Stakeout (DVD)
While on an FBI stakeout, detective Chris Lecce (Richard Dreyfuss) falls hard for Maria (Madeleine Stowe), the woman he`s supposed to be watching. Soon he`s inside her home enjoying a torrid love affair, while his young partner Bill Reimers (Emilio Estevez), waits across the street, looking through his binoculars and fuming. But the woman`s ex-boyfriend (Aidan Quinn), a crazed, escaped convict who is the real object of the stakeout, is on his way back to see her and poses a very dangerous threat to the new couple. Director John Badham`s entertaining blend of action and humor highlights the comic timing and chemistry between Dreyfuss and Estevez, who deliver first-rate performances.
The New Guy (DVD)
THE NEW GUY is an energetic, sweet-natured comedy that gleefully discombobulates the unfortunate social class system that has plagued high schools since the beginning of time. Teenager Dizzy Harrison (DJ Qualls) is the laughing stock of Texas` Rocky Creek High School. But his loser status changes when he lands a prison sentence and falls under the tutelage of a wild inmate, Luther (Eddie Griffin), who gives him a crash course in coolness. Upon his release, he enrolls at East Highland High and puts his plan into effect. Surprisingly, the new-and-improved Gil Harris becomes an overnight sensation, winning the affections of a beautiful cheerleader, Danielle (Eliza Dushka), in addition to the entire student body. But when Danielle`s bitter ex-boyfriend discovers Gil`s secret, Gil must own up to his past life and risk losing his newfound popularity in the process.
Ed Decter`s surprisingly sensitive romp through the cruel halls of high school boasts engaging performances by its young stars (most notably, the quirky Qualls and soon-to-be-superstar Zooey Deschanel), as well as a freewheeling soundtrack that ranges from hip-hop to rock to classic funk to eighties pop. A seemingly endless onslaught of musician cameos, from Jermaine Dupri to Henry Rollins to Vanilla Ice to Tommy Lee, only adds to the comic energy.PG-13"
Director: Edward Decter
ACTORS: DJ Qualls, Eddie Griffin, Eliza Dushku, Zooey Deschanel, Jared Mixon
Truly, Madly, Deeply (DVD)
In Anthony Minghellas directorial debut, Nina (Juliet Stevenson) is trying to put her life back together following the untimely death of her boyfriend, Jamie (Alan Rickman). She still hears his voice in her head, telling her to lock the back door, or instructing her in the proper way to brush her teeth. Nina gets the shock of her life when Jamie returns to her--still dead, but there in the flesh nevertheless. Just as the two settle back into their comfortable relationship, Nina meets Mark (Michael Maloney), a kind, quirky fellow who is obviously drawn to her. Nina is then caught between two worlds and two men--one dead and from and her past, the other alive and in the present. A supporting cast of mildly eccentric characters adds flavor to this romantic comedy about finding love where and when you least expect it. Stevenson is enchanting as Nina, instilling her with humor and grief simultaneously. Rickmans performance as Jamie, a dead cellist who brings other dead friends to hang out at Ninas flat, is wonderfully subtle and droll.NR"
Director: Anthony Minghella
ACTORS: Alan Rickman, Juliet Stevenson, Michael Maloney
Prey for Rock & Roll (VHS)
Two days before her 40th birthday, Los Angeles rock musician/tattoo artist Jacki (Gina Gershon) is considering throwing in the towel on her her dreams of stardom. As frontwoman for the all-female band Clam Dandy, she gets the band booked in plenty of local clubs, but the big break she keeps hoping for never seems to materialize. To add to her frustration, her band resembles a dysfunctional family: drummer Sally (Shelly Cole), the band`s youngest member, is the live-in lover of guitarist Faith (Lori Petty), and bassist Tracy (Drea De Matteo), is an addict whose habits are funded by her wealthy father. Jacki`s luck seems to be on the upswing when a record company rep begins coming to the band`s shows and she gains a budding romantic interest in Sally`s ex-con brother, Animal (Marc Blucas)--but she can rest assured that all obstacles are not behind her. Based on Cheri Lovedog`s autobiographical rock musical of the same name, PREY FOR ROCK AND ROLL offers an electric, true-to-life portrait of the struggles of a working rock band. Gina Gershon, in a formidably strong and sexy performance, sings all her own vocals in a series of fierce, punky songs also written by Lovedog. Petty, De Matteo, and Cole, who learned their respective instruments for the film, also turn in excellent work in this gritty look at the elusiveness of the rock-and-roll dream.R"
Director: Alex Steyermark
ACTORS: Gina Gershon, Drea de Matteo, Marc Blucas, Lori Petty, Shelly Cole
Circle of Friends (DVD) Widescreen In this sentimental study of life, friendship and romance, three girlhood chums attend college together. One, a straightforward, rather plain lass, sets her sights on the best-looking boy in school and their tender relations...
In this sentimental study of life, friendship and romance, three girlhood chums attend college together. One, a straightforward, rather plain lass, sets her sights on the best-looking boy in school and their tender relationship belies their differences. Based on a novel by Maeve Binchy.
PG-13"
Director: Pat O`Connor
ACTORS: Chris O`Donnell, Minnie Driver, Colin Firth, Geraldine O`Rawe, Saffron Burrows
