July 2005
Listed chronologically by release date.

Georgy Girl (UK 1966)
Director: Silvio Narizzano
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 24.96
MPAA Rating: NR
James Mason (James Leamington), Alan Bates (Jos), Lynn Redgrave (Georgy), Charlotte Rampling (Meredith), Bill Owen (Ted), Clare Kelly (Doris), Rachel Kempson (Ellen), Denise Coffey (Peg), Peggy Thorpe-Bates (Hospital sister), Dandy Nichols (Hospital Nurse), Dorothy Alison (Health visitor),

Another one of those 60s British films where you can just feel the shackles of repression and privation breaking. Story concerns romantic trials of Ms. Redgrave in Swinging London and an unwanted baby! You can all sing along with the closing song of course.

Good Father (UK 1987)
Director: Mike Newell
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 19.95
MPAA Rating: R
Anthony Hopkins (Bill Hooper), Jim Broadbent (Roger Miles), Harriet Walter (Emmy Hooper), Frances Viner (Cheryl Langford), Simon Callow (Mark Varda), Miriam Margolyes (Jane Powell), Joanne Whalley (Mary Hall), Michael Byrne (Leonard Scruby), Jennie Stoller (Bill's Friend), Johanna Kirby (Bill's Friend), Stephen Fry (Creighton),

Sort of the UK version of Kramer vs. Kramer, but as directed by Mike Newell is a much bleaker affair. Good performances abound, but hard to view as entertaining.

Hexed (USA 1993)
Director: Alan Spencer
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 19.94
MPAA Rating: R
Arye Gross (Matthew Welsh), Claudia Christian (Hexina), Adrienne Shelly (Gloria O'Connor), Ray Baker (Victor Thummell), R. Lee Ermey (Det. Ferguson), Robin Curtis (Rebecca), Norman Fell (Herschel Levine), Teresa Ganzel (3rd Reporter), Gil Glasgow (Priest), Woody Watson (Officer Gillis),

Cult status has eluded this movie about average Joe getting involved with a gorgeous, but homicidal, supermodel?! Great if it hits you in the right mood.

Hide and Seek (USA 2005)
Director: John Polson
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 29.98
MPAA Rating: R
Robert DeNiro (David Callaway), Dakota Fanning (Emily Callaway), Famke Janssen (Katherine), Elisabeth Shue (Elizabeth), Amy Irving (Alison Callaway), Dylan Baker (Sheriff Hafferty),

Decidedly disappointing horror/thriller opus, that relies too much on stuff we've seen better done elsewhere. Plot revolves around young and, er, self-possessed Ms. Fanning, whose father takes her to a remote house in an effort to help her get over the suicide of her mother (what a good idea!).

Hole (UK 2001)
Director: Nick Hamm
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 14.99
MPAA Rating: R
Thora Birch (Liz), Desmond Harrington (Mike), Daniel Brocklebank (Martin), Laurence Fox (Geoff), Keira Knightley (Frankie), Embeth Davidtz (Dr. Philippa Horwood), Steven Waddington (DCS Tom Howard), Emma Griffiths Malin (Daisy), Gemma Powell (Minnie), Gemma Craven (Mrs Dunn), Anastasia Hille (Gillian),

Nice little psychological nasty from the UK. Oodles of atmosphere as a group of friends get themselves trapped in an old bunker and gradually picked off. Astonishing that this has been absent from the US for three years, in which time 5th billed Keira Knightley has become something of a sensation.

Nadine (USA 1987)
Director: Robert Benton
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Jeff Bridges (Vernon Hightower), Kim Basinger (Nadine Hightower), Rip Torn (Buford Pope), Gwen Verdon (Vera), Glenne Headly (Renee), Jerry Stiller (Raymond Escobar), Jay Patterson (Dwight Estes), Blue Deckert (Mountain), Gary Grubbs (Cecil), Harlan Jordan (Sheriff Rusk),

Dodgy photos and a murder are the two ingredients that drive this frenetic comedy thriller. Is this the same Robert Benton who directed Kramer vs. Kramer and Twilight? This is a film that just irritated me. Appalling Southern accents and Basinger's ditziness sink the thing.

Point Blank (USA 1967)
Director: John Boorman
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: R
Lee Marvin (Walker), Angie Dickinson (Chris), Keenan Wynn (Yost), Carroll O'Connor (Brewster), Lloyd Bochner (Frederick Carter), Michael Strong (Stegman), John Vernon (Mal Reese), Sharon Acker (Lynne), James B. Sikking (Hired Gun), Sandra Warner (Waitress), Roberta Haynes (Mrs Carter),

Double-crossed hit-man, Marvin, sets out to redress the balance. John Boorman's hard hitting film noir hasn't dated well, it looks 60s, but this is still one of those crucial films that paved the way for Clint Eastwood's later brand of machismo. Marvin as the emotionless, slightly puzzled, "hero" is awesome.

Prozac Nation (Germany USA 2001)
Director: Erik Skjoldbjaerg
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 29.99
MPAA Rating: R
Christina Ricci (Elizabeth Wurtzel), Anne Heche (Dr Sterling), Michelle Williams (Ruby), Jason Biggs (Rafe), Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (Noah), Frida Betrani (Julia), Nicholas Campbell (Donald), Jessica Lange (Sarah), Cindy Lentol (Sheryl), Emily Perkins (Ellen), Lou Reed (himself),

Life in the 80s, warts and all. Disappointing adaptation of Elizabeth Wurtzel's novel, despite good work from Ms. Ricci, all we have here is a classy TV movie.

Stakeout (USA 1987)
Director: John Badham
Release Date: 07/05/2005
Price: 9.99
MPAA Rating: R
Richard Dreyfuss (Chris Lecce), Emilio Estevez (Bill Reimers), Madeleine Stowe (Maria Guadelupe McGuire), Aidan Quinn ('Stick'), Dan Lauria (Phil Coldshank), Forest Whitaker (Jack Pismo), Ian Tracey (Caylor Reese), Earl Billings (Captain Giles), Blu Mankuma (2nd Paramedic), Don S. Davis (Prison Gate Guard),

Hugely entertaining comedy thriller from the underrated John Badham. Dreyfuss and Estevez play cops detailed to stakeout gorgeous Stowe's pad in the hopes of catching her psychotic ex, Quinn. Occasional extreme violence may deter some. Highly recommended.

Love at First Bite (USA 1979)
Director: Stan Dragoti
Release Date: 07/12/2005
Price: 14.95
MPAA Rating: PG
George Hamilton (Count Vladimir Dracula), Susan Saint James (Cindy Sondheim), Richard Benjamin (Dr Jeff Rosenberg), Dick Shawn (Lt. Fergusen), Arte Johnson (Renfield), Sherman Hemsley (Rev. Mike), Isabel Sanford (Judge), Barry Gordon (Flashlight vendor), Ronnie Schell (guy in elevator), Stanley Brock (Cab Driver), Jacque Lynn Colton (Lady with Cat),

Average vampire comedy with a couple of good gags notably the unfortunate vampire bat flying through the wrong window...otherwise disappointing, and I sooo wanted to like it.

Million Dollar Baby (USA 2004)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Release Date: 07/12/2005
Price: 29.95
MPAA Rating: PG13
Clint Eastwood (Frankie Dunn), Hilary Swank (Maggie Fitzgerald), Morgan Freeman (Eddie Dupris), Jay Baruchel (Danger Barch), Mike Colter (Big Willie Little), Lucia Rijker (Billie The Blue Bear),

Clint Eastwood's Oscar winning tale of woman boxer, Swank. Well told, well acted tale. Perfect cinema. Highly recommended.

National Lampoon's Movie Madness (USA 1981)
Director: Bob Giraldi
Release Date: 07/12/2005
Price: 14.95
MPAA Rating: R
Robby Benson (), Candy Clark (), Elisha Cook (), Robert Culp (), Bobby DiCicco (), Olympia Dukakis (), Ann Dusenberry (), Teresa Ganzel (), Julie Kavner (), Bill Kirchenbauer (), Diane Lane (),

All star comedy madness from the National Lampoon team except there are no laughs to be had here. Dire.

Night Moves (USA 1975)
Director: Arthur Penn
Release Date: 07/12/2005
Gene Hackman (Harry Moseby), Jennifer Warren (Paula), Susan Clark (Ellen), Edward Binns (Joey Ziegler), Harris Yulin (Marty Heller), Kenneth Mars (Nick), Janet Ward (Arlene Iverson), James Woods (Quentin), Melanie Griffith (Delly Grastner), John Crawford (Tom Iverson), Dennis Dugan (Boy),

What starts off as a missing person detective movie that seems reminiscent of a Columbo episode suddenly takes off in unexpected directions to become one of the most memorable of 70s thrillers. I can recall watching the thing with interest and genuinely being startled at the denouement.

Scarecrow (USA 1973)
Director: Jerry Schatzberg
Release Date: 07/12/2005
Price: 24.98
MPAA Rating: R
Screen Ratio: 1.33:1
Gene Hackman (Max), Al Pacino (Lion), Dorothy Tristan (Coley), Ann Wedgeworth (Frenchy), Richard Lynch (Riley), Eileen Brennan (Darleen), Penelope Allen (Annie), Rutanya Alda (woman in camper),

Buddy road movie with losers Pacino and Hackman as unlikely travelling companions, very 70s, shades of Easy Rider without the bikes.

Very Long Engagement (France USA 2004)
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Release Date: 07/12/2005
Price: 29.95
MPAA Rating: R
Audrey Tautou (Mathilde), Gaspard Ulliel (Manech), Jean-Pierre Becker (Lt. Esperanza), Dominique Bettenfeld (Ange Bassignano), Clovis Cornillac (Benoit Notre-Dame), Marion Cotillard (Tina Lombardi), Jean-Pierre Darroussin (Benjamin Gordes), Julie Depardieu (Veronique Passavant), Jean-Claude Dreyfus (Commander Lavrouye), Andre Dussollier (Rouvieres), Ticky Holgado (Germain Pire),

Mathilde searches for her lost love, a soldier who deliberately wounded himself on the battlefield and was court martialled. Most linear film yet from Jeunet, one faintly wishes for some surprises. Very beautiful and well told drama.

Dark Victory (USA 1939)
Director: Edmund Goulding
Release Date: 07/14/2005
Price: 19.97
MPAA Rating: NR
Bette Davis (Judith Traherne), George Brent (Dr Frederick Steele), Humphrey Bogart (Michael O'Leary), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Anne King), Ronald Reagan (Alec Hamin), Henry Travers (Dr. Parsons), Cora Witherspoon (Carrie Spottswood), Dorothy Peterson (Miss Wainwright), Virginia Brissac (Martha), Charles Richman (Col. Mantle), Herbert Rawlinson (Dr. Carter),

Archetypal Bette Davis weepie, guaranteed to increase the stock value of the Kleenex people. Bette has never been better as the embattled heroine.

Constantine (USA 2005)
Director: Francis Lawrence
Release Date: 07/19/2005
Price: 28.98
MPAA Rating: R
Keanu Reeves (John Constantine), Rachel Weisz (Angela/Isabel Dodson), Shia LaBeouf (Chas Chandler), Djimon Hounsou (Midnite), Max Baker (Beeman), Pruitt Taylor Vince (Father Hennessy), Gavin Rossdale (Balthazar), Tilda Swinton (Gabriel), Peter Stormare (Satan), Jesse Ramirez (Scavenger), Jose Zuniga (Detective Weiss),

Overbaked but enjoyable Angels vs Demons comic book adaptation. Kudos to Johanna Trias for a very convincing performance. Keanu looks faintly bored, but then he's supposed to I suppose. Available in a special edition complete with comic book for $30.99 also.

Tetsuo (Japan 1988)
Director: Shinya Tsukamoto
Release Date: 07/19/2005
Price: 24.99
MPAA Rating: NR
Tomorowo Taguchi (Man), Kei Fujiwara (Woman),

Essentially a visual horror piece as a guy with a fetish for machinery actually becomes a machine. Unique horror opus has only ever had competition from Cronenberg's Videodrome. I'm not sure this is likeable but it is VERY different. Not rated but very definitely R for gore.

Bolero (USA 1984)
Director: John Derek
Release Date: 07/26/2005
Price: 14.95
MPAA Rating: R
Bo Derek (Lida), George Kennedy (Cotton), Andrea Occhipinti (Angel), Ana Obregon (Catalina), Olivia D'Abo (Paloma), Mickey Knox (Sleazy Moroccan Guide),

C'mon you thought Tarzan was the bottom of the Bo Derek barrel didn't you? Nope, it gets worse. Bo has to uh inspire a tragically gored bullfighter. -splutter-

Jerk (USA 1979)
Director: Carl Reiner
Release Date: 07/26/2005
Price: 19.98
MPAA Rating: R
Steve Martin (Navin Johnson), Bernadette Peters (Marie Kimball), Catlin Adams (Patty Bernstein), Mabel King (Mother), Richard Ward (Father), Domingo Ambriz (Father de Cordoba), Maurice Evans (Hobart), Richard Foronjy (Con Man), Carl Gottlieb (Iron Balls McGinty), Fred Lerner (Con Man), Bill Macy (Stan Fox),

Goofy, amaible comedy of loser Navin Johnson (born a poor black child) who makes well in the world (sort-of). Packed so full of gags that one of them at least should make you laugh (there are two of them that get me giggling for hours).

Just Before Dawn (USA 1980)
Director: Jeff Lieberman
Release Date: 07/26/2005
Price: 19.95
MPAA Rating: R
George Kennedy (Roy McLean), Mike Kellin (Ty), Chris Lemmon (Jonathan), Gregg Henry (Warren), Ralph Seymour (Daniel), Jamie Rose (Megan),

Deliverance meets Friday the 13th in this better-than-the competition entry in the genre, thanks to Jeff Lieberman's assured direction. Couple of genuinely scary moments. I can't wait to see a better print of this than the one I saw in the cinema.