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1/4/05 V9.1

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ONVIDEO'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
FOR TUESDAY, January 4 -- MONDAY, January 10

HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE
A weak buddy comedy outing. Harold Lee (John Cho) is stuck in a
low-level investment banking job, overworked and under-
appreciated by his colleagues, who aren't shy about handing off
their own work for him to finish over the weekend. To make
matters worse, he can't find the courage to talk to his pretty
neighbor (Paula Garces). While Harold toils away, his best
friend, Kumar Patel (Kal Penn), is doing everything he can to
avoid the real world, valiantly upholding his carefree partying
ways while making half-hearted attempts to gain admittance to
medical school and follow in his family's footsteps. Seeking a
break from their realities, the pair unwinds in front of their TV
for a Friday night smoke-out session, which results in an
incredible case of the "munchies." Catching sight of a commercial
for White Castle and their hamburgers, Harold and Kumar discover
their true mission in life is to set out on an all-night quest
across New Jersey in search of a White Castle restaurant. The duo
take a twisted tour of the Garden State -- from its finest
academic institutions to its scariest backwoods territories, from
shady fast-food establishments to what they hope is the holy
grail of White Castle -- along the way meeting an array of crazy
characters. In R-rated and "Extreme Unrated" DVD editions.
Director: Danny Leiner. Stars: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick
Harris, Fred Willard, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Ethan Embry, Jamie
Kennedy, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Meloni, Ryan Reynolds.
2004, CC, MPAA rating: R and unrated, 88 and 90 min., Comedy, Box
office gross: $18.225 million, New Line, No VHS SRP, Priced for
rental. DVD: Day & Date.

LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Comedy about new boyfriends, ex-girlfriends and little black
books. Stacy Holt (Brittany Murphy), an associate producer for
daytime talk show hostess Kippie Kann (Kathy Bates), is
frustrated when her boyfriend Derek (Ron Livingston) refuses to
discuss his past relationships. With the encouragement of her co-
worker Barb (Holly Hunter), she delves into his Palm to learn
about his ex-girlfriends, including a gorgeous fashion model and
the perfect girl next door. Using the show as a ruse and Barb as
her guide, Stacy interviews and befriends them, only to discover
that the past, in a few instances, is rather present. A modern
day immorality tale of snooping in the electronic age which asks
the question: What happens when you're tempted to go where you
shouldn't? Director: Nick Hurran. Stars: Brittany Murphy, Holly
Hunter, Kathy Bates, Ron Livingston, Julianne Nicholson, Stephen
Tobolowsky. 2004, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Comedy, Box
office gross: $20.422 million, Columbia TriStar, No SRP, Priced
for rental. DVD: Day & Date.

RIDING GIANTS
A documentary history of surfing, from it's early Polynesian
roots, to its rebirth in the early 20th Century, to the
development of a fledgling surf culture along the coast of
Southern California in the 1940s highlighting the group of
extraordinary adventurers that emerged: surfers who, not
satisfied with the mere recreational and social aspects of the
sport, began searching for bigger and bigger waves, pushing the
boundaries of performance to explore the "unridden realm."
"Riding Giants" is the story of these big wave riders, of where
and how their quest began, of the classic characters who
throughout the eras chased their dreams out into the blue water,
and of the surfers who still do today, riding 50-, 60- and even
70-foot waves in a manner once considered the realm of fantasy.
Director: Stacy Peralta. 2004, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 105 min.,
Documentary, Box office gross: $2.250 million, Columbia TriStar.
DVD: Only.

SUPERBABIES: BABY GENIUSES 2
Hyper-smart toddlers conquer evil in this family sequel. This
time around, evil presents itself in the form of Bill Biscane
(Jon Voight), a German mass-media giant who is out to brainwash
children all over the world through his seemingly innocent
television show. But before he gets his chance, a figure from
Biscane's past shows up to torment him once again. His name is
Kahuna, and although he's pint-sized, he's got the brains and
tools to battle his arch-nemesis. This time around, Kahuna must
rely on four members of Stan (Scott Baio) and Jean (Vanessa
Angel) Bobbins's nursery to help him save the day: Archie,
Finkleman, Rosita, and Alex. Features a campy performance by
Voight. Director: Bob Clark. Stars: Jon Voight, Scott Baio. 2004,
CC, MPAA rating: PG, 88 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $9.109
million, Columbia TriStar, $19.96 VHS SRP. DVD: Day & Date.

TROY
Inspired by "The Iliad," the epic work attributed to the ancient
poet Homer, considered to be the Western world's original
literary master. The epic poems Homer is credited with appear to
have been composed in the 8th Century BC, 300-400 years after the
supposed fall of Troy. While it isn't clear whether Homer recited
existing oral chronicles or was the sole and original creator,
his work has survived the centuries to become one of literature's
most compelling glimpses into the past. In ancient Greece, the
passion of two most notorious lovers, Paris, Prince of Troy
(Orlando Bloom) and Helen (Diane Kruger), Queen of Sparta,
ignites a war that will devastate a civilization. When Paris
spirits Helen away from her husband, King Menelaus (Brendan
Gleeson), it is an insult that cannot be suffered. Familial pride
dictates that an affront to Menelaus is an affront to his brother
Agamemnon (Brian Cox), powerful King of the Mycenaeans, who soon
unites all the massive tribes of Greece to steal Helen back from
Troy in defense of his brother's honor. In truth, Agamemnon's
pursuit of honor is corrupted by his overwhelming greed -- he
needs to conquer Troy to seize control of the Aegean, thus
ensuring the supremacy of his already vast empire. The walled
city, under the leadership of King Priam and defended by mighty
Prince Hector (Eric Bana), is a citadel that no army has ever
been able to breach. One man alone stands as the key to victory
or defeat over Troy -- Achilles (Brad Pitt), believed to be the
greatest warrior alive. Arrogant, rebellious and seemingly
invincible, Achilles has allegiance to nothing and no one, save
his own glory. It is his insatiable hunger for eternal renown
that leads him to attack the gates of Troy under Agamemnon's
banner -- but it will be love that ultimately decides his fate.
Director: Wolfgang Petersen. Stars: Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom,
Brad Pitt, Brian Cox, Julian Glover, Diane Kruger, Nathan Jones,
Brendan Gleeson. 2004, CC, MPAA rating: R, 163 min., Action, Box
office gross: $113.228 million, Warner, No VHS SRP, Priced for
rental. DVD: Day & Date.


For more release info, check out our calendar pages at
<http://www.onvideo.org/calendar.htm>


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NEWS

FROM TV TO VIDEO:
Due this week: "CSI: Miami -- The Complete Second Season," a six-
disc set, priced under $70, from Paramount ... "Forever Knight:
The Trilogy Part 2," a six-disc set with 26 episodes, $59.95,
from Columbia TriStar ... "God, the Devil and Bob: The Complete
Series," is a two-disc set with all 13 episodes of the animated
series that proved too controversial for TV (only three aired),
$26.98, from Fox ... "Millennium Season Two," a six-disc set with
23 episodes, $59.98 from Fox ... "Poirot 11 Collector's Set"
contains three hour-long episodes ("The Third Floor Flat,"
"Triangle at Rhodes" and "Problems at Sea") from the popular TV
series starring David Suchet as Agatha Christie's sartorially
elegant sleuth, $29.99 from Acorn Media ... Also from Acorn is a
massive 13-disc collection (in packaging that resembles a
leather-bound book) of the complete PBS Mystery! "Cadfael"
series, called, appropriately enough, "The Cadfael Collection,"
available for $149.99.

FOR THE KIDS:
Columbia TriStar will release this week the latest collection of
the ever popular Berenstain Bears: "The Berenstain Bears: Bears
Mind Their Manners," featuring episodes that help kids learn to
"mind their P's and Q's, $9.98 VHS (four episodes) and $14.94 DVD
(six episodes) ... "SpongeBob SquarePants: Home Sweet Pineapple"
is the latest offering from the darling of the underseas set,
featuring eight episodes on DVD ($16.99) and five on VHS ($9.95),
from Paramount.

SPECIAL INTEREST:
From St. Clair Vision comes "Bushisms," a DVD of the accidental
wit and wisdom of President George W. Bush, based on the best-
selling book series of the same name. The great miscommunicator
is caught -- in public speeches, photo ops, interviews and random
encounters -- uttering made-up words, misstating facts, and
generally garbling the English language ("Rarely is the question
asked, is our children learning"). The DVD compiles the
president's wacky verbalizations into sections entitled "Families
& Children," "Mr. Bush's Neighborhood," "All About Me," "What I
Meant to Say," "History, Economics and Civics 101," "We Are the
World," "Stuff That Makes Absolutely No Sense" and "The Best of
the Best." The video is hosted by Brian Unger with guest
commentary by Al Franken and Slate Magazine's Jacob Weisberg, and
highlighted by panels from Gary Trudeau's "Doonesbury." Some of
the commentary is unnecessary: Our president's inanities stand by
themselves. If you're a Bush-basher, this DVD is for you
(available at most major book and video stores or at
www.bushism.net) ... and would be very funny if it weren't so
sad. If you're a GWB supporter, don't buy it -- you'll be too
embarrassed.


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THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

Weekly listings of DVD releases can now be viewed on mobile
devices at www.tagtag.com/onvideo

** CSI: Miami -- The Complete Second Season. Six-disc set, priced
under $70. Extras: Commentaries, four featurettes: "CSI: Miami:
Visually Effective," "CSI: Miami -- Recalling Season Two," "The
Trace Lab Tour," "The A/V Lab Tour." (Paramount).
** Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Collector's Edition
(2004) Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Gerry Robert Byrne, Elijah Wood,
Mark Ruffalo, Jane Adams, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson. Two-disc
set. Extras: Commentary by director Michael Gondry and
screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, deleted scenes, "A Look Inside
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" behind-the-scenes
featurette, "A Conversation With Jim Carrey and Michael Gondry,"
music video, "commercial" for Lacuna Inc., "Anatomy of a Scene:
Saratoga Avenue," "The Mind of Michael Gondry" featurette, "A
Conversation With Kate and Michael," more deleted/extended
scenes. (Universal).
** Forever Knight: The Trilogy Part 2. Six-disc set with 26
episodes, $59.95. Extras: Commentary on select episodes,
featurettes. (Columbia TriStar).
** God, the Devil and Bob: The Complete Series. Two-disc set with
all 13 episodes, $26.98. Extras: Commentary, "Revealed: On Set
Interviews," "God, the Devil and Bob" making-of featurette.
(Fox).
** Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) John Cho, Kal Penn,
Danny Lee, Dan Bochart, Neil Patrick Harris, Fred Willard, Eddie
Kaye Thomas, Ethan Embry, Jamie Kennedy, Anthony Anderson,
Christopher Meloni, Ryan Reynolds. Extras: R-rated: Commentary by
director Danny Leiner, Cho and Penn; commentary by writers Jon
Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg; deleted/alternate scenes; "The
Back Seat Interview" with Cho, Penn and Lee; "The Art of the
Fart" sound featurette; "Cast & Crew: Drive-Thru Bites"
featurette; "A Trip to the Land of Burgers" featurette; "Script-
to-Screen" with storyboards; "Me and Weedy" photo activity; DVD-
ROM extras. Extreme Unrated: All the R-rated extras plus
"Extreme" outtakes, All Too Much "Yeah" music video, "Extreme"
commentary by Bochart. (New Line).
** Millennium Season Two. Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98.
Extras: Commentary on select episodes, "The Turn of the Tide:
Making of Season Two" featurette, "Academy Group: Victimology"
featurette. (Fox).
** SpongeBob SquarePants: Home Sweet Pineapple. Eight episodes.
(Paramount).
** Little Black Book (2004) Brittany Murphy, Holly Hunter, Kathy
Bates, Ron Livingston, Julianne Nicholson, Stephen Tobolowsky.
Extras: "Be My Guest: Inside Daytime Talk Shows" featurette,
"Live & On-Air: The Making of Little Black Book" featurette.
(Columbia TriStar).
** Poirot 11 Collector's Set. Three hour-long episodes ("The
Third Floor Flat," "Triangle at Rhodes" and "Problems at Sea"),
$29.99. (Acorn Media).
** Ride the Wild Surf (1964) Fabian, Tab Hunter, Peter Brown,
Shelley Fabares, Barbara Eden. (Columbia TriStar).
** Riding Giants (2004) Dir.: Stacy Peralta. Surfing documentary.
(Columbia TriStar).
** Slappy and the Stinkers (1998) B.D. Wong, Bronson Pinchot,
Jennifer Coolidge. (Columbia TriStar).
** Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004) Jon Voight, Scott Baio.
(Columbia TriStar).
** Troy (2004) Dir.: Wolfgang Petersen; Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom,
Brad Pitt, Brian Cox, Julian Glover, Diane Kruger, Nathan Jones,
Brendan Gleeson. Two-disc set. Extras: "In the Thick of Battle"
action sequences featurette, "From Ruins to Reality" production
design featurette, "Troy: An Effects Odyssey" featurette,
"Gallery of the Gods" 3-D animated guide to Greek myths.
(Warner).
** Twelfth Night/Macbeth (Special Two-Disc Collection) (2003)
Dir.: Michael Bogdanov ("Macbeth"), Tim Supple ("Twelfth Night");
Richard Coyle, Denise Black, Jack Davenport, Greta Schacchi,
Claire Price, Chiwetel Ejiotor, Parminder Nagra, Michael Maloney,
Richard Bremmer. (Home Vision Entertainment).


For more DVD info, check out our DVD calendar pages at
<http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm>


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THIS WEEK'S VHS SELL-THROUGH RELEASES:

** SpongeBob SquarePants: Home Sweet Pineapple. Five episodes
(Paramount): $9.95
** Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004) Jon Voight, Scott Baio
(Columbia TriStar): $19.96

For more sell-through info, check out our Sell-Through/Repriced
pages at <http://www.onvideo.org/reprice.htm>


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Copyright 2005 CyberPod. All rights reserved.
ISSN 1094-3676

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