THE ICS FILES
#7-August '99
ICS GETS INK!
The Imaginative Cinema Society has been twice mentioned
by Baltimore Sun movie critic Ann Hornaday in her Friday column concerning
cinema related events around Bawlmer. Her piece on July 16th prompted 9
inquiries about the club, including one new member (see below). The mention
that we got on the 30th prompted several new people to drop by and give
us a look-see. Thank you Baltimore Sun and thank you very much Ann Hornaday!
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CLUB MEMBER
Greetings to Leith J. Lomakin of Catalpha Road in
Baltimore. She saw Ann Hornady's piece on the club, decided that we were
what she'd been looking for, and mailed in her membership dues without
ever having attended a meeting or speaking with any of us. Wow! Thanks
Leith, and welcome from your new friends at the Imaginative Cinema Society.
A GRACIOUS WELCOME TO OUR NEW GUESTS
We also extend greetings to our new guests who have
either inquired about us or dropped by at our last meeting. Introductions
are in order. In alphabetical order we're saying hello to Jodi Beeler,
Kevin Brian, Nancilee Campion, John Cucina, Sue Feder (and maybe her husband,
Larry Miller), Bob Kuzyk, Carl Lee, Judith Ludwig, Bob Smith, John Ward,
and Jennifer Warnk. Welcome all!
We should explain that we are a dues-paying club.
This newsletter is usually one of the privileges of membership. Our dues
are a modest $20 a year for individuals and $30 a year for couples. We
pro-rate those dues for the year as the months roll by, so you would actually
only need to pay a fraction of the dues cited. However, since you've been
nice enough to show an interest in us we're showing an interest in you!
You'll each receive three complementary issues of "The ICS Files" while
you're checking us out. We hope that you each decide to join.
NEWS OF OUR NEXT MEETING
Our August meeting will be held on Saturday August
28th at 6:00 P.M. at the church hall behind the Perry Hall Presbyterian
Church located at 8848 BelAir Road. Take Baltimore Beltway exit 32 north
on Belair Road. Turn left onto Joppa Road. Immediately past the miniature
golf course turn left into the parking lot. If you miss it there are ample
turn-around opportunities. If you get stuck call 410-598-0085. That's Dave
Henderson's cell phone. He'll talk you in.
E-MAIL RECIPIENTS: ARE YOU HAVING
TROUBLE READING "THE ICS FILES?"
Well, assuming that you're not illiterate or just
hate my writing style, you may have an older computer that does not read
"h.t.m.l." code. You may need this in a text only format. I've tried to
weed out who I could. If you see a lot of loose floating garble on your
screen (apart from my writing) please let me know. I'll send you a "text
only" edition of this newsletter. It's easy and painless. Just let me know.
ICS OFFICIAL!
The Imaginative Cinema Society now exists in the
eyes of the United States government. We've recently sent in forms to our
uncle (Sam, that is) to gain official recognition with the I.R.S. This
will enable to do things like open a bank account instead of relying exclusively
on ceegar box.
THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE!
No, I'm not referring to the 1962 Val Guest film.
I'm talking about July 31st, on the day of our last meeting! The mercury
outside climbed to 100o and the humidity was struggling to keep with it.
I looked at the thermometer at midnight and noticed that it had only crept
down to a very sticky 85o. Dave Henderson got to the meeting room at 12:30
that afternoon to cool down the place for our 6:00 meeting. Ordinarily
the series of window units there would have been adequate but these were
not ordinary circumstances. Our apologies to those for whom it was too
hot to venture out and our thanks to the many of you who braved the blast
furnace and sat there sweating along with the rest of us.
The heat not withstanding, a good time was had by
all. We achieved record attendance since we've moved to our new facilities
with 26 people there. We gorged on pizza, saw the "MST3K" version of The
Corpse Vanishes (thanks in part to all-round good guy Lorne Marshall),
and met until we melted.
ICS PONDERS HALLOWEEN
The Board has begun to look forward to the Fall,
thinking of special events for Halloween. We're considering sponsoring
a special afternoon for children in a library (maybe White Marsh if they're
available) that would include a Halloween costume contest and a movie.
We're considering Saturday, October 30th.
We're also thinking of special events for the club
that evening. We're talking about a potluck dinner and auction. Please
let us know what you think of these ideas.
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON MY WAY
TO THE HOLO-DECK
About 15 years ago I won a radio contest (I knew
that Boris Karloff's real name was "William Henry Pratt"--that's the product
of a liberal arts mind, I can never remember stuff that will actually get
me anywhere in life but dead film star's real names--no probs). My prize
was a pass to a "Star Trek" convention. I hated it. I rubbed elbows with
fans whose passion for minutiae over the "Trek" universe would rival a
German theologian's fervor to find split infinitives in sacred text. I
really like the shows but I do have a life apart from them. By the time
I left I was pretty creeped out.
Fast forward to last summer. I was curious about
the World Science Fiction convention taking place here. People warned me
that I'd have a miserable time--that I'd be awash in an ocean of geeks
and nerds. I went anyway (with all the passion of a sacrificial lamb being
led to the alter). You know what? I loved it! They put on a smooth well-run
convention and the fans were terrific. I decided to roll the dice again
for last Spring's Balticon. Loved it. Had a great time. Well I decided
to go for the whole enchilada in July. I decided to check out Shore Leave.
Like the cowardly lion seeking a audience with the Great and Powerful Oz
I discovered that it was my own groundless apprehension that was the "man
behind the curtain."
"Trek"-cons have had to change because "Trek" fans
have changed. Shore Leave had some guests who'd never been on a "Trek"
show--in fact may never even have seen one. I saw fans with tee shirts
and outfits representing "Babylon 5," "The X-Files," Star Wars, and other
shows and movies. "Star Trek" conventions may be changing into science
fiction conventions with an allegiance to "Trek" but with enough diversity
to satisfy a wide range of fans.
Elsewhere in this issue you'll find a reference
to this October's Far Point '99 out at Marriott's Hunt Valley. You might
want to check it out. There are few things in life as satisfying as discovering
the previously held biases and assumptions are in error.
THE GLASS TEAT
New "Star Trek" series. There's been more gas generated over
the future "Star Trek" show than most supernovas. The rumor that it is
to be called "Star Trek:Flight Academy" have been resolutely denied by
the show's producers. They say they've never even contemplated a such a
show. They will only confirm that there will be a new show slated for 2002.
We'll have to wait on the rest. . . .Meet "The Oblongs." The WB will air
a new animated series called "The Oblongs." It's a comedy about a family
mutated by toxic waste. It's being done by some of the people responsible
for "The Simpsons" and "The Drew Carrey Show." . . . The return of Uncle
Martin. Nick at Nite has acquired the rights to "My Favorite Martian."
They will begin airing episodes this Spring. . . . Dinotopia hits the small
screen. Hallmark will be doing a 6-hour miniseries on the first two of
James Gurney's Dinotopia novels. They will combine live action, CGI and
animatronic effects. The budget will be in excess of $50 million. Look
for them on ABC's May sweeps period in May, 2001. . . . Speaking of Hallmark,
they'll be showing the 10-hour fantasy epic, "The Kingdom," on NBC on February
6th, 7th, 13th and 14th. Diane Wiest will be the evil queen and Camryn
Manheim will play Snow White. The cast also features Rutger Hauer, Ed O'Neill,
John Laroquette and Kimberly Williams. . . .The Return of Tron. There's
been a rumor for some time of either a sequel or re-make of Disney's 1982
film, Tron. While either rumor may still be true Disney now has plans for
a Tron series called "Warriors of Tron," featuring a group of teenagers
who venture into the computer with the assistance of the aging programmer,
Flynn. The series is expected to debut January 2002. . . . Slip slidin'
away. The Sci Fi Channel announced that the TV series "Sliders" will not
be renewed after a somewhat bumpy 5 seasons that saw the show slide from
4th network Fox to the world of basic cable. Sorry slide-heads (are there
such things?). . . . The Profiler shuffle. Jamie Luner ("Melrose Place")
replaces Ally Walker on "The Profiler" next season. She plays a former
prosecutor- turned-FBI- profiler who joins the cast in its 2 part season
premier. . . .Haven't seen much of the invisible man lately? Well the Sci-Fi
Channel has just the cure! They've just greenlighted a 2-hour pilot based
called The Invisible Man with an intention of creating a new weekly series.
This has nothing to do with H.G. Welles. It's described as an "action/comedy"
about a thief that agrees to the high risk medical test for invisibility
rather than face prison. It will be produced by director of commercials
Brent Eisner. He's Michael's kid. . . .CBS' new mini-series: This November
14th and 17th CBS will air their new mini-series set in what could be the
big apple SAUCE if this mini epic has its way. It's called "Aftershock:
Earthquake in New York." It stars Tom Skeritt, Charles S. Dutton and Cicely
Tyson. . . . How much is that parrot in the window? It might be a bit of
a stretch discussing "Monty Python's Flying Circus" to imaginative cinema
fans but the show is awfully surreal. Every Saturday night at 11:00 P.M.
A&E is now giving us a 1-hour dose of "Python." I'll see you at the
Ministry of SillyWalks.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY
DIFFERENT
Have you found yourself restlessly tossing about
the bed sheets lately wondering what it would be like to have ships from
the "Star Trek," "Star Wars," and "Babylon 5" universes all facing each
other in combat? Well , you have two alternatives. Either get a life or
get to Spacebattles.com where you can see your fevered fantasies playing
out on the screen before you. It's an odd sight but kind of fun.
MST3K'S S.O.L. D.O.A.-R.I.P.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000's" Satellite of Love
broadcasts its final new episode on Sunday, August 8 at 9:00 P.M. with
an immediate rebroadcast at 11:00 P.M. The final celluloid bone chewed
will be Danger Diabolik. With its close we say farewell to the longest
running piece of Imaginative Television in the 50 year history of American
TV. Farewell Satellite of Love. Godspeed.
GET WELLS AND WELCOME BACKS!
We all join Vince DiLeonardi in wishing for the
speedy recovery of his wife Melinda as she nurses a broken ankle back to
life. Vince thinks that her return to health means he can abandon his new-found
role of domestic-goddess functioning as the lug nut that keeps the DiLeonardi
house from falling apart. Guess what Vince, you have crossed the Rubicon,
baby! A standard guy-ploy is that we can do all that household stuff. We're
too dumb. Now that she knows what you're capable of you ain't going back!
No retreat! (all right youse guys, the preceding was just a joke--get well
soon Melinda, no kidding).
We had the pleasure of the company of Cindy Ruth
Collins at our July meeting, on the arm of that towering inferno, Brian
Smith. Cindy broke her wrist in March and has not had much of use of it
until June. She has full use of it but it will take some therapy before
she has full range of motion. She can now go back to her favorite past
times--writing, playing Irish music and making Brian deliriously happy.
We were thrilled to see Ralph and Peggy Gervasio
at our last meeting. Someone forgot to show them the page in the rulebook
that says after you retire you slow down and take it easy. While us kids
are anchored to our jobs and lives here in and around Mob Town the Gervasios
are trotting around the country with grandchildren, movie conventions and
God knows what else. They'll be "previously engaged" on the West Coast
for our August meeting they promised to try to pen us in on their bulging
schedule in September.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT SCARES STUDIO
EXECS
In a scenario reminiscent of Warner Brothers cartoon
elephants being terrified of mice, the studios for the multi-million dollar
blockbusters to be, Mystery Men and Deep Blue Sea, have shifted the respective
release dates away from July 30 out of terror of the little-film-that-thought-it-could,
the low budget, low tech Blair Witch Project. Mystery Men will now be August
6th, Deep Blue Sea got pushed to July 28th.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECTORS
The 5 person production team responsible for The
Blair Witch Project has signed a 2-year deal with Fox TV and Regency Television.
They'll work on designing new series.
EMMY HONORS IMAGINATIVE TELEVISION
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has just announced many
science fiction, fantasy and horror related television shows and limited
series among their nominated shows for the 51st Emmy Awards. "X-Files"
topped the list with 8, including Gillian Anderson for best lead actress
in a drama series, "Third Rock From the Sun" received 7 including best
comedy series, "Alice in Wonderland" got 6, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"
got 4, "Star Trek: Voyager" received 3, and receiving 2 each were "Buffy
the Vampire Slayer," and "Stephen King's Storm of the Century." Receiving
one each were "Futurama," "First Wave," "Fantasy Island," "The Pretender,"
"The Profiler," "Total Recall 2070," "Invasion America," "Xena: Warrior
Princess," "Tom Clancy's Netforce," "Todd McFarlane's Spawn," and "Touched
By an Angel." The Emmies will air on Sunday, September 12th.
YOU LOOK MAHVELOUS
Marvel Comics CEO Avi Arad has said that Marvel has 12 projects currently
in various stages of production. The 12 are:
"Black Panther".................Wesley Snipes' production company is
developing this
"Blade 2"..........................Apparently Wesley Snipes is returning
"Captain America"............Producers are negotiating a deal for the
film rights
"Daredevil".......................In development
"Dr. Strange"....................They're cutting a deal for a script
by David Goyer (Blade, Starman)
"Fantastic Four"................A director's being lined up now.
"Incredible Hulk"..............The script's complete. It's on a fast
track for production.
"Namor"...........................Phillip Kaufman's developing a script
by Sam Hamm (the original Batman movie)
"Prime".............................Looks like it will be a live action
TV series.
"Spiderman".....................Script stage. Looks like James Cameron
won't be involved
"Thor"..............................It will be an animated series
"The X-Men"...................Casting is going on now
Additionally there may be interest in producing "Iron Man" and "Silver
Surfer."
THE FALL OF DVD (PRICES)
At this point most new DVD releases will continue
to sell between $25 and $35. There are early signs of second tier releases
selling as low as $10 in some discount stores. Simitar Entertainment has
100 licensed titles with a suggested retail of $14.98 that it expects some
retailers to sell at $9.98. It recently released entries in their "Mysteries
of Magic" series and "Velocity" that it expects retailers to offer for
$6.99 to $7.99. Some of its DVD's are as low as $4.99. Wal-Mart and
Best Buys will be part of upcoming $9.99 promotions. K-Mart has 1/2 dozen
Warner's catalog titles at $9.99. So keep your eye on the DVD price tag.
This could be a trend that will lower pricing across the board eventually.
WILL AGENT MULDER HAVE HIS FACE
ON THE SIDE OF MILK CARTONS?
Declaring that he has "other things to do" David
Duchovny has vowed that the coming seventh season will be his last on "The
X-Files." Since Gillian Anderson has signed for an eighth season, the show
might continue without him. Maybe Duchovny ought to check in with McClean
Stevenson form "M*A*S*H" about this. Or maybe David Caruso from "N.Y.P.D.
Blue." Ot maybe most of the cast of "Seinfeld," if he can find them.
WE BE FIVE
Do you remember the hours (uh minutes, uh seconds,
all right nano-seconds!) of pleasure we've had listening to various members
of various Star Trek casts serenade us on recordings that will live forever
(much to the embarrassment of the stars who recorded them). Well a new
annul (or is that "anal") has opened up in the checkered history of sci-fi
TV stars' vanity recordings. Renaissance Records has just released "Trying
to Forget" by "The Be Five." The group consists of Bill Mumy, Claudia Christian,
Mira Furlan, Peter Jurasik and Andreas Katsulas all late of the show "Babylon
5." If anyone finds it and hears it, lemme know.
PHANTOM MENACE CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE
Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace, at this writing,
has done nearly $500 million worldwide. Though it doesn't seemed to have
lived up to the some of the lofty goals that studio execs had for it, 1/2
a billion bucks ain't bad! And that's before it completes its theatrical
run and hits the video and DVD market (which could happen in November,
in time for Christmas). It has set new records in almost every country
in which it's opened. It is probably our most popular world export at the
moment. I vote for Jar Jar Binks as our new U.N. ambassador!
SCI-FI PRODUCERS: THE NEXT GENERATION
The Sci-Fi Channel has announced a new series to
debut early next year called "The Sci-Fi Short Film Series." The intention
is to serve as a spawning place for the next generation of science fiction
superstars. The channel has promised, "emerging sci-fi cinema auteurs whose
short works dazzle SCI-FI- talent scouts can also look forward to possible
production deals with the network." If you think you or someone you know
has the right stuff contact Dave Brody/ Supervising Producer/ Sci Fi Channel/
USA Networks/ 1230 Avenue of the Americas/ New York, New York 10020. Or
you can send e-mail to dbrody@usanetworks.com. Just
remember to mention ICS in your Academy Award acceptance speech.
THE MATRIX GOES EVER ON
The Matrix has done more to influence the look of
current Hollywood production than any movie in recent history. I've read
boasts from people attached to movies as diverse as Schwarzenneger's new
supernatural thriller End of Days to Richard Hatch's trailer for Battlestar
Galactica bragging that their movie looks like The Matrix. With this kind
of buzz Warner's is not going to let the project rest. The word is that
there will be two sequels to The Matrix. They'll be shot simultaneously
and released within months of each other. The 2nd movie will end in a cliffhanger
that will be resolved by the 3rd. And the plotline? I've heard 2 floated,
although there's probably more. In one the world that Mobious, Neo and
company think is real is, itself, a fabrication of the machines. In the
other Neo encounters another human who has the power to manipulate the
matrix too, only this one's sided with the machines.
THINGS TO COME
As you know, August 6-8, Monster Rally '99 with
its all star guest line up will be coming to Crystal City, Va.
In September, for those comic-ly inclined, there's
Expo SPX-99 at the Holiday Inn Select in Bethesda on the 16-19. It's a
convention of independent comic book artists, creators and publishers and
their fans.
In October Far Point '99 is coming to the Marriott's
Hunt Valley Inn on October 8-10. Guests include Peter Jurasik of "Babylon
5," "James Darren of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Time Tunnel," Robert
Colbert of "Time Tunnel," Mary Kay Adams of "Babylon 5" and "Star Trek:
Deep Space Nine," and astronaut Alan Bean.
IMAGINATIVE CINEMA FOR THE MONTH
OF AUGUST
AUGUST 6th: The Iron Giant--The animated story of a gigantic robot
who falls to earth and befriends a small boy.
The Thomas Crown Affair--A remake of the Steve McQueen/Faye Dunaway
1968 crime classic. This one stars Pierce Brosnan and Renee Russo.
The Sixth Sense--Bruce Willis plays a troubled child psychologist who
tries to assist a young boy who is in nearly constant contact with the
spirits of the dead.
Mystery Men: A group of wannabe superheroes come to the aid of their
city's actual hero.
AUGUST 20TH: Teaching Mrs. Tingle--This movie was originally entitled
Killing Mrs. Tingle but in light of recent school violence the title was
modified. Helen Mirren plays a history teacher from hell. When she blemishes
the record of an ambitious honor student she has to face unpleasant consequences.
Universal Soldier, The Return--The muscles from
Brussels is back as a returned-to-life animated cadaver placed in charge
of his formerly breathing army buddies. The computer that controls them
decides to rebel and use them as an indestructible army.
AUGUST 27TH: The Astronaut's Wife--An astronaut returns home after
a troubled mission a new man. His wife begins to suspect that he is a very
new man indeed. She begins to wonder exactly what the baby she's carrying
is going to look like. Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron star.
The 13th Warrior--After sitting for over a year in the can (usually
not a very good sign of studio confidence in a title) this movie is finally
seeing the light of day. Antonio Banderas stars in this film based
on a Michael Chrichton novel about a reluctant Arab exile forced to turn
warrior to confront a flesh-eating nemesis.
The Muse--An Albert Brooks comedy about a struggling
Hollywood screenwriter whose life is made complicated by his encounter
with an actual mythological Muse in modern L.A. Sharon Stone, Andie MacDowell
and Jeff Bridges also star.
Stigmata--Religion and supernatural mix as an agnostic
woman falls prey to intense demonic attacks leaving stigmata on her body.
SOMETHING NEW FOR DVD
DVD-18 is a new method of offering an extended play
DVD. It is a dual-layer, double-sided disc that can hold up to 8 hours
of programming. Later this year Artisan Entertainment will be offering
Stephen King's 6 hour mini-series, The Stand, on this new type of disc.
VIDEOCY
Rental titles releasing 8/3: The Billy Crystal/Robert DeNiro comedy
Analyze This! releases today. . . . Buena Vista gives us Tale of
the Mummy with Jason Scott Lee, Michael Lerner, Shelly Duvall and Christopher
Lee. . . . And the independent company A-Pix is releasing the movie with
this month's goofiest plot line--Killer Tongue with Robert Englund and
Melissa Clark. A bank robber accidentally eats a piece of meteorite and
grows a cannibal tongue with a mind of its own. Sheesh!
Rental title releasing 8/10: Today you have your chance to rate how
the Motion Picture Academy did last April when its pick for Best Picture
of 1998, Shakespeare in Love, releases. . . . The British director Guy
Ritchie is being heralded as "the next Tarrentino" (come to think of it,
I haven't seen much of the last Tarrentino lately) mostly because of his
movie Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels. This dark violent comedy tells
the story of four young con men who loose a 1/2 million pounds in
a fixed card game. They have to rip-off every criminal they can find to
pay off their debt in seven days or face death. . . . Chow Yun Fat and
Mark Wahlberg team up as cops in New York's Chinatown with a load of hidden
agendas in The Corrupter (the DVD loaded with the usual bells & whistles
will be released at $24.98). . . . Spectrum gives us the old-friends-getting-their-overnight-reunion-messed-up-as-they-get-picked-off-one-by-one-by-a-psycho-
killer-dressed-as-an-elderly-woman routine in the movie Granny. . . . Y2K
is a violent little fantasy where those who've prepared for the millennium
become the targets of those who didn't.
Rental titles releasing 8/17: Sarah Michelle Cellar and Sean Patrick
Flattery star in Simply Irresistible. A department store executive struggles
to resist the allures of a beautiful young restaurateur who he believes
has him in a spell. . . . The evil genie returns today in Wishmaster
II with Andrew Divoff and Paul Johansson. . . . TaiSeng video releases
Iron Monkey today. It's about a sort of kung-fu Robin Hood story
from director Yuen Wo Ping. He was the director of the martial arts
sequences in The Matrix. . . . Ron Howard's take on a Truman-Show-esque
kind of story arrives today with the release of Edtv with Matthew McCaunaghey,
Jenna Elfman and Woody Harrelson. . . .Fangoria Presents Lady of the Lake
is about a man who falls under the spell of a witch that had been drown
in a lake centuries before. He travels back in time to battle the evil
knight that placed her there. . . Blood Guts Bullets & Octane is the
story of 1 1963 Pontiac LeMans, 2 used car dealers, and 34 corpses spread
along the highway to Needles, California. . . .Full Moon releases a pair
of its ersatz classics for your viewing pleasure. Blood Dolls is the story
of an evil billionaire who releases animated puppets to exact revenge on
rivals (documentary film maker Penelope Spheeris did a documentary on the
making of Blood Dolls called Hollyweird which would mark the first time
a documentary about a film was shot on a higher budget than the film itself).
Aliens in the Wild Wild West has a group of teenagers who've time traveled
to
an old Western town struggling to rescue aliens who have crashed there.
. . . The Cat and the Canary is a 1979 re-make of the classic 1927 silent
film that we saw at our April meeting. This version stars Carol Lynley,
Michael Callan, Olivia Hussey, Honor Blackman, Edward Fox and Wilfred Hyde-White.
Rental titles releasing 8/24: Dean Koontz's Mr. Murder releases today.
Stephen Baldwin has to face his genetically engineered duplicate that has
been designed to be the perfect assassin. . . . Warlock 3 has a woman who
discovers she's got a dark family legacy that goes back 500 years. . .
. If you have a taste for the unusual you want to try Freaks Uncensored.
The Village Voice heralded it as " . . . a veritable menagerie of pinheads,
midgets, Siamese twins, giants, bearded-ladies, dog faced boys and more."
More? I don't think that I can take much more!
Rental titles releasing 8/31: For those who like classic comedy teams
mixed with classic horror we have For Love or Mummy with Laurel & Hardy.
. . . Idle Hands has Satan possessing one of the hands of a 17-year old
slacker. It has Devon Sawa, Seth Green and Vivica A. Fox.
* * *
A NOTE ON SELL THOUGH PRICING: The prices
cited are the suggested retail price from the studios. You should never
pay more than the quoted pricing. With smart shopping you may be able to
get lower prices. Some studios have strictly enforced "M.A.P.'s" ("minimum
allowed price"). For others, it's as low as the retailer cares to set it.
If you're collecting videos or DVD's I recommend that you shop aggressively.
It pays!
Sell through titles releasing 8/3: Today seems to be collection day.
You may have seen infomercials for Universal's Alfred Hitchcock Collection.
For $14.98 each you get The Birds, Torn Curtain, Family Plot, Psycho, Vertigo,
Marnie, Saboteur, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), Shadow of Doubt, The
Trouble With Harry, Rope and Topaz. . . . What could be called "The Linda
Conrad Collection" releases today. At $19.95 each we have Godzilla vs.
Mechagodzilla II, The Rebirth of Mothra and The Rebirth of Mothra II. .
. . MGM releases their Movie Time Collection. For $14.95 a piece you can
buy Audery Rose, Breeders, Child's Play, Dead of Winter, Leviathan, Lifeforce,
Lord of Illusions, Phantasm, Pumpkinhead, Species, Squirm and The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre II. . . .
MGM releases a second collection today with their Contemporary Classics
Collection. For $14.95 a pop you can scarf Carrie, 8 Men Out, Silence of
the Lambs, Fargo, Ronin, Mississippi Burning, and The Falcon and the Snowman.
. . . Paramount is releasing five more episodes of "Star Trek: Deep Space
9." The five episodes are 52-56, "The Abandoned," "Civil Defense,"
"Meridian," "Defiant" and "Fascination.". . . Believe it or not there are
actually two movies releasing today that are not in collections! The first
is Species 2, shot mostly in and around Baltimore. "Mating season begins"
for just $14.95. . . . The second is the Farley Brothers comedy There's
Something About Mary for $14.95 (the DVD for $34.98). The box promises
"OUTRAGEOUS NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE." The mind reels at the possibilities!
Sell through titles releasing 8/10: Warner Bros. lobs us some softballs
today as they give us a quintet of light horror films. They've got the
direct-to-video Adams Family Reunion (with Daryl Hannah and Tim Curry as
Ma & Pa Addams), The Goonies, Beetlejuice, Gremlins and The Witches.
They're all $14.95.
Sell through titles releasing 8/17: It's time to go back 30 years to
the 23rd century! Four original "Star Trek" episodes arrive today on 2
DVD's. They're $20 each. . . . Kino on Video launches it's new "Brit Noir"
series featuring 1940's film noirs of the U.K. Today we have Contraband
(1940) with Conrad Veidt and They Made Me a Fugitive (1947) starring Trevor
Howard.
Sell through titles releasing 8/24: Anchor Bay re-releases The Night
of the Living Dead in various flavors. You can get regular, the "30th Anniversary
Edition" or the "Collectors' Edition." The VHS are $14.98. The DVD's are
$24.98 for the regulars and $34.98 each for the two enhanced.
Sell through titles releasing 8/31: We have another day heavy with
collections. "Ahnold" Schwarzenneger has 8 hitting the streets today. He
has (1) True Lies, (2) Terminator, (3) Terminator 2: Judgment Day, (4)
Total Recall, (5) Predator, (6) The Running Man, (7) Commando and
(8) Red Heat. You can buy the VHS individually for $14.98 each, the DVD
prices range from $24.98 to $34.98. You can buy numbers 1-5 as a VHS "Action
5 Pack" for $64.98.
You can buy 4-7 as a DVD pre-pack at $94.98. . . . The Bruce Lee Master
Collection from Fox hits today. It includes The Chinese Connection, Fists
of Fury, Game of Death and Return of the Dragon for $9.98 each. Or you
can buy the pre-pack at $39.98 and get the bonus Bruce Lee the Legend thrown
in. . . . Fox is also releasing 4 other martial arts titles today. For
$9.98 each you can pick up The Deadliest Art, Best of the Best 2, Rapid
Fire and Only the Strong. . . . Big news today for fans of Universal classic
horror. Universal is releasing their Universal Classic Monsters Collection.
The gem of the Collection is the 1931 Dracula. It will have a new score
written by (Baltimore born) Philip Glass and performed by the Kronos Quartet.
Also in the Collection, in their original form, are Frankenstein, The Bride
of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, The Mummy,
The Wolfman and The Creature From the Black Lagoon. They're all $14.98
each. . . . Universal releases a second collection today. Universal Thrillers
includes Child's Play 2, Child's Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Dracula (1979)
and Sea of Love are $14.98 each. Firestarter, , Cape Fear,
Play Misty For Me and Cape Fear are $9.98 each. . . . Universal releases
a third collection today! The Wes Craven Collection contains Shocker, The
People Under the Stairs and The Serpent and the Rainbow. They're $9.98
each. . . . As part of its ongoing Century Collection Warner/New Line is
putting out Pleasentville where, we're told, "nothing is as simple as black
and white." It includes "The Art of Pleasentville," which looks at the
Academy Award nominated special make-up effects. Pleasentville lists at
$19.98. . . . Also releasing in the Century Collection today are Soldier
with Kurt Russell (allegedly set in the Blade Runner universe--it was mighty
subtle) and Practical Magic Collector's Edition (it contains the bonus
"Casting a Spell" on making the movie). Both are also $19.98.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
Some of you might remember Sylvia Sidney from her
recent work with director Tim Burton. She was the cranky case worker in
the 1988 film Beetljuice. Inhaled smoke from cigarettes would ooze from
the slit in her throat. She was the nursing home patient whose taste for
Slim Whitman made her the savior of Earth in the 1996 movie Mars Attacks.
She passed away on July 1st at the age of 88. You may not have realized
that she was a star whose career extends back to silent films. Film historian
Ephraim Katz once said that her intense vulnerability and waif-like looks
made her the "perfect screen heroine" of the Depression. She appeared in
dozens of high profile films with Hollywood's greatest stars. One odd footnote
to her career was the use of her photo from her starring role in 1932's
Madame Butterfly by a Japanese condom manufacturer. The condoms were always
informally known in Japan as "Sylvia Sidneys."
Edward Dmytryk was a classic film director whose
work will be watched and enjoyed for years to come. He passed away in July
at the age of 90. His wifeof 53 years, actress Jean Potter, was at his
side. We should remember him for his film noir Murder My Sweet in 1944
with Dick Powell, or his socially conscious film noir that dealt with anti-Semitism
in 1947's Crossfire. We should remember him for doing brilliant work with
legends like Boris Karloff, Humphery Bogart and Spencer Tracy. But unfortunately
four letters cloud his name, "H.U.A.C." In 1947 the House Un-American Activities
Committee sentenced 10 un-cooperative witnesses (mostly directors and writers)
to a year in jail for "contempt of Congress." Dmytryk was one of the "Hollywood
10." When they got out they found themselves blacklisted. No studio would
hire them. In 1951 Dmytryk named 26 people (most of whom were already known
to the Committee). He became known as "the Judas of the 10." It restored
his name and brought him work. It rescued his family. It also brought everlasting
contempt in the eyes of many in Hollywood. Each of us likes to thinks that
if it were us we never name names. We'd never talk. In reality I hope to
God that we'll never find out. In reality it was never Dmytryk who was
the villain. It was the strident zealotry of narrow minded men who confused
jingoistic intolerance for patriotism. No one should ever be forced to
choose between providing for their family of betraying friends. Now that
he's gone I hope that we can finally place the work and life of Edward
Dmytryk in the perspective in which they belong.
AUGUST CALENDAR
Tue: 3rd VIDEO RENTAL-Analyze This!, Tale of the Mummy and Killer
Tongue
VIDEO SELL-THROUGH-Alfred Hitchcock Collection, Species 2,There's
Something About Mary, Movie Time Collection, Contemporary Classics
Collection, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II,The Rebirth of Mothra and
The Rebirth of Mothra II
FRI: 6th: EVENT- Monster Rally '99
MOVIE-The Iron Giant
MOVIE-The Thomas Crown Affair
MOVIE-The Sixth Sense
SAT 7th EVENT-Monster Rally '99
SUN 8th TV-"Mystery Science Theater 3000's" final new episode
EVENT-Monster Rally '99
TUE 10th VIDEO RENTAL-Shakespeare in Love, Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking
Barrels,
The Corruptor, Granny and Y2K
VIDEO SELL-THROUGH-Adams Family Reunion, The Goonies, Beetlejuice,
Gremlins and The Witches
TUE 17th VIDEO RENTAL-Simply Irresistable,Wishmaster II, Iron Monkey,
Edtv,
Fangoria Presents Lady of the Lake, Blood Guts Bullets & Octane,
Blood Dolls, Aliens in the Wild Wild West and The Cat and the Canary
VIDEO SELL-THROUGH- "Star Trek" DVD's, "Brit Noir" Series
FRI 20th MOVIE-Universal Soldier, The Return
TUE 24th VIDEO RENTALS- Dean Koontz's Mr. Murder, Warlock 3 and
Freaks Uncensored
VIDEO SELL-THROUGH- The Night of the Living Dead in various flavors
FRI 27th MOVIE-The Astronaut's Wife
MOVIE-The 13th Warrior
MOVIE-The Muse
MOVIE-Stigmata
SATURDAY AUGUST 28TH: THE MONTHLY MEETING OF The Imaginative Cinema Society .
TUE 31st VIDEO RENTALS- For Love or Mummy and Idle Hands
VIDEO SELL-THROUGH-The Arnold Schwarzenneger Collection, The Bruce Lee
Master Collection, The Deadliest Art, Best of the Best 2, Rapid Fire, Only
the
Strong, Universal Classic Monsters Collection, Universal Thrillers, The
Wes Craven Collection and Century Collection.