Big Doll House (DVD)
Director Jack Hill (COFFY, SPIDER BABY) launched both a cycle of women-in-prison films and the stardom of Pam Grier with this sexy, funny, thrilling exploitation classic. At a prison farm in the Philippines, new girl Collier (Judy Brown) is locked up with bitter lesbian Grear (Grier), rebel girl Bodine (Pat Woodell), tough blonde Alcott (Roberta Collins), and Harad (Brooke Mills), a strung-out junkie. The girls race cockroaches, fight in the mud, shower, and get it on while the sadistic head guard (Kathryn Loder) conducts nightly torture sessions for the pleasure of the mysterious Colonel Mendoza. Eventually the girls escape, and all hell breaks loose as they race to join the rebels, their machine guns blazing a path through the jungles. Hill keeps a nice pro-feminist stance in this tongue-in-cheek picture, with strong characters and witty dialogue nicely counterbalancing the more perverse elements. All the women are sexy and excellent, especially Grier in her first major role. She even sings the soulful title song, Longtime Woman. This film was a huge success, spawning many imitations. Producer Roger Corman had Hill and Grier follow it up with an immediate sequel, THE BIG BIRD CAGE.R"
Director: Jack Hill
My Life So Far (DVD)
Director Hugh Hudson`s charming coming-of-age tale, set in the early 1900s, stars Robert Norman as Frasier Pettigrew, a young rebel growing up at his idyllic family estate in the countryside of Scotland, surrounded by his eccentric family. His father, Edward (Colin Firth) is a genius inventor, constantly concocting wild business schemes while running about the estate testing new gadgets. His sweet-natured mother, Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), runs the household and looks after her large brood of children with the help of the family matriarch (Rosemary Harris). The family estate is a haven for the large Pettigrew family, where they live in relative seclusion from the outside world until one fateful summer. When Frasier`s Uncle Morris (Malcolm McDowell) arrives with Heloise (Irene Jacob), his beautiful French fiancie, the Pettigrews experience a summer like no other. Heloise is a youthful charmer, brash and outspoken, with a passion for jazz and her French cello. She instantly charms the entire family, especially young Frasier, who has never met anyone like her. But when Edward begins to have feelings for his brother`s fiancie the entire Pettigrew family and their idyllic Shangri-La is threatened. Based on the novel SON OF ADAM by Sir Denis Forman, MY LIFE SO FAR features Norman as a memorable and charming young narrator, full of whimsy and youthful curiosity.PG-13"
Director: Hugh Hudson
ACTORS: Colin Firth, Robert Norman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Rosemary Harris, Irhne Jacob
Latino Comedy Fiesta - Vol. 3 (DVD)
This third installment of LATINO COMEDY FIESTA features Frank Lucero, Dennis Gaxiola, Manny Maldanado, and Monique Marvez, each performing their own brand of ethnic-flavored standup.NR"
Tomorrow the World (DVD)
Made during World War II, the title of this film refers to Hitler`s chilling declaration, Today Germany, Tomorrow the World! A young boy who has grown up under the Nazi regime and is fully indoctrinated by the relentless propaganda is sent to the United States to live with his uncle. A firm believer in the rule of the Reich, the boy upsets his family and community as his uncle attempts to control and teach him the downfalls of bigotry and hatred.NR"
Director: Leslie Fenton
Days of Thunder (DVD)
Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) is a young, cocky hotshot with little stock car driving experience and a lot of raw talent. Trickles uncanny ability to make all the right moves on the racetrack wins him the backing of Tim Dolan (Randy Quaid), who wants to put him in a car. Eventually he wins the support of grizzled former driver Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall), a NASCAR legend who sees that Trickle has the potential to be a great driver. Determined to make it to the top, Trickle develops a healthy rivalry with veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). Along the way, he romances Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), a beautiful neurosurgeon. Hogges mentoring (and a potential tragedy) leads Trickle through the dramatic process of self-discovery, which ultimately makes him a better driver. Directed by Tony Scott, DAYS OF THUNDER is reminiscent of his TOP GUN, the film that rocketed Cruise to stardom. Scott uses spectacular driving and racing scenes in this film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound.PG"
Director: Tony Scott
ACTORS: Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes
