New Releases for March 8th, 2005
Ladder 49 Trapped in a horrendous factory fire that may kill him, a fireman (Joaquin Phoenix) looks back at his life, career and marriage while he waits for the remote possibility that his company -- Ladder 49 -- may rescue him, if they can just reach him in time. John Travolta plays Phoenix's fire chief and mentor, and Jacinda Barrett plays Phoenix's wife. Directed by Jay Russell.
Stage Beauty Edward "Ned" Kynaston (Billy Crudup) is England's most celebrated leading "lady" (circa 1660), using his beauty and skill to make the great female roles his own. But when Charles II tires of seeing the same old performers, the ruler allows women to tread the boards and decrees that men may no longer play women's parts. Overnight, Ned becomes a nonentity -- that is, until his ex-dresser, Maria (Claire Danes), helps him become a real man again.
Woman Thou Art Loosed This adaptation of Bishop T.D. Jakes's best-selling self-help novel chronicles a woman's heroic struggle to come to terms with her dark legacy of abuse, addiction and poverty. Just released from prison, Michelle (Kimberly Elise) is determined not to return to her self-destructive life of drugs and prostitution. But she's about to face her toughest challenge yet. Loretta Devine, Debbi Morgan, Michael Boatman and Clifton Powell also star.
Lightning in a Bottle This one-night, one-time-only concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York sees some of the greatest musicians in the history of blues music gather onstage. Performers include B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Steven Tyler, Aaron Neville and Macy Gray. Captured on film (by director Antoine Fuqua) are interviews with Buddy Guy, Chris Thomas King, Dr. John, Jimmie Vaughn, Honeyboy Edwards, Ruth Brown, Shemekia Copeland and Vernon Reid.
Rings This disc complements the spine-tingling box office hit starring Naomi Watts, based on a Japanese movie about a reporter who chances upon a deadly videotape. The star of the show is "Rings," a short film tracking the tape's journey from the original film to the sequel. Extras include interviews with the cast and crew; theatrical trailers for both The Ring, The Ring 2 and Origin of Terror; scenes from the video itself; and more.
Barbie: Fairytopia Mattel's leading lady, Barbie, stars in this magical story about Elina, a flower fairy who lives in the aptly named Fairytopia and who has the unfortunate disadvantage of not having any wings. All she wants to do is fly, and when she awakens one morning to find her floral abode, and others like her, in low spirits, she seeks out Azura, a benevolent force who may be able to grant her one wish and make the plants in Fairytopia feel much better.
Friends: Season 9 The next-to-last season of the hit NBC series is as effervescently hectic as ever. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) finds herself surprisingly great at mothering Emma, as she struggles to define her relationship with Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and on-and-off love Ross (David Schwimmer). Monica (Courteney Cox) takes to baby-making with her usual zeal but hits a wall -- much to Chandler's (Matthew Perry) chagrin. Meanwhile, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) falls in love.
Swades Composer A.R. Rahman's music forms the backdrop for this film by Ashutosh Gowariker. Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan), an Americanized NASA scientist, returns to his native India on a business trip and takes the opportunity to get back in touch with his roots by finding the nanny who helped raise him. His mission forces him to examine his ways and all the changes he's been through while pursuing what he defines as success.
Fear X Harry Caine (John Turturro) is a security guard whose wife, Claire, was murdered outside the shopping mall where he works. Intent on finding the perpetrator, Harry searches tirelessly for clues. His quest eventually leads him to a hotel in Montana populated with strange characters who could possibly offer leads. Question is, can Harry find the murderer before his own tenuous grip on reality unravels? Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn.
The Strip Game Method Man (from the Wu-Tang Clan) shows another creative side here as a documentarian. In his directorial debut, Method Man follows the lives of five strippers living in five different states. More than a voyeuristic trek between strip clubs, the film is an insightful, intimate look at the everyday lives of strippers (even extending to the opinions their parents hold on the profession). The soundtrack features songs by Method Man and RZA.
Columbo: Season 2 Catch the adventures of the perpetually unkempt Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk, who won four Emmys for his singular portrayal of the character) in this collection of episodes from the NBC show's second season. Watch as Columbo applies his subtle approach to crime-solving as he cracks the murder of a famous conductor's mistress; learns the tricks of Scotland Yard when he visits London; outwits an aging movie star; and more.
Earthsea Adapted from the award-winning novels by Ursula K. Le Guin, this epic fantasy follows the adventures of Ged (Shawn Ashmore), a rebellious youth destined to become the greatest sorcerer the mystical world of Earthsea has ever known. When Ged discovers the extent of his magical powers, he seeks to master the ancient arts -- and his own impulses as well. Isabella Rossellini, Kristin Kreuk and Danny Glover co-star in this Sci-Fi Channel miniseries.
Felicity: Season 4 The final season of this hit series from J.J. Abrams finds Felicity (Keri Russell) facing questions about her future after graduation. But as she grapples with an identity crisis, Ben (Scott Speedman) appears to have solidified his commitment to becoming a doctor, causing a rift between the two. And it doesn't help that tantalizing Noel (Scott Foley) beckons, putting Felicity and Ben's relationship in jeopardy. Will they ever sort it all out?
Bright Future Mysterious and enigmatic Mamoru (Tadanobu Asano) lives alone; his only companion is a poisonous jellyfish. Enter Yuji (Jo Odagiri), an emotionally stunted factory worker who's completely enthralled by Mamoru. When Mamoru is arrested for murdering his boss, Yuji steps in to take care of his mentor's jellyfish. He also befriends Mamoru's father and, slowly, begins to open his eyes to reality. Kiyoshi Kurosawa directs.
Popular: Season 2 There's no shortage of intrigue in the second season of this breakout hit, which continues to track the social life at Kennedy High, where cool kids, including gorgeous cheerleader Brooke (Leslie Bibb), her partner in crime, Nicole (Tammy Lynn Michaels), and football star Josh (Bryce Johnson), duke it out for supremacy against the fringe set, headed by earnest Sam (Carly Pope), geeky Harrison (Christopher Gorham) and sweet Carmen (Sara Rue).
Sweet Valley High: Season 1 Based on the enormously popular series of books of the same name targeting the teenage set, this TV series chronicles the adventures and dilemmas of Jessica and Liz Wakefield (played by sisters Brittany and Cynthia Daniel), a pair of identical twins with a decidedly diverse approach to life. Liz is kind and generous, while Jessica schemes to get what she wants. No wonder, then, that chaos follows the duo wherever they go.
Dolls Director Takeshi Kitano demonstrates his masterful storytelling technique with this movie that interweaves three somber love stories featuring three star-struck protagonists. Young Matsumoto is chosen by his company's president as a fitting man to marry the president's daughter, but complications arise. An aging Yakuza boss keeps a date and takes a fateful chance. And pop idol Haruna Maraguchi realizes how deep fan obsession can become.
Baby Einstein: Baby Monet: Discovering the Seasons This fascinating disc, part of the Baby Einstein series created by Julie Aigner-Clark, introduces toddlers and young children to the many wonders to be found in the changing seasons via a brilliant smattering of color from a master artist. Visuals acquaint youngsters with the sounds and sights of the seasons, accompanied by artistic masterpieces by impressionist painter Claude Monet and the music of Vivaldi.
Reverse of the Curse of the Bambino The 2004 World Series finally saw "The Curse of the Bambino" lifted as the Boston Red Sox rose to a well-earned victory -- to the overwhelming delight (and relief!) of their legions of fans. This compelling documentary explains the whole story, from how the 1919 sale of Babe Ruth started the "curse" to the incredible days that followed the 2004 victory. Red Sox fans will cherish this disc. As for Yankees fans, well, there's always next year.
21 Jump Street: Season 2 Hollywood newcomers Brad Pitt and Christina Applegate guest star alongside Johnny Depp in Season 2 of the hip police drama about baby-faced undercover cops investigating teen-related crimes. In Season 2, officers Hanson (Depp), Penhall (Peter DeLuis), Hoffs (Holly Robinson Peete) and Ioki (Dustin Nguyen) face their own serious personal problems along with crimes involving race relations, military cover-ups, AIDs discrimination and steroid abuse.
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: The Original Animated Series: Vol. 1 Keep it real with "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," Bill Cosby's 1970s animated classic. Starring lovable Fat Albert and his hilariously entertaining gang -- Rudy, Weird Harold, Mushmouth and Dumb Donald -- this super-cool cartoon series inspires kids to do the right thing. The boys also perform plenty of funky tunes in this collection, which features the first 12 episodes from 1972 to 1973 in their original order.
Barbary Coast A must-see classic. California's Gold Rush is in full swing when mail-order bride Miriam Hopkins arrives in San Francisco to meet her fiancé. But he's dead, thanks in large part to gangster casino owner Edward G. Robinson. Hopkins begrudgingly becomes Robinson's casino entertainer to earn her keep, but she quickly grows tired of his strong-arm habits and runs away, falling in love with thoughtful prospector Joel McCrea.
VeggieTales: Duke and the Great Pie War When the armies of Rhubarb go to battle against the Kingdom of Scone, the "Great Pie War" breaks out, and things get really messy. Sweet Princess Petunia (a rhubarb, as if you didn't know!) is forced to flee her homeland and seek refuge in a tree stump in a foreign land. When the Duke (Larry the Cucumber) learns of the princess's plight, he risks being sliced and diced to help her and learns the selfless lesson of true love.
Cover Story Successful magazine editor Samantha Noble (Elizabeth Berkley) is sent a mysterious diary that chronicles a heated affair and leads her straight to reclusive millionaire JC Peck (Jason Priestly). But when she uncovers Peck's connection to a criminal organization, she finds herself framed for murder and must struggle to clear her good name. Now that's a cover story! Costars Costas Mandylor. Directed by Eric Weston.
Fat Albert's Easter Special Hey, hey, hey … it's Faaaat Albert! Bill Cosby's landmark animated characters celebrate Easter with laughter, catchy tunes and important messages in this entertaining holiday special. Like the groundbreaking television series that combined entertainment and education, this disc features Albert and his buddies exploring the Easter holiday via their goofy antics -- but also learning an important lesson along the way.
Charly Inspired by Daniel Keyes' story <i>Flowers for Algernon</i>, this film explores what happens when Charly Gordon (played by Cliff Robertson, who won an Oscar for his portrayal), a mentally handicapped adult, suddenly finds his faculties restored after an operation. Suddenly exposed to a world more complicated than before, Charly relies on the kindness of teachers, doctor and his caseworker (Claire Bloom) to get acclimated to his new capabilities.
WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception Independent investigative reporter and filmmaker Danny Schechter's documentary focuses on how the media shaped people's views of the Iraq War through their intense coverage from the war's inception through February 2004. Schechter's film examines provocative theories such as the Pentagon's involvement in media messages, how new methods such as satellites and embedded journalists affected media coverage, and the competition between media outlets.
Candy Land: The Great Lollipop Adventure The beloved children's board game becomes an epic animated adventure for preschoolers when a gingerbread boy named Jib travels the Rainbow Road in search of the annual Sweet Celebration. Along the way, Jib discovers that Lord Licorice has devised a plan to turn the brightly colored land into the color of -- gulp! -- licorice. Now, Jib and his friends Mister Mint and Princess Frostine must act to save the citizens of Candy Land from drabness.
Tsunami: Wave of Destruction The giant wave of water that devastated much of Southern Asia's coastline and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in December 2004 is examined in this heart-wrenching profile. Charles Gibson hosts this documentary that explores the science behind tsunamis and details the massive relief efforts taking place in the region. Also included are harrowing tales from survivors and Diane Sawyer's visit to children orphaned by the disaster.
Dead End This classic Hollywood drama (based on Sidney Kingsley's hit Broadway play) set in a Manhattan slum in the 1930s stars Humphrey Bogart as gangster Baby Face Martin, who returns to his old neighborhood, is spurned by his mother (Marjorie Main) and becomes a bad influence on the neighborhood kids. Directed by William Wyler from a script penned by Lillian Hellman. Costars Claire Trevor, Sylvia Sidney and Joel McCrea.
Come and Get It Directed by William Wyler and Howard Hawks, this 1936 classic follows Barney (Edward Arnold), a lumberjack who marries for his career even though he loves another woman, Lotta (Frances Farmer). Heartbroken, Lotta settles for Barney's friend (Walter Brennan), with whom she conceives their daughter, also named Lotta. Years later, Barney and his son (Joel McCrea) both grow enamored of the younger Lotta (Farmer), who ends up breaking their hearts.
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Season 3 Hooked on the fantasy card game Duel Monsters, friends Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Tea wind up playing the game for real with help from a magical puzzle. The young warriors continue their exciting adventures in Season 3 as Yugi and Yami Yugi compete in the Battle City Finals and the mysterious Noah steals Kaiba Craft, forcing Yugi, Kaiba and friends into a perplexing virtual reality game that becomes a fight for their very existence.
Free Radicals Happenstance is the cornerstone of this intriguing film. A young woman miraculously survives a plane crash only to die in a head-on car collision six years later. The teenage driver of the car, who's barely injured, is the younger son in a family whose first son was abducted at a young age. And so the cycle begins -- an odd, chainlike link that encompasses reactions to the woman's family members and the people in their lives.
Green Acres: Season 2 Oliver and Lisa Douglas (Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor) continue to carve out their little bucolic niche in the farmlands near Hooterville in these episodes from the second season of the hilarious 1960s sitcom. Mr. Haney (Pat Buttram), Eb (Tom Lester), Sam Drucker (Frank Cady), Mr. Kimball (Aly Moore), Arnold Ziffel (Arnold the Pig) and the rest of the gang are around for enough corny hijinks that could, well, fill a cornfield.
The Hillz Steve 5 (Jesse Woodrow) returns to his posh California suburb after a year away at college to find it radically changed in this black comedy. His friend Duff (Rene Heger) now heads a gang that's turned the neighborhood into a violent crime zone where a lifestyle of drugs and sex reigns. Drawn to Duff's new life, Steve 5 struggles to stay true to himself while also trying to win the love of the sexy but unattainable Heather (Paris Hilton).
Stella Dallas Barbara Stanwyck received a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance as a devoted mother in King Vidor's classic melodrama. Working-class gal Stella (Stanwyck) strikes it rich when she marries wealthy Stephen Dallas (John Boles), but winds up alone when Stephen takes a job in New York and she's shunned by high society. Determined to give her daughter (Anne Shirley) everything she never had, Stella makes the ultimate maternal sacrifice.
Xena: Warrior Princess: Season 6 Xena (Lucy Lawless) and her best friend Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) continue their adventures in Season 6 of the popular fantasy series. Xena's dark secrets are finally revealed as Gabrielle learns of her past as a Valkyrie, and the pair set out to kill the beast Grunhilda and recover the Rheingold ring. This season also finds Xena doing battle with the Amazon-hunting Prince Morloch, sadistic Roman emperor Caligula and sneaky Ares.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Peter Hall directs this fine Royal Shakespeare Company adaptation of the Bard's most pixilated romantic comedy about a group of amorous adults -- under a fairy's spell -- that couple and uncouple at the slightest provocation. ("What fools these mortals be.") Stars Diana Rigg, Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Helen Mirren, Ian Richardson and David Warner. One of Shakespeare's most magical plays (and unusual in that it lacks a written source for the plot).
Hotel Room A single sleazy New York hotel room is the setting for five separate stories. The collection of characters includes a magician who spends the night with a prostitute and later finds out that she's his daughter, two newlyweds involved in a fight that gets ugly and a cross-dressing television star who chooses to end his life. Cesc Gay and Daniel Gimelberg direct.
Enchantment Sometimes, love <i>is</i> better the second time around … even by proxy! As a young man, Rollo (David Niven) was kept from his true love, Lark (Teresa Wright), by the spiteful scheming of his older sister (Evelyn Keyes). Years later, he's pleased to see his niece and Lark's nephew falling in love amidst the uncertainty of wartime. Can Rollo keep the youngsters from losing their chance at happiness, as he once lost his? Irving Reis directs.
Golden Balls Ruthless stud Benito Gonzales (Javier Bardem) wants wealth, women and to erect a skyscraper in his own honour. In order to achieve this, he marries Marta (Maria De Medeiros), the sophisticated daughter of a rich banker, but keeps mistress Claudia (Maribel Verdu) on the side. When Marta and Claudia realise they're victims of Benito's greed, things begin to crumble for him -- has his luck finally run out?
Moloch It's 1942, and we see a spectacular fortress that stretches beyond the heavens. Eva Braun (Elena Rufanova) has become Hitler's wife and is privy to the workings of the Führer's inner circle. Often overlooked by historians is the fact that Braun's behavior was often as volatile as that of the Nazi leader himself -- and that fact makes this a fascinating study of one of the oddest relationships in modern history.
Saved by the Bell: The New Class: Season 2 Screech (Dustin Diamond) is back -- but not as the nerdy student who'd give Steve Urkel a run for his money. Instead, he's the nerdy administrative assistant to Principal Belding at Bayside High School. Catch the second season of crazy antics courtesy of the new generation of "Saved by the Bell" teenyboppers. Stars Bianca Lawson, Dennis Haskins, Jonathan Angel, Natalia Cigliuti, Christian Oliver and Sarah Lancaster.
The Best of Mister Ed: Vol. 2 Wilburrrrr! "A horse is a horse of course, of course …" Meet the world's most famous -- talking -- horse, Mister Ed, the beloved, sarcastic steed of Wilbur Post (Alan Young). In these classic episodes from the vintage 1960s television comedy, Ed isn't content with just being a horse. He wants to do everything that humans do, including flying airplanes, throwing birthday parties, driving trucks and even riding surfboards!
We Live Again When Dimitri (Frederic March) returns from military service in Czarist Russia, he's ecstatic to discover that his childhood sweetheart, Katusha (Anna Sten), has grown into a beautiful and desirable woman. But there's a big stumbling block: Dimitri's a prince, while Katusha's a lowly commoner, and in imperial Russia, such a romance is forbidden! Rouben Mamoulian directs this drama based on the classic novel by Leo Tolstoy.
Arrowsmith Med student Martin Arrowsmith's (Ronald Colman) future is so bright it's blinding, but his trajectory is waylaid after he marries Leora Tozer (Helen Hayes) and settles down in a quiet Minnesota town. He gets another shot at greatness, however, when he's convinced by an old mentor (A.E. Anson) and a researcher (Richard Bennett) to take on a research project in the West Indies, where a beautiful stranger (Myrna Loy) complicates his life.
Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Sodor Celebration The little blue tank engine and his friends star in this seven-episode collection of the beloved PBS children's series. Join Thomas as he learns how to cope with a change in his usual route, the importance of perseverance and that sharing a heavy load can make things easier for everyone. Stories include "Thomas Saves the Day," "Don't Tell Thomas," "Fish," "Halloween," "Spic and Span," "Chickens to School" and "Thomas & the Circus."
Diana: Her True Story Based on Andrew Morton's tell-all best seller, this absorbing miniseries depicts the life of Princess Diana (Serena Scott Thomas), beginning with her marriage to Prince Charles (David Threlfall). Her fairy-tale existence begins to crumble as their marital problems grow, along with the royal family's disapproval. Diana slowly spirals toward self-destruction -- till she pulls herself out of the ashes and embarks on a series of altruistic endeavors.
Junked Hollywood's mean streets provide the backdrop for this direct-to-video drama about a young hustler named Switch (Thomas Jane). As their friend Jimmy (Channing Rowe) sits in stir charged with murder, Switch and his drug-addicted sister, Nikki (Jordan Ladd), try to gather enough cash to bail Jimmy out of jail. Determined to escape the streets' ugliness, Switch struggles to change things for himself and Nikki … but can he shake off his sordid past?
Koma Hong Kong socialite Chi Ching (Angelica Lee) gets ensnared in an organ-theft ring after entering the wrong hotel room and finding a bloody corpse that's missing a kidney. Suspicion falls on medical researcher Suen Ling (Kar Yan Lam), whom Ching saw leaving the scene and, as it happens, recently had a fling with Ching's doctor beau. Cleared of the crime, Ling teams with Ching and the sawbones to nab the kidney poachers in this serpentine thriller.
Dean Martin: Singing at His Best As a member of the Rat Pack and an undeniable force in cool, performer Dean Martin spent his career crooning and swaggering with the best. Minus sidekicks Sammy and Frank, Dean also excelled on his own with his unique and timeless sound, as evidenced in this collection of some of his most treasured tunes, including "Almost Being in Love," "Memories Are Made of This," "I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" and more.
Grace and the Storm In this compelling indie drama, successful New York drug dealer Evan Piper (Christopher Amitrano) secretly hates his life and wants out. So, when a former partner offers him access to a mythical drug known as "Grace" -- which, according to urban legend, can triple a user's brain activity -- Piper sees the quick money he can earn as his escape. But the powerful new drug presents a host of new problems as Piper desperately tries to change his life.
Chel Chabilo Gujarati: Gujrati Asrani, Priya Tendulkar and Indra Kumar star in this crime drama that pits three brothers against a shady industrialist. Ajit assigns his brother Ajay to investigate the case of millionaire Shakti Singh, who happens to be Ajit's friend. Ajay quickly uncovers evidence of criminal activity, but is killed before he reveals the truth. Bent on finding the killers, Ajit retrieves Ajay's twin from a mental institution, but his dangerous plan goes awry.
Krishna Cottage True love is put to the test when another woman comes between a pair of star-crossed young lovers in this thriller. College sweethearts Manav (Sohail Khan) and Shanti (Natasha) have a great relationship until Disha (Isha Koppikar) shows up and Manav is drawn to her. When Manav, Shanti, Disha and their friends are forced to seek shelter in Krishna Cottage, frightening events begin to occur that threaten to tear Manav and Shanti apart forever.
Arthur: Family Ties Follow the animated adventures of that lovable, long-snouted aardvark, Arthur, as he puzzles through childhood problems and learns valuable life lessons along the way. This volume of the popular animated PBS series includes three episodes about the importance of friends and family: "Cast Away," "Bitzi's Break-Up" and "Francine's Split Decision." Based on the children's books by Marc Brown.
Basti Faisal Khan, Samir Soni and Sanober Kabir star in this drama set in Ekta Nagar's religiously diverse basti community. Respected teacher Vinayak dreams of the day his neighborhood will have a school and a hospital. Meanwhile, a developer with big plans for the little basti is getting squeezed by the mob, and Vinayak's son has had enough of the gangsters' extortion. Will the quaint basti turn into a busy district with hotels and shopping malls?
Johnny Cash and Roscoe Holcombe: Rainbow Quest Pete Seeger served as host for the TV show "Rainbow Quest" during the mid-1960s when folk music was at its peak in popularity. In this installment of the program, you'll see a different side of the late musical legend Johnny Cash as he teams with his wife, June Carter Cash, to perform a variety of tunes within and beyond the folk genre. Renowned banjo and guitar player Roscoe Holcombe also appears, performing classic folk songs with Jean Redpath.
Bhagwan Shree Krishna Snehlata, Ranjeet Raj and Manhar Desai star in this epic melodrama that depicts the life of Lord Krishna, a benevolent prankster known for his uplifting miracles. The film tells Krishna's stories, including his mission to save humanity from Mathura Naresh Kans, the journey from Mathura Nagari to Pandavas Hastinapur, and the Aatmam -- the salvation of Lord Vishnu's earth-bound avatar. Dhrikant Soni and Narayan Rajgor costar.
Dutch During a Thanksgiving break from his Eastern boarding school, a snobby, upper-class kid (Ethan Randall) learns a lot about life when he's forced to take a cross-country road trip with his mom's (JoBeth Williams) working-class boyfriend (Ed O'Neill). A lighthearted comedy with an excellent O'Neill in the titular role (which combines some of the "attributes" of his character Al Bundy in TV's "Married with Children"). Peter Faiman directs.
Incident at Bloodpass The Yojimbo (Toshiro Mifune) hijacks a haul of gold at the titular mountain pass. An intense, fast-paced thriller then unfolds as The Yojimbo faces some tough questions -- and most of them relate to the consequences of his rash action. He eventually learns -- the hard way -- that some things, once done, cannot be undone, and we must often live with the result … good or bad.
Aisaa Kyon Rajesh, Radhika and Johnny Lever star in this drama about a young man's struggles in a caste-bound society. Determined to fulfill his family's dreams, the young man successfully completes his IPS officer training but is denied a position due to the stringent reservation policy. He'd been counting on his salary to help his father repay a loan and ensure a suitable marriage for his sister. Will he take a stand against the unfair hiring practices?
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki In this tale of good vs. evil, sinister Uday relentlessly tries to steal his nephew Satish's wealth. Satish eventually marries Aarti, but learns she's part of Uday's devious plan. Satish agrees to part with his money as long as Aarti stays with him. Moved by Satish's love, Aarti convinces him to fight, but Uday has Satish killed. Aarti vows to raise her son to fight injustice in the name of his father. Smita Patil and Mithun Chakraborty star.
Dukhda Khame Ee Dikri: Gujrati True love conquers all in this romantic tale starring Naresh Kanodia, Anjana, Arvind Rathod and Ramesh Mehta. The story centers on Chandan, who's in love with handsome Halaji. Halaji's mother forbids him to marry Chandan, so she relents to family pressures and agrees to marry Rudo. In an impulsive moment, however, Chandan and Halaji elope. But their idyllic relationship is threatened when Chandan is accused of stealing the golden statue of Naag.
Aarti Sangrah Talented musical artists Nitin Mukesh, Anupama Deshpande, Anup Jalota, Pamela Jain, Samuha Gaan, Putturu Narasinha Nayak, Jaswant Singh and Pramod Medi perform a variety of songs in this collection of 26 tunes. Songs include "Shri Ganeshji Ki Aarti," "Om Jai Jagdish Hare," "Aarti Ganga Maiya Ki," "Shri Rmachandra Krupalu Bhaj Man," "Jai Santoshi Maata," "Jai Santoshi Maata," "Aarti Jai Bhagvat Geeta Ki," and "Om Jai Gayatri Maata."
Stories of the Passion of the Christ Experience the New Testament as never before in some first-rate dramatizations that combine the most popular movies from the early days of cinema along with teleplays from the golden age of television. The treasury of inspirational films includes I Beheld His Glory and Triumph and Defeat. Also featured are mesmerizing silent films such as From the Manger to the Cross, The Death of Christ and The Passion of Christ.
Unlikely Heroes The Holocaust of World War II engendered untold tales of horror and heartbreak as Europe's Jewish communities were systematically decimated by the Nazis. This riveting film concentrates on the Third Reich's first killing ground -- Poland. But along with the tragedy were stupendous acts of heroism … from unlikely heroes. These are the stories that take center stage in this compelling movie that underscores the resilience of the human spirit.
Hashidhi Mata: Gujrati After getting some bad advice from Vikram Durjansingh, agnostic Samarsingh is imprisoned. His daughter Rajmati grows up and becomes an agnostic like her father. Rajmati is hounded by Vikram Durjansingh's son, but valiant Vanraj comes to her rescue and is lauded a hero. Meanwhile, Devisingh's miracles spread across Samarsingh's Rajdhani with surprising results. Kiran Kumar, Mallika Sarabhai, Nalin Dave and Feroz Irani star.
Tindersticks: Bareback Sensitive yet edgy British alternative rockers Tindersticks pair artsy filmmaking with music in this collection of short films set to their popular hits. The DVD includes nine videos and two alternate versions, plus all four of the band's Island Record releases. Videos include "City Sickness," "Travelling Light," "Bathtime," "Rented Rooms," "Can We Start Again," "Can Our Love," "Don't Ever Get Tired," "Sometimes It Hurts" and "Sexual Funk."
Crusade: The Life of Billy Graham It's the pioneering Christian evangelist as he's seldom been seen. This in-depth documentary chronicles testimony from his legions of followers and his spiritual message. The disc includes an interview with host Randall Balmer, in which Graham fondly recalls his 50 years of spreading God's word. In addition, gospel singer George Beverly Shea and celebrities such as Johnny Cash attest to the reverend's insight and to the power of his teachings.
Paarewari: Sindhi Rocky Bhatia and Aarti Makhijani star in this film about Vijay Keswani, a young gentleman born into a Sindhi community. Despite his surroundings, Vijay grows up without experiencing or learning anything about Sindhi culture. The rich tapestry of Sindhi music, art and entertainment has eluded him … until he falls madly in love with Madhu, whose father insists that Vijay immerse himself in all things Sindhi if he wants to marry Madhu.
Terror of the Bloodhunters / Liane Jungle Goddess: Double Feature Low-budget auteur Jerry Warren presents two vintage jungle thrillers. In Terror of the Bloodhunters, an intellectual (Robert Clarke) wrongly condemned to Devil's Island escapes -- into a jungle full of savage beasts and deadly headhunters. Liane Jungle Goddess gives a female twist to the Tarzan tale: An African expedition finds a white jungle queen (Marion Michael) believed to be a British nobleman's granddaughter and takes her back to England.
Dil Ka Sauda A vengeful daughter stalks her father's killer in this gritty drama. After an evil villain known as B.K murders her father, Pincky moves to the city to hunt him down. She changes her identity and gets a job as a disco dancer, and B.K.'s son falls for her, unaware of her true identity. Pincky kills him when she gets the chance, inciting B.K. to attack her neighborhood on Holy Day. Dillip Thadeshwar, Ruhi Sawant and Donny Kapoor star.
Icemaker A daft doctor concocts an offbeat scheme to make millions after he happens upon a method of turning cremated human remains into diamonds. But when the sawbones hires a pair of hapless thieves to collect the raw material, a string of calamities ensues in their insane efforts to pilfer the ashes of prominent and historic figures. Tippi Hedren, Bronson Pinchot, Richard Moll and Joan Van Ark head the cast in this inky morality yarn.
Rhinestone A famous country singer bets that she can turn a thuggish cab driver into a polished performer in this comedy. Country star Jake Ferris (Dolly Parton) has her work cut out for her after she boasts she can turn the next person she meets into a talented country singer. Unfortunately for Ferris, the next person she meets is obnoxious cab driver Nick Martinelli (Sylvester Stallone). Richard Farnsworth, Ron Leibman and Tim Tomerson also star.
Karwa Chouth A woman's faith is tested repeatedly in this tale about Mangala, whose baby is stolen by evil forces and replaced with a snake. Instead of succumbing to her misery, Mangala raises the snake with tender love. She maintains her belief in good triumphing over evil, even when she's evicted and her husband is imprisoned. When Mangala is tested again on Karwa Chouth, will divine forces finally end her suffering? Ashish Kumar and Kamini Kaushal star.
Stanley Brothers and Doc Watson: Rainbow Quest Pete Seeger served as host of "Rainbow Quest" in the mid-1960s when folk music hit its peak. This episode features two of the genre's acclaimed acts: the Stanley Brothers, a major force in bluegrass, and renowned guitar flat picker Doc Watson. Ralph Stanley found new success thanks to his rendition of "O Death" for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?; brother Carter died soon after filming this show, making it the duo's only performance on DVD.
Jin: The Making of a Rap Star Asian-American rapper Jin is the subject of this revealing documentary, which charts how the urban artist went from virtual unknown to releasing his successful album "The Rest Is History" and a role in the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious. The fascinating exposé goes behind the scenes for a glimpse at Jin's rags-to-riches career. Also included are an interview with Jin's family, freestyle footage and a promo for the clothing line Dirty Denim.
Willie and the Poor Boys If these guys can't propel you back to the rockin' roots of boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues, nobody can! Joining the boys are The Rolling Stones' Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and Ron Wood (along with Ringo Starr and John Entwistle). Classic cover tunes include "Poor Boy Boogie," "Saturday Night," "Let's Talk It Over," "All Night Long," "Baby Please Don't Go," "Chicken Shack Boogie" and "You Never Can Tell."
A Tree of Palme In order to care for his sick wife, an artisan creates a puppet named Palme. But after the woman's inevitable death, Palme is inconsolable … until a woman crosses paths with the puppet and his creator and asks them to deliver a precious object to a sacred place called Tama. Palme, mistaking the woman for his master's late wife, accepts the request and takes his first step to becoming more human. Think of the film as an indie rift on Pinocchio.
Terminal Force / Ring Around the World: Double Feature Directed by exploitation maestro Fred Olen Ray, these two crime flicks star vintage hunk Richard Harrison. In Terminal Force, Harrison plays Nick Tyree, a cop who finds himself in a brutal game of cat-and-mouse with the mob while investigating a kidnapping. Then, in the '60s-flavored spy thriller Ring Around the World, globe-trotting Fred Lester (Harrison) is on the trail of a killer who uses an air pistol loaded with chemical bullets.
Mostly Autumn: Pink Floyd Revisited It all started rather benignly -- with an innocent yet heartfelt compliment delivered on BBC Radio to Pink Floyd from Richard Wright. Wright's kudos ignited the germ of an idea -- a performance of a complete cycle of Pink Floyd songs as interpreted by Mostly Autumn. Features on this disc include a brilliant set of vintage Floyd songs performed by Mostly Autumn, as well as the best of Mostly Autumn live in concert.
Fairy Tales Scream Queen Linnea Quigley stars in her first feature role in this erotic fantasy musical from 1979. Little Bo Peep, Old King Cole, Little Tommy Tucker, Snow White and many other familiar characters are all grown up and ready for action. They sing, dance and lust their way through a series of naughty comic twists on their old familiar tales. Annie Gaybis, Idy Tripoldi, Mariwin Roberts, Sy Richardson, Martha Reeves and Nai Bonet also star.
The Hidden Fuhrer: Hitler's Sexuality The sexuality of one of the world's most notorious dictators is questioned in this provocative documentary. First posed in a 2001 book by German historian Lothar Machtan, the issue of Hitler's sexual orientation, and whether his internal struggle prompted his despicable actions, is explored by filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. Sifting through data that led to Machtan's claim, the pair also consults historians and living witnesses.
Vanishing Point When his wife goes into labor while he's on the road some 1,200 miles away, James Kowalski (Viggo Mortensen), an ex-race-car driver and former Army Ranger, puts the pedal to the metal to get home. After eluding the cops -- many times -- Kowalski stops at a Native American reservation for some R&R and then heads out again, determined to break through an impenetrable police and FBI roadblock. Charles Robert Carner directs.
Popeye: Hits and Missiles and Other Fun Fan Favorites Popeye, that sailorman who never met a can of spinach he didn't like, has enjoyed fame as a star of film, television and newspaper cartoon strips since the late 1920s. Along with Olive Oyl, Bluto and J. Reginald Wimpy, the muscle-bound sea-farin' swabbie has made the world brighter for millions of fans. This disc includes 20 cartoons such as "Gem Jam," "Insultin' the Sultan," "Egypt Us" and many others.
Crash Masters: Secret Life of the Ninja The leader (Yusaki Kurata) of a well-known group of Hong Kong ninjas goes after a dangerous mob family and ends up facing off with the brood's youngest member, a female kendo champion (Elsa Leung). With help from local law enforcement and a suspected ninja fighter (Chen Kuan Tai), the young girl sets out to protect her family. The climax features a high-stakes duel that will pit one ninja against another in a fight for freedom.
Crunk Comedy All-Stars You've seen them on "Comic View" and "Def Comedy Jam," and there's no doubt about it -- the Crunk Comedy All-Stars are taking America by storm … of laughs! It's the hottest urban comedy you'll find anywhere, featuring stand-up routines and cutting-edge sketches by Roland Powell (aka Lil' Duval), Benji Brown (aka Dr. Kikl), Larry Dogg (aka Street Dogg), Tre Luv (The Playboy of Comedy) and Shawty. Check it out!
The Magic Sun Shot in black and white in the mid-1960s and recently remastered, this cutting-edge film features the exceptional work of photographer and director Phill Niblock in collaboration with jazz pianist Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra. Using a unique negative technique and extreme close-ups of the band members' hands and mouths, Niblock crafted a cinematic experience that's a feast for the eyes and ears. Extras include a gallery of Sun Ra photos.
Gravion Zwei Wussified heroes … monolithic battling robots … voluptuous women who must be seen to be believed … it's gotta be Gravion Zwei. Sandman and his crew of misfits -- the well-endowed and packin' Earthgertz maids -- must defend the planet from the coming Zeravire invasion. But they're gonna need more than their feather dusters to repel these baddies! Masami Obari directs (with a whole lotta comic panache) this anime series.
Reflections of Evil Julie (Nicole Vanderhoff) is a wandering -- though not blithe -- spirit searching for her brother, Bob (avant-garde director Simon Packard). Bob is slowly dying from a disease related to his obesity, and Julie must get to him before he breathes his last breath and becomes a spirit himself. Tony Curtis narrates this unique and absorbing horror movie that features appearances by Lana Turner, George Hamilton and Joey Heatherton.
Crash Masters: The Dragon, the Hero Two descendants of the Strike Rock Fist masters who were once the closest of friends -- a drifter (John Liu) and an enraged youth (Tino Wong) -- ended their lives as bitter adversaries. A second generation carries on their misguided hatred and tension when two begrudged fighters realize they share a common enemy in the likes of a callous kung fu master (Phillip Kao) whose domain is the mysterious art of Sun Ta.
Popular Mechanics for Kids: Gators & Dragons and Other Wild Beasts Elisha, Jay, Vanessa and Tyler (stars of this popular series aimed at kids) foray out into dangerous territory by taking a look at some of the most threatening creatures ever to roam the planet. Dragons, alligators, a zoo and an intrepid safari offer up a cornucopia of delights from the animal kingdom, with the program delivering a wonderful mix of fun and educational insight. Let your imagination run free!
29th Street Based on the life of Frank Pesce (Danny Aiello), an actor who won $6 million in the first New York State Lottery in 1976, this comedy focuses on the tight-knit Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn where Pesce grew up. It's also the story of how those gigantic winnings ended up becoming a curse of sorts (a case of "be careful what you wish for"). Costars Lainie Kazan and Anthony LaPaglia. Directed by George Gallo.
Ball of Wax Bret Packard (Mark Mench) has it all -- he's rich, famous, handsome and the best baseball player in the world. But Packard is bored, so he amuses himself by using his power and charm to turn his teammates against one another and cause chaos in the lives of everyone around him. He thoroughly enjoys the misery he's created, but eventually, his teammates and family realize what's going on -- and decide to turn the tables on the spoiled athlete.
Kidvidz: Squiggles, Dots and Lines In this installment of the popular instructional series geared directly toward children ages 4-10, artist Ed Emberley teaches a drawing alphabet of six basic symbols from which he claims aspiring artists can draw "anything in the universe." Beyond drawing objects and animals, Ed also teaches young viewers how to make greeting cards, books, costumes and party decorations.
Connie the Cow: Birds, Bees and Butterflies Follow that lovable blue-dappled cow, Connie, as she explores the world around her in a series of educational, animated adventures. Geared toward toddlers, the series teaches preschoolers valuable skills such as listening, naming, comparing and contrasting, discovering nature and more. This disc includes six entertaining episodes that teach youngsters about the wonder of baby animals and caring for flowers.
My Big Phat Hip Hop Family Audrey (Anna Maria Horsford), a classical music student at a Midwestern college, has a big problem on her hands: her family. (Think of her as Marilyn in TV's "The Munsters.") Audrey's parents were funk/R&B stars in the 1970s, her brother's a hip-hop scenester, and her little sister is an MC in the mold of Lil' Kim. Understandably, Audrey hides her clan from her new boyfriend. But the deceit won't hold when the family shows up for a visit!
Soldiers Pay Filmmaker David O. Russell's revealing documentary provides insight into the Iraq War through interviews with people from various backgrounds and with differing opinions on America's involvement in Iraq. Shot during the war, the film features interviews with journalists, veterans of the war, politicians, Iraqis who fled to the U.S. to escape Saddam Hussein's regime, psychologists, a Marine general who served in the Gulf War and many others.
Everybody's Doing It Two high schoolers, Angela and Travis, are on the verge of having sex for the first time … just when their school starts up an abstinence education program. To make matters worse, "good girl" Caroline begins collecting abstinence pledges from students and, in the process, blows the whistle on Angela and Travis. A tongue-in-cheek primer (from MTV, no less!) that underscores the importance of sex education. Stars Steve Braun and Eugene Lipinski.
Popular Mechanics for Kids: X-Treme Sports & Other Action Adventures There's sport … and then there's "X-treme Sport"! This latest edition in the hit "Popular Mechanics" series for children dives right into the dangerous and edgy world of extreme sports. Waterskiing, road racing, mountaineering, snowboarding and many other events are all covered with an eye toward some death-defying feats that will leave you bug-eyed in disbelief. Dudes, this disc is whacked!
Popeye: Giddy Gold and Other Fun Fan Favorites Well, blow me down! Everyone's favorite spinach-chomping sailor stars in a series of vintage cartoons opposite his formidable opponent Bluto as both vie to win the heart of Popeye's perennial stick-figure sweetheart, Olive Oyl. In all, 36 hilarious cartoons (always fraught with mayhem) from the original run of the show are presented on this disc that will entrance fans -- young and old -- who love animation.
Kidvidz: Piggy Banks to Money Markets As Ben Franklin once said, "A penny saved is a penny earned." In this installment of the popular instructional series geared directly toward children, youngsters are treated to a guide to money matters that will inspire their enterprising spirit. After all, it's never too early to start instilling a sense of thrift in your kids! Another nice by-product of this disc is that it also encourages self-esteem.
End of the World In this sci-fi thriller from 1977, Dr. Andrew Boran (Kirk Scott) receives messages from outer space that accurately predict natural disasters all over the globe. When he and his wife, Sylvia (Sue Lyon), investigate, they're captured by a band of aliens determined to destroy Earth. But alien leader Zindar's (Christopher Lee) plans for the Borans go beyond kidnapping; he intends to lure them into aiding him in his murderous plan.
Koi Kaze Separated at birth from his sister Nanoka, Koshirou grows to manhood never knowing of her existence in this anime based on the manga series. Ten years after their separation, Koshirou learns that his sister is to live with him while she attends high school. To his surprise, he'd dated his gorgeous sister without knowing who she really was. Tension builds as Koshirou tries to forget his forbidden feelings for Nanoka.
Old Skool Killaz: Secret of the Dragon A family tries desperately to maintain possession of a powerful kung fu book despite several attempts by thieves to steal it. Knowing that their honor and so much more will be on the line if the book is removed from their possession, the clan uses any means necessary to hold on to the precious tome and keep a dark secret from becoming public knowledge. Stars Mang Fei, Dorian Tan, Yu Tien Lung, Elsa Yeung, Tung Li and more.
Old Skool Killaz: Daughter of Vengeance Snow Maid, a highly skilled martial arts expert, is beside herself when she finds out that her mother was sexually assaulted by a ruthless group of gangsters. Blinded by rage, the woman concocts a plan to exact revenge on each and every person responsible. With sword in hand, she finds the infamous Golden Hair Mouse and carries out her deadly quest for justice. Stars Li Ching, Yueh Hua, Guk Fung and more.
Popeye: Insultin' the Sultan and Other Fun Fan Favorites Popeye, that sailorman who never met a can of spinach he didn't like, has enjoyed fame as a star of film, television and newspaper cartoon strips since the late 1920s. Along with Olive Oyl, Bluto and J. Reginald Wimpy, the muscle-bound sea-farin' swabbie has made the world brighter for millions of fans. This disc features 20 vintage cartoons featuring the spinach-munching sailorman that will delight fans young and old.
Oblivious: The Best of Oblivious: The Game Show You Don't Know You're On! "Oblivious" is Spike TV's hilarious game show that rewards innocent, unsuspecting people with cash for answering trivia questions … from a total stranger! While in disguise, host Regan Burns approaches random citizens on the street and carries on a conversation with them, asking seemingly harmless trivia questions. Little do they realize they're being filmed -- and that they'll receive $20 for each question they answer correctly.
Ford Blues Band: In Concert For years, Patrick Ford has been gigging with some of the biggest names in blues, and all that time, ideas have been percolating in his mind about what would constitute a good modern blues band. Now, Ford's called together band mates Ronnie, Mark and Garth to put the concept to the test. This concert recorded at Ohne Filter Studios in Baden-Baden, Germany, showcases Ford's musical ideology, which fuses new ideas with a respect for tradition.
The Ultimate Collection This collection is a rock 'n' roll lover's dream -- the ultimate dream. Features legendary performances by Asia, Free (the original band), Uriah Heep, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple and a host of other great groups. Tracks include "Child in Time," "Wild One," "Down, Down," "Easy Livin'," "All Right Now," "Breakthrough," "Ejection," "Hocus Pocus," "Journey the Centre of the Earth," "Heat of the Moment" and much more.
Norman Granz' Jazz in Montreux: Clark Terry '77 One of music's most influential men in the 20th century, Norman Granz brought live jazz to the masses with his "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert series. Producing some of the great names in the genre, such as Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie, Granz became a legend in every aspect of the jazz music scene. Commemorating Granz's innovations at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, flügelhornist Clark Terry takes to the stage.
The Boomtown Rats: Live at Hammersmith Odeon 1978 Filmed live at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1978, this concert features Bob Geldof's punk-era band, The Boomtown Rats, in an electrifying performance at the height of their popularity. The Rats sing their top hits and lead an audience participation number, a trademark feature of their early gigs. Songs include "Like Clockwork," "Looking After No. 1," "She's So Modern," "Blind Date," "I Never Loved Eva Braun," "Rat Trap" and many others.
Menace: G.L.C. Punk rockers Menace exploded like a heat-seeking missile out of the London scene in the summer of '77. Tons of recordings and many tours ensued while the band split and reformed time and again. But they're still going strong, regularly playing to a devoted fan base around the world. This disc features a full show from the 1998 "Holidays in the Sun" punk festival and includes selected tracks from gigs the band has played in Europe and the USA.
Roxy Music: Inside Roxy Music 1972-1974 This disc is a crucial guide to the formative (and fertile) years of Roxy Music that saw the conception and execution of four of their best-loved albums. Features archival footage of the band, along with input from leading critics (who ponder the secret of Roxy's enduring allure), musicians and admirers. It all makes for a refreshing, independent view of the band, from their first sessions with Bryan Eno to the studied cool of "Country Life."
Fat Spy A cosmetic tycoon sends an industrial spy to a tropical island in search of the fountain of youth. The Fat Spy is a seriously campy beach movie spoof with an unusual cast and twists that must be seen to be believed.
Yes: Inside Yes 1968-1973 You either love the progressive rockers or hate 'em! Settle in for a comprehensive review of Yes' music during the band's first five years. Guided by respected critics and musicologists, you'll trace the group's development from their first LP to the hoopla surrounding the release of "Topographic Oceans" and band mate Rick Wakeman's exit. The disc includes in-depth interviews with band members and archival footage of material from every album.
Alberta Hunter: Jazz Masters Series Alberta Hunter debuted as a cabaret singer at age 11, and by the early 1920s was already a best-selling recording star. During her career, she sang with numerous jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Fats Waller. Filmed in 1982, just two years before Hunter's death, this concert features her performances of "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," "My Castle's Rockin'," "Down Hearted Blues" and many more classics.
Usher: Glamorous Life For America's No. 1 rhythm and blues artist, it certainly is a glamorous life. This disc tracks Usher's meteoric rise and includes biographical material, previously unseen film footage and exclusive, in-depth interviews with artists who have worked closely with Usher. Featured interviews include Atlanta DJ Tosha Love, 8701 engineer Steve Hodge, "Radio 1 Extra" DJ Ronnie Herel, "Star Search" host Ed McMahon and many others.
Viva La Salsa In 2003, salsa legend Elias Lopez directed some of salsa's greatest maestros in the legendary Tito Puente Amphitheatre in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Breathtaking solos and rhythmic soneos make this disc unique and a must-see for salsa aficionados. Performers include Piro Rodriguez, Luis Aquino, Jorge Diaz, Luisra Torres, Memo Pelayo, Paoli Mejia, Javier Oquendo, Alein Rodriguez, Junior Alvarada, Edwin Rosario, Primi Cruz and Darvel Garcia.
Bob Dylan: World Tours 1966-1974 Rock photographer Feinstein (who toured with Bob Dylan and The Band from 1966-74) and documentarian Joel Gilbert chronicle Dylan's legendary world tours via more than 150 of Feinstein's most indelible portraits (many of which were unseen until now) that uniquely capture rock's greatest troubadour. Features interviews with filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker, rock 'n' roll journalist Al Aronowitz, The Band drummer Mickey Jones and much more.
Pepper Live Recorded and filmed over the course of two rollicking, sold-out nights at the Troubadour club in Hollywood in September 2003, this live concert captures the kinetic energy of Hawaiian trio Pepper's hot licks and their solid connection with an adoring fan base. Lensed by Brian Bleak and Edy Enriquez, the packed disc features a stunning array of 18 songs. Tracks include "Kona Town," "In With the Old" and "Give 'N It."
Mike and the Mechanics & Paul Carrack: Live at Shepherds Bush London 1980s pop-rock band Mike and the Mechanics reunited in 2004 -- four years after the death of band member Paul Young -- to record a new album, "Rewired," and head out on tour. Filmed at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire, this performance includes "Silent Running," "The Living Years," "Word of Mouth," "One Left Standing" and more. Also, Mike Rutherford and Paul Carrack reflect on the band's history, life on the road and the loss of Young.
Shades of Soul: Sweet Sensation When jealousy and continuous miscommunication become part of the daily routine in the star-crossed marriage of Raquel and Jimmy, their relationship, not surprisingly, begins to crumble. Unable to pinpoint the exact roots of their break-up, Raquel and Jimmy, now newly single, seem doomed to repeat their mistakes in an ever-escalating series of events that lead to -- you guessed it -- deceit and murder. Produced by Melvin Van Peebles.
Jim Lauderdale: In Concert: Ohne Filter Jim Lauderdale is a pioneer in the Americana movement who delivers a scintillating mix of country music, rockabilly, bluegrass, folk, pop and soul. This concert recorded at Ohne Filter Studios in Baden-Baden, Germany, underscores Lauderdale's pervasive influence on Nashville singers (his own style is a synthesis of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash) as well as his brilliant and charismatic performing style.
Tea: A Mirror of Soul Tan Dun's newest opera, "Tea," which mixes Chinese and western music, is an exhilarating example of innovation and amazing creativity. This disc is based on a stunning co-production of the Netherlands Opera Het Muziektheatre Amsterdam and the Shanghai Grand Theatre. The production features Nancy Allen Lundy, Hijing Fu, Stephen Richardson, Christopher Gillett and Ning Liang.
Norman Granz' Jazz in Montreux: Eddy Lockjaw Davis '77 One of music's most influential men in the 20th century, Norman Granz brought live jazz to the masses with his "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert series. Producing some of the great names in the genre, such as Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie, Granz became a legend in every aspect of the jazz music scene. Commemorating Granz's innovations at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, saxophone great Eddy "Lockjaw" Davis performs.
Really Really Pimpin' in Da South You'll be a mack daddy supreme when you check out this super dope disc that features the likes of Cadillac Jack, Scooby, Sir Charles and (The Poet) Kenneth Zakee. Includes tunes by Too $hort, Lil' John and the Eastside Boys, Black Widow and many others … all designed to get you in that pimpin' mood. The Deep South was never like this!
Benji Brown: In Touch with Reality Director Melvin James shepherds hot young comedian Benji Brown through a series of some of the most hilarious sketches ever seen this side of "The Chappelle Show." Brown has performed on BET's College Hill and has appeared in the movie A Miami Tail. He's also star of the morning show on Miami's No. 1 hip-hop radio station. Prepare yourself for an intoxicating blend of sketch and stand-up that will have you rolling off your chair.
Breaking Ground Wax up your snowboard and prepare to assault the next level with nasty tricks over even nastier terrain! This insane disc delivers the most outrageous action you're likely to see in a long time. Watch riders drop down 50-ft. cliffs and slide along extended rails. Highlights include Travis Williams busting a huge 540 move over a 110-ft. gap at the Mt. Baker jam. Also features snowboarders Mike Page, Kevin Sansalone, Jon Cartwright and Donny Ellis.
Capleton: Live in San Francisco
Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem & The Cajun Band: Rainbow Quest Internationally renowned Irish folk singers the Clancy Brothers are the focus of an episode of "Rainbow Quest" -- a television series produced by Pete and Toshi Seeger and Sholom Rubinstein in the early 1960s to highlight the folk music scene worldwide. Joined by Tommy Makem and The Cajun Band, they sing traditional and contemporary Irish songs, including "Butcher's Boy." Pete Seeger makes a guest appearance, singing "Ramblin' Boy."
Pat Travers: Boom Boom: Live at the Diamond Pat Travers does here what he does better than almost anyone -- play live before an enthusiastic crowd. This concert, recorded in 1990 in Toronto, features some of Travers's best-loved songs. Tracks include "Snortin' Whiskey," "I La La La Love You," "Gettin Betta," "Daddy Long Legs," "Heat in the Street," "School of Hard Knocks," "Help Me, Stevie," "Ready or Not," "Boom Boom" and "Guitars from Hell."
Norman Granz' Jazz in Montreux: Dizzy Gillespie Sextet '77 One of music's most influential men in the 20th century, Norman Granz brought live jazz to the masses with his "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert series. Producing some of the great names in the genre, such as Billie Holiday and Count Basie, Granz became a legend in every aspect of the jazz music scene. Commemorating Granz's innovations at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1977, the Dizzy Gillespie Sextet dazzles the crowd in this inspired set.
The Mole: Season 1 An early reality television hit hosted by Anderson Cooper, "The Mole" features 10 contestants working together to complete various mental and physical tasks, aiming for the ultimate prize of $1,000,000. Here's the twist: As the players work to accomplish each assignment, one of the contestants, the "mole," is out to thwart the operation from the start. In the final episode, the mole is revealed, and the remaining player gets the cash.
Spencer Davis Group: Gimme Some Lovin': Live 1966 The Spencer Davis Group was a band completely attuned to their own time -- the 1960s. In this fascinating documentary, you'll see archive footage of the original band playing such hits as "Keep On Runnin,'" "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "I'm a Man." The disc also features an in-depth interview, a full-length documentary from 1967 and scenes with the group jamming in the recording studio, on various concert stages and at press junkets.
Leatherface: Boat in the Smoke This rockin' DVD features a Leatherface concert recorded in March 2004 at London's Camden Underworld, as well as seven songs from a June 2001 show in Sunderland and an interview with singer Frankie Stubbs. Tracks include "Springtime," "Watching You Sleep," "Not a Day Goes By," "Little White God," "Plastic Surgery," "Sour Grapes," "Diddly Squat," "Dead Industrial," "Atmosphere," "Hops & Barley," "Wax Lyrical," Grip," "Not Superstitious" and more.
SoundOff USA: Vol. 2 The USAC (United States Auto Club) World Finals feature more than a few incredible custom cars in action -- and that means extreme close-ups of all the thrills and spills of the events. Jam-packed with long, loving looks at some incredible machines that have been "mothered" with tons of TLC by their devoted owners, as well as some amazing sound systems, this two-disc set acts as a comprehensive guide to the USAC World Finals.
Bellydance: The Art of the Drum Solo There are garden-variety belly dancers, super belly dancers … and then there is Sonia. Watch and wonder at Sonia's hypnotic undulations as she struts her stuff with Issam, one of the greatest Tablah players ever. Pick up pointers (and learn the subtle art of swaying to drum solos) from a great practitioner of the ancient form via this belly-dance instruction disc that's just packed with helpful information.
Rhonda Vincent: Ragin Live In the "Show Me" state, Rhonda Vincent will show you why she's a force to be reckoned with in the music world. Recorded before an enthusiastic hometown audience at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Vincent's native state of Missouri, this concert captures the multitalented singer and her swingin' band at their all-out best. The disc also includes an exclusive documentary, a photo gallery and revealing concert outtakes.
