DVDpedia : Groove Quantize DVD Library : Title : N

Theatrical: 2003

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Genre: Comedy

Summary: As deadpan comedies go, "Napoleon Dynamite" stands in a class all its own. Played by John Heder, the title character is (in the words of critic Roger Ebert) "the kind of nerd other nerds avoid," a mouth-breathing dweeb with a mangy nest of orange hair, and ungainly features that suggest a perpetual state of half-conscious depression. He lives in Preston, Idaho (former home of 24-year-old director Jared Hess) with his thrill-seeking grandma and 32-year-old brother, and his days at high school consist mostly of being abused or ignored by indifferent classmates. Napoleon's sad-sack story doesn't offer the scathing, impassioned humor of "Welcome to the Dollhouse" because Hess (who cowrote the nearly plotless screenplay with his wife, Jerusha) doesn't have an angst-ridden axe to grind. Instead, the comedy (which exists in a tacky universe of worn-out rural suburbia) is so low-key that some will find it difficult to laugh, while others (i.e., those who feel superior to Napoleon) will have plenty of fun at Napoleon's expense. The result is a curiously uneven film, hilarious at times, but hampered by its own sense of affectionate mockery. An audience favorite at the Sundance film festival, "Napoleon Dynamite" may not be entirely lovable, but it's definitely unique. "--Jeff Shannon"

Theatrical: 1976

Studio: Warner Studios

Genre: Drama

Summary: On the 25th anniversary year of NETWORK a couple years ago, there were several news article looking back at the film and how its impact on movies/media seemed almost "prophetic": the degrading mess of news turning into entertainment, the fourth network, etc.NETWORK is still a powerful film and its many messages are still relevant today--perhaps more so.I've always been a big Paddy Chayefsky fan and I consider NETWORK to be his masterpiece. He's still the only screenwriter to win three Oscars (the other two were MARTY and THE HOSPITAL). You feel that the folks behind this movie really knew what they were talking about.The cast is brilliant: Peter Finch deserved his posthumous Oscar and Faye Dunaway was a cross between Mary Richards from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and Satan. William Holden, who originally wanted Finch's demented newsman role, brings all his world-weary cynicism that started in SUNSET BOULEVARD with him. And Robert Duvall has a few hilarious moments as, at first, the cool button-down "hatchet man" and then turning into a raving ratings monster when the Nielsens come in. Outstanding.I would hope that someday we'll get the Special Edition DVD release that NETWORK deserves. Interviews, commentaries, whatever they've got.We're waiting!

Theatrical: 1972

Studio: Sony Pictures

Genre: Action & Adventure

Duration: 103

Summary: Fans of the TV series "Police Story" and "Hill Street Blues" will dig this gritty 1972 drama based on Joseph Wambaugh's groundbreaking first novel. George C. Scott is in his element as Kilvinski, the philosophical 20-year veteran who mentors his new night shift partner, Roy (Stacy Keach), a "slick-sleeved" rookie. "Kilvinski's Law," he growls, "If a dude uses his fist, you use your stick. If he uses a stick you use your gun." Quincy Jones' "Shaft"-ian score gives the film a funky '70s vibe. Jane Alexander costars as Roy's neglected spouse, with Eric Estrada and Scott Wilson as fellow rookies, and Isabel "Weesie" Sanford as one of a vanful of prostitutes the partners roust in one of the few sequences played for laughs. Directed by Richard Fleischer ("Compulsion") and written by Academy Award-winner Stirling Silliphant ("In the Heat of the Night"), "The New Centurions" deglamorizes the cop drama with gallows humor and sudden and shocking violence. It is a little dated, but in portraying the dangers and stresses that beat cops face everyday, "The New Centurions" is not, to quote Kilvinski, the same old "Hollywood crap." "--Donald Liebenson"

Theatrical: 2005

Studio: Rhino / Wea

Genre: Musicals & Performing Arts

Summary: Item is a must-have for any fan of this influential electronic dance pop group. This 2-DVD special addition contains two complete releases-a comprehensive music video compilation and a documentary. Disc 1, A Collection, features all of New Order's groundbreaking videos including "Bizarre Love Triangle," "Blue Monday," and "True Faith" plus alternate versions and brand-new videos for "Temptation" and "Ceremony" created just for this compilation. Disc 2, NewOrder Story is the complete documentary. This is the extended version with additional interviews and live footage-over two revealing hours available for the first time on DVD. Track Listings: Confusion, Perfect Kiss,Shellshock, State of the Nation, Bizarre Love Triangle, True Faith, Touched by the Hand of God, Blue Monday '88, Fine Time, Round & Round, Run, World in Motion, Regret, Ruined in a Day, World in Motion, Regret, Ruined in a Day, World, Spooky, 1963, Crystal, 60 Miles an Hour, Here To Stay, Krafty, Jetstream, Waiting for the Sirens Call, Round & Round-USA/Patty, Regret-Baywatch, Crystal-Gina Birch Version, Paris-Ceremony, Paris-Temptation, Live 1981-Temptation, Documentary.

Theatrical: 2001

Studio: Warner Music Vision

Genre: Music DVD

Summary: This is how DVDs should be: 2 concerts, 1 from New York way back in 1981, and 1 from New Orders triumphant return at the 1998 Reading Festival, and an excellent band interview.New Order Live At Reading cannot be faulted. The setlist is fantastic, featuring such Joy Division classics as 'Atmosphere' and 'Isolation', and classic New Order tunes 'Regret', 'Temptation', 'True Faith' and 'Blue Monday'. The band is fantastic playing the best they ever have, and Barney is so gawky and geeky, he just comes across as being both cool and having a really good time. The only bum note is his excruciatingly embarrassing mid-song shout of "Rock the F**kin' house!" But even then, everyone onstage and off is having such a good time, you find yourself actually enjoying it.More interesting though is the gig from New York in '81, where the band not only discern to rock the audience, they barely even look in their direction. But still, the setlist here is an absolute killer, and the band are in the transition phase, halfway between Joy Division and New Order. But of big interest here for even the casual fan is a prototype 'Temptation', which is quite simply amazing!This is an unbeatable New Order DVD. The two concerts are short at just under an hour each, but both are fantastic gigs, well-documented. This is essential.

Theatrical:

Studio: Warner Music Vision

Genre:

Summary: This isnx27;t the whole Neworderstory, it was made in 1993.
It captures the band, not long after the release of x27;Republicx27; and just before things turned really sour for most of the rest of the 90s. Grueling tours, inter-band tensions and now the demise of Factory and the imminent financial collapse of their nightclub/folly The Hacienda had taken their toll, and at the time it seemed like the end. Barneyx27;s face when asked if New Order will make another LP says it all (they have since made two, and are recording another)
This is an unorthodox documentary, put together by the ubiquitous Paul Morley (when he was a serious journalist rather than a rent-a-pundit on 80s clip shows). Its edited together in cut-up x27;Yoof-TVx27; fashion which looks a little dated now.
Some of it is very funny (the spoof New Order game show hosted by Keith Allen), some of it downright irritating (The breathy, American female voice-over that links the film together).
Best of the material is the clips of the band, sharing funny stories over a drink or six and generally winding each other up..well mostly winding their drummer up (who, it is revealed had to pay to get into The Hacienda on the opening night!). Its also a nice tribute to the bands late manager, Rob Gretton, the heart and soul of the band, Factory, and The Hacienda.
The music & promo clips, edited down in the broadcast version are mostly extended to full length. This has the effect of breaking up the documentary and rather ruining the continuity and pace. It would have been better to leave the full clips as DVD extras. Oh, and of course, the clips you want to see in full (Early live TV appearances on Granada TV etc) are cut short. The amazing clip of Joy Division playing Transmission on BBC2 Something Else is given a cheesy monochrome tint (it would have looked much more effective in its stark, Colour Videotape version), and is cut short by an annoying intrusion by Bono of all people, just as Ian Curtis is about to let rip...how ironic.
The film trades on the myths surrounding the band, and masks and obscures as much as it reveals.
Fun for fans, an interesting period piece on the band but neither a definitive history, nor a satisfying collection of clips.
Theres a great anthology of clips, and a great history of the band yet to be made. But of course, the real Neworderstory isnx27;t over yet. This will have to do for now.
3/5 plus one bit for the funny bits.

Theatrical: 2002

Studio: Music Video Distribu

Genre: Pop/Rock

Summary: I've heard a lot of reports that New Order is not a great live band, but this DVD shatters any previous rumors I've heard. First of all...the setlist is amazing. Not only do they play the two best songs from the underrated "Get Ready" album (Crystal and Close Range), but Peter Hook dedicates Ceremony to Dee Dee Ramone, Bernard taps into an emotional river during Regret, and they manage to perform raging versions of Transmission and She's Lost Control even without the genius of Ian Curtis. All in all, absolutely stellar and worth every dime if you want to see New Order on a very good day. And the version of Atmosphere is also terrific. This must be seen for any New Order or Joy Division fan.

Theatrical: 1966

Studio: Columbia Pictures

Genre: Drama

Duration: 130

Summary: The murder of a prostitute in Nazi occupied Warsaw draws Wehrmacht Major Grau into an investigation where the evidence points to one of three high ranking Generals. The trail leads Grau from Warsaw to Paris and straight into the 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, of which two of the Generals are deeply involved. Grau's case goes unfinished and it is not until 1965 when the true killer is brought to justice

Theatrical: 2004

Studio: Fox

Genre: Horror

Duration: 109 mins

Summary: The Forces of Light and Darkness have co-existed in a delicate balance for hundreds of years...until now. Even as the Night Watch polices the Dark Others - among them vampires, witches and shape-shifters - a chain of mysterious events triggers a dreaded, age old prophecy: One of the gifted ones will come to switch sides, shattering the balance and unleashing an apocalyptic war unlike any the world has ever known!

Theatrical: 1993

Studio: Touchstone Video

Genre: Musical

Duration: 73 min

Summary: So it's been pretty clearly stated in all of these reviews that the movie itself is great- the spectacular (if dark) visual effects, the great musical score (I didn't like any musicals at all until I saw this...I couldn't help myself from singing along), and the all-too-funny story line, all make "Nightmare" a worthy purchase. But the new 'special edition' makes it a must-have. Along with the film itself, the new edition includes an hour-long 'making' section, lots of test sequences and sketches (animated and not), several cut scenes, an audio commentary, and, perhaps most importantly, two of Tim Burton's early films- "Vincent" (a 5-minute claymation short, a tribute to and narrated by the late Vincent Price), and "Frankenweenie" (a 30-minute live action film, in which a young Victor Frankenstein, in a modern everyday suburb, brings his dog, Sparky, back from the dead). When you put all this together, it makes the Special Edition a must-have for anyone who enjoyed the film (which means almost anyone)

Theatrical:

Studio: Roadshow

Genre: Horror

Duration: 252 mins

Summary: A Nightmare on Elm Street - Remastered:
In the early 1980's, a psychopath named Freddy Krueger - known as the Springwood Slasher - murdered several children with a glove outfitted with straight razor blades attached to the fingers. When a foolish decision by a judge sets him free, Krueger is burned alive in the boiler room where he worked by an angry mob of the parents whose children he terrorized & murdered. Years after his death, the children whose parents were responsible for Krueger's death - including Nancy Thompson, daughter of the police officer who arrested Krueger - are experiencing terrifying nightmares involving a burned man wearing a glove with razor blades on the fingers. The ghost of Freddy Krueger is haunting their dreams, and when Nancy's best friend Tina dies in her sleep violently during a dream confrontation with Krueger, Nancy realizes she must find a way to stop the evil psychopath's reign of terror - or never sleep again… A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 - Freddy's Revenge:
The Grady family, including their teenage son Jesse, moves into a house on Elm Street which has been vacant for some time. Hardly surprising, since it was the same house in which the first Nightmare on Elm Street took place. Ron starts having strange nightmares and finds that Freddy Kruger is using him to commit terrible deeds. It is up to his girlfriend to find some way of stopping Freddy. A Nightmare On Elm Street 3 - Dream Warriors:
The third Nightmare continues Freddy's story with the sole survivor of the first movie, Nancy Thompson. Nancy has just accepted a position as a research scientist at a pschiatric institution near the fated house on Elm Street and is working with a group of children who all share nightmares of Freddy. She discovers that one of the children (Kristen) has a special gift which may help them destroy Freddy forever.

Theatrical: 1959

Studio: Turner Home Ent

Genre: Mystery & Suspense

Summary: A strong candidate for the most sheerly entertaining and enjoyable movie ever made by a Hollywood studio (with "Citizen Kane", "Only Angels Have Wings" and "Trouble in Paradise" running neck and neck). Positioned between the much heavier and more profoundly disturbing "Vertigo" (1958) and the stark horror of "Psycho" (1960), "North by Northwest" (1959) is Alfred Hitchcock at his most effervescent in a romantic comedy-thriller that also features one of the definitive Cary Grant performances. Which is not to say that this is just "Hitchcock Lite"; seminal Hitchcock critic Robin Wood (in his book "Hitchcock's Films Revisited") makes an airtight case for this glossy MGM production as one of The Master's "unbroken series of masterpieces from "Vertigo" to "Marnie"." It's a classic Hitchcock Wrong Man scenario: Grant is Roger O. Thornhill (initials ROT), an advertising executive who is mistaken by enemy spies for a U.S. undercover agent named George Kaplan. Convinced these sinister fellows (James Mason as the boss, and Martin Landau as his henchman) are trying to kill him, Roger flees and meets a sexy Stranger on a Train (Eva Marie Saint), with whom he engages in one of the longest, most convolutedly choreographed kisses in screen history. And, of course, there are the famous set pieces: the stabbing at the United Nations, the crop-duster plane attack in the cornfield (where a pedestrian has no place to hide), and the cliffhanger finale atop the stone faces of Mount Rushmore. Plus a sparkling Ernest Lehman script and that pulse-quickening Bernard Herrmann score. What more could a moviegoer possibly desire? "--Jim Emerson"

Theatrical:

Studio: MRA Group

Genre:

Summary: Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o English (mono). Synopsis:
One of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest films, Notorious features the director at his devilishly elegant, self-assured best. A visual masterpiece, it plays like a seamlessly assembled jigsaw puzzle, in which each piece fits together with clean precision. The film's smooth veneer largely creates its visceral impact: lurking beneath the gloss are dealings of the most grotesque sort, their execution made all the more insidious by their sophisticated guise. Aside from containing one of Hitchcock's most famous MacGuffins, the uranium ore, Notorious boasts some of his most famous camerawork, most notably the gorgeous tracking shot during Sebastian's party that takes the viewer from the top of a staircase to Alicia's hand, clenched around the key that will lead her to the uranium ore. The camera moves with the quiet intimacy of an unobserved party guest, almost serpentine in its journey. That Sebastian's fate is the result of both his own manipulations of others and his heart's manipulations of himself is at the center of the film's true MacGuffin: masquerading as a Cold War thriller, Notorious is one of the screen's classic black romances. Special Features:
o Filmographies
o Interactive Menu
o Photo Gallery
o Scene Access
o Trailer(s)