December 3 - Recommended Video and DVD Releases

"Austin Powers in Goldmember" - Infinifilm Edition (2002)

Mike Myers again stars as randy British super-spy Austin Powers in this zany comedy, the third in a series of movies that spoof James Bond films. As in previous Austin Powers movies, Mike Myers also plays the villainous Dr. Evil as well as an obese character called Fat Bastard, and Verne Troyer returns in the role of Mini Me. This time around, Dr. Evil teams up with a peculiar Dutchman named Goldmember (Myers, in his fourth role) in an attempt to acquire a device that will allow him world domination. Dr. Evil kidnaps Austin's father (Michael Caine), and soon all the main characters end up back in 1975, where Austin meets the sexy Foxxy Cleopatra (Beyoncé Knowles), a spy with a big afro. Several celebrities make cameo appearances in the movie, and the film provides some big laughs.

Selected Special DVD Features:

Commentary by Jay Roach and Mike Myers

Infinifilm Menus

Music Videos

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

"Lilo & Stitch" (2002)

This is a charming Disney animated adventure film that is aimed at children, but most adults will enjoy watching it with them. Lilo (voice of Daveigh Chase) is a mischievous girl who lives in Hawaii, where she is being raised by her sister because their parents were killed in an accident. Lilo's home situation is less than ideal, and the authorities threaten to take her away from her sister. Then Lilo adopts a creature from the pound that she thinks is a strange dog and names him Stitch (voice of Chris Sanders). However, Stitch is not a dog, but a small monster that resulted from an experiment gone awry on a distant planet. Lilo and Stitch bond, but Lilo must do everything she can to remain with her sister, while Stitch has to avoid the extraterrestrials sent to bring him back to the galaxy where he was created.

Selected Special DVD Features:

Deleted Scenes

Music Video

Widescreen Anamorphic Format

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

December 10 - Recommended Video and DVD Release

"K-19: The Widowmaker" (2002)

Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson star in this suspense drama about a troubled Russian nuclear submarine. The movie is set in 1961 and inspired by an actual Cold War event. K-19 is a Russian sub whose crew dubs it "the Widowmaker" because several men die while working on it even before it is launched. On its maiden voyage, K-19 is commanded by Capt. Vostrikov (Ford), and the Executive Officer is Capt. Polenin (Neeson). A major problem arises at sea involving K-19's nuclear reactors, and Vostrikov and Polenin, both competent and strong-willed officers, disagree about the proper course of action. But while both officers are concerned for the safety of the crew, they understand the need to keep the Russian technology secret, and both are aware that an explosion on board may trigger nuclear war.

Selected Special DVD Features:

Closed-Captioned

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

"Stuart Little 2" (2002)

This sequel to "Stuart Little" (1999) blends animation with live action and is another example of a family film that most adults won't mind watching with children. Stuart Little (voice of Michael J. Fox) is an animated mouse who, despite the tremendous disparity in size, has been adopted by a human family, the members of which are portrayed by live actors. This time around, Stuart is driving along in his tiny sports car when he encounters a little yellow bird named Margalo (voice of Melanie Griffith). Stuart and Margalo become great friends, and when she disappears, he suspects the evil Falcon (voice of James Woods) is responsible. Aided by the family cat Snowbell (voice of Nathan Lane), Stuart sets out to try to locate Margalo, and along the way he has lots of adventures.

Selected Special DVD Features:

Available in Full-Screen and Widescreen Anamorphic Formats

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

 

"Minority Report" (2002)

Steven Spielberg directed this engrossing sci-fi thriller that stars Tom Cruise. The story is set in 2054 in Washington, D.C., where a new system for dealing with murder has been in place for six years. The system uses the special powers of three psychics who can envision a murder shortly before it happens, and law enforcement officials like John Anderton (Cruise) rush out and arrest the would-be murderer before the crime is committed. However, the three psychics occasionally disagree, in which case the dissenter files a minority report. Nevertheless, the pre-crime system has worked so well in DC that it is about to be taken national. Then Anderton is stunned when the system identifies him as being about to murder someone he doesn't even recognize, and he goes on the run as he tries to figure out what is going on.

Selected Special DVD Features:

Available in Widescreen and Full-Screen Editions

Two-Disc DVD Set

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD. Check for availability on VHS.

New Video/DVD Releases - December Week Five