DVD Masthead created by Good & Associates

Guide to Home Video Releases: November Release Calendar DVD Releases Movies are rated on a scale of one to five, with five denoting a classic. For more information on how we rate, check out our Rentability Index. Back to Calendar Index. November 4 Finding Nemo Highest-grossing animated film of all time. The film follows the comic and eventful journeys of two fish -- Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (Alexander Gould) -- who become separated at the Great Barrier Reef. Nemo is captured by a dentist who wants a new addition to his office fish tank, and Marlin, with the aid of a friendly but forgetful fish named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son. Nemo, meanwhile, with the aid of the denizens of the dentist's fish tank, has his own plans on getting free. A delightful, warm, loving tale that will have every dad teary eyed by its conclusion. Director: Andrew Stanton. Voices of Albert Brooks, Alexander Gould, Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush, Barry Humphries, Austin Pendleton, John Ratzenberger, Allison Janney. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: G, 100 min., Animated, Box office gross: $326.000 million, Disney, $24.99 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Elle Woods, the fashion- conscious lawyer in pink, makes a return engagement in this mildly amusing tale aimed at adolescent (and pre-adolescent) girls. Elle is now onboard a prestigious Boston law firm and on the way to marrying her true love, Emmett Richmond (Luke Wilson). Things get political, however, when Elle hires a private investigator to locate the mother of her chihuahua, Bruiser, so that mother and son can enjoy Elle's upcoming wedding. Bruiser's mon, it turns out, is locked up in an animal testing facility, and Elle takes it upon herself to set the dog free. She travels to Washington, joins the staff of Congresswoman Rudd (Sally Field) and begins lobbying for animal rights. Elle turns black-suited Washington pink and proves once and for all that America is really the land of the free ... and the home of the blonde. The VHS features deleted scenes. Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld. Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, Regina King, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, Dana Ivey, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jessica Cauffiel, Bob Newhart, Luke Wilson. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 95 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $90.000 million, MGM, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights Animated Chanukah comedy fable that's also a musical, featuring the voices of Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider and Norm Crosby. When extremely disgruntled small-town guy Davey Shore (Adam Sandler) faces another holiday season in his New England home town, he does what he always has -- he gets drunk and lands in jail. Davey's old basketball coach bails him out with the bright idea of putting Danny to work doing community service. But Davey turns his sentence into a daily disaster for the whole town. After a few surprises -- including the mysterious reason for Davey's bad attitude and the reappearance of a childhood sweetheart -- Davey might find a reason to change his ways. Features a new version of Sandler's classic Chanukah song. Director: Seth Kearsley. Voices of Adam Sandler, Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, Norm Crosby, Jackie Titone, Austin Stout. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 71 min., Animated, Box office gross: $23.443 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date My World Live concert movie by multi-platinum recording artist Avril Lavigne, recorded in Buffalo, N.Y. on May 18, 2003. The 60-minute concert is supplemented with a 48-minute behind-the-tour-scenes featurette, five music videos, plus a six-song bonus audio CD. DVD only. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 108 min., Music concert, Fox, $26.98. DVD: Only. Washington Heights Set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York (north of Harlem), this is the story of an aspiring comic book artist of Dominican heritage who is forced to take over his family's bodega when his father is crippled by a gunshot from a robber. As the young man and his family fight to overcome the violence of their neighborhood, their struggle to find a better life is fueled with brutality and disappointment. Director: Alfredo De Villa. Stars: Tomas Milian, Manny Perez, Danny Hoch, Judy Reyes. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 93 min., Drama, Box office gross: $0.156 million, Lions Gate, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Dirty Deeds Business is as usual for prominent Australian gangster Barry Ryan (Bryan Brown), who runs the girls, clubs and illegal casinos. Ryan's wife, Sharon (Toni Collette), sees little of her husband as he spends most of his time with fellow mobsters or his mistress. But things start to get out of hand when Ryan's business is threatened by a Chicago mafia boss who sends two of his thugs to check out the casino scene for a takeover. When the two goons try to fit into the Australian culture, they stick out like sore thumbs. Barry will have a difficult time negotiating with the Americans, but the biggest drama occurs when he discovers that one of his own gang members has been less than truthful. Director: David Caesar. Stars: Toni Collette, Bryan Brown, Sam Neil, John Goodman. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 97 min., Comedy action, Paramount, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. November 11 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Arnold Schwarzenegger puts on his trademark shades and leather jacket to return as a time-traveling T-101 Terminator in this second sequel to the original "The Terminator." He's back from the future to protect youthful Earth Resistance leader John Connor (Nick Stahl) and an unsuspecting veterinarian, Kate Brewster, (Claire Danes) -- who's stunned to learn her destiny is linked with Connor -- from the machines bent on destroying the duo. But protecting the two is easier said than done. An awesome new foe is programmed to terminate them -- a state-of-the-art T-X (Kristanna Loken) who's smarter and stronger than a T-101. The film puts new spins on the Skynet/Judgment day scenario. With Judgment Day seemingly averted, Connor is no longer the savior of the future, and wanders aimlessly with no purpose in life. But, lo and behold, Skynet still exists, and is set to kick-in in a matter of days. The machines of the future send T-X to eliminate not only Connor but his future comrades-in-arms. It takes awhile for all this to seep into Connor's brain, but, with the aid of the Terminator and Brewster, the future may still have a chance. There's dazzling effects and bravura thrills (a crane and car chase sequence will leave you particularly breathless) but the story moves a little too slowly to make this outing a true inheritor of the "Terminator" crown. Stahl and Danes are all too irritating as the leads but three cheers for Schwarzenegger. Director: Jonathan Mostow. Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes, Kristanna Loken, David Andrews. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 108 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $150.000 million, Warner, $22.96 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd In this prequel to "Dumb & Dumber" (1994), Lloyd (Eric Christian Olsen) and Harry (Derek Richardson) are united for the first time. It's the first day of high school and Harry, having been home-schooled by his mother, needs someone to show him the ropes. Lloyd, who lives in the school's basement with his adoptive dad, the school custodian, turns out to be just the guy. The pair unwittingly fall victim to the evil plans of corrupt principal Collins (Eugene Levy) and his girlfriend, head lunch lady Ms. Heller, who put Harry and Lloyd into a bogus "special needs" class in order to bilk the school district out of $100,000 in grant money. Harry and Lloyd venture out to recruit more students for the new class, and unwittingly catch the attention of hard-hitting school newspaper reporter Jessica (Rachel Nichols), who suspects foul play and gets involved with the bumbling twosome. A few bathroom and sexual fantasy gags and plenty of dumb and dull jokes fill out a weak script that doesn't equal the Peter and Bobby Farrelly original, which starred Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, a gross-out comedy that caused audiences to roar with laughter. Director: Troy Miller. Stars: Derek Richardson, Eric Christian Olsen, Luis Guzman, Mimi Rogers, Eugene Levy, Cheri Oteri, William Lee Scott, Lin Shaye, Shia LeBeouf, Bob Saget, Rachel Nichols. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 96 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $26.096 million, New Line, $19.96 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Housekeeper, The In director Claude Berri's latest tale, set in Paris and the majestic beaches of Normandy, Jacques (Jean Pierre Bacri) is a bachelor living alone after his wife (Catherine Breillat) has left him. Deciding to get his life back in order, he hires a housekeeper, Laura (Emilie Dequenne), to plow through the mess that's overtaken his apartment. He soon learns that she's never done a day of housework in her life. However, her presence adds a joyful spark to his life that's been missing too long and reawakens feelings that Jacques thought were beyond revival. Director: Claude Berri. Stars: Jean-Pierre Bacri, Emilie Dequenne, Catherine Breillat. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 86 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $0.397 million, Palm Pictures. DVD: Only. Music Man, The Starring Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick as Harold Hill, this telefilm adaptation of the classic musical includes some of the best-loved songs in American musical history, including "Gary, Indiana," "Ya Got Trouble," "76 Trombones," "Marian the Librarian" and many more. Con artist Harold Hill (Matthew Broderick) arrives in River City with a smooth scheme to bilk the town and get out fast. Harold's going to pretend to lead a marching band but leave with his pay before he has to do any work. Things get mixed up, however, when Harold gets interested in local librarian Marian (Kristin Chenoweth). Through a set of comical circumstances and great songs, Harold's plans provide the townspeople with a joyous musical celebration. Director: Jeff Bleckner. Stars: Matthew Broderick, Victor Garber, Molly Shannon, Kristin Chenoweth. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 133 min., Musical, Buena Vista, $19.99 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Eloise at the Plaza The classic, beloved character that has captured the hearts of generations made her television debut in this telefilm starring Julie Andrews. This video release of the telefilm features collectible packaging with all-new artwork from Hilary Knight, the original "Eloise" illustrator who has worked with the books for decades. An exclusive collectible lithograph by Knight is included inside each DVD or VHS purchase. Andrews plays Nanny, the "rawther" British guardian to Eloise (Sofia Vassilieva) -- a precocious but lovable six-year-old resident of New York's Plaza Hotel who endlessly roams the landmark in search of adventure. Along with her pug dog, Weenie, and turtle, Skipperdee, who eats raisins and wears sneakers, Eloise is always causing mischief and mayhem, often dragging a beleaguered Nanny -- "my mostly companion" -- along for the ride. Director: Kevin Lima. Stars: Julie Andrews, Jeffrey Tambor, Kenneth Welsh, Debra Monk, Christine Baranski, Sofia Vassilieva. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 120 min., Family, Buena Vista, $19.99 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Gerry Two best friends (Matt Damon and Casey Affleck) who call themselves "Gerry" find themselves on a hike in the desert. They decide to take a trail off the main path, but what begins as a daytime adventure turns into a journey that will test the limits of their endurance and their friendship. And this film will test an audience's endurance as most of the film has the two characters walking and talking, walking and talking, walking and talking -- with little action until the end. Director: Gus Van Sant. Stars: Matt Damon, Casey Affleck. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 103 min., Drama, Box office gross: $0.236 million, Miramax, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Chaos Comic-tinged French thriller. As bourgeois couple Helene and Paul witness Malika, a young prostitute, being attacked by Thugs, Paul immediately speeds off. Remorseful, Helene tracks Malika down in the hospital. As she nurses Malika through her recovery, Helene discovers the shocking story of how Malika was turned into a sex slave by a vicious criminal organization. Helene then teams with Malika in an elaborate and daring scheme to double-cross her pimps to get Malika both freedom -- and revenge. In French with English subtitles. Director: Coline Serreau. Stars: Rachida Brakni, Vincent Lindon, Catherine Frot, Line Renaud. 2001, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 109 min., Thriller, New Yorker, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. L'Auberge Espagnole As part of a promised job, straight-laced French college senior Xavier (Romain Duris) signs on to a European exchange program that takes him to Barcelona, Spain. He says farewell to his loving girlfriend (Audrey Tautou), much to her dismay, and moves to a cultural melting pot of a cramped apartment shared by six others: an Italian, an English girl, a boy from Denmark, a young woman from Belgium, a German and a girl from Andalusia. There Xavier gets an eye-opening lesson on how to live, love, laugh ... and party. Director: Cedric Klapisch. Stars: Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 129 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $4.000 million, Fox, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Last Kiss, The Four young friends, disillusioned by their current relationships and careers, decide to embark on a road trip in pursuit of less responsibility and more fun. But before they go they must face the people they're running from. Carlo and his girlfriend are expecting a baby but he doesn't want to settle down, Paolo doesn't want to take over his ailing father's business, Adriano has fallen out of love with his wife and Marco is a playboy who can't commit to anyone for more than one night. Things heat up as the four friends' relationships get all tangled up. In Italian with English subtitles. Director: Gabriele Muccino. Stars: Stefano Accorsi, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Stefania Sandrelli. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 115 min., Comedy, Miramax, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. No Good Deed (The House on Turk Street) Heist thriller stars Samuel L. Jackson as a vacationing police detective who does a friend a favor by searching for his runaway daughter. Unfortunately, he unknowingly uncovers a bizarre band of international bond thieves about to pull off a bank robbery and he's taken hostage and stashed with the leader's girlfriend (Milla Jovovich). The detective and the moll get friendly, casting doubt on who may end up with the stolen loot. Not released theatrically in the states. Director: Bob Rafelson. Stars: Milla Jovovich, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 97 min., Thriller, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. November 18 Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life Angelina Jolie reprises her role as Lara Croft, that celebrated action heroine who jumped from comic book fame to the big screen. Facing her greatest challenges yet, the intrepid tomb raider travels the world on a spectacular adventure that takes her to such exotic places as Hong Kong, Kenya, Tanzania, Greece and the Great Wall of China. Demonstrating her physical prowess -- and body -- Lara proves that she will stop at nothing to save the world from destruction. Pandora's Box, said to house the most unspeakable evil ever known, is hidden on the continent of Africa in an area known as "The Cradle of Life." It's up to Croft to find the infamous box before it falls into the hands of the maniacal Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Jonathan Reiss (Ciaran Hinds). Intent on harnessing the evil power, Reiss must be stopped at all costs, and it is only Croft who stands between preserving life as we know it or allowing the malevolent Reiss to achieve his ultimate goal: world domination. Director: Jan De Bont. Stars: Angelina Jolie, Gerald Butler, Noah Taylor, Ciaran Hinds, Djimon Hounsou, Til Schweiger, Christopher Barrie, Simon Yam. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 117 min., Action, Box office gross: $64.600 million, Paramount, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas Interesting animated feature follows the adventures of Sinbad as he traverses the ancient seas pillaging and robbing and fighting off other pirates, sea monsters, and angry Sirens. The goddess Eris frames Sinbad for the theft of the Book of Peace, which keeps unity among the great cities of Syracuse, and he must travel to the ends of the Earth to retrieve and save his childhood friend, Proteus. Throw in betrayal, love and loyalty and you have a rousing (for boys only) cartoon saga. Director: Tim Johnson, Patrick Gilmore. Voices of Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Timothy West, Adriano Giannini. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 85 min., Animated, Box office gross: $25.983 million, DreamWorks, $15.95 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Santa Clause 2, The Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been Santa Claus for the past eight years, and his loyal elves consider him the best Santa ever. But Scott's got problems. His son (from his divorced wife), Charlie, has landed on this year's "naughty" list. And Santa himself is mysteriously de-Santafying. To top it all off, if Scott doesn't get married by Christmas Eve, he'll stop being Santa forever! (It's right in his contract -- the "Mrs. Clause.") Desperate both to find a wife and help his son, Scott heads back home, leaving a substitute Claus to watch over things at the Pole. But when the substitute institutes some strange redefinitions of naughty and nice -- putting Christmas at risk -- it's up to Scott to find Mrs. Right (see Santa cruise the singles scene), mend things with his son and ex-wife, and return to the North Pole with a new bag of magic to try to save Christmas. Director: Michael Lembeck. Stars: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Dabid Krumholtz, Eric Lloyd, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Spencer Breslin. 2002, CC, MPAA rating: G, 105 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $139.225 million, Buena Vista, $22.99 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Winged Migration Thrilling, dazzling, highly acclaimed sleeper hit directed and narrated with passionate enthusiasm by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jacques ("Microcosmos") Perrin, "Winged Migration" is the exquisitely beautiful and jaw-dropping documentary about birds in flight around the world. Shot over a three-year period, the film follows the breathtaking journey of a variety of bird species through 40 countries and every continent, covering landscapes that range from the Eiffel Tower and Monument Valley to the remote reaches of the Arctic and the Amazon. From the vantage point of planes, gliders, helicopters and balloons, more than 450 people including 17 pilots and 14 cinematographers flew above, below and alongside these winged creatures to bring an intimately close look at these staggering marvels of the natural world. Director: Jacques Perrin. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: G, 85 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $9.505 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Sea Is Watching, The A stunningly beautiful epic love story of star-crossed lovers and nature's fury set against the magnificent background of 19th-century Tokyo. Adapted from the final masterpiece written by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Hand-picked by Kurosawa's son, director Kei Kumai delivers a visually striking love story for the ages. Emotional and unsparing, the film shows the realities of life and oppression for Japanese women by social class and gender during this challenging historical period. Set in a 19th-century brothel, "The Sea Is Watching" is the story of a beautiful innocent young geisha, O-Shin (Nagiko Tohno), who harbors a samurai warrior Hidetaka Yoshioka) seeking refuge. Falling in love with O-Shin, the samurai hopes to cleanse her of the sins of her profession. Fate and fortune conspire to keep the lovers apart, as the sea silently watches their tale unfold. O-Shin finds herself torn between following her heart and relegating herself to the marginalized role society requires. When another young man (Masatoshi Nagase arrives, a thunderous storm strikes their village. In a place where dreams vanish like the ocean waves on the shores, will their love be able to survive the violent typhoon? Director: Kei Kumai. Stars: Nagiko Tohno, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Masatoshi Nahase. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 119 min., Drama, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Together When violin prodigy Xiaochun and his father head to Beijing seeking fame and fortune, they soon discover a fierce world of cutthroat ambition. But when Xiaochun is "adopted" by a famous music tutor, success finally seems within reach -- until a shocking discovery begins to unravel his entire world, and he must make the most difficult choice of his life. Can he achieve the fame his father had always hoped he would without losing the extraordinary passion that sets him apart from everyone else? In Mandarin with English subtitles. Director: Chen Kaige. Stars: Yun Tang, Peiqi Liu, Hong Chen. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 117 min., Drama, Box office gross: $0.600 million, MGM, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. November 25 X2: X-Men United Thrilling sequel sees the return of the original X-Men plus new mutants to fight evil. In the wake of a shocking attack on the president, the X-Men face their most dangerous mission ever. They must stand united with their deadliest enemies to combat a menace that threatens every mutant on the planet. But could this new alliance backfire and annihilate the human race? The VHS features deleted scenes. Director: Bryan Singer. Stars: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Anna Paquin, Alan Cumming. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 132 min., Fantasy, Box office gross: $215.000 million, Fox, $22.98 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Bruce Almighty Another smash hit for Jim Carrey who here, thankfully, tones down his over-the-top shenanigans to create an a likeable character. Carrey plays Buffalo, N.Y. "human interest" TV reporter Bruce Nolan who is devastated when he loses the recently vacated anchor chair to his mealy- mouthed rival Evan Baxter. His wild on-air reaction gets him fired and, with a raggedy car, a dog that refuses to be house-trained, and a girl-friend relationship this side of limbo, he hits rock bottom. He shakes his fist at the air, and scolds God for not doing His job and letting him down. God, for His part, decides to let Bruce take over the helm, and Bruce now becomes the Almighty. Here the film really takes off, with Bruce performing his own brand of miracles: parting a bowl of tomato soup, one-upping a gang of thugs, creating a strangely moon-lit romantic night for his girl, and eventually making sure that rival Evan messes up on the job. Bruce is rehired and, with his Power, makes sure that he always has an exclusive on breaking news. But Bruce has more than just self-interest at heart -- there's a divine spark in him that God sees, and the TV reporter turns out to be quite a savior in his own right. Director: Tom Shadyac. Stars: Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Phillip Baker Hall, Catherine Bell, Lisa Ann Walter, Steven Carell, Nora Dunn, Eddie Jemison, Sally Kirkland, Tony Bennett. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 101 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $237.500 million, Universal, $22.98 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. Legend of Suriyothai In the 16th Century, the beautiful Princess Suriyothai married a man she did not love in order to prevent a bitter clash between the most powerful families in Thailand's empire. Soon after, this daring princess would battle a band of traitors plotting to take the royal crown. But her greatest challenge would put her in the frontlines of the most brutal war in her country's history. Presented by Francis Ford Coppola, "The Legend of Suriyothai" is a critically-acclaimed, lavishly mounted production of a remarkable true story. In Thai with English subtitles. Director: Chatri Chalerm Yukol. Stars: M.L. Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, Johnny Anfone, Sarunyu Wongkrachang, Marisa Anita Sorapong Chatree, Mai Charoenpura. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 142 min., Epic drama, Box office gross: $0.409 million, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Man on the Train, The In a sleepy French backwater, a train pulls into a deserted station, depositing a lone passenger: a grizzled man in a fringed leather jacket. The criminal Milan (French rock icon Johnny Hallyday) has rolled into town planning to knock off the local bank on Saturday, with, he assumes, no hitches. Then he encounters Manesquier (Jean Rochefort). A retired poetry teacher whose sedentary lifestyle bores even himself, Manesquier offers Milan a much-needed drink of water in his musty old chateau. The only thing they seem to share is that Manesquier, too, has an important date on Saturday; but his is for open-heart surgery. From the start, the two men are equally wary of the other. Manesquier senses that Milan is up to no good, while Milan is driven crazy by Manesquier's incessant talking. But, when Milan is forced to hole up in Manesquier's mansion until the robbery, the distance between them begins to disappear. Suddenly, Manesquier wonders what it would be like to trade his books and art for Milan's gun and life of adventure. Meanwhile, Milan covets Manesquier's bedroom slippers and cozy life of stability. As their friendship develops, surprising moments of humor and tenderness emerge, as each seemingly defies his personality to explore his yearning for the life of the other. Saturday arrives. Milan and Manesquier have no choice but to part ways and head towards their different destinies. But even their destinies are no longer the same, for their very dreams have become intertwined. Director Patrice Leconte, has garnered quite a worldwide following, particularly after his quirky "Girl on the Bridge," and this film will only extend his reputation. The award-winning "Man on the Train" is a simple, humor-filled tale that resonates with deeper themes of friendship and fate, of longing and regret and most of all, of the passage of time and the choices we make. It is the story of two men who might never have met but for an accident, who appear to have nothing in common, yet who change each other's view of life at the last possible moment. Director: Patrice Leconte. Stars: Jean Rochefort, Johnny Hallyday, Jean-Francois Stevenin, Charlie Nelson, Pascal Parmentier, Isabelle Petit-Jacques. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.490 million, Paramount, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Challenge, The In their newest direct-to-video, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen embark on a Survivor-style adventure in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Estranged teen sisters who live on opposite sides of the country are brought together as teammates in the TV show, "The Challenge", much to their surprise. In order to win the grand prize -- college scholarships - they'll need to reconcile their differences, work together, and keep their romances a secret from the producers, all at the same time. Director: Craig Shaprio. Stars: Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen. 2003, CC, Family, Warner, $9.95 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date. In Hell Inside the most corrupt prison in Europe's Eastern Block, the warden pits prisoners against each other in fights to the death for profit. The brutality transforms the inmates into dreaded monsters. The newest contender is Kyle LeBlanc (Jean-Claude Van Damme), who is sentenced to life for killing his wife's murderer. Facing the brutality, Kyle starts to become one of the monsters he despises, but his savage rage may be what saves his life. Direct-to-video. Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme. 2003, CC, MPAA rating: R, 96 min., Action, Columbia TriStar, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. Board Heads Originally titled "Beach Movie" and never released to theaters, this lame comedy has three wealthy misfits buy a mansion on a Southern California shore in the hopes of meeting bikini-clad beauties. But when their clueless behavior makes them fall on their faces, they hire two local surfers to give them a crash course in beach culture. Will they score or will they bore? Most likely the latter. Director: John Quinn. Stars: Bronson Pinchot, Loretta Swit, Tracy Bingham. 1998, CC, MPAA rating: NR, 90 min., Comedy, MGM, No VHS SRP, Priced for rental. DVD: Day & Date. All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a Rotel RDV-1080 DVD Audio/Video Player, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer. January 2004 Releases December 2003 Releases October 2003 releases September 2003 releases August 2003 releases July 2003 releases June 2003 releases May 2003 releases April 2003 releases March 2003 releases February 2003 releases January 2003 releases | Contents/Site Map | Home | Resources | Sell-Through | Reviews | Links | E-mail: mail@cyberpod.com ©1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 CyberPod. All rights reserved CyberPod and OnVideo are trademarks of CyberPod Productions. October 20, 2003