New Videos Coming Out This Week

This week's new releases include films such as The Emperor’s New Groove, Miss Congeniality, and All the Pretty Horses. But there are other exciting movies coming your way, including unexpected treats such as The Dominici Affair--a reconstruction of Orson Welles' unfinished documentary--and the DVD release of Postcards from the Edge. And, of course, I know that Christopher Reeve's many fans will be looking forward to the DVD releases of Superman: The Movie - Special Edition and The Complete Superman Collection. Let’s take a quick look at what the new releases scheduled for May 1, 2001, have to offer.

All the Pretty Horses

Tagline: "Some passions can never be tamed."

Length: 116 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence and some sexuality

It’s 1949 and there’s no good reason for adventurous young John Grady Cole (Matt Damon) to stay in his native Texas, so he gets on his horse and rides into Mexico in search of new experiences. Eventually, John Grady gets a job on a huge ranch, where he becomes romantically involved with the owner’s beautiful daughter Alejandra (Penelope Cruz). But soon John Grady is thrown into a grim Mexican prison from which he will never be released unless someone pays off the jailer.

Formats Available: DVD, VHS

Miss Congeniality

Tagline: "Unpolished. Unkempt. Unleashed. Undercover."

Length: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for sexual references and a scene of violence

Sandra Bullock stars in this comedy about a tomboyish, unglamorous woman who must transform herself into someone with all the traditional feminine graces. When a terrorist makes a threat against a beauty pageant, F.B.I. agent Gracie Hart (Bullock) is given the undercover assignment of posing as a pageant contestant. While Hart has the right figure for the job, her appearance, movements, and manners are all wrong, so a veteran beauty consultant (Michael Caine) is brought in to coach her.

Formats Available: DVD, VHS

The Dominici Affair

Length: 52 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR

Expanded and reconstructed from the unfinished documentary by Orson Welles, this film focuses on the murders of a ten-year-old girl and her parents that occurred in France in the 1950s. Using existing footage from an uncompleted episode of Around the World with Orson Welles, a 1955 British TV series, this movie uses the director’s original script in an attempt to bring the project to completion.

Formats Available: DVD, VHS

The Emperor’s New Groove - Ultimate 2 Disc Edition

Tagline: "It's all about... ME."

Length: 78 minutes
MPAA Rating: G

This animated comedy is set long ago in a remote South American kingdom whose emperor is the selfish young Kuzco (voice of David Spade). Kuzco is so hated by an old woman named Yzma (voice of Eartha Kitt) that she has him poisoned, but the potion intended to kill Kuzco doesn’t work as expected and turns him into a talking llama. However, Kuzco (in llama form) enlists the aid of a peasant named Pacha (voice of John Goodman), who helps him in getting back to his human form and regaining his position as emperor.

Selected Special Features on the DVD:

• Deleted Scenes
• Trailers
• Commentary by director Mark Dindal and producer Randy Fulmer

Formats Available: The above information focuses on the DVD edition of this movie. The Emperor’s New Groove is also available on VHS.

Postcards from the Edge

Tagline: "Having a wonderful time, wish I were here."

Length: 101 minutes
MPAA Rating: R

Carrie Fisher, daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, wrote the screenplay for this film, which is based on her semi-autobiographical, best-selling novel of the same name. The story revolves around actress Suzanne Vale (Meryl Streep), who struggles with drug addiction and problems associated with living in the shadow of her famous mother Doris Mann (Shirley MacLaine). Postcards from the Edge is filled with dialogue that crackles with bittersweet wit, especially as mother and daughter exchange verbal barbs. Memorable performances by the two actresses in the leading roles bring the novel’s characters to life. I have to admit to having a weakness for films that explore mother-daughter relationships.

Formats Available: DVD release date May 1, 2001; already on VHS

Other DVD Releases of Interest

Superman: The Movie - Special Edition

Selected Special Features on the DVD:

• Deleted Scenes
• Trailers
• Commentary by director Richard Donner
• Behind-the-Scenes Documentary Featurettes
• Screen Tests

The Complete Superman Collection

A collection of all four live-action Superman films starring Christopher Reeve in the title role. This four-disc collection includes:

Superman: The Movie - Special Edition

Tagline: "You'll Believe a Man Can Fly!"

Length: 151 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for peril, some mild sensuality and language

Superman II

Tagline: "The three outlaws from Krypton descend to Earth to confront the Man of Steel in a cosmic battle for world supremacy."

Length: 127 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG

Superman III

Tagline: "The world's super hero in his toughest adventure yet!"

Length: 125 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Length: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG

After you've seen any of these movies, drop by the chat room and share your thoughts about them or drop me a line.