The Nutcracker (DVD)
Under the direction of Gennady RozhdesTvensky, the Royal Ballet performs Tchaikovsky`s Nutcracker. NR"
ACTORS: Lesley Collier, Anthony Dowell, Royal Ballet
Kolya (DVD)
When a financially strapped former symphony cellist, now making a meager living by playing at funerals, gets pressured into a paper marriage with a friend`s single-mother niece, his roving-eye bachelor life is turned upside-down. The beautiful young woman immediately abandons her new husband and her five-year-old son, and the unlikely duo struggles to adjust to their new lives in Prague on the eve of 1989`s Velvet Revolution. Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. Academy Award: Best Foreign Language Film.PG-13"
Director: Jan Sverak
The Ring (DVD) Full Frame In Gore Verbinski`s remake of Hideo Nakata`s chilling horror film, a group of teenagers all die suddenly and inexplicably exactly one week after watching a mysterious videotape at a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest. Jou...
In Gore Verbinski`s remake of Hideo Nakata`s chilling horror film, a group of teenagers all die suddenly and inexplicably exactly one week after watching a mysterious videotape at a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest. Journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts), a relative of one of the victims, begins an investigation that leads to a mountain resort where she discovers the tape, which contains footage of random and surreal images. After viewing the tape, Rachel receives a phone call stating that she, too, has seven days left to live. As the clock ticks away, Rachel enlists the help of her former boyfriend, Noah (Martin Henderson), who is the father of her startlingly serious young son, Aidan (David Dorfman). Assisted by the intuitive illustrations of Aidan and the initially reluctant research of Noah, Rachel attempts to discover the significance of the cryptic tape before her time is up.
The original RING, based on a novel by Ktji Suzuki, was a cult phenomenon in Japan, spawning a sequel, a prequel, and other spin-offs. Although Verbinski`s adaptation shares much in common with its Japanese counterpart, the director distinctly alters numerous plot elements and, in grandiose Hollywood style, employs a much larger budget. The beautiful cinematography is one of the more telling enhancements, along with added screen time for other characters, including the morose Richard Morgan (Brian Cox). However, the key to this RING is Watts, who shines through the creepy atmosphere in a role that follows her success in MULHOLLAND DRIVE. This would appear to be no coincidence, since the film comes across like a David Lynch version of an X-FILES episode that presents shockingly scary moments and makes the most out of the unknown. A clear cut above most contemporary horror films, THE RING offers genuine chills and will make viewers think twice before watching any unmarked videotapes.
PG-13"
Director: Gore Verbinski
ACTORS: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox, Daveigh Chase
Bjork - Later With Jools Holland (DVD)
Taken from the popular BBC television show Later with Jools Holland, these exclusive live performances from quirky Icelandic goddess Bjork confirm her status as a truly cutting-edge artist. Spread over six years, from 1995-2001, tracks include Venus as a Boy, Bachelorette, Hyperballad, Joga, So Broken, and a live remix collaboration between Bjork and D`Influence on Aeroplane. NR"
ACTORS: Bjvrk Gupmundsdsttir, Jools Holland
Directors Series, The - James Cameron (DVD)
James Cameron, the man behind such Hollywood blockbusters as THE TERMINATOR and TITANIC, is profiled in this edition of THE DIRECTORS SERIES. In the program, Cameron, as well as a number of his colleagues, discuss Cameron`s early years as a filmmaker and his rise to prominence as well as his unique approach to the business and the art of filmmaking.NR"
