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VHS NEW RELEASES: TOP 10 OF 1999

Editor, Doug Thomas

Video saves overlooked or unsuccessful movies for us--some of the best entertainment of the year might otherwise go unseen and unsung. Consider our first and third picks, two box-office duds that were classified as kids' films when they hit theaters but are much more than that. They sandwich a film that refocused the world on the most tumultuous event of the century, World War II. Certainly these videos are worthy of being named on any "best of" list and, along with other great titles on the top 10 videos of 1999, give us entertainment worthy of multiple viewings.

1. "Babe: Pig in the City" (1998) (PG) VHS clamshell
starring Magda Szubanski, James Cromwell, and Babe the pig; directed by George Miller
So what if it's not as cute as the original? George Miller ("The Road Warrior"), who cowrote and produced "Babe," delivers a sequel that is out of this world and breaks new ground in story, style, and tone. The littlest tykes may not understand what's going on (and the film does push its G rating with its Roald Dahl-type darkness), but older family members (and adults) will get their entertainment bucks worth fourfold. The sequel is as gutsy as Babe's new spiked collar, and if you thought the animals performed like humans last time, just wait until you see this. Gene Siskel named this film 1998's best, and it's easily last year's most overlooked film. Read more

Our Price: $13.99 | You Save: $0.99 (7%)   


2. "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) (R) VHS or widescreen
starring Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, and Edward Burns; directed by Steven Spielberg
There's very little that hasn't been said about Steven Spielberg's World War II film. For those who saw it, it deserves to be seen again--the military expert can marvel in the film's deft detailing of the D day invasion; the future film director can break down the indelible action sequences. A new audience can be found too: those who stayed away from theaters after hearing about the excessive--yet necessary--violence. At home on a smaller screen, the film is not an encompassing experience, thus offering the right environment for the faint of heart who want to see the film. Read more

Our Price: $14.49 | You Save: $10.50 (42%)   


3. "The Iron Giant" (1999) (G) VHS Clamshell or widescreen
starring the voices of Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr.; directed by Brad Bird
Hands down the best movie of the year for families, and arguably the best movie of the year--period. Director Brad Bird ("The Simpsons") delivers the tale of a boy and his robot, the title character that falls from the sky into the golden autumn of Maine, circa 1957. A great movie with enough sly humor, wonder, and warmth for everyone. You'll watch this one again and again. Read more

Our Price: $16.07 | You Save: $6.88 (30%)   


4. "Elizabeth" (1998) (R) VHS
starring Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes; directed by Shekhar Kapur
This is not your mother's Elizabethan drama! The world of the Virgin Queen pulsates in this vibrant and even sexy movie that follows the future queen's adventures directly before and after her coronation. Nominated for seven Oscars, the film is the calling card of Cate Blanchett, who should have taken home the golden statutette for playing this very modern woman with great verve. Yes, that's Joseph Fiennes wooing Cate; he also wooed Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love" (see below). Read more

Our Price: $10.47 | You Save: $4.48 (30%)   


5. "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (NR) VHS
starring Renee Falconetti; directed by Carl Dreyer
The story of how "The Passion of Joan of Arc" was destroyed in its original form only to be found 60 years later is as amazing as the finished, restored film. Named on a "Sight and Sound" poll as one of the 10 best movies ever made, "Joan" is vibrant and towering, one of the few silent films that resonates with today's audiences. Of Renee Falconetti's lead performance, Pauline Kael suggested it "may be the finest performance ever recorded on film." Read more

Our Price: $25.95 | You Save: $4.00 (13%)   


6. "Indiana Jones Gift Set" (1981-1995) (PG-13) VHS Widescreen
starring Harrison Ford; directed by Steven Spielberg
Available for the first time in widescreen, all three "Indiana Jones" movies have never looked better on video. Despite shortcomings in the second film ("Temple of Doom"), the trilogy still stands as one of the best ever made, professionally handled throughout. The films are available in a gift set (with a free bonus tape of "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones") or individually. Read more

Our Price: $31.40 | You Save: $13.45 (30%)   


7. "Out of Sight" (1998) (R) VHS or widescreen
starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez; written and directed by Steven Soderbergh
George Clooney is the charismatic bank robber whose small blunders put him in prison before he escapes and takes FBI agent Jennifer Lopez hostage. And this is just the film's first 10 minutes! The opening scene alone, from this expert adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel, is more alive than nearly any other film made last year. Soderbergh aces Leonard's forte of smart dialogue, wicked comedy, and gritty crime. And the leads have the best chemistry in many a moon--they absolutely sizzle. Read more

Our Price: $13.99 | You Save: $0.99 (7%)   


8. "Ponette" (1996) (NR) VHS
starring Victoire Thivisol; directed by Jacques Doillon
"Ponette" isn't a film for children, but this poignant French tearjerker is a great film about children. As the 4-year-old title character who must overcome the loss of her mother in a car accident, 6-year-old Victoire Thivisol received the Best Actress award at the 1996 Venice Film Festival. Her performance is a heart-rending portrait of grief. Read more

Our Price: $25.95 | You Save: $4.03 (13%)   


9. "Shakespeare in Love" (1998) (R) VHS
starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes; directed by John Madden
Let's forget all the hype and the Oscar wins and remember this: this comedy takes most non-thespians' least favorite class, Shakespeare 101, and makes the Bard fun. And human. And sexy. Historically inaccurate, grammatically wrong, and a ton of fun to watch. Read more

Our Price: $16.09 | You Save: $6.90 (30%)   


10. "The Storyteller: Sapsorrow/The Luck Child" (1999) (NR) VHS
"The Storyteller: The Soldier and Death/A Story Short" (1999) (NR) VHS
Jim Henson made eight episodes of this wonderful series from HBO in 1987. After more than a decade, the series (well, at least half of it) finally appeared on video. The tone is similar to Henson's "The Dark Crystal" and "Labyrinth," but these videos (based on fables from other countries) are more complex and not as cute. It illustrates the difference in the intended audience--families, not just kids with parents in tow. Read more

Our Price: $11.99 | You Save: $0.96 (7%)   

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