THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 22, 1994 TAG: 9406220029
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
DATELINE: 940622 LENGTH: Medium
UPDATE: It hasn't left the yard, but ``The Return of Jafar'' is a solid hit for Disney. The movie, a sequel to ``Aladdin'' and the company's first entry in the direct-to-video sweepstakes, has sold more than 7 million copies since its May 17 debut and is a fixture in Billboard's Top 5.
{REST} ``We're very pleased,'' says Steve Feldstein, Disney publicity director and King of Understatement.
Disney's next DTV project is ``Muppet Classic Theater.'' Due this fall, it features Kermit, Piggy and The Great Gonzo in fairy tale faves like ``The Three Little Pigs,'' ``Rumpelstiltskin'' and ``The Emperor's New Clothes.''
MCA/Universal is getting in on the action, too. ``Darkman: Durant Returns,'' its first direct-to-video production, is shooting now for a possible fall release. It's the first of two sequels to ``Darkman,'' the 1990 sci-fi/actioner directed by Sam Raimi. Liam Neeson won't be back (Arnold Vosloo is the new Darkman), but Larry Drake returns as crime boss Robert Durant.
Also in the works from MCA/Universal: ``The Land Before Time: Great Valley Adventure,'' a DTV sequel to its 1988 animated feature, ``The Land Before Time.'' The tape is due Dec. 27.
TAKE TWO: In light of all that transpired last week, might want to look again at O.J Simpson the actor. His video file: ``Capricorn One,'' ``CIA Codename Alexa,'' ``Firepower,'' ``Hambone and Hillie,'' ``Killer Force,'' ``The Klansman,'' ``The Naked Gun'' and ``The Naked Gun 2 1/2.''
MAIL CALL: Richard Palmer is looking for ``Island in the Sun,'' the 1957 drama starring James Mason and Joan Fontaine. No luck. It's not on video, although 20th Century Fox says members of its film club got a chance to vote on releasing it recently. Questions? Call the Infoline Videomatic Mailbox at 640-5555, category 2827 (2VCR).
TOP TAPES (in this week's Billboard):
Sales: ``The Return of Jafar,'' ``Mrs. Doubtfire,'' ``Playboy: 1994 Playmate of the Year,'' ``Batman: Mask of the Phantasm,'' ``Aladdin''
Rentals: ``Mrs. Doubtfire,'' ``A Perfect World,'' ``The Piano,'' ``The Three Musketeers,'' ``Carlito's Way''
SUCH A DEAL: ``El Mariachi,'' ``Waterland,'' ``Mac,'' ``Where the Day Takes You,'' ``Gas Food Lodging,'' ``Last Days of Chez Nous,'' ``Three of Hearts,'' ``Past Midnight,'' ``Storyville,'' ``Where Angels Fear to Tread,'' ``The Waterdance'' ($19.95, Columbia TriStar)
``Bebe's Kids,'' ``Chrome Soldiers, ``Necessary Roughness,'' ``Summer Rental,'' ``The Carpetbaggers,'' ``Save the Tiger'' ($14.95, Paramount); ``Jennifer 8,'' ``The Hairdresser's Husband'' ($19.95, Paramount)
SALUD: Billy Wilder is 88 today. Where to start? Mmmm, ``Some Like It Hot,'' ``Sunset Boulevard'' and ``Stalag 17.'' Ditto for Meryl Streep, who's 45. Try ``Kramer vs. Kramer,'' ``Death Becomes Her'' and ``Sophie's Choice.''
The Couch Report
``Six Degrees of Separation'' (1993, MGM/UA). John Guare's adaptation of his play is a funny and literate satire of hypocrisy, self-delusion and dysfunction among Manhattan's elite. Oscar nominee Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland are in top form; the real revelation, though, is TV's Will Smith as the young con man who charms his way into their lives. This one's a treat.
(CAST: Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, Will Smith, Ian McKellen. RATED: R for language, nudity and themes)
``Geronimo: An American Legend'' (1993, Columbia TriStar). Walter Hill bends facts, but the director's commitment is absolute and his point is clear: The Apache's surrender, and his underhanded treatment, were also tragic because they exposed us as a prideful people with feet of clay. Fine performances all around, plus sweep and color to spare. Ry Cooder's score is impressive.
(CAST: Jason Patric, Wes Studi, Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman. RATED: PG-13 for violence)
``Tombstone'' (1993, Hollywood). Wyatt Earp wants to retire; he can't. The O.K. Corral shootout is played out. So are other assorted dramas. Is it a Western, love story or bio? And where was the editor? This mess needs focus. Kurt Russell as Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday are wasted.
(CAST: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Dana Delaney. RATED: R for violence and language)
Also: ``The Silver Stallion, King of the Wild Brumbies,'' family fare based on the children's story by Australian writer Elyne Mitchell (G).
Next Wednesday: ``Philadelphia,'' ``In the Name of the Father,'' ``Naked,'' ``Rhapsody in August,'' ``The Trial, ``La Vie de Boheme,'' ``Daddy,'' ``Deep Red,'' ``The Greatest Adventure,'' ``For All Mankind,'' ``Last Voyage of the Lusitania,'' ``The Official History of Baseball,'' ``Schindler'' (documentary)
July 6: ``Grumpy Old Men,'' ``Romeo Is Bleeding,'' ``House Party 3,'' ``A Streetcar Named Desire'' (director's version), ``Sugar Hill,'' ``Household Saints''
by CNB