Kiosk.net

Tommy Lee Jones’ directorial coming-out party is at worst a disaster and at best a swing-and-a-miss. The comic scenes aren’t funny, the dramatic scenes aren’t gripping, and key sections of the movie are neither insightful nor interesting. The result is a cliche-ridden unintelligent film that happens to benefit from pretty cinematography and a promising enough storyline to make you keep hoping that it gets better. Unfortunately, it never does.

Here’s the story: Mike Norton (Barry Pepper) is a border patrol agent who just took on a job in middle-of-nowhere Texas. While on patrol, he recklessly responds to gunshots he hears in the distance and unintentionally kills Melquiades Estrada (Julio Cedillo), an illegal migrant worker who was just trying to keep a fox or coyote or something away from his goats. Unfortunately for Norton, Melquiades worked for Pete Perkins (Jones) and had become his best friend. Doubly unfortunate for Norton is that Pete finds out he did it, kidnaps him, makes him dig Melquiades’ body up, and then take a ride through Mexico on horseback in order to bury the body in Melquiades’ home town.

This basic story has the potential to be a great Western morality play but it is dragged down into superficiality by watered-down writing (”21 Grams” writer Guillermo Arriaga is certainly not in top form here) and confused directing. One rightly expects the centerpiece of the film to be a long soul-searching journey, but these scenes deliver on nothing but length. Not a word of meaningful dialogue is ever exchanged on this multiple-day trip and no interesting moral questions are ever adequately addressed. What does Pete think about death and redemption? How would he respond if Norton told him what really happened (i.e. that Norton is at worst guilty of being irresponsible and jumpy)? Would it make a difference to him? What does Norton think of Pete’s brand of justice (beyond frequently shouting “you’re insane!”)? Before the kidnapping, we are given numerous well-acted and well-done scenes intended to express Norton’s remorse–but why doesn’t he tell this to Pete right off the bat? And since he does feel remorse, why does this remain a hostage situation? Doesn’t his own remorse suggest that he would eventually realize that this trip may spell redemption for him too? If he ever does realize what is going on, it is much too late in the film.

The problem here isn’t just that the film is too shallow (it is) but that it is also simply implausible. These unasked, unaddressed, and unanswered questions are obvious, not subtle. These two guys spend a LOT of time together, and Norton never really asks Pete what they are doing or why, never makes much of an effort to tell him what happened, takes way too long to express the remorse the audience knows that he has been long in feeling, is overly subservient to Pete, etc. Without reason, Norton is convinced that Jones’ character is ready to kill him, but the entire point of this trip requires that Pete keep Norton alive. It is as if the script keeps the Pepper character in the dark in order to either maintain this plot point or to avoid having to include thoughtfully relevant things that these guys would actually say to each other.

(And to claim that these two characters are simply too grizzled or laconic for even a simple moral discussion is not just a cop-out but is also patently ridiculous: during the course of the film, not one but BOTH are shown crying! Aside from this, no portion of the film has a gritty enough tone to even include such character types; it is more “Open Range” or “Lonesome Dove” than “Unforgiven” or “The Wild Bunch.”)

Furthermore, the kidnapping itself is hard to swallow. We are given no reason to believe that Pete is capable of this beyond the many scenes establishing his loyalty to his fallen friend. These scenes are enough to establish love and friendship, but do not even come close to suggesting that Pete has ever even committed an act of violence in his life.

The treatment of Norton as a character is just as confused. We are shown numerous instances of him being a jerk–his uncontrollable temper prompts him to beat up illegal immigrants; he is an unloving husband to his utterly-unnecessary-to-the-story-wife; he is probably racist–but NONE of these characteristics factor into the shooting. They simply make us not like Norton, similar to the the way that the pre-kidnapping scenes of Pete make us like him. The result is that the centerpiece of the film amounts to “Guy We Like is Moral and Does Right Thing / Guy We Don’t Like Learns a Lesson.” Flatly relying upon this formula is bad enough; but it’s worse when the equation doesn’t even balance out properly. If anything, Norton only really “learns” that “Mexican Immigrants are people too,” mostly in an horribly-eye-rolling piece of Symbolism that appropriately involves shucking corn (if intentionally comic–which is what I hope but don’t believe is the case–the scene is at best incoherently out of place). But since his racism has absolutely nothing to do with Estrada’s death, one wonders what the point of this “learning experience” is and what themes the movie really wants to address.

I suspect that the filmakers intended this to be “in part” a social commentary film, but failed to put their cards on the table. The result is a film that should have centered around two fully-developed characters but ends up being over-burdened with cheezy melodramatic sequences that are all but subtitled with “this is the Message.” The lesson here is that, if you are going to make an Issue picture, make an Issue picture; if not, then only address Issues insofar as this directly and naturally falls out of the experiences of, well-written, interesting characters. The anything-but-subtle “Crash” succeeds at the former; the refreshingly-free-from-melodrama, character-driven “Brokeback Mountain” succeeds at the latter. “Three Burials” succeeds at neither.

All of this is a shame, since the ending kind of works and the basic premise is fantastic. The film suffers from trying to address too many themes (included are: racism, small-town isolation, immigration, and personal responsibility) and ends up doing a movie-of-the-week level job with all of them. The story requires a simpler, more sparsely produced film that deals with the interesting moral questions that are naturally generated from its basic premise. It does not need the distracting side-stories involving local cops, Norton’s wife, and the waitress at the local diner–and it certainly does not need the Tarantino-esque non-linear narrative style that Arriaga put to better use in “21 Grams” but employs needlessly and distractingly here.

Much of Jones’ acting work has bascially relied upon second-rate imitations of Clint Eastwood and Harvey Keitel. He would have been better served by at least trying to copy the former’s directing-style as well; the simplicity that worked so well for “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby” would have done wonders with this material. Alas.

One-and-a-half out of four arbitrarily chosen stars.

Not many surprises in the line up, but it looks like a healthy competition. Brokeback Mountain dominates the line up, Walk the Line and Capote also have strong showings. George Clooney has an impressive showing as well. One pleasant surprise was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire receiving a nod for Art Direction, which I feel is deserved.

And the nominees are…

Always something new on Netflix. Check out these kiosk-approved flicks for a fun weekend of staying in and watching DVDs…

The Interpreter
Silvia Broome’s (Nicole Kidman) job is to translate for her assigned delegate the complex issues faced by the United Nations. But the interpreter’s daily challenge turns epic when she accidentally overhears details of a plot to assassinate a high-ranking government official. Suddenly, her existence is overshadowed by danger, and she must unravel an intricate yarn of intrigue with the help of an FBI agent (Sean Penn) in order to save herself.

The Amityville Horror
Hapless home-buyers George (Ryan Reynolds) and Kathy (Melissa George) Lutz discover their dream home is possessed by evil spirits in this terrifying remake based on the popular book. The story begins when the Lutzes purchase a home with a bloody history: Ronald DeFeo killed his entire family in the same home just a year earlier. Soon after moving into the house, George, Kathy and their three children are terrorized by demonic forces.

House of D
Set in New York, House of D is the multilayered story of a man (David Duchovny) coming to terms with his past and present and resolving his relationships with the people who helped make him the man he’s become. Along the way, he recalls the special bond he shared with a retarded janitor (Robin Williams) who worked at the elementary school he attended. Co-stars Tea Leoni and Anton Yelchin. Duchovny also directed and wrote the screenplay.

Cinderella: Special Edition
Disney’s animated version of the beloved children’s tale about a gentle-hearted girl who attends the palace ball, where she meets her prince with the help of a benevolent fairy godmother, is fully restored and released with plenty of bonus features in this platinum edition. Kids will delight in the story of hope, which also features many hummable tunes such as “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” “So This Is Love” and “Bippity Boppity Boo.”

My Summer of Love
Director Pawel Pawlikowski’s BAFTA award-winning film juxtaposes the secret longings of two very different young women: the smart Mona (Natalie Press), who’s deeply bored and tired of the poverty of her everyday life, and the rich Tamsin (Emily Blunt), who’s long ceased to be impressed with her well-heeled life. When their worlds collide unexpectedly, they sense an immediate attraction, but can their unusual friendship survive their differences?

Into the West
Steven Spielberg executive produced this TNT miniseries about American Westward expansion during the 19th century. Told from both the perspective of the white Wheeler family and the Native American Lakota tribe, the 12-hour epic follows the clans as they struggle to find their place in a country confounded by turmoil and change. Historical figures and fictional characters interact in the gold fields, over railroad tracks and in battle.

Jiminy Glick in La La Wood
Martin Short reprises the role he made famous, that of showbiz maven and combustible talk-show host Jiminy Glick, in this offbeat comedy. Glick is soaking in the atmosphere at the Toronto Film Festival, where he’s determined to make his mark. When he snags an interview with superstar Ben DiCarlo (Corey Pearson), Glick’s profile receives a much-needed jolt, but matters turn seamy when an aging actress is found dead in his bed.

Drawn Together: Season 1
Tongue placed firmly in cheek, this animated series first broadcast on Comedy Central takes a page from the rash of reality shows that have hit television airwaves. The premise: Cartoon characters echoing true animated favorites are thrown together in a house to see what madness ensues. Episodes from the first season include “Clara’s Dirty Secret,” “Requiem for a Reality Show” and “The One Wherein There is a Big Twist.”

Dracula A.D. 1972
Devil-worshipping hippies revive Dracula (Christopher Lee) in this groovy 1970s Hammer Studios horror flick set in London. Thinking Dracula’s one cool cat, Johnny (Christopher Neame) and his psychedelic gang resurrect the count. The powerful creature of the night awakens with a mission: to destroy his archnemesis Dr. Van Helsing (Peter Cushing). It’s good vs. evil as Van Helsing faces Dracula in a thrilling final showdown.

Monster High
In this kitchy send-up of high school-themed cinematic romps, everything’s out of control at the titular institution. Two camps are battling for supremacy at Monster High: humans and phantasmagorical, supremely diabolical creatures. So when one regular student dares to stake his and the rest of his ilk’s lives on a basketball game, mayhem explodes. Could the monstrous Syridium Damianus Hectophantasmigona be behind the drama?

Pippi Longstocking
The first in a line of four Pippi Longstocking films follows the precocious girl (Inger Nilsson) as she takes over an abandoned house called Villa Villekulla, moving in with her horse and pet monkey, Mr. Nilsson. None of the neighbors know what to make of it — especially Tommy (Pär Sundberg) and Annika (Maria Persson), the children who live next door. But the trio soon forms a fast friendship, and the good times begin!

The Jet Li Collection: Evil Cult / Dr. Wai
Jet Li’s unique brand of jet-fueled martial arts makes him one of kung fu’s biggest names and the first action star to emerge from mainland China. Li’s championship-winning martial arts skills first brought him fame in Asia and then spread his legend around the world. In these two powerful kung fu films (Evil Cult and Dr. Wai), you’ll see exactly why Li is often considered heir to the mantle of Bruce Lee.

Pink Floyd: London 1966-1967
At this juncture of their career, iconic band Pink Floyd had nearly perfected their sound, as evidenced by their performances seen here at London’s Sound Techniques Studio, laying down tracks for Peter Whitehead’s movie Tonite Let’s All Make Love in London. Next is a trip to the “14 Hour Technicolor Dream Extravaganza” gig, with a glimpse of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Also included are interviews with Mick Jagger, Michael Caine and David Hockney.

Count Duckula: Season 1
This clever animated series from creator Brian Cosgrove takes Daffy Duck and blends him with Count Dracula to get the incomparable Count Duckula, a web-footed ex-vampire who’s replaced his thirst for blood with a serious yen for veggies (the result of an accidental ketchup transfusion). Accompanied by his butler, Igor, and his maid, Nanny, Duckula stalks the globe in search of the perfect adventure — and he usually finds it.

If you love Pink Floyd like I do, you’ll definately want to check out the Floyd documentary. If you have a sick fascination with bad cartoons from your childhood like I do, you’ll want to check out Duckula.

What’s new on Netflix? Here’s what:

The Longest Yard
It’s the inmates vs. the guards in this remake of the hit 1974 comedy. While doing time in the Big House, pro quarterback Paul Crewe (Adam Sandler) persuades fellow convict and former gridiron coach Nate Scarborough (Burt Reynolds) to prepare a group of jailbirds for a match against the screws. But Paul, Nate and the rest of the team are in for a little surprise when game time rolls around. Chris Rock, James Cromwell and Michael Irvin costar.

Mind Hunters
Sequestered on a remote island, a training program for a nefarious FBI division called the Mindhunters is in full swing. These handpicked agents are an advanced psychological profiling group adept at cornering serial killers. But when it’s discovered that one of the agents is actually a serial killer ready to strike, will the remaining six agents be able to finger the killer in time? Stars Val Kilmer, LL Cool J and Christian Slater.

The Adventures of Sharkboy & Lavagirl
An outcast 10-year-old boy winds up having the best summer of his life in this 3D children’s adventure tale. Rejected by his classmates and forced to endure summer vacation all by himself, a young boy (Taylor Lautner) dreams up the best two imaginary friends a kid could have — Sharkboy and Lavagirl. The friends set off on an exciting mission to prove that dreams can become reality. David Arquette, Kristin Davis and George Lopez costar.

Desperate Housewives Season 1
Why would perfect wife and mother Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong) suddenly decide to commit suicide? That’s the mystery at the heart of ABC’s darkly funny Stepford-esque soap opera. While Mary Alice’s friends Susan (Teri Hatcher), Lynette (Felicity Huffman), Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) and Bree (Marcia Cross) try to find out what happened, their own lives and loves get increasingly complicated. Nicolette Sheridan and Jamie Denton co-star.

Inside Deep Throat
This fascinating documentary by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato examines the goings-on behind the porn film that grew to become an icon: Deep Throat. Released in 1972, the film made more money than its producers anticipated and ignited a sexual and social revolution. Features interviews with the movie’s stars, Linda Lovelace and Harry Reams, plus commentary by director John Waters and writers Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal.

Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures
Animator Nick Park’s most beloved creations come to life in this DVD, which includes all three of the pair’s adventures: “A Close Shave,” “A Grand Day Out” and “The Wrong Trousers.” In each, the unflappable, cheese-worshipping Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, foil the plans of dastardly penguins, conniving robotic sheep dogs and others who threaten to destroy the equilibrium of their happy, predictable lives.

Battlestar Galactica: Season 1
This 2003 series, based on the original TV series from 1978-80, was broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel and instantly won a legion of admiring fans. Join Adama (Edward James Olmos) and Laura (Mary McDonnell) as they lead a ragtag fleet of human survivors (from the destroyed colonies of Kobol) in search of a mythical planet called Earth. But beware, the robot race of Cylons is in hot pursuit … and it seems nothing will stop them!

Justice League Unlimited: Joining Forces
In this cool collection of animated episodes, D.C. Comics superheroes star in story lines tailored for younger audiences. In “For the Man Who Has Everything,” Superman’s birthday bash is interrupted by the evil villain Mongul. In “The Return,” a dozen of the Justice League’s greatest heroes take on Lex Luthor’s evil robot, Amazo. And in “The Greatest Story Never Told,” an eager superhero from the future unknowingly saves the day.

Crunch: Cardio Dance Blast
Viewers who want to sculpt and tone their bodies but loathe the monotony of the usual cardio drill can exercise and have fun at the same time with this dance routine. Health and wellness guru Marie Forleo hosts this booty-shakin’ and booty-blastin’ regime, which has participants on their feet for an entire hour groovin’ to the latest tunes while getting the heart pumping for good health. Forleo promises fun and fitness in one aerobic workout. Better than Tae Bo!

Be sure to check out Battle Star if you’re a sci-fi Fan. Be sure to check out the Deep Throat movie if you’re a porno documentary fan.

The world of movies is changing. Rental chains are posting losses, online services are gaining momentum, video on demand is becoming a reality, and the Box Office receipts (and attendance) are slowing, stagnating, slumping, and all those other S words. Makes you kind of wonder if they’re not all connected in some way…

Well, anyway, one thing hasn’t changed much and that’s summer movies. I mean, less people are going to see them, but the movies haven’t changed all that much in terms of quantity or quality, even though maybe they should.

But one thing I tend to do here at Kiosk is talk about the movies themselves from time to time, and, as the summer winds down (and a certain NYT article has recently spurred me into thinking about the box office), I think it’s a perfect time for the Kiosk.net Summer Movie Recap!

Editor’s Picks

There are movies that I can personally recommend to the public. They are Kiosk approved and guaranteed to interest, entertain, and maybe even educate you.

Batman Begins
A classic summer blockbuster, but with a brain and a soul. This was one of the years highest grossing films, and with good reason: A great movie backed up by a good advertising campaign. Batman just rules. I’m not talking about the Joel Schumacher, nipples on the bat suit, “What killed the dinosaurs? The Ice Age,” mega laser powered by a diamond, 60s camp Batman. I’m talking about the cool, dark, Tim Burton, Dark Knight Returns, Batman the Animated Series Batman; and he was there in full force in Christopher Nolan’s beautifully imaged and executed Batman Begins. The visuals were stunning, the acting was all in all great, the story was wonderful, and it reminded us of what it was we loved about Batman in the first place. There’s been plenty said about this movie by finer critics than I, so if you want to read more, just enter “Batman Begins” into Google and hit go.

Crash
“Crash” is an intelligent commentary on racism in America. It is more subtle than Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” and perhaps more powerful because of it. The characters in “Crash” are remarkably real and multi-faceted, both likable and deplorable. If you like serious dramas that have an intellectual and social side, and can handle a dark, down-beat, and sometimes depressing film, see Crash.

War of the Worlds
“War of the Worlds” was a masterpiece in many ways. The special effects were breath taking, Cruise’s acting was probably the best he’s done since “Eyes Wide Shut,” and Spielberg’s directing proves to the world that he is still the master storyteller of the summer blockbuster. With the exception of one scene (you’ll know the one if you saw the movie, sort of “oh, not that old chestnut, Spielberg, you were doing so well), the movie is blaringly smart, exciting, and even terrifying. Yes, War of the Worlds is scary. Sufficiently scary to capture the emotions of the apocalypse. Spielberg puts you right in the belly of the beast, into a seething mass of humanity afraid for its life, and he scares you without having to resort to cheap Hollywood scares (a sudden flash on the screen with at rill of violin music). I think the script could have used some work in terms of plotting, and I know the plot of the H.G. Wells novel was basically adhered to. There was an attempt at adding a climax sometime near the end that fell short, but that was not what the movie needed. Good books don’t necessarily make good movies, and when you adapt a novel, it is the director’s responsibility to take the appropriate liberties with the story, to bend it until it’s fit to be told via the cinema. Despite problems with story arc, the movie was still magnificent to behold and enjoyable to watch. I highly recommend it.

Sky High
This movie was fun, funny, and surprisingly good. The previews are a bit misleading in this regard. There are plenty of great scenes for kids and adults both, and anybody who loves comic books, or super heroes, or really anyone who remembers what it was like growing up should enjoy it. The only people who will really hate it are “too cool for school” teens aged 15-19 that haven’t yet fully developed their sense of humor. Young children looking forward at high school and the older crowd looking back should enjoy it. Plus, the casting is excellent, and the actors do a great job pulling off the wackiness of it. The kids were particularly good, bringing life to roles that could have been just another kiddy flick.

March of the Penguins
All the critics in Hollywood (and all the penguins in the South Poll) can’t be wrong. This was a kick-ass documentary. It was visually interesting, both in terms of subject and setting (penguins and Antarctica respectively) and emotionally engaging. Not only was it fun watching penguins sliding on their bellies a cross 70 miles of ice, but the story was compelling, their annual trip to their breeding ground, the hardships they have to suffer, the mortality of the births and deaths, all very good stuff. Not to mention baby penguins are very cute. It does drag at times, but overall I’d say this was a refreshing change to the normal summer fare, and is probably in line for a best documentary Oscar.

Howl’s Moving Castle
And “Howl’s Moving Castle” will probably be receiving the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The creative genius behind “Spirited Away” and “Princess Monanoke” has done it again. The visuals in this piece alone were stunning enough to sell me on the movie. Add to that exciting action, and a fun story, and a cute dog and you have yourself a winner. Not as good as “Spirited Away,” in part due to some Deus Ex Machina plot devices and a confusing series of flashbacks, but still definitely worth seeing.

Flops

These are movies that were major financial disappointments. Some of them got what they deserved, others were good pictures that just got the shaft. Well, most of them got what they deserved.

Cinderella Man
Critically acclaimed, yet lost money at the Box Office. I guess people were sick of Russell Crowe’s phone throwing antics. Either that or they just didn’t buy the rehashed sports her plot. Maybe it would have done better if it was called what it was “Highbrow Rocky.”

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
This movie met reasonable critical success, but it was a box office disappointment, earning only $38m in the box office, this novel adaptation failed to become a new “Ya Ya Sisterhood.”

The Island
Oh, “The Island.” What were you thinking Michael Bay? This was the one of the biggest disappointments of the summer. It’s always painful when a big budget blockbuster fizzles at the BO. Painful for the studios anyway. But maybe even more painful for the audiences that paid to see it. Oy. The fact that the “original” story idea has appeared in about half a dozen previous movies didn’t help.

Bewitched
Another ill conceived nightmare. A pure remake of Bewitched might have gone somewhere, but it’s no surprise that the audience response to this movie was colder than a box of Gorton’s fish sticks. Despite a RELENTLESS marketing campaign, this “hip” reimagining of the classic TV show just didn’t resonate. Must have been that whole it’s-a-movie-about-a-TV-show-based-on-a-TV-show-except-it-turns-out-the-old-TV-show-was-real-the-whole-time thing.

STEALTH
Any movie that can’t figure out how to disable the capslock is doomed to box office failure. This is about as original as “The Island,” but with even worse acting, worse directing, and worse writing. Plenty of explosions though, so if you like that kind of thing, you might enjoy a lobotomy/STEALTH.

Dark Water
Again, totally rehashed from other ghost movies. Maybe it has scary parts, maybe not, I didn’t watch it, but apparently it was completely lame and deserved to be ignored at the box office.

The Dis-honor Roll

These are movies that are just plain bad. Some of them flopped, but others did quite well. Regardless of how they did in the box office, however, the operative word is awful. I haven’t seen any of these, so I’ll only give you a few words on them.

The Longest Yard
A remake that didn’t need to be made. Probably funny, but probably dumb as hell too. Critics hated it because it has absolutely no soul.

Fantastic Four
Dumbest super hero movie in the last 5 years.

Monster-in-Law
J-Lo is the worst actress in history, and this movie’s plot is completely ridiculous. Wanda Sykes is funny though.

The Perfect Man
The movie that Mr. Shmuger was talking about when he said this.

Skeleton Key
Like Dark Water but doing better at the BO.

Deuce Biggalow: European Gigolo
Makes me feel dumb even to write the title down.

Madagascar
Not everything computer animated is good. Robots, Shark Tale, Ice Age, and Madagascar all blow. The Incredibles it is not.

Must Love Dogs
Shameless plug for Match.com.

The Devil’s Rejects
Produced by Rob Zombie. His last name is Zombie. “More Human than Human” was a good song, but come on.

Herbie: Fully Loaded
Hahahahahahahahaha!

Blockbusters

Big budget blow outs, run away hits, and happy Hollywood endings. Good, bad, or ugly, these movies did great at the BO.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The force was strong with this one. I guess it was the best of the prequels, and maybe it was a good movie, but even if it was George Lucas farting on a Jawa, I don’t think any Star Wars fan could resist the lure of the final installment.

Wedding Crashers
Another hit from the Frat pack. R rated comedies are back in a big way, and Wedding Crashers made a killing despite its budget, which was bloated by comedy standards.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith
I think Hollywood may have stumbled upon a new formula: Put the two most beautiful people on the planet in tight clothes and have the shoot at each other. Oo la la. Again, probably a bad movie, but I don’t think anybody went to see this expecting a cinematic master piece.

Red Eye
Another surprise hit. The trailer met a lukewarm reception, but people are coming out to see it. Wes Craven’s name does mean a lot, and the terror at 30,000 feet aspect makes it a pretty big draw. Plus, from what I hear it’s full of explosions at the end.

The 40 Year Old Virgin
Another big R-rated comedy. Sometimes gross, but doesn’t go too far. Packed with great jokes, and a surprisingly interesting and likable cast of characters. It’s always cool when an oddball movie like this one becomes a runaway hit. A little more mainstream then, say, “Napoleon Dynamite,” but not what you’d expect to be one of the best reviewed films of the year.

Hidden Gems

A few films that you might not have heard about but might be worth a look.

The Aristocrats
This dirty little documentary amused and disgusted audiences all across America. No violence, no nudity, but unparalleled obscenity. Not for the weak of heart, that’s for sure, but it’s an amazing showcase of comedic talent none the less. Robin Williams, Gilbert Godfreid, Drew Carry, and… yes.. Bob Sagat among others line up to tell the dirtiest joke imaginable again and again and again…

Murderball
One of the best documentaries of the year, filled with humor, excitement, and sentiment. It’s about wheelchair-bound rugby players. Yes, you read that right. And they’re all farking crazy.

That’s it for this year’s Summer Movie Recap. I hope you enjoyed it and found it enlightening. Hopefully I put some box office issues into perspective for you and gave you a good sense of what came out this year, what might be causing the box office receipts to slump, and, in context, what might change in the future. We’ll know more when the DVD rental returns come in, so stay tuned for more in-depth analysis at Kiosk.net.

What others are saying about the summer’s movies:

Charlie + the Chocolate Factory, War of the Worlds, Batman Begins

Batman Begins

March of the Penguins

STEALTH

Skeleton Key

A few good reviews

The Slump (Scroll down about 1/4 of the way)

Howl’s Moving Castle

Hey everybody– just wanted to let all of you know that Alien Planet is now available on Comcast’s On Demand service. Just go to Cable Favorites and then to Discovery Channel and it is the very first choice.

I haven’t seen it yet, but it looks very cool. The show postulates about life on an alien planet with twin suns and 60% gravity. Discovery Channel has had some big hits like this in the past such as “The Future is Wild” on Animal Planet (future Earth evolution) and Dragons: something or other made real, although that one was a bit dissapointing.

Anyway, I know a lot of you have Comcast Digital Cable, so check it out if you like that kind of thing.

There are tons more New Releases where these came from, but who has time to list them all? For serious. Here are a few you might be interested in. Kiosk editors choice indicated by ***.

Constantine***
John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) is a private investigator who believes in things that go bump in the night — which makes him somewhat of an eccentric in a world ruled primarily by logic. So, it comes as a surprise to him when a female cop (Rachel Weisz) seeks his counsel after her twin sister dies in what first appears to be a suicide. She wants definitive proof of the cause of death … but the answers may only come with blind faith on her part.

Born Into Brothels
Exclusively at Netflix: In this Oscar-winning documentary, photographer Zana Briski and director Ross Kaufman travel to Sonagchi, Calcutta, and film the relationships they develop with kids (ages 10-14) of prostitutes who work the city’s red-light district. Amid the sadness and squalor lie faint glimmers of hope, as in the story of a 12-year-old street artist who’s invited to participate in the World Press Photo Foundation program.

Man of the House
Texas Ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones) finds himself college bound when he’s tapped to protect a boisterous group of University of Texas cheerleaders — who happen to be the only witnesses to a federal snitch’s murder. To keep an eye on them, Sharp goes undercover as their assistant coach, a job that requires him to live with them and master the art of choreography … with hilarious results. Anne Archer costars as Sharp’s love interest.

Ice Princess
In this new take on the traditional “ugly duckling turns into a swan” tale, Casey (Michelle Trachtenberg), a smart high school student whose mother (Joan Cusack) has her eyes set on Harvard, longs to become a figure skater like Gen (Hayden Panettiere), a beautiful prodigy who’s active in the sport’s circuit. Invited to train with Gen and her mother (Kim Cattrall), Casey must choose her destiny: Should she be an ice princess or a collegiate?

Horror in the East***
Japan’s shocking treatment of World War II POWs and the country’s refusal to surrender are examined in this two-part program. From cultural, political and economic factors to the assault on Nanking and the brutality of Japan’s POW camps, the complex story is told through archival footage and interviews with former Japanese soldiers, kamikazes and Allied POWs. The DVD also includes documentaries on the Indian army and the war in Burma.

Rachmaninoff: Miserly Knight
This dramatic presentation of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s moody one-act opera features Sergei Leiferkus as “The Miserly Knight,” a man so consumed with his wealth that he brings about his own demise. Filmed live at the Glyndebourne Opera House in 2004, this production also features vocalists Richard Berkeley-Steele, Maxim Mikhailov, Viacheslav Voynarovskiy and Albert Schagidullin, backed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Porky
Initially created to team with a cat named Beans, Porky Pig found his niche as Warner Brothers’ straight man, serving as the character audiences could always identify with and delivering his trademark “That’s all, folks!” This collection of classic cartoons pushes the shy and stuttering swine (first voiced by actual stutterer Joe Dougherty and later by Mel Blanc) to the center of the action, showing off some of his most memorable work.

Are you sitting at home with absolutely nothing to do? It’s time you get and entertain yourself! With eGuide.com, simply type in a zip code and this search engine will find the closest movie theaters to you. You can even purchase tickets online and select specific theaters to place on your “myFavorites” page. In addition to this convenient movie theater guide, eGuide will search local events and TV listings as well so you can remain perpetually entertained!

Hi there- Double-oh Steven here with some weekend editor’s choice movie picks. Put a few of these babies to the top of your queue right now, and you’ll be in cinema heaven by Saturday.

Action Movies

New Release Pick: Troy. Not the finest bit of cinema you’ll ever see, but Brad Pitt… Whew! A plausible retelling of the classics set down by Homer and Virgil, complete with the Face that Launched 1000 ships. Orlando Bloom costars as the prissy Paris.

Oldie but Goodie: Terminator 2: Judgment Day. I believe there is a special edition of this out available at Netflix. No movie since has been quite this awesome. Every action sequence is amazing, the special effects still hold up today, and the T-1000 is bad ass. Hasta la Vista, baby.

Required Reading: The Four Musketeers (1975). Set the bar for Pirates of the Caribbean. Slapstick comedy meets great swashbuckling choreography with an all-star cast. For a musketeer double feature, try The Three Musketeers (1973), too.

Romantic Comedies

New Release Pick: Hitch. Everybody loves Will Smith, whether you want to admit it or not. If you’re in the mood for a light and funny movie, why not this one? This one is Man Approved as well, thanks to the versatility of the Fresh Prince.

Oldie but Goodie: Pretty Woman. Ridiculous, but great, movie. The best thing about it is guys continue watching long after they realize that Julia Roberts isn’t going to get naked.

Quirky, Lesser-known Gem: Amelie. OK, maybe it’s not little-known, but it is in French, so it qualifies. Bizarre and delightful film with plenty of accordion. Plus, Audree Tautou is oddly hot in this.

Dramas!

New Release Pick: Closer. Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, and Jude Law doing dirty things to one another. Need I say more? What, yes? Ok. It’s also got stunning characterization and a heart-wrenching plot of love and betrayal.

Old Stand-by: American History X. Really heavy material here, portrayed expertly be Ed Norton. Hate, fear, race, and survival play across this bleak-yet-hopeful glimpse of America.

Maybe You Didn’t See This In The Theaters but You Should Have: 25th Hour. Spike Lee directs a great cast in this compelling drama. Characters are remarkably human. Ed Norton plays a drug dealer on his last free night before going to jail for his crimes.

Comedy:

New Release Pick: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Bill Murray nails the roll of a washed up Jacque Cousteau out for revenge in a world that seems only 80% reality. Art design in this picture is remarkable, and the comedy is spot-on perfect. Jeff Goldblum is hilarious.

Remember This One?: Wayne’s World. Party time. Excellent. Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey are absolutely hysterical. Of course you’ve seen it, but when was the last time you’ve seen it? “Wait up guys, I fell on my keys!”

It Came From Outer Space: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra. This movie brilliantly spoofs all of 1950s sci-fi movies, complete with awful dialogue and terrible special effects. “But Skeleton… how will I find this ‘Atmospherium?’” “That’s for you to know! It’s not my problem! I sleep now!”

Science Fiction/Fantasy

New Release Pick: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. This highly stylized movie feels like its torn right from the pages of early 20th century Pulp fiction. Robots, genetic experiments, lasers, and plenty of high-flying action. Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow star.

Classic: Bladerunner, the Director’s Cut. Probably the best Sci-fi Movie of all time. If you haven’t seen it, you must. If you have seen it, see it again. Something new comes up in each viewing. Is Deckard a replicant? Make sure you get the Director’s Cut.

Great but Lesser-known: Enemy Mine. A human and an Alien, locked in galactic war, crash land on an inhospitable planet and must survive together. A remarkable showing by Dennis Quaid and Lou Gosset Jr., who for the most part, are the only characters on screen.

Children and Family:

New Release Pick: The Incredibles. This movie is… incredible. Sorry… The animation is great, the story is even better. Wonderful action and a few great family moments. Five stars! Queue it up immediately, if not sooner.

Oldie but Goodie: Disney’s Robin Hood. Fun animation and a classic story. The songs are still great even today, and the action will mesmerize children of all ages. Oodilaley!

Little-known Gem: Chuck Jones Classics: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi/Yankee Doodle Cricket double feature. Two of Chuck Jones’s finest cartoons. Orson Welles lends his voice to Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a tale of an intrepid mongoose who saves a British family from deadly cobras. Yankee Doodle Cricket is another classic that all children should see.

Horror:

New Release Pick: Dawn of the Dead. This big budget remake is more exciting and more terrifying than the original. Leading the pack of next-generation Zombie movies, Dawn of the Dead is both critically acclaimed and singled out by fans of the genre as a Zombie stand out.

Classic: The Shining. Cinematically, this movie is basically perfect. Chilling story, and knock out performances from Jack Nickolson and Shelly Duvall. One of Stanley Kubrick’s finest films, it will go down in Horror History. Here’s Johnny!

Required Reading: The Twilight Zone Volume 1. A mammoth collection of chilling tales. May seem tame by today’s standards, but when that twist ending comes and the twangy guitar kicks in- goose bump city.

Vampire Movies:

For those who love the creatures of the night, here are some excellent Vampire Movies.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The quintessential Dracula.

Interview with the Vampire: Hands down, the best Vampire movie ever made. All star cast.

Underworld. Great action and plenty of Vampire Violence.

From Dusk till Dawn. Quentin Tarnentino writes and co-stars in this wacky Vampire movie.

Queue up, pop some popcorn, and enjoy these fine films this weekend, with friends, family, loved ones, or all by your lonesome.

Strait out of the horse’s (the Netflix horse that is) mouth. These are the new releases slated for this week at Netflix.com. And there’s a lot of them.

A Dirty Shame
Acclaimed filmmaker John Waters returns to his favorite city, Baltimore, for this side-splitting film starring Tracey Ullman as Sylvia Stickles, a convenience-store worker who becomes a raging sexaholic after a minor accident. But her newfound lust is more a hassle than a gift, igniting class warfare on her street, Harford Road. Co-stars Johnny Knoxville, Chris Isaak and Selma Blair. Waters’s muse, Patty Hearst, makes her usual cameo.

Tarzan 2
How did the King of the Jungle ascend to the throne? Find out in this charming prequel to the hit animated movie that catches Tarzan as a young child who doesn’t quite know how to fit in with the mélange of characters in the jungle he calls home. Feeling like an outsider, he abandons ship, so to speak, and sets out on his own. When he meets a stranger known simply as Zugor, Tarzan realizes there’s nothing wrong with being different after all.

Rory O’Shea Was Here
Although he’s handicapped by muscular dystrophy, Rory O’Shea (James McAvoy) refuses to surrender to the desperation of his life and instead embraces the potential in every day. When he moves into the Carrigmore Home for the Disabled and befriends the deeply bored Michael (Steven Robertson), a man suffering from cerebral palsy, Rory infuses his pal’s life with renewed hope even as he struggles with his own demons.

Casino: 10th Anniversary Edition
Martin Scorsese paints a colorful portrait of Las Vegas in the early 1970s as the oasis of glamour and corruption that it was. Against this backdrop, the story chronicles the rise and fall of three central characters: a play-by-the-rules casino owner with mob connections (Robert De Niro), his childhood friend and Mafia underboss (Joe Pesci) and an ex-prostitute with expensive taste and a driving will to get what she wants (Sharon Stone).

D.E.B.S.
Encrypted within the S.A.T. is a secret test that measures a girl’s potential for espionage. Amy (Sara Foster), Janet (Jill Ritchie), Dominique (Devon Aoki) and Max (Meagan Good) score so high that they’re recruited to join the elite paramilitary group known as D.E.B.S. But when their mission to capture arch villainess Lucy Diamond (Jordana Brewster) gets complicated, even their spy skills might not be able to save them. …

Trauma
Londoner Ben (Colin Firth) awakes from a coma and learns that he’s been in a horrific car crash that killed his wife. Unable to cope, he quickly becomes delusional to the point where he can’t distinguish reality from unreality. Although his new neighbor (Mena Suvari) and a well-respected medium (Brenda Fricker) try to help, in the end it’s the traumatized Ben who must heal himself.

Brother to Brother
Opposites sometimes do attract, such as when an elderly homeless man named Richard (Roger Robinson), who was a literary legend of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, befriends gay art student Perry (Anthony Mackie). The upshot is that Perry learns that the daunting challenges he faces in the early 21st century are not too far removed from the hurdles Richard had to surmount in the early 20th century.

Man-Thing
Environmental exploitation, corporate avarice and murder converge in director Brett Leonard’s gruesome horror flick set in a backwater Florida town near the Everglades. With a rash of disappearances and a pile of corpses on his hands, Sheriff Kyle Williams (Matthew Le Nevez) investigates and soon finds himself up against a deadly swamp creature seeking to protect its habitat from an oil magnate. Rachel Taylor portrays the lawman’s love interest.

Knots
In director Greg Lombardo’s male-focused take on contemporary courtships, six urbane New Yorkers see their interconnected lives turn upside down when marital infidelity triggers a chain of bed-hopping and deceit. The resulting romantic entanglements of Dave (Scott Cohen), Cal (John Stamos), Jake (Michael Leydon Campbell), Greta (Annabeth Gish), Emily (Tara Reid) and Lily (Paulina Porzikova) lead to a little heartache — and lots of laughs.

The Wool Cap
This TV movie (a remake of the 1962 Jackie Gleason film Gigot) stars William H. Macy as Charles Gigot, the mute superintendent of a run-down apartment building who solemnly goes about his daily work. But his life changes when a young woman leaves her daughter Lou (Keke Palmer) with him, asking him to look after her for a bit. When it appears that Lou has been abandoned, Gigot reluctantly becomes her guardian and the two soon form an unusual bond.

Dark Victory
Fast living comes easy for Long Island socialite Judith Traherne (Bette Davis): Lavish soirées, free-flowing booze and raising thoroughbreds are among the pleasures in her hedonistic existence. But a horse-jumping accident forces her to come to terms with her lifestyle — and mortality — when a handsome doctor (George Brent) discovers that Judith suffers from a potentially fatal brain tumor. Humphrey Bogart costars in this timeless tearjerker.

The Nomi Song
Through concert footage, still photographs and vivid anecdotes, filmmaker Andrew Horn celebrates the brief but bittersweet life of 1980s cult sensation Klaus Nomi in this engrossing documentary. The German-born Nomi — who died at 39 from AIDS complications — was one of the most bizarre characters to rise to prominence on the pop-culture stage with his startling act, which spanned the opera, cabaret, New Wave and performance-art genres.

Cold & Dark
Vice cops John Dark (Luke Goss) and Mort Shade (Kevin Howarth) keep coming up snake eyes in their attempts to bust the architects behind a human smuggling ring. Everything changes, though, after Mort inexplicably becomes endowed with extraordinary powers, allowing the partners to bypass the judicial system and lay waste to perps. But Dark begins to question their methods as Mort gradually morphs into an unearthly species in this gory thriller.

Pink Flamingos
Incest, drug trafficking, bestiality and an egg fetish are merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg in this ultra-black comedy from renegade filmmaker John Waters. With the title of “Filthiest Person Alive” at stake, Babs Johnson (Divine), her degenerate son and dim-bulb mother face stiff competition from the vile Marble clan (David Lochary and Mink Stole) in an unbridled assault on every taboo in the book. Edith Massey and Danny Mills co-star.

Female Trouble
Directed by midnight-movie legend John Waters, this campy, twisted follow-up to Pink Flamingos isn’t for the squeamish. Cult icon Divine stars as spoiled teen Dawn Davenport, who leaves home when her parents refuse to buy her the one Christmas gift she covets: cha-cha heels. After a sexual encounter with a sleazy derelict (also played by Divine), Dawn turns up pregnant and soon becomes a career criminal with a taste for murder.

Humoresque
In director Jean Negulesco’s stylish weeper, gifted, ambitious violinist Paul Boray (John Garfield) sells his body and soul to rich but unbalanced benefactress Helen Wright (Joan Crawford), who promises to advance his musical career. With great performances, witty dialogue and lavish production standards, Humoresque is no by-the-numbers soap opera. The film’s fine supporting cast includes Oscar Levant, J. Carrol Naish and Craig Stevens.

The Damned Don’t Cry
Director Vincent Sherman’s compelling crime drama stars Joan Crawford as Ethel Whitehead, whose blind ambition leads to her undoing. After ending her marriage to a blue-collar schlub, Ethel heads to New York City and exploits her sex appeal to become the mistress of a syndicate boss (David Brian) who transforms her into socialite Lorna Hansen Forbes. But her life’s about to come full circle as she sells out her lover and his West Coast rival.

The Star
As once-great Tinseltown icon Margaret Elliot (Bette Davis) moves into her 50s, she finds her career and personal life in shambles. Divorced, out of work for years and running out of cash, the dejected Margaret goes on a bender and gets tossed in the drunk tank. Ex-actor Jim Johansson (Sterling Hayden) bails her out and exhorts her to quit Hollywood, but when she lands an audition, Margaret clings to the desperate notion of staging a comeback.

Mr. Skeffington
Bette Davis earned an Oscar nod for her portrayal of a narcissistic socialite who gets her comeuppance in this bittersweet tale. To keep her embezzling brother out of jail, Fanny Trellis (Davis) weds wealthy Job Skeffington (Claude Rains) but seeks a divorce when her sibling, angry about Fanny’s one-sided union, runs off to war and gets killed. Ever the coquette, Fanny takes up with a host of men … until diphtheria spoils her trademark beauty.

Possessed
Joan Crawford (in a rare, unglamorous role) stumbles through the streets of Los Angeles in search of a man named David (Van Heflin). After passing out from exhaustion, she ends up in a psychiatric hospital. The unhealthy love she carries for David (despite her marriage to her employer, played by Raymond Massey) is soon revealed in a series of flashbacks and paves the way for a psychotic breakdown that leads to murder. Curtis Bernhardt directs.

For Roseanna
When loving hubby Marcello (Jean Reno) learns that his wife, Roseanna (Mercedes Ruehl), has scant weeks to live, he’s determined to fulfill her last wish: to be interred beside her dead daughter. Trouble is, the local boneyard has only three vacant plots, which are first come, first served. While Roseanna plays matchmaker for the soon-to-be-widowed Marcello, he tries frantically to keep the other townsfolk safe and sound in this romantic comedy.

The Last Royals
Though royalty has governed nearly every civilization, revolution and the spread of democracy have taken an enormous toll on the power of crowned heads across the globe. National Geographic’s captivating documentary offers an inside look at four enduring monarchs — the queen of England and the kings of Nepal, Buganda and Tonga — and their import in the contemporary world. The film discusses in detail their histories and prospective futures.

Carried Away
Playing against type, Dennis Hopper delivers a tour-de-force performance as Joseph Svenden, an insecure 47-year-old teacher trying to negotiate a burgeoning midlife crisis. With his mother dying, his career about to end and his longtime fiancée (Amy Irving) eager to tie the knot, Joseph stands at a crossroads … till a teenage vixen (Amy Locane) with an overactive libido enters the picture. Julie Harris and Hal Holbrook shine in supporting turns.

Kick ‘N RushThis comedic coming-of-age tale from Danish director Aage Rais-Nordentoft offers more substance and a more realistic picture of adolescence than most typical teen fare. High school buddies Jakob, Bo and Mikkel find their friendship put to the test when outside pressures beset the trio. As they test romantic waters, acquire new friends and dabble in petty crime, their common interests begin to diverge, pressing the limits of their bond.

Daddy Who?
Four rowers — Scott (Jason Lewis), Michael (Chris Rydell), Bob (Sean Astin) and Walter (Robert Mailhouse) — find their friendship tested when they recruit Kimberly (Gabrielle Anwar), the daughter of an Olympian, to join their team. Soon, they realize they’re all attracted to her but vow not to fight for her affections during the season. When she gets pregnant, however, and doesn’t know which of her teammates is the father, the truth comes out.

Heaven Can Wait
In this restored digital transfer of Ernst Lubitsch’s witty classic, newly deceased playboy Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) tries to convince Satan he’s got what it takes to be a citizen of hell. Unsatisfied that Van Cleve’s sins are hell-worthy, the devil listens as the dead man recounts his womanizing ways and the many heartbreaks he’s caused his loving wife (Gene Tierney). Extras include a biography of screenplay writer Samson Raphaelson.

The Reivers
In director Mark Rydell’s classic film based on a William Faulkner novel, 11-year-old Lucius McCaslin (Mitch Vogel) finds an unlikely friend in Boon (Steve McQueen), a handyman and philanderer. Along with Boon and his best friend, Ned (Rupert Crosse), Lucius makes his way to the big city, where he hopes he’ll gain some insight in how to handle the crises that life throws his way. Wisdom doesn’t arrive easily, however. …

All Over Me
Fifteen-year-old Claude (Alison Folland) and Ellen (Tara Subkoff) are best friends growing up in tough New York City. But the violent homophobic murder of their friend threatens to tear them apart; Ellen is sucked into a destructive world of violence and drugs, while Claude comes to terms with her own sexuality. This provocative coming-of-age drama from Alex and Sylvia Sichel co-stars Wilson Cruz, Leisha Hailey and Cole Hauser.

Au Hasard Balthazar
This religious fable from director Robert Bresson traces the lives of a farm girl, Marie, and her beloved pet donkey, Balthazar. The two eventually become separated, but their experiences follow strangely parallel paths. As a young woman, Marie is cruelly abused by her lover, while Balthazar suffers at the hands of a number of different owners. But their torment ultimately becomes the vehicle for their spiritual transcendence and redemption.

Samurai Resurrection
In the Shimabara Revolt, thousands died, including the leader of the uprising, Amakusa Shiro. More than 10 years later, Shiro rises from the dead with a thirst for revenge; resurrecting a ghastly, supernatural army of executed master swordsmen, he plans to overthrow the Shoganate government. But standing in his way is legendary samurai Jubei Yagyu, who must battle the reincarnation of his own father before his epic final confrontation with Shiro.

Danger: Diabolik
No loot is safe when criminal mastermind Diabolik (John Phillip Law) sets his sights on stealing it. And that’s not good news to harried Inspector Ginco (Michel Piccoli), his police force and a whole army who try vainly to stop him. Using his prodigious wit and some dizzying gadgetry that’d make James Bond jealous, Diabolik gets away every time, and faithful partner Eva Kant (Marisa Mell) helps him pull off the capers. Mario Bava directs.

Paternal Instinct
Murray Nossel directs this documentary that presents an unvarnished portrait of an American family. Longtime gay couple Mark and Erik want biological children, so they search on the Internet and find a surrogate mother, Wen, who happens to be a wife, mother and practicing Wiccan. Over the next three years, the partnership faces obstacles that challenge Mark and Erik’s desire for a child — obstacles that threaten the growing bond between them.

Master of Mosquiton
Mosquiton, once a terrifying vampire, by the 1920s is companion to a 17-year-old treasure hunter named Inaho. Obsessed with the secret of immortality, Inaho drags Mosquiton around the world on a quest for magic artifacts that can grant everlasting life without the side effects of vampirism. Trouble is, an army of monsters stands in their way — along with Mosquiton’s ex-wife (of 300 years), who’s a real ball and chain.

Edward II
The new king of England, Edward II (Steven Waddington), finds his throne compromised when he brings his lover, Gaveston (Andrew Tiernan), into the picture. Enraged, the queen (Tilda Swinton) embarks on a plot to take down the king at all costs. Directed by Derek Jarman, this modern, gay-themed rumination on the classic Christopher Marlowe play features an appearance by music legend Annie Lennox performing “Ev’rytime We Say Goodbye.”

Paul McCartney in Red Square
It was a second Russian Revolution when ex-Beatle Paul McCartney appeared for a concert in Moscow’s Red Square in 2003. The Beatles were banned for decades by the Soviet government, which regarded their music as the height of Western decadence and propaganda. But when Sir Paul took the stage, the crowd went wild … and when he launched into “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” the response was something that has to be seen to be believed!

Target
Texas businessman Walter Lloyd (Gene Hackman) and his wife, Donna (Gayle Hunnicut), have a happy marriage; unfortunately, that bliss doesn’t extend to their teenage son, Chris (Matt Dillon). But when Donna disappears during a trip to Europe, father and son must work together to find her. Along the way, Chris learns that his father’s “shadowy” former life might have something to do with his mother’s disappearance. Arthur Penn directs.

The Lightship
Director Jerzy Skolimowski’s taut thriller finds the captain (Klaus Maria Brandauer) of a Coast Guard lightship under duress when his vessel is invaded by a group of escaped convicts (with the leader portrayed by Robert Duvall) desperate not to be found. Fiercely committed to his ship and crew, the skipper won’t go down without a fight, even if it means putting his life on the line. The question is: How will he get rid of his enemies?

Prime Cut
Chicago wise guy Nick (Lee Marvin) travels to Kansas City to investigate the mysterious disappearance of one of his acquaintances. There, he meets “Mary Ann” (Gene Hackman), a mob boss who’s evil incarnate, and also happens upon a group of young women who have been drugged, stripped of their clothes and are being held hostage. One of them, Poppy (Sissy Spacek), wants payback … at Mary Ann’s expense, of course. Michael Ritchie directs.

The First Amendment Project
How the entertainment industry tackles the subject of civil liberties and free speech goes on trial, so to speak, in this documentary by The Sundance Channel and Court TV. Filmmakers Chris Hegedus and Mario Van Peebles team up for this entertaining and educational project, which includes New Jersey poet laureate Amiri Baraka reading his controversial 9/11 piece; footage from protestors at the 2004 Republican National Convention; and more.

Visions of England
Jet off to southern England and bask in its glory in this riveting travel documentary that provides a helicopter tour of some of the region’s best-known sites, including the white cliffs of Dover, the mystery-steeped Stonehenge, the noble Big Ben, the majestic Thames River, one sweeping castle after another and the illustrious center court of Wimbledon. Along the way, viewers also delve into the history and literature of the country.

The Mystery of Trinidad
Joaquin (Eduardo Palomo) desperately wants to complete a mission he’s been on for three decades: to discover what truly happened to the Santisima Trinidad, a 17th century Spanish galleon that sank to the bottom of the ocean without a trace. But before he’s able to solve the mystery, he dies, leaving his boat to his son and granddaughter. Unable to let go of his calling, Joaquin reappears as a ghost to help guide his relatives to the truth.

Poverty Row Theater Collection: Triple Feature
A memorable triple feature from Monogram Pictures. In Detective Kitty O’Day, a switchboard operator (Jean Parker) goes above and beyond the call when her boss is murdered and she sleuths things out. In Private Snuffy Smith, Snuffy (Bud Duncan) gets tired of evading the law as a moonshiner and decides to join the Army. In Club Paradise, Julie Rogers (Doris Merrick) tries to escape her confining life and hooks up with a criminal (Robert Lowery).

Dead Meat
You are what you eat! The seventh level of hell is unleashed when a mutated strain of mad cow disease infects the countryside, turning people into flesh-eating zombies that like their food … fast! Caught in the middle of this gory upheaval is Helena (Marian Araujo), a young Spanish tourist, and Desmond (David Muyllaert), the local gravedigger. Together, they must join forces and fight for survival or else become appetizers in a zombie feast.

Planetes
In the distant future, humanity has begun to colonize the solar system. But in order to make further advances, a mountain of trash must be cleared out of Earth’s orbit. Traveling faster than bullets, these millions of bits of debris can perforate a spaceship. That’s where the Planetes come in: They’re trash collectors. Through their point of view, we see the social and political changes brought about by access to this new frontier.

DICE
In these anime adventures, D.I.C.E. (DNA Integrated Cybernetic Enterprises) is an intergalactic police squad that troubleshoots problems around the cosmos — from pirates and mystifying illnesses to rogue comets. Luckily, the organization outfits each of its young agents with a Dinobreaker, a vehicle that can travel from planet to planet and transform into a battle-ready mechanical dinosaur when needed.

The Passage
After his bride-to-be is gunned down during a robbery, petty criminal Andrew Hill (Greg Dow) vows to reform himself. But when underworld boss Guy Delmorte (Robert Emmett Young) offers him a chance at revenge in exchange for his participation in one last heist, Andrew reneges on his promise. As he’s drawn into the plot, the small-time crook realizes that to avenge his fiancée’s death, he must confront not only the killer, but his own conscience.

Studio 666
Spurned by a fellow band member who’s rejected her advances, rock singer Cassidy (Kacia Brady) commits suicide in a very public manner. Seeking answers about her death, the band hires a psychic, who unwittingly stirs up Cassidy’s vengeful spirit. Now, the band has to contend with not only cutting their first album, but also with a murderous ghost hell-bent on stopping the music — permanently. Corby Timbrook directs this horror tale.

Sasquatch Horror Collection: Triple Feature
Bigfoot … big thrills! In The Snow Creature, botanist Dr. Parrish (Paul Langton) is on expedition in Tibet when his Sherpa guide claims that his wife has been kidnapped by a Yeti. In Snowbeast, a ski resort plagued by a rash of deaths leads the sheriff (Clint Walker) to think Bigfoot is behind the killings. In the docudrama Sasquatch, the Legend of Bigfoot, scientists comb the Pacific Northwest for evidence of, well, you know what.

Robin Gibb with the Frankfurt Neue Philharmonic Orchestra: Live
Born on the Isle of Man on December 22, 1949, 45 minutes before his twin brother, Maurice, Robin Gibb possesses a voice still as beautiful today as it was when he first gained international repute with the Bee Gees in 1967. Gibb is backed by a full orchestra and plays many of his hits in this concert filmed in Bonn, Germany, in September 2004. Bonuses include extra songs, a photo gallery, an interview and a guided tour of his splendid estate.

Duke Ellington: Copenhagen: Parts 1 and 2
At his creative peak, jazz legend and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded two shows at the Falkoner Center in Copenhagen that were to be aired as TV specials. The 1965 concerts feature 20 songs, including such classic tracks as “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be,” “Tootie for Cootie” and “Sophisticated Lady.” In Duke’s parlance, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing” … and swing he does in these unforgettable performances.

Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett: Sights & Sounds
Little Feat band mates Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett have made music together since 1972. But they’ve never released a full-length DVD of their songs — until now. This live acoustic concert filmed in 2003 at the Hidden Valley Center for the Arts in Carmel Valley, Calif., captures the magic of the duo’s self-described “musical ESP” in a setting that’s as relaxed and laid-back as their trademark groove.

Rambo
Lock and load for this action-packed animated series based on the hit feature film Rambo (and its sequels). Every episode finds our hero in a “world of trouble” … but remember, Rambo’s a Congressional Medal of Honor winner and as resourceful as they come! Voice cast includes Neil Ross, Michael Ansara, James Avery, Michael Bell, Peter Cullen, Ed Gilbert, Dale Ishimoto, Robert Ito and Mona Marshall.

GatchamanIn this series created by the award-winning Japanese animation house Tatsunoko Productions, it’s the 21st century, and the evil organization Galactor is intent on global conquest. Through a blend of tyrannical terrorism and high-tech mayhem, Galactor has brought the world to its knees. The only thing standing in its way are Professor Kozaburou Nambu of the International Science Organization and five kids who make up the Science Ninja Team.

Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Mirella Freni)
World-renowned conductor Herbert Von Karajan effortlessly guides the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra through a captivating and seamless production of Giacomo Puccini’s heartbreaking love story. The stellar cast — which includes Placido Domingo, Christa Ludwig and Mirella Freni — brings this 1974 film to life, and this brilliant adaptation still stands as one of the most celebrated renderings of the oft-performed opera.