Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Science Fiction and Fantasy Video Editor, Jeff Shannon FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: "The Day the Earth Stood Still" * New and Notable: "Star Trek: Insurrection," "Highlander: 10th Anniversary Edition," "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" * "Deep Space Nine": A stationary saga * Editor's Choice: "Rollerball" * Advance Orders: "The Matrix," "The Faculty" WORD FOR WORD ************* "Your choice is simple. Join us and live in peace or pursue your present course and face obliteration. We shall be waiting for your answer. The decision rests with you." --Klaatu (Michael Rennie) delivers a fateful ultimatum to the citizens of Earth, in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" "The Day the Earth Stood Still" starring Michael Rennie; directed by Robert Wise http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6302168465/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Star Trek: Insurrection" (widescreen edition) starring Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, and F. Murray Abraham; directed by Jonathan Frakes http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305587159/entertainmentsit The most recent big-screen "Trek" adventure was recently released on VHS in full-screen and widescreen editions, but we heartily recommend widescreen to better appreciate this enjoyable entry in the ongoing series of "Next Generation" features. This one finds Captain Picard and the Enterprise crew on a planet where radiation serves as a fountain of youth, leading to the exploitation of the planet and its people by a madman (F. Murray Abraham) seeking eternal youth. Rousing, romantic, and frequently amusing, this is one of the better "Trek" films of the 1990s. "Highlander: 10th Anniversary Edition" (R) starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery; directed by Russell Mulcahy http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/630414542X/entertainmentsit One of the most popular fantasy/action franchises of the 1980s and '90s began with this elaborate tale of a 16th-century Scottish immortal (Christopher Lambert) who journies through the centuries to present-day America with his enemy (Clancy Brown) in hot pursuit. He's mentored in battle by a fellow immortal (Sean Connery), and director Russell Mulcahy keeps it all moving with MTV-styled camerawork. The 10th Anniversary VHS edition presents the original Director's Cut in widescreen format. "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" (PG) starring the voice talents of Eric Idle and Terry Jones; directed by Terry Jones http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6304501692/entertainmentsit Although it was only given a brief theatrical release, this delightful family fantasy serves a splendid dual purpose: not only does it offer a semi-reunion of members of the Monty Python comedy troupe, it also tells a classic children's story with great warmth and dazzling production values. Eric Idle and Nicol Williamson play (respectively) Rat and Badger, who are on a mission with the bumbling Mr. Toad (Terry Jones) to fend off a bunch of annoying weasels. Comedic fantasy at its most endearing, with sets and costumes that will astonish viewers of any age. "DEEP SPACE NINE": A STATIONARY SAGA ************************************ After 27 years and the death of original series creator Gene Roddenberry, the "Star Trek" odyssey finally landed on a more permanent home--an alien space station retro-fit as Deep Space Nine, where United Federation of Planets caretakers kept a wary eye on the intergalactic travelers who passed through the portals of this rough-and-tumble off-world stopover. Now that the series is available in a series of collectible videos, we've asked Amazon.com contributor Tom Keogh to conduct a tour of "DS9" on video. See our article. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/12700 EDITOR'S CHOICE *************** "Rollerball" (R) starring James Caan, John Houseman, and John Beck; directed by Norman Jewison http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6301978307/entertainmentsit It was recently announced that the 1975 science fiction hit "Rollerball" was going to be remade as a big-budget action flick, and while that could turn out to be a cool movie, we're partial to the original. Directed by Norman Jewison and starring the perfectly cast James Caan, it's a hard-driving near-future drama in which Caan plays the reigning king of rollerball, a vicious arena sport (think modern-day gladiators on rollerskates) sponsored by all-powerful corporate conglomerates. Parallels to our present-day reality continue to make this a compelling film about celebrity, power, and the consequences of violence, and the sport of rollerball is brilliantly conceived and captured by Jewison's camera with raw kinetic energy. ADVANCE ORDERS ************** "The Matrix" (R) releases December 7 starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne; directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K2SC/entertainmentsit Virtual reality, martial arts, high-octane techno beats, and a reptilian alien presence: for hard-core science fiction fans, the Wachowski brothers' bravura action epic is a delirious joy-ride with a mix of portentous dialogue, convoluted plot points, video-game visuals, and sheer cool that made it 1999's standout movie. Keanu Reeves is the alpha geek hacker and possible Chosen One named Neo, Laurence Fishburne is his poker-faced mentor, Morpheus, and newcomer Carrie-Anne Moss is Trinity, the slinky cipher that brings pupil and master together for their showdown with the evil behind the Matrix. Keanu says it best: "Whoa!" "The Iron Giant" (PG) releases November 23 featuring the voices of Jennifer Aniston and Harry Connick Jr.; directed by Brad Bird http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000028U3T/entertainmentsit Neglected during its theatrical release but praised by many critics as one of 1999's best films, "The Iron Giant" is now poised to become a highly popular video, and its latecoming success is entirely deserved. Set during the cold war era and unfolding with a gentle combination of nostalgia, adventure, and social relevance, it's the story of a young boy who befriends a gigantic robot from outer space. All is well until U.S. military forces respond to the Iron Giant with defenses at the ready--but to reveal more about this delightful film would diminish its charm. It's a film that appeals to all ages, and you'll want to discover it for yourself. ****** Looking for power tools? From screwdrivers to scroll saws, our brand-new Home Improvement Store offers the planet's best selection of tools and more. Home Improvement ****** You'll find more great videos, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Science Fiction & Fantasy Video section at Science Fiction & Fantasy ******
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