The Cooler (VHS) Spanish Subtitled William H. Macy adds another quirky, offbeat, and original character to his resume in the form of Bernie Lootz, a sad-sack loser who has the worst luck in town. Unfortunately for him, that town happens to be Las Vegas...
William H. Macy adds another quirky, offbeat, and original character to his resume in the form of Bernie Lootz, a sad-sack loser who has the worst luck in town. Unfortunately for him, that town happens to be Las Vegas. He gets hired by his old friend Shelly Kaplowitz (the excellent Alec Baldwin, hitting his stride) to work at the Shangri-La Hotel and Casino, where his bad luck rubs off on the gamblers previously doing well at the tables. But Lootz isn`t actually getting paid; he owes money to Shelly, so he is merely working off his debt. Things go haywire when he meets Natalie (Maria Bello) and falls instantly in love--threatening to change his luck. Meanwhile, Shelly is trying to keep the old-school feel of the casino, battling Larry Sokolov (Ron Livingston), who wants to update the place into a glitzy multimedia entertainment center. This struggle of old versus new is also seen in Sokolov`s plans to replace aging lounge singer Buddy (Paul Sorvino) with hot newcomer Johnny Capella (Joey Fatone of *NSYNC). THE COOLER, screenwriter Wayne Kramer`s directorial debut, is everything an independent film should be: intelligent, entertaining, thought-provoking, and never predictable. The soundtrack includes songs by Fatone, Sorvino, and Diana Krall. Watch out for the subtle references to Frank Capra`s LOST HORIZON, which influenced Kramer`s depiction of the Shangri-La as an old-time paradise.
R"
Director: Wayne Kramer
ACTORS: William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Maria Bello, Ron Livingston, Paul Sorvino
All the President`s Men (DVD)
Covers the period from 1972-1974; Produced and released in 1976.
In ALL THE PRESIDENT`S MEN, director Alan Pakula adapts the best-selling book by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Pakula created a film that takes its place among such important conspiracy dramas as THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR and THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. The focus is on the 1972 investigation of the break-in to the Democratic Party headquarters, otherwise known as the Watergate burglary. Through a complicated web of intrigue and secrecy that eventually involves the highest levels of government, hungry young journalists Woodward (Robert Redford) and Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) of the Washington Post aggressively examine the incident, ultimately leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. Exceptional performances by Redford and Hoffman are complemented by Jason Robards as the dubious but supportive executive editor at the Post, and Hal Holbrook`s celebrated characterization of mysterious informer Deep Throat. The pacing of the film is quick and exciting, drawing viewers into the action of one of the most intriguing mysteries in all of American political history.PG"
Director: Alan J. Pakula
ACTORS: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Robards, John Randolph, Basil Hoffman
The 10th Kingdom (DVD) Sensormatic Virginia (Williams) and her father Tony (Larroquette) encounter a stray dog wandering the streets of New York City. The dog turns out to be Snow White`s Prince Wendell under a spell by an evil queen (Wiest) who plans to rul...
Virginia (Williams) and her father Tony (Larroquette) encounter a stray dog wandering the streets of New York City. The dog turns out to be Snow White`s Prince Wendell under a spell by an evil queen (Wiest) who plans to rule his kingdom! In an effort to help the prince, they follow him through a magic mirror into a mystical world where trolls, giants, and goblins wander and fairy tales such as Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood actually happened. They confront the wicked queen and a battle of good versus evil commences in a display of astonishing visual effects. An adventure for the entire family from the producers of the hit television mini-series MERLIN. Originally airing on NBC as a five-part mini-series.
NR"
Director: David Carson|Herbert Wise
ACTORS: John Larroquette, Kimberly Williams, Rutger Hauer, Dianne Wiest, Ed O`Neill
Of Mice and Men (DVD)
Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr. star as cousins George Milton and Lennie Small in director Lewis Milestone`s adaptation of the Steinbeck classic. Itinerant workers in Depression-era California, they dream of saving enough to buy a ranch. But this seems unlikely, since they are constantly being fired due to the feeblemindedness of the mountainous Lennie. Soon after hiring on at a new ranch, they must confront the pugnacious Curly (Bob Steele), while trying to deal with his flirtatious wife, Mae (Betty Field).NR"
Director: Lewis Milestone
ACTORS: Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney, Bob Steele, Betty Field, Charles Bickford
Sweet November (DVD)
Based on the screenplay by Herman Raucher for the 1968 film of the same title, SWEET NOVEMBER stars Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves in the story of an experimental love affair. Theron is Sara, a free-spirited woman who runs across tight-laced ad executive Nelson (Reeves) at the DMV. Nelson wants only to be left alone to continue on the fast track of his career, but Sara is drawn to him. She makes him an offer: to be her November, the man who will live with her for one month only, during which she will help him. Not sure why, Nelson accepts, finding that Sara appeals to something he didn`t even know was inside him. As she begins to change his life, Nelson realizes what he`s been missing in his career-centered world--but just as he begins to reach out to her, Nelson finds that Sara has secrets of her own.PG-13"
Director: Pat O`Connor
