THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 26, 1995 TAG: 9509260047
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 142 lines
TWO OR THREE of you may be disappointed because Videomatic is going to get right down to business. Can't help it. There just wasn't time to come up with that rock 'em-sock 'em intro, that pithy wordplay, that you count on every Tuesday.
For one thing, the staff was shell-shocked after sifting through eight new releases in, like, five days. For another, the boss is insisting that we get off our duffs, venture into the daylight and find some stories. Hmmph.
Anyway, duty - and the mortgage - call.
The Couch Report
``Once Were Warriors'' (New Line, 1995). It's hard to imagine a more powerful film, or one that will leave you more emotionally drained, than Lee Tamahori's explosive debut. It centers on a Maori family who, displaced from their roots, find themselves adrift in contemporary New Zealand. Violence tears from within and without until Beth (Rena Owen) musters the strength to save her children and herself. Temuera Morrison is truly frightening as the brutish husband. The mesmerizing imagery is well-served by the soundtrack. Videomatic says: A+
(CAST: Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell. RATED: R for brutal violence, language, brief nudity; 102 mins.)
``Don Juan DeMarco'' (New Line, 1995). Johnny Depp is perfect as a dashing stranger who claims to be the legendary lover; he wears every gesture and inflection on his sleeve. But the great surprise is watching Marlon Brando, as the psychiatrist treating him, (figuratively) lighten up and enjoy a role. In his young patient, the doctor rediscovers the spark missing in his own life. The chemistry and rapport between Brando and Depp is genuine. A handsome, stylish production. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway. RATED: PG for situations, mild language, brief nudity; 92 mins.)
``Funny Bones'' (Hollywood, 1995). Oliver Platt plays a comic who bombs in Vegas, flees his famous father (Jerry Lewis) and returns to Blackpool, England, where he lived as a boy. There, he learns the painful secrets behind great comedy. How does that fit with a pair of feet that wash ashore and wax eggs containing a magical youth powder? Like its protagonist, this thoughtful little comedy isn't afraid to take risks. By turns somber and absurd, it makes perfect sense. Videomatic says: A-
(CAST: Oliver Platt, Jerry Lewis, Lee Evans, Freddie Davies, George Carl, Leslie Caron; RATED: R for language, violence; 128 mins.)
``Roommates'' (Hollywood, 1995). Credit a down-to-earth performance by Peter Falk for holding the schmaltz to a minimum. Even under layers of makeup, his cantankerous, Polish baker is the real thing. After Rocky takes in his orphaned grandson, the two develop a bond that bends but doesn't break. D.B. Sweeney does a good job as the grandson, who faces up to the future by coming to terms with the past. Funny and touching. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Peter Falk, D.B. Sweeney, Julianne Moore, Ellen Burstyn. RATED: R for language, situations; 109 mins.)
``Son of the Shark'' (Fox Lorber, 1993). Agnes Merlet's haunting debut owes much of its dramatic thrust to Francois Truffaut. It's an unsettling story about two abandoned young brothers who terrorize a seaside town in France. While no one can separate them, there is little salvation in their ties. Ludovic Vandendaele and Erick Da Silva bring the grit and vulnerability of seasoned pros to their first roles. (Subtitled) Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Ludovic Vandendaele, Erick Da Silva, Sandrine Blancke. UNRATED, language, violence; 85 mins.)
``December Bride'' (Fox Lorber, 1994). In turn-of-the-century rural Ireland, a woman defies convention and becomes the lover of two brothers. Ostracized by church and community, Sarah, independent and determined, holds to her principles - until her daughter, who is about to marry, asks that she do likewise. The film creates a strong sense of place that suits its quiet, yet forceful, tone. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Saskia Reeves, Donal McCann, Ciaran Hinds. UNRATED, themes, mild violence; 90 mins.)
``New Jersey Drive'' (MCA/Universal, 1995). A young man from a loving home submits to the lure of the streets and runs with the pack, stealing cars and going joy-riding. Nothing new there, or here. The characters are caricatures, and the issues are black and white. Writer/director Nick Gomez doesn't do much with his thin premise; instead, he sticks to what has become a tiresome formula. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Sharron Corley, Gabriel Casseus, Saul Stein, Gwen McGee. RATED: R for language, violence)
Also: Leonardo DiCaprio in ``The Basketball Diaries,'' based on the writings of poet/rocker Jim Carroll (R); ``Number One Fan,'' a thriller with Chad McQueen (R); and Reba McEntire and Keith Carradine in the drama ``Is There Life Out There'' (not rated)
Vids for kids
``Prehysteria! 3'' (Paramount, 1995). Moonbeam goes for the hat trick, bringing back its popular pygmy dinosaurs to help a girl save the family mini-golf course from her greedy uncle. The third time is less than a charm, though. The novelty has worn off, the FX are routine and the acting is below par, which is good only in golf. Videomatic says: C-
(CAST: Whitney Anderson, Fred Willard, Bruce Weitz. RATED: PG but nothing offensive; 85 mins.)
From Turner: ``The Flintstones Christmas Carol'' ($14.98), ``Casper's First Christmas,'' ``Hanna-Barbera's Christmas Sing-a-Long,'' ``How the Flintstones Saved Christmas,'' ``Yogi Bear's All-Star Christmas Caper,'' ``The Steadfast Tin Soldier,'' ``The Little Troll Prince,'' ``A Christmas Story'' ($9.98)
Orion: Four ``Storyteller's Classics'' narrated by Dudley Moore: ``Sleeping Beauty,'' ``The Nutcracker,'' ``Peter and the Wolf'' and ``Swan Lake'' ($29.98 for the set)
WarnerVision: The Olsen twins in ``The Case of the Fun House Mystery,'' ``The Case of the Christmas Caper'' and ``You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Party'' ($12.95)
KidVision: ``A Christmas 'Giff,'' the first title in Kathie Lee Gifford's new musical series, ``Kathie Lee's Rock n' Tots Cafe'' ($12.95)
BOXED TO GO: The honeymoon isn't over. MPI is releasing a 12-volume set, ``The Honeymooners Lost Episodes,'' plus a bonus tape, ``The History of the Lost Episodes: The First Season.'' ($129.98/$14.98 per tape)
``The Burt Lancaster Collection'' includes ``Elmer Gantry,'' ``Birdman of Alcatraz'' and ``Sweet Smell of Success.'' ``In the Heat of the Night,'' ``They Call Me Mr. Tibbs'' and ``The Organization'' make up ``The Sidney Poitier Collection.'' (MGM/UA, $49.92 each)
Orion is in on the collection thing, too, with Jodie Foster (``The Hotel New Hampshire,'' ``The Silence of the Lambs,'' ``Little Man Tate''); two Woody Allen sets (``Broadway Danny Rose,'' ``Radio Days'' and ``The Purple Rose of Cairo,'' ``Alice,'' ``Hannah and Her Sisters'' and ``Crimes and Misdemeanors''), and two Vincent Price four-packs, one featuring Poe adaptations (``Tales of Terror,'' ``Conqueror Worm,'' ``The Tomb of Ligeia'' and ``The Masque of the Red Death'') and the other ``Scream and Scream Again,'' ``Master of the World,'' ``The Abominable Dr. Phibes'' and ``Dr. Phibes Rises Again.'' ($39.98 to $59.98).
Orion's also packaged the three ``RoboCop'' films and ``Jean de Florette'' and ``Manon of the Spring.'' ($39.98 each)
TOP TAPES (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Playboy: The Best of Pamela Anderson,'' ``Star Wars,'' ``A Goofy Movie,'' ``Mortal Kombat-The Animated Video,'' ``Star Wars Trilogy''
Rentals: ``Outbreak,'' ``Just Cause,'' ``The Quick and the Dead,'' ``Nobody's Fool,'' ``Circle of Friends''
Next Tuesday: ``French Kiss,'' ``The Browning Version,'' ``Bulletproof Heart,'' ``Relative Fear,'' ``Symphantasy''
Oct. 4: ``Cinderella'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos Don Juan DeMarco
Once were warriors
B\W Photo by BOB MARSHAK, Buena Vista Pictures
Peter Falk, right, single-handedly raises his orphaned grandson
(D.B. Sweeney) in ``Roommates.''
by CNB