THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 1996 TAG: 9603050033
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 178 lines
STOP US if you've heard this one before: What does a cat do on his day off?
He works.
Ditto for the cats around here. We didn't spend last week, our week off, sitting around on our bums. Actually, to tell the truth, we did. But it was work. Hard work. You try screening 12 videos (our personal best) and see if you aren't a touch saddle sore.
In fact, the entire staff was so focused that today - today being the second anniversary of this column - snuck right up on us. Judging from all the hip-hips and hoorays being tossed our way, it snuck right by you, our loyal readers.
And that's OK because Videomatic is bigger than that. We're happier giving than receiving. A slap on the back? A ``job well done''? Save 'em?
Before (sniff) moving on to new business, we have an announcement:
NEXT WEEK WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT VIDEOS! MAYBE FOREVER!
Hooked? Good.
The Couch Report
``Fair Game'' (Warner, 1995). She's a lawyer running from Russian badskis, but Cindy Crawford pretty much plays a chunk of petrified wood. William Baldwin is the cop saddled with the dead-end job of making her look like an actress. No amount of gun/foreplay - and that's all producer Joel Silver ever peddles - can mask this stinker. Videomatic says: D-
(CAST: William Baldwin, Cindy Crawford. RATED: R for language, violence, nudity, situations; 91 mins.)
``A Walk in the Clouds'' (FoxVideo, 1995). Alfonso Arau's latest has the sensual palette and timeless themes of ``Like Water for Chocolate.'' Keanu Reeves, however, is a bit stiff as the WWII vet who masquerades as the husband of the pregnant daughter of an unyielding vintner. In a film so joyfully romantic, that's a minor
gripe. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Giancarlo Giannini, Anthony Quinn. RATED: R for wartime violence, themes; 102 mins.)
``The Brothers McMullen'' (FoxVideo, 1995). Jack, Barry and Pat are left to cope after their abusive father dies and their mother returns to her true love in Ireland. Her parting advice - ``Don't make the same mistake I did'' - shapes this insightful, unpretentious comedy as the brothers come to terms with love, commitment and Catholicism. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Edward Burns, Jack Mulcahy, Mike McGlone, Connie Britton. RATED: R for language, adult situations, themes; 98 mins.)
``The Run of the Country'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). A fine, coming-of-age drama set in contemporary Ireland. When his mother dies, Danny flees his stern father and runs with the spirited Prunty. He tastes the sweet and the bitter; in the end, though, the father's words serve: ``It's the living who have to resurrect themselves, not the dead.'' Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Matt Kesslar, Albert Finney, Anthony Brophy, Victoria Smurfit. RATED: R for language, violence, nudity, adult situations; 110 mins.)
``Party Girl'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Parker Posey is a treat as Mary, a Holly Golightly for the '90s whose life is all-night raves and designer clothes - until she finds a future in the Dewey Decimal System and love with a falafel vendor. The colorful supporting crew is right in synch. A witty, sexy comedy with style to spare. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Parker Posey, Sasha von Scherler, Guillermo Diaz, Omar Townsend. RATED: R for language, brief nudity, situations; 94 mins.)
``Moonlight and Valentino'' (PolyGram, 1995). Four women - two sisters, their stepmother and best friend - bond bigtime when the husband of one dies in an accident. The ensemble acting and unforced humor keep it from getting maudlin. Jon Bon Jovi, playing a dreamboat house painter, is the big surprise. He's a natural. Videomatic says: B-
(CAST: Elizabeth Perkins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner, Jon Bon Jovi. RATED: R for language, brief nudity; 104 mins.)
``Empire Records'' (Warner, 1995). Credit this ``Clerks'' knockoff for good intentions and a hot soundtrack. Set in a Jersey record shop, it chronicles the ups and downs of the Gen X staff. The problem is the newcomers come off as ``types,'' not characters, and the story meanders. Videomatic says: C-
(CAST: Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazur, Liv Tyler, Rory Cochrane. RATED: PG-13 for language, situations, mild violence; 91 mins.)
Also: Stephen Baldwin in ``Dead Weekend,'' a sci-fi thriller with a romantic twist (unrated), and ``The Final Days,'' about Nixon's downfall (PG)
Better late. . .
Tsk-tsk. Looks like our vigilant Viewing Committee has been napping.
``Double Happiness'' (New Line, 1995). The quick comparison is with ``The Joy Luck Club,'' but Mina Shum gives her stylish debut a lighter touch. That doesn't mean it skirts real life, or is narrow in scope. Sandra Oh is a splendid Jade, the daughter caught between her dreams and the demands of her traditional father. Videomatic says: B+
(CAST: Sandra Oh, Alannah Ong, Stephen M.D. Chang. RATED: PG-13 for adult situations, mild language; 87 mins.)
``Francois Truffaut: Stolen Portraits'' (Fox Lorber, 1995). Gerard Depardieu, Bernard Tavernier, Eric Rohmer and Truffaut's family are among those sharing their insights in this absorbing, perfectly titled documentary. The late filmmaker emerges as deceptively complex and secretive, but a dedicated artist whose life was his canvas. (Subtitled) Videomatic says: B+
(UNRATED: Language, adult situations from his movies; 93 mins.)
``Mute Witness'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Anthony Waller borrows from ``Halloween,'' ``Wait Until Dark'' and ``Marathon Man'' to create an original thriller that is terrifying and outright funny. A mute FX tech from America, working on a slasher flick in Moscow, witnesses a murder on the set of a snuff film. Before it's over, she's running from the KGB and a crime boss. An unlikely premise, but boy, does it work. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Marina Sudina, Evan Richards, Fay Ripley, Oleg Jankowsky, Mystery Guest Star. RATED: R for brutal violence, language, nudity; 98 mins.)
``Window to Paris'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Culture shock: Five St. Petersburg musicians find a magic window that takes them to Paris. Like any good fairy tale, this one has a strong moral compass. Swinging from slapstick to sharp comedy, it's also ideologically loaded. Serguei Dontsov is a cross between Willy Wonka and the Pied Piper. (Subtitled) Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Serguei Dontsov, Victor Mikhailov, Agnes Soral. RATED: PG-13 for language, nudity; 92 mins.)
``Safe'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Carol has a lifestyle that many would envy. So why's she coming undone? Her symptoms point to 20th Century Illness, a kind of allergic reaction to our toxic environment. But is Todd Haynes serious about his New Age solution? You decide. His provocative drama only raises the question. Julianne Moore is excellent. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Julianne Moore, Xander Berkeley, Peter Friedman, James LeGros. RATED: R for adult situations, language, emergency room trauma; 119 mins.)
Next Tuesday: ``Braveheart,'' ``Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls,'' ``Clockers,'' ``Assassins,'' ``The Baby-Sitters Club: The Movie,'' ``Muriel's Wedding,'' ``Never Talk to Strangers'' ``The Wharf Rat,'' ``Eggs from 70 Million B.C.,'' ``Soldier Boyz,'' ``The Silver Strand,'' ``Venus Rising''
March 16: ``The Tie That Binds,'' ``The Prophecy''
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``The Indian in the Cupboard,'' ``Star Trek Generations,'' ``Playboy: The Best of Anna Nicole Smith,'' ``Cinderella,'' ``Apollo 13''
Rentals: ``Waterworld,'' ``Under Siege 2: Dark Territory,'' ``The Net,'' ``Desperado,'' ``The Usual Suspects''
ODDS & ENDS: Hot dog! The collector's edition of ``Pulp Fiction'' includes never-before-seen footage and commentary from Quentin Tarantino. Plus, it comes standard and letterboxed (Miramax, $19.99).
Two more kid mysteries starring those Olsen twins - that would be Mary-Kate and Ashley - are in stores. ``The Case of the U.S. Space Camp Mission'' and ``The Case of the Shark Encounters'' go for $12.95 each.
Rhino found 15 minutes of new stuff for its re-release of ``The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash,'' the very funny Beatles parody cooked up by Monty Pythoner Eric Idle. At $14.98, it's fab.
Paramount has three titles from ``Sightings,'' the TV series about things supernatural, for $14.95 each, and ``It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown'' for $12.95.
Speaking of Easter, ``Tales of Beatrix Potter,'' ``Brer Rabbit Tales,'' ``Will Vinton's Claymation Easter,'' ``Thumpkin and the Easter Bunnies,'' ``The Turtles' Awesome Easter'' and ``Stanley the Ugly Duckling'' are $12.98 (FHE).
Live takes a more somber approach with Franco Zeffirelli's ``Jesus of Nazareth'' (three tapes, $69.98), Burt Lancaster in ``Moses'' ($19.98) and Gregory Peck in ``The Scarlet and the Black'' ($14.98).
``Nothing but Shorts, the Unwashed Collection'' collects two dozen ads from ``The Ren & Stimpy Show.'' Sony Wonder's got it for $14.98, and ``A Rugrats Passover'' for $9.98.
PRICED TO GO: ``Patton,'' ``The Grapes of Wrath'' and ``The Song of Bernadette'' are new to FoxVideo's Studio Classics series ($19.98). The tender comedy ``Bye Bye, Love'' is $19.98, too. ``My Neighbor Totoro,'' an enchanting Japanese fantasy, is $14.98.
Marketing 101: With Robin Williams starring in ``The Birdcage,'' MGM/UA is re-releasing the hilarious French original, ``La Cage Aux Folles,'' and its sequel at $14.95 each.
Fatten up that foreign-film library with ``Colonel Chabert,'' ``Lovers,'' ``Tampoco'' ($14.98), ``The Funeral,'' ``Madame Bovary'' and ``Un Coeur en Hiver'' ($9.98, Republic).
Buena Vista's slapped a $19.99 sticker on ``Bullets Over Broadway,'' ``Heavenly Creatures,'' ``Bad Company,'' ``Houseguest,'' ``The Jerky Boys,'' ``Camp Nowhere,'' ``Money for Nothing,'' ``Funny Bones,'' ``Father Hood,'' ``Roommates,'' ``It's Pat,'' ``Cabin Boy'' and ``Slam Dunk Ernest.''
``Safe at Home,'' featuring appearances by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, and ``Little Big League'' are $14.95 each. ``A League of Their Own'' and ``The Natural'' make up a $24.95 doubleheader (Columbia TriStar).
Disney's repriced ``Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure,'' ``Squanto: A Warrior's Tale,'' ``Man of the House'' and ``Heavyweights'' at $14.99.
Want some action? ``Excessive Force 2,'' ``Never Say Die,'' ``Judgment to Berlin,'' ``Eyes of a Witness'' and ``The Man Inside'' are $19.98; ``Menace II Society,'' ``Assault on Precinct 13,'' ``Excessive Force'' and ``Money to Burn'' are $14.98 (New Line).
Want more? ``Breaking Point,'' ``Deceptions,'' ``Raw Justice,'' ``Too Young to Die,'' ``Warriors'' and ``A.P.E.X.'' are $9.98 (Republic). by CNB