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OnVideo MARCH Video Reviews


ALMOST FAMOUS
Almost Famous photo Forget any other movie about rock 'n' roll you've ever seen -- this one captures the pure essence, joy, flamboyance and terror of the rock scene like no other. It's 1973 and a would-be rock writer William Miller (Patrick Fugit), a protege of famous rock critic Lester Bangs, here played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in a perfect intonation of an already world-weary writer, gets an assignment by Rolling Stone magazine to cover the tour of "almost famous" rock group Stillwater (even though -- and unknown to the Rolling Stone editors -- he's just 16-years old). Miller gets sucked into the world of rock and groupies as he travels on the road with the band, against the wishes of his mother (Frances McDormand), whose sage advice is simply "Don't take drugs," and against Bangs' maxims, which amounted to "don't get too close to those you write about, because friendship is the booze rockers feed you." But Miller has to learn it all himself, and he's wide-eyed and naked in paradise. Kate Hudson is fabulous as a lead groupie (or band aid as she prefers to be called); Jason Lee and Billy Crudup as leaders of Stillwater turn in their best performances yet; and McDormand is, well, the prototypical hip but conservative mom. And, oh yeah, writer-director Cameron Crowe was a young writer for Rolling Stone in 1973.

Director: Cameron Crowe. Stars: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Patrick Fugit. CC, (MPAA rating: R, 122 min.), Comedy Drama, 2000, Box office gross: $31.932 million, (DreamWorks), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/13, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

4 stars go
back





Charlie's Angels photo CHARLIE'S ANGELS
This big screen upgrading of TV's "Charlie Angels" has only three things going for it -- the star power of Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. Forget the story line -- three female private investigators are called upon to solve the kidnapping of a technology baron -- and concentrate on the high-flying, man-butt-kicking action sequences (and, of course, the skimpy costumes and disguises) that makes this the ultimate chick action flick. TV's jiggle has become widescreen cleavage shaking glam -- with energy. Bill Murray plays the Charlie and the Angels' right-hand man, Bosley.

Director: McG. Stars: Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, Bill Murray, Sam Rockwel, Kelly Lynch, Tim Curry. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min.), Action, 2000, Box office gross: $120.000 million, (Columbia TriStar), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/27, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





CONTENDER, THE
The Contender
photo Behind-the-scenes political drama about a female Senator nominated for vice president after the incumbent dies. There's plenty of sexism, hypocrisy and political maneuvering as Congress takes up nomination hearings and the Senator's opponents dig up a sex scandal. Almost ripped from the headlines. Intelligent character study, with an incredible acting turn by Gary Oldman.

Director: Rod Lurie. Stars: Gary Oldman, Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges, Christian Slater, William Petersen, Philip Baker Hall. CC, (MPAA rating: R, 126 min.), Drama, 2000, Box office gross: $17.662 million, (DreamWorks), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/6, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





DANCER IN THE DARK
Icelandic pop singer Bjork plays a Czech immigrant living in a trailer park and working at a sink factory in rural America who spends her spare time watching old Hollywood musicals. Born with a sight defect -- she's going blind -- she tries to alleviate the boredom and oppressiveness of her existence by escaping into fantasies of fully choreographed "all-singing, all dancing" Hollywood numbers. When her life savings -- packed away to pay for an operation for her son, who also will go blind if he doesn't get an operation by the time he's 15 -- is almost stolen, tragedy strikes, and the woman sinks deeper and deeper into her Hollywood dreams. A strange and at times haunting film.

Director: Lars Von Trier. Stars: Bjork, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare, Joel Grey. CC, (MPAA rating: R, 139 min.), Drama/Musical, 2000, Box office gross: $4.157 million, (New Line), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/20, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





The Little Vampire photo LITTLE VAMPIRE, THE
Delightful and whimsical tale about an American boy (Jonathan Lipnicki) who moves with his family to the sprawling Scottish countryside, where he makes friends with a family of vampires whose lasting wish is to become human. The vampire family includes a cool teenage daughter and pre-teen son, the latter who comes to the American's aid when he's picked upon by more burly Scottish schoolmates. And the American, in turn, helps the vampires overcome a centuries-old curse. Suitable for all but pre-schoolers.

Stars: Jonathan Lipnicki, Richard E. Grant, Jim Carter, Alice Krige. CC, (MPAA rating: PG, 94 min.), Family, 2000, Box office gross: $13.555 million, (New Line), $19.96 VHS SRP, Available: 3/6, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





LUCKY NUMBERS
Caper comedy about a host of venal and despicable characters who get involved in a wild scheme to fix the Pennsylvania state lottery. John Travolta plays an over-the-top weatherman who teams with a promiscuous lottery employee (Lisa Kudrow) to rig the sweepstakes, leading to disastrous results. Joining in the mistakes and snafus that result from the scheme (including murder) are a greedy station manager (Ed O'Neil), a dimwitted cop (Bill Pullman) and two criminal low-lifes who lead everyone astray.

Director: Nora Ephron. Stars: John Travolta, Lisa Kudrow, Tim Roth, Ed O'Neil, Michael Rapaport, Michael Moore, Bill Pullman. CC, (MPAA rating: R, 105 min.), Caper Comedy, 2000, Box office gross: $10.014 million, (Paramount), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/20, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

2 stars go
back





MEET THE PARENTS
Meet the Parents photo Wild and wacky surprise box office hit has nice guy Ben Stiller heading off with wife-to-be (Teri Polo) to join her family at the wedding of her younger sister. What he doesn't know can hurt him: Dad (Robert De Niro) is a retired horticulturist cum CIA agent -- with a specialty in lie detection -- who feels no man is good enough for his oldest daughter and Stiller makes him quite suspicious. Uh oh! Great fun for all.

Director: Jay Roach. Stars: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Blythe Danner, Owen Wilson, Phyllis George, James Rebhorn. CC, (MPAA rating: Pg-13, 108 min.), Comedy, 2000, Box office gross: $200.000 million, (Universal), $22.98 VHS SRP, Available: 3/6, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

4 stars go
back





Red Planet
photo RED PLANET
Sci-Fi thriller about the first manned mission to Mars in 2050. The plot has a future Earth so destroyed by pollution that Mars is seeded with algae to make it an oxygen-rich environment for future colonization. But something has gone awry, and a crew is dispatched to the planet. Naturally, everything that can go wrong, does, and a shuttle with the crew crash lands, pitting the survivors against the harsh Martian environment and a malfunctioning exploration robot. Bad day at red rock, huh!

Director: Antony Hoffman. Stars: Carrie-Anne Moss, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Benjamin Bratt, Simon Baker, Terence Stamp. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 106 min.), Science Fiction, 2000, Box office gross: $17.158 million, (Warner Bros.), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/27, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





Remember the
Titans photo REMEMBER THE TITANS
By-the-numbers drama about desegregation in an all-white high school in Alexandria, Va., and its effects on the school and its football team. Not only are black students integrated into the school and the team, but the white head coach is demoted to make room for a new coach -- Denzel Washington. The students -- and the coaches -- have to work together and overcome their differences to triumph on -- and off -- the field. A real audience pleaser despite itself. Based on a true story.

Director: Boaz Yakin. Stars: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Ethan Supiee. CC, (MPAA rating: PG, 108 min.), Football Drama, 2000, Box office gross: $112.900 million, (Buena Vista), $14.95 VHS SRP, Available: 3/20, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





RUGRATS IN PARIS: THE MOVIE
Rugrats in Paris The Rugrats invade Paris in this delightful tale that once again showcases the mixture of fantasy, comedy, slapstick and tenderness that are the hallmarks of the animated kids (and adults) show. The entire Pickles clan and friends are whisked to Paris when Stu Pickles' mechanical Reptar -- the highlight of the EuroReptarland amusement park -- goes on the fritz and he's summoned to repair it. Throw in a conniving park manager who will do anything for a promotion, a new love interest for Chuckie's dad, and a lot of the patented Rugrats humor, and you have another hit for kids of all ages.

Director: Stig Bergqvist, Paul Demeyer. Stars: Voices of Susan Sarandon, John Litgow, E.G. Daly, Christine Cavanaugh, Kath Soucie, Cheryl Chase. CC, (MPAA rating: G, 86 min.), Family, 2000, Box office gross: $74.222 million, (Paramount), $22.99 VHS SRP, Available: 3/27, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

4 stars go
back





6TH DAY, THE
The 6th Day photo Typical Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner with the man of muscle pounding his way against bad guys with his fists of steel. Here he plays a helicopter pilot in an automated future that features talking refrigerators, driverless cars, cool laser weapons and replicant pets. Can cloned humans be far behind the "RePet?" Go ask Arnold, who returns from his job one day to find his family enthralled with his clone. From there on out its muscle-man against monsters and the evil Replacement Technologies corporation, which wants to make hay with outlawed human clones. Slambam.

Director: Roger Spottiswoode. Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker, Sarah Wynter, Robert Duvall. CC, (MPAA rating: PG-13, 124 min.), Science Fiction, 2000, Box office gross: $33.001 million, (Columbia TriStar), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/13, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

3 stars go
back





Wonder Boys photo WONDER BOYS
A finely tuned and intelligent film by Curtis ("L.A. Confidential") Hanson that had difficulty at the boxoffice earlier this year (how do you market a smart film these days?) but has been reissued by Warner Bros. for Academy Award consideration. Douglas plays a rumpled English professor with one novel under his belt and seven years of writer's block. He's having an affair with the college chancellor (who's the wife of the English department chairman) but mostly he walks around in a hemp-influenced daze. His life changes drastically during the course of several days when he takes an oddball, loner writing student (Tobey Maguire) under his wing.

Director: Curtis Hanson. Stars: Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr., Katie Holmes, Richard Thomas. CC, (MPAA rating: R, 112 min.), Comedy Drama, 2000, Box office gross: $18.735 million, (Paramount), No VHS SRP, Priced for rental, Available: 3/13, DVD: Day & Date. Buy or preorder this title at up to 40% discountBigStarlogo

4 stars go
back





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.


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February 15, 2001