Total Number of DVDs in Collection dvd 312 Sorted by Title

Page Number: 1

Title

The 4th Man @ Amazon

Starring: Jeroen Krabbé, Renée Soutendijk, Thom Hoffman, Dolf de Vries, Geert de Jong, Hans Veerman, Hero Muller, Caroline de Beus, Reinout Bussemaker, Erik J. Meijer, Ursul de Geer, Filip Bolluyt, Hedda Lornie, Paul Nygaard, Guus van der Made

Theatrical: 1983
Genre: Other
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertain

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Letterbox)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Duration: 105	Video Format: NTSC	Language: Dutch
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English

Comments: Box Set

Summary: Only two years separate The Fourth Man (1983), Verhoeven's final Dutch language movie, and the explosive commencement of his Hollywood career. This savage comedy shocker could well be seen as a trial run for Basic Instinct, since it features an ice-cold seductress (Renée Soutendijk) with mysterious motivations and sexual preferences. The hallucinatory tale follows a novelist (Jeroen Krabbé) first falling for her, and then feverishly investigating whether she's a serial husband killer. The film is full of what would soon be recognized as Verhoeven trademarks: a little blasphemy, a lot of nudity, dispassionate characters, and hidden agendas.

8 Mile @ Amazon

Starring: Eminem, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Evan Jones, Omar Benson Miller, De'Angelo Wilson, Eugene Byrd, Taryn Manning, Larry Hudson, Proof, Mike Bell, DJ Head, Michael Shannon, Chloe Greenfield

Theatrical: 2002
Genre: Drama
Director: Curtis Hanson
Studio: Universal Studios

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 110	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, Spanish, French
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: Find Your Voice

Summary: Rap star Eminem makes a strong movie debut in 8 Mile, an urban drama that makes a fairly standard plot fly through its gritty attention to detail. Jimmy Smith (Eminem), nicknamed B Rabbit, can't pull himself together to take the next step with his career--or with his life. Angry about his alcoholic mother (Kim Basinger) and worried about his little sister, Rabbit lets out his feelings with twisting, clever raps admired by his friends, who keep pushing him to enter a weekly rap face-off. But Rabbit resists--until he meets a girl (Brittany Murphy) who might offer him support and a little hope that his life could get better. Under the smart and ambitious direction of Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, Wonder Boys) and ably supported by the excellent cast and the burnt-out environment of Detroit slums, Eminem reveals a surprising vulnerability that makes 8 Mile vivid and compelling. --Bret Fetzer

10th & Wolf @ Amazon

Starring: James Marsden

Theatrical: 2006
Genre: Action & Adventure
Director: Robert Moresco
Studio: Lions Gate

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 107	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English, Dolby Digital 5.1
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish

Comments: The intersection where family, honor and betrayal collide.

Summary: Where family, honor and betrayal collide. Inspired by a true story from the real life FBI agent known as Donnie Brasco.

21 Grams @ Amazon

Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Danny Huston, Carly Nahon, Claire Pakis, Benicio Del Toro, Nick Nichols, Charlotte Gainsbourg, John Rubinstein, Eddie Marsan, Loyd Keith Salter, Antef A. Harris, Melissa Leo, Marc Musso, Teresa Delgado

Theatrical: 2003
Genre: Drama
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Studio: Universal Studios

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 124	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French
Region: 4	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish, French

Comments: How much does life weigh?

Summary: A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician (Penn), a grieving mother (Watts) and a born-again ex-con (Del Toro).

24 Nights @ Amazon

Starring: Kevin Isola, Aida Turturro, Stephen Mailer, David Burtka, Rob Bogue, Mary Louise Wilson, Mark Bateman, Sybyl Walker, John Rothman, Johann Carlo, Gerry Vichi, Mary Stout, Rose Alaio, Christopher Duva, Paul Tiesler

Theatrical: 1999
Genre: Comedy
Director: Kieran Turner
Studio: First Run Features

My Rating:

Rated: Unrated

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Duration: 97	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: He knows who you've been sleeping with.

Summary: Jonathan (Kevin Isola) has always believed in Santa, even despite his exasperated sister Marie's (Aida Turturro, "The Sopranos") "lies" to the contrary. Now in his early twenties working in a New York gay bookstore, Jonathan knows that despite a string of failed affairs, he can, with a little help from Santa, still find that perfect man! He thinks he's found his present from Santa when he meets new co-worker Toby (David Burtka), a cute southerner and winner of the local "wet underwear" championship. But if Toby really is his gift from Santa, why is he exploding like a party animal all over the New York scene and why has he brought his older childhood sweetheart Keith (Stephen Mailer) along with him? As the shopping days count down to Christmas, Jobathan discovers that Santa doesn't always deliver what sexy gay boys want, he delivers what they deserve.

The 24th Day @ Amazon

Starring: James Marsden, Scott Speedman, Sofía Vergara, Barry Papick, Charlie Corrado, Jarvis W. George, Scott Roman, Jeffrey Frost, Jona Harvey, Thea Chaloner, Brian Campbell, Nadia Axakowsky

Theatrical: 2004
Genre: Drama
Director: Tony Piccirillo
Studio: Mca Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Duration: 92	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish

Comments: Your next lie may be your last.

Summary: This is another film I purchased without knowing a thing about it, and wound up being quite glad I did. The premise of this film had me on the edge of my seat from the very first gut-wrenching conflict, in a film that was filled to the brim with gut-wrenching conflicts. The acting of both principals in this essentially two-character piece was first rate, and helped to elevate it high above most standard gay-themed fare. But what really made this picture superior to 90% of the gay titles I've purchased in the past year was the confrontation of real issues that gay men should be discussing, but frequently shy away from. Without giving away the plot, let me say that almost every minute of the taught, carefully crafted script is imbued with thoughtful discussion on issues that are all to frequently ignored by sexually active gay men. I didn't see the ending coming at all, and the ultimate, positive and healthy message - that everyone is responsible for their own conduct, and the consequences thereof - is one that too many people don't seem to get, in my observation. In a world where the madness of barebacking and substance abuse is decimating the gay urban male population, the lesson of this film is one that every gay man needs to consider, if not embrace wholeheartedly. Good god! A gay drama that dares to address and discuss sexual responsibility in an adult manner! What will they think of next?

40 Days and 40 Nights @ Amazon

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Paulo Costanzo, Adam Trese, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Lorin Heath, Aaron Trainor, Glenn Fitzgerald, Monet Mazur, Christine Chatelain, Keegan Connor Tracy, Michael C. Maronna, Vinessa Shaw, Stefanie von Pfetten, Stanley Anderson

Theatrical: 2002
Genre: Comedy
Director: Michael Lehmann
Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 96	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish

Comments: One man is about to do the unthinkable. No sex. Whatsoever. For... 40 Days and 40 Nights

Summary: After being brutally dumped by his knockout ex-girlfriend, Matt (Josh Hartnett, Pearl Harbor) is so torn up inside that he vows to give up sexual activity--including masturbation--for Lent. His friends and coworkers start betting on how soon he'll crack. Their skepticism is given fuel when Matt meets Erica (Shannyn Sossamon, A Knight's Tale) at a laundromat. They're immediately smitten with each other, but Matt struggles to stay true to his vow, even though it threatens to founder his potential relationship with Erica. Based on this description, you might think that 40 Days and 40 Nights is religious educational video--however, the barrage of sex gags and frequent nudity would quickly dispel this notion. Almost nothing in this movie remotely resembles human behavior. Some movies are so deeply stupid that they're depressing to watch; this is one of them. --Bret Fetzer

The 4400 - The Complete First Season @ Amazon

Starring: George Kennedy, Jeffrey Reeves

Theatrical: 2004
Genre: Television
Director: Tim Hunter, Nick Gomez, Yves Simoneau
Studio: Paramount Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs: 2	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen ()	Sound:
Duration:	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments:

Summary: The 4400, which began as a five-week miniseries on the USA Network, is built around a deceptively simple, dramatically rich premise. What if all the people, who had ever been abducted by aliens, were suddenly returned to Earth? What would happen? Although they look exactly as they did when they left, they have no knowledge of where they were or why they were taken. Now some even have special powers, like clairvoyance. As with ABC's Lost, which centers on the survivors of a plane crash, The 4400 features a large cast of characters and a host of mysteries to be solved. If the special effects, which are kept to a minimum, can be a little cheesy at times, the concept--and the skillful execution of the concept--easily makes up for it. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope and created by Scott Peters (The Outer Limits), The 4400 is set in Seattle, where the 4400 are returned. The principal characters include Dennis Ryland (Peter Coyote of E.T.), the local supervisor of Homeland Security. He's joined by agents Tom Baldwin (Joel Gretsch of Taken), whose nephew was one of the returnees, and Diana Skouris (Jacqueline McKenzie of Romper Stomper), who takes in one of the youngest returnees. Guest stars include Michael Moriarty (Law and Order) in "Pilot" and Lee Tergeson (Oz) in "Becoming." Billy Campbell (Once and Again) also appears in several episodes as Jordan Collier, a real-estate magnate and returnee who becomes an advocate for others like himself, many of whom are having problems adjusting to a changed world. Like Lost, one of the biggest success stories of 2004, The 4400 debuted to strong ratings and was renewed for a full season. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

The 4400 - The Complete Second Season @ Amazon

Starring: Joel Gretsch, Jacqueline McKenzie, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, Laura Allen (II), Patrick Flueger, Chad Faust, Conchita Campbell, Kaj-Erik Eriksen, Brooke Nevin, Samantha Ferris, Peter Coyote

Theatrical: 2004
Genre: Television
Director: Morgan Beggs, Milan Cheylov, John Behring, Scott Peters
Studio: Paramount Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs: 4	Aspect Ratio: ()	Sound:
Duration:	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: Box set

Summary: A year has passed since 4400 abductees were returned to Earth (and six months since the original series ended). Richard (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), Lily (Laura Allen), and Isabelle are on the run from Jordan Collier (Billy Campbell) and others who would attempt to harm their child. Shawn (Patrick Flueger) has moved into Collier's cult-like 4400 Center. Then there are NTAC (National Threat Assessment Command) agents Diana (Jacqueline McKenzie) and Tom (Joel Gretsch). The former has officially adopted Maia (Conchita Campbell), while the latter is reunited with formerly comatose son Kyle (Chad Faust), Shawn's best friend. Almost everyone, returnees and otherwise, is changing. Jordan, for instance, is having more seizures (as a result of his first encounter with the eerie Isabelle), while Kyle is having blackouts. Along the way, new characters are introduced, like mute mental patient Kevin (Jeffrey Combs, "Re-Animator"), who regains the ability to talk, thanks to Tess (Summer Glau, "Serenity"), the only returnee who can recall what happened to her. Others include Diana's sister April (Natasha Gregson Wagner), Jordan's pal Matthew (Garret Dillahunt, "Deadwood"), and former NTAC supervisor Dennis Ryland (Peter Coyote), who returns to the fold. Guest stars include "E.R."'s Sharif Atkins ("Voices Carry"), "Star Trek: Voyager"'s Robert Picardo ("Weight of the World"), and "Twin Peaks"' Sherilyn Fenn ("Carrier"). The season will end much as the miniseries began, with the 4400 being released from another quarantine, setting the scene for the next year. Although the first set was a barebones release, the second features commentary from McKenzie, Gretsch, writer Craig Sweeny, and writer/producer Ira Steven Behr. "--Kathleen C Fennessy"

A.I. Artificial Intelligence @ Amazon

Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Robards, William Hurt, Jake Thomas, Ken Leung, Michael Mantell, Michael Berresse, Kathryn Morris, Adrian Grenier, Clark Gregg, Kevin Sussman, Tom Gallop

Theatrical: 2001
Genre: Action & Adventure
Director: Steven Spielberg
Studio: Universal Studios

My Rating:

Rated: PG-13

# of Discs: 2	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 146	Video Format: NTSC	Language: German, English, Spanish
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Icelandic, Croatian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Swedish, Czech, Turkish, Hungarian

Comments: David is 11 years old. He weighs 60 pounds. He is 4 feet, 6 inches tall. He has brown hair. His love is real. But he is not.

Summary: History will place an asterisk next to A.I. as the film Stanley Kubrick might have directed. But let the record also show that Kubrick--after developing this project for some 15 years--wanted Steven Spielberg to helm this astonishing sci-fi rendition of Pinocchio, claiming (with good reason) that it veered closer to Spielberg's kinder, gentler sensibilities. Spielberg inherited the project (based on the Brian Aldiss short story "Supertoys Last All Summer Long") after Kubrick's death in 1999, and the result is an astounding directorial hybrid. A flawed masterpiece of sorts, in which Spielberg's gift for wondrous enchantment often clashes (and sometimes melds) with Kubrick's harsher vision of humanity, the film spans near and distant futures with the fairy-tale adventures of an artificial boy named David (Haley Joel Osment), a marvel of cybernetic progress who wants only to be a real boy, loved by his mother in that happy place called home. Echoes of Spielberg's Empire of the Sun are clearly heard as young David, shunned by his trial parents and tossed into an unfriendly world, is joined by fellow "mecha" Gigolo Joe (played with a dancer's agility by Jude Law) in his quest for a mother-and-child reunion. Parallels to Pinocchio intensify as David reaches "the end of the world" (a Manhattan flooded by melted polar ice caps), and a far-future epilogue propels A.I. into even deeper realms of wonder, even as it pulls Spielberg back to his comfort zone of sweetness and soothing sentiment. Some may lament the diffusion of Kubrick's original vision, but this is Spielberg's A.I. (complete with one of John Williams's finest scores), a film of astonishing technical wizardry that spans the spectrum of human emotions and offers just enough Kubrick to suggest that humanity's future is anything but guaranteed. --Jeff Shannon

Adam and Steve @ Amazon

Starring: Craig Chester, Malcolm Gets, , Parker Posey, , Chris Kattan, Sally Kirkland, Julie Hagerty, Cary Curran, , Noah Segan, Jackie Beat, Mario Diaz, Lisa Frederickson, , Sandy Martin, , Michael Panes, , Jennifer Echols, , Jack Guzman

Theatrical: 2005
Genre: Comedy
Director: Craig Chester
Studio: Tla

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 99	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, Dolby Digital 5.1; English, Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: the tempting new comedy from the producers of 'Latter Days'

Summary: Raucously funny and sweetly romantic, Adam & Steve is a twisted, tender comedy that would surely make "John Waters cackle with glee" (L.A. Weekly). In the 1980s, Adam (writer/director Craig Chester) and Steve (Malcolm Gets, TV's "Caroline in the City") had a horrifically embarrassing one night stand. When they meet again years later, they fail to recognize each other and fall in love - as do their wisecracking best friends (Parker Posey, Superman Returns, Best in Show and Chris Kattan, TV's "Saturday Night Live"). Honest, irreverent and a whole lot of fun, Adam & Steve is all about making love work - whatever the odds.

Alexander @ Amazon

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, David Bedella, Jessie Kamm, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Fiona O'Shaughnessy, Connor Paolo, Patrick Carroll, Brian Blessed, Peter Williamson, Morgan Christopher Ferris, Robert Earley, Aleczander Gordon, Christopher Plummer, Gary Stretch

Theatrical: 2004
Genre: Action & Adventure
Director: Oliver Stone
Studio: Warner Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: Unrated

# of Discs: 2	Aspect Ratio: (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 175	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish, French

Comments: Fortune favors the bold

Summary: If you're determined to spend three hours with Oliver Stone's take on the personal and military struggles of ancient Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great, you should know that Alexander (Colin Farrell, in blonde disarray) is not half so much fun as mom Olympias (Angelina Jolie) or his future wild bride Roxane (Rosario Dawson). Indeed, it's the women in Alex's life who provide the movie's most satisfying action: Jolie, sporting some kind of Russian accent, wraps herself in snakes while hissing promises of Farrell's destiny; Dawson disrobes and threatens to cut Farrell's throat before shtupping his brains out. The rest is leaden history, supposedly novel because it showcases epic battle sequences and addresses Alexander's great love for his buddy Hephaistion (Jared Leto). But the man-on-man romance is limited to teary hugs, and the battles are indecipherable messes-you have to wait for Anthony Hopkins' narration to tell you what happened (in fact, you have to wait for Hopkins' narration to tell you "everything" that happens). There's some spectacle on display but, alas, not much that is truly spectacular. "--Steve Wiecking"

All the Right Moves @ Amazon

Starring: Tom Cruise, Craig T. Nelson, Lea Thompson, Charles Cioffi, Gary Graham, Paul Carafotes, Chris Penn, Sandy Faison, James A. Baffico, Mel Winkler, Walter Briggs, George Betor, Leon, Jonas Chaka, Keith Diamond

Theatrical: 1983
Genre: Drama
Director: Michael Chapman
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 91	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English, Spanish

Comments: He has everything at stake. He can't afford to lose. He's got to make all the right moves.

Summary: Most films about high school football players usually fall into one of two categories: glossy jock romance or locker-room sex farce. This one defies the odds and scores both as decent character study and decidedly unsentimental sports melodrama. It's not only a helluva coming-of-age yarn, but also, like Paul Newman's Slapshot, it's a bracing look at the hopes and dreams of blue-collar survivors. Tom Cruise plays a mill-town football star determined to escape the same traps that ensnared his parents. Craig T. Nelson, in a terrific villain role, is the coach who takes revenge when Cruise's ambitions drift a little too close to home. Michael Chapman, Martin Scorsese's favorite cinematographer, made his directorial debut with this gritty little winner, which benefits from being shot on location in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and which is set to a great Jennifer Warnes-Chris Thompson theme song. Lea Thompson and Christopher Penn co-star. In 1983, another Cruise vehicle had even better moves: Risky Business. --Glenn Lovell

Almost Normal @ Amazon

Starring: John Brennan, J. Andrew Keitch, Kehry Anson Lane, Peg Sheldrick

Theatrical: 2005
Genre: Comedy
Director: Marc Moody
Studio: Wolfe Video

My Rating:

Rated:

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: ()	Sound:
Duration: 90	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: Sometimes to be normal, you have to be a little different

Summary: Brad Jenkins (newcomer Andrew Keitch) is a gay man who's just turned 40 and feels very single. He confides his wish to "be normal" to his lifelong best friend Julie (Joan Lauckner), who is urging him to attend his family reunion. Brad ends up going, but feels even worse being with his relatives, who are content with the suburban married pleasures of barbecue and scrabble. A bit tipsy after the party, Brad crashes his car driving home on a back road. When he comes to, he finds himself magically transported back in time. He's a teenager at his old high school, but to Brad's surprise, things have changed radically. Everyone is gay!

American Pie - Unrated Version @ Amazon

Starring: Ruby Wax

Theatrical: 1999
Genre: Comedy
Director: Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz
Studio: Universal/MCA

My Rating:

Rated: Unrated

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen ()	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 30	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments:

Summary: Anyone who's watched just about any teenage film knows that the greatest evil in this world isn't chemical warfare, ethnic cleansing, or even the nuclear bomb. The worst crime known to man? Why, virginity, of course. As we've learned from countless films--from Summer of '42 to Risky Business--virginity is a criminal burden that one must shed oneself of as quickly as possible. And while many of these films have given the topic a bad name, American Pie quietly sweeps in and gives sex some of its dignity back. Dignity, you may say? How can a film that highlights intercourse with fruit pies, premature ejaculation broadcasted across the Internet, and the gratuitous "gross-out" shots restore the dignity of a genre that's been encumbered with such heavyweights as Porky's and Losin' It? The plot may be typical, with four high school friends swearing to "score" by prom, yet the film rises above the muck with its superior cast, successful and sweet humor, and some actually rather retro values about the meaning and importance of sex. Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Eddie Kaye Thomas make up the odd quartet of pals determined to woo, lie, and beg their way to manhood. The young women they pursue are wary girlfriend Vicky (Tara Reid), choir girl Heather (Mena Suvari), band geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and just about any other female who is willing and able. Natasha Lyonne as Jessica, playing a similar role as in Slums of Beverly Hills, is the general adviser to the crowd (when Vicky tells her "I want it to be the right time, the right place," Jessica responds, "It's not a space shuttle launch, it's sex"). The comedic timing hits the mark--especially in the deliberately awkward scenes between Jim (Biggs) and his father (Eugene Levy). And, of course, lessons are learned in this genuinely funny film, which will probably please the adult crowd even more than it will the teenage one. --Jenny Brown

American Pie 2 Collector's Edition - Widescreen @ Amazon

Starring: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott

Theatrical: 2001
Genre: Comedy
Director: James B. Rogers (II)
Studio: Universal Studios

My Rating:

Rated: Unrated

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen ()	Sound: Dolby
Duration:	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments:

Summary: To the horror of prudes everywhere, American Pie 2 is even funnier than its popular predecessor, pushing the R rating with such unabashed ribaldry that you'll either be appalled or surprised by its defiant celebration of the young-adult male libido. Females will be equally shocked or delighted, because like American Pie this appealing, character-based comedy puts the women in control while offering a front-row view of horny guys in all their dubious glory. Which is to say, American Pie is mostly about sex--or, to be more specific, breasts, genitalia, "potential" lesbianism, blue silicone sex toys, crude methods of seduction, "the rule of three" (just watch the movie), a shower of "champagne," phone sex, tantric sex, and, oh yeah... superglue. In the case of college freshman Jim (Jason Biggs), performance anxiety plagues his upcoming reunion with sexy Czech exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), but his buddies from American Pie have a solution: rent a Lake Michigan beach house for the summer, throw wild parties to lure the local "hotties," and score big-time. Beach Party this ain't: blessed with a complete cast reunion from AP1 (including Eugene Levy as Jim's dad), this sequel is anything but innocent, and with the exception of drugs (which are conspicuously absent), pretty much anything goes. The gags are almost nonstop, and director J.B. Rogers (recovering from his debut debacle Say It Isn't So) handles them with laudable precision, allowing his young cast (particularly Biggs, who epitomizes comedic good sportsmanship) to run with lines that most people wouldn't dare utter aloud. The result is a liberating and eminently good-natured comedy that needn't apologize for its one-track mind. --Jeff Shannon

American Wedding - Widescreen Extended Party Edition @ Amazon

Starring: Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Thomas Ian Nicholas, January Jones, Eugene Levy, Molly Cheek, Deborah Rush, Fred Willard, Angela Paton, Eric Allan Kramer, Amanda Swisten, Nikki Schieler Ziering, Lawrence Pressman

Theatrical: 2003
Genre: Comedy
Director: Jesse Dylan
Studio: Universal Studios

My Rating:

Rated: Unrated

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 96	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, Spanish, French,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish, French

Comments: This time they're going all the way.

Summary: The producers of the American Pie movies pushed their luck with a third slice of their lucrative raunchy comedy franchise, and American Wedding cooked up surprisingly well. It's the sourest serving of Pie, with half of the original cast missing, and there's something undeniably desperate about comedic highlights (involving dog poop, a lusty old lady, two strippers to offset the absence of Shannon Elizabeth, and the ill-advised use of a trimming razor) that arise more from obligation than inspiration, on the assumption that another penile mishap is guaranteed to please. And yet, that's just what this movie does for devoted Pie-munchers: It gives 'em what they want, especially when the notorious Stifler (Seann William Scott) nearly ruins the frantic nuptials of Jim (Jason Biggs) and his band-camping sweetheart Michelle (Alyson Hannigan). Eugene Levy and Eddie Kaye Thomas also return for some reliable comic relief, but the one who's laughing most is three-time Pie writer Adam Herz--laughing loudly and often, all the way to the bank. --Jeff Shannon

And Then Came Summer @ Amazon

Starring: Jesse Petrick, Mathieu Smith, Mark Bennington, Rusty Burns, Alec Call, Rosilee Cavillo, Anthony J. Domingues, Jeremy Douglas, Gregory Guzman, Kimberly D. Johnson, Thomas Lenk, Emily Lewis, Tim Madonna, Justin Miller, Will Pellegrini, Mark Rabinowitz, Phyllis Rodenberger, Celeste Sibbach, Richard Viscariello, Holly Waddell, Patrick Webber, Peter Welkin, Alane Whitmore

Theatrical: 2000
Genre: Adult Entertainment Rated R
Director: Jeff London
Studio: Wolfe Video

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: ()	Sound:
Duration: 115	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: Life was simple and then came summer

Summary: A reunion of family and friends becomes an unforgettable vacation when two teenage boys discover their feelings for each other, only to be found out by their families.

Another Gay Movie @ Amazon

Starring: Michael Carbonaro, Jonah Blechman, Jonathan Chase, Mitch Morris, Ashlie Atkinson, Scott Thompson, Graham Norton, Stephanie McVay, John Epperson, James Getzlaff, Darryl Stephens, Richard Hatch (II), George Marcy, Matthew Rush, Joanna Leeds, Andersen Gabrych, Megan Saraceni, Ant, Robert Laughlin, Angela Oh

Theatrical: 2006
Genre: Comedy
Director: Todd Stephens
Studio: Tla

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 92	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, Dolby Digital 5.1
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English

Comments:

Summary: In the dirtiest, funniest, most scandalous gay-teen-sex-comedy-parody ever, four gay friends make a pact to lose their virginity by the end of the summer. But that's easier said than done, as the boys face giant sex toys, naked celebrities, masochistic teachers and an uncontrollable romance with a quiche. With a dozen jokes a minute and who's who of gay celebrities. Another Gay Movie is a candy-colored romp where getting laid is all that matters!

Apt Pupil @ Amazon

Starring: Brad Renfro, Ian McKellen, Joshua Jackson, Mickey Cottrell, Michael Reid MacKay, Ann Dowd, Bruce Davison, James Karen, Marjorie Lovett, David Cooley, Blake Anthony Tibbetts, Heather McComb, Katherine Malone, Grace Sinden, David Schwimmer

Theatrical: 1998
Genre: Drama
Director: Bryan Singer
Studio: Columbia/Tristar Studios

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 111	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English

Comments: If you don't believe in the existence of evil you have a lot to learn.

Summary: A boy blackmails his neighbour after suspecting him to be a Nazi war criminal.

As Luck Would Have It @ Amazon

Starring: Jean-Claude Brialy, Sabine Haudepin, Antonio Interlandi, Julien Bravo, Elena Noverraz, Jean-Pierre Gos, Lorriane Cherpillod, Anne Kreis, Jacques Michel, Juan-Antonio Crespillo, Florence Quartenoud, Philippe Le Dem, Jean-Alexandre Blanchet, Gaspard Boesch, Lorianne Cherpillod, Caroline Cons, Hélène Hudovernik, Brigitte Rosset, Yann Toderi

Theatrical: 2002
Genre: Art House & International
Director: Lorenzo Gabriele
Studio: Picture This! Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: ()	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 90	Video Format: NTSC	Language:
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments:

Summary: I enjoyed As Luck Would Have It (Le Hasard Fait Bien Les Choses) so much, I watched it two days in a row. It's that lovely a film, and hard to believe that it was made for TV, though from a few other French TV movies I've seen, I shouldn't be surprised.

Jean-Claude Brialy (a French actor with a superb resume dating back to the 50s) portrays Jean-Pierre, a university professor of a generation for whom being gay had to remain a deep dark secret. Brialy would seem to have everything, a satisfying and prestigious job, a luxurious apartment, a caring housekeeper, and a very handsome and much younger Cuban boyfriend Armando, played by dancer Antonio Interlandi. But rather than be proud of this relationship, he hides it from the world, to the consternation of Armando.

Fate (Le Hasard) intervenes when Jean-Pierre is obligated by law to take charge of Antoine, a musically talented 17 year old orphan, played by Julien Bravo. In order to squirm out of this obligation, Jean-Pierre asks his long absent wife (yes, he married 10 years ago to satisfy his mother and to give Alice (Sabine Haudepin) Swiss citizenship) to help convince the judge that his is not a proper home for Antoine.

At times this film reminded me of The Birdcage (because as in that film, Jean-Pierre must hide his gay relationship from a world he fears will not understand it). The resemblance is only superficial, though, as As Luck Would Have It never allows its characters to become stereotypes.

I did wonder for a minute if an overweight 60ish closeted professor could possibly have such a handsome and well-built 30something boyfriend in the real world, however casting that doubt aside (Brialy has been a movie star leading man for well over 40 years, after all), the film won me over with its warmth and humor.

Besides Brialy, who is excellent as one would imagine, there is also Interlandi, who creates a truly believable gay character, never overplaying Armando's gayness (I'd be surprised if the actor turned out to be straight, he's that spot on perfect). Haudepin, who apparently began her career as a child actress, is a wonderful comedienne; Elena Noverraz has lovely moments as Jean-Pierre's Portuguese maid, who suspects a lot more than J-P could imagine; and young Julien Bravo, in his first film, shows both talent and movie star looks (the camera loves him) as the initially rebellious Antoine.

There are many comic moments in this movie, but ultimately it was the heart-warming ones that truly got to me. Get your handkerchiefs ready for the last 20 minutes of the film! This is a great film for gay and straight audiences alike, with a wonderful message of love and acceptance, and a film that gives hope that yes, things are actually changing for the better, at least in certain parts of the world.

Available Men @ Amazon

Starring: Plotnick, Ruccolo

Theatrical: 2006
Genre: Comedy
Director: David Dean Bottrell
Studio: Wolfe Video

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: (Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 105	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: A Hollywood agent (dispatched to sign a "hot" new writer) and a sensitive gay man (waiting for a blind date), mistake each other for the person they were expecting to meet.

Summary: AVAILABLE MEN: A comedic case of mistaken identity when two guys meet up for a blind date with the wrong guys. STRAIGHT BOYS: Ben thinks hes found true love in his straight college roommate Morgan. Being honest with Morgan may be Bens straightest path to happiness, regardless of the outcome. HELLO, THANKS: An amusing and bittersweet look at the fine art of writing personal ads to summarize yourself and attract others. TUMBLEWEED TOWN: In this animated cowboy tale, produced in 1999, Todd hitchhikes through the Texas desert seeking true love. Also includes THE UNDERMINER, IRENE WILLIAMS: QUEEN OF LINCOLN ROAD, SISSY FRENCHFRY.

Bad Education @ Amazon

Starring: Gael García Bernal, Fele Martínez, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Lluís Homar, Javier Cámara, Petra Martínez, Nacho Pérez, Raúl García Forneiro, Francisco Boira, Juan Fernández, Alberto Ferreiro, Roberto Hoyas, Francisco Maestre, Leonor Watling

Theatrical: 2004
Genre: Drama
Director: Pedro Almodóvar
Studio: Columbia Tristar Hom

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs: 1	Aspect Ratio: (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby
Duration: 106	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments:

Summary: This exceptional film is entirely unique in its intensity and depth, but not how I expected. The priestly molestation is rather matter-of-fact, and not dramatized to the extreme as so many movies have done of late. The sex & nudity is very carefully placed, not at all gratuitous (unfortunately-more would have been welcomed albeit unnecessary for the story). In fact I can not tell why this version is NC-17, have Americans really become That Victorian?

Much has been written about the story, what I didn't know prior to viewing was the intensity of plot twists and turns. I won't spoil any secrets here, but suffice it to say that it isn't even the secrets that are so intense, it is the masterful way in which things are revealed. This is really a film about sex as power, and all of the power plays which don't make anyone happy.

Almodovar's direction and cinematography are stunning, erotic, and intensley emotional. He tells so much of the story visually without dialogue. What a treat.

The film ends on a realistic note. There are no firey car crashes, no earth-shattering explosions, no full-frontal nudity, none of the usual supects, but this film sneaks up on you, shakes you to your being, and as you are drawn in by the sensuality and drama, the film demonstrates that life isn't fair, kind, or even very pretty sometimes.

BASEketball @ Amazon

Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Dian Bachar, Yasmine Bleeth, Jenny McCarthy, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Vaughn, Trevor Einhorn, Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Reggie Jackson, Dan Patrick, Kenny Mayne, Tim McCarver, Pat O'Brien

Theatrical: 1998
Genre: Comedy
Director: David Zucker
Studio: Universal Studios

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 103	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: Spanish, French

Comments: From the director of the "Naked Gun" and starring the creators of "South Park"

Summary: Gross-out comedy reached its peak (or nadir, if you will) when this celebration of juvenile crudeness was released in the summer of 1998. There's Something About Mary was a surprise box-office smash at the same time, and it's a much funnier and (dare we say it?) more intelligently conceived comedy, but there's something to be said for a couple of dudes who blissfully embrace bad taste and improper decorum. As they proved with their popular cartoon series South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are shameless purveyors of scatological humor, and no bodily function escapes their baser instinct for gutter-level guffaws. Here they play a couple of guys who are fed up with the hyper-commercialism of professional sports, so they invent "baseketball"--a hybrid of baseball and basketball--and soon find themselves in the middle of a booming national craze. As baseketball leagues thrive, so does the movie's appetite for puerile shock-jokes and disgusting gags. There are some great throwaway lines and a lot of funny cameos by the likes of Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Jenny McCarthy, Robert Stack, Reggie Jackson, and others, but let's face it--a little of this stuff goes a long, long way. If you laugh a lot, you may be suffering (as Parker and Stone clearly do) from an acute case of arrested development. --Jeff Shannon

The Beach @ Amazon

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet, Robert Carlyle, Paterson Joseph, Lars Arentz-Hansen, Peter Youngblood Hills, Jerry Swindall, Zelda Tinska, Victoria Smurfit, Daniel Caltagirone, Peter Gevisser, Lidija Zovkic, Samuel Gough

Theatrical: 2000
Genre: Action & Adventure
Director: Danny Boyle
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Video

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 119	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English, Spanish

Comments: Innocence never lasts forever.

Summary: Leonardo DiCaprio sought to distance himself from the purity of his character in Titanic, and his role in The Beach is in many ways a polar opposite. As Richard, a young American seeking to "suck in the experience" of freestyle travel in Thailand, he's a chronic liar, a pot-smoking hedonist, an amoral lover, and ultimately an unstable snake in a doomed Garden of Eden. This crazy descent might be expected from the filmmakers of Trainspotting, but The Beach is a movie without a rudder, venturing into fascinating territory, promising a stimulating adventure, and then careening out of control. After receiving a not-so-secret map to a secluded island from a stoned-out loony (Robert Carlyle, full of dark portent and spittle), Richard sets out to find the hidden paradise with a young French couple (Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet). What they find is a tropical commune existing in delicate balance with Thai pot farmers, and before long--as always--there's trouble in paradise. There's trouble in the movie, too, as DiCaprio is reduced to histrionics when the plot turns into a muddled mix of Lord of the Flies and Apocalypse Now, with shark attacks tossed in for shallow tension. Director Danny Boyle attempts perfunctory romance and a few audacious moves (notably DiCaprio's vision of life as a violent video game), but what's the point? Tilda Swinton registers strongly as the commune's charismatic leader, but her character--and the entire film--remains largely undeveloped, and pretty scenery is no guarantee of a laudable film. --Jeff Shannon

Beau Travail @ Amazon

Starring: Denis Lavant, Michel Subor, Grégoire Colin, Richard Courcet, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Adiatou Massudi, Mickael Ravovski, Dan Herzberg, Giuseppe Molino, Gianfranco Poddighe, Marc Veh, Thong Duy Nguyen, Jean-Yves Vivet, Bernardo Montet, Dimitri Tsiapkinis

Theatrical: 1999
Genre: French
Director: Claire Denis
Studio: New Yorker Video

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Duration: 92	Video Format: NTSC	Language: French
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English

Comments:

Summary: The movies of French director Claire Denis (I Can't Sleep, Trouble Every Day) are magical to some viewers and maddening to others because of the indirect way she tells her stories. Plot and character are revealed through what feel like inconsequential moments, while the important events seem to happen between the scenes. Beau Travail is more accessible than most, partly because of the simplicity of its plot (a jealous Foreign Legion sergeant ruins his own career when his beloved commander becomes fond of a young recruit) but mostly because of the vividness of its imagery, particularly sensuous shots of muscular men sweating in the sun or swimming in the ocean. It's unabashedly homoerotic, but it's also a compelling portrait of the basic emotional drives felt by men in extreme circumstances. --Bret Fetzer

Beautiful Thing @ Amazon

Starring: Linda Henry, Meera Syal, Glen Berry, Martin Walsh, Steven M. Martin, Scott Neal, Tameka Empson, Andrew Fraser, Ben Daniels, John Savage, Julie Smith, Jeillo Edwards, Anna Karen, Garry Cooper, Daniel Bowers

Theatrical: 1996
Genre: Drama
Director: Hettie MacDonald
Studio: Columbia Tri-Star

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Duration: 90	Video Format: NTSC	Language: German, English
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: An urban fairytale.

Summary: This absolute winner, based on a stage play by Jonathan Harvey and adapted by him, is a kind of enchanted, urban slice-of-life tale about a gay teen, Jamie (Glen Berry), who is in love with the boy next door, Ste (Scott Neal). Hampering Jamie's progress on the romantic front is his fear that his mother (Linda Henry) will find out, as well as concern over complicating Ste's existing problems. Beautiful Thing is a relationship movie, to be sure, but that description doesn't really describe the buoyant tone of this British television production. Democratic in its inclusive regard for each character (whether camera-pretty or not), the film--well-directed by Hettie Macdonald--is full of surprises. Chief among them is the terrific personality of Jamie's mum, a strong and independent woman who truly worries over and adores her son. But this is a movie involved in a kind of happy dialogue with itself: the tunes of Mama Cass, for instance, play a part in both the story and overall ambience, while a strategic placement of the Rodgers and Hammerstein chestnut "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" during an act of love is fun and exciting. --Tom Keogh

Bedrooms & Hallways @ Amazon

Starring: Kevin McKidd, Julie Graham, Simon Callow, Con O'Neill, Harriet Walter, Christopher Fulford, James Purefoy, Jennifer Ehle, Tom Hollander, Hugo Weaving, Paul Higgins, Merelina Kendall, Victoria Williams, Simon Green, Nichola McAuliffe

Theatrical: 1998
Genre: Comedy
Director: Rose Troche
Studio: First Run Features

My Rating:

Rated: NR

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pan And Scan)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Duration: 96	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: Re-model Your Love Life.

Summary: Leo (Kevin McKidd) is an endearing pup of a blue-eyed lad looking for old-fashioned romance with a happily ever after. Convinced to join a friend's drum-thumping New Men's Group ("Let these strong loving men heal you!" begs leader Simon Callow, who all but steals the film as a man in touch with his inner guru), Leo confesses an attraction to another member of the circle in the spirit of sharing. He's the only gay man in the group but his confession starts a cascade of sexual reassessment, all encouraged by Callow's hilarious new age Iron John. Meanwhile Leo's gadfly of a roommate is having sex in other people's bedrooms all over town with his new real estate agent lover (a sly, haughtily confident Hugo Weaving) and Leo reconnects with his childhood girlfriend Sally (Jennifer Ehle), who brightens the film with her sunny smile and wounded yet spirited tenderness. Rose Troche, whose guerrilla American indie Go Fish transformed a lesbian love story into a classic romantic comedy, here straddles screwball farce and sophisticated sitcom with a clumsy style that skews more toward the latter, but she invests it with genuine affection. As the funny but flippant comedy winds up to almost painfully trite pairings between the ricocheting couples-to-be, Troche's loving direction allows everyone their dignity and their charm, even through the most contrived and kooky complications. --Sean Axmaker

Beetlejuice @ Amazon

Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Annie McEnroe, Maurice Page, Hugo Stanger, Michael Keaton, Rachel Mittelman, Catherine O'Hara, J. Jay Saunders, Mark Ettlinger, Jeffrey Jones, Winona Ryder, Glenn Shadix, Patrice Martinez, Cynthia Daly

Theatrical: 1988
Genre: Comedy
Director: Tim Burton
Studio: Warner Studios

My Rating:

Rated: PG

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 92	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French, Spanish, Soundtrack
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Comments: In This House... If You've Seen One Ghost... You Haven't Seen Them All.

Summary: Before making Batman, director Tim Burton and star Michael Keaton teamed up for this popular black comedy about a young couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) whose premature death leads them to a series of wildly bizarre afterlife exploits. As ghosts in their own New England home, they're faced with the challenge of scaring off the pretentious new owners (Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones), whose daughter (Winona Ryder) has an affinity for all things morbid. Keaton plays the mischievous Beetlejuice, a freelance "bio-exorcist" who's got an evil agenda behind his plot to help the young undead newlyweds. The film is a perfect vehicle for Burton's visual style and twisted imagination, with clever ideas and gags packed into every scene. Beetlejuice is also a showcase for Keaton, who tackles his title role with maniacal relish and a dark edge of menace. --Jeff Shannon

Big Eden @ Amazon

Starring: Arye Gross, Eric Schweig, Tim DeKay, Louise Fletcher, George Coe, Nan Martin, O'Neal Compton, Corinne Bohrer, Veanne Cox, Douglas Sebern, Parker Livingston, Cody Wayne Meixner, Josie Adams, Mark Twogood, Christopher Kendra

Theatrical: 2000
Genre: Drama
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Studio: Wolfe Video

My Rating:

Rated: PG-13

# of Discs: 2	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Letterbox)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Duration: 118	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles:

Comments: A Small Miracle

Summary: Big Eden has won the audience awards at just about every gay and lesbian film festival there is. Henry (Arye Gross) is an artist living in New York but still carrying a torch for the guy he had a crush on in high school. When his grandfather has a stroke, Henry returns to his Montana hometown, Big Eden, where he rediscovers friends he hasn't seen in years. His high school crush has since married, had children, and divorced--and seems ready to take some very different steps with his life. Big Eden is one of those implausibly tolerant towns where lesbians kiss each other in public and old coots in cowboy hats try to play matchmaker with bashful queers. Still, it's this sweet warmth in Big Eden that has made it a festival crowd-pleaser. --Bret Fetzer

Big Fish @ Amazon

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Carter, Alison Lohman, Robert Guillaume, Marion Cotillard, Matthew McGrory, David Denman, Missi Pyle, Loudon Wainwright III, Ada Tai, Arlene Tai, Steve Buscemi

Theatrical: 2004
Genre: Drama
Director: Tim Burton
Studio: Columbia Tristar Hom

My Rating:

Rated: PG-13

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Anamorphic Widescreen)	Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Duration: 125	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English, French,
Region: 4	Media: DVD	Subtitles: English, French

Comments: An adventure as big as life itself.

Summary: After a string of mediocre movies, director Tim Burton regains his footing as he shifts from macabre fairy tales to Southern tall tales. Big Fish twines in and out of the oversized stories of Edward Bloom, played as a young man by Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge, Down with Love) and as a dying father by Albert Finney (Tom Jones). Edward's son Will (Billy Crudup, Almost Famous) sits by his father's bedside but has little patience with the old man's fables, because he feels these stories have kept him from knowing who his father really is. Burton dives into Bloom's imagination with zest, sending the determined young man into haunted woods, an idealized Southern town, a traveling circus, and much more. The result is sweet but--thanks to the director's dark and clever sensibility--never saccharine. Also featuring Jessica Lange, Alison Lohman, Helena Bonham Carter, Danny DeVito, and Steve Buscemi. --Bret Fetzer

Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss @ Amazon

Starring: Sean Hayes, Brad Rowe, Richard Ganoung, Meredith Scott Lynn, Matthew Ashford, Armando Valdes-Kennedy, Paul Bartel, Carmine Giovinazzo, Holly Woodlawn, Mark Allen Anderson, Bonnie Biehl, Chad Boardman, Les Borsay, Christopher Bradley, Robbie Cain, Kim Campoli, Rodney Chester, Mark Conley, Eric Davenport, Kimiko Gelman, Annabelle Gurwitch, Niles Jenson, Michelle Karen, Mr. Dan, Shawn Nicholson, Shanti Reinhardt, Kiff Scholl, Jason-Shane Scott, Jamie Spencer, Aaron Wilde

Theatrical: 1998
Genre: Comedy
Director: Tommy O'Haver
Studio: Vidmark/Trimark

My Rating:

Rated: R

# of Discs:	Aspect Ratio: WideScreen (Letterbox)	Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Duration: 92	Video Format: NTSC	Language: English,
Region: 1	Media: DVD	Subtitles: French, Spanish

Comments: Lights!... Camera!... Attraction!

Summary: First-time director Tommy O'Haver garnered a lot of critical acclaim for this contribution to the "new queer cinema." But he seems more clued in as to its weight than the reviewers. O'Haver rightly calls Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss a Tommy O'Haver "trifle" in the credits and he's on the money in estimating what his film is worth. For sure, the movie has much going for it; it's wholeheartedly enjoyable and packed with the usual dynamic that saturates most gay-themed films: what does one do when that object of desire is heterosexual? In this case O'Haver at least gives his protagonist, Billy, played by Sean P. Hayes, another obsession besides the Brad Pitt-lookalike, prophetically named Gabriel, who is enigmatically acted by Brad Rowe. This is because Billy is a photographer, as addicted to finding the perfect picture as the perfect man. His world is formed by old movies: From Here to Eternity and Imitation of Life are his criteria and the flirty foreplay by which to gauge whether or not a love will have stamina and staying power. Of course, Billy is bound to be disappointed by gay-friendly Gabriel, who is struggling in his own way as much as Billy. Full of the usual mix of second-string players who inhabit the gay milieu (e.g., the best female friend who has man trouble of her own, and the older, secure pal who has secretly held Billy in his sights for some time), O'Haver's film breaks the mold by keeping to a dark note. It resembles a Pedro Almodovar spectacle initially with its saturated look and primary-color palette. But three-fourths through, Billy and his gang walk into the contemporary gay equivalent of a Gidget movie. The shift is surprising and even sometimes funny. Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss has a lot going for it, but it's still just a trifle, and not a milestone in the genre. --Paula Nechak

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