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(Homevision, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP)

Take three titans of world cinema, mix in one master of the macabre, add a touch of star power, and voila – an intriguing trio of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations all wrapped up into one package. Roger Vadim, Louis Malle, and Frederico Fellini each tackle a Poe tale, helped along by the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Terence Stamp, and Jane Fonda. To say the results are nothing short of fascinating would be an understatement. The anamorphic DVD presents a nice digitally restored image.

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(MGM, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

I love this film… I really do. For those not in-the-know, Dr. Buckaroo Banzai is a modern-day Renaissance man – he's a rock star, a brain surgeon, a physicist – everything, really. He's also a pretty damn quirky cult film that's truly cool. Thankfully, MGM agrees, and has graced us with a spiffy special edition, replete with not one, but two versions of the film (theatrical cut plus a special extended version with restored opening sequence starring Jamie Lee Curtis), an audio commentary with director W.D. Richter and Reno from the Banzai Institute (really screenwriter Earl Mac Rauch), a behind-the-scenes documentary and retrospective, 14 deleted scenes, the original teaser trailer, an all-new "Jet Car" special effects trailer (created by Foundation Imaging as a demo tool for a proposed Banzai TV series, "Pinky Carruther's Unknown Facts" subtitle track, the Banzai Institute archives, a Banzai Radio segment,  original production designs,  Jet Car secrets revealed, and a still gallery.

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(MGM, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

While not as giddily accomplished as its sequel (which was the true crossover success in America), the original adventures of the mad post-apocalyptic Aussie still have a grim and gritty charm after all of these years. As if a pretty darn nice anamorphic transfer isn't enough, fans are also treated to the original Australian dialogue audio (the film was dubbed for American audiences – yes, even Gibson), an audio commentary, the documentaries "Mel Gibson: The Birth Of A Star" and "Mad Max: The Film Phenomenon", a road rant facts feature, and trailers.

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(MGM, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$26.98 SRP)

How utterly and sadly ironic that the film itself answers the title question, and the worst that could happen to you is wasting any of your time on this middling, horrid mess. The anamorphic DVD contains 2 audio commentaries, a "Scene Stealer" featurette, deleted scenes, an alternate ending, outtakes, a music video, and the theatrical trailer.

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(MGM, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$26.98 SRP)

I'm not a big fan of horror films – never have been. Having said that, I was quite pleased to find that this was a horror flick that realized what all of the best horror films have –the less seen, the better. All blood and gore does is desensitize the viewer by making things far too concrete. When details are left up to the mind, the effects are far more insidious. As far as a plot goes, let's just say that every so often, something has to feed – perish forbid if you're the weary traveler passing through at that time. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Victor Salva and actors Justin Long and Gina Philips, a behind-the-scenes featurette, a special effects featurette, deleted scenes, an alternate ending (with optional commentary), storyboard comparisons, a photo gallery, and the theatrical trailer.

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(Warner Bros, Not Rated, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

There's nothing more evident in watching the original Rat Pack version of this flick than the fact that Frank and the gang never intended to make a real movie – it was just a convenient by-product of a desire to have a good excuse to party on someone else's dime. The story regarding a massive Vegas heist is essentially the same – with some minor changes – as the current remake, however the newer film is a much more satisfying affair. Who says sobriety ruins fun? The anamorphic DVD contains a commentary with Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Angie Dickinson, interactive "then and now" Las Vegas map casino vignettes, an excerpt from the Tonight Show with guest host Frank Sinatra talking to guest Angie Dickinson, and 2 theatrical trailers.

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(Universal, Not Rated/Rated R editions, DVD-$26.98 SRP)

It's not often that a sequel will wind up being more satisfying than the original film, but that's certainly the case here. The entire cast of the first film returns, while a logical amount of time has passed since their original adventure – it's now the summer after their first year at college. Relationships have changed, but hey – college does that. A very funny, oddly – yet hearteningly – sentimental flick. The unrated anamorphic DVD contains 6 minutes of additional footage, an audio commentary with director James B. Rogers, an audio commentary with writer Adam Herz, and two audio commentaries with cast members, a making-of featurette, an outtake reel, deleted scenes, "Classic Quotes", casting tapes, trailers; and a Jason Biggs introduction.

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(New Line, Rated R, DVD-$24.98 SRP)

In trying to best sum up this flick, think The Big Chill – Hollywood. Co-writers/co-directors Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming have crafted a very acerbic, biting slice of ego-swollen life in the town of tinsel, revolving around a gathering of friends at an anniversary party. Unfortunately, something unexpected and destructive leaks out amongst the guests – the truth. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with co-director's Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming, the Sundance Channel "Anatomy of a scene" documentary, and the theatrical trailer.

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(Warner Bros, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP)

Alex Haley seminal exploration of his family's history – all the way back to defiant African slave Kunta Kinte - is vividly presented in this landmark mini-series, presented in fine form spanning 3-discs. As far as special features go, the set includes an audio commentary - by executive producer David L. Wolper, Ed Asner, LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, John Amos, Sandy Duncan, Leslie Uggams, Stan Winston, and many more – the "Remembering Roots" 2001 behind-the-scenes documentary, and a Roots family tree. 

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(Hollywood Pictures, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

Unfortunately, with each new viewing, the allure of The Sixth Sense becomes less and less. What was once a very surprising and unique experience the first time around in the cinema now becomes an exercise in paint by numbers upon repeated viewings. It is, however, a brilliant piece of filmmaking for the uninitiated, proving that scares don't have to come slathered in blood, and sometimes the quietest moments are the most terrifying. While the original DVD release of this film was pretty packed, this new Vista Series edition adds to the party with a whole slew of new goodies that may actually sway owners of the original to plunk down the money for this release. The anamorphic 2 disc set contains a "Reflections From The Set" featurette, a documentary on the paranormal hosted by director M. Night Shyamalan, "M. Night Shyamalan: Storyteller" featurette, deleted scenes, rules and clues featurette, storyboard to film comparison, reaching the audience featurette, music and sound design featurette, and a conversation with M. Night Shyamalan.

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(Hollywood Pictures, Rated R, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

The allure of Tombstone always escaped me. Many have called it one of the greatest westerns ever made – and, granted, it's not a bad flick – but it's still not perfect. In fact, in many ways, I enjoy Silverado more than this. Having said that, though, for aficionados of the film – and DVD buffs – Buena Vista has crafted one of their 2-disc Vista Series special editions that will even entice a non fan to pick it up. The anamorphic set includes a director's cut revision, an audio commentary with director George P. Cosmatos, a Tombstone timeline, the director's original storyboards of the O.K. Corral sequence, and a collectible map.

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(Walt Disney, Rated PG, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

God, how I love Tron. Not for its rather slow story or occasionally wooden acting, but for just the sheer experimental brilliance on display in every frame. It's a flick that cries out for attention, and gosh darnit, it deserves it – even more so now that Disney has gone back, cleaned up the print, and decided to release a pretty dang spiffy special edition. The anamorphic 2 disc set contains an audio commentary with director Steven Lisberger, two programs detailing the histories of computer animation, interviews, deleted scenes, a 90-minute making-of documentary, trailers, and a storyboard-to-film comparison. The dawn of the computer graphics age never looked so good..

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(USA, Rated R, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$26.98 SRP)

If you were to take every corny, poorly shot, badly acted teen "comedy" flick from the early 80's and distill them down into one brilliant genre parody, this is what you'd get. To say anything more would ruin the fun – suffice it to say that you'll never look at Meatballs the same way again. The anamorphic special edition DVD contains a commentary with Janeane Garofalo, deleted scenes, a montage of behind-the-scenes footage, production stills, cast & crew bios, an alternate soundtrack, and the theatrical trailer.

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(Columbia/Tristar, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$24.95 SRP)

I'm actually more a fan of the potential film this could have been than what actually ended up on screen – it's a fascinating exercise in missed opportunities, and worth viewing on that footing. This film was originally envisioned as the deluxe DVD that is finally seeing release, but issues dictated that only a slight DVD edition be released last year. So, after more than a year, here's the whole enchilada. The 2-disc anamorphic DVD set includes an audio commentary with composer Trevor Rabin on an isolated score track, 9 behind-the-scenes featurettes, 3 storyboard comparisons, 2 animatics, RePet infomercial, trailers, and TV spot.

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(Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

HBO's recent biopic of Dorothy Dandridge piqued my interest in regards to this title, an Americanization of the opera Carmen. Thankfully, what I found was a jazzy gem, with Dandridge the center of the hurricane as sexy chanteuse who lures Harry Belafonte's Joe away from his beloved – setting up a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. The anamorphic DVD contains the film's theatrical trailer.

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(Criterion, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP)

Criterion (finally) brings to their line Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise – and not a moment too soon. The film details the humorous tale of a woman loved by four different men in 19th century Paris – replete with its societal strata deftly caricatured in a production the mixes and matches numerous genres and theatrical stylings. To praise the film restorations of the Criterion collection has almost become clichι through it's sheer repetition, but the line deserves every ounce of adoration. Children of Paradise has never looked this good (another clichι, I know), it's black & white 1.33 image just about as pristine as one could hope. Another area the Criterion is no slouch in are the supplements, and this 2-disc set doesn't disappoint. Disc one contains commentary by film scholar Brian Stonehill, a video introduction by Terry Gilliam, and a restoration demonstration (which never cease to amaze me). Disc two contains commentary by film scholar Charles Affron, Jacques Prevert's film treatment, production designs by Alexandre Trauner, a production stills gallery, filmographies, and the US trailer.

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(Columbia/Tristar, Rated PG-13, DVD-$24.95 SRP)

Call it existential, call it confusing, call it repetitive – I don't care, because I really do love this film. While the deeper meanings of the film do resonate with me, I still believe it to be one of Bill Murray's most nuanced comic performances. Thankfully, Columbia/Tristar has decided to replace the mediocre bare-bones DVD of this film with a nice special edition. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Harold Ramis, a making-of documentary, and theatrical trailers.

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(Homevision, Not Rated, DVD-$ SRP)

As a way of qualifying this review – I love documentaries on what drives the scientific mind. What motivates a person to dedicate themselves to a process fraught with as much disappointment as there is discovery – a slow, methodical life?  This documentary takes a look into that mindset in the form of seven scientists – in fields as diverse as lemurs to unified field theory – as they devote themselves to their scientific passions, while at the same time employing a necessary joy and creativity. Director Michael Apted allows the audience to draw their own conclusions about these varied – and, by nature, eccentric – people through brilliant insights into what makes them click.

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(Walt Disney, Rated PG, DVD-$39.99 SRP)

Atlantis is, if nothing else, a wonderfully flawed experiment. In visual design, story structure, and pacing, it's unlike anything Disney has done to date – however it's radical departure from the norm owes a great deal to The Black Cauldron. Unfortunately, just like Cauldron, the elements just don't seem to mesh into a satisfying whole. It's tepid performance at the box office does not bode well for future radical departures at Disney, but this is definitely an experiment worth viewing on DVD. The anamorphic 2 disc set contains an audio commentary with the filmmakers, a deleted scene (Viking prologue), "How to speak Atlantean" featurette, Disneypedia, virtual tours of CG models (Ulysses and Leviathon), a visual commentary, the Whitmore Industries industrial film, a History featurette, Story and editorial featurette, art direction featurette, character designs, and publicity materials.

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(Fox, Rated PG, DVD-$19.98 SRP)

No matter what your thoughts are on Baby's Day Out as a film – personally, I think John Hughes original concept was fatally flawed – this is still a DVD film aficionados will eat up. Why, you ask hesitantly? Because of the wonderfully insightful audio commentary provided by the film's director, Patrick Read Johnson – that's why. While most audio commentaries wither and die due to long gaps of silence and mediocre observations, Johnson's commentary is quite spry, continuos, and even humorous. The anamorphic DVD also contains a featurette and trailer.

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(Paramount, Rated R, DVD-$24.99 SRP each)

What is most amazing in retrospect – after two sequels, is just how funny and fresh the fist Beverly Hills Cop actually was – and what an unspoiled talent Eddie Murphy was. With each subsequent flick, the magic diminished in spades – but at least the original remains. The Beverly Hills Cop disc contains an audio commentary with director Martin Brest, a "Casting Beverly Hills Cop" featurette, new cast & crew interviews, a still gallery, a location map, and the trailer. Beverly Hills Cop II contains a deleted scene with introduction by director Tony Scott, new interviews, a making-of featurette, "Shakedown" music video, and the trailer. Beverly Hills Cop III contains the film's trailer.

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(Paramount, Rated R, DVD-$24.99 SRP)

Regardless of one's personal view of the film – jazzy period piece or troubled vanity project – there's no denying the group of talent that Eddie Murphy brought together, from Richard Pryor to Redd Foxx. It's kind of like the Casino Royale of the 80's. The anamorphic DVD contains the film's trailer.

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(Paramount, Rated PG-13, DVD-$29.99 SRP)

If you liked It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, you'll enjoy Rat Race. Simple as that. The premise is about the same, the on-the-road highjinks are familiar, and the cast is packed to the rafters with talent. The anamorphic DVD contains an audio commentary with director Jerry Zucker, a making-of, an outtake scene - "The Giggles", six deleted scenes, trailer, a gag reel, and one of the most fascinating features I've ever seen – a series of phone calls made, out of sheer boredom, to the cast by Zucker and writer Andy Breckman during the recording of the commentary.

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(Dreamworks, Rated PG-13, VHS-Priced For Rental, DVD-$32.99 SRP)

In grasping for a way to best sum up this 1930's era mystery/caper comedy, the closest I could come was "awkward". While the performances are generally top-notch in Woody Allen's usual all-star line-up (this time including Helen Hunt, Wallace Shawn, Dan Aykroyd, and more), Allen's schtick tends to grate after awhile. Also, the writing is definitely a shadow of past Woody glories. Overall, it's a mixed bag suitable only for die-hard fans. The anamorphic DVD contains the theatrical trailer.

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Tibby's Bowl Entertainment Magazine copyright 2001 by Kenneth Plume. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without permission is prohibited. All articles, stories, and columns contained within are copyright their respective authors.