Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 23, 1994 TAG: 9404250142
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Mike Mayo
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
``VideoHound Multimedia'' is an expansion of the popular trade paperback ``VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever,'' reviewed here a few months ago. The book is an ambitious 1,532-page guide to some 22,000 films and programs on home video. ``Multimedia'' is a CD-ROM packed with more than twice as much information - 52,000 reviews. For those of us who are consistently being blindsided by technological advances, it's staggering that a little plastic disk can hold so much stuff.
Like the book, the disk works from an alphabetical listing of titles with each entry containing all the basic information - short review, cast, credits, etc. But with the flexibility of a computer, the disk can also provide video box art for some films, sound effects, other credits for cast members, biographies and more.
To use the disk, you need a computer with a CD drive, Windows, mouse and the other hard- and software goodies that seem to be the new norm. Not having such capabilities myself, I took the disk to a computer store and persuaded a salesman to load it up in the showroom model. He was able to get the program running in a few minutes, and before long we had attracted quite a crowd as we dogpaddled through the database.
According to the salesman, VideoHound's graphics aren't as impressive as its competition, Microsoft's Cinemania. But since CD-ROM graphics are pretty primitive anyway (compared to tape or laser), that's irrelevant. The important things are the amount of information available and the ease of access to it. On that standard, VideoHound is outstanding, and, of course, individual lists of titles and such can be gathered and printed.
For any videophile who already has the necessary computer system, ``VideoHound Multimedia'' is a must-have. It's available at various stores and mail-order outlets (including the publisher at 1-800-776-6265) for prices ranging $55-$80. For those of us who have not taken the next step in the home video/information revolution, the Hound provides another compelling reason to proceed.
The distributors of ``Ernest Rides Again'' are working with similar educational material for its video release. They have created a nationwide contest, the ``brain drain challenge.'' Kids, the target audience, can pick up an entry book at participating video stores. By answering questions from the film and other more traditional sources (libraries, encyclopedias, etc.) they may win computers and other prizes for their school and themselves.
Many adults might find it easier to fork over a couple thousand bucks than sit through the movie, but that's really unfair. Jim Varney's Ernest has developed a genuine following, and when it comes to energetic slapstick, he delivers what his fans want to see. There's nothing mean-spirited about his comedy, and if he can get a few kids into the library, so much the better.
A slightly younger preschool audience will go for ``The Extra-special Subsitute Teacher.'' It's a short, lively song and dance routine starring Joanie Bartels as the title character. When she introduces herself to the class by writing ``Joanie joanie bobonnie banana fana fofonie fee fi mo monie joanie,'' most parents will know exactly what's going to happen next. It's all bright, chipper, simple and younger kids will love it.
Three new fitness tapes were reviewed by my resident expert. According to her, both ``Kari Anderson Fitness Formula'' and ``Gin Miller's New Body Workout'' are recommended for those already experienced with aerobics and step routines. As an alternative to organized classes, they're solid additions to a home tape library even if they don't go over the basics. Both are easy to follow, with demonstrations of both high- and low-impact variations of the routines. Gin Miller's patter will probably get old quickly. Her tape contains some weight work; Kari Anderson's is strictly a step workout and she does an exemplary job of explaining how to use the step.
The expert was less certain about ``Jane Fonda's Yoga Exercise Workout,'' admitting that she hasn't a clue about yoga. Still, she found the tape easy to follow, relaxing and strenuous in its own way. Though she suspects that she'll probably try it again, she prefers the physical rigors of aerobics or step to burn off tension. Instead, this tape requires more mental concentration.
Finally, for those who might have missed the brief review that appeared recently in another section of the paper, Ross McElwee's sequel to ``Sherman's March'' has just been released on tape. ``Time Indefinite'' continues McElwee's meditations on family, marriage, aging, children, dogs, religion, race relations, death and fish. The film begins with a bright moment when he announces his engagement to a pleasant woman named Marilyn. She's a fellow filmmaker who doesn't seem to mind McElwee's compulsion to turn his own life into a movie, even when it involves his accompanying her to the gynecologist's office.
Many familiar characters from his earlier films reappear: Charleen, Lucille, Melvin and others. More important, though McElwee is often dealing with the most serious subjects and powerful emotions, his sense of humor is intact. So is his light touch.
New releases this week:
Mrs. Doubtfire: ***
Starring Robin Williams, Sally Field. Directed by Chris Columbus. FoxVideo 122 min. Rated PG-13 for rough language, sexual humor.
Last year's theatrical hit is going to be even more popular on home video where it arrives with a low ``sell-through'' price (about $12-13). Why not? It features Robin Wiliams doing the machine-gun impersonations and character bits that were so effective in ``Aladdin'' and ``Good Morning, Vietnam.'' The shamelessly emotional plot conjures up memories of ``Home Alone,'' ``Tootsie'' and ``Kramer vs. Kramer.'' Toss in a supporting cast of adorable kids and it's a potent mixture that makes for an enjoyable but manipulative crowd-pleaser.
Josh and S.A.M.: **1/2
Starring Jacob Tierney, Noah Fleiss, Martha Plimpton. Directed by Billy Weber. Columbia TriStar. 94 min. Rated PG-13 for strong language, some violence.
This offbeat road movie is well-made, with appealing characters and an unpredictable story about a 12-year-old and a seven-year-old behind the wheel of a stolen rental car. Viewers looking for something outside the Hollywood mainstream should give it a try.
The Essentials
VideoHound Multimedia ****
Visible Ink Software.
Ernest Rides Again ** 1/2
For kids. Monarch. 100 min. Rated PG for comic violence.
The Extra-Special Substitute Teacher ***
For kids. BMG. 45 min. Unrated, contains no offensive material.
Kari Anderson Fitness Formula ** 1/2
A+Vision. 60 min. Unrated, contains no offensive material.
Gin Miller's New Body Workout ** 1/2
A+Vision. 75 min. Unrated, contains no offensive material.
Jane Fonda's Yoga Exercise Workout **
A+Vision. 65 min. Unrated, contains no offensive material.
Time Indefinite *** 1/2
First Run Features. 114 min. Unrated, contains some graphic medical scenes, brief nudity.
by CNB