OnVideo OldNews March 2002 Old News Is Good News or Who Wants to Read Yesterday's Newspapers?

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March News March Highlights: March 12: "Juliet of the Spirits" (1965) Dir.: Federico Fellini; Giulietta Masina. Fully restored with new digital transfer, new and improved English subtitles, trailer. DVD only. (The Criterion Collection/Home Vision Entertainment). "SpongeBob SquarePants" (2002) Nick's offbeat "SpongeBob SquarePants" cartoon -- about the misadventures of a yellow, optimistic sea sponge who lives in the deep blue sea hometown of Bikini Bottom with his pet snail Gary and assorted friends, including best pal Patrick the starfish, next-door neighbor Squidwad and surfer girlfriend Sandy Cheeks the squirrel -- has enthralled kids and hip older viewers alike. This is SpongeBob's first outings, on two VHS tapes: -- "Nautical Nonsense" and "Sponge Buddies" -- with five episodes of wild and wacky tales each, $12.95. A DVD with all 10 episodes will be available for $19.99. March 19: Facets Video has released five films that are prime examples of the flowering of the Czech New Wave in the mid-1960s (before Soviet tanks invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968). Included are the madcap proto-feminist farce "Daisies" (1966), available on VHS and DVD; "The Joke" (1968), from Milan Kundera, author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," and director Jaromil Jires, who adapted Kundera's novel of the same name about an ironic professor and ladies man sentenced to six years of hard labor for an irreverent postcard, available on VHS and DVD; "Capricious Summer" (1967), set in a sleepy second-class resort at the turn of the century in which three friends experience a coming of age: middle age, VHS only; "Adelheid" (1969), an emotionally powerful love story set in the aftermath of World War II, VHS only; and "Lemonade Joe" (1964), a whacked-out Czech spoof of Westerns. (Facets Video: www.facets.org). "A Regular Frankie Fan -- Rocky Horror Lives On. " This documentary takes a unique look at one of the most fascinating phenomenon in motion picture history -- the midnight movie rise of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," released in 1976 and still going strong. Hosted by Paul Williams, this is the first docu to explore the flamboyant and colorful fans of the film. On VHS and loaded DVD. (Music Video Distributors: www.musicvideodistributors.com). March 26: "Broadway Theatre Archive." Five classic Broadway plays produced for television during its Golden Era: "Death of a Salesman" starring Lee J. Cobb; "Awake and Sing!" starring Walter Matthau, "The Human Voice" starring Ingrid Bergman, "Journey of the Fifth Horse" starring Dustin Hoffman and "June Moon" starring Susan Sarandon and Estelle Parsons; $24.95 each on VHS and DVD. (Kultur Video: www.kultur.com). "Rashomon" (1950) Dir.: Akira Kurosawa; Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura. New high-definition transfer with restored image and sound; commentary by Japanese film historian Donald Richie; video introduction by Robert Altman; excerpts from "The World of Kazuo Miyagawa, a documentary on "Rashomon's" cinematographer; reprints of the "Rashomon" source stories, Ryunosuke Akutagawa's "In a Grove" and "Rashomon"; Kurosawa on "Rashomon," a reprinted excerpt from his book "Something Like an Autobiography"; optional English-dubbed soundtrack; new and improved English subtitle translation. DVD only. (The Criterion Collection/Home Vision Entertainment). "Slap Shot" (1977) Dir.: George Roy Hill; Paul Newman, Michael Ontkean, Lindsay Crouse, Jennifer Warren, Melinda Dillon, Strother Martin, Swoosie Kurtz, M. Emmet Walsh, Paul Dooley, Dave Hanson, Steve Carlson, Jeff Carlson. The cult classic gets a 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD with commentary by the "Hanson Brothers" (ex-hockey players and hockey goodwill ambassadors/cult heroes Dave Hanson, Steve Carlson and Jeff Carlson), "Puck Talk With the Hansons" featurette, "Hanson Brothers Classic Scenes" feature with direct access to the best-loved Hanson Brothers scenes. (Universal). Baby boomers will remember "Winky Dink," television's first interactive show that appeared in the 1950s and followed the animated adventures of Winky and his trusted friend Woofer as they outwitted villains to save the world, calling upon kids in the TV audience to affix a clear plastic sheet to the TV tube and trace a bridge, a net or a vehicle to help the duo escape a desperate situation. The show was a big hit in the '50s and then again in the late 1960s and early '70s, and each week millions of American kids (this writer included) covered their sets with plastic so they could use their Winky markers to help the hero escape the clutches of the evil Harem Scarem or Foxey Maxey. Vanguard for Kids has reintroduced the show on VHS for a new generation of preschoolers. The first three volumes (40 minutes each) are now available: Volume 1, at $14.99, comes packed in a lunch-box size kit with a video, plastic sheet and markers; Volumes 2 and 3, sans the kit, sell for $9.99 each. (Vanguard Cinema: 800-218-7888).

More March Video News For kids of all ages: On March 5 Universal will release the latest animated Scooby-Doo adventure, "Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf" (2002), on VHS and DVD. On March 12, Paramount will release the first compilations of Nick's hip "SpongeBob SquarePants" (2002), on DVD and VHS.Also on that day Warner will release on "Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring" (2002), a feature-length direct-to-video animated Tom & Jerry cartoon, on VHS and DVD. On March 19 Disney will release the direct-to-video animated sequel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame II" (2002), with the voices of Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Haley Joel Osment and Michael McKean, on VHS and DVD. Also on that day, Warner will release "Samurai Jack" (2002), the first feature-length video for the Cartoon Network hero, on VHS and DVD. "Cody's Crew: The Big Building" is the first kids video from Marcus/Wiseman Entertainment, a small Canadian company devoted to quality children's entertainment. Available on VHS only, the CGI animated story follows the adventures of Cody the Excavator, Mitch the Dump Truck, Wally the Wheel Loader, Rachel the Skid Steer, Gus the Cement Truck and Barry the Bulldozer as they learn about planning and working together. It's non-violent, with a positive message, for pre-schoolers. $13.99 (Canadian); www.CodysCrew.com. From TV to Video: From Acorn Media comes two topnotch productions on March 12: "Othello," Shakespeare's story of passion, jealousy and betrayal is reworked in a thoroughly modern setting by screenwriter Andrew ("Bridget Jones's Diary," "Pride and Prejudice") Davies. Airing last December on the BBC and in January on the Masterpiece Theatre in the U.S., this version recast's the Bard's tragedy as a taut police drama set in New Scotland Yard in a time of racial unrest and political chicanery; on VHS and DVD. "Tommy & Tuppence, Set 2," is a PBS Mystery! favorite. Created by Agatha Christie, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford proved that two attractive and clever heads are better than one when it comes to solving mysteries. In this collection of episodes from the popular TV series "Partners In Crime," the stylish pair ply their trade as proprietors of Blunt's Detective Agency, set in 1920s England; on VHS only as a three-Volume Boxed Set (324 minutes), $49.95. Special Interest: Tour some of the world's most fabulous places from your living room in "Going Places ," a series of whirlwind jaunts to some of the globe's most popular vacation spots. The entire first season, eight episodes on two discs, has been released on DVD by MPI Home Video. The first season (1997) of the PBS series takes audiences to exciting destinations such as London, Las Vegas, New Orleans, The Caribbean, The Wild West, Biking the Black Hills, Tuscany and Sydney and host Al Roker unearths secrets known only by seasoned travelers. Eight Episodes on two discs, 7.5 hours, $59.98. Due March 26 from Wellspring Media is "Body Art," a documentary that explores the unique and growing trend of body modification. From body painting to piercing to scarification, from tattoos to plastic surgery, "Body Art" explores not only the art form itself, but also celebrates its stunning diversity; available in VHS for $14.98 and DVD for $19.98. "Journey to the West: An In-Depth Look at Chinese Medicine" is a contemporary exploration of the ways in which Chinese medicine is being practiced today. As millions of Americans are turning to the healing powers of alternative medicine, director Katy Chevigny explores the contemporary development of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture and herbal remedies. Shot in China and in the U.S., this documentary introduces practitioners of different forms of Asian Healing, and examines how Chinese medical practices are being imported, taught and replicated in the United States. From Wellspring on March 26, VHS ($19.98) and DVD ($24.98). Following on the success of legendary scholar Joseph Campbell's famous "Power of Myth," Wellspring Media will release two new Joseph Campbell programs: "Joseph Campbell -- Mythos" and "Joseph Campbell -- The Hero's Journey." "Mythos" is a production of lectures delivered by Campbell, which examine myths and spirituality, narrated by Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, on DVD for $99.98 (10 hours on 3 discs) and VHS in two boxed sets ("Mythos I": 5 VHS, $89.98 and "Mythos II": 5 VHS, $89.98). "The Hero's Journey" is a biographical portrait of the man himself, DVD $24.98 and VHS $19.98. Both programs will be available March 26. White Star Video will pay homage to Waylon Jennings with a rush-release of a two-hour DVD, containing two programs featuring the legendary, gruff and gritty country music star. "The Authorized Biography" is a bio of Jennings -- from his days as Buddy Holly's protege, to his battles with the Nashville system. "The Lost Outlaw Performance" documents Jennings and The Waylors performing on the concert stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on the evening of August 12, 1978. The DVD will be available March 26 for $24.95. National Geographic Home Video has two interesting documentaries due in March. "SuperCroc" follows paleontologists as they unearth the fossilized remains of one of the largest predators to ever walk the Earth, the 110 million-year-old Sarcosuchus Imperator, a 40-foot-long crocodile. Using CG animation, the video brings these gigantic predators -- who didn't just walk with dinosaurs, it ate them -- back to life ($14.95 VHS, $19.95 DVD). "Inside the Vatican" is a privileged look inside the walls of the Holy City, exploring not only the revered places and sacred ceremonies but also the politics of the Holy See, the central government of the Roman Catholic Church ($19.98 VHS, $24.98 DVD).

The 'B' Side: Other March Releases In "Blind Heat," the beautiful but lonely wife of a wealthy computer magnate is kidnapped, blindfolded and held for ransom, trapped in a dark prison with only her senses of touch, hearing and smell to help her survive. Meanwhile, an expert hostage negotiator works for her safety when it becomes doubtful that her husband will pay the ransom. Stars Maria Conchita Alonso, Jeff Fahey and Al Sapienza. Monarch Home Video, 2001, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "Arachnid," a group of scientists on a secret expedition travel to a South Pacific Island in search of the cause of a deadly virus. When their plane crash lands, they discover a strange substance scattered about the island and, chillingly, find that the source of the material is not from this world. Stars Chris Potter, Neus Asensi, Jose Sancho and Alex Reid. Lions Gate Entertainment, 2001, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "Unseen Evil," a group of young and idealistic archeological students are lead to an ancient burial ground by their trusted teacher only to discover that an unseen, alien force awaits them. Stars Richard Hatch, Tim Thomerson, Cindi Braun and Frank Ruotolo. Monarch Home Video, 2002, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "True Blue," a seasoned NYPD officer investigating a weird homicide is led from the dangerous underworld of Chinatown gangs to the most influential movers and shakers in city hall. The roommate of the murder victim, fearing for her life, asks to stay at the cop's apartment, and when he opens his heart to her, he gets in real trouble. Lots of murder, corruption, greed, hookers and kinky sex clubs. Stars Tom Berenger and Lori Heuring. Columbia TriStar, 2001, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "Dark Asylum" a deranged killer is running loose in an abandoned high security asylum and only a female psychiatrist and the building's janitor (who may in fact be a forgotten inmate) can stop the maniac. Stars Paulina Porizkova, Jurgen Prochnow, Judd Nelson, and Larry Drake. Lions Gate, 2001, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. "Mexico City" is a thriller about a young woman in a desperate search for her brother -- who disappeared when the pair stopped for a one-night lay-over in Mexico City while traveling south of the border. Unable to get the Mexican authorities or the American Embassy to help her, she strikes out on her own, with the help of a friendly taxi driver. Risking their lives, the pair head to the most notorious neighborhood in Mexico City to find answers. Stars Stacy Edwards, Jorge Robles, Johnny Zander and Robert Patrick. Miramax, 2000, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "Risk," a naive insurance adjuster gets sucked into a world of scams and insurance fraud when he comes under the spell of a jaded older man and his shady lawyer girlfriend. Stars Bryan Brown, Tom Long and Claudia Karvan. Lions Gate, 2000, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. "Fast Sofa" is based on the best-selling novel of the same name, the film follows the hedonistic adventures of a young man as he leaves L.A. and heads out on the road to lose the blues and pursue new kicks. Stars Jake Busey, Jennifer Tilly, Adam Goldberg, Natasha Lyonne, Bijou Phillips, Seymour Cassel, Crispin Glover and Eric Roberts. Lions Gate, 2001, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "The Last Siege (Hijack)," terrorists, armed with a nuclear weapon, take over a passenger train. Stars: Jeff Fahey and Ernie Hudson. Artisan, 1999, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date. In "Road Dogz," three lifelong friends from East Los Angeles must fight to survive in a neighborhood ruled by violence, gangs and drugs. Stars: Clifton Collins Jr., Jacob Vargas and Greg Serano. Artisan, 2000, R, priced for rental, DVD day and date.

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