THIS WEEKS TWIN PEEKS:
FRASIER: THE COMPLETE SERIES
1993; $105.98-129.98; UR
A welcome more-economical repackaging of the world’s greatest sitcom spinoff. Kelsey Grammar created the character of Dr. Frasier Crane, pompous, erudite psychiatrist and rival for the affections of waitress Diane (Shelly Long) on “Cheers” in 1992, and few expected him to be little more than a walk-on comic foil for barkeep Sam Malone (Ted Danson) – but he was an instant hit! And so this sitcom was created, combining the talents of Grammar, David Hyde Pierce, Limey Jane Leeves and Moose, the dog, as “Eddie”, along with some of the greatest writers and directors ever to grace a TV studio. All 8 seasons, 250 episodes and tons of bonus goodies for about 40 cents an episode! An absolute must-own.
MACGYVER: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
1985; $76.98-89.98; UR
Richard Dean Anderson began his career with an uncredited walk-on in the long-running soap, “General Hospital.” Five short years later he would lead a re-invention of TV as the unarmed super-secret-agent, Angus Macgyer, who could mix sleep-gas out of washday products and urine, or coax a frightened beauty out of hiding with a swish of his mullet. But as charismatic as Anderson was, the real secret to the show’s success was writer/creator Lee David Zlotoff, the man behind such hits as “Bret Maverick”, “Remington Steele”, and “NCIS.” All 139 crazy-good episodes, plus two TV movies for about 50-cents a show! Another must-own.
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BREATHLESS
1983; $14.99; R
Inspired by the legendary Jean-Paul Belmondo/Jean Seberg flick, this is the movie that made Richard Gere a star. He plays a damned-good-looking wastrel who spends his days listening to rock-and-roll and reading Silver Surfer comics until he meets good-girl French student Valerie Kaprisky. After much heavy breathing and some of the hottest sex scenes ever filmed, the doe-eyed darling agrees to ditch school and go on a wild joyride to Mexico. But alas, no matter how fast Gere drives, he can’t outrun himself (did we just cringe?), leading to a slam-bang finish. Finally available in a reasonably-priced Blu-Ray.
HAPPY VALLEY
2014; $20.98; UR
A devastating doc on the titular region, home to Penn State University, that waxes poetic on the idyllic days before Coach Jerry Sandusky’s child sex abuse charges, and the resulting aftermath, which ended not only his own career but the 40-plus-year reign of his boss, legendary football-god Joe Paterno. Not being among the sports-afflicted ourselves, we were little moved to pity the men and institutions involved, but this doc provides such a visceral immersion into the local culture that we couldn’t help but feel a measure of their pain and confusion at the turn of events. Affecting.
KILLERS
2014; $14.98; UR
Kazuki Kitamura and Oka Antarra, both seasoned vets of HK action TV and film, last seen together in “The Raid 2”, star as a successful executive/psychopath (or is that redundant?) and a dark journalist. The former posts torture-porn of his victims online while the other gets his jollies watching them. Sounds just like Christmas at the TapeWorm homestead, but here it escalates until the two meet face to face in a bloody, no-holds-barred sick-off. Shot in Indonesia and Japan, this is a veritable smorgasbord of bloody Aisan violence, with little Rin “Neo Ultra Q” Takanashi as the doomed desert. Invite the kiddies.
SHE THE ULTIMATE WEAPON
2002; $30.98-39.98; UR
This high-concept anime series is groundbreaking in that there is little if any background/genesis story shown, allowing the viewer to learn of the lead character’s pain and anguish the way that real people learn of other’s lives: by listening. The titular character is Chise, a young woman cursed to be a perfect genetic match for a new technology, one that can save Japan from annihilation. She is forced to accept having weapons implanted in her body – which sprout painful metal wings and massive armaments. Worse yet, her mind and will are slowly being taken over by the implants. As her humanity slips away she falls in love with a young man. Impressive.
THE IMMIGRANT
2013; $19.98; R
Marion Cotillard does a striking job as a young Polish woman (appearing a good 10 years younger than her actual age) whose protective sister becomes quarantined on Ellis Island, leaving the innocent girl to fend for herself on the mean streets of 1920's NYC. She quickly becomes prey to evil River Phoenix who forces her into prostitution. Improbable salvation arrives in the form of a hokey, good-hearted stage magician played by Jeremy Renner – who seems completely out of his element here, but is clearly having a ball – in this wildly romantic dark costume drama.
*** More Recommended Videos for our On-Line Readers, Only!
BARNEY MILLER: SEASON 7
1980; $17.98; UR
Arguably the best TV show ever made, this brilliantly written ensemble sit-com-of-sorts, set in a rundown NYC police station, started its next-to-last season with a dramatic bang with addled Insp. Luger restructuring the 12th Precinct into a homicide squad – and resulting in the death of Barney’s long-time friend, Cotterman (veteran actor Jack Somack). A cavalcade of regulars at the top of their game including Hal Linden, Max Gail, Ron Glass, Steve Landesberg, and little Ron Carey are joined by guest stars Tricia O’Neil, Joe Regalbuto, Doris Roberts, and especially Nancy Bleier as a hooker with a no-so-little black book. Buy the series. You won’t be sorry.
DARKSIDE WITCHES
2015; $17.98; UR
This straight-to-vid horror outing is a no-budget howler, to be sure, but being from Italy, it has that nice Giallo feel, enhanced by the presence of 60's bombshell Barbara Bouchet plus popular Euro TV vet, Eleonora Albrecht as “The Running Girl.” During the Inquisition, six innocents are burned at the stake, then offered a means for revenge by Satan’s minion. Fast-forward to the present, and the six are now powerful witches, launching a battle against the Church, defended by Father Don Gabriele (first-time writer/director/actor Gerard Diefenthal). We won’t call it good, but it is entertaining.
HOME SWEET HELL
2014; $22.98-27.88; R
A perfect example of how a great cast can turn an ordinary script into something which sparkles. Patrick “The Conjuring” Wilson, married to obsessed perfectionist Katherine Heigl, hires a pretty new saleswoman, (swimsuit-model-turned-actress Jordana Brewster), sending his high-strung wife on a dark, blood-soaked comic rampage. The key word here is “dark”; a small film, to be sure, and not for the faint of heart, but very entertaining.
INSIDE AMY SCHUMER: SEASONS ONE & TWO
2014; $19.98; UR
Amy is something of a guilty pleasure around the TapeWorm household – she’s brass, crude, and vulgar ... and damned cute to boot! Oh, and did we mention funny? She’s funny as hell, though we’ll be the first to admit that her brand of humor is directed more towards women most of them time, taking laser aim at things that sometimes leave us Y-chromos baffled. Our wives cluck their tongues at it, so it must be good. Twenty 22-minute episodes ending with the now-famous “Slut-Shaming” show, which includes a spectacular bit on what women do to get ready for sex. Not to be missed.
THREE IN A BED
2014; $24.98; UR
This brash, knowing Limey coming-of-age flick is simply brilliant. Brennan Reece stars as a closeted-gay musician (or is that redundant? ... just kidding!) whose life is something of a proud mess. But his plans to hook up with the sexy new neighbor guy (Darren Bransford) are put on hold when his two buttinsky sisters are unexpectedly forced to move in with him. Everything you could ask for in an indie flick, plus better-than-expected chemistry between the actors.
A More Complete Listing and Free Vids at videotapeworm.com
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