New Releases for October 21st, 2008 (Full List)
Dynamo / Death Beach /The Close Encounters of Vampire / From China with Death This collection of martial arts classics serves as a veritable buffet of tastes for the discerning kung fu fan who doesn't want to have to pick and choose. Highlights include the early Woo-ping Yuen classic From China with Death (1974), which blends humor, action and camp with a story line involving two schemers who possess mad kung fu skills, and Yuen's The Close Encounters of Vampire (1986), a rare tale of supernatural proportions.
Fireback / Raiders of the Magic Ivory / Last Mercenary / Soldier of Fortune There's even more action to choose from in this four-pack of Vietnam-themed flicks from the Grindhouse Mercs: Soldiers of Fortune collection. Highlights include Fireback (1978), in which a beleaguered Vietnam veteran returns home to find his wife has been kidnapped by a gangster, and Raiders of the Magic Ivory (1988), in which two mercenaries who were sent to Vietnam to unearth a fabled shrine ultimately find more than they bargained for.
Snuff Bottle Connection / Shaolin Drunkard Noble heroes collide with formidable foes in this pairing of kung fu action classics, one dramatic and one comic. In Snuff Bottle Connection (1977), John Liu is an honorable court official tasked with finding an infamous snuff bottle that links the traitorous Manchus to their Russian allies. Then, in Shaolin Drunkard (1983), the Yuen clan delivers the goods with magical creatures, over-the-top effects -- and plenty of camp.
Strike Commando / Mannigan's Force / Death Raiders / Operation Nam It's four times the action with this quartet of Vietnam-themed flicks from the Grindhouse Mercs: Soldiers of Fortune collection. Highlights include Operation Nam (1986), in which four Vietnam veterans vow to fight their way back into the country and rescue American POWs, and Mannigan's Force (1988), in which a decorated vet risks his life to rescue Americans from the grips of a dictator -- in exchange for a cool $1 million.
Warbus / Tiger Joe This pairing of Vietnam-era action flicks from the Grindhouse Mercs: Soliders of Fortune collection packs twice the punch. In Warbus (1985), a mixed bag of passengers -- including a missionary couple, a brothel owner and a South Vietnamese major -- are forced to ride through North Vietnamese territory with a trio of U.S. Marines. Then, in Tiger Joe (1982), a Vietnam vet is captured, only to find an ally in a beautiful medic.
Ben 10: Alien Force: Season 1: Vol. 1 In this sequel to the popular "Ben 10" animated series, a maturing Ben has declined to use the Omnitrix for five years. But when the Highbreed and their crony DNAliens invade and Grandpa Max disappears, Ben decides to use the device once again. Now, Ben, his cousin Gwen and their former nemesis Kevin must band together and use their powers to defeat the new Highbreed menace and save Grandpa Max from a terrible fate.
Go Diego Go!: It's a Bugs' World After shrinking to insect size, Diego and Kicho contend with gargantuan spider webs and enormous raindrops as they escort their pal Betty to the Whirligig Beetle Dance Contest in this special episode of the beloved spinoff of "Dora the Explorer." The 8-year-old bilingual nature-loving hero also finds fun and adventure as he takes viewers on daring animal-rescue missions in three more episodes collected here.
Looney Tunes: Spotlight Collection: Vol. 6 If you enjoyed the previous volumes of classic Looney Tunes shorts released as part of the "Spotlight" collection, well -- you knew it was coming -- that's not all, folks! The sixth (and final) installment includes memorable misadventures such as "Baby Buggy Bunny," in which a knee-high crook gives Bugs a run for his money, and "Lights Fantastic," a fantasy in which the Big Apple's billboards come to life.
Pinky Dinky Doo: Polka Dot Pox Pinky Dinky Doo has an unusual quality -- when she thinks up solutions to the problems in the goofy stories she makes up for her little brother, Tyler, her brain starts growing. The closer she gets to a resolution, the bigger it gets. The 7-year-old faces missing dinosaurs, the polka dot pox and more. Four episodes of the Noggin animated series are included, and each contains songs, stories and "great big fancy words" to teach kids vocabulary.
The Legend of Sasquatch John Davis (voiced by William Hurt) moves his family to the Pacific Northwest so he can oversee a new dam. But when his daughter, Maggie, discovers a bigfoot family, John realizes that his work may threaten the ancient lifestyle of this kindly species. Together, the Davis family and a ranger try to save the sasquatch in this animated adventure, a Best Feature Animation winner at the 2007 International Family Film Festival.
The Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Vol. 6 This mammoth anthology includes 75 animated shorts from the Warner Bros. vaults, including all-time, most-requested favorites, patriotic-themed cartoons, Merrie Melodies and, of course, Looney Tunes classics. All the usual suspects -- Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the rest of the wacky cast -- are sure to entertain audiences young and old with their over-the-top antics.
The Naked Brothers Band: Season 2 Real-life brothers Alex and Nat Wolff star as versions of themselves, two members of the title band, in this second season of Nickelodeon's hit mockumentary. This year, Nat finally dates Rosalina (Allie DiMeco), the brothers' gig as talk show hosts exposes the truth behind some harsh reviews, Alex trades places with his skateboarding double and the band hits the road for a tour of America's heartland. George Lopez and Tony Hawk guest star.
Invisible Stripes When ex-con Cliff Taylor (George Raft) has trouble landing a legit job on the outside, he returns to a life of crime with fellow felon Chuck Martin (Humphrey Bogart) to make enough cash to keep his younger brother Tim (William Holden) on the straight and narrow. But how long can he maintain the outlaw life before he's busted and sent back to the clink? Lloyd Bacon directs this hard-bitten drama that co-stars Jane Bryan.
Kid Galahad When a swift-fisted bellhop (Wayne Morris) knocks out a prizefighter at a party, boxing promoter Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson) takes the boy under his wing. But when the fledgling boxer falls for Donati's sister, the promoter betrays his protégé. Now, "Kid Galahad" must decide whether to throw a critical fight or risk everything for love. Michael Curtiz directs this drama that also stars Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis.
Larceny, Inc. When fresh-from-prison "Pressure" Maxwell's (Edward G. Robinson) plans to walk the straight and narrow are thwarted, he and a pal buy a luggage store in order to tunnel into a neighboring bank. But as the luggage business unexpectedly proves wildly profitable, they abandon their bank-robbing plot -- only to discover that some other crooks have become invested in their scheme. Lloyd Bacon directs this comedy that also stars Broderick Crawford.
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse Obsessed with understanding the criminal mind, brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Clitterhouse (Edward G. Robinson) conducts an experiment by robbing a safe. When he's interrupted by a group of thieves led by Rocks Valentine (Humphrey Bogart), he decides to infiltrate the gang. Soon, he's planning a series of big heists with the gangsters, but just how far will he go for the sake of his research? Anatole Litvak directs this comedic gem.
The Little Giant When Prohibition ends, Chicago bootlegger Bugs Ahearn (Edward G. Robinson) moves to Santa Barbara to weasel his way into West Coast high society. He rents a posh villa and wins a lovely lady (Helen Vinson), only to discover the scams she's running put his own operation to shame. Roy Del Ruth directs this delightful send-up of gangster films that also stars Mary Astor, Kenneth Thomson and Russell Hopton.
Birds of America With only his daffy neighbor (Hilary Swank) offering a diversion from his daily grind, Morrie (Matthew Perry) feels stifled by his suburban life and career. But circumstances change when he's forced to reconcile with his younger brother and sister (Ben Foster and Ginnifer Goodwin). They resented him as a surrogate father when they were growing up, but now, their freewheeling ways just may be Morrie's salvation. Daniel Eric Gold co-stars.
Fiesta Grand When Monica dumps her overbearing boyfriend, Rueben, and becomes engaged to sweet but poor James, her parents disapprove and scheme with Rueben to sabotage the engagement. Meanwhile, James's pals are planning to throw a wild bachelor party that could land the groom in hot water. Can James and Monica navigate interfering relatives and well-meaning friends and actually make it to the altar? Josué Gutierrez and Lyanna Tumaneng star in this comedy.
Love for Sale While putting the moves on the dreamy college student Keiley (pop singer Mya), Southside BBQ's star deliveryman, Trey (Jackie Long), meets Katherine (Melyssa Ford), a beautiful older woman who falls for him. While he juggles these romantic options, Trey has to find a way to make some money for college and help out his uncle, whose recording studio is on the brink of foreclosure, in this free-spirited romantic comedy.
National Lampoon Presents RoboDoc When an innovative health care company unveils RoboDoc, an android physician so carefully programmed it cannot make a medical mistake, a greedy medical malpractice lawyer (Kenny Babel) sees a threat to his livelihood, not a miracle. He'll stop at nothing to see RoboDoc reduced to a heap of wires and software. Stephen Maddocks directs this medical comedy that also stars Alan Thicke, David Faustino and William Haze.
Rockstars of Comedy Featuring introductions by reality television star Adrianne Curry, star of VH1's "My Fair Brady" and Season 1 winner of "America's Next Top Model," this comedy tour features some of the hottest comics on the circuit. Having appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Comedy Central and more, performers include Bryan Callen ("Mad TV"), Bret Ernst (Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Tour), Steve Byrne, Dan Levy and Sam Tripoli.
Sold Out: A Threevening with Kevin Smith Writer-director Kevin Smith appears alongside wife Jennifer Schwalbach Smith (Clerks II, Jersey Girl) and daughter Haley in this Q&A documentary, filmed before a sold-out house at the Count Basie Theatre in Smith's hometown of Red Bank, N.J. Celebrating his 37th birthday on the night of the performance, Smith answers fans' questions about his films, his personal life and his relationships with the media and various celebrities.
Half a Person When Mark (Michael Majeski), a young gay man, and his straight best friend, Alex (Nigel Smith), leave their hometown for the big city, Mark exposes a self-destructive streak, while Alex must confront a painful secret from his past. But as they reveal more of their true selves, their hidden feelings for each other drive them to a decision that changes their lives forever. Adam Santangelo directs this sensitive coming-of-age drama.
The Go-Getter After the death of his mother, 19-year-old Mercer (Lou Taylor Pucci) steals a car and sets out to find his long-lost half brother. As he steers out of town, the car's owner, Kate (Zooey Deschanel), calls the cell phone left inside. Oddly, she's empathetic, and the two develop an unusual bond over the course of Mercer's journey. Jena Malone and Maura Tierney also star in this engaging coming-of-age tale.
The Other Boleyn Girl Before Anne Boleyn (Jodhi May) married King Henry VIII (Jared Harris), her sister Mary (Natascha McElhone) -- who had recently wed a nobleman -- was the king's mistress. Based on Philippa Gregory's best-selling novel imagining these events that took place in 16th-century England, this lush BBC production explores the passion, rivalry and intrigue between the historic siblings. U.K. documentary filmmaker Philippa Lowthorpe directs.
The Stone Angel Rather than succumbing to life in a nursing home, feisty Hagar Shipley (Ellen Burstyn) goes on the run. As she struggles to keep her mind clear, Hagar relives passionate moments from early in her life and reflects on the many difficult experiences she's faced. Featuring Christine Horne as the younger Hagar, director Kari Skogland's adaptation of Margaret Laurence's popular novel co-stars Ellen Page, Dylan Baker and Cole Hauser.
Anaconda 3: The Offspring Believing that an elusive anaconda may hold the cure for a life-threatening disease, an enigmatic billionaire hires a mercenary named Hammett (David Hasselhoff) to track down and capture the reptile. But the snake has other ideas, and soon Hammett and his team find themselves in a battle for their lives against the giant serpent. Crystal Allen and John Rhys-Davies also star in this made-for-TV creature feature from director Don E. FauntLeRoy.
Trailer Park of Terror When their bus crashes, stranding them in a remote area known as the Trucker's Triangle, six troubled teens and their youth minister, Pastor Lewis (Matthew Del Negro), find themselves face-to-face with a murderous redneck named Norma (Nichole Hiltz) who keeps company with the undead. While the hapless crew is snoozing away in her trailer park, Norma's thinking of ways to make their lives a living nightmare.
The Incredible Hulk Edward Norton stars as Bruce Banner in this version of the classic comic book tale about a doctor who searches for a cure for his exotic condition, which causes him to transform into a huge green monster when under duress. Drawing closer to finding a remedy, Dr. Banner becomes sidetracked as he's pursued first by the military and then by a rival monster known as the Abomination. Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt co-star.
Forfeit Years after killing his abusive father, Frank O'Neal (Billy Burke) returns to L.A. to mend things with his old girlfriend (Sherry Stringfield) -- or so it seems. A sociopath driven by religious fervor, Frank is in fact plotting a major robbery. Will a shady televangelist save his soul … or drive him to damnation? Directed by Andrew Shea, this edgy thriller co-stars Gregory Itzin, John Aylward and Wayne Knight.
Linewatch A border patrol officer is forced to leave his post in New Mexico and revisit his murky past as a Los Angeles gangbanger when his nephew makes an enemy out of his former gang leader. Cuba Gooding Jr. and Evan Ross (son of legendary songstress Diana Ross) co-star in this gritty action-thriller that was filmed on location on the Mexico border and takes its inspiration straight from the headlines. Kevin Bray directs.
The Lazarus Project Ben (Paul Walker) thought his life was over when he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. But following his execution, he awakens to a whole new world. After learning he's been hired as a groundskeeper at a crumbling psychiatric facility, Ben realizes he's earned a second chance. But whether he's truly come back from the dead -- or never died in the first place -- remains a mystery. Linda Cardellini and Piper Perabo co-star.
The Strangers In this heart-pounding thriller, young suburban couple James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler) welcome the peace and quiet of a secluded family vacation home -- that is, until three masked home invaders make them realize how dangerous isolation can be. Written and directed by Bryan Bertino, the film also stars Australian supermodel Gemma Ward, Kip Weeks, Glenn Howerton and Laura Margolis.
Vice Michael Madsen stars as Max Walker, a down-and-out cop who becomes the target of a bloodthirsty drug cartel after he leads a narcotics bust to intercept a large shipment of heroin. When someone starts picking off his team members -- and the drugs seized in the raid suddenly disappear -- Walker pairs up with one of his detectives (Daryl Hannah) to uncover a conspiracy that may go straight up the chain of command.
Magical Witch Punie-Chan She may look like an ordinary girl, but Punie-Chan is really a magical princess who's out of this world! With her lovable sidekick, Paya-tan, in tow, Punie roams the halls of her school and squashes anyone who gets in her way. Sure, she's cute and has a flair for fashion, but the prickly Punie also has a killer ability to take down her enemies with a crushing submission hold that leaves them breathless.
Rocket Girls This anime series follows the adventures of young Yukari Morita, who journeys to the Solomon Islands in search of her missing father and winds up being recruited as an astronaut for the Solomon Space Agency. Now, she faces tough new challenges -- such as intense physical training, failed rocket tests, deceptive space agency administrators, missions gone awry and more -- even as she continues the hunt for her father.
Southern Cross In this anime series, a ruthless alien race threatens to wipe out the planet Gloire and all of humankind, and 17-year-old Jeanne Fránçaix must lead the 15th Squadron of the Southern Cross army in a battle against the Zor. The odds are against Jeanne and her Southern Cross squadron as they take on the Zor's bioroid super-weapons and their brainwashed biohuman soldiers, and the only hope they have of saving humankind may lie with the Zor themselves.
Alice Neel Director Andrew Neel looks at the life and work of his grandmother, Alice Neel, one of the 20th century's best portrait artists, in this intimate documentary that uses interviews, photos and art to detail her struggles as a painter and single mother. The enigmatic Alice, who died in 1984, sparked a revival of the genre by producing portraits that unmasked her subjects, who included Andy Warhol, poet Allen Ginsberg and other notables.
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Hosted by Ben Stein, this controversial documentary examines how pro-intelligent design scholars and scientists are often chastised, fired or denied tenured positions by those who believe in Darwin's theory of evolution. Nathan Frankowski's film explores how scientists who believe in God are oppressed and how the acceptance of evolution may have played a role in the formation of organizations such as the Nazi regime and Planned Parenthood.
Gunnin' for That #1 Spot Filmmaker and Beastie Boy Adam Yauch documents the lives and talent of some of America's most gifted high school basketball players as they prep for the first annual Elite 24 all-star game in 2006 at Harlem's famed Rucker Park. Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabar were groomed on that same court, and young hopefuls such as Jerryd Bayless, Michael Beasley, Tyreke Evans and Kevin Love hope to follow in their footsteps.
In the Family After testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation at the age of 27, Chicago filmmaker Joanna Rudnick faces an agonizing decision: Should she have her breasts and ovaries removed or risk developing cancer? Turning the camera on her own dilemma, Rudnick reaches out to other women in similar situations as she ponders her own priorities about life, love and family in this informative and deeply affecting documentary.
Out of Left Field: The Making of the Chinese Baseball Team This documentary chronicles the work of ex-big league baseball manager Jim Lefebvre and Hall of Fame pitcher Bruce Hurst as they transform China's inexperienced national baseball team into a world-class lineup in time for the 2008 Olympic Games. The two have their work cut out for them, but how far can two coaches take a rookie squad when they're competing against some of the world's best teams in Beijing?
Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film This documentary examines the halcyon days of the Hollywood gangster film, delving into the genre's roots and development, its influence on world cinema and the careers of classic stars such as James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson. The program also highlights key gangster films such as Public Enemy and White Heat, extraordinary directors such as Michael Curtiz and the crucial role the Warner Bros. studio played in defining the genre.
Sex & Justice At Clarence Thomas's Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 1991, the issue of sexual harassment took the national stage when Thomas's former colleague Anita Hill testified that he made sexually provocative statements to her while he was her boss. The highlights of these historic proceedings, which include memorable contributions by Sen. Orrin Hatch, are condensed into this transfixing account, narrated by feminist icon Gloria Steinem.
The Minotaur's Island This documentary examines the Minoan civilization, which thrived on the island of Crete more than 5,000 years ago and then suddenly collapsed, leaving behind fascinating ruins, relics and the myth of the Minotaur. Historian Bettany Hughes visits several of the civilization's key sites, tracing archeological findings to gather clues about the social and political landscape of this mysterious society -- and why it came to such an abrupt end.
Toots Filmmaker Kristi Jacobson celebrates the life of her sharp-tongued grandfather, Toots Shor, a colorful Manhattan restaurateur who counted among his clientele scores of celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Joe DiMaggio and Dwight Eisenhower. Interviews with Shor's pals, such as Lauren Bacall, Walter Cronkite and Yogi Berra, recall the post-World War II days when regular folk mingled at the bar with movie stars, sports heroes and politicians.
Sunday School Musical When financial woes threaten their church's future, a group of teens, led by one talented performer, enters a song and dance competition in hopes of winning a heavenly cash prize. Starring Candise Lakota as Savannah, this heartwarming and energetic Christian spin on the tremendously popular High School Musical franchise features 21 songs, including seven originals by composer Don Raymond. Rachel Goldenberg directs.
ESPN Ultimate NASCAR: Vol. 5: The Families Three of the greatest names in NASCAR come in pairs: Earnhardt, Petty, Allison. This ESPN documentary takes race fans into the homes of these three families to see what it's like to be a member of a world-class racing dynasty. Exciting race footage of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Sr., Lee and Richard Petty, and Bobby and Davey Allison is intercut with candid moments of the superstars at home, while family interviews discuss how one affects the other.
Kick with Lynn Hahn Kick yourself into shape with this challenging, high-intensity cardio workout designed by top fitness instructor and self-defense expert Lynn Hahn. You will burn calories, tone muscle, boost energy and have fun. Comprised of two separate routines, Hahn's program relies heavily on traditional martial arts training techniques, from powerful kicking drills to kick-and-punch combos and speed exercises.
Power Body: Advanced Russian Kettlebell with Phil Ross Take your kettlebell workout routine to the next level with this effective program led by fitness guru and martial arts expert Phil Ross, designed to increase reflexive strength, boost endurance and tone musculature. Geared toward experienced kettlebell users, this highly intensive regimen is divided into four different sections, with exercises such as the Kettlebell Swing, Figure 8, Cross Renegade Rows and Renegade Side Lunges.
Punch and Firm: Cardio Kickboxing with Lynn Hahn A fitness expert and third degree black belt, Lynn Hahn draws on her 35 years of experience in self-defense and weight management to bring you this highly effective workout program designed to burn fat, boost stamina and strengthen and tone muscles. Utilizing various martial arts-infused exercises and drills, Hahn guides you through two separate workouts that are perfect for all fitness levels, from seasoned kickboxers to novice practitioners.
According to Jim: Season 1 Jim and Cheryl (Jim Belushi and Courtney Thorne-Smith) enjoy a typical suburban existence with their three children. But Jim's mischievous schemes often create chaos as Cheryl tries to keep things running smoothly for the family. In the sitcom's debut season, Jim gets in trouble when he goes to the Bears game instead of burying Cheryl's beloved cat, and Cheryl learns her sister, Dana (Kimberly Williams), buys all her anniversary gifts from Jim.
Comedy Central Salutes George W. Bush Culled from Comedy Central's various series, this ironic and hilarious tribute to United States President George W. Bush consists of a collection of clips from Bush-inspired segments. Included in the video are episodes of "South Park," "That's My Bush," "Lil' Bush" and "Lewis Black's Root of All Evil," along with clips from stand-up comedy routines as well as portions of "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report."
Dynasty: Season 3: Vol. 2 Joan Collins, Linda Evans and John Forsythe return for another over-the-top season of Aaron Spelling's popular nighttime soap opera that revolves around the heated rivalry between the Carringtons and the Colbys. The emergence of Krystle's ex-husband spells trouble for her marriage to Blake, Steven disappears after an oil rig explodes in Indonesia, and Alexis positions herself to take over Denver-Carrington.
Family Guy: Vol. 6: Season 6 The wildly dysfunctional Griffin family is back in action with another season in which Chris and Meg get jobs at a convenience store, Peter's anti-immigration activities backfire, and Stewie tries to kill Lois while she and Peter are on a cruise. Stewie then resumes plans for world domination, but Lois has a trick up her sleeve. This season also includes a spoof of Star Wars, and James Woods and Barry Manilow make (animated) cameo appearances.
Gone to Seed When three hapless siblings -- Monty (Jim Broadbent), a wannabe country singer; Winston (Warren Clarke), a one-eyed wrestler; and Hilda (Alison Steadman), a bashful soccer fan -- inherit a nursery, they must fight to save it from the clutches of a greedy developer. But will the trio, who can't seem to stop quarreling over the smallest trifle, be able to set their differences aside and band together to save their family legacy?
L.A. Ink: Season 1: Vol. 2 Body artist and wild girl Kat Von D continues to draw celebrities, musicians and other patrons to her Los Angeles tattoo parlor as she indulges in crazy antics and exhibits her unique sense of style. But things don't always run smoothly, as she copes with her quirky staff of tattoo artists -- Pixie, Corey Miller, Kim Saigh and Hannah Aitchison -- while managing all aspects of her business in these episodes of The Learning Channel reality show.
Rain Shadow: Series 1 This program includes the first six episodes of the poignant drama series about two female veterinarians -- a newcomer and her wizened boss (Rachel Ward) -- who work together under the harsh conditions of the Australian Outback. In this inaugural season, the two women fight to save their farming community from a sheep blight they must conceal from authorities while also discovering some surprising truths about one another.
The Incredible Hulk: The Complete Fifth Season On his never-ending quest to keep his dual identity as the Hulk under wraps, Dr. David Banner (Bill Bixby) continues his life as a drifter and crosses paths with all sorts of characters. In the fifth and final season of this hit sci-fi series, David is kidnapped by three convicts who've escaped from a women's prison -- and one of them is nine months pregnant. Later, he risks blowing his cover to protect a politician from being assassinated.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Season 1 The world is filled with wanna-bes aching to take over the planet, employing whatever means necessary to wrest control from those who rightfully have it. Enter Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) and Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn), two secret agents given the mission by the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement (U.N.C.L.E) to stop the nefarious plans of men and women with delusions of grandeur who are gunning for the top spot.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Season 2 Globetrotting secret agents Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) continue to keep the world safe from power-hungry supervillains in the second season of the hit show, produced for the first time in living color. In the two-part opener featuring guest stars Rip Torn and Dorothy Provine, an American businessman plots to take over an Asian country as his former wife dogs his trail with divorce papers in hand.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Season 3 Superspies Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) thwart the plans of more megalomaniacal villains with ties to THRUSH (Technological Hierarchy for the Removal of Undesirables and the Subjugation of Humanity) in the series' third year. This season, the duo must stop a plot to blow up peace talks and rescue a presidential candidate's kidnapped spouse. Guests include Joan Collins, Jack Palance and Janet Leigh.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Season 4 Featuring guests such as Darren McGavin, Jack Lord, Eleanor Parker and Broderick Crawford, the fourth season of the 1960s spy show (starring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum) marks a return to more serious story lines. This year's episodes take Solo (Vaughn) and Kuryakin (McCallum) on dicey assignments to South America, the Caribbean, Greece, Africa and England. In the series finale, the two intrepid agents end up in front of a firing squad.
The New Adventures of Old Christine: Season 2 Julia Louis-Dreyfus nabbed an Emmy for her turn as divorced working mom Christine Campbell, who gets along fine with her ex (Clark Gregg) until he gets a new girlfriend with the same first name (Emily Rutherfurd). In the show's second season, "Old" Christine (Louis-Dreyfus) tries to convince her son, Ritchie (Trevor Gagnon), that she and his dad aren't reuniting ... but what if they are? Wanda Sykes plays Christine's best friend.
Moses and Aaron Based on composer Arnold Schoenberg's unfinished Biblical opera, this German import (directed by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet) chronicles the relationship between Moses (Günter Reich) and his brother Aaron (Louis Devos), and their conversations about God and faith. While Moses attempts to explain God to the masses, Aaron tries to convince his sibling that his austere lecture style needs imagery to bring religious concepts to life.
El Caso del Baul Rosado When a young girl's dead body is found inside an abandoned trunk, detective Mariano Corzo (Eduardo Román) takes on the high-profile case. While dodging sensationalist newspaper reporter Hipolito (Diego Velez), Corzo turns to beautiful bartender Martina (Dolores Heredia) for help finding clues. Set in Columbia in 1945, this gripping murder mystery successfully re-creates the bygone era through beautiful locations, art direction and costumes.
Flight of the Red Balloon Puppet theater voice actress Suzanne (Juliette Binoche) lives with her young son Simon (Simon Iteanu) in a tiny Parisian apartment. With her hectic schedule, she has little time to care for the boy and leaves most of her mothering duties to baby sitter Song (Fang Song). As Suzanne becomes embroiled in a court case involving her downstairs tenant, Song and Simon become intrigued by a red balloon that starts following them around the city.
Fuera del Cuerpo After his wife leaves him due to his recent infidelity, police officer Bruno (Gustavo Salmeron) stumbles upon a portal to a parallel universe. In this new world, Bruno discovers that his life has been nothing but a movie, and he has the power to rewrite his future. But in order to create a happy ending to his story, the conflicted Bruno must first figure out exactly who and what he wants in his life.
La Busqueda Abandoned by their father at an early age, troubled siblings Berto (Nacho Novo) and Mario (Enrique Alcides) reunite in Madrid after several years apart. Accompanied by Mario's girlfriend, Laura (Elena Anaya), the brothers search for their father while battling each other's egos and lies. As passion arises and the threesome gets to know each other intimately, the group's dynamic changes drastically.
Lone Wolf and Cub: TV Series: Vol. 4 Based on the hit manga, this 1970s television series chronicles the life of disgraced samurai executioner Ittô Ogami (Kinnosuke Nakamura). Traveling the countryside with his 3-year-old son, Daigorô, in tow, Ittô works as a hit man for hire. All the while, he dreams of the day he will avenge the death of his wife and reclaim his good name. This compilation features episodes 14-18.
On the Rumba River Antoine Kolosoy picked up a guitar as a boy and never put it down, despite persecution by both the church and the Congolese government. This film tells the story of the man who developed Congolese rumba, a popular musical style blending rumba, beguine, waltz, tango and cha-cha. Electrifying performances by Kolosoy and his band combine with stunning visual imagery of his war-torn country to provide a moving tribute to the Congolese people.
Osaka Elegy Forced by circumstances into a destructive relationship with her boss, pharmaceutical company owner Asai (Yoko Umemura), young switchboard operator Ayako (Isuzu Yamada) tries to obtain his help to pay off her alcoholic father's debts and help her brother, Hiroshi (Shinpachiro Asaka), pay for school. With all the men in her life using her, Ayako is soon headed into a downward spiral in this drama from Japan's legendary filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi.
Sisters of the Gion Geisha O-Mocha (Isuzu Yamada) rejects the traditional rules of her profession, choosing instead to look out for herself by finding new patrons to elevate her position in life. Meanwhile, her geisha sister Umekichi (Yoko Umemura) remains loyal to a bankrupt former patron. But both paths lead to ruin, as the bankrupt man betrays Umekichi and a wronged client seeks revenge on O-Mocha in this poignant Japanese classic from director Kenji Mizoguchi.
Six in Paris French new wave pioneers Eric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol and Jean-Luc Godard headline this 1960s-era short film anthology, featuring six vignettes centered on metropolitan life in the City of Lights. Titles include Jean Douchet's "Saint Germain-des-Prés," Jean Rouch's "Gare du Nord," Jean-Daniel Pollet's "Rue Saint-Denis," Rohmer's "Place de l'Étoile," Godard's "Montparnasse et Levallois" and Chabrol's "La Muette."
Street of Shame The women in a Tokyo brothel try to keep their heads above water and pursue their dreams, but they face constant degradation. Nonetheless, they struggle to support husbands, bail relatives out of prison and pay for their children's education. This poignant drama was legendary Japanese filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi's final film, and was said to be instrumental in influencing the law banning prostitution that was passed in Japan a year later.
To the Limit Written and directed by Pepe Danquart, this gripping documentary follows the adrenaline-spiked sport of speed rock climbing, as German überclimbers Thomas and Alexander Huber attempt to set a record scaling Yosemite's legendary El Capitan. Featuring wicked camera shots of the pair in action, the film also explores the brothers' unique relationship, fueled by love and rivalry. Will they make it up the monolith in record time?
Women of the Night After World War II, war widow Fusako (Kinuyo Tanaka) and her sister, Natsuko (Sanae Takasugi), struggle to survive. Natsuko begins an affair with a drug smuggler, but when she discovers her lover is also sleeping with Fusako, their lives change forever. Along with their friend, Kumiko (Tomie Tsunoda), the sisters turn to prostitution to make ends meet in this moving drama from legendary Japanese filmmaker Kenji Mizoguchi.
