Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 9, 1993 TAG: 9310090022
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
First, on the video bookshelf, we find a new edition of an indispensable reference. Though the 1993 version was reviewed here only a few months ago, "VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever, 1994" takes such a giant step forward that it merits another look.
This big (1,500 page plus) trade paperback is a fully indexed guide to essentially every feature film available on videotape or disc. Each entry includes a short plot summation, cast, credits, running time, distributor, price and rating on the four bones to Woof! scale. Distributors' addresses and phone numbers are also included. That information by itself is worth the price of the book. The handiest features, though, are the cross indexes listing all available titles by individual actors and directors.
With this edition, the editors have expanded their listings to include credits for writing and music. More importantly, they've also revised their quirky sense of alphabetization and now follow the established library system that recognizes each word in a title. This VideoHound is now much easier to use than earlier editions.
For an affordable ($17.95) one-volume video guide, this is simply the best book available. Also, judging by the conversational introduction, the editors are friendly folks who welcome correspondence. For praise, criticism or questions write to VideoHound; Visible Ink Press; P.O. Box 33477, Detroit Mich. 48232-5477.
Turning from books to films, one of last year's best has just been released in its definitive version on videodisc. It's John Woo's "The Killer." A second viewing of this brilliant ballet of violence confirms Woo's reputation as a filmmaker of the first rank.
Made in 1989, "The Killer" has developed a strong following at festivals and on cassette. This letterboxed version was made from a print of the original Hong Kong film. If it lacks the crystalline quality of a digital transfer from a pristine negative, it's much clearer than previous tapes. And the film itself is worth the serious treatment.
On one level, the story is a quickly paced, inventive shoot- 'em-up, filled with dozens, perhaps hundreds of on-screen shootings. But it's also much more than that. Woo's ability to handle big, complicated scenes - notably the Dragon Boat race in Hong Kong harbor - is astonishing. The action scenes, particularly those in a candlelit church, deserve to be compared to Peckinpah's best.
The importance of the moral and spiritual (yes, spiritual) sides of the story become more apparent the second time around, too. So do the talents of Woo's leading man, Chow Yun-fat. His round, handsome face has an expressiveness that transcends differences in language and narrative conventions. He's such an engaging protagonist that he carries the story over the rough spots. Clearly, he has everything it takes to become a star in this country.
Fans who discovered Woo's work this summer in "Hard Target" should make a point of finding a copy of this version "The Killer." The three-disc set also contains a separate soundtrack with commentary by Woo and production executive Terence Chang; five scenes that were cut from the film; additional material on Chow Yun-fat and the Hong Kong film business; a filmed biography of John Woo; and trailers for more than a dozen of his other films.
"The Ten Greatest American Cars" is a short, completely enjoyable little documentary that's just been released on videotape and broadcast on cable TV's Arts & Entertainment Network. For anyone on the love- side of our national love-hate relationship with the automobile, this one's a delight. It will also tell you some things that you probably don't know.
Sure, most people who enjoy cars are familiar with the stories behind the Mustang, Corvette and Model-T. But unless they're old enough to remember them, most people may not be so familiar with the Dusenberg, the Cord and the Chrysler Airflow. All of them receive quick thumbnail biographies from automotive historians.
The details about the ever-changing car business are well chosen and the footage of the older cars - taken from newsreels and commercials - is just as good. My only complaint has to do with narrator Jack Perkins' oddly mannered delivery. Why does he . . . pause at such odd . . . moments? But that's a quibble. The tape's fun.
"Les Paul, the Living Legend of the Electric Guitar" is a combination video biography and concert. For the few who might not know, Les Paul invented the electric guitar and the dubbing of one soundtrack over another. In doing so, he played an immeasurably large part in the creation of today's popular music.
This tape gives his early career a quick once-over. Most of its running time is devoted to Paul's current career as a jazz guitarist at New York's "Fat Tuesday's" where he still plays easy-going versions of such standards as "Stardust" and "How High the Moon." Paul himself comes across as a likeable, curious fellow who happened to be in the right place at the right moment in history. The tape is well worth a look for anyone interested in the period.
\ THE ESSENTIALS:
The Killer: **** Criterion. 110 min. Unrated, contains graphic violence, strong language.
The Ten Greatest American Cars: ** 50 min. Unrated, contains no objectionable material.
Les Paul: The Living Legend of the Electric Guitar: ** 68 min. Unrated, contains no objectionable material.
by CNB