New Video and DVD Releases

Part 1: This Week's Releases on Video/DVD

There are some interesting video/DVD releases for October 22, 2002, including "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Joshua," "Mr. Deeds," and "Y Tu Mamá También." Let's take a look at these films, along with a few additional releases of interest, and take a sneak peek at next week's movies on video/DVD.

October 22 - Video and DVD Releases


"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" - Collector's Edition (1982)

Tagline: "His adventure on earth."

Length: 115 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for language and mild thematic elements

This is the updated version of Steven Spielberg's 1982 sci-fi classic that played theaters in 2002. The story is about a 10-year-old boy named Elliott who finds an extra-terrestrial being who has been accidentally left behind when his spaceship leaves Earth in a hurry. Elliott lets his older brother and younger sister in on his discovery, which they start to refer to as E.T. The kids instinctively realize that they must keep E.T. hidden and try to help him return home. The 2002 version of "E.T." differs only slightly from the original release. In the new version, sound has been remastered and digital effects have been used in places. Also, the new version is a little longer since some deleted scenes have been restored. Finally, guns have been replaced with walkie-talkies, and there are minor dialogue changes.

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

"Joshua" (2002)

Length: 90 minutes
MPAA Rating: G

Based on the novel by Father Joe Girzone, this Christian movie stars Tony Goldwyn, F. Murray Abraham, and Stacy Edwards. A mysterious stranger known simply as Joshua arrives one day in a small American town. There he moves into a barn and starts to rebuild the Baptist church, which was recently burned down. A pretty local woman appropriately named Maggie (Edwards) seems to be sexually attracted to Joshua, but he does not reciprocate. Also, Joshua starts to carve a statue for local Catholics, but Father Tardone (Abraham) is not happy with Joshua's growing influence. Meanwhile, Joshua goes about town acting beatific, doing good, and sometimes performing miracles. Eventually, Joshua travels to Rome, where he meets with the Pope (Giancarlo Giannini).

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

"Mr. Deeds" (2002)

Tagline: "Don't let the fancy clothes fool you."

Length: 96 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language including sexual references, and some rear nudity

This Adam Sandler comedy is a remake of Frank Capra's 1936 classic "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." Sandler plays Longfellow Deeds, a humble man who owns a pizzeria in a small town. Then a distant relative of Deeds dies, leaving him a $40 billion interest in a huge media conglomerate. Deeds travels to New York to take an active role in managing his inheritance and meets Babe Bennett (Winona Ryder), who does an unflattering TV tabloid show on him. Also, Deeds must try to fend off an effort by Chuck Cedar (Peter Gallagher), the media conglomerate's evil CEO, to seize control of the company. Along the way, Deeds deals with the quirky butler Emilio (John Turturro) he inherited along with his fortune. It's not long before Deeds is wondering if his new-found wealth and fame are really worth it.

Formats Available: The above information on special features refers to the DVD; this film is also available on VHS.

"Y Tu Mamá También" (2002)

Length: 105 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content involving teens, drug use, and language

The English translation of the title of this Spanish-language drama is "And Your Mama, Too." Set in Mexico, the story centers around the coming of age of two teenage boys: Tenoch (Diego Luna) comes from a wealthy family, but Julio (Gael García Bernal) is middle-class. At loose ends while their girlfriends travel abroad, the two boys invite Luisa (Maribel Verdú), a sexy married woman about 10 years their senior, to accompany them on a trip to a beach called Heaven's Mouth. She declines at first, but when her husband cheats on her, she changes her mind, and the trio sets out by car on a big adventure. There are sexual discoveries on their journey, but the movie also reveals a lot about contemporary Mexico. "Y Tu Mamá También" is a multilevel story, and 94 percent of the Rotten Tomatoes critics liked it.

Next Page - Additional Video/DVD Releases of Interest This Week

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