The Statement (VHS)
While a secret society of Catholic priests hide him in various French abbeys, a network of bitter Jewish assassins track him, and a determined judge attempts to use the law to pin a prison sentence on him. This highly wanted man is Pierre Brossard (Michael Caine) who committed war crimes--not only murdering Jews but also stealing their money and property--when he was a Nazi in World War II. However, Brossard`s wrongdoing happened 40 years in the past and he was in hiding long enough that nobody--not even his own wife (Charlotte Rampling)--feels much like protecting him anymore. On the verge of a heart attack, Brossard scampers from one hiding spot to the next, narrowly evading his multiple pursuers. A top-notch political thriller directed by Norman Jewison (THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR) and based on a novel by Brian Moore, THE STATEMENT keeps viewers trapped in suspenseful anticipation. Caine`s portrayal of Brossard as a nervous, jittery old man with a guilty conscience is palpably upsetting. Meanwhile Tilda Swinton as the judge, and Jeremy Northam as her assistant, make an excellent and convincing detective team. Interesting film work combines sharp footage of provincial France with black and white flashbacks to grueling WWII executions, making the film visually compelling--an excellent complement to its puzzling plotline.NR"
Director: Norman Jewison
ACTORS: Michael Caine, Tilda Swinton, Jeremy Northam, Charlotte Rampling, Alan Bates
The Emperor Jones (DVD)
Accomplished actor, singer, athlete, and scholar Robeson debuts in this adaptation of the O`Neill play. Haughty and volatile, a Pullman porter`s fiery disposition loses him his job and lands him in jail. While on the chain gang, he kills a white guard and escapes, retreating to Haiti where he overthrows the monarch and crowns himself Emperor Jones. According to historian Donald Bogle, Washington had to wear heavy makeup and darken her fair complexion as producers were concerned white audiences would think Robeson was playing a romantic lead opposite a white actress. Screenwriter Heyward also wrote Porgy, on which Porgy and Bess was based. The Home Vision video release includes the Academy Award-winning documentary Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist.NR"
Director: Dudley Murphy
ACTORS: Paul Robeson, Dudley Digges, Frank Wilson, Ruby Elzy, Rex Ingram
Raising Victor Vargas (DVD)
Peter Sollett`s astonishing feature debut establishes the director as one of American cinema`s most refreshing new voices. Miraculously capturing the grittiness of life on Manhattan`s Lower East Side while maintaining an air of hopeful innocence, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS plays like a combination of KIDS and THE GOONIES. When Victor Vargas (Victor Rasuk) is busted hooking up with Fat Donna (Donna Maldonado), he sets his sights on a more respectable target. That target is Juicy Judy Ramirez (Judy Marte), a gorgeous teenager who has been looking for someone to keep the neighborhood leeches away. After being formally introduced to Judy by her younger brother Carlos (Wilfree Vasquez)--who just so happens to have a crush on Victor`s younger sister Vicki (Krystal Rodriguez)--Victor gets his wish. But to Judy, this is merely a business proposition. As Victor gradually realizes that his feelings for Judy are becoming much deeper, he must contend with his stubborn grandmother (Altagracia Guzman), who wants to punish him for being a negative influence on his little brother Nino (Silvestre Rasuk). Gorgeously photographed by Tim Orr and brilliantly acted by its non-professional cast, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS is a universal tale that crosses all racial, social, and economical lines.
Part of SXSW 2003 in Austin, Texas, and the New Directors/New Films 2003 series presented by The Department of Film and Media at the Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City.R"
Director: Peter Sollett
Ripley`s Game (VHS)
In RIPLEY`S GAME, novelist Patricia Highsmith`s infamous Tom Ripley character is back again for one more round of mischief and murder. This time, John Malkovich steps into the shoes of the now older Ripley, who tries to turn another innocent man into a coldhearted killer. Co-starring the always electrifying Ray Winstone, Liliana Cavani`s drama is another worthy addition to Ripley`s cinematic legacy.R"
Director: Liliana Cavani
ACTORS: John Malkovich, Ray Winstone, Dougray Scott, Lena Headey
Weekend at Bernie`s II (DVD)
Corporate peons Larry (Andrew McCarthy) and Richard (Jonathan Silverman) discover the key to their the safety deposit box of Bernie (Terry Kiser), their dead former boss. The box, located in the Virgin Islands, reportedly contains 2 million dollars. Unfortunately, company security guard Hummel (Barry Bostwick) also wants the money, as do a gang of criminals who try to get the location out of Bernie through the use of voodoo! Larry and Richard take a working vacation to the tropical local and find that, once again, Bernie may not be as dead as anybody thinks!PG"
Director: Robert Klane
ACTORS: Andrew McCarthy, Jonathan Silverman, Terry Kiser, Barry Bostwick, Troy Beyer
