"Bowfinger" (1999) (PG-13) Widescreen
released January 18
starring Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy; directed by Frank Oz
REVIEW/ORDER
A hilarious look at the lower depths of Hollywood's talent
pool, "Bowfinger" stars Steve Martin as a low-rent producer
who desperately needs a major star (Eddie Murphy) to topline
his latest sci-fi extravaganza. Instead he's forced to hire
a look-alike (also Eddie Murphy) to get the film in the can,
and this sets the groundwork for one of the best comedies of
1999 (written by Martin), with Eddie Murphy doing excellent
work in dual roles.
"The 13th Warrior" (1999) (rated R) Widescreen
released January 18
starring Antonio Banderas; directed by John McTiernan
REVIEW/ORDER
In 1999, director John McTiernan (of "Die Hard" fame) felt
the high of success and the sting of failure at the box
office, scoring a hit with "The Thomas Crown Affair" and a
miss with "The 13th Warrior." The latter wasn't exactly a
box-office bomb, but this epic adventure (based on Michael
Crichton's novel "Eaters of the Dead") had been sitting on
the studio shelf for well over a year, and was dumped into
theaters with little fanfare. It's a flawed but engrossing
film that's guaranteed to satisfy anyone's appetite for
full-blooded action and historical adventure.
"The Night of the Hunter" (1955) (NR) Full-Screen
released January 18
starring Robert Mitchum; directed by Charles Laughton
REVIEW/ORDER
The first and only film directed by actor Charles Laughton,
this 1955 thriller is a timeless masterpiece of terror, with
Robert Mitchum in one of his finest, scariest roles as a
psychotic preacher obsessed with extracting the secret of
hidden money from two frightened children. An American
classic, as artfully effective now as it was 45 years ago.
"An Ideal Husband" (1999) (PG-13) Widescreen Anamorphic
released January 18
starring Rupert Everett, Julianne Moore, and Minnie Driver;
directed by Oliver Parker
REVIEW/ORDER
When it comes to upscale dialogue and witty repartee, Oscar
Wilde was a master without peer. Faithfully adapted by
director Oliver Parker (who directed Laurence Fishburne in
"Othello"), "An Ideal Husband" breathes vibrant life into
one of Wilde's lesser-known plays, with a stellar cast ready
and willing to make the most of Wilde's elaborate plot of
blackmail, mistaken identity, and quirks of fate. Briskly
paced and beautifully designed, this satirical romp adds
romantic comedy to give it an added kick of entertainment.
"Cinema Paradiso" (1989) (PG) Widescreen
releases January 25
starring Philippe Noiret and Jacques Perrin; directed by Giuseppe
Tornatore
REVIEW/ORDER
One of the most beloved of all Italian films, "Cinema
Paradiso" is a charmingly timeless comedy, set in post-World
War II Italy, about a seasoned movie projectionist who passes his
passion for movies along to a young boy who will become his
successor. An instant classic, and a film that's duly
cherished by anyone who loves going to the movies.
"Runaway Bride" (1999) (PG) Widescreen Anamorphic
releases January 25
starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts; directed by Garry Marshall
REVIEW/ORDER
Nearly a decade after the success of "Pretty Woman," Richard
Gere and Julia Roberts reunited with director Garry Marshall
to make this hit romantic comedy. It's Hollywood fluff, but
it's also irresistible, and the stars (particularly Roberts)
still have their radiant chemistry.
"Stir of Echoes" (1999) (R) Full-Screen
releases February 1
starring Kevin Bacon, Ileanna Douglas, and Kathryn Erbe; directed by
David Koepp
REVIEW/ORDER
When released last year, this effective psychological
thriller suffered from unfair comparisons to "The Sixth
Sense," but it's a very different film, and worthy of an
audience.
"AMERICAN PIE": FUNNY NO MATTER HOW YOU SLICE IT
"American Pie" (1999) (Unrated Version) Full-Screen and
Widescreen now available
starring Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, and Mena Suvari; directed
by Paul Weitz
REVIEW/ORDER
It should come as no surprise that of the two versions of
"American Pie" released on DVD last week, the unrated
version is by far the more popular. You can't go wrong
either way, and this entertaining teen comedy is pretty much
the same slice of pie either way you cut it--it's just that
the unrated version gives you a few more crumbs of comedy to
savor. You can hardly tell the difference, really, except
for the unrated version's alternate scene in which Jim
(Jason Biggs) practices "doing it" with a warm apple
pie. (In the R- rated version he's vertical; here he's on
the kitchen counter!) And while drooling guys may wish to
see more of the lovely Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), the
unrated version opts instead to reveal more explicit details
of the homemade "Bible" sex manual that had been cut from
the R-rated version. Apart from that, there's nothing here
to offend anyone that wasn't there already; we still learn
what a M.I.L.F. is, and the guys still manage to lose their
virginity without demeaning themselves or their equally
willing girlfriends. And the DVD bonus features are a kick
in the pants--especially a series of outtakes and the audio
commentary with the director and several cast members,
proving yet again that boys will be boys.
Also available in the original theatrical R-rated version:
REVIEW/ORDER
TOP NEW RELEASES (release dates subject to change without notice)
Amazon.com's DVD store offers comprehensive listings of new
and future releases arranged in a weekly format. See a
complete list of this week's new releases:
starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judge
Reinhold; directed by Amy Heckerling
REVIEW/ORDER
"American Pie" may be an honest and brazenly frank look at
teenage sex and high school anxiety, but 1982's "Fast Times
at Ridgemont High" is still the movie to beat when it comes
to capturing the high school experience with emotional
authenticity. Of course, everyone remembers two things:
Phoebe Cates as the topless object of Judge Reinhold's
sexual fantasy, and Sean Penn's perfectly gnarly performance
as everyone's favorite stoner, Jeff Spicoli. What's so great
about this movie, in addition to its timeless appeal, is the
fantastic ensemble cast of then-unknowns at the start of
their careers. This collector's edition DVD offers a fine
retrospective documentary including interviews with most of
the cast, and there's a terrific audio commentary by
director Amy Heckerling and screenwriter (now
writer-director) Cameron Crowe, along with an interactive
map to "Ridgemont" hangouts then and now.
"It Happened One Night" (1934) (NR) Full-Screen
starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert; directed by
Frank Capra.
REVIEW/ORDER
One of the greatest-ever romantic comedies and the first
film to win the Academy Award in all five top categories
(Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay), "It
Happened One Night" just gets better with age (it's now 65
years old). Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert costar in two
of their most memorable roles, as (respectively) a reporter
who falls in love with a runaway heiress during a romantically
eventful road trip. Directed by Frank Capra, the film
arrives on DVD in high style, with commentary by Capra's
son, vintage advertising materials, and the original live
radio broadcast to promote the film. Another release in the
line of Columbia Classics, this one's not to be missed.
"Mickey Blue Eyes" (1999) (PG-13) Full-Screen and Widescreen
released December 28
starring Hugh Grant, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and James Caan;
directed by Kelly Makin
REVIEW/ORDER
Hugh Grant had a pretty good year in 1999. Not only did the
charming Brit further distance himself from the sordid
controversy of his recent past, but he won the heart of
Julia Roberts in "Notting Hill" and got married to the mob
in "Mickey Blue Eyes." In this breezy comedy, Hugh fumbles
his way through romance with the daughter (Jeanne
Tripplehorn) of a Mafia kingpin (James Caan, a long way from
"The Godfather"). Along the way, he has to impersonate a
notorious mob hit man, and, well, you've seen what
happens when a proper Englishman tries to pronounce
"fuggedaboudit." As mistaken-identity comedies go, this
one's worth a look.
FUTURE RELEASES
Amazon.com offers a complete list of upcoming DVD releases,
arranged by week of release date. See what's coming:
REVIEW/ORDER
After you've marveled at Jim Carrey's portrayal of the late
comedian Andy Kaufman in the current theatrical release of
"Man on the Moon," this DVD offers a suitable opportunity to
watch the real Andy Kaufman at work, performing for the TV
show "Midnight Special" in 1981.
"Ally on Sex and the Single Life" (1998) (NR) Full-Screen
releases January 11
REVIEW/ORDER
"Ally McBeal" fans, rejoice! Your favorite quirky lawyer has
arrived on DVD, and this two-disc set includes six
first-season episodes of the popular TV series, an
interactive tease to "The Official Guide to Ally McBeal,"
and the music video for Vonda Shepard's theme song,
"Searchin' My Soul."
"The Night of the Hunter" (1955) (NR) Full-Screen
releases January 18
REVIEW/ORDER
The first and only film directed by actor Charles Laughton,
this 1955 thriller is a timeless masterpiece of terror, with
Robert Mitchum in one of his finest, scariest roles as a
psychotic preacher obsessed with extracting the secret of
hidden money from two frightened children. An American
classic, as artfully effective now as it was 45 years ago.
"The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
releases January 4
REVIEW/ORDER
"Dirty Dancing (Collector's Edition)" (1987) (PG-13) Widescreen
releases January 14
REVIEW/ORDER
"The Abyss (Special Edition)" (1989) (PG-13) Widescreen
releases March 21
REVIEW/ORDER
"Fight Club" (1999) (R) Widescreen
releases April 18
REVIEW/ORDER
"The X-Files: Season One Gift Pack" (1993-94) (NR) Full-Screen
releases May 16
REVIEW/ORDER
"Independence Day (Special Edition)" (1996) (PG-13) Widescreen
releases June 13
REVIEW/ORDER
All titles featured are NTSC format (VHS) and Region 1 encoded (DVD).
"Pink Floyd: The Wall" (1982) (NR) Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.1
REVIEW/ORDER
Critics were decidedly mixed when "Pink Floyd: The Wall" was
released in 1982. Director Alan Parker's visual
interpretation of Pink Floyd's brilliant double album is a
daring experiment that's not altogether successful, but it's
become a bona fide cult picture that Floyd fans will surely
want to own on DVD. Boasting a new high-definition film
transfer that preserves the film's original 2.35:1
widescreen aspect ratio, the DVD also offers a remastered
Dolby Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack. But the real treat for
Floyd fans is the opportunity to hear and see the man behind
the music: Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, who conceived the
original album, can be heard on the DVD commentary along
with the film's animation director, Gerald Scarfe. Waters
also appears in a new 45-minute retrospective documentary,
which is included on the DVD with another behind-the-scenes
documentary, "The Other Side of the Wall." As if that
weren't enough, you also get deleted footage, a production
stills gallery, the original theatrical trailer, and
more. If you're a fan of Pink Floyd's landmark musical
masterpiece, this is a must-have DVD.
"Dick" (1999) (PG-13) Full-Screen and Widescreen
released December 14
starring Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, and Dan Hedaya;
directed by Andrew Fleming
REVIEW/ORDER
Aptly described as a cross between "Clueless" and "All the
President's Men," "Dick" is a terrific comedy that poses a
hilarious scenario: What if two teenage girls witnessed the
Watergate break-in and passed their info to "Post" reporters
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein? Better yet, what if they
were airheads who really didn't know what was going on, but
still managed to break the case that led to President "Dick"
Nixon's resignation? Clever writing and great performances
by Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams make this one of the
best comedies of 1999 (along with "Election"), and "Dick" is
a real treat on DVD, with a deleted scene, bloopers, a
behind-the-scenes featurette, and commentary by director
Andrew Fleming and cowriter Sheryl Longin.
"Buena Vista Social Club" (1999) (G) Full-Screen
released December 14
directed by Wim Wenders
REVIEW/ORDER
As a follow-up to Ry Cooder's Grammy-winning album, the film
"Buena Vista Social Club" joins Cooder as he returns to
Havana, Cuba, to record a solo album with 72-year-old
vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer. Cooder's longtime friend Wim
Wenders was on hand to record the occasion on film, and this
splendid documentary serves as an affectionate portrait of
several veteran Cuban musicians, who reminisce about their
past in Havana and reunite for concerts that captivated
audiences in Amsterdam and New York City. A celebration of
life and music, this extraordinary film is now on DVD with
commentary by Wenders and additional footage not shown in
theaters.
"The Last Detail" (1974) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
released December 14
starring Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, and Otis Young;
directed by Hal Ashby
REVIEW/ORDER
Highlighting two of Jack Nicholson's finest earlier
performances, "Five Easy Pieces" and "The Last Detail" are
milestones of American film in the early 1970s, showcasing
Nicholson's talent as a rising star and defining the daring
quality of movies during that robust era of Hollywood
creativity. A brilliant character study, "Five Easy Pieces"
stars Nicholson as an outcast who travels to Washington
State to visit his dying father. Written by "Chinatown"
screenwriter Robert Towne "The Last Detail" is a salty
comedy-drama in which two errant sailors (Nicholson and
Young) are assigned to escort a naive thief (Randy Quaid)
from Norfolk, Virginia, to a Navy brig in Massachusetts…
but not before giving their prisoner a wild time before
prison. Both of these films show Nicholson at his finest,
just before he was catapulted to stardom in "Chinatown."
"Five Easy Pieces" (1970) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
released December 14
starring Jack Nicholson and Karen Black; directed by Bob Rafelson
REVIEW/ORDER
"The Thomas Crown Affair" (1999) (R) Full-Screen and Widescreen
releases January 4, 2000
starring Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, and Denis Leary;
directed by John McTiernan
REVIEW/ORDER
One of the most entertaining Hollywood films of 1999, "The
Thomas Crown Affair" is a slick, sophisticated remake of the
1968 original, with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in the
roles originated by Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. This
one's even better than the original, as tycoon Brosnan
steals a priceless painting just for the thrill of it, soon
to find that insurance investigator Russo is hot on his tail
(in more ways than one). Sexy, swift, and full of witty
dialogue, this entertaining thriller is a sure-fire hit on
DVD, and features commentary by director John ("Die Hard")
McTiernan.
"It Happened One Night" (1934) (NR) Full-Screen
releases December 28
starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert; directed by Frank Capra
REVIEW/ORDER
One of the greatest-ever romantic comedies and the first
film to win the Academy Award in all five top categories
(Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay), "It
Happened One Night" just gets better with age (it's almost
70 years old now). Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert costar
in two of their most memorable roles, as (respectively) a
reporter and a runaway heiress who fall in love during a
romantically eventful road trip. Directed by Frank Capra,
the film arrives on DVD in high style, with commentary by
Capra's son, vintage advertising materials, and the original
live radio broadcast to promote the film. Another release
in the line of Columbia Classics, this one's not to be
missed.
"Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back" (1967) (NR) Full-Screen
releases January 4, 2000
directed by D.A. Pennebaker
REVIEW/ORDER
This landmark documentary follows Bob Dylan on his 1965 tour
of England, and remains the most revealing portrait of the
artist as his fame had begun to skyrocket--enigmatic,
provocative, and hip beyond words as the world's coolest
folk troubadour. This collector's edition promises to be one
of the finest of the new year, with commentary by director
D.A. Pennebaker and tour manager Bob Neuwirth, an alternate
version of the famous "Subterranean Homesick Blues" cue-card
scene, and five original audio performances not included in
the film. For Dylan fans, this is a guaranteed treat.
"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (PG-13) released November 16
starring Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Verne Troyer, and Michael York;
directed by Jay Roach
REVIEW/ORDER
Cast your memory back to 1997, when "Austin Powers,
International Man of Mystery" drew critical raves but hardly
a stampede at the box office. Its phenomenal popularity was
fully established by video and DVD, and this year's sequel,
"Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," was a guaranteed
box-office smash. Now it's one of the hottest DVDs of 1999,
and like its predecessor it's been released as a shagadelic
DVD in New Line's Platinum Series, loaded with enough bonus
features to keep you laughing for hours. There's a
commentary by Mike Myers (you'll know this one's a hoot if
you heard his track on the first DVD), nearly 20 minutes of
deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a
"Biography" spoof about Dr. Evil, DVD-ROM features, and
more. Oh, and let's not forget the scene-stealing Mini-Me
(Verne Troyer) and Heather Graham as Austin's sexy American
sidekick, Felicity Shagwell--grrrrrr!
"The Wolfgang Petersen Collection" (R) released November 16
includes three films: "Das Boot," "In the Line of Fire," and "Air
Force One"
REVIEW/ORDER
If you're just starting a DVD collection or looking for a
great gift for a DVD enthusiast, this boxed set of thrillers
by German emigre director Wolfgang Petersen is highly
recommended. Ever since his international breakthrough with
the landmark submarine epic "Das Boot," Petersen has been
crafting superior mainstream hits for top-ranking Hollywood
stars, and all three of these films showcase his remarkable
talent for combining lavish production values with human
drama and nail-biting tension. A great vehicle for Clint
Eastwood, "In the Line of Fire" also features John Malkovich
in one of the best villain roles of the 1990s, and "Air
Force One" is a rousing terrorist thriller that perfectly
casts Harrison Ford as a U.S. president who's a genuine man
of action. All three films stand up to multiple viewings,
and they're all impressive on DVD.
"Monty Python's Life of Brian--Criterion Collection" (R) released
November 16
starring Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, Terry
Jones, and Terry Gilliam; directed by Terry Jones
REVIEW/ORDER
Can comedy be blasphemous? A lot of prematurely judgmental
people thought so when the Monty Python gang released "Life
of Brian" in 1979, but the movie's satirical take on
organized religion is only offensive to those who lack a
sense of humor. For everyone else, this is surely one of the
troupe's best features, and its story about a man (Graham
Chapman) mistaken for a messiah is certain to provide some
hilarious food for thought. As always, the Criterion
Collection has produced a splendid DVD, with two
commentaries by Python alumni, deleted scenes, production
notes, and widescreen presentation.
"Peeping Tom--Criterion Collection" (NR) released November 16
starring Carl Boehm; directed by Michael Powell
REVIEW/ORDER
Another Criterion release this week is also British, also
controversial, and undeniably effective. It's Michael
Powell's disturbing psychological thriller "Peeping Tom," in
which Carl Boehm plays an introverted young man who films
his victims as he's killing them. Released in 1960--the same
year as "Psycho"--the film was favorably compared to
Hitchcock's classic, but Powell paid a heavy price for his
psychosexual study of murder, voyeurism, and deep-rooted
psychosis. The film was banned in many countries and
Powell's career never fully recovered, but "Peeping Tom" is
now hailed as a classic. The DVD includes an insightful
commentary and a British documentary about the film, titled
"A Very British Psycho."
"The Iron Giant" (PG) releases November 23
starring the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Elie Marienthal, and John
Mahoney; directed by Brad Bird
REVIEW/ORDER
The most critically acclaimed non-Disney animated film of
the 1990s was a box-office disappointment due to the
lackluster promotional efforts of Warner Bros., but the
studio has recognized its error and is giving this splendid
all-ages adventure renewed life on video and DVD. The
movie's about a young boy in the cold-war 1950s who
befriends a gigantic alien robot that crash-lands on Earth
and is soon discovered by fearful military officials, with
potentially tragic results. A funny, charming, and
altogether triumphant family entertainment with a gentle
message about the danger of weaponry, this delightful
animated feature deserves to be considered a classic. The
DVD includes deleted scenes, filmmaker commentary, a
behind-the-scenes featurette, and DVD-ROM features.
"Apocalypse Now" (R) releases November 23
starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, and Dennis
Hopper; directed by Francis Ford Coppola
REVIEW/ORDER
Certainly one of the greatest films ever made, "Apocalypse
Now" is made even greater by the tortured history of its
production, which drove director Francis Ford Coppola to the
brink of madness. Adapted from the Joseph Conrad novella
"Heart of Darkness," the film is a hypnotic odyssey set
during the Vietnam War and contains so many great scenes and
moments that it's now a part of our global consciousness.
Coppola personally oversaw the film's release on DVD, and
the disc includes additional footage of the climactic
destruction of the Kurtz compound (along with Coppola's
commentary) and excerpts from the original theatrical-
release program.
"South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" (R) releases November 23
starring the voices of Trey Parker, Minnie Driver, and George Clooney;
directed by Trey Parker
REVIEW/ORDER
How does one endorse a movie such as "South Park: Bigger,
Longer & Uncut" without seeming depraved? That's easy--you
just advise anyone who cringes at potty humor and a torrent
of profanity to *stay away*, and recommend the movie for
what it is: a brilliant, outrageous musical satire that
ruthlessly targets hypocrisy, political correctness,
censorship… and Canada! The South Park gang is all here,
struggling to save their scatological heroes from the
clutches of parental censorship groups, and lest anyone have
any doubt, this movie is *not for kids*! But if you're
attuned to what creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are
attempting, you just might think this is one of the bravest,
funniest movies ever made.