Deathtrap (DVD)
Sidney Lumet faithfully adapts Ira Levins witty play of intertwining intentions and duplicitous loyalties in his stinging thriller DEATHTRAP. Set in the glittering milieu of New Yorks Hamptons, the film stars Michael Caine as Sidney Bruhl, a washed-up writer of Broadway hit thrillers reeling from the unmitigated flop of his most recent play. Upon returning to his wife, Myra--a heart-murmur-afflicted, pill-popping, and incredibly wealthy hysterical played to great effect by Dyan Cannon--Sidney reveals that to add to his chagrin, a former student (Christopher Reeve) has sent him his brilliant first play, entitled DEATHTRAP. Much to his wifes dismay, Sidney concocts a mad scheme to lure the young playwright out to East Hampton and then promptly kill him in order to claim the play as his own. When the wheels of Sidneys plan are set in motion, the three characters launch into a tense, high-pitched game of double entendres, hidden intentions, and unexpected twists. The genre`s typical propensity for reversals is magnified tenfold as DEATHTRAP begins to feed upon its own script, taking the characters on a blind ride through sheer suspense and manipulation. Caine, Cannon, and Reeve turn in bravado performances that inject the already taught script with fine-tuned tension and raise the viewers suspension of disbelief to dizzying and hilarious heights.PG"
Director: Sidney Lumet
ACTORS: Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon, Irene Worth
The Gift of Love (DVD)
O. Henry`s classic short story The Gift of the Magi is brought to the screen with this television adaptation of the timeless holiday favorite. Marie Osmond stars as Beth, an orphan raised by wealthy relatives and facing an arranged marriage to a socially acceptable man (James Woods) she doesn`t love. When she meets and falls in love with an impoverished young immigrant named Rudy (Timothy Bottoms), she is forced to choose between her heart and her family obligations, leading to a touching act of sacrifice and selflessness.NR"
Director: Don Chaffey
ACTORS: Marie Osmond, Timothy Bottoms, James Woods, June Lockhart, Donald Moffat
Kimagure Orange Road - Summer`s Beginning (DVD)
Hapless Kyosuke Kasuga`s bad luck at being perpetually torn between two lovers is now compounded by a car accident that bumps him forward in time. Kyosuke`s future isn`t much better than his present, especially since the future Kyosuke is missing and presumed dead. Can he find himself--literally--while keeping the overeager Hikaru at bay? A Japanese theatrical release based on the popular anime.NR"
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama
Inspector Morse - Death of the Self (DVD)
British super-sleuth Inspector Morse (Thaw) along with his sidekick Sgt. Lewis (Whately) investigate what is determined an accidental death of a wealthy Englishwomen while abroad in Italy. Her husband believes the accident was anything but, leading Morse to Italy to further investigate... and enjoy a little Italian culture! An entry into the popular British television series.NR"
Director: Colin Gregg
ACTORS: John Thaw, Kevin Whately
Mystery! - Touching Evil 3 (DVD)
London`s Detective Inspector Dave Creegan is back after having recovered from a nervous breakdown to catch an ex-con suspected of murder and a serial killer. British actor Robson Green returns as the unorthodox sly detective from the London Crime uni...NR"
