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ONLINE VIDEO REVIEW
COPYRIGHT 1992
ISSUE #2 JUNE 1992
????? PUBLISHED, WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: BETH A. SPOTTS ?????
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR............
Welcome to "ONLINE VIDEO REVIEW," "OLIVER" for short, an online
publication dedicated to the subject of movies on videocassette.
Each issue will list the major theatrical releases that will be
available on video tape in the next few months. Then, I will
provide a brief review or synopsis of some of the films which are new in
stores or will be there shortly. Some other sections in this and coming
issues include an "oldie but goodie" selection, whereby I review/synopsize a
movie which has been out on video for awhile, but that you may have
missed. I plan to add additional sections to this publication based upon
reader response and suggestions.
NEW IN THIS ISSUE: In the June issue of "Oliver," you will notice
several added features. For example, I have added a "newsmakers" section
which highlights happenings in the video industry, such as new policies
and new video releases of special interest as well as other interesting
tidbits. Also, the listing of new and upcoming releases will include
from time to time a synopsis of the film, particularly when the film
was not widely released in theaters and/or not heavily advertised.
Remember, some of the best films may never make it to your hometown,
and, thus, you may never have heard of them. I will make no recommendations
on these films, but may relay any information I have on its critical success.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
? N E W S M A K E R S ?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? PROGRAM PROMOTES WEDNESDAY AS NEW RELEASE DAY ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
In the news this month, the National Association of Video Distributors
(NAVD), in conjunction with supporting studios, is implementing a
program whereby all studios are encouraged to adopt Wednesday as a
common day for releasing new rental products. They feel that this
program will benefit retailers by stimulating mid-week traffic,
reducing COD charges, creating promotional opportunities, saving
shipping costs, and increasing turns per copy.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? CABIN FEVER RELEASES LAUREL & HARDY VIDEO ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
Also making video news, Cabin Fever Entertainment recently announced
it will release "A Tribute to Laurel & Hardy" on June 11, 1992 for
videocassette viewing. Host Dom Deluise joins an all-star salute to
"the Boys" with Johnny Carson, Steve Allen, Walter Matthau, Rich Little,
Henny Youngman and many others. The video will provide a look at
Laurel & Hardy's funniest moments from their best-loved films, including
"A Chump at Oxford," "Saps at Sea," "Flying Deuces", and "Way Out West."
It will also include rare scnens from Laurel & Hardy's silent film
era. The tribute was most recently exclusively on the Disney Channel
premium cable station, but will soon be available for all comedy fans.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? ANASTASIA MYSTERY FINALLY SOLVED ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
Last month, "Oliver" reviewed a television movie called "Anastasia:
The Mystery of Anna," which was released on videocassette in May.
The review stated that Anna Anderson vehemently claimed to be the
presumed-dead daughter of the last czar of Russia, and spent
most of her life trying to prove it. At the time, nobody knew for sure.
Shortly after the May issue of Oliver was released, headlines announced
all over the world that archeologists had found the long-lost remains
of Czar Nicholas II's family a while back, and recently positively
identified the real Anastasia as being among them. Revolutionists
brutally massacred the family in early 20th-century Russia. Although
it will probably always be a mystery as to whether Anna Anderson was
simply a very convincing imposter or a disturbed woman who actually
believed she was Anastasia, researchers now know that her assertion
had no basis in fact.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? WARHOL'S "DRACULA" GIVEN NEW LEASE ON LIFE ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
On June 17, the late Andy Warhol's ghoulish cult classic "Dracula"
will find its way into video rental stores across the country.
Udo Kier portrays a young, demented Count Dracula with an obsession
for "virgin" blood, unfolding a bizarre and twisted tale that
received rave reviews. The video release will be available in two
versions, the 91-minute R-rated and 94-minute Unrated.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? FIGHTS... DRAMA... ACTION! ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
MGM/UA Home Video is promoting its upcoming series, Leading Men III,
which will include nine new releases of classic films as well as
five repackaged, price-reduced hits.
The new releases include "All Fall Down," an early Warren Beatty
flick; "The Badlanders," starring Alan Ladd and Ernest Borgnine;
"The Fugitive Kind" with Marlon Brando; "The Train," starring Burt
Lancaster; "Witness for the Prosecution," starring Tyrone Power;
"The Cincinnati Kid," with Steve McQueen; "The Gallant Hours"
with James Cagney; "The Prize," starring Paul Newman; "The Search,"
with Montgomery Clift; and "Tomorrow is Forever" starring Orson
Welles.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? MGM RELEASES SIX NEW HUMPHREY BOGART VIDEOS ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
The month of May marked the release of six new MGM videos starring
Humphrey Bogart. "All Through the Night," "Conflict," "Battle Circus,"
"The Two Mrs. Carrolls," "Virginia City," and "Chain Lightning"
are now available for the first time on home video. Bogart stars
with such acting giants as Errol Flynn, Raldolph Scott, and
Barbara Stanwyck in these movies, which retail for around $19.98.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? RENT THE ORIGINALS NOW... THE SEQUELS COMETH ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
What do "The Addams Family," "Batman" and "Honey I Shrunk the Kids"
all have in common? They are some of the more popular movies
available on video cassette that will spawn sequels this year
for major theatrical release. "Batman Returns" will hit theaters
this month, with "The Addams Family II" this fall and "Honey I
Blew Up the Kids" later this summer.
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
? PLEASE REGISTER "OLIVER" TO KEEP UP TO DATE ????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????
This magazine is, as of now, FREE. However, I would greatly appreciate
your registering your copy just for my information. Reader response
and comments will determine the fate of future issues. A registration
form will accompany this text file. Thank you, and enjoy.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
? UPCOMING MAJOR VIDEO RELEASES ?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
! = Release reviewed in this issue of OLIVER.
!"JFK"
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Kevin Costner, Sissy Spacek, Kevin Bacon, Joe Pesci, Donald Sutherland
Approximate Release Date: June 1, 1992
!"STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY"
Directed by: Nicholas Meyer
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Kim Cattral, Christopher Plummer
Approximate Release Date: July 1, 1992
"THE MAN IN THE MOON"
Directed by: Robert Mulligan
Sam Watterson
Approximate Release Date: July 1, 1992
"THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE"
(animated)
Approximate Release Date: July 17, 1992
"FOR RICHER, FOR POORER"
Directed by: Jay Sandrich
Jack Lemmon, Talia Shire, Jonathan Silverman
Approximate Release Date: July 1, 1992
"COLD JUSTICE"
Directed by: Terry Green
Roger Daltrey, Dennis Waterman
Approximate Release Date: June 24, 1992
"EVERYBODY'S FINE" (Italian with English Subtitles)
Directed by: Giuseppe Tornatore
Marcello Mastroianni, Salvatore Cascio
Approximate Release Date: July 1, 1992
"BUGSY"
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Annette Bening, Warren Beatty
Approximate Release Date: July 1, 1992
!"THE ADDAMS FAMILY"
Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd
Approximate Release Date: June 18, 1992
"CAPE FEAR"
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Robert DeNiro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange
Approximate Release Date: June 4, 1992
"DEAD IN THE WATER"
Directed by: Bill Condon
Bryan Brown, Veronica Cartwright, Teri Hatcher
Approximate Release Date: June 18, 1992
"WAXWORK II: LOST IN TIME"
Directed by: Anthony Hickox
Zach Galligan, Alexander Godunov, Bruce Campbell
Approximate Release Date: June 10, 1992
"ILLICIT BEHAVIOR"
Directed by: Worth Keeter
Robert Davi, Joan Severance, Jack Scalia, James Russo
Approximate Release Date: June 3, 1992
A thriller which will be released in both R-rated and unrated
versions, "Illicit Behavior" focuses on a burned-out cop under
investigation for use of excessive force. Suspended from duty,
he takes out his anger on his lovely wife, who has her own plans
brewing for revenge in a complex game of seduction and destruction.
"CAFE ROMEO"
Catherine Mary Stewart, Jonathan Crombie
Approximate Release Date: June 11, 1992
In this drama, regulars at a neighborhood coffeehouse help a lovely
waitress realize her dream of breaking out of a dead-end marriage to a
bum to have a fashion career in New York City.
"LET HIM HAVE IT"
Directed by: Peter Medak
Christopher Eccleston, Paul Reynolds, Tom Bell, Eileen Atkins
Approximate Release Date: June 24, 1992
"ALMOST PREGNANT"
Directed by: Michael Deluise
Jeff Conaway, Tanya Roberts, Joan Severance, Dom Deluise
Approximate Release Date: June 10, 1992
"AMITYVILLE 1992: IT'S ABOUT TIME"
Directed by: Tony Randel
Stephen Macht, Shawn Weatherby, Megan Ward
Approximate Release Date: July 16, 1992
"THE BALLAD OF THE SAD CAFE"
Directed by: Simon Callow
Vanessa Redgrave, Keith Carradine, Rod Steiger
Approximate Release Date: June 17, 1992
"THE INNER CIRCLE"
Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky
Tom Hulce ("Amadeus," "Dominick & Eugene," "Parenthood"
Lolita Davidovich ("Blaze," "JFK")
Bob Hoskins ("Hook," "Mermaids," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit")
Approximate Release Date: July 15, 1992
Filmed in Russia, a movie that bills itself as "an epic love story with
the romance of Dr. Zhivago and the power of truth," "The Inner Circle"
is based on a true story of Ivan Sanshin, an eyewitness to Soviet history.
"FORD: THE MAN & THE MACHINE"
Cliff Robertson stars as Henry Ford, that ultimate example of the
American Dream with well-known achievements and dark obsessions.
A 3 1/2 hour epic also starring Hope Lange, Michael Ironside,
Heather Thomas and R.H. Thomson, the movie chronicles Ford's rise
from humble Detroit mechanic to the world's wealthiest man. Approximate
Release Date: June 25, 1992.
"ALIEN SPACE AVENGER"
Directed by: Richard W. Haines
Gina Mastrogiacomo, Robert Prichard, Angela Nicholas
In this B-movie science fiction yarn, planet earth is transformed into
a ravaged battleground when an alien space craft containing a crew of
outer space ruffians crash lands in New York City. Chased by
intergalactic bounty hunters, the aliens hide inside the bodies of
humans in order to evade their stalkers. Video version is unrated.
Approximate Release Date: June 4, 1992.
"GRAND CANYON"
Kevin Kline, Steve Martin
Approximate Release Date: June 25, 1992
ALSO REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE:
"NECESSARY ROUGHNESS"
"THE COMMITMENTS"
"NOTHING BUT TROUBLE"
Plus, this month's oldie but goodie and children's pick.
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V I D E O R E V I E W S
"JFK" * * * ?
This Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner starring Kevin Costner
from controversial director Oliver Stone boasts the most spectacular
supporting cast of any movie in recent memory, including Edward Asner,
Kevin Bacon, John Candy, Tommy Lee Jones, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau,
Laurie Metcalf, Gary Oldman, Joe Pesci, Sissy Spacek, Donald Sutherland,
and Sally Kirkland.
Costner plays a Georgia attorney who prosecutes a prominent businessman
with probable mob connections and a shadey private life for conspiring
to assasinate John F. Kennedy. Although admittedly fraught with
assumptions and guesses, "JFK" is brilliantly presented, thought provoking
cinema at its best. The film is widely criticized for its fictionaliza-
tions, but the viewer is surely smart enough to figure out when Stone
is showing a scene of what could have happened and when he is delivering
facts. Much of the movie concentrates on Costner's search through
people from all walks of life, from politicians to seedy prison inmates,
to find the truth about the assasination of the president of the
United States.
The research takes its toll on his personal life, virtually takes over
his life in fact. He dedicates all his time to his mission, and at the
end, though nobody still knows the true circumstances of JFK's death,
public opinion resulting from the movie is forcing the government to
release important documents relating to the investigation and causing
many to come forth with additional information.
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"THE ADDAMS FAMILY" * * *
Not just for goofy-TV-sitcom junkies, this film based on the spooky
family from long ago television which was in turn based on a comic strip
spins such a delightful web of creativity that we forget the predictable
plot and sometimes weak storyline.
Gomez and Morticia Addams, as well as their darling (?) children, are
startled when Gomez's long lost brother, Festus (Christopher Lloyd),
shows up suddenly. It seems that he survived his voyage through the
Bermuda Triangle after all, but suffered amnesia and just now
remembered where he belongs. The imposter fits in so well with
the cooky clan that his conniving mother fears he won't be able
to rob the Addams family blind and leave as was their plan.
The highlight of the film is Thing, that bodiless hand that exists
entirely in a box on TV but, thanks to the miracles of modern film
technology and the ingenuity of a master illusionist, goes anywhere
and everywhere in the movie. Thing hops from lily pad to lily pad
across a pond, pulls a red wagon, even hails a taxi, and also serves
as a hair-raising practical joke on visitors to the Addams mansion.
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"STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY" * * * ?
Entertaining and gripping for even the non-trekkie, the latest and
supposedly last voyage of the Enterprise, at least with Kirk & Company,
sends the crew on a mission of peace.
The Klingons, due to a natural disaster, will die out in less than 50
years without help from the Federation. Despite fierce arguments
against aiding their longtime enemies, Captain Kirk embarks on a journey
across space to escort the ambassador to meet with Klingon
representatives and negotiate for peace and understanding between the
two peoples.
Just as talks get underway, the chief Klingon ambassador is murdered,
along with some of his companions, and Kirk and McCoy are framed for
the crime. The captain and Bones end up in an intergalactic prison
on a frozen planet, their only hope of escape being a shape-changing
creature that looks a lot like super-model Iman most of the time,
but can get quite ugly.
As they fight their way out of prison, Kirk and McCoy formulate their
own theories as to whom is trying to sabotage the peacemaking process.
They must tread carefully since the traitors walk among the heroes.
Stunning special effects and thrilling action sequences grab
the attention and don't let go as the Enterprise catapults through
space to once again banish injustice in the universe. When human
tactics don't work, there's always the Vulcan Mind Meld, used in this
case to force a shipboard traitor into revealing the dastardly plot.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"THE COMMITMENTS" * * * ?
The story of an uncouth passel of Irish would-be musicians commands
attention not just because of its witty dialogue laced with snappy
comebacks and catchy one-liners, but also due to the fantastic
music they eventually get around to playing.
Manager Jimmy first begins his band with two members of another band
who are fed up with playing wedding receptions and sick to death of
their lead singer who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. So, suggests
the enterprising Jimmy, we dump the lead singer and form another band,
and I'll be the manager. Oh, and one more thing. We only play soul
music.
The auditions bring little luck: The Commitments comes together
mostly out of friends of Jimmy's and their friends. They come from
all walks of life, and each presents an interesting individual
character worthy of watching. There's Bernie, from a large, poverty
stricken family, who dreams of success with the band so she can
financially support the young'uns, as her mother is again expecting
and her father is greivously ill in a hospital. Joey "The Lips"
Fagan appears out of the blue to be the band's trumpeter, claiming
that God sent him to help them along, and that his vast experience
with American greats like B.B. King and Wilson Pickett will come in
handy. The other two women in the band, all of whom are backup
singers, Natalie and Imelda, are different as night and day, but both
love Jimmy, who steadfastly retains a strictly business relationship.
Their lead singer, a selfish, obnoxious lout who can belt out a tune
to rival the best, doesn't get along with the rest of the band, but
doesn't care.
Even with all these characters and more, the story flows easily, never
confuses, and ends satisfyingly. Memorable moments abound, from the
hilarious to the mildly amusing, and "The Commitments" on video is
bound to have people humming their songs and practicing their Irish
lilts.
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"NECESSARY ROUGHNESS" * * ?
Scott Bakula moves effortlessly from his regular role on TV's
"Quantum Leap" to a film where he portrays a non-traditional college
student going back to school in his 30's to finally realize his dream
of playing college football.
And the football team needs all the help it can get. The weasely dean,
unapproving of university athletics, has effectively eliminated most
of the team because of their inability to perform academically, and
what's left is a pretty sorry bunch.
Predictably, they overcome their handicaps and become a half decent team,
even though their team is so small they play "iron man football"--
all men play both offense and defense. Did I say men? Whoops.
Their kicker was recruited from the women's soccer team and is the
only female player in the league. She also scores most of their points.
If you can't stomach football even in small doses, don't bother with
this movie. But the mostly slapstick comedy and interesting characters
not to mention fine acting performances make the most of a so-so premise.
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"NOTHING BUT TROUBLE" no stars
How can a film starring comedic giants Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase
and John Candy as well as acclaimed "Ghost" actress Demi Moore
possibly miss? Try an absolutely stupid premise, an even dumber
script, and really, really bad make-up jobs, for starters.
When Chris and Diane (Chase and Moore), joined by two wacky
Brazilians, head for Atlantic City, they get, you guessed it,
nothing but trouble. It starts when they are stopped in Vulkenvania
for a routine traffic violation. But, in this town, there is no
such thing as routine. Taken up to "city hall" by Police Officer
Dennis (John Candy), their fate rests in the hands of the judge,
an ornery old coot oozing senility. The justice of the peace (Dan
Aykroyd), a 107-year-old vigilante, has a specific hatred for bankers,
and mistakenly pegs Chris for one. Although the two Brazilians escape,
Chris and Diane are stuck in the judge's looney bin of a castle,
where things are supposed to be nothing but funny, but turn out to
be nothing but ridiculous and downright pitiful.
Why these highly successful actors would waste their talents on such
a lemon of a movie is a mystery, but one thing is not: "Nothing But
Trouble" is nothing but painful to sit through. If this is the only
new release available, stick with the oldies but goodies.
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THIS MONTH'S OLDIE BUT GOODIE:
"EMMANUELLE" * * *
So, you think that by the premise of this film and its listing among
your favorite video store's "adult" pictures, that it's just another
porno flick masquerading as genuine cinema. But, despite its so-so
string of sequels ("Emmanuelle 5" is due for release June 25, 1992)
and its cable showings limited to late-night, "Emmanuelle" is
beautiful, erotic, nicely acted adult viewing.
The movie reveals its share of nudity (and then some), but has no
hard-core, explicit sex scenes, only sensual foreplay followed by
letting the imagination determine what comes next. In the film,
Emmanuelle, played by the long of limb, supple of body Sylvia Kristel,
accompanies her businessman husband on assignment in Bangkok. There,
all the other European women spend their days lounging nude by the pool,
soaking up the sun, or engaging in mildly lesbian relationships.
Their indifferent husbands never appear onscreen, but hover in the
background somewhere conducting business while their wives occupy
themselves.
Young, somewhat naive and extremely curious, Emmanuelle finds herself
embarking on a journey of erotic discovery, amidst beautiful people and
scenery. Although hardly a realistic slice of life, Emmanuelle presents
an ultimate fantasy of sorts which transports us to a world of what-ifs
and a look at hedonism first hand. It also lets us see the emotional
results, both positive and negative, of different types of sexual
liaisons, as well as the joy and security of marital relations. Not
for the prudish or especially sensitive, Emmanuelle should nonetheless
not be dismissed as a mindless skin flick.
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THIS MONTH'S CHILDREN'S PICK, ANOTHER OLDIE BUT GOODIE:
"THE LITTLE MERMAID" * * * *
One couldn't begin to describe the creativity and genius behind a
film like "The Little Mermaid," an animated picture about a young
mermaid named Ariel who lives at the bottom of the sea but wants to
become human so she can marry the man of her dreams.
The songs are magnificent, particularly those done by Sebastian the
Crab, and the characters almost pop off the screen with vitality.
Catchy reggae tunes abound, as do sweet, romantic ballads. Ariel
rescues the handsome prince from certain drowning when his ship is
caught in a storm, and from then on loves him. He loves her, too,
but can't remember what she looks like, only the sound of her voice
singing to him.
Desperate, Ariel bargains away her beautiful voice to the sea witch in
exchange for being made human, not realizing that it was her voice
that caused the prince to fall for her. So Ariel, sans fins and
sporting a new pair of legs, appears before the prince, unable to speak
or sing, hoping the prince will fall in love with her. However,
despite his physical attraction to her loveliness, he can't forget
the voice of the girl who saved him, and vows to marry only her. He
thinks he's found her when another pretty woman shows up on his
doorstep, one with the voice he worships--the sea witch in disguise.
Of course, everything works out for the prince and Ariel, and they
live happier ever after, but this being the case for all animated
children's flicks, it hardly has an effect on the beauty of the
picture.
The lesson to be learned here, that true love requires more than a pretty
face, comprises only part of the appeal of this movie. "The Little
Mermaid" is a classic both as a children's animated feature and as
lighthearted entertainment for the whole family.
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T H E E N D
This publication may not be duplicated in part or full without express
written permission of the publisher.
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