THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 14, 1995 TAG: 9511140025
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: VIDEOMATIC
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 146 lines
THOSE OF YOU who are regular readers - those of you with too much time to burn - won't be surprised to learn that this crew is a pretty principled bunch.
``We Sit Through Anything'' is our motto. We always keep the Meg Ryan red flag handy. Martin Scorsese can do no wrong. Sly Stallone owes us a refund.
But Videomatic's first commandment is, ``Thou shalt be timely.'' For real. Timeliness is next to cleanliness around here, and you know where cleanliness rates. Why write about something that's already on the shelves?
Because the staff was in therapy last week and we want to be certain that two releases, ``A Christmas Carol'' (Fox, $14.98) and ``A Great Day in Harlem'' (ABC Video, $19.95), aren't lost in the shuffle.
George C. Scott is Scrooge in this superb TV production, which has been kicking around the schedule since 1984. He's supported by a solid cast of familiar Brits: David Warner, Roger Rees, Susannah York and Nigel Davenport. Frank Finlay, as Jacob Marley, and Edward Woodward, as the Ghost of Christmas Present, are especially good.
Director Clive Donner, whose film credits include ``What's New Pussycat?'' and ``The Nude Bomb,'' took his cameras to the snowy English town of Shrewsbury, so the look is authentic.
No need to go into the story. But parents should know this is a faithful adaptation of Dickens' oft-done story, meaning there are some harrowing moments kids shouldn't sit through alone. You won't mind, anyway. The video debut of this timeless production is most welcome.
``A Great Day in Harlem'' is an Oscar-nominated documentary about a 1958 photo shoot that drew, among others, Thelonius Monk, Lester Young, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Count Basie and Coleman Hawkins to 125th Street. The turnout was prompted by Esquire magazine, which was devoting its January 1959 issue to New York's jazz scene.
The 60-minute time capsule includes interviews with Robert Benton, then an editor at Esquire, and Art Kane, the art director who coordinated the shoot. Not knowing who would show up, they spread the word around the jazz clubs and waited. In all, 58 people posed in front of a Harlem brownstone.
Director Jean Bach interviewed some of the participants; their recollections and anecdotes are priceless. She also wove in vintage performance footage and behind-the-scenes home movies taken that memorable day by bassist Milt Hinton and his wife, Mona.
Living history doesn't get any better.
PRICED TO GO: The good news is that $20, give or take some change, buys ``Hoop Dreams,'' ``Dumb and Dumber'' (both New Line), ``The Professional,'' ``The Shawshank Redemption'' and ``Little Women'' (all Columbia TriStar). The bad news is it also buys ``Mixed Nuts'' (Columbia TriStar).
TOP VIDEOS (in Billboard):
Sales: ``Casper,'' ``Cinderella,'' ``Star Wars Trilogy,'' ``The Santa Clause,'' ``Legends of the Fall''
Rentals: ``Pulp Fiction,'' ``While You Were Sleeping,'' ``French Kiss,'' ``Casper,'' ``Rob Roy''
The Couch Report
``Crimson Tide'' (Hollywood, 1995). A nuclear sub is all that stands in the way of World War III. The plot is routine: A crusty, by-the-book skipper and his Ivy League executive officer are on opposing sides. Mutiny leads to double-mutiny. Still, it's an exciting yarn, thanks to solid performances from Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. Director Tony Scott adds his considerable flair, creating a charged, claustrophobic atmosphere. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, George Dzundza, Viggo Mortensen. RATED: R for language, mild violence; 116 mins.)
``Dolores Claiborne'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Kathy Bates should star in every Stephen King adaptation. She's terrific as the ostracized, stubborn Claiborne, suspected of murdering her abusive husband and, 20 years later, her bullying employer. Jennifer Jason Leigh is her estranged daughter. Taylor Hackford's stylish technique keeps the parallel mysteries moving. The movie had a short theatrical run. Here's your second chance. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Kathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Straitharn, Christopher Plummer. RATED: R for language, violence; 132 mins.)
``The Underneath'' (MCA/Universal, 1994). Steven Soderbergh's noirish thriller, loosely based on the 1948 Grade-B ``Criss Cross,'' rates up there with the Coen brothers' ``Blood Simple.'' An armored-car heist is only the jumping-off point for a probing study of isolation, betrayal and sibling rivalry. It'll also keep you guessing up to the end. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Peter Gallagher, Alison Elliott, Elisabeth Shue, William Fichtner, Joe Don Baker. RATED: R for violence, language, themes; 100 mins.)
``Strawberry and Chocolate'' (Miramax, 1995). Over-the-top funny and painfully topical, this foreign film Oscar nominee manages a neat balancing act. Set in Havana, it's about an unlikely friendship between a worldly homosexual and a young party member. It's also a clear commentary on contemporary Cuba and what defines freedom. (Subtitled) Videomatic says: B+
(CAST: Vladimir Cruz, Jorge Perugorria, Mirta Ibarra. RATED: R for nudity, language, themes; 110 mins.)
``My Family'' (New Line, 1995). A touching look at the American Dream through the eyes of a Mexican family that settles in 1920s California. Edward James Olmos is the son who narrates the 60-year saga; Esai Morales and Jimmy Smits are excellent as the brother who runs with the wrong crowd and his younger sibling whose life is defined, then redefined, by tragedy. Videomatic says: B+
(CAST: Jimmy Smits, Esai Morales, Edward James Olmos, Eduardo Lopez Rojas, Jenny Gago. RATED: R for language, violence, brief nudity; 121 mins.)
``Bad Boys'' (Columbia TriStar, 1995). Two cops trace $1 million in stolen heroin through Miami. This loud Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer production sticks to the action-film blueprint, leaving the driving to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Their comic interplay is the main attraction. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Tea Leoni, Joe Pantolino. RATED: R for language, violence; 119 mins.)
``Mad Love'' (Touchstone, 1995). Try ``Bad Love.'' Drew Barrymore is a spoiled brat with psychological problems. Usually reliable Chris O'Donnell is the goody-goody who takes a shine to her. They hit the road but run out of gas. The movie does, too, long before the credits. Videomatic says: D
(CAST: Chris O'Donnell, Drew Barrymore, Joan Allen, Kevin Dunn. RATED: R for language, brief nudity; 106 mins.)
``Temptress'' (Paramount, 1995). Remember the Renting Rules, then apply this new one: If it's produced by Playboy Films, rent it. The story involves a vengeful goddess who is using a photographer to do her dirty work. Corbin Bernsen and Ben Cross should turn in their union cards. Videomatic says: D-
(CAST: Kim Delaney, Chris Sarandon, Corbin Bernsen, Ben Cross, Dee Wallace Stone. RATED: R for nudity, violence; 93 mins.)
Also: Oliver Platt in ``The Infiltrator,'' an HBO drama about neo-Nazism; action with greasy Mickey Rourke in ``Fall Time'' (R); ``Shattered Dreams,'' a domestic drama starring Lindsay Wagner (unrated); Paul Winfield in the sci-fi thriller ``White Dwarf'' (unrated); and ``Frankenstein Sings,'' a spoof with Candace Cameron (unrated).
Vid for kids
``Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home'' (Warner, 1995.) Fearless forecast: Fans of the original will go for the action-oriented sequel. First-timers will enjoy the cinematograpy and whale footage. Jesse (Jason James Richter) helps Willy and his siblings escape a deadly oil slick and greedy profiteers. It's much better when the cameras are on the whales. Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Jason James Richter, Michael Madsen, Jayne Atkinson, August Schellenberg. RATED: PG for tension, mild language; 98 mins.)
Next Tuesday: ``Apollo 13,'' ``Congo,'' ``Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie,'' ``Johnny Mnemonic,'' ``Fluke,'' ``The Phoenix and the Magic Carpet,'' ``When the Dark Man Calls,'' ``Tall, Dark and Deadly,'' ``Broken Trust,'' ``Tecumseh,'' ``Cyber Bandits,'' ``Project Shadowchaser 3000,'' ``Automatic,'' ``Cyber Bandits'' ILLUSTRATION: George C. Scott as Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol"
FRANK MICELOTTA
Dizzy Gillespie was among 58 jazz notables whose gathering in 1958
is documented in ``A Great Day in Harlem.''
ON THE SHELF
[For a copy of this week's videos, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB