The Doors (DVD) Special Edition Covers the period from 1965-1971; Produced and released in 1991.
Val Kilmer stars as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone`s electrifying profile of the Doors, which takes the group from its inception to its demise with t...
Covers the period from 1965-1971; Produced and released in 1991.
Val Kilmer stars as Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone`s electrifying profile of the Doors, which takes the group from its inception to its demise with the death of the Lizard King in a Paris hotel room in 1971. In the early days of the group`s formation, Morrison is at his most benign; he`s just a guy hanging out at the beach writing poetry. But soon the Doors` fame begins to spread--with Morrison as the focus of attention. Capable of an eerily correct vocal imitation of Morrison, Kilmer makes manifest the talent and charisma, as well as the confusion and despair, of the complex man who was the focal point of the group. As Morrisson`s drug consumption and erratic behavior increase exponentially, the rest of the band--Ray Manzarek (Kyle McLachalan), John Densmore (Kevin Dillon), and Robby Krieger (Frank Whaley)--begins to grow tired of his late arrivals, the increasing number of cancellations, and the drunken recording sessions requiring infinite retakes. But no one can help Morrison as he spirals downward into an inferno of drugs, alcohol, public obscenity, and depression, bringing the music to an untimely close.
Stone`s intimate familiarity with SoCal in the 1960s provides the film with a high degree of surface verisimilitude, though the film is as much a tribute to the enduring power of the Doors` music as it is a cautionary tale about the perils of both celebrity and substance abuse.
R"
Director: Oliver Stone
ACTORS: Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley, Michael Madsen
You`re Under Arrest! - The Motion Picture (DVD)
From the creator of OH MY GODDESS! comes this comedy about two Tokyo Highway Patrolwomen, Natsumi and Miyuki, an odd couple made partners by chance. These two incredibly cute police officers cruise the streets of Tokyo, hunting down traffic regulation defying citizens in their mini patrol car. In this full length feature, the Bokuto Traffic Corps uncover a terrorist plot to wipe out Tokyo during a routine traffic stop. Up against an unknown madmen, Miyuki and Natsume rally their comrades to take on the department`s greatest challenge ever.NR"
Monster (VHS)
Charlize Theron delivers a knockout, cast-against-type performance in this gritty drama, based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a down and out prostitute who was sentenced to death after killing six men between 1989 and 1990. Christina Ricci costars as Selby Wall, a lesbian runaway who forms a romantic bond with Wuornos. Inspired by her love (even though she is not gay, strictly speaking) Wuornos tries to get a real job, but after meeting with a string of humiliating failures, she returns to work as a hitchhiking hooker, killing her first victim in self-defense after he rapes and beats her. Eventually, robbing and murdering her clients becomes almost second nature and by the end Wuornos even slays a man who was totally innocent (Scott Wilson). Theron`s portrayal of this dangerous yet sympathetic character ranks with some of the greatest performances in cinema. Under heavy makeup, extra weight, and a snarling countenance, she proves herself a fearless, formidable talent, completely unrecognizable from the glamorous beauty of such films as THE ITALIAN JOB (2003) and THE DEVIL`S ADVOCATE (1997). First-time director Jenkins proves herself with this fluid and engrossing work, capturing a lot of sordid detail that other movies exploring this milieu might miss; she also wrote the script, based on actual conversations and prison letters from Wuornos. The moody, paranoia-enhancing soundtrack is by electronica maestro BT.R"
Director: Patty Jenkins
ACTORS: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern, Scott Wilson, Pruitt Taylor Vince
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover (DVD)
Master director Greenaway (THE PILLOW BOOK) outdoes himself with this grisly fairy tale. The thief, Albert Spica, (Gambon) is a gangster, repugnant and boorish, who holds court at the same table in his opulent restaurant every night surrounded by his lackeys (Tim Roth and the late Ian Dury included). When his cultured and repressed wife Georgina (Mirren) becomes magnetically attracted to a solitary diner in the restaurant, the two begin a secret affair under the nose of her dangerous husband. With the help of the restaurant`s chef, the time the lovers share is kept secret from the vicious Albert...for a while. Despite the breathtaking production design and artful camera work, this violent, disturbing and very darkly comic work is not for everyone. Those with the stomach for it, however, will reap generous rewards.Unrated"
Director: Peter Greenaway
ACTORS: Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon, Richard Bohringer, Alan Howard, Tim Roth
Kinjite - Forbidden Subjects (DVD) Widescreen & Full Frame Businessman Hiroshi Hada`s teenage daughter has been kidnapped and enslaved by a prostitution ring. And Lt. Crowe, a cop who hates the Japanese, has been assigned to the case. Fortunately for Hada, there`s one t...
Businessman Hiroshi Hada`s teenage daughter has been kidnapped and enslaved by a prostitution ring. And Lt. Crowe, a cop who hates the Japanese, has been assigned to the case. Fortunately for Hada, there`s one thing Crowe dislikes more than the Japanese, and that`s teenage prostitution rings. As a result, Crowe is hellbent in his very violent efforts to nail the pimp. Will he succeed? This thriller starring Charles Bronson is one of the best of the action star`s career. Directed by regular Bronson collaborator J. Lee Thompson (10 TO MIDNIGHT).
R"
Director: J. Lee Thompson
ACTORS: Charles Bronson, Perry Lopez, Peggy Lipton, Sy Richardson, James Pax
