THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 12, 1995 TAG: 9509120038
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Videomatic
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 148 lines
SEEING HOW the kids are spending their evenings doing homework, Videomatic has an assignment for you: Rent ``Pulp Fiction'' and watch it three times.
Don't try some lame-o excuse like, ``I couldn't find it,'' because that won't float. We know retailers have ordered a record 715,000 rental copies of Quentin Tarantino's crime comedy (eclipsing the 700,000 held by ``Terminator 2: Judgment Day''). Save your breath.
Yes, the repeated viewings are mandatory. The first time just for the rush; twice for Tarantino's Oscar-winning screenplay and its audacious, non-linear narrative; finally, for the once-in-a-career performances turned in by John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and Bruce Willis.
And please make every effort to get the letterboxed version. Reformatting this thrill ride for TV screens should be outlawed. Those who've seen the movie will back us on this.
That said, today's release of ``Pulp Fiction'' (Miramax, 1994) has sure been a long time coming. Credit the marketeers at Buena Vista, which owns Miramax. They could've cashed in sooner on its Oscar hype (seven nominations, including Best Picture), but by waiting, well . . . the rental orders say it all.
If you somehow missed the buzz, the film is split into three parts, with the major characters - two gunmen, a mobster's wife and a boxer - acting as the common denominators. Since Videomatic is big on fair play, we're not going to spoil it for you first-timers.
But if you've followed Tarantino's career, you'll recognize the M.O. from ``Reservoir Dogs'' and his script for ``True Romance'': The white-knuckle violence and outrageous humor; his uncanny ear for dialogue and visual flair.
``Pulp Fiction'' (rated R) turns it up a notch - one critic said watching it was like laughing down the barrel of a gun. Go in with an open mind, though, ready for anything and everything, and you'll find a lot more at work here. The film's strong moral and ethical code becomes clear when Jules, the Bible-quoting gunman, witnesses an act of divine intervention.
This doesn't mean it will sit with everyone. It won't. But at the very least, you have to admire Tarantino's chutzpah and, for that reason, give ``Pulp Fiction'' a shot. Videomatic says: A
Footnote: The record rental copies is good news if you don't want to wait to buy a copy of the movie. Look for it for sale among the previously viewed videos once the initial demand passes.
RIDDLE ME THIS: 1) When does the slam-bang ``Batman Forever!'' arrive on video? 2) How much will it set you back? Answers: Oct. 31; only $19.99
COLLECTIBLES: No arguing with Rhino's boast that ``The Monkees Deluxe Limited Edition Box Set'' is the biggest ever. Packaged in a mock TV set, the 21 tapes include all 58 episodes of the NBC series, the original pilot, the special ``33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee'' and cereal commercials starring Micky, Davy, Peter and Mike. The first 2,000 boxes come with a Monkees wristwatch. How much? $399.98. Hey, hey, this is serious Monkee business. Call (800) 432-0020.
``For Whom the Bell Tolls'' has been around 52 years, but MCA/Universal is releasing a restored version of the Gary Cooper-Ingrid Bergman classic that will make it seem brand new. It includes additional footage, the original overture and intermission music, and goes for $19.98.
SUCH A DEAL: Cash or charge?
Live: ``The Terminator'' ($14.98/$19.98 letterboxed), ``Terminator 2: Judgment Day'' ($14.98) and the ``Terminator Collection'' ($24.98/$34.98 letterboxed); plus ``Re-Animator,'' ``From Beyond'' (both Videomatic faves), ``Bride of Re-Animator,'' ``Dolls,'' ``Crawlspace'' and ``Terrorvision'' ($9.98)
Columbia TriStar: ``Under Suspicion,'' ``City of Hope,'' ``Rage and Honor,'' ``Rage and Honor 2'' ($19.95), ``Single White Female,'' ``A River Runs Through It,'' ``In the Line of Fire,'' ``Last Action Hero,'' ``Rudy,'' ``Strapless'' ($14.95)
Paramount: Episodes of ``The Brady Bunch,'' ``Cheers,'' ``Mork and Mindy'' and ``Bosom Buddies'' ($9.95)
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Playboy: The Best of Pamela Anderson,'' ``The Swan Princess,'' ``The Pebble and the Penguin,'' ``Forrest Gump,'' ``Pink Floyd: Pulse''
Rentals: ``Outbreak,'' ``Just Cause,'' ``Boys on the Side,'' ``Nobody's Fool,'' ``The Brady Bunch Movie''
The Couch Report
``Before the Rain'' (PolyGram, 1994). This foreign-film Oscar nominee is as intricately constructed as it is ideologically haunting. Writer/director Milcho Manchevski tells his story in three parts - Words, Faces and Pictures - shifting between a civil war in his native Macedonia and London. The lives of those involved parallel, cross and eventually connect with a passion rarely seen in movies. Rade Serbedzjia is especially memorable as a war photographer burdened by the horrors of his career. (Subtitled) Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Rade Serbedzjia, Katrin Cartlidge, Gregoire Colin. UNRATED, violence, language, nudity; 112 mins.)
``Century'' (PolyGram, 1995). Clive Owen plays a young doctor who joins a research institute in 1900 London. His skill and ambition win the favor of those in charge; prejudice and rivalry get him expelled. With the love of a level-headed lab assistant (Miranda Richardson), he finds the courage to stand up for what's right. It's a bit soap opeary, but this drama raises questions about the price of progress and the excitement and uncertainites of tomorrow that apply today. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Clive Owen, Miranda Richardson, Charles Dance, Neil Stuke. RATED: R for themes, nudity, mild language; 112 mins.)
``Major Payne'' (MCA/Universal, 1995). There's no questioning Damon Wayans' comedic credentials. So why do his films come up a step short? He's a tough ex-Marine who whips an ROTC class into shape. It's predictable material, and Wayans doesn't do a whole lot with it. As Homey the Clown - now there's a movie - would say, ``I don't think so!'' Videomatic says: C-
(CAST: Damon Wayans, Karyn Parsons, Steve Martini, Chris Owen. RATED: PG-13 for language; 98 mins.)
``The Jerky Boys: The Movie'' (Touchstone, 1995.) You can't get too worked up over a movie this unpretentiously STOOPID. Based on the Boys' best-selling discs, they get into trouble following a prank phone call to a mobster. On the plus side, the running time is tight and, watching it after a day at the grindstone, there's something righteous about Johnny B.'s and Kamal's stuff-it attitude. Videomatic says: C-
(CAST: Johnny Brennan, Kamal, Alan Arkin. RATED: R for language; 81 mins.)
Also: Bushels of scares in ``Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest'' (R); ``A Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story,'' a biopic about the Olympic gold-medalist (unrated); Alfre Woodard and Charles Dutton in ``The Piano Lesson,'' an adaptation of the August Wilson play (PG); Sissy Spacek and Joan Plowright in the drama, ``A Place for Annie'' (PG), and ``Digital Man,'' sci-fi action with Ed Lauter and Adam Baldwin (R).
Just for kids
``A Goofy Movie'' (Walt Disney, 1995). The Goof comes through bigtime in his first starring gig. Not only does the stylish, fluid animation fit the story's contemporary tone, but parents and kids will appreciate the trials of Goofy and his teenage son Max as they rediscover their love and respect for each other on a road trip out West. A neat mix of heart and humor with sly sight gags and clever cameos at every turn. Videomatic says: B
(VOICES of Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, Kellie Martin. RATED: G; 78 mins.)
``To Catch a Yeti'' (PolyGram, 1995.) Here's news: Bigfoot is really a cute little guy with big feet. He's tracked to New York (don't ask how) by a hunter hired to catch him for a rich man's spoiled brat. Made for the Disney Channel, it's a mediocre, cheap-looking story. Meat Loaf provides the only real fun as beastly Big Jake Grizzly. Videomatic says: C-
(CAST: Meat Loaf, Chantallese Kent, Jim Gordon, Rick Howland. UNRATED, mild language, bullying of kids; 88 mins.)
DITTO: KidVision puts a spin on its popular ``Real Wheels'' line with ``Rockin' Real Wheels.'' ``Bulldozer Songs,'' ``Train Songs'' and ``Fire Truck Songs'' go for $10.95.
KidVision and artist William Wegman are collaborating on the series, ``Fay Presents.'' ``Alphabet Soup'' and ``Fay's 12 Days of Christmas'' list for $12.95.
NEXT TUESDAY: ``The Madness of King George,'' ``Losing Isaiah,'' ``Jefferson in Paris,'' ``A Little Princess,'' ``Little Odessa,'' ``A Man of No Importance,'' ``Indictment: The McMartin Trial,'' ``Trade Off,'' ``Beyond Forgiveness,'' ``Dead Beat,'' ``Virtual Assassin,'' ``Arctic Blue,'' ``Buffalo Girls'' ILLUSTRATION: Samuel L. Jackson stars in Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction."
by CNB