DVD
Masthead created by Good & Associates
|
|
Guide to
Home Video
Releases: January Release Calendar
DVD Releases
Movies are rated on a scale of one to five, with five
denoting a classic. For more information on how we rate, check out our
Rentability Index.
Back to
Calendar Index.
- January 2
-
American Wedding
It was bound to happen, sooner or later. The
raucous characters from the wildly successful "American Pie" and "American Pie
2" have gone and done it. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are
getting married. With East Great Falls High, foreign exchange students, band
camp, crazy glue and summer college vacations now a thing of the past, Jim and
Michelle's friends and family are ready to help usher the couple down the aisle
and over the threshold into adulthood. Michelle wants the wedding to be perfect.
Not exactly an easy task, even with everyone on their best behavior and getting
along. Michelle's knock-out sister, Cadence (January Jones), has flown in to
help out her sis as Maid of Honor. And once normally out of control Stifler
(Seann William Scott) and Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) catch sight of Cadence --
the war to woo is on. Cautioned to tone it down by a nervous Jim -- who already
has his hands full trying to impress Michelle's somewhat stuffy parents, Stifler
abandons his customary plan of attack and becomes the charming would-be
boyfriend of every nice girl's dreams -- which leaves Finch with no choice but
to play the bad boy, with Cadence torn between perfect gentleman Stifler and
that low-life Finch. Throw in Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) dispensing well-meaning
(but sometimes clueless) advice to his son and future daughter-in-law; Jim and
Finch's wild trek to chase down the perfect wedding dress for Michelle; an
unexpected bachelor party complete with naughty "maid" and sexy female "cop";
dancing lessons; a church full of dead flowers; personal grooming mishaps; and
one, big, hairy wedding cake and you have more of the grossness that made the
first two outings such big hits.
Director: Jesse Dylan. Stars: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, January Jones,
Thomas Ian Nicholas, Seann William Scott, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Fred Willard,
Eugene Levy, Molly Creek, Deborah Rush. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 95 min.,
Comedy, Box office gross: $105.000 million, Universal, $22.98 VHS SRP, Priced
for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins
Direct-to-video prequel to the
original theatrical hit "Tremors" explores the origins of the unforgettable
underground creatures that made the original a cult classic and spawned a
successful DVD premiere franchise as well as a Sci Fi Channel series. When
workers in the remote mining town of Rejection, Nevada fall victim to an unseen
predator, the mine's city-slicker owner, Hiram Gummer (Michael Gross),
great-grandfather to "Tremors'" Burt Gummer, hires a mercenary to destroy the
carnivorous creatures before they swallow up his profits. What follows is an
all-out assault that takes the battleground from deep in the earth to a
suspense-filled showdown on the streets of Rejection.
Director: S.S. Wilson. Stars: Michael Gross, Sara Botsford, Billy Drago, Brent
Roam. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 101 min., Horror, Universal, No VHS SRP,
Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
- January 6
-
Out of Time
Matt (Denzel Washington) is the chief of police in
small Banyan Key, Florida. A hardworking man who's good at his job, he's
respected by his peers and beloved by his community. But beneath the surface
there's turmoil. Matt's estranged from his wife Alex (Eva Mendes) who also
happens to be a detective, and is having an affair with Ann (Sanaa Lathan),
whose ex-football player husband (Dean Cain) gets wind of the pairs extra-
marital trysts. Ann needs some cash fast, and trades Matt a life insurance
policy for some drug money evidence to be used in a trial several years down the
road. But Ann's house burns down one night, and Ann and her husband are killed.
The cause: arson. Knowing he'll be the key suspect, Matt starts his
investigation -- as does his wife. Now Matt finds himself in a race against time
to solve the murders before she uncovers the clues he's finding and he himself
falls under suspicion. A taut thriller.
Director: Carl Franklin. Stars: Denzel Washington, Eva Mendes, Sanaa Lathan,
Dean Caan, John Billingsley, Robert Baker, Alex Carter. 2003, CC, MPAA
rating: PG-13, 105 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $36.000 million, MGM, No
VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Underworld
For centuries, two races have evolved hidden deeply
within human culture -- the aristocratic, sophisticated Vampires, and the
brutal, feral Lycans (werewolves). To humanity, their existence is no more than
a whisper of a myth. But to each other, they are lifelong mortal rivals, sworn
to wage a secret war until only one race is left standing. In the midst of this
ongoing struggle, a Vampire warrior, the leather-clad, butt-kicking Selene (Kate
Beckinsale), discovers a Lycan plot to kidnap a young human doctor. After
shadowing Michael (Scott Speedman) through the city, she forms an unprecedented
bond with him, and when the Lycans make their next move, Selene is there to fend
off their vicious assault. As she races to save Michael and unravel the Lycan
intrigue surrounding him, Selene discovers a secret that has terrifying
repercussions for both tribes -- a nefarious plan to awaken a new invincible
species of predator that combines the strengths of both creatures and the
weaknesses of neither, which threatens to tip the balance of power in favor of
the werewolves, who have been on the losing end of the struggle for centuries.
Slick, fast-paced, stylish, gothic horror-thriller set amidst the rain-soaked
streets, subways and underground tunnels of an unnamed Eastern European city.
Special effects are top-notch and the soundtrack -- loaded with thunder, screams
and things that go bump in the night -- will rock and rattle your surround sound
system.
Director: Len Wiseman. Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy,
Michael Sheen, Shane Brolly, Erwin Leder, Robbie Gee, Sophia Myles, Kevin
Grevioux. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 121 min., Horror thriller, Box office
gross: $51.000 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Uptown Girls
Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) is the toast of the
New York social scene. The freewheeling daughter of a late rock
legend, Molly is an "it girl" on top of the A-list -- designers want to dress
her, the most eligible bachelors want to date her, and her birthday bash is one
of the hottest tickets in town. Her life is a never-ending party. But when
Molly's inheritance is stolen by her accountant, the party comes to an abrupt
end. Molly is forced to do something she's never done before -- get a job. With
the help of her best friend Ingrid (Marley Shelton) and pal Huey (Donald
Faison), Molly lands a position as nanny to the daughter of high-powered music
executive Roma Schleine (Heather Locklear). Molly's new charge is Ray Schleine
(Dakota Fanning), a precocious, uptight 8-year-old "going on 40" who's obsessed
with germs and lives her life as perfectly as possible. Emotionally distant from
her mother, Ray has grown up with a revolving door of nannies and too little
stability, so she tries to control everything she can. Molly has never needed to
be a responsible adult. Ray has taken the weight of the world on her young
shoulders. They're about to teach each other how to act their age. A perky,
crisp comedy for young girls.
Director: Boaz Yokin. Stars: Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Marley Shelton,
Donald Faison, Jesse Spencer, Austin Pendleton, Heather Locklear. 2003, CC,
MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $36.643 million, MGM, No
VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
- January 13
-
Freddy Vs. Jason
Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) is in hell --
literally. It's been nearly 10 years since Krueger, one of the scariest horror
movie characters of all time ("The Nightmare on Elm Street" series), invaded
peoples' dreams to exact his deadly form of revenge and murder. But now, his
memory has been systematically erased by a town determined to put an end to
Freddy once and for all. Potential victims have been drugged to prevent them
from dreaming, rendering impotent the master of nightmares. Like an inmate with
a life sentence, Freddy's been reduced to plotting a fantastic revenge that will
never happen. Until, that is, Freddy resurrects Jason Voorhees (Ken Kirzinger),
the equally iconic madman from the "Friday the 13th" series. Jason is the
perfect means for Freddy to once again instill fear on Elm Street, creating a
window of opportunity for him to emerge from his purgatory. Recognizing how
easily manipulated Jason is, Freddy tricks Voorhees into journeying to
Springwood to start a new reign of terror. But as the bodies begin to pile up on
Elm Street and Freddy's fearsome reputation assumes new life, he discovers that
Jason isn't willing to cease his murderous ways and step aside so easily. Now,
with a terrified town in the middle, the two titans of terror enter into a
horrifying showdown of epic proportions, alternating between the world of dreams
and the harsh reality of the living world. Who will win and who will lose in
this battle to end all battles?
Director: Ronny Yu. Stars: Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger, Monica Keena, Kelly
Rowland, Jason Ritter, Christopher George Marquette, Lochlyn Munro. 2003,
CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Horror, Box office gross: $82.200 million, New
Line, $22.99 VHS SRP.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Lucia, Lucia
Offbeat comedy mystery. Cecilia Roth stars as a
woman whose search for her missing husband ignites a dangerous and unexpectedly
romantic adventure that takes her through the mysterious territory of identity,
love, friendship, and a reawakened passion for life. From renowned Mexican
filmmaker Antonio Serrano. In Spanish with English subtitles.
Director: Antonio Serrano. Stars: Cecilia Roth, Carlos Alvarez-Novoa, Kuno
Becker. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Comedy mystery, Box office
gross: $0.267 million, Fox, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Johnny English
Secret agent spoof. When the British Secret
Service uncovers a plot to steal the Crown Jewels, Agent Number One is quickly
put on the case -- and just as quickly killed. And when all the other able
agents are murdered, only one remains -- Johnny English (Rowan Atkinson), an
office-bound junior intelligence worker who bumbles his way onto the case. Armed
with a highly specialized automobile and high-tech gadgetry, English is
Britain's last hope to catch the thief and stop a plot that threatens world
security.
Director: Peter Howitt. Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Natalie Imbruglia, John
Malkovich, Ben Miller, Tim Pigott-Smith, Kevin McNally. 2003, CC, MPAA
rating: PG, 87 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $28.000 million, Universal,
$22.98 VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Swimming Pool
One of Europe's most daring and inventive writer-
directors, Francois Ozon, reunites with his two favorite leading ladies,
Charlotte Rampling and Ludivine Sagnier. Deliciously sophisticated and sexy,
Swimming Pool is the first Ozon movie to be made in the English language. Sarah
Morton (Rampling) is a famous British mystery author. Tired of London and
seeking inspiration for her new novel, she accepts an offer from her publisher
John Bosload (Charles Dance) to stay at his home in Luberon, in the South of
France. It's the off-season, and Sarah finds that the beautiful country locale
and unhurried pace is just the tonic for her -- until late one night, when
John's indolent and insouciant French daughter, Julie (Sagnier), unexpectedly
arrives. Sarah's prim and steely English reserve is jarred by Julie's reckless,
sexually charged lifestyle. Their interactions set off an increasingly
unsettling series of events, as Sarah's creative process and a possible
real-life murder begin to blend dangerously together. In rated and unrated
versions.
Director: Francois Ozon. Stars: Charlotte Rampling, Ludivine Sagnier, Charles
Dance, Marc Fayolle, Jean-Marie Lamour. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R and unrated
versions, 102 min., Drama, Box office gross: $10.105 million, Universal, No VHS
SRP, Priced for
rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
And Now Ladies & Gentleman
A British jewel thief and a jazz
singer are thrown together by circumstances beyond their control in this
romantic thriller by master filmmaker Claude Lelouch. Valentin (Jeremy Irons) is
an English thief and master of disguise with a humorous bluff and a charming
deceit. Though he has a string of successful gem heists behind him, he yearns
for a new life. The wearied thief decides to take a vacation, and sets sail on a
luxury yacht. Meanwhile, Jane Lester (Patricia Kaas), a jazz chanteuse reeling
from a bad love affair, sets sail for Morocco, landing a gig in a local hotel,
where she, like Valentin, seeks solace and peace of mind. When Valentin's yacht
crashes off the coast of Morocco, the pair wind up in a medical office suffering
from memory lapses. But in each other, they find no need for recollections from
the past. A typically stimulating Lelouch gem. In French with English subtitles.
Director: Claude Lelouch. Stars: Jeremy Irons, Patricia Kaas, Thierry Lhermitte,
Alessandra Martines. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 128 min., Thriller, Box
office gross: $0.732 million, Paramount, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Stark Raving Mad
Run-of-the mill heist thriller about a crook
who arranges a rave to cover up a massive bank robbery to get his brother out of
debt to the mob.
Director: Drew Daywalt, David Schneider. Stars: Seann William Scott, Timm Sharp,
Patrick Breen. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: R, 101 min., Thriller, Columbia
TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Bring It On Again
Direct-to-video sequel to the very popular
"Bring It On." More shenanigans on and off the cheering field as a group of
girls, shut out from the cheer squad, decide to form their own and take on the
establishment in a winner-takes-all competition.
Stars: Anne Judson-Yager, Bree Turner, Faune A. Chambers. 2003, CC, MPAA
rating: PG-13, 90 min., Teen, Universal, $15.95 VHS SRP.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Buffalo Soldiers
It's 1989 and the Berlin Wall is about to fall.
But for American troops stationed in Germany, it's fun and games in the barracks
as soldiers wheel and deal for contraband and women.
Director: Gregor Jordan. Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Anna
Paquin. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $0.030
million, Miramax, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Daddy & Them
Down-home comedy about sex and love in the South,
directed by Billy Bob Thornton. Never released theatrically.
Director: Billy Bob Thornton. Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Laura Dern, Kelly
Preston, Ben Affleck, Jamie Lee Curtis. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 102 min.,
Comedy, Miramax, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Out of Order
Dark comedy about the life and career of a
Hollywood screenwriter whose marriage is out of control. Telefilm.
Stars: Eric Stoltz, Felicity Huffman, Kim Dickens, Dyllan Christopher, Justine
Bateman, Peter Bogdanovich, William H. Macy. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 97
min., Comedy, Showtime, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Job, The
A ruthless hit woman (Daryl Hannah) is contracted to
perform one last job before she quits her life of cold-blooded killing. As she
seeks out her last victim, her conscience gets in the way and she finds that she
may not be able to complete her assignment. Will she make one last hit against
her will or face her merciless boss if she doesn't finish the job?
Director: Kenny Golde. Stars: Daryl Hannah, Brad Renfro, Dominique Swain, Eric
Mabius, Alex Rocco. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 86 min., Thriller, Lions Gate,
No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
- January 20
-
Open Range
Kevin Costner is Charley Waite, a proud cowboy who,
with his companions Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall), Button (Diego Luna) and Mose
Harrison (Abraham Benrubi) free graze their cattle across the vast prairies of
the West. The men share a friendship forged by a steadfast code of honor and by
living a life unencumbered by civilization. When their wayward herd forces them
near the small town of Harmonville, the cowboys encounter a corrupt sheriff
(James Russo) and tyrannical kingpin rancher Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon). But
life takes an unexpected turn for loner Charley when he meets the spirited Sue
Barlow (Annette Bening), a woman who embraces both his heart and his soul. Boss
and Charley, however, find themselves swept into a violent showdown with Baxter
and his gang. As they defend themselves and their freedoms in a monumental gun
battle, these proud cowboys are also forced to confront and conquer their own
internal demons. Though a bit long at 139 minutes, Costner's Western here harks
back more to the old-fashioned Westerns of John Ford -- allowing time for
character development -- rather than just tipping a hat to cutsy Western
conventions a la such films as "Young Guns." And the slow buildup to the final,
bloody shoot-out is well worth the wait.
Director: Kevin Costner. Stars: Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Bening,
Michael Gambon, Abraham Benrubi, Michael Jeter, Diego Luna, James Russo.
2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 139 min., Western, Box office gross: $58.000
million, Buena Vista, $24.99 VHS SRP.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
The saga of the mythic
guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), continues in Robert
Rodriguez's bravura action epic that is the third entry in his "El Mariachi"
trilogy. The new adventure is set against a backdrop of revolution, greed and
revenge. Haunted and scarred by tragedy, El Mariachi has retreated into a life
of isolation. He is forced out of hiding when Sands (Johnny Depp), a corrupt CIA
agent, recruits the reclusive hero to sabotage an assassination plot against the
president of Mexico, which has been conceived by the evil cartel kingpin
Barrillo (Willem Dafoe). But El Mariachi also has his own reasons for returning
-- blood revenge. The desperado returns with his two trusted sidekicks Lorenzo
(Enrique Iglesias) and Fideo (Marco Leonardi). And the legend of El Mariachi
reaches new heights of excitement and adventure. Shot with a high-definition
digital camera by director-writer-production designer-director of photography-
editor Banderas, the film is a glorious and entertaining homage to Spaghetti-
Westerns loaded with plenty of bloodshed, stunts, fights, chases and color.
Director: Robert Rodriguez. Stars: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp,
Willem Dafoe, Eva Mendes, Mickey Rourke, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi.
2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min.,
Action, Box office gross: $56.000 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced
for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Cabin Fever
As a last hurrah after college, friends Jeff, Karen,
Paul, Marcy and Bert embark on a vacation deep into the mountains. With the top
down and the music up, they drive to a remote cabin to enjoy their last days of
decadence before entering the working world. Then somebody gets sick. Karen's
skin starts to bubble and burn as something grows inside her, tunneling beneath
her flesh. The group is so repulsed, shocked and sickened watching their friend
deteriorate before their eyes; they lock her in a shed to avoid infection. As
they debate about how to save her, they look at one another and realize that any
one of them could also have it. What soon began as a struggle against the
disease turns into a battle against friends, as the fear of contagion drives
them to turn on each other. The kids confront the terror of having to kill
anyone who comes near them, even if it's their closest friend. The survivors
have to find help before they're all killed by the virus, or by the local lynch
mob out to destroy anyone who may have come in contact with it.
Director: Eli Roth. Stars: Rider Strong, Jordan Ladd, Joey Kern, Cerina Vincent,
James DeBello, Arie Verveen, Giuseppe Andrews. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 94
min., Horror, Box office gross: $30.000 million, Lions Gate, No VHS SRP, Priced
for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Fist of the Red Dragon
Directed by Yuen Woo Ping, the legendary
action choreographer who staged the mind-blowing fight sequences in "The Matrix"
trilogy, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Kill Bill--Vol. 1." Expert
fighters must band together in an ultimate showdown in the 19th century when
Southern China's high officers begin smuggling opium over the Manchurian border
and endangering the lives of local villagers. In Chinese with English subtitles.
Director: Yuen Woo Ping. Stars: Donnie Yen. 2000, CC, MPAA rating: R, 92
min., Martial arts, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Spellbound
Documentary follows the lives of eight young
Americans who share one goal: to win the annual National Spelling Bee in
Washington, D.C., which has now become a highly rated event on ESPN watched by
more than 2 million viewers. The Bee is as intense a competition and quest for
glory as any Olympic match, and for the spellers and their families, the stakes
are just as high. A nail-biting face-off contest between kids of all
backgrounds, the undeniable pressure becomes even more extraordinary as it is
felt by ordinary teenagers. The Bee becomes a dramatic backdrop for the bigger
story about kids and families today, showing that within the roller coaster ride
of the National Spelling Bee there can be found the heart of America.
Director: Jeffrey Blitz. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: G, 97 min., Documentary, Box
office gross: $5.700 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Marci X
Lame comedy about a Jewish-American princess who takes
over a rap label from her ailing father. When protest breaks out over rapper Dr.
S's (Damon Wayans) latest CD, "Shoot Ya' Teacha," music mogul Ben Feld suffers a
heart attack. Now his pampered daughter Marci (Lisa Kudrow), who has never set
foot in the business world, must step in, stand up to Dr. S and try to tone down
his bad-boy image. Attempting to make the rapper into a kid-friendly musician,
Marci must revamp the situation before a crusading Senator (Christine Baranski)
succeeds in banning Dr. S and his music from the aiwaves permanently.
Director: Richard Benjamin. Stars: Lisa Kudrow, Damon Wayans, Richard Benjamin,
Christine Baranski, Paula Garces, Jane Krakowski. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R,
84 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $1.646 million, Paramount, No VHS SRP, Priced
for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Chump Change
Based on the true story of director-writer Stephen
D. Burrows. Milwaukee Steve is a transplanted Midwesterner trying to make it in
Hollywood. His claim to fame is his recurring role as a pitchman for a jock-itch
commercial but he wants to be a screen writer, and a chance pitch makes him a
hot A-list commodity before he even has a script. Beset with an egomaniacal
producer (Tim Matheson), a too-fast talking agent (Fred Willard), a pint-sized,
demonic studio boss (Theo Greenly) a lawsuit from a major Hollywood player and a
dizzying ride in the fast lane, Milwaukee Steve's world comes crashing apart. He
tries to pick up the pieces back home, which he finds as populated with
screwball crazies as Tinseltown. When he meets a local girl (Traci Elizabeth
Lords), he finds someone who likes him just the way he is.
Director: Stephen D. Burrows. Stars: Traci Elizabeth Lords, Jerry Stiller, Tim
Matheson, Fred Willard, Stephen D. Burrows, Theo Greenly. 2002, CC, MPAA
rating: R, 89 min., Comedy, Miramax, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Jet Lag
French comedy about falling in love. Rose (Juliette
Binoche) is running away from a bad relationship and Felix (Jean Reno) is
running after a woman he thinks he loves. Rose has a cheap ticket to Mexico City
and Felix has a first-class ticket on a flight from New York to Munich. She's
outgoing, he's discreet, taciturn and totally withdrawn. They're the least
likely people to meet each other, but one night at the Paris airport they do --
and though the planes may be grounded, the pair spark off each other and fly.
Director: Daniele Thomson. Stars: Juliette Binoche, Jean Reno. 2003, CC,
MPAA rating: R, 85 min., Romantic comedy, Box office gross: $0.544 million,
Buena Vista, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Manic
A troubled young man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is committed
to a juvenile mental institution, where he's forced by his counselor (Don
Cheadle) to confront the source of his rage -- or face the grim prospects of a
life behind bars.
Director: Jordan Melamed. Stars: Don Cheadle, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey
Deschanel. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Drama, Box office gross:
$0.069 million, MGM, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
MXP: Most Xtreme Primate
Direct-to-video sequel to "MVP: Most
Valuable Primate" and "MVP2: Most Vertical Primate." Here Jack the Chimp learns
how to snowboard and shreds up the mountain slopes.
Director: Robert Vince. Stars: Robby Benson, Bjorn Leines, Devin Douglas
Drewitz, Rob Tinkler, Jack the Chimp. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: G, 88 min.,
Family, Buena Vista, $19.99 VHS SRP.
DVD: Day & Date.
- January 27
-
thirteen
A raw and revealing insight into urban adolescence in
2003, a provocative portrait of what teens today are thinking, doing, feeling
and going through. Winner of the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival,
first-time director Catherine Hardwicke's "thirteen" is a unique project
co-written with then-13-year-old Nikki Reed who lived many of the events seen on
screen. Together, they forged a fast-and-furious, unblinking picture of the
cliques and clashes, hidden dangers and secret rituals, dashed hopes and
unrelenting dreams of two American girls looking to make their way in a new
world for which few maps exist. The story follows the transformation of Tracy
(Evan Rachel Wood), who begins as a promising, pig-tailed student still playing
with teddy bears and Barbie dolls. But when Tracy enters the hyper-sexualized
peer-pressure cooker of junior high, she witnesses the power and hipness of Evie
Zamora (Reed), who has become widely known as "the hottest chick in school."
Ultra-popular, model-gorgeous and bewitchingly snobby, Evie represents
everything Tracy suddenly wants, and needs, to be. At first Tracy has no hope of
being accepted into Evie's elite clique. She's got the wrong attitude, the wrong
friends, definitely the wrong look. But Tracy learns to remake herself, step by
step, into the ultimate ideal of a 2003 teen. She discovers how to do the
makeup, the clothes, the hair, the act. She cracks the code of popularity, gains
Evie as a mercurial best friend, and even starts winning attention from boys.
And yet, the further Tracy dives into premature adulthood, the higher the stakes
get. She loses the closeness she once had with her hard-working mother (Holly
Hunter), starts failing classes, and despite her seething hatred of her mother's
ex-addict boyfriend (Jeremy Sisto), becomes a drug abuser herself. Despite it
all, Tracy is still 13, caught in a whirlwind of emotion in which everything she
does, everything she says, all that she wants, seems to matter in a huge way.
Director: Catherine Hardwicke. Stars: Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed, Holly
Hunter, Deborah Unger, Jeremy Sisto, Kip Pardue, Brady Corbet. 2003, CC,
MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Drama, Box office gross: $4.500 million, Fox, No VHS
SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Secret Lives of Dentists, The
In a blend of humor and realism,
director Alan Rudolph takes another one of his strident looks at marriage and
human relationships. Dr. Dave Hurst (Campbell Scott) shares a private clinical
practice with his bright and attractive partner and wife Dr. Dana (Hope Davis).
Step by step, together, they have created their "dream life," raising three
beautiful children, in their home and country house. But they are also
opposites. Meditative and methodical, he is deeply attached to the family they
have built. She, more passionate and spontaneous, is still seeking life's
precious adventures. When Dave mistakenly believes he has recently witnessed his
wife in an intimate exchange with another man, he starts to show cracks in his
facade. Emotionally repressed by nature, his jealousy causes him to fantasize
conversations with his most difficult patient Slater (Denis Leary), allowing him
to avoid confronting his wife. Slater, a hard living musician with a toothache,
having recently been ejected by his own wife, is transformed into Dave's bad-boy
alter ego, churning up the dentist's deepest insecurities and pushing him to the
more primal side of his nature. During an untimely family dilemma, when the
entire household succumbs to a raging flu, Dave runs himself ragged, until
fevers die down and he relaxes, believing that family equilibrium has been
restored. When Dana doesn't come home that night, Slater goads the quiet dentist
toward the brink of revenge. Slow and anticlimactic.
Director: Alan Rudolph. Stars: Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, Denis Leary, Robin
Tunney. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 104 min., Drama, Box office gross: $3.607
million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Le Divorce
When two American sisters become caught up in the
intimate intrigue of Paris, cultures and human passions collide -- and the
result is a comedy of manners and morals, money and marriage, sex and sorority
that sheds incandescent light on what it means to be an American abroad. The
story follows the journey of Isabel Walker (Kate Hudson), a quintessential young
Californian newly arrived in the City of Light to visit her pregnant sister,
Roxeanne (Naomi Watts). A darkly romantic poet, Roxy has just been jilted by her
scoundrel husband, Charles-Henri de Persand (Melvil Poupaud), and it appears
they are headed for "le divorce." Meanwhile, Isabel leaps into l'amour with a
married French diplomat (Thierry Lhermitte) who happens to be the uncle of
Roxy's soon-to-be-ex. As scandal ensues, the American idealism and irrepressible
spirit of the Walker sisters comes up against the French sophistication and
stubborn rationalism of the Persand family. Complicating the two families'
relations is a painting in Roxy's possession that is discovered to be worth
millions of dollars. And then, quite suddenly, a crime of passion disrupts all
the scheming and culture clashes - and opens up new possibilities for
understanding. Based on the best-selling novel by Diane Johnson.
Director: James Ivory. Stars: Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts, Thierry Lhermitte,
Leslie Caron, Glenn Close, Stockard Channing, Sam Waterston, Thomas Lennon,
Matthew Modine, Bebe Neuwirth, Jean-Marc Barr, Romain Duris, Stephen Fry.
2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 117 min., Romantic comedy, Box office gross:
$9.074 million, Fox, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Capturing the Friedmans
Very strange documentary about a
seemingly average middle-class family rocked by scandal in the affluent Long
Island town of Great Neck -- in the late 1980s, the father and one of his three
sons are arrested on multiple counts of molestation of young boys. The film
paints an interesting portrait of a dysfunctional family and the truth behind
the charges -- as with the famous McMartin case in Los Angeles several years
back, the truth is hard to come by. The Friedmans operated a computer class in
their home, and though some boys attending claimed abuse, others denied seeing
anything wrong. Was the case a result of overzealous police and officials --
like in the McMartin case -- or was there something really going on (dad Arnold
Friedman, it turns out, was a closet pedophile)? Truth and reality twist and
change depending on whom in the film faces the camera. Adding further weirdness
to the proceedings is the inclusion of home videos by the Friedmans -- it seems
the family was obsessed with documenting themselves. A powerful filmic
investigation into one American family's life.
Director: Andrew Jarecki. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 107 min., Documentary,
Box office gross: $3.117 million, HBO, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Spook Who Sat by the Door, The
First release in the new Obsidian
Gold series devoted to forgotten black movie classics. Mysteriously pulled from
distribution after its release in 1973, the film has only been available on
bootleg video until the filmmakers gave Obsidian Home Entertainment permission
to digitally restore the film from the original camera negative, hidden in a
vault in Hollywood for more than 30 years. In the political thriller, the CIA is
forced by public pressure to hire black agents. Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook)
survives a bogus recruiting process and becomes the first black agent at the
CIA. After five years of mistreatment and menial work as the token minority
employee, he resigns to his native Chicago, supposedly to become a social
worker. In reality, Freeman uses his expertise in espionage to train street
gangs in urban guerilla warfare to launch a war against the white power
structure in every major U.S. city. Was this film too hot for Hollywood? Musical
score by Herbie Hancock.
Director: Ivan Dixon. Stars: Lawrence Cook. 1973, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 102
min., Thriller, Monarch Home Video, $19.95 VHS SRP.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
House of the Dead
A group of college co-eds visit the mysterious
Isla del Muerte, which centuries before had been home to a priest banished from
Spain for creating a death-cheating serum. To their horror, the students find
the priest is still alive and using the living to harvest body parts to sustain
himself. Trapped on an island taken over by blood-feasting zombies, the students
seek refuge in a mysterious ancient house, where they must use every weapon at
their disposal to survive the night as killer undead creatures stalk them inside
the House of the Dead.
Director: Uwe Boll. Stars: Jonathan Cherry, Tyron Leitso, Clint Howard, Ona
Grauer, Ellie Cornell, Jurgen Prochnow. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min.,
Horror, Box office gross: $10.500 million, Artisan, No VHS SRP, Priced for
rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Radio
Real-life story of James Robert Kennedy, a mentally
disabled man who, for more than 40 years, was a fixture at all the high school
football games in Anderson, South Carolina. The film focuses on the mentoring
relationship between the high school football coach (Ed Harris) and Radio (Cuba
Gooding, Jr.), known as the man who was "the same as everybody else, just a
little slower than most," and how their unique friendship ultimately transforms
the conservative attitudes of the small South Carolina town.
Director: Michael Tollin. Stars: Cuba Gooding Jr., Ed Harris, Alfre Woodard, S.
Epatha Merkerson, Debra Winger. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 109 min., Family,
Box office gross: $49.000 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for
rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Comic Book: The Movie
The world's biggest comic book fan is
taking Hollywood by farce! Mark Hamill (yes, the one-and-only Luke Skywalker of
"Star Wars") stars in and directs this send-up of comics and pop culture. The
film goes to the wild and wacky San Diego ComicCon, the world's biggest fan
convention, as fictional documentary filmmaker Donald Swan (Hamill), the
ultimate fan boy, tries to film a "documentary" about his favorite comic book
heroes of all time, "Commander Courage and Liberty Ladd." But Hollywood, comic
books, and a cast of zany characters collide. Features a host of pop culture
icons including Kevin Smith, Donna D'Errico ("Baywatch"), Hugh Hefner, Bruce
Campbell, Chase Masterson ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"), comic book creator
Stan Lee, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, Gary Owens, Matt Groening and many more.
Director: Mark Hamill. Stars: Mark Hamill, Bruce Campbell, Donna D'Errico, Matt
Groening, Ray Harryhausen, Hugh Hefner, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith. 2004, CC,
MPAA rating: PG-13, Comedy, Miramax, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Grind
A road trip comedy. Four skaters follow the summer tour of
a skateboard star, pulling tricks and tearing it up in their wild attempts to
get noticed and grab a sponsor.
Director: Casey Lascala. Stars: Mike Vogel, Vince Vieluf, Adam Brody, Joey Kern,
Jennifer Morrison. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 104 min., Comedy, Box
office gross: $5.200 million, Warner, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
I'll Be There
International teen singing sensation Charlotte
Church makes her movie debut. She plays Olivia, a talented teenager who
discovers her father is a famous rock star who doesn't know she exists. Olivia
tries to get her newfound dad to help her become a singing star, and at the same
time, reunite her parents who haven't spoken in nearly 15 years.
Director: Craig Ferguson. Stars: Joss Ackland, Craig Ferguson, Ian Mc Neice,
Imelda Staunton, Jemma Redgrave, Stephan Noonan, Charlotte Church, Ralph Brown.
2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 105 min., Comedy with music, Warner, No VHS
SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Billabong Odyssey
An extreme sports adventure. Top professional
surfers scour the world's oceans to ride the biggest waves on the planet.
2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 92 min., Adventure documentary, Warner, No VHS
SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
-
Civil Brand
A young mother and nurse kills her abusive husband
and is sent to the "pen" where she joins the ranks of the lucrative "prison
sweatshop." Abused, violated and persecuted by the warden, the women in the
cellblock rise up and revolt against the "new millennium slavery."
Director: Neema Barnette. Stars: N'Bushe Wright, Mos Def, LisaRaye, Da Brat,
Monica Calhoun, Lark Voorhies. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 91 min., Drama, Box
office gross: $0.243 million, Lions Gate, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental.
DVD: Day & Date.
All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a
Rotel RDV-1080 DVD Audio/Video Player, a
Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center),
and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.
December 2003 Releases
February 2004 Releases
March 2004 Releases
April 2004 Releases
| Contents/Site Map |
Home |
Resources |
Sell-Through |
Reviews |
Links |
E-mail: mail@cyberpod.com
©1996 -- 2004 CyberPod. All rights
reserved
CyberPod and OnVideo are trademarks of CyberPod Productions.
January 10, 2004
|
|