THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 6, 1994 TAG: 9407060028
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: CRAIG SHAPIRO
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
IF THEY EVER erected a Statue of Video and asked me to inscribe it, it would read: ``Give me your weird, your obscure, your truly horrid.''
The folks who run Sinister Cinema, a little outfit in Medford, Ore., must feel the same way. They sent along their catalog the other day, and is it a doozy.
There's a section devoted to Mexican horror & sci-fi, to scare queen Barbara Steele, to the films of Ed Wood Jr. and to juvenile schlock. Posters from the movies dot the catalog. They're a scream.
Some titles you'll recognize - ``Eegah,'' ``White Zombie,'' ``House on Haunted Hill.'' Nor is everyone a graduate of the B school. The catalog lists films with Alan Ladd, Spencer Tracy and Hedy Lamarr.
Those aren't what caught my eye. Check these out:
``Wang, Wang'' - They wear only the wind!
``Black Pit of Dr. M'' - A new concept of terror and sudden shocks!
``Voodoo Woman'' - A woman by day . . . a monster by night!
``Wild for Kicks'' - What have I got to lose?
``Monsters Crash the Pajama Party'' - Warning! Monsters run loose! Sit on your lap! Can you take it!
Sinister Cinema has silent films, serials and forgotten TV from the 1950s. Three pages are taken up with collections of trailers from these gems.
What does all this cost? Not much. Most films are $16.95.
And the catalog? It's free. Just call Sinister Cinema at (503) 773-6860 or write P.O. Box 4369, Medford, Ore. 97501-0168, and they'll stick one in the mail.
You'll be glad you did.
FUNNY BIZ: Not getting enough Buckwheat or Alfalfa? Cabin Fever brings out its 12-volume ``Little Rascals'' series today - restored and unedited. Each tape includes four programs. $14.95 per volume; $149.95 for the set.
SUCH A DEAL: ``Leather Jackets'' ($14.95, Columbia TriStar); ``Excessive Force,'' ``Relentless 3,'' ``The Hit List,'' ``The Killing Beach'' ($19.95, Columbia TriStar)
TOP TAPES (in this week's Billboard):
Sales: ``Mrs. Doubtfire,'' ``The Return of Jafar,'' ``Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,'' ``Yanni: Live at the Acropolis,'' ``Playboy: 1994 Playmate of the Year''
Rentals: ``The Piano,'' ``Mrs. Doubtfire,'' ``A Perfect World,'' ``Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,'' ``The Three Musketeers'' THE COUCH REPORT
``Sugar Hill'' (1993, Fox). Wonderful acting takes this routine story about a Harlem hood trying to escape his brutal legacy way beyond the ordinary. Wesley Snipes is riveting; so is Michael Wright as his brother. And Clarence Williams III, who plays their father, a man broken by life, is heartbreaking. An unflinching, affecting look at the mean streets and the toll they take.
(CAST: Wesley Snipes, Michael Wright, Theresa Randle, Clarence Williams III. RATED: R for language, violence, drug use)
``Grumpy Old Men'' (1993, Warner). Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau have been doing this shtick since ``The Fortune Cookie,'' but watching the old pros is still a hoot. This time, their frozen hearts are thawed when a sexy new neighbor moves in. If you don't laugh out loud, you're asleep. Pinch yourself, then be sure to sit through the end credits.
(CAST: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret. RATED: PG-13 for language)
``House Party 3'' (1993, New Line). Kid 'n Play have done their shtick since 1990's inspired original. But it's getting tired. Kid's tying the knot. Play wants to throw him a party. Both are dodging the bad guys. Plus side: There are a few good laughs, the moral is clear and everyone does the right thing.
(CAST: Kid 'n Play, Bernie Mac, Khandi Alexander, Tisha Campbell, TLC. RATED: R for language, raunchy humor)
Also: ``A Streetcar Named Desire,'' a great movie made better with deleted footage restored in this ``Original Director's Version'' (PG); ``Household Saints,'' a comedy with Tracey Ullman set in New York's Little Italy after World War II (R).
Next Wednesday: ``Reality Bites,'' ``Searching for Bobby Fischer,'' ``Heaven and Earth,'' ``Shadowlands,'' ``Body Snatchers,'' ``Blink,'' ``Leon the Pig Farmer,'' ``Crush,'' ``Lefty: The Life & Times of Steve Carlton,'' ``Sister Act 2,'' ``Car 54, Where Are You?''
July 20: ``My Father the Hero,'' ``On Deadly Ground,'' ``Fiorile,'' ``The Hidden II,'' ``Moon Shot,'' ``The Cisco Kid''
July 26: ``Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina''
July 27: ``What's Eating Gilbert Grape,'' ``Wrestling Ernest Hemingway,'' ``Cabin Boy,'' ``Blank Check,'' ``Test Tube Teens From the Year 2000,'' ``Lurking Fear: Infinite Evil,'' ``Scanner Cop.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Wesley Snipes, right, plays a Harlem hood trying to escape his past
and Michael Wright is his brother in newly released ``Sugar Hill.''
by CNB