June 2000

June 6, 2000

June 13, 2000

June 20, 2000

June 27, 2000


June 6, 2000

PICK OF THE WEEK
FIGHT CLUB SPECIAL EDITION DVD (Fox)
Starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
A terrific example of the DVD format taking an okay movie and making a terrific DVD package out of it. The controversial film by David Fincher comes to DVD in this spectacular two-disc set which includes (take a deep breath): 
Disc 1: The widescreen presentation of the film with four commentary tracks including (a) director David Fincher; (b) Fincher, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter; (c) writer Chuck Palahniuk and screenwriter Jim Uhls; (d) production designer Alex McDowell, cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, costume designer Michael Kaplan and visual effects supervisor Kevin Haug.
Disc Two contains: (a) six production clips featuring behind-the-scenes and alternate takes with multiple angles and audio tracks; (b) nine visual effect behind-the-scene vignettes; (c) production montage; (d) Fincher's original storyboards; (e) seven deleted scenes; (f) stills gallery; (g) three theatrical trailers including a brand new one cut by Fincher expressly for the DVD; (h) original artwork, oil paintings, sketches, illustrations; (i) publicity material including a music video narrated by Pitt, two public service announcements and five internet web site spots. $34.98.


Also new this week
THE ADVENTURES OF ELMO IN GROUCHLAND (Colombia/Tri-Star)
The popular Sesame Street title is re-priced to $14.95.

ANDY KAUFMAN TITLES (Paramount)
A collection of titles featuring outrageous comic Andy Kaufman are released to video, including:
THE BEST OF ANDY KAUFMAN IN TAXI, VOLUME I including "Paper Marriage" and "Mama Gravas." $9.95
THE BEST OF ANDY KAUFMAN IN TAXI, VOLUME II including "Latka the Playboy" and "Mr. Personalities" $9.95
THE BEST OF ANDY KAUFMAN IN TAXI, VOLUME III including "Simka Returns" and "The Wedding of Latka & Simka" $9.95
THE BEST OF ANDY KAUFMAN IN TAXI, VOLUME IV including "Sceneskees from a Marriage" Parts I & II $9.95
ANDY KAUFMAN PLAYS CARNEGIE HALL, alive performance from 1979 featuring Kaufman characters Foreign Man, Elvis and Tony Clifton and an exclusive, never-before-seen retrospective interviews with Andy's friends and co-workers. $12.95

BACKLASH (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Charles Durning, JoBeth Williams, Tracey Needham, James Belushi
A federal prosecutor is forced into the witness protection program when her partner is killed but a corrupt government official may sell her out to the drug lords who want her dead. Tepid, sometimes downright unpleasant, crime drama, passably entertaining at best. Rated R; 103m; Closed-captioned; Also available with Spanish subtitles. Also available on DVD featuring audio commentary by director Jack Ersgard and writer/actor Patrick Ersgard; talent files; interactive motion menus; theatrical trailer; full screen presentation; Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby 2-Channel. English and Spanish subtitles.

BLUES CLUES: STOP LOOK AND LISTEN (Paramount/Nickelodeon)
Two new episodes from the popular children's show, "What's That Sound?" and "What Did Blue See?" are released on one cassette. 51m. $9.95.

DVD TITLES (Columbia/Tri-Star)
The following titles are released to the DVD format:
THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD starring John Phillip Law and Tom Baker featuring three featurettes; vintage advertising; talent files; full screen presentation; English and Portuguese language tracks; English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai subtitles; trailer. $24.95.
FOXFIRE starring Angelina Jolie featuring talent files; widescreen presentation; Dolby 2-channel stereo; English and Spanish subtitles; trailers for "Foxfire and "Girl Interrupted." $24.95.

DVD TITLES (Warner Bros.)
The following titles are released to the DVD format:
THE DIRTY DOZEN SPECIAL EDITION starring Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Telly Savalas and Donald Sutherland featuring an all-new introduction by Ernest Borgnine; a behind-the-scenes documentary; original theatrical trailer; limited edition collector's card. $24.98.
INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Stephen Rea and Kirsten Dunst featuring an all-new introduction by novelist Anne Rice, director Neil Jordan and Antonio Banderas; a behind-the-scene documentary; interviews with Christian Slater, Banderas, Rea, Dunst, Rice, Jordan and more; original theatrical trailer; limited edition collector's card. $24.98.
LETHAL WEAPON I
LETHAL WEAPON II
LETHAL WEAPON III
Each is a new "director's cut" edition featuring an all-new Dolby 5.1 remix, several minutes of previously unavailable footage, widescreen presentation; subtitles; original theatrical trailer. $24.98 each.
TWISTER starring Helen Hunt featuring new behind-the-scenes documentaries; music videos by Van Halen and Shania Twain; audio commentary by director Jan De Bont and visual effects supervisor Stefen Fangmeier; production notes; filmographies; theatrical trailers; expanded motion menus; subtitles; Dolby 5.1. $24.98. Also available in a Limited Edition Collector's set featuring all of the above plus additional bonuses. $79.98.

GIRL, INTERRUPTED (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Vanessa Redgrave, Whoopi Goldberg, Jared Leto
Ryder stars as a young lady in the late ‘60s who - when placed in a mental institution - realizes she must decide whether she belongs on the inside, or that she must fight to return to the mainstream. Based on a true story. Terrific performances throughout enhance the entire film. Rated R; 127m; Closed-captioned.
Also available on DVD featuring audio commentary by director James Mangold, deleted scenes, the HBO First Look feature, "The Making Of Girl Interrupted," isolated music score with highlights, talent files, full screen and widescreen presentation, Dolby Digital 5.1. $27.95.

THE LAST STOP (Sterling Home Entertainment)
Starring Rose McGowan, Adam Beach, Jurgen Prochnow, Callum Keith Rennie
A storm forces a Colorado State Highway Patrol officer to stop at an out-of-the-way inn where he stumbles upon a murderous crime in progress. Cheap thrills for discount night viewing. Rated R; 94m; closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring 2.0 Dolby Surround Sound; 5.1 Digital Surround Sound; widescreen presentation; audio commentary by director Mark Malone; biographies and filmographies of cast, writer, producer, director; interactive motion menus; interviews with cast and filmmakers; 20 chapters with motion images; theatrical trailer; optional Spanish subtitles. $19.95.

THE MARTIN & MURPHY COLLECTION (Universal)
Eight titles starring Steve Martin and/or Eddie Murphy are released at sell-through prices. Included are:
At $14.98
BOWFINGER
LIFE
THE NUTTY PROFESSOR

And, at $9.98:
THE JERK
HOUSESITTER
SGT. BILKO
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
PARENTHOOD

MAURICE SENDAK'S LITTLE BEAR: RAINY DAY TALES (Paramount/Nickelodeon)
Four episodes form the popular children's show are released on one cassette. Included are "The Rain Dance Play," "Hiccups," "Mitzi's Mess" and "The Puddle Jumper." 34m. $9.95.

THE MORPH FILES (BBC)
The all-new series from the creators of Wallace & Gromit comes to video in three volumes:
Volume I includes "Babysitting," "Doctor Morph," "Exercising" and "Gardening"
Volume II include "Skiing," "Gobble D. Gook," "Dog Show" and "Mirrors"
Volume II includes "Games," "The Film Show," "Cowboys" and "The Birthday Party."

MR. DEATH: THE RISE AND FALL OF FRED A. LEUCHTER, JR (Universal)
A study of Fred A. Leuchter, whose job it was to create more humane instruments of execution for the penal system, and what his job says about his soul and, indeed, the soul of all of us. Rated PG-13; 92m; Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring the theatrical trailer, widescreen presentation, Dolby Surround. $24.95.

SELL-THROUGH TITLES (Columbia/Tri-Star)
The following titles are re-priced to $14.95 each:
BOTTLE ROCKET starring James Caan, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson
DICK starring Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Dan Hedaya
SPARKLER starring Steven Petrarca, Freddie Prinze Jr.

And at $19.95
RUN LOLA RUN starring Franka Potente and Moritz Bliebtreu

UNIVERSAL SPECIAL EDITIONS TITLES (Universal)
The following films are released in Special Edition volumes at sell-through prices:
DUDLEY DO-RIGHT starring Brendan Fraser $14.98. DVD: $24.98
MEET JOE BLACK starring Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins. $14.98; $24.98.
PATCH ADAMS starring Robin Williams, $14.98; DVD: $29.98.


June 13, 2000

PICK OF THE WEEK
THE GREEN MILE (Warner Bros.)
Starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clark Duncan, David Morse, Gary Sinise, Bonnie Hunt, James Crowell
Stephen King's compelling "serial thriller" is brought to the screen by Frank Darabont, the same man who did wonders with "The Shawshank Redemption." The results here are almost as impressive with stunning production, sympathetic (and otherwise) characters, a terrific story (thanks to King) and terrific performances. A great film and one of 1999's best. Also available on DVD featuring a ten-minute behind-the-scenes documentary; original theatrical trailer; widescreen format; subtitles; Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.


Also new this week
ALL I WANNA DO (Miramax)
Starring Gaby Hoffman, Kirsten Dunst, Lynn Redgrave, Rachel Leigh Cook
Five young students, known as the Daughters of the American Ravioli, stage an insurrection at a staid New England Prep school in this comedy. Rated PG-13; Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring 5.1 Surround. 

BICENTENNIAL MAN (Touchstone)
Starring Robin Williams, Sam Neill, Wendy Crewson
Robins stars as a servant robot who slowly molds himself to become more "human." Before you start crying, "Hey, that was Data in Star Trek!" understand that this film is based on the short story by Isaac Asimov and on the novel Asimov wrote with Robert Silverberg entitled "The Positronic Man." Rated PG; Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring Dolby 5.1 Surround.

CLIFFHANGER COLLECTOR'S SERIES (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow
Packed DVD edition of the popular film that stars Stallone as a mountain climber who goes up against terrorist Lithgow. DVD features: Making-Of featurette; audio commentary by director Renny Harlin and Sylvester Stallone; audio commentary by the technical crew; three deleted scenes with director's commentary; new introduction by Harlin; two special effects "behind-the-scenes"; three storyboard comparisons; special effects photo gallery; on location photo gallery; widescreen; Dolby 2-Channel or Dolby Digital 5.1; English, Spanish and Portuguese language tracks; English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese subtitles. $29.95.


DISCOVER SPOT (Disney)
Starring the voice of Haley Joel Osment
Eric Hill's extremely popular little doggie stars in his first full-length animated feature. Loaded with music and other extras. $19.99. 

THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, Li Xuejian
An epic film, set in the 20th Century B.C., that follows a power-hungry heir to the throne of the kingdom of Qin. Rated R; 161m; In Mandarin with yellow English subtitles. Also available on DVD featuring audio commentary by director Chen Kaige, talent files, interactive menus, production notes, widescreen presentation, Dolby 2 Channel; Mandarin Chinese and Spanish language tracks; English, French and Spanish subtitles. Trailers for "The Emperor and the Assassin," "The Story of Qui Ju," "The Last Emperor," "The King of Masks." $29.95.

MAKE MINE MUSIC (Disney)
Starring the voices of Nelson Eddy, Dinah Shore, The Andrew Sisters, Benny Goodman and his orchestra
A animated music extravaganza divided into nine chapters - from Peter and the Wolf to a malt shop. Also available on DVD featuring the short "Musicland" and the original theatrical trailer.

MELODY TIME (Disney)
A collection of song-filled, animated stories starring Donald Duck and others. Also available on DVD is the short "Donald Applecore" and the original theatrical trailer.

THE MEN WHO KILLED KENNEDY (MPI Home Video)
The five part A&E series that explores the happenings before and after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, is released in this special two tape set. 255m; $29.98. For more information, please visit http://www.mpimedia.com/new_releases/kennedy

MERCY (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Ellen Barkin, Peta Wilson, Julian Sands
Two women, one a homicide detective, try to lure a sexually deviant serial killer into the arms of justice. Rated R; 117m; Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring digitally mastered audio and video; full screen and wide screen; Dolby Digital 5.1; Dolby 2-Channel; English, Spanish, Chinese and Thai subtitles. $24.95.

PLAY IT TO THE BONE (Touchstone)
Starring Woody Harrelson, Antonio Banderas, Lolita Davidovich, Lucy Liu, Robert Wagner
Harrelson and Banderas star as a pair of boxers, longtime friends, who find themselves forced into the ring together thanks to an unscrupulous boxing promoter. Entertaining but nothing spectacular here. Rated R; Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring 5.1 Surround.

POCAHONTAS (Disney)
Starring the voices of Mel Gibson, Irene Bedard, David Ogden Stiers, Linda Hunt
Disney's Academy-Award winning feature returns to video and comes to DVD for the first time. The DVD also features two music videos.

THE THIRD MIRACLE (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Ed Harris, Anne Heche, Armin Mueller-Stahl
A church-appointed detective, whose job it is to investigate miracles, finds himself awash in mystery and deceit when he is asked to look into the murder of a devout Catholic. Rated R; 118m; Also available on DVD featuring widescreen, Dolby 2-Channel; English, Spanish and French subtitles; audio commentary by director Agnieszka Holland; talent files; isolated music score; interactive menus; scene selections. $29.95.

VHS RE-PRICE (Columbia/Tri-Star)
The following films are released at sell-through prices:
$19.95 each:
DOUBLE OBSESSION starring Margeaux Hemingway
IT'S MY TURN starring Jill Clayburgh and Michael Douglas
LITTLE TREASURE starring Margot Kidder
LUSH LIFE starring Forest Whitaker
MACK THE KNIFE
MY NEW GUN
SAFE starring Julianne Moore
TED AND VENUS
LIMBO starring David Straitharn and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
LOSS OF SEXUAL INNOCENCE from director Mike Figgis
MADE MEN starring Jim Belushi
RESURRECTION starring Christopher Lambert
STORM CATCHER starring Dolph Lundgren
TINSELTOWN

$14.95 each:
UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN starring Jean-Claude Van Damme

$9.95 each:
DESERT HEAT starring Jean-Claude Van Damme
KNOCK OFF starring Jean-Claude Van Damme

WITNESS PROTECTION (HBO)
Starring Tom Sizemore, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Forest Whitaker
When a family is forced into the witness protection program, the program's effects have an intense effect on their lives. Gripping, powerful drama. Rated R; 101m. 


June 20, 2000

PICK OF THE WEEK
KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE (Anchor Bay)
Starring Donald Sutherland, George Lazenby, Bill Bixby, Henry Gibson
The classic, hilarious comedy - from the famous Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker team - is released to DVD in this special edition. Credited as the impetus for Saturday Night live, this segmented parody is one of the funniest films ever made. The DVD edition includes wild, hilarious audio commentary by director John Landis, David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker and producer Robert K. Weiss; the original theatrical trailer; an exclusive behind-the-scenes photo gallery; talent bios and on-the-set home movies. 86m. $24.98.


Also new this week
A GOOFY MOVIE (Disney)
Goofy and his son Max go on a road trip in this very entertaining tale. Also available on DVD featuring the short "A Goofy Success Story," the original theatrical trailer, a Disney DVD storybook and more.

BALLOON FARM (Disney)
Starring Rip Torn, Mara Wilson, Laurie Metcalf
Based on the novel "Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm" (not to be confused with Harry Potter), this is the story of an eccentric farmer who grows a lovely crop of balloons in his water-starved town, thus increasing the hope of his friends and neighbors until real rain can arrive. 

DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO (Touchstone)
Starring Rob Schneider, Eddie Griffin, Oded Fehr, Gail O'Grady, William Forsythe
Schneider stars as a loser who discovers a quick way to make money - servicing ladies otherwise wouldn't be serviced. Yeah, it's crass. Yeah, it's crude. But it's also pretty funny. Rated R. Also available on DVD featuring 5.1 Surround.

FUN AND FANCY FREE (Disney)
Jiminy Cricket narrates two classic animated tales here: "Mickey and the Beanstalk" and "Bongo." This film is notable because it is the last film that Walt Disney himself recorded the voice of Mickey Mouse. Also available on DVD.

GUN SHY (Hollywood)
Starring Liam Neeson, Oliver Platt, Sandra Bullock
Neeson stars as a DEA agent who can't wait to retire. But before he can do that, he has to make one more bust: that of two-bit gangster Platt. In the midst of that, he meets Bullock and love ensues. Rated R. Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring 5.1 Surround.

THE HOLLYWOOD COLLECTION (MPI)
Twenty-eight (count ‘em, 28!) biographies and documentaries on some of the greatest names in Hollywood are presented here. All titles are produced by the award-winning husband-and-wife team of Gene Feldman and Suzanne Winter. Available at $14.98 each are:
INGRID BERGMAN: PORTRAIT OF A STAR
INGRID BERGMAN: REMEMBERED
YUL BRYNNER: THE MAN WHO WAS KING
MICHAEL CAINE: BREAKING THE MOLD
GARY COOPER: THE FACE OF A HERO
JOAN CRAWFORD: ALWAYS THE STAR
CARY GRANT: THE LEADING MAN
AUDREY HEPBURN: REMEMBERED
CHARLTON HESTON: FOR ALL SEASONS
WILLIAM HOLDEN: THE GOLDEN BOY
HOLLYWOOD'S CHILDREN narrated by Roddy McDowall
THE HORROR OF IT ALL narrated by Jose Ferrer
GRACE KELLY: THE AMERICAN PRINCESS
ALAN LADD: THE TRUE QUIET MAN
BURT LANCASTER: DARING TO REACH
THE STORY OF LASSIE narrated by June Lockhart
JACK LEMMON: AMERICA'S EVERYMAN
SHIRLEY MACLAINE: KICKING UP HER HEELS
FRED MACMURRAY: THE GUY NEXT DOOR
WALTER MATTHAU: DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
STEVE MCQUEEN: MAN ON THE EDGE
ROBERT MITCHUM: THE RELUCTANT STAR
MARILYN MONROE: BEYOND THE LEGEND
ROGER MOORE: A MATTER OF CLASS
GREGORY PECK: HIS OWN MAN
ANTHONY QUINN: AN ORIGINAL
BARBARA STANWYCK: STRAIGHT TOWN THE LINE
SHIRLEY TEMPLE: AMERICA'S LITTLE DARLING

Complete, 28-volume set: $418.98.

LIBERTY HEIGHTS (Warner Bros.)
Starring Joe Mantegna, Bebe Neuwirth, Adrien Brody, Ben Foster
A Jewish family grows and changes during the mid-1950s. From director Barry Levinson. Also available on DVD featuring deleted scene with an introduction by Levinson; behind-the-scenes footage; interviews; music-only track featuring classic 1950s songs; theatrical trailers. $24.98.

MIRACLE AT MIDNIGHT (Disney)
Starring Sam Waterson, Mia Farrow, Justin Whalen
The story of a Danish doctor and his family who risked their lives to save their Jewish countrymen during World War II. 

SWEET AND LOWDOWN (Columbia/Tri-Star)
starring Sean Penn, Uma Thurman, Samantha Morton
Woody Allen wrote and directed this story of 1930's Emmet Ray, the second greatest jazz guitarist in the world. Rated PG-13; Closed-captioned; 95m; Also available on DVD featuring widescreen and fullscreen; English and French language tracks; English, French and Spanish subtitles; $29.95.

TWIN WARRIORS (Dimension)
Starring Jet Li, Michelle Yeoh
A terrific cast enhances this familiar action/adventure yarn. Two young friends go their separate ways to completely different lives. When they finally meet again, they are in opposite corners and must face each other. Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD.

VHS RE-PRICES (Columbia/Tri-Star)
The following films are re-priced to $9.95 each:
THE DEVIL'S OWN starring Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt
GATTACA
HUSH
QUICKSILVER
THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS
JACKIE CHAN'S WHO AM I


June 27, 2000

PICK OF THE WEEK
INDEPENDENCE DAY (Fox)
Starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid, Robert Loggia, Harvey Fierstein, Harry Connick Jr., Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner
The hugely successful sci-fi film about aliens who try to eradicate the earth comes to DVD in this spectacular DVD edition. Featured herein are over 5 ½ hours of special programming including nine minutes of deleted footage; an alternate ending; a special link that allows viewers one month free subscription to an all-new 3-D online-only space combat game; 550 stills; animated menu screens, HBO First look featurette; a 30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary; commentary by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich; commentary by special effects supervisors Volker Engel and Dough Smith; pre-production story boards and artwork; theatrical trailers; television advertising spots; widescreen presentation; English 5.1 Dolby Digital; 2.0 surround sound; French 2.0 surround sound; English and Spanish subtitles. $34.98.
Also available on VHS at $19.98 (without all of the extras).


Also new this week
ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM (Fox)
Starring Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat
The classic tale of "Anna and the King" is told again in this sumptuous epic. 147m; Rated PG-13; Closed-captioned. 

BAD BOYS/BLUE STREAK TWO PACK - SPECIAL EDITION (Columbia/Tri-Star)
The collector's edition of the Will Smith/Martin Lawrence film, "Bad Boys" and the Martin Lawrence starrer BLUE STREAK are packaged together in this two-pack and priced at $49.95. The special edition of BAD BOYS includes audio commentary by director Michael Bay; a featurette that allows the viewer to analyze special effects via multiple angles; music videos by Diana King, Warren G, 69 Boyz; isolated music score; production notes; talent files. The BLUE STREAK DVD features HBO First Look feature; music videos by Jay-Z, Tyrese, So Plush; talent files. Both DVDs are also available separately and on VHS.

HANGING UP (Columbia/Tri-Star)
Starring Diane Keaton, Meg Ryan, Lisa Kudrow, Walter Matthau
Keaton directs this story of three sisters and their cranky father. I'll leave it to you as to who plays the cranky father. Rated PG-13; Closed-captioned; 95m. Also available on DVD featuring a deleted sequence; outtakes reel; isolated music score; HBO First Look featurette; talent files. Full-screen and widescreen presentation; trailers for "Hanging Up" and "Sleepless in Seattle." $24.95. Also available in a special two pack with "Sleepless in Seattle" priced at $47.95.

HARVEST OF SEVEN YEARS (Cropped and Chronicled) (Warner Reprise)
A DVD compilation of k.d. lang's greatest video hits, live performances and interview footage. A companion piece to the VHS of the same titles, originally released in 1991. This DVD release coincides with the release of lang's new album, "Invincible Summer." 60m; $24.99. 

LA CUCARACHA (Paramount)
Starring Eric Roberts, Joaquim de Almeida, Tara Crespo
A failed American novelist jumps at a second chance when asked to commit an assassination. When everything goes awry, his life becomes more dangerous - and more endangered - than he could ever imagine. Rated R; 95m. Also available on DVD featuring full-screen presentation; commentary by director Jack Perez and Roberts, biographies and filmographies of the filmmakers and selected cast; the theatrical trailer. 

LIGHT IT UP (Fox)
Starring Vanessa L. Williams, Usher Raymond, Forest Whitaker
After a favorite teacher is suspended at their high school in Queens, New York, six students find themselves in a situation they never expected when they find themselves barricaded inside the school with a policeman as a hostage. Rated R; Closed-captioned. Also available on DVD featuring original theatrical trailer; a special featurette; a music video promotional spot and two music videos from Master P and JaRule. 

MEETING DADDY (Paramount)
Starring Lloyd Bridges, Josh Charles, Alexandra Wentworth, Kristy Swanson, Beau Bridges
When a neurotic New Yorker meets a southern-belle dream girl, he's sure he's found his soul mate - until he meets her manipulative father. Rated R; 91m; Closed-captioned. 

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY
(Paramount)

Starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law
Adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel, "Ripley" stars Damon as a New York City piano tuner who obsessively craves the good life and is willing to do anything at all to get it. Terrific cast and absolutely tremendous cinematography can't shake off the story's unsatisfying denouement or unnecessarily long running time. Rated R; 139m; Closed-captioned.
Also available on DVD featuring widescreen presentation; commentary by directory Anthony Minghella; cast and crew interviews; a making of featurette; a featurette regarding the creation of the film's score; two music videos and a theatrical trailer; Dolby Digital English 5.1 surround; English and French Dolby Surround. 

TELEVISION CLASSICS (Fox)
The premiere episodes of the following classic television series are released to video:
DANIEL BOONE starring Ed Ames;
THE WILD WILD WEST starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin;
HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL starring Richard Boone;
RAWHIDE starring Clint Eastwood and Eric Fleming
GUNSMOKE starring James Arness
Each is priced at $9.98.

TOPSY-TURVY (USA Home Entertainment)
Starring Jim Boradbent, Allan Corduner, Leslie Manville, Timothy Spall
Acclaimed director Mike Leigh helms this story of the famed musical team Gilbert & Sullivan in this Academy Award nominated film. Also available on DVD featuring theatrical trailer; television spots; featurette about Gilbert & Sullivan; photo gallery; cast and filmmakers biographies and filmographies. 

WONDROUS MYTHS & LEGENDS (Sony Wonder)
A brother and sister discover a portal that takes them through time and space and into the world's legends and stories. Two volumes are released here:

"Enchantment" which explores Pegasus and the Sphinx 
"Discovery" which examines the Loch Ness Monster and Dragonslayers.
Each is priced at $7.98 and runs about 45 minutes. 


WWF BACKLASH (WWF Home Video)
Three hours of hardcore wrestling in this program that stars The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin; Vince McMahon, Triple H, Chris Benoit, Chris "Y2J" Jericho, Edge, Christian, New Age Outlaws, Crash Holly, Tazz, Perry Saturn, Hardcore Holly. $29.95.