding the President's son, a mischievous "first kid." MPAA rating: PG.
- First Wives Club, The Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn get even with their ex's. MPAA rating: PG.
- Five Graves to Cairo WWII wartime thriller about British soldier who uncovers secret behind German Field Marshall Rommel's Afrika Korps.' success in North Africa. Stars Franchot Tone, Anne Baxter, Akim Tamiroff Universal Cinema Classics, 1943, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Flame of Araby Costume swashbuckler about Arabian princess (Maureen O'Hara) who must fight for her throne. 1951; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98; new to video.
- Fled Two convicts escape prison and search for the hidden cash and computer disk that could bring down the Cuban Mafia and set them free. MPAA rating: R.
- Flipping Murder and betrayal set amongst the wiseguys of Hollywood in yet another "Reservoir Dogs"/"Pulp Fiction"/"Goodfellas" clone. Stars Keith David and David Proval. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Flirt The same story of complicated, unrequited love is told in three different cities (New York, Berlin, Tokyo) with three different sets of characters and in three different languages. MPAA rating: R.
- Flirting With Disaster Wild comedy about a young man (Ben Stiller) who goes on a cross-country search for his birth parents, lead by a sexy counselor (Tea Leoni) and accompanied by his wife (Patricia Arquette). MPAA rating: R.
- Fly Away Home With freedom of spirit as its metaphor, this fine family film has Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin as father and daughter who teach flock of geese how to migrate south for the winter. MPAA rating: PG; $15.95.
- Fools Rush In Matthew Perry of TV's "Friends" makes the transition to the big screen in this mediocre romantic comedy about twentysomethings in love; co-stars Salma Hayek. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- For Roseanna Love story about devoted husband (Jean Reno) who will do anything for his wife (Mercedes Ruehl), though her latest whim is bound to drive him crazy. Co-stars Polly Walker. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Foxfire Four Portland, Oregon high school girls are brought together by a mysterious outsider (Angelina Jolie) to discover their strengths as young women, along the way having fun, demonizing parents, and fighting off (literally) a sexually abusive teacher and other bullies. MPAA rating: R.
- Free Willy III: The Rescue Continuation of the saga about the special bond between a boy and an Orca whale. This time out Willy and his pod must be saved from illegal whalers. Stars Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: PG, $22.96.
- Freeway Reese Witherspoon is a teenager on the run from an abusive home life in this 1990's on-the-road fairy tale that has Kiefer Sutherland playing the wolf in, you guessed it, "Little Red Ridinghood." MPAA rating: R.
- Fun and Fancy Free Mickey Mouse adventure highlighted by last performance of Walt Disney as the celebrated mouse's voice; restored and THX-certified. Disney, $26.99
- Funeral, The Abel Ferrara's dark look at the seedy underworld of betrayal among gangsters in 1930s NYC, with Christopher Walken, Benicio Del Toro, Chris Penn, Isabella Rossellino, Annabella Sciorra. MPAA rating: R.
- Garden of the Finzi-Continis, The Lyrical, tragic story of cultured Italian Jewish family who languish on their eden-like estate, denying the realities of WWII fascism until it invades their world. Classic by Vittorio De Sica, starring Dominique Sanda, Helmut Berger. Newly restored. Columbia TriStar, 1971, MPAA rating: R.
- George of the Jungle Disney's summer hit with Brendan Fraser starring as the hapless "king" of the jungle, George, who, despite himself, foils the plot of a pair of poachers and wins the beautiful girl. Lots of fun! Disney, 1997, MPAA rating: G, $22.99.
- Get on the Bus Spike Lee's chronicle of a group of Los Angeles men who travel to Washington D.C. for the Million Man March. MPAA rating: R.
- Ghost and the Darkness, The Crew building railroad across Africa is terrorized by pair of man-eating lions, named by the African workers "The Ghost" and "The Darkness." Weak melodrama stars Michael Douglas, Val Kilmer MPAA rating: R.
- Ghosts of Mississippi Engrossing exploration of the trial of the murderer of civil rights activist Medgar Evers; stars Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods. Directed by Rob Reiner. Columbia TriStar, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Girls Town Lili Taylor heads up an ensemble cast in this gritty, coming-of-age story about four inner-city high school girlfriends and the unexpected forces that threaten to tear them apart. MPAA rating: R.
- Glimmer Man, The New York detective (Steven Seagal) is called in to help local homicide detective (Keenan Ivory Wayans) when a serial killer plunges Los Angeles into terror. Typical buddy-cop fare. MPAA rating: R.
- Glory Daze Comic look at 5 underachievers about to graduate college and face life in real world - despite themselves. Features irate girlfriends, lecherous teachers, killer hangovers. Ben Afflek, Alyssa Milano, French Stewart. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Gone Fishin' Really dumb comedy about a fishing trip that goes awry, involving two diehard goofballs who get caught up with stolen goods. Stars Joe Pesci, Danny Glover, Rosanna Arquette, Lynn Whitfield. Hollywood, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Grace of My Heart Female songwriter in the late-1950s struggles to make it in a man's world, rising to become a singer in her own right. It's sentimental, corny, and predictable, yet it's oh so very endearing. And it's refreshing to see a pop movie about pop music from a woman's point of view and exhibiting a strong female sensibility.MPAA rating: R.
- Grateful Dead: Downhill From Here Grateful Dead concert recorded in 1989 at the Alpine Valley Music Theater. Monterey Home Video, 1989, MPAA rating: NR, $29.95
- Gray's Anatomy Collaboration between Steven Soderbergh ("sex, lies and videotape") and master of monologue Spalding Gray; Gray here relates his trip into alternative healing after being diagnosed with rare eye condition. Fox Lorber, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $89.98.
- Gridlock'd Urban actioner stars Tim Roth and Tupac Shakur as junkies who butt up against the police, other junkies and a careening-out-of-control bureaucratic system as they move through the streets to get clean. MPAA rating: R.
- Grind Gritty drama about working class, blue collar life in New Jersey. Stars Adrienne Shelly, Billy Crudup. Fox Lorber, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Grosse Pointe Blank Weird comedy about a hit man who returns home for his 10-year reunion to reunite with the girl he left behind while making one last hit.Stars John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd. Hollywood, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Habitat Radical biology experiments transform a suburban house into a terrifying living creature as a scientist mutates his family and their house turns into a living, breathing, oozing mass. Ugh. Stars Alice Krige, Balthazar Getty, Tchecky Kayro. A-Pix, 1996, MPAA rating: R, $94.98.
- Hamlet Kenneth Branagh updates the bard's "Hamlet" with a gigantic cast featuring himself, Julie Christie, Billy Crystal, Gerard Depardieu, Charlton Heston, Derek Jacobi, Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams, Kate Winslet. Columbia TriStar, 1996, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Hangman's Knot Band of Confederate soldiers ambush a Union gold shipment only to find out that the Civil War has been over for a month. They hide out in a stagecoach waystation, awaiting retribution. Stars Randolph Scott, Donna Reed. Columbia TriStar, 1952, MPAA rating: NR, $14.95
- Hard Eight Noir-like thriller looks at underbelly of life in Reno, with Philip Baker Hall as loner in his 50s with John C. Reilly as a down and outer he takes under his wing. Gwyneth Paltrow is a waitress/hooker Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Harriet the Spy Based on Louise Fitzhugh's children's bestseller about a snoopy six-grader who constantly cases out her neighborhood and makes copious notes in her "secret spy notebook." MPAA rating: PG; $19.95.
- Head Above Water Comedy of errors about the ditzy young wife (Cameron Diaz) of a respected judge who tries to keep her ex-lover a secret from her husband (Harvey Keitel). Co-stars Billy Zane and Craig Sheffer. Now playing in theatres. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Heart of Dragon Martial arts actioner has Jackie Chan as a cop who must prove that his mentally challenged brother was not involved in a robbery; 20 minute fight finale is great for Chan fans. Dubbed, subtitled, letterboxed. 1985, MPAA rating: NR; $19.98
- Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison Deborah Kerr is a nun and Robert Mitchum is a Marine hiding from the Japanese during World War II. 1957; MPAA rating: NR; $19.98; new to video.
- Heavy The life of an overweight cook is changed when a beautiful and kind waitress opens his heart to love. Stars Liv Tyler, Shelley Winters, Deborah Harry. MPAA rating: R.
- Her Private Affair Ann Harding stars as the wife of a distinguished judge who finds herself caught in the middle of blackmail and betrayal. First time on video. Monument, 1930, MPAA rating: NR, $9.99
- High School High Idealistic high school teacher (Jon Lovitz) leaves the safety of a private school for tough streets of an inner city school so mean it has its own graveyard. Bottom rung of the ladder for all concerned. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Highway Patrolman Part road movie, part Western, director Alex Cox's ("Repro Man," "Sid and Nancy") indie film follows the coming of age and loves of two Mexican brothers. Spanish with English subtitles. Boulevard Films, 1992, MPAA rating: NR.
- Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves In this direct-to-video sequel, Rick Moranis once again heads up the wacky Szalinski family; this time around he shrinks himself and his wife and watches while the kids throw a wild weekend party. MPAA rating: PG; $22.99
- Horseman on the Roof Lavish costume drama about trials and tribulations of an Italian revolutionary and the French woman he comes to love during the Austrian takeover of Italy in the mid-19th century. MPAA rating: R.
- Hotel de Love Twin brothers battle over the hand of their high school sweetheart, now on the verge of marrying a third man in Las Vegas' funky honeymoon hotel. MPAA rating: R.
- House Arrest Kids lock up their parents until they learn to get along with one another. Stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Pollak, Jennifer Tilly. They should have locked up the writers instead. MPAA rating: PG.
- How to Be a Player Dray Jackson is a player: he has the car, the clothes, the money, the women. A lot of women. Until his sister decides to stand up for women everywhere and brings together seven of his "girls" for a "surprise" party he won't forget. Stars Bill Bellamy, Natalie Desselle, Lark Voorhies. PolyGram, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Hunchback of Notre Dame, The CinemaScope version of the Victor Hugo's classic with Gina Lollobrigida as "the seductive gypsy" Esmeralda and Anthony Quinn as Quasimodo; the film is being re-released on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. MPAA rating: PG.
- Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Disney's bastardization of the classic tale.MPAA rating: G; $26.99
- I'm Not Rappaport Walter Matthau plays an 81-year-old nonconformist who makes friends with a half-blind fellow octogenarian (Ossie Davis) and together they take on the world. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- If These Walls Could Talk Critically acclaimed three-story anthology about how three women deal with unplanned pregnancies. Two episodes directed by Nancy Savoca, one by Cher. Originally aired on HBO. MPAA rating: R.
- In Love and War Sandra Bullock and Chris O'Donnell star in this romantic drama very loosely based on a love affair between Ernest Hemingway and medical aide Agnes von Kurowsky during World War I. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Independence Day Widescreen version of last year's phenomenal hit of the big and little screen; includes a behind-the-scenes featurette. MPAA rating: PG-13; $24.98
- Infinity Matthew Broderick directs and stars in this tender love story about famous physicist Richard Feynman and his affair with his true love, a woman who died of Hodgkin's disease. MPAA rating: PG.
- Intruso (The Intruder) Psychological thriller about a love triangle, with childhood sweethearts growing into adult lovers, replete with jealousy, love, hatred and madness. From Spain. Spanish with English subtitles. Stars Victoria Abril, Antonio Valero, Imanol Arias. Boulevard Films, 1993, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Inventing the Abbotts Coming of age drama with young cast of Liv Tyler, Joaquin Phoenix, Billy Crudup, Jennifer Connelly, Joanna Going. FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Jack This comedy from Francis Ford Coppola features Robin Williams as Jack, a 10-year-old boy with a rare condition that makes him age four times faster than normal -- he lives in an adult body. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Jerry Maguire Tom Cruise and Academy Award-winner Cuba Gooding Jr. star in this look at the high-stakes world of sports agents.MPAA rating: R; New to video at $19.98.
- Jingle All the Way Silly comedy about two dads scheming to get their hands on the last available Turbo Man superhero action figure to be had on Christmas eve. In clamshell packaging. Stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman. Fox, 1996, MPAA rating: PG, $19.98
- Joyride Two guys and a girl steal a car for kicks, only to be hunted down by the owner, a mysterious blonde who turns out to be a hired assassin. Stars Tobey Maguire, Wilson Cruz, Benicio Del Toro, Adam West. LIVE, 1997, MPAA rating: R, $94.98.
- Jude Hot romantic drama about divorced stone mason (Christopher Eccleston) who goes off to the university and falls in love with his cousin (Kate Winslet). MPAA rating: R.
- Jungle Book, The 30th anniversary release; has been on moratorium since 1991. Digitally remastered and restored, with "making of" footage. Walt Disney, 1967, MPAA rating: G, $26.99.
- Jungle 2 Jungle Tim Allen discovers that he has a son in the jungle from a prior marriage; he tracks him down and brings him back to the big city. Get the title? Co-stars Martin Short, JoBeth Williams, Lolita Davidovich.
- Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love A story of romance, risk and love loosely formed around the ancient Indian text-book of love, the Kama Sutra. A bit soft core. Trimark, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Kansas City Robert Altman's take on the mob in Kansas City during the '30s, with all-star cast and great jazz soundtrack. MPAA rating: R.
- Keys to Tulsa Murder, blackmail and deceit in the Southwest with Eric Stoltz, Cameron Diaz, James Spader, Mary Tyler Moore, James Coburn. PolyGram Video, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Killer: A Journal of Murder James Woods plays a murderer. So what else is new? MPAA rating: R.
- Killing Grandpa Disheartened old engineer loses his will to live and while he awaits death, his greedy children circle him like vultures - until a young woman revives him with love. Argentina. Spanish with English subtitles. Boulevard Films, 1991, MPAA rating: NR.
- King and Country Joseph Losey's masterpiece on the horrors of war. Psychological investigation of a WWI British private (Tom Courtney) who cracks up and deserts. Dirk Bogarde plays the defense counsel at court martial 1964, MPAA rating: NR; $29.95
- Kingpin A washed-up bowler recruits an Amish man to compete in a million-dollar bowling tournament. Dumb comedy stars Woody Harrelson and Randy Quaid. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Kiss Me Deadly Classic Mike Hammer film from director Robert Aldrich with Ralph Meeker as Mickey Spillane's detective moving through dark 1950s paranoia. Re-release with recently discovered original ending. MGM, 1955, MPAA rating: NR
- Kolya Middle-aged bachelor is thrust into unwilling fatherhood when the woman he marries as a favor for a friend splits for Germany, leaving behind her 6-year-old son, Kolya. Winner of the 1996 Academy Award for best foreign film. In Czech with yellow English subtitles. Miramax, 1996, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- La Scorta Based on a true story, "La Scorta" relates the story of four carabinieri, or state police, assigned to protect a magistrate in Mafia-stronghold of Trapani, Sicily. In Italian with English subtitles. Boulevard Films, MPAA rating: NR. Rescheduled from August.
- Lady Godiva Costume drama with Maureen O'Hara about Saxons vs. Normams in medieval England and the good lady's nude horseback ride. 1955; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98; new to video.
- Land Before Time V, The: The Mysterious Island. Fifth entry in the successful series about the life and adventures of little dinosaurs Littlefoot, Cera, Spike, Ducky and Petrie in the Great Valley in prehistoric times. Animated with music and love. Direct to video. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: G, $19.98.
- Larger Than Life Bill Murray plays a businessman who gets a very big inheritance from his father -- Vera, an 8,000-pound elephant. He embarks on a cross-country trip to sell her -- but instead she works her charms on him. In clamshell packaging. MPAA rating: PG; $19.98
- Last Days of Frankie the Fly, The Small time hood wants to make it big and joins with a porn filmmaker and a former junkie to scam his higher-ups. They'll all be either very rich or very dead. Stars Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen. Cabin Fever, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Last Don, The TV dramatization of Mario Puzo's latest Mafia novel here in home video edition (more nudity and violence). Trimark, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Last Man Standing Bruce Willis stars in this Walter Hill-directed reworking of Akira Kurasawa's "Yojimbo": a mercenary hires himself out to two warring parties (here bootleggers in the West during Prohibition. MPAA rating: R.
- Last Summer in the Hamptons Summer among the over-talkative theater folk in East Hampton. For director Henry Jaglom fans only. Stars Viveca Lindfors, Roddy McDowall, Martha Plimpton. LIVE Entertainment, 1995, MPAA rating: R.
- Last Time I Committed Suicide, The Keanu Reeves and Thomas Jane star in this drama loosely based on the lives of primo-beats Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady. Now playing in theatres. Universal, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Le Samourai Classic French film noir from maverick filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville, with Alain Delon as lone hitman, double-crossed by his employers, pursued in an elaborate cat-and-mouse chase in sleek, atmospheric homage to the French underworld. Stars Alain Delon, Francois Perier, Nathalie Delon. New Yorker, 1967, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina Tolstoy's classic again brought to the big screen, starring Sophie Marceau, Sean Bean, Alfred Molina. Score of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev conducted by Sir Georg Solti. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Leopard Son, The A real life "Lion King" from the folks at the Discovery Channel; narrated by Sir John Gielgud with music by ex-Police drummer Stewart Copeland. MPAA rating: G.
- Liar Liar Jim Carrey in another inspired role as a lawyer who takes on cases other lawyers reject on good conscience. The comedy really gets underway when, for one 24-hour period, he discovers he can't tell a lie. In pan-and-scan and letterboxed versions. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13, $22.98.
- Lifeboat Alfred Hitchcock directed this classic about survivors adrift in a life raft after their ship is sunk by Nazis during World War II. Tallulah Bankhead gives the performance of her life. Co-stars Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Walter Slezak, Mary Anderson, John Hodiak, Hume Cronyn. Fox Video Studio Classic, 1944, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Limbic Region, The Game of cat and mouse between a zealous detective and a cunning serial killer, starring Edward James Olmos, George Dzundza. MGM, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $59.99
- Lone Star Revisionist Western by director John Sayles is a murder mystery touched off in a West Texas border town by discovery of the remains of a vicious and corrupt Sheriff who disappeared 40 years ago. MPAA rating: R.
- Long Kiss Goodnight, The Geena Davis plays a seemingly mild-mannered suburban school teacher suffering from amnesia whose former life as a lethal CIA assassin suddenly catches up to her with a vengeance. MPAA rating: R.
- Looking for Richard Al Pacino directed this incisive look at his staging of William Shakespeare's "Richard III." Rating: PG-13.
- Losing Chase Directorial debut from Kevin Bacon delves into a family turned upside down by a free-spirited and misunderstood wife and mother, with Helen Mirren, Kyra Sedgwick, Beau Bridges. MPAA rating: R.
- Lost Highway David Lynch's surrealistic film in which two men seem to have parallel lives that collide in a noirish story filled with murder, mystery and seduction. Stars Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Robert Blake. In pan-and-scan and letterbox versions. PolyGram, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Lost World, The: Jurassic Park The much-touted sequel to the biggest grossing film of all time; some scares and thrills but not up to the original. Stars Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13, $22.98.
- Love Is All There Is Comedy about son of Sicilian caterers who falls in love with daughter of his parents' greatest rivals. Stars Lainie Kazan, Barbara Carrera, Renee Taylor, Joseph Bologna, Paul Sorvino. MPAA rating: R.
- love jones Comedy captures the rhythms of modern courtship as it follows the involvement of young professionals in and out of love. Features a hot alternative R&B soundtrack. Stars Larenz Tate and Nia Long. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Love and Other Catastrophes Wacky romp through the land of romance with five friends whose lives intersect and collide in unexpected and comical ways. FoxVideo, 1977, MPAA rating: R.
- Love! Valour! Compassion! Eight friends leave the city behind for three simple weekends of rest and relaxation in the country in Terence McNally's Tony Award-winning play. Stars Jason Alexander, John Glover, Stephen Spinella. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- M Home Vision Cinema has lovingly digitally remastered this classic of Western cinema, directed by Fritz Lang, starring Peter Lorre as a serial killer of children. Includes the often missing final scene. New, clearer subtitles. Co-stars Ellen Widmann, Inge Landgut. Home Vision, 1931, MPAA rating: NR, $19.95
- Madame Butterfly Faithful filmic rendering of Puccini's opera about a 15-year-old geisha who marries a roguish American naval officer, who soon deserts her and their newborn. MPAA rating: NR; $19.95
- Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Biting look at Madison Avenue types in the mid-1950s, at work and play. Stars Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, Fredric March, Lee J. Cobb. Score by Bernard Herrmann. From the Sloan Wilson novel. 1956; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98.
- Mandela Documentary about charismatic South African leader Nelson Mandela. PolyGram Video, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Manny & Lo Independent film about pair of sisters -- 16 and 11 -- on the lam after escaping from their foster homes. MPAA rating: R.
- Mars Attacks! Tim Burton's inspired spoof of 1950s and 1960s sci-fi films will be a cult classic one day; its theatrical release was marred by its close proximity to "ID4." A sure bet for an evening's enjoyment. MPAA rating: PG-13; priced for rental.
- Marvin's Room Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton play sisters whose lives have been widely divergent but who now come together to reunite their family in a time of trouble; Leonardo DiCaprio plays Streep's delinquent son. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Mary Poppins Special collector's edition featuring a songbook and special footage, available for limited time and then Disney pulls it off the market December 31. Restored and THX-certified. Disney, 1964, MPAA rating: G, $22.99.
- Mask of Death Lorenzo Lamas stars as a police officer who goes undercover to prevent the Russian Mafia from stealing U.S. security information. Co-stars Rae Dawn Chong and Billy Dee Williams. Dimension, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Maximum Risk This action-adventure flick has Jean-Claude Van Damme as a French cop who travels to NYC to solve the murder of the twin brother he never knew he had. Love interest is supplied by Natasha Henstridge. MPAA rating: R.
- Maybe ... Maybe Not When German hunk Til Schweiger is thrown out by his girl friend for cheating, he moves in with his gay friend and not only has to fight for his girl, he has to fight off his buddy. English subtitles. MPAA rating: R; $96.98.
- McHale's Navy Cast and story is adrift in this remake and updating of 1960s TV sitcom about PT boat commander and his wacky crew. Stars Tom Arnold, David Allen Grier, Tim Curry, Dean Stockwell Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Meantime Gritty drawa about two young deadbeats who live with their unemployed father in a London apartment; one of them takes up with skinheads to get meaning into his life. Stars Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, Alfred Molina. Fox Lorber, 1983, MPAA rating: NR, $79.98.
- Meet Wally Sparks Rodney Dangerfield's comedy flop makes it to home video pronto. MPAA rating: R.
- Men in Black Smash hit of the year, about a secret group that regulates alien visitations to Earth. The team of K and J (Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith) are sent to investigate a series of mysterious alien deaths in this terrific black comedy. Also stars Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio. In both pan-and-scan and widescreen versions. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13, $22.95.
- Metro This Eddie Murphy vehicle has the wise-cracking comic playing a San Francisco Police Dept. hostage negotiator who comes face to face with a psychotic killer in a game of cat and mouse. Touchstone, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Michael John Travolta is intriguing here in this fairy tale comedy about a not so heavenly angel and his earthly antics. MPAA rating: PG.
- Michael Collins Biodrama about Irish revolutionary Michael Collins, starring Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman. MPAA rating: R.
- Microcosmos Unusual, exciting documentary that takes a close-up look at the fascinating world of insects and the environment they inhabit. Buena Vista, 1996, MPAA rating: G, $14.99.
- Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face Off Animated direct-to-video feature tracing the "story" of the Mighty Ducks movies. MPAA rating: NR; $22.99
- Miracle on 34th Street Digitally THX mastered 50th anniversary edition of the Christmas classic. Stars Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood. Fox, 1947, $19.98
- Miracle Woman, The Barbara Stanwyck plays a disillusioned minister's daughter who becomes a wealthy evangelist delivering sermons from a lion's den and "healing" the sick -- until she falls in love. First time to video. 1931, MPAA rating: NR; $19.95
- Mirror Has Two Faces, The Two emotionally-starved (and quite different) professors (Barbra Streisand and Jeff Bridges) come together for companionship. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Monster, The A small-time con-man is mistaken as a big-time serial killer and is forced to find the real murderer before the cops find him. Directed by and stars Roberto Benigni. MPAA rating: R.
- Mother Albert Brooks directs and stars in this comedy about a two-time divorcee who realizes that his failures date back to his relationship with his mother; he moves home to figure out why. Stars Debbie Reynolds, Lisa Kudrow, Rob Morrow. Paramount, 1996, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Mother Night Based on Kurt Vonnegut's novel about an American playwright living with his German wife in pre-WWII Germany who is seduced into becomming an Allied spy in the Nazi party. Stars Nick Nolte, Sheryl Lee. MPAA rating: R.
- Murder at 1600 He's a Washington, D.C. cop; she's a Secret Service Agent. Both track a White House homicide to the First Family's front door. Stars Wesley Snipes, Diane Lane. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- My Best Friend's Wedding Julianne and Michael have been best friends since college, when their affair made that funny transition from love to friendship, though Michael still carries a secret torch for her. When he pops the question to another woman, Julianne decides she wants him back, and has just four days to accomplish her devious deeds. Stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Everett. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- My Favorite Season Set in southwest France, this critical success follows the turbulent relationship between an estranged brother and sister when they are thrown together by their shared responsibility for their ailing mother. French with English subtitles. Stars Catherine Deneuve, Daniel Auteuil. Fox Lorber, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- My Fellow Americans James Garner and Jack Lemmon are grumpy, feuding ex-Presidents trying to get to the bottom of a scandal brewing in the White House. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Nelly and Monsieur Arnaud A young woman goes to work transcribing an older man's memoirs and flirtation soon leads to unexpected love complicated by the woman's involvement with the man's editor; French with English subtitles; letterbox. New Yorker, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Night of the Demons 3 Typical horror yarn about kids trapped in a funeral home on Halloween. Stars Amelia Kinkade, Kris Holdenreid. Republic, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- Night Falls on Manhattan An idealistic street cop (Andy Garcia) turned D.A., thrust into the limelight after a headline-making case, experiences personal and professional betrayal after uncovering crime and corruption close to him. Also stars Richard Dreyfuss, Lena Olin, Ian Holm. Republic Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- No Name on the Bullet Audie Murphy stars as an aloof gunman who's arrival in a small town sets off a wave of guilt and hysteria among the townspeople. Universal Western Collection, 1959, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- No Telling An idyllic summer in upstate New York goes haywire when a scientist's experiments with "chemo-electric therapy," transplants and immune systems gets out of hand and mother nature strikes back. Stars Miriam Healy-Louie, Stephen Ramsey, David van Tieghem. World Artists, 1991, MPAA rating: NR, $79.95.
- Normal Life Luke Perry and Ashley Judd team up as lovers who terrorize a quiet Illinois town in this film by the director of "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. MPAA rating: R.
- North Star Indian trapper (Christopher Lambert) in Alaska goes up against a corrupt miner (James Caan) who tries to steal his land. Catherine McCormack plays the obligatory love interest. MPAA rating: R.
- Nostalghia Legendary director Andrei Tarkovsky's first film made outside of Russia, about an expatriate Russian poet on a research mission in Italy that leads him to a spiritual journey. Italian with English subtitles.
- Nowhere Black comedy/romance with James Duval, Traci Lords, Rachel True, billed as "Beverly Hills, 90210" on acid, about an 18-year-old searching for love in a fractured world. From Gregg Araki, who directed "The Doom Generation." New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- O.S.S. Actual secret files of the Office of Strategic Services' exploits during WWII (the O.S.S. was the precursor to today's CIA). Stars Alan Ladd and Geraldine Fitzgerald. Universal Cinema Classics, 1946, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Odyssey, The Director Andrei Konchalovsky tackles the classic Homerian epic for mass consumption. The NBC miniseries attracted some 50 million viewers. All-star cast and great effects. Hallmark, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Old Yeller Collector's edition re-release of this boy-and-his-dog tale, set in mid-19th century Texas. Tear-jerker stars Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, Tommy Kirk. THX enhanced. Walt Disney, 1957, MPAA rating: NR, $19.99.
- 187 Once idealistic high school teacher (Jackson) relocates to Los Angeles to get a fresh start but discovers that the students here are as mean as the ones he left behind ... don't worry, he gets even. Stars Samuel L. Jackson. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- One Fine Day Romantic comedy about two single parents inadvertently thrown together for one chaotic day -- and love, of course, blooms. Stars Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney. MPAA rating: PG.
- 101 Dalmatians Live action remake of Disney classic, starring Glenn Close. MPAA rating: G; $26.99
- Operation Condor Jackie Chan stars in and directs this actioner about a secret agent summoned by the U.N. to locate a fortune in stolen gold buried by the Nazi deep beneath the Sahara. Chan is aided by three sexy sidekicks. Co-stars Carol Cheng, Eva Cobo de Garcia. Dimension, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Operation Delta Force Typical military actioner with Jeff Fahey and Ernie Hudson strapping on weapons of destruction to recover stolen vials containing a deadly virus. LIVE Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Orchestra Rehearsal Federico Fellini's caustic look at the breakdown of Italian society through the metaphor of the events surrounding an orchestra rehearsal set in a 13th century chapel. In Italian with English subtitles. Fox Lorber, 1979, MPAA rating: NR.
- Out to Sea Matthau and Lemmon team up again, this time as dancing con artists aboard a cruise ship. Stars Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon. Fox, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Palookaville Comedy about a trio of bumbling crooks. MPAA rating: R.
- Paperback Romance A shy romance novelist has a fling with a handsome jewelry dealer. Stars Gia Carides and Anthony LaPaglia; brief theatrical run in August. Evergreen Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Paradise Road Real life story of a group of women interred in a Japanese prison camp during WWII and their efforts to uplift spirits by secretly forming a vocal orchestra to perform classical music. Stars Glenn Close, Pauline Collins, Julianna Margulies, Frances McDormand. FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- People vs. Larry Flynt, The Controversial biopic about life of Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt and his legal battles against censorship. Stars Woody Harrelson and Courtney Love. MPAA rating: R.
- Perfect Candidate, A Candid look at the underbelly of American politics: the filmmakers track the back room games of the Senatorial campaign of Oliver North of Iran-Contra infamy. First Run Features, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $59.95.
- Pest, The John Leguizamo stars in this comedy(?) as a manic Miami con man who becomes a hunter's human prey. Ah, the stuff of legend. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Phenomenon Ordinary guy (John Travolta) living in a small town is struck by blinding white light and becomes a genius. MPAA rating: PG.
- Pickpocket Director Robert Bresson's masterpiece about a man who becomes a methodological, compulsive pickpocket who finds redemption and love in a young woman who once cared for his ailing mother. In French with enhanced subtitles.New Yorker, 1963, MPAA rating: NR.
- Pigskin Parade Football musical with Judy Garland (her first picture), Stuart Erwin, Patsy Kelly, Jack Haley and Betty Grable. 1936; MPAA rating: NR; $19.98; new to video.
- Pink Flamingos Divine stars in this divinely disgusting tale of a competition for the title of the World's Filthiest Person. John Waters' cult classic; co-starred Mink Stole and the great Edith Massey. New Line, 1972, MPAA rating: NC-17, $19.98
- Pippi Longstocking Animated version of the classic children's story. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: G, $19.96
- Pixote Disturbing portrait of 10-year-old boy's criminal life in the slums of Brazil. Stars Fernando Ramos da Silva, Marilia Pera. In Portuguese with English subtitles.New Yorker, 1981, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Place in the World, A Confrontation between a multinational agribusiness and impoverished farmers is the backdrop for the coming of age of young man and the test of the ideals of his parents, friends, a teacher, a doctor, a nun and a geologist. From Argentina. Spanish with English subtitles. Boulevard Films, 1992, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Place Without Limits Based on the novel by famed Chilean author Jose Donoso, offbeat drama (in the tradition of Luis Bunuel) features a transvestite who comes to the aid of his daughter, who runs a local brothel, when she's threatened by a macho truckdriver. In Spanish with English subtitles. World Artists, 1977, MPAA rating: NR, $79.95.
- Poltergeist: The Legacy "Poltergeist" saga lives on (if in name only) in this telefilm about a secret society that must battle an all-powerful demon to save humanity. Stars Helen Shaver, Derek de Lint. MGM, 1995, MPAA rating: NR, $59.95
- Pompatus of Love, The Another "guy" film, this time with four losers confronting life and love. MPAA rating: R.
- Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin. Direct-to-video release of the first new Pooh adventure in 20 years; $26.99
- Postman, The (Il Postino) Finally, after 18 months, the long-awaited film about a Postman in Italy meets up with Pablo Neruda. MPAA rating: PG.
- Preacher's Wife, The Whitney Houston is "The Preacher's Wife," whose uplifting voice supports her husband's choir and attracts the notice of "Angel" Denzel Washington in this remake of the 1947 "The Bishop's Wife." MPAA rating: PG.
- Prefontaine Inspiring story about young man who beats all odds to become am Olympic runner. Stars Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey, Ed O'Neill, Amy Locane. Hollywood, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Prisoner of the Mountains Cannes Film Festival winner about two Russian soldiers policing the Caucasus who are ambushed and held hostage by Muslim rebels, to be traded for a patriarch's son, held in a Russian jail. In Russian with English subtitles. Orion Classics, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Private Parts Shock DJ Howard Stern's best-selling autobiography came to the big screen with a giant splash - and did a respectable $40 million before being consigned to home video. Paramount, 1977, MPAA rating: R.
- Private War of Major Benson, The Army Major (Charlton Heston) is relieved of his post and sent to whip into shape an ROTC program run at a school run by nuns; remade in 1996 as "Major Payne" with Damon Wayans. 1955; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98
- Proprietor, The Art-house film about an expatriate French writer (Jeanne Moreau) torn between her past in Paris and her present in New York City. MPAA rating: R.
- Purple Noon Forgotten classic thriller from Rene Clement (1967) stars Alain Delon as a young American recruited to bring back from Europe a father's errant son; the pair live the good life until their money runs out. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Quiet Room, The Exploration of childhood told (all in voiceover) through the perspective of 7-year-old girl whose life is in emotional turmoil due to her parents' disintegrating marriage. Deep psychology. Australia. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Ransom Director Ron Howard scores again with this thriller about the kidnapping of the son of a top corporate executive (Mel Gibson) who turns the table on the bad guys. Co-stars Rene Russo, Gary Sinise. MPAA rating: R.
- Raven, The Burt Reynolds is back! So? Here he plays a government killer on his own "in the tradition of 'Rambo' and 'Eraser.'" Give us a break. Also stars Richard Gant. New Line, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Relic, The Monster runs amok in a museum, terrorizing curators. Is this what happens when NEA funding is eliminated? Good fun. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Rendezvouz in Paris Master New Wave filmmaker Eric Rohmer follows three young couples as they face the vanities, cruelties and deceptions of their romantic entanglements through the parks and cafes of springtime Paris. New Yorker, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Rhyme & Reason Documentary about Hip-Hop and rap, featuring Tupac Shakur, the Notorious B.I.G., the Fugees, Dr. Dre, Da Brat, Ice-T, Salt n' Pepper. Miramax, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Rich Man's Wife, The Halle Berry stars in this mediocre thriller about the consequences of marital indiscretion: Berry befriends a stranger who turns out to be a psychotic who kills her husband and frames her for the crime. MPAA rating: R.
- Ridicule A young man travels to Paris in the late 18th century to plead to the French Court to save his home town but discovers that wit and ridicule, not logic and reason, are the weapons of power. MPAA rating: R.
- Roadracers From Showtime's "Rebel Highway" series, this Robert Rodriguez-directed action-drama stars David Arquette as a young rebel at a crossroads in his life: should he join a rock band, should he marry his girlfriend (Salma Hayek), should he take on the local cop. No motivation required, just underacting and under direction. This is a far cry from Rodriguez' over-the-top gem "From Dusk Till Dawn." Miramax, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Romy & Michele's High School Reunion Two best friends and party girls decide to reinvent themselves to impress their former friends at their 10th high school reunion, leading to hilarious results. Surprise hit stars Mira Sorvino, Lisa Kudrow, Janeane Garofalo. Touchstone, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Rosewood True story of a prosperous black town in central Florida burned down in 1923 by racist whites from a less prosperous neighboring town. Directed by John Singleton and starring Jon Voight, Ving Rhames. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Rough Riders TNT miniseries about Teddy Roosevelt and his now-mythic attack on San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War. Stars Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, Gary Busey. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Rough Magic Meandering tale about a magician's assistant who discovers that her fiancee has murdered her mentor; she takes off on a spiritual and magical journey to Mayan mystics to fulfill her magical powers. Stars Bridget Fonda, Russell Crowe, D.W. Moffett. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Saint, The Val Kilmer stars in this reworking of the great Brit mystery novel detective played to perfection by Roger Moore on TV; here the action's just too high-tech souped up to make a lasting impression. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Santa With Muscles Hulk Hogan dressed up as Santa! That's all you need to know about this one. Also stars Hulk Hogan, Ed Begley Jr., Don Stark. Cabin Fever, 1996, MPAA rating: PG.
- Scent of a Woman Vittorio Gassman plays a blind and embittered army captain who undertakes a tour of Italy accompanied by a young aid, spotting attractive women by his keen sense of smell. Re-made here with Al Pacino in the starring role. In Italian with subtitles. New Yorker, 1974, MPAA rating: NR.
- Schizopolis Kafka-esque satire looks at gurus, cults, the media, marriage and dentists in a paranoid black comedy from director Steven Soderberg ("sex, lies and videotape"). Stars Soderberg, Mike Malone, Betsy Brantley. Fox Lorber, 1997, MPAA rating: NR, $89.98.
- Scream Surprise horror hit by director Wes Craven about a stalker who imitates horror movie conventions in going after his victims; stars Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette. MPAA rating: R.
- Second Jungle Book, The: Mowgli and Balog More jungle adventures loosely based on Rudyard Kipling's work: This time out Mowgli battles human greed when a hunter tries to cage him for the circus. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG, $14.95
- Seconds John Frankenheimer directed Rock Hudson in this scary 1966 classic about a mysterious organization that offers older people a chance to be young again by buying a new identity; uncut. New to video. MPAA rating: R.
- Secret Agent, The Based on Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel about an actual attempt to blow up the Greenwich Observatory, with Bob Hoskins, Patricia Arquette and Gerard Depardieu. MPAA rating: R.
- Secrets & Lies Director Mike Leigh takes deep, long look at a British family on the edge: a 44-year-old overworked, despondent woman (Brenda Blethyn), and her churlish daughter face a bleak world turned further upside down when a 27-year-old black woman shows up, claiming Blethyn is her biological mother. MPAA rating: NR.
- Selena Biography of slain Tejano singer Selena, starring Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Set it Off Four women (Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise) turn to bankrobbing to straighten out their lives. MPAA rating: R.
- Shades of Fear Fraud and murder on the high seas as a stranger who isn't what he seems to be and a young woman have a shipboard affair. Straight-to-video release. Stars Vanessa Redgrave, Jonathan Pryce, John Hurt. Buena Vista, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Shadow Conspiracy Advisor (Charles Sheen) to the President of the United States must unravel a terrifying conspiracy that threatens the foundation of the government. Donald Sutherland stars as the President, Linda Hamilton as Sheen's investigative reporter girl friend. Hollywood Pictures, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Shaggy D.A., The Sequel to 1959's "The Shaggy Dog Buena Vista, 1976, MPAA rating: G, $26.99.
- Shaggy Dog, The Re-release of this comedy about a boy who's turned into a sheepdog. Stars Fred MacMurray, Annette Funicello, Tommy Kirk. Buena Vista, 1959, MPAA rating: G $26.99.
- She's the One Life, loves and infidelity among the twentysomethings in latest from director Ed Burns. MPAA rating: R.
- Shiloh Warner Bros. is hoping for a new franchise with the "Shiloh" series of books about a boy and his dog named Shiloh. Released theatrically in late April. MPAA rating: PG; $19.98
- Shine Based on the true story of David Helfgott, a concert pianist whose emotional turmoil hobbled a promising career. Garnered an Academy Award for star Geoffrey Rush. New Line, 1996, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Silent Trigger Dolph Lundgren plays a former Special Forces Commando (what else?) who is now a trained assassin (what else?) for a covert agency who becomes a target (what else?) when the Agency turns on him. Uh huh! Buena Vista, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Simple Wish, A Weird family film about a little girl who wishes that her father will get a part in a Broadway play -- but her wish conjures up an incompetent fairy godfather (Short) and an evil fairy godmother (Turner). Stars Mara Wilson, Kathleen Turner, Martin Short, Robert Pastorelli. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Single Girl, A Camera follows one day in the life of a young woman who announces to her boy friend that she is four weeks pregnant and spends the rest of the day pondering her future. A new wave film for the '90s. Stars Virginie Ledoyen, Benoit Magimel. Fox Lorber, 1996, MPAA rating: NR, $89.98.
- Sixth Man, The Ghost of a star high school basketball player helps his younger brother go for the NCAA basketball championship. Stars Marlon Wayans, Kadeem Hardison. Touchstone, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Sleepers Traces the lives of four men who exact revenge against the prison guard who abused them years before when they were incarcerated in a juvenile facility. An all-star cast, based on a true story. MPAA rating: R.
- Sleeping Beauty The animated Disney masterpiece, unavailable for 10 years (except at exorbitant prices) finally is being re-issued by the folks at Disney in original widescreen format. Disney, 1959, MPAA rating: G, $26.99.
- Sling Blade Written and directed by and starring Billy Bob Thornton, this critically acclaimed film follows the return to society of a mentally retarded man after spending 25 years in an asylum for the criminally insane. Miramax, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Small Faces Hard core, coming of age in modern Scotland, with drugs and gangs. MPAA rating: R.
- Small Wonders Documentary about Roberta Guaspari-Tzavara's unique musical teaching methods that transforms her struggling "fiddle" students from beginning musicians to Carnegie Hall performers. Uplifting. MPAA rating: G.
- Smilla's Sense of Snow A woman who has an affinity for snow suspects that the death of a 6-year-old neighborhood boy was no accident; she defies local authorities in Greenland to investigate. Stars Julia Ormond, Gabriel Byrne. MPAA rating: R.
- Snow White Made for cable Showtime gruesome adult version of fairy tale Snow White, with Sigourney Weaver as the nasty queen. Co-stars Sam Neill, Monica Keena. PolyGram, 1997, MPAA rating R.
- Snowboard Academy Comedy about rivalry between snobby skiers and knuckle-dragging snowboarders at ski resort. Most notable aspect of the film is the beautiful scenery of the Le Chantecler resort in Montreal's Laurentian Mountains. Stars Corey Haim, Jim Varney, Brigitte Nielsen. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Solo Mario Van Peebles plays SOLO, an indestructible android who turns on his nasty programmers. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Some Mother's Son Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan star as mothers whose sons are incarcerated as IRA supporters in Northen Ireland; the pair must face grueling decisions as their sons go on a hunger strike. Powerful. Warner Bros., 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Somebody to Love Rosie Perez stars as a "taxi dancer" and aspiring starlet in an offbeat story of unfulfilled dreams and faded glory in the other side of Hollywood. MPAA rating: R.
- Someone Else's America Poignant spin on contemporary immigrant experience, with Tom Conti as Spanish immigrant bar-owner with hopeless crush on the neighborhood beauty and Miki Manojlovic as his comic counterpart from Montenegro who toils away at odd jobs in pursuit of the American dream. In English and Serbo-Croatian with enhanced subtitles.New Yorker, 1996, MPAA rating: NR.
- Space Jam Live action/animated adventure about nasty alien toons who get challenged to play a basketball game to save Bugs Bunny & friends. Mostly a merchandising deal for star Michael Jordan and Looney Toons. MPAA rating: PG; $22.96
- Spawn Comic book character comes to life on the screen. New Line will also have an edgier director's cut rated R. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Speed 2: Cruise Control This sequel to the Sandra Bullock/Keanu Reeves starrer of 1994, set aboard a cruise ship, was a bit heavy a midship and sank of its own languorousness. Stars Sandra Bullock, Jason Patric. FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Spitfire Grill, The Young woman with a dark past comes to live in small Maine town, gets work at the local restaurant (The Spitfire Grill) and changes the lives of the townspeople. Stars Alison Elliott, Ellen Burstyn. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Sprung Two sets of friends - Brandy and Adina and Montel and Clyde - meet at a party and pair up. One pair hits it off (Montel and Brandy), the other become enemies and try to break up the new lovers. Stars Tisha Campbell, Paula Jai Parker, Rusty Cundieff, Joe Torry. Trimark, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Sssssss Above average sci-fi/horror/thriller about mad scientist (Strother Martin) who experiments on his research assistant (Dick Benedict) to transform him into a snake. Released in 1973; first time on video. MPAA rating: PG-13; $14.98
- Stairway to Heaven A World War II RAF squadron leader (David Niven) survives a jump from his burning plane due to the incompetence of an angel and, stuck between earth and heaven, must face a heavenly tribunal to plead his case. Also stars Kim Hunter. New to video. Also known as "A Matter of Life and Death." Directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Columbia TriStar, 1946, MPAA rating: PG, $19.95
- Star Trek: First Contact The Star Trek Next Generation crew face their most fearsome enemy, the half-human, half-machine Borg. Cover art features a cool 3-D lenticular image. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Steel Based on the DC Comics hero, this Shaq-attack has the star playing a former defense weapons expert who creates an armor-suited superhero to battle all that is corrupt in L.A. Stars Shaquille O'Neal. Warner, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Stephen King's Thinner Typical Stephen King horror fare, this time about an overweight attorney who meets his match in a 109-year-old gypsy with a supernatural axe to grind - get thin! MPAA rating: R.
- Stonewall Depicts, through a composite of characters and events, the riots of 1969 that marked the birth of the gay rights movement. MPAA rating: R; $99.99.
- Strange One, The Repression and revolution at a military academy, with Ben Gazzara as a weird cadet officer who wields immense power over his classmates. Co-stars Pat Hingle, James Olson, George Peppard. New to video. Columbia TriStar, 1957, MPAA rating: NR, $19.95
- Substance of Fire, The A headstrong publishing mogul, haunted by the Holocaust, sinks all his efforts into an obscure, controversial academic work instead of concentrating on commercial books, bringing his company to the brink of financial disaster. Stars Ron Rifkin, Sarah Jessica Parker, Timothy Hutton, Tony Goldwyn. Miramax, 1966, MPAA rating: R.
- subUrbia Eric Bogosian's award-winning play about a group of 20-year-olds who get together to welcome an old pal returning from a successful rock tour. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Sunchaser Oddball "buddy" film has Woody Harrelson as an overachieving UCLA doctor kidnapped by an East L.A. gangbanger with a rare terminal cancer who forces him to travel to Arizona to visit a medicine man in hopes of a cure. MPAA rating: R.
- Supercop One of the best Jackie Chan vehicles to date. Here he plays a detective called upon to take on an undercover mission to put a high-powered drug lord out of business in the Pacific Rim. MPAA rating: R.
- Surviving Picasso Anthony Hopkins plays Pablo Picasso, the charismatic artist who not only swept the art world off its feet with his work but also excelled at romancing women spellbound by his genius. MPAA rating: R.
- Sweet Nothing Wall street executive (Michael Imperioli) is lured into the world of drugs and faces loss of his wife (Mira Sorvino) and family. MPAA rating: R.
- Swingers Comedy about a group of friends and their tireless efforts in picking up women and finding a way to make it in Hollywood. MPAA rating: R.
- Switchblade Sisters Hold on to your hats, here's a rough-tough saga of a nasty female gang fighting for turf on the mean streets of your city, full of sex and mayhem, brought to you by Quentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder Films. Originally released in 1975 and reissued this year.MPAA rating: R.
- Synthetic Pleasures Jackie Chan's First Strike Jackie Chan tears up the screen in this martial arts thriller about a Hong Kong police officer contracted by the CIA and Russia to retrieve a stolen nuclear warhead. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Tales From a Parallel Universe The Showtime late night R-rated sci-fi series, about a wild and wanton band of intergalactic marauders, comes home in the form of a feature length video. "I Worship His Shadow" is the first of a four part epic. Stars Barry Bostwick, Brian Downey, Eva Habermann. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Tales From a Parallel Universe: Supernova The Showtime late night R-rated sci-fi series, about a wild and wanton band of intergalactic marauders, comes home in the form of a feature length video. This is the second part of a four-part epic, here with guest star Tim Curry. Co-stars Brian Downey, Eva Habermann. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: R, $83.98 priced for rental.
- Terror in a Texas Town Sterling Hayden is a Swedish seaman out to hunt down the man who murdered his father in this fish-out-of-water Western; first time on video. 1958; MPAA rating: NR; $14.95
- That Darn Cat Updating of 1965 family classic has Christina Ricci as a bored 16-year-old whose cat D.C. delivers an important clue in a mysterious kidnapping. Doug E. Doug plays the FBI agent called in on the case. Disney, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- That Old Feeling Bette Midler and Dennis Farina star in this comedy about a happily divorced couple of 12 years who, despite their fighting, rekindle the flames of desire. Universal, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- That Thing You Do! Tom Hanks directed this gentle rock 'n' roll musical about the rise to fame of a fictitious, Beatles-ish rock quartet in the 1960s. MPAA rating: PG.
- The Swan Princess: Escape From Castle Mountain Animated sequel to 1994's "Swan Princess" that featured great villain voiced by Jack Palance; this story has Prince Derek, Princess Odette and animal friends fighting evil Magician Clavius, but isn't up to snuff of original. Warner Bros. Family Entertainment, 1997, MPAA rating: G, $19.96
- Thieves A sophisticated professor (Catherine Deneuve) falls for a young thief and falls into her world of murder and self-destruction. Co-stars Daniel Auteuil and Laurence Cote. French with English subtitles. Columbia TriStar, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- 301/302 A celebration of food and sex that follows the lives of two people in adjoining apartments: a chef in 301 who loves food and sex, and is recently divorced from her husband for wanting both, and a gaunt writer in 302 who denies herself food and sex. In Korean with subtitles. Evergreen, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Three Coins in the Fountain Three women make romantic wishes at Fountain of Trevi in Rome, then go off on romantic adventures. 1954; MPAA rating: NR; $14.98.
- 'Til There Was You Romantic comedy about two people (Jeanne Triplehorn and Dylan McDermott) who are in love with each other but don't know it. Co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Jemmifer Aniston. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday During a Labor Day weekend get-together, a family tries to overcome the death of wife and mother Gillian two years earlier in a boating accident. Stars Peter Gallagher, Claire Danes, Kathy Baker, Michelle Pfeiffer. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- To See Paris and Die Set in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, about a Russian mother who tries to get the government to let her gifted son study piano in Paris; not only does she have to overcome the Soviet bureaucracy, but she has to hide the fact that he's Jewish. From Russia. Russian with English subtitles. Stars Tatyana Vasilyeva. Boulevard Films, 1993, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95.
- Touch Skeet Ulrich stars in this Elmore Leonard tale about a recluse who goes to work in a Los Angeles rehab center and begins healing with the touch of his hands. Naturally he gets exploited. MPAA rating: R.
- Trainspotting Critically acclaimed film that charts the disintegrating friendship of a group of heroin addicts and the various junkies, psychopaths, liars and thieves who move in and out of their lives in Edinburgh. MPAA rating: R.
- Traveller Offbeat drama about Irish con men in the American South. Stars Bill Paxton, Mark Wahlberg. Evergreen, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Treasure of Ruby Hills Louis L'Amour novel brought to the screen and released to video for the first time. Western about battle between ranchers over land rights, with Zachary Scott and Carole Matthews. Monument Entertainment, 1955, MPAA rating: NR, $14.99
- Trees Lounge Low-budget, low-life look at life on the downside as it takes place in a working class bar. Directed by and starring Steve Buscemi. MPAA rating: NR.
- Trial and Error Courtroom comedy of errors about a legal eagle (Jeff Daniels) whose friend, an out-of-work actor (Michael Richards) takes his place in court, making a mockery of the judicial system. Also stars Charlize Theron, Rip Torn. New Line, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Trigger Effect, The Yuppie couple and their friend come unhinged when the the lights go out and stay out during a citywide blackout; stars Kyle MacLachlan, Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney. MPAA rating: R.
- Trigger Happy After his release from a mental hospital, a mob boss returns to his organization to find that his girl, his help and his enemies are crazier than he is. An all-star cast went nowhere with this comedy. MPAA rating: R.
- Tromeo & Juliet Another urban version of the bard's tragedy, this time put together by the folks who brought you "The Toxic Avengers" and "Surf Nazi Must Die." Music by Superchunk, Motorhead, Unsane. In both R- and unrated versions. MPAA rating: R and Unrated; $59.98.
- Truth or Consequences N.M. Kiefer Sutherland's directorial debut about four small-time crooks whose plan to crash a big drug deal goes awry. The four head out on the back roads of old West New Mexico for an extravagant showdown. Stars Kiefer Sutherland, Vincent Gallo, Mykelti Williamson, Kevin Pollack, Martin Sheen. Columbia TriStar, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Latest entry in the Power Rangers franchise went belly up at the box office. FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: PG, $19.98.
- Turbulence Thriller about a serial killer in police custody on a Los Angeles-bound 747 who escapes, in the process killing everyone on board except a flight attendant. Stars Ray Liotta and Lauren Holly. MPAA rating: R.
- Twelfth Night Shakespeare's comedy totters to be the big screen. Stars Helena Bonham-Carter, Ben Kingsley, Nigel Hawthorne, Richard E. Grant MPAA rating: PG.
- Twelve Chairs, The This early Mel Brooks is a comedy classic. Set in Russia in 1927, four men -- Brooks, Frank Langella, Ron Moody, Dom DeLuise -- set off after 12 dining room chairs, 1 of which may contain a fortune. 1970, MPAA rating: G; $9.98
- Twin Town Bizarre black comedy about twin brothers who avenge their father's accident on a construction job by going after the wealthy contractor -- and Rugby Club chairman -- wrecking havoc, death and hilarity. Stars Llyr Evan, Rhys Ifun, Dorien Thomas, Dougray Scott. PolyGram, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- 2 Days in the Valley Variety of characters -- inept undercover cops, a hit man with a heart, a suicidal movie director, a murderer and his girlfriend, and others -- have lives that intertwine during the course of two days in the San Fernando Valley. MPAA rating: R.
- Ulysses' Gaze Harvey Keitel plays a world-weary Greek-American director who returns home to the Balkans in search of three lost reels of film made by Greek filmmakers in the early years of the cinema; Cannes Film Festival Grand Jury Prize. Fox Lorber, 1997, MPAA rating: NR.
- Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Catherine Deneuve stars in this lilting romance in which all the dialogue is sung; score by Michael Legrand. A wonderful work of art. 1964; MPAA rating: NR; new to video, for rental.
- Unhook the Stars Nick Cassavetes directs his mom (Gena Rowlands) and Marisa Tomei in this melodrama about what happens when a prim and proper matron (Rowlands) befriends a wild and crazy young woman (Tomei). MPAA rating: R.
- Up/Down/Fragile Giant of the cinema and master of the French New Wave Jacques Rivette weaves a tale of three women and a man whose lives intertwine and intermingle in mysterious ways. Mystery and romance in Paris, set as 1950s-style musical. Stars Marianne Denocourt, Andre Marcon, Nathalie Richard, Laurence Cote. Cinema Parallel, 1995, MPAA rating: NR, $89.95
- Valley of the Dolls Jacqueline Susann's soap opera about the seamy underside of show business -- the bright lights, broken dreams and pills that litter the road to stardom. Stars Patty Duke, Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate. Fox, 1967, MPAA rating: PG, $14.98.
- Van, The Billed as a sequel to Alan Parker's "The Commitments," this comedy of errors follows two partners in a mobile fast-food van as they face eccentric family members, rowdy customers and cooking mistakes. Stars Colm Meaney, Donal O'Kelly. FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Vegas Vacation The Griswolds are back for another vacation! Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and company take their slapstick "Vacation" brand of humor to the neon lights of Vegas. MPAA rating: PG.
- Vertigo Restored Hitchcock classic brought to home video in a THX digitally mastered, letterboxed edition. 1958; MPAA rating: PG; $19.98
- Very Brady Sequel, A Sequel to "The Brady Bunch Movie" continues the inane adventures of America's most vacuous family. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Visitors, The A 12th century knight and his faithful servant are zapped into contemporary times in this totally delightful and wild comedy from Miramax/Zoe films. MPAA rating: R.
- Volcano Tommy Lee Jones stars in yet-another Los Angeles-based disaster flick: This time a volcano pops off in the heart of the Wilshire District ("The Coast Is Toast"); actually it's a refreshing break from gang shootings and bank robberies. Still, as far as we're concerned, lava is still a deodorant soap. FoxVideo, 1997, MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Vukovar Award-winning film about childhood friends - one Croat, the other Serb - who marry, only to be torn apart by the war that ravages their native Yugoslavia. Serbo-Croatian with English subtitles. Boulevard Films, 1994, MPAA rating: NR.
- Waiting for Guffman To celebrate the 150 anniversary of Blaine, Mo., home-towners put on a spectacular show in the hopes of being discovered by big-time talent scout Mort Guffman. Stars Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Walk the Proud Land Audie Murphy stars as an Indian agent who fights for the welfare of the Apaches and peace between them and the White settlers. Universal Western Collection, 1956, MPAA rating: NR, $14.98
- Walkabout Two children lost in the Australian outback survive with the help of an Aborigine boy. Nicolas Roeg's solo directorial debut. Score by John Barry. Letterboxed. 1971; MPAA rating: PG; $79.95; new to video.
- Walking and Talking Childhood girl friends try to keep their friendship together and stay in touch while coping with the complications of getting older and falling in and out of love and therapy. MPAA rating: R.
- War at Home, The Tale of Vietnam veteran's difficult readjustment to life back home. Stars Kathy Bates, Martin Sheen, Kimberly Williams, Emilio Estevez. Directed by Estevez. Buena Vista, 1996, MPAA rating: R.
- Warriors of Virtue During a football initiation involving crossing a dangerous whirlpool, a young boy is transported to land of Tao to help defend the Lifespring wells from the evil Komodo. Kid's Kung Fu silliness is supposed to be a Zen metaphor for finding inner strength in one's own virtues. Oh yeah. MGM, 1997, MPAA rating: PG, $19.98.
- Wedding Bell Blues Three friends and roommates on the verge of turning 30 head out to Las Vegas to find husbands, get married and get divorced -- all within 24 hours. Talented cast has nothing to do, what with the stilted and awkward direction by Dana Lustig. A disappointment. Stars Illeana Douglas, Paulina Porizkova, Julie Warner. BMG Video, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- When We Were Kings Documentary on the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" 1974 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman; winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary. PolyGram, 1996, MPAA rating: PG, $39.99.
- When I Close My Eyes Political intrigue and romantic obsession collide when a young motorcyclist robs a rural post office and a young woman clerk uses the crime as a cover to steal some money; she becomes obsessed with the thief and tries to track him down. In Slovenian with subtitles. New Yorker, 1993, MPAA rating: NR.
- When Night Is Falling A teacher at a conservative religious college must walk an emotional tightwire between her love for her adoring boy friend and her sensual attraction to a female circus performer. MPAA rating: R.
- White Balloon, The A young girl's desire for a pretty goldfish that her family can't afford sparks a charming adventure; winner of the 1995 Cannes Camera d'Or. English subtitles. MPAA rating: NR.
- Whole Wide World, The True story of Novalyne Price, a West Texas schoolteacher who had a bittersweet, romantic, turbulent relationship with pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard in the 1930s. Stars Renee Zellweger, Vincent D'Onofrio. Columbia TriStar, 1996, MPAA rating: PG.
- Wild America Three brothers hop into their truck and go in search of adventure and endangered species in mid-1960s America. Stars Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devon Sawa, Scott Bairstow, Frances Fisher. In clamshell packaging. Warner Home Video, 1997, MPAA rating: PG, $22.96.
- William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet Revisionist version of the classic modernizes the wildly passionate love story and brings the bard home to the younger set: Leonardo DiCaprio is Romeo and Claire Danes is Juliet. MPAA rating: PG-13.
- Winner, The A fool and his money are soon parted as a winner at gambling is pursued by a vicious loan shark, a seductive showgirl, a trio of hustlers and an ex-con. Stars Rebecca De Mornay, Vincent D'Onofrio, Delroy Lindo, Michael Madsen. LIVE, 1997, MPAA rating: R.
- Wish Upon A Star In this family comedy a brainy 15-year-old girl, jealous of her older sister's beauty and popularity, wishes for the same and wakes up one morning with her sister's face and body. Stars Katherine Heigi, Danielle Harris. Warner Bros., 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Wuthering Heights Remake of the Emily Bronte classic, with Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes taking the roles of Cathy and Heathcliff. Paramount, 1997, MPAA rating: PG.
- Zeus and Roxanne A dog (Zeus) and a dolphin (Roxanne) learn to communicate with each other, leading to unexpected adventures. Stars Steve Guttenberg and Kathleen Quinlan. MPAA rating: PG; $24.95.
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November 10, 1998