Way Down East (DVD)
Innocent Anna (Lillian Gish, in a terrific performance) is sent by her poverty-stricken mother to visit rich relations in Boston, where she is seduced into a sham marriage by a smooth-talking scoundrel (Lowell Sherman). When she becomes pregnant, he abandons her; later, the baby dies. Now a social outcast, she changes her name and eventually finds shelter at the estate of the sternly religious Squire Bartlett (Burr McIntosh). She falls in love with his handsome son (Richard Barthelmess), but cannot divulge to him her terrible secret for fear of his father`s righteous fury. D.W. Griffith (BIRTH OF A NATION) directed this film with his usual blend of powerfully cinematic storytelling and scathing social commentary. Rustic New England and New York locations provide a gorgeous backdrop to the proceedings, and the climax, where poor Anna becomes lost in a winter storm, and is swept down the river on ice floes, is one of silent cinema`s peak moments.NR"
Director: D.W. Griffith
ACTORS: Lillian Gish, Lowell Sherman, Richard Barthelmess, Mary Hay, Creighton Hale
Just Between Friends (DVD)
Two women, one married and the other single, form a fast friendship, drawn to each other by their striking differences. But, they soon realize that they have one thing in common - they are both in love with the same man.PG-13"
Director: Allan Burns
ACTORS: Mary Tyler Moore, Christine Lahti, Sam Waterston, Ted Danson
Homicide: Life on the Street - The Complete Season 3 (DVD) 6-Disc Set HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET is one of the most popular, innovative, and critically acclaimed police shows in television history. Based on the award-winning book by David Simon and adapted for television by Barry Levinson (D...
HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET is one of the most popular, innovative, and critically acclaimed police shows in television history. Based on the award-winning book by David Simon and adapted for television by Barry Levinson (DINER, TIN MEN) and Tom Fontana (St. Elsewhere, Oz), the series stars Richard Belzer, Ned Beatty, Yaphet Kotto, and Andre Braugher as a team of homicide detectives solving cases on the gritty streets of Baltimore. The series is revered by fans and critics alike for eschewing typical crime drama violence in favor of gripping storylines, strong writing, compelling characters, and a superb ensemble cast. This 6-disc box set collects all 20 episodes from the third season.
NR"
ACTORS: Richard Belzer, Yaphet Kotto, Andre Braugher
The Patchwork Girl of Oz (VHS)
Wizard of Oz creator Baum directed this tale of a magician`s patchwork doll who comes to life and gets into trouble. Many Oz characters are present, including Dorothy and the Scarecrow.NR"
Director: L. Frank Baum
The Rising Place (DVD)
Sometimes you can know someone for your entire life and never really know that person at all. That is what Virginia Wilder (Frances Fisher) discovers when she returns home to spend the holidays with her mother, Ruth (Frances Sternhagen), and her beloved, ailing aunt, Millie (Alice Drummond). Finding a box of her aunt`s letters and photos in the closet, Virginia is transported back to World War II Mississippi as the story of her aunt`s life unfolds before her. The young Emily`s (Laurel Holloman) letters weave together stories of love, friendship and loyalty, detailing Emily`s relationships and her life in a small Southern town during the war. Ultimately, tragedy leads the once naove Emily to take a stand against social and racially motivated injustice. Holliman`s performance as a young woman making unpopular decisions yet determined to stand by her convictions is both tender and heartfelt. Elise Neal and Mark Webber are endearing as Emily`s best friends, Wilma and Will. Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Tom Rice, the film features three original songs written and performed by entertainer Jennifer Holliday, who appears as a Jook Joint owner, and also stars Mark Webber, Tess Harper, Gary Cole, S. Epatha Merkerson, and Billy Campbell.PG-13"
Director: Tom Rice
ACTORS: Laurel Holloman, Elise Neal, Frances Fisher, Alice Drummond, Mark Webber
