The Greatest (DVD)
Muhammed Ali portrays himself in this biofilm telling the incredible story of his life. As 18 year-old Cassius Clay, Ali wins the Olympic gold medal for boxing. From there, he sets out to win the heavyweight championship under the guidance of trainer Angelo Dundee (Ernest Borgnine). Clay wins the title from Sonny Liston, converts to Islam, and changes his name to Muhammed Ali. He is drafted, but refuses on religious grounds, and find himself in a court battle that still can`t prevent him from winning in the ring.PG"
Director: Tom Gries
ACTORS: Muhammad Ali, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Duvall, James Earl Jones, Lloyd Haynes
TV Favorites: The Lucy Show - 10 Episodes Vol. 2 (DVD)
Features 10 episodes of Lucille Ball`s own series without husband Desi Arnaz. THE LUCY SHOW continued in the tradition of Lucy`s famous slapstick humor, and even her real-life children were cast in the show for a period during the show`s running.NR"
ACTORS: Lucille Ball
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (DVD)
John Cassavetess THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE is a genre-shattering drama that combines elements of the thriller and crime picture to create something wholly distinct and original. Ben Gazzara stars as Cosmo Vittelli, the proud owner of a Los Angeles strip club called Crazy Horse West. A gambling addict, Cosmo spends his free hours betting. After losing $23,000 one night, he realizes that his addiction might have cost him his club, the one thing in the world he truly loves. To retain control of it, he accepts an offer to murder a rival bookie; if he fulfills this request, his debt will be lifted. In a tense scene--enhanced by Cassavetess insistence on using location sound--Cosmo carries out his order while suffering a minor wound. Confident that he is in the clear, reality proves him to be naive in his assumption. Gazzaras Cosmo is a striking characterization of a man who will do anything to save his one true passion; his portrayal may in some measure symbolize Cassavetess take-no-prisoners attitude toward his films.R"
Director: John Cassavetes
ACTORS: Ben Gazzara, Seymour Cassel
Harlan County War (DVD)
Holly Hunter stars in this Showtime Original as Ruby Kincaid, the wife of a coal miner in Harlan County, KY in the 1970s. Ruby, an intelligent and headstrong woman, witnesses two deaths and her husband`s near fatal accident, and watches her husband and his colleagues engage in a bitter but fruitless union war with their employers, the Eastover Mining Company, and their gun toting, strike breaking thugs. Thoroughly enraged, Ruby decides to take matters into her own hands, and, with the help of a union organizer named Warren Jakopovich (Skarsgard), Ruby wages he own war on the Eastover Mining Company. Based on a true story (chronicled in the documentary HARLAN COUNTY USA), HARLAN COUNTY WAR is a fascinating and often heartbreaking look at the lives of these coal miners that is galvanized by Hunter`s strong performance as Ruby, making it at once a rousing drama and brutal look at labor practices in the US.NR"
Director: Tony Bill
ACTORS: Holly Hunter, Stellan Skarsgaard, Ted Levine, Wayne Robson
Philadelphia, Here I Come! (DVD)
Based on Brian Friel`s moving stage play, PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! follows Irish Gareth Gar O`Donnell as he prepares to emigrate to America. Gar`s feelings about the impending change in his life come to life through dual actors -- Donal McCann portrays Gar`s public persona and Des Cave portrays his turbulent inner emotions. Unhappy with his current life, Gar believes the move to America will provide a fresh start, as his public boasts recount. Privately, however, Gar feels rage and sorrow at the state of his life and the people who have contributed to its current state. In learning about Gar`s relationships with Madge (Siobhan McKenna), a mother-figure, his cold, distant father (Eamon Kelly), and his ex-fiancee (Fidelma Murphy), we glimpse the complexities behind Gar`s gradual detachment from his family and community, and the impulse to immerse himself in new, anonymous country.NR"
Director: John Quested
