Vengo (DVD)
Celebrating the art of flamenco dancing and the culture from which it was born, VENGO is about a centuries-old dispute between two gypsy families in Andalusia, Spain. Separated into two groups of constantly battling gangs, the families struggle to move beyond violence to overcome their misunderstandings. Between confrontations, a physically disabled young man, Diego (Orestes Villasan Rodriguez), who has a passion for flamenco music and dance, is entertained by his uncle, Caco (Antonio Canales). Caco, whose own daughter died young, treats Diego like a son. To nurture Diego`s love of flamenco, Caco arranges for some of the top performers in the region to come give concerts. In an especially powerful scene, La Caita, a gypsy singer, wails her liberating anthems in a Seville restaurant.
Tony Gatlif (LATCHO DROM, GADJO DILO) directs this culturally rich, soulful film, which uses the rapid tempo of flamenco percussion to express both happiness and pain. A jumping, unsteady camera, and an often blurry focus give VENGO a visually realistic, documentary feeling. Extreme close-ups draw viewers to the characters, while distanced shots of eclectic parties and performances push the viewer back away from the action reinforcing the awe and admiration that spectators enjoy. It is also interesting to note that the lead actor, Antonio Canales, who is an accomplished flamenco dancer in real life, does not dance in the film.NR"
Director: Tony Gatlif
ACTORS: Antonio Canales, Orestes Villasan Rodriguez, Antonio Perez Dechent, Bobote, Juan Luis Corrientes
Blood Bills/Thugz (DVD)
It`s back-to-back urban action with this criminal double feature. In URBAN KILLAZ, a young woman returns to her hometown to realize that she can`t escape her dangerous past. Then, in THUGZ, a hot tempered killer tangles with rival drug gangs on the tough streets of Dallas."
Americana (DVD)
A Vietnam veteran returns to his rural Kansas hometown, and attempts to get back into mainstream life by rebuilding an old carousel. The townspeople are initially distrustful of the man, but eventually give him support. A labor of love for director/ star Carradine.PG"
Director: David Carradine
ACTORS: David Carradine, Barbara Hershey, Michael Greene, John Barrymore
He Said, She Said (DVD) Sensormatic Anti-intellectual skirt-chasing journalist Dan Hanson (Kevin Bacon) and his sensitive, liberal, erudite colleague Lorie Bryer (Elizabeth Perkins) find themselves fighting for the same column at the Baltimore Sun. They becom...
Anti-intellectual skirt-chasing journalist Dan Hanson (Kevin Bacon) and his sensitive, liberal, erudite colleague Lorie Bryer (Elizabeth Perkins) find themselves fighting for the same column at the Baltimore Sun. They become a hit when the editors decide to run their columns side-by-side allowing readers to enjoy their opposing viewpoints on the issues. When their column is adapted into a television program, He Said, She Said, their success leads to their romance--but when they have an on-air argument, both Dan and Lorie get a chance to explain their side of the story. Ken Kwapis directs the He Said portion of the argument, while Marisa Silver handles the She Said perspective.
PG-13"
Director: Ken Kwapis|Marisa Silver
ACTORS: Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Perkins, Sharon Stone, Nathan Lane, Anthony LaPaglia
Hart`s War (DVD)
Director Gregory Hoblits debut feature was the tricky courtroom drama PRIMAL FEAR. With his fourth feature, HARTS WAR, Hoblit is back with another. This time the court is inside a WWII prisoner-of-war camp. The defendant is Lieutenant Lincoln Scott (Terrence Howard), a black officer accused of killing a racist sergeant (Cole Hauser). Scott lawyer is Lieutenant Tommy Hart (Colin Farrell), a second-year law student at Yale. A U.S. senators son, Hart was having a relatively easy war until he was captured, interrogated, and sent to Stalag VI. The camp commandant is the urbane, charming, and ruthless SS Major Visser (compellingly played by Rumanian actor Marcel Iures). The ranking American officer at the camp is Colonel William McNamara (Bruce Willis), and Hart is soon in conflict with him. When Scott is accused of murder, McNamara insists that the prisoners should hold a court martial, and he appoints Hart counsel for the defense. At the court martial, Hart finds his client is being railroaded, although he gets help from unexpected quarters. Intricately plotted by scriptwriters Billy Ray and Terry George, and filmed by Hoblit with his accustomed attention to detail, HARTS WAR is a devious and absorbing courtroom/POW drama.R"
Director: Gregory Hoblit
ACTORS: Bruce Willis, Colin Farrell, Terrence Howard, Vicellous Shannon, Jonathan Brandis
