Tartuffe (DVD)
An expressionistic retelling of the classic Moliere story, Murnau contemporized his version by setting the exploration of morality and hypocrisy amidst a housekeeper`s murder plot. Here, the housekeeper (Rosa Valetti) schemes to poison her employer (Hermann Picha) in order to take control of his estate and fortune. However, the employer`s grandson (Andre Mattoni) becomes wise to her plot, and shows his grandfather a film of Moliere`s TARTUFFE to expose her plan.NR"
Director: F.W. Murnau
ACTORS: Rosa Valetti, Werner Krauss, Lil Dagover, Emil Jannings
Placebo Effect (DVD)
When a cab driver (Luciano Saber) uncovers a plot to kill the Vice President, the assassins` plan is foiled, but the cabbie is then drawn into a frightening underworld. The leader of the plan, Zac (Francesco Quinn, PLATOON) becomes distrustful of his underlings, and the group implodes. The resulting discoveries lead the cabbie to the realization that the conspiracy stretches all the way to Bosnia. Star Saber also wrote the screenplay.NR"
Director: Alejandro Seri
ACTORS: Francesco Quinn, Luciano Saber
Northfork (DVD)
The Polish Brothers conclude their America`s Heartland trilogy (TWIN FALLS IDAHO, JACKPOT) with this mesmerizing, surreal drama. It is 1950s Montana, and in two days the small town of Northfork is about to be buried underwater. While most of the residents are willing to accept a forced relocation to higher ground, several inhabitants are determined to stay right where they are. A six-man Evacuation Committee--including father-and-son team Walter and Willis O`Brien (James Woods and Mark Polish)--is recruited to convert the stragglers and make sure that no one is left behind. Meanwhile, the somber Father Harlan (Nick Nolte) cares for the increasingly ill Irwin (Duel Farnes), a young child who has begun to have a dialogue with four mysterious angels--Flower Hercules (Darryl Hannah), Cup of Tea (Robin Sachs), Happy (Anthony Edwards), and Cod (Ben Foster). As the deadline nears, the Evacuation Committee struggles with a determined, proud group of residents who don`t want to let their town be washed into history. All the while, Irwin continues to have his puzzling visions, adding a literal dose of mortality to the film`s already bleak atmosphere. Featuring gorgeously haunting visuals (compliments of cinematographer M. David Mullen), NORTHFORK confirms the Polish Brothers` status as truly distinct voices in American cinema.PG-13"
Director: Michael Polish
ACTORS: Nick Nolte, James Woods, Daryl Hannah, Anthony Edwards, Kyle MacLachlan
The Fist, the Kicks and the Evils (VHS)
It`s China of the past, and extortion and greed are rampant. After his father is murdered by gangsters, a young man learns the dynamic crane fist kung fu style, and takes revenge.NR"
ACTORS: Hsiao Liang, Kao Fei, Bolo Yeung
White Oleander (DVD) Widescreen WHITE OLEANDER, the Janet Fitch novel made famous on Oprah`s Book Club, is the tale of an intense and toxic mother-daughter relationship, coupled with a look at the fundamentally skewed U.S. foster care system. When the beau...
WHITE OLEANDER, the Janet Fitch novel made famous on Oprah`s Book Club, is the tale of an intense and toxic mother-daughter relationship, coupled with a look at the fundamentally skewed U.S. foster care system. When the beautiful photographer Ingrid Magnusson (Michelle Pfeiffer) is imprisoned for allegedly murdering a philandering boyfriend, her daughter Astrid (Alison Lohman) does her best to survive a string of foster homes where natural adolescent mistakes turn into land mines. Her first stop is the home of a born-again Christian, Starr (Robin Wright Penn, who is so good in this part she`s physically unrecognizable.) Next, she is sent to the home of a clinically depressed actress, Claire Richards (Renee Zellweger, whose natural effervescence is delightfully disturbing here.) Claire uses Astrid to fill the void left by a roaming husband (Noah Wyle). Astrid juggles her list of changing homes with visits to Mommy Dearest in prison, while suffering flashbacks of the alleged murder.
WHITE OLEANDER, the first feature for U.K. television director Peter Kosminsky, is stark and brooding. Its simultaneously awful and lovely tone is reminiscent of AMERICAN BEAUTY or THE ICE STORM.
PG-13"
Director: Peter Kosminsky
ACTORS: Michelle Pfeiffer, Alison Lohman, Robin Wright, Renie Zellweger, Billy Connolly
