The Awakening is the first volume in The Devil Lady series, which originally aired in 1998/1999. Included here are the first five episodes, titled:

Episode 01: Beast
Episode 02: Blood
Episode 03: Wings
Episode 04: Seed
Episode 05: Shark

Jun Fuduo is an adult fashion model that lives a rather ordinary life until Lan Asuka finds her. Asuka works for the Human Alliance, a government-sanctioned force that hunts and kills DevilBeasts. Asuka sees in Fuduo the potential to become a DevilMan and arranges her awakening in combat with a Beast. Asuka then tells Fuduo that she has no choice but to work for the Human Alliance, who with a DevilMan on their side, finally have a chance to kill the Beasts. With every transformation, Fuduo grows stronger, but will the hunter become the hunted?

I was not a big fan of DevilMan and I tend to shy away from horror anime in gen...Read the entire review

Princess Nine is a twenty-six episode anime series about an all female baseball team at Kisaragi Girl's High School focused on challenging – and beating – the boys' teams in the Koshien Tournament in order to shatter the sexual barriers in Japan. Lead by Ryo, their pitcher and a natural with the fastball, her team includes Seira, Hikaru, Yuki, Koharu, Izumi, Yoko, Mao, and Kanako. At first glance, the series might appear to be only about baseball, but Princess Nine is actually more complex. For many episodes, the series is actually concerned more with fleshing out the characters and their relationships with each other, than on baseball. Grand Slam!, reviewed here, is the final volume in the series, and contains episodes 22-26:

Episode 22: You're Not Alone, Yuki
Episode 23: Beauties vs. the Beasts
Episode 24: The Kiss
Episode 25: Field of Broken Dreams
Ep...Read the entire review

Checks and Balances of Terror is the third of six volumes in the twenty-six episode Dai-Guard series, which originally aired in 1999. Included here are episodes ten through thirteen, titled:

Episode 10: Wages that Correspond to Justice
Episode 11: Alibi: Two Heterodynes Attack Tokyo
Episode 12: Shinjuku at Night: Big Battle
Episode 13: Things that can be Forgiven, Things that can't be Forgiven.

Agent Shirota's plan is finally revealed, as the army unveils its own mech, named Kokubogar. With Kokubogar, the 21st Century Defense Security Corporation and Dai-Guard are technically out of the game, but Akagi refuses to give up. After a contest between the two, Heterodynes attack Tokyo. Kokubogar is possessed in a battle that follows, and to save the pilot inside, Dai-Guard is again activated, with Agent Shirota once more lending his military expertise.

The episodes o...Read the entire review

To Serve and Defend, But Not to Spend is the second of six volumes in the twenty-six episode Dai-Guard series, which originally aired in 1999. Included here are episodes six through nine, titled:

Episode 06: Memories Taught Me
Episode 07: Fire and Ice
Episode 08: A Strange Day
Episode 09: Explosion! Knot Buster!

After having activated the Dai-Guard to repel the threat of the Heterodynes, three employees of the P.R. department of the 21st Century Defense Security Corporation – Akagi, Ibuki, and Aoyama – continue to work together to operate the three-person mech to combat the further appearances of the Heterodynes. The military, however, is less ecstatic of Dai-Guard's continued success, as the mech is being run by civilians. Agent Shirota liaisons between the two, but has his own plans for Dai-Guard.

Though it is reminiscent of several other anime series, suc...Read the entire review

Toy Soldiers, originally released in 1991, was based on the novel by William P. Kennedy and directed by Daniel Petrie Jr. Starring in the film are Sean Astin (Billy), Wil Wheaton (Joey), Keith Coogan (Snuffy), Andrew Divoff (Luis Cali), R. Lee Ermey (General Kramer), Denholm Elliott (Headmaster), and Louis Gossett Jr. (Dean Parker).

When his father is incarcerated in America, Luis Cali and a band of Colombian terrorists take the Regis School hostage in order to gain his father's release. The Regis School is an elite boarding school, home to many sons of influential fathers who have gotten kicked out other, more prestigious, schools. One of these is Billy Tepper, the leader of several likeminded trouble-making teens. However, when the terrorists take the school, Billy and his friends use their ingenuity to aid the military in regaining the school and saving their classmates.

Sean Asti...Read the entire review

Armed and Dangerous, originally released in 1986, was directed by Mark L. Lester (Commando). Starring in the film are John Candy (Frank Dooley), Eugene Levy (Norman Kane), Meg Ryan (Maggie), and Robert Loggia (Michael Carlino).

After Frank Dooley is kicked off the police force for a crime he didn't commit, he applies to be a security guard at Guard Dog Security. There he runs into and befriends ex-lawyer Norman Kane, and the two are assigned the night watch at a warehouse. However, after they unsuccessfully attempt to stop a heist, they're blamed and transferred to more undesirable assignments. Frank thinks something is amiss, and, with Norman's help, begins investigating the connection between Michael Carlino, who runs the Union and owns Guard Dog, and the robberies which have taken place recently.

John Candy was always one of my favorite comedic actors, starring in such...Read the entire review

The original Highlander, starring Christopher Lambert, is one of my favorite films, deftly mixing science-fiction and action with a great premise – immortal warriors fighting for 'the prize.' Though the film had a definite conclusion, two rather poor sequels were released that rendered the ending of the first inconsequential. However, two years before the second sequel came out, the first season of the Highlander television series debuted in 1992. Starring Adrian Paul as Duncan McLeod, Conner's cousin, the series ran for six seasons before ending in 1998.

As an Immortal, Duncan McLeod is forced to wander the Earth forever, always trying to keep himself hidden from the evil Immortals that would seek to take his power via decapitation in an effort to attain the ultimate power that being 'The One' grants. Fortunately, he is not alone, as both mortals and Immortals have befriended an...Read the entire review

Monday Night Mayhem was made for and released on the TNT Network in the early part of 2002. The film is based on the novel by Marc Gunther and Bill Carter. Directed by Ernest Dickerson, the film stars John Turturro (Howard Cosell), John Heard (Roone Arledge), Kevin Anderson (Frank Gifford), Nicholas Turturro (Chet Forte), Brad Beyer (Don Meredith), and Shuler Hensley (Keith Jackson).

In 1968, ABC decided to take a chance on Monday Night Football, after it was passed on by NBC and CBS. Rather than stick with one commentator for the games, executive producer Roone Arledge approached the program with a new perspective: he would have three men in the booth and give it a 'primetime' feel. Two of them would be ex-football players to provide insight into the game and plays, with the third providing some drama. Howard Cosell, an accomplished sports reporter, was selected to be the third man. Fo...Read the entire review

Derailed is Jean-Claude Van Damme's latest film, having arrived direct-to-video in October. Directed by Bob Misiorowski, the film stars Van Damme (Kristoff), Tomas Arana (Mason Cole), Laura Elena Harring (Galina), and Van Damme's son, Kristopher (Ethan).

After stealing a dangerous biological weapon, Galina, a high-tech thief, desperately needs to escape Eastern Europe. To this end, Agent Kristoff is assigned to assist her extraction via train. However, terrorists soon occupy the train and compromise the biological agent, infecting everyone on board. With time running out, Kristoff must stop the terrorists and retrieve the chemical so an antidote can be made.

To say that Van Damme's cinematic track record has been spotty of late is an understatement. Before last year's The Replicant, Van Damme starred in little that sparked my interest since 1996's Maximum Risk and Th...Read the entire review

Completed last year, Chasing Holden finally arrives on DVD, no doubt to try and capitalize on whatever fame DJ Qualls acquired with The New Guy. Directed by Malcolm Clarke, the film stars Qualls (Neil) and Rachel Blanchard (T.J.). Sean Kanan, who wrote the film, also appears as Mr. Patterson.

Fresh off a stay at a mental institution, Neil Lawrence, the New York Governor's son, is enrolled in an elite boarding school. For English, Neil is charged with writing a paper that explores what happened to Holden Caulfield after the events depicted in the classic J.D. Salinger novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Feeling unable to complete the assignment on his own, Neil and T.J., a girl he met at school, go on a 'road trip' of sorts to see New York and ask Salinger in person how Holden's life turned out.

The first thing I immediately thought of when I saw the title of this film was Ke...Read the entire review

Following on the heels of the previously released Ultimate Villain Showdown and no doubt to capitalize on the recent home video release of Spider-Man, comes Spider-Man: Return of the Green Goblin, another hodgepodge collection of episodes from the 90's Spider-Man animated series (plus one from 1967).

Fans will recall that Ultimate Villain Showdown contained Chapters 2-5 of 'Sins of the Fathers' and Chapter 3 of 'Partners in Danger.' Return of the Green Goblin contains Chapters 12-14 of 'Sins of the Fathers' and Chapters 1 & 8 of 'Partners in Danger.' While this is somewhat confusing, the episode selection on Return of the Green Goblin is actually much better, though I can't say that I wouldn't rather have a complete arc of episodes, rather than a few here and there.

In 'Sins of the Fathers,' a scientist, who later takes the name of the Spot...Read the entire review

Swing Kids, originally released theatrically in 1993, was directed by Thomas Carter. Starring in the film are: Robert Sean Leonard (Peter), Christian Bale (Thomas), Frank Whaley (Arvid), Barbara Hershey (Frau Muller), Noah Wyle (Emil), and Kenneth Branagh.

In the late 30s, many German teenagers rebelled against joining Nazi youth organizations (Hitler's Judgend or the H.J. for short), instead choosing to watch American films, dress in British fashions, and listen to swing music. These teens were known as Swing Kids.

Peter, Arvid, and Thomas were three such 'Swing Kids,' often attending music clubs at night, and were totally against joining the Nazi party. However, after getting caught stealing a radio, Peter has little choice other than to join the H.J.s to stay out of trouble. Thomas joins as well, refusing to let his friend venture in alone. As H.J.s, each begins to change, slowly ...Read the entire review

Billy Bathgate, released theatrically in 1991, was directed by Robert Benton and based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. Starring in the film are: Dustin Hoffman (Dutch Schultz), Nicole Kidman (Drew Preston), Loren Dean (Billy Bathgate), Bruce Willis (Bo), Steve Buscemi (Irving), and Stanley Tucci (Lucky Luciano).

Growing up poor in the mid 1930s, young Billy Bathgate latches onto mob kingpin Dutch Schultz after a chance encounter and is determined to make something of himself in that world. Starting as his gopher, Bathgate soon moves up, due to his honesty and hard work. When pending indictments force Schultz and his close crew to the countryside in order to have a more impartial hearing, Schultz brings him along to keep tabs on Drew Preston, a recently acquired moll. However, among indictments and betrayals, Schultz's empire soon begins to crumble, leaving Bathgate exposed.

Though th...Read the entire review

The Santa Clause was a surprise live-action hit from Disney during the holiday season of 1994, grossing over $144 million in the U.S. With The Santa Clause 2 arriving in theaters this winter, now is as good a time as any for Disney to capitalize on the franchise and re-release the original on DVD, though this time as a 'Special Edition.' Directed by John Pasquin, the film stars Tim Allen (Scott Calvin/Santa Claus), Judge Reinhold (Dr. Neal Miller), Wendy Crewson (Laura Miller), and Eric Lloyd (Charlie).

Scott Calvin is a successful executive at a toy company who spends little time with his son, Calvin, after getting divorced. However, when they spend Christmas Eve together, Scott ends up 'killing' Santa Claus when he startles him, causing him to fall off the rooftop. With much urging from his son, Scott puts on the suit and climbs in the sleigh, unknowingly fulfilling 'The Santa C...Read the entire review

Liberty Stands Still arrives on DVD this month, which is rather quick, considering it premiered on Cinemax a scant two months ago. Starring Wesley Snipes (Joe), Linda Fiorentino (Liberty), and Oliver Platt, the film was written and directed by Kari Skogland.

As Liberty Wallace, a VP at McCloud Guns, gets her drug fix from a local hotdog vendor, 'Joe' greets her on her cell phone, telling her that she is in the sight of his sniper rifle – a rifle manufactured by her company. With little choice other than to cooperate, she shackles herself to the hotdog cart, which is also rigged with a bomb that will denote when the battery of her cell runs out. Now with her complete attention, Joe reveals that he seeks revenge for the death of his daughter, who died in a school shooting, and wants to use her political connections and this incident to spark a public debate on the 2nd Amendment.

I...Read the entire review

Lasting almost a decade on television, the X-Files ran for nine seasons, the last of which wrapped earlier this year. Debuting back in 1993, the series stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as two FBI agents (Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, respectively) assigned to the X-Files, which are shelved cases involving the paranormal, extraterrestrial, occult, and the just plain bizarre. Throughout much of the series, the main goal of Mulder was that in finding his sister, Samatha, who was abducted in front of him when they were both children. This task is made easier when he discovers and begins to investigate the X-Files, as similar cases could lead to information that might aid in discovering the truth concerning her disappearance. Scully is paired with him to provide scientific explanations for their discoveries and to keep him grounded. Throughout the X-Files, the main themes included ...Read the entire review

8 Heads in a Duffel Bag, originally released theatrically in 1997, was written and directed by Tom Schulman. With mixed reactions from critics, the film only pulled in $3.6 million and left theaters rather quickly. Starring in the film are: Joe Pesci (Tommy), Andy Comeau (Charlie), Kristy Swanson (Laurie Bennett), Todd Louiso (Steve), George Hamilton (Mr. Bennett), Dyan Cannon (Mrs. Bennett), and David Spade (Ernie).

Working for the mob in L.A., Tommy is assigned with bringing Big Sep the heads of eight recently murdered men who made the mistake of crossing him. While on the plane, however, his duffel bag containing the heads gets switched with Charlie's identical bag. Charlie, a traveling college student on spring break, is trying to spend his vacation with Laurie, his girlfriend, and her parents in Mexico. Tommy soon discovers the error and goes ballistic, as he was given only twenty-...Read the entire review

During the mid-nineties, Sinbad starred in several terrific family-oriented comedies, the best and first being Houseguest (First Kid and Cherokee Kid followed). Directed by Randall Miller, the film also stars Phil Hartman (Gary), and Kim Greist (Emily).

On the run from the mob for borrowing money for his latest get-rich quick scheme, Kevin Franklin (Sinbad) impersonates the childhood friend of Gary Young at the airport in order to escape. To keep up the ruse and stay away from the mob, Kevin takes Gary up on his offer to stay with his family for the next three days. However, Kevin quickly finds it a struggle to discover who exactly he's pretending to be. During his time with them, though, he'll help mend the family and learn the value of friendship.

Over the years, I've watched Houseguest more times than I can count and it never fails to make me laugh. For my mo...Read the entire review

Long before more recent serial killer films, such as Kiss the Girls, The Bone Collector, and the series of Hannibal Lecter films, there was The Collector. Originally released in 1965, the film was directed by William Wyler and based on the novel by John Fowles. The film stars Terence Stamp (Freddie) and Samantha Eggar (Miranda). Nominated for three Academy Awards (Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay), the film walked away empty handed, though both leads won honors at the Cannes Film Festival and Eggar also won a Golden Globe for her performance.

After winning a large sum of money, Freddie, a London bank clerk and avid butterfly collector, sets in motion his plan to make his dream come true. Obsessed with Miranda, a young art student who caught his eye, he kidnaps and holds her prisoner in an elaborately furnished room in a remote house with the intentions of them g...Read the entire review

While it seems like another movie featuring the musketeers pops up rather frequently, films based on Alexandre Dumas' other works are slightly less common, though are by no means rare. The Count of Monte Cristo has been adapted an astonishing twenty-three times (according to the IMDB) in TV and film before this latest attempt hit the big screen, the most recent being a television mini-series starring Gérard Depardieu that premiered in 1998. Directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Jim Caviezel (Edmund Dantes) and Guy Pearce (Fernand Mondego), this latest retelling did $54 million at the box office earlier this year.

Edmund Dantes, a commoner, and Fernand Mondego, a noble, appear to be the best of friends, having met in childhood. However, Mondego is secretly jealous of Dantes and has been plotting to take away his bride-to-be, Mercedes. When the opportunity arises, Mondego accuses Dantes...Read the entire review

ADV's release of Galaxy Fraulein Yuna on DVD includes both the original two-part OVA from 1995, titled "Sorrowful Saline" and Galaxy Fraulein Yuna Returns, the three-part OVA sequel from 1996, titled "Fairy of the Deep Darkness."

In "Sorrowful Saline," Mistress Fraulein D of the Galaxy Alliance dispatches Saline to investigate Yuna, as she is suspected of plotting to conquer the galaxy, despite the fact that she's saved it twice previously. With some trickery, Yuna, the 'Savior of Light,' is made to look responsible for the destruction of her city, as a mech that resembled hers went on a rampage. Apprehended by Saline, Yuna is tried and found guilty of treason, with the punishment being banishment into a black hole. Now her friends must prove her innocence and rescue her from the sinister manipulations of D.

In "Fairy of the Deep Darkness," Yuna takes on a trio of evil androids ...Read the entire review

Island of the Sharks, originally released in the IMAX format, was written and directed by Howard Hall. Narrated by Linda Hunt, the film is set on Cocos Island, a Costa Rican National Park, which is the largest uninhabited island in the world. Along with hammerheads and white-tipped reef sharks, the film also presents the audience with images of marlins, sea lions, starfish, eel rays, manta rays, hermit crabs, flounders, green turtles, and goat fish, among others.

IMAX films are generally known for their ability to captivate audiences with breathtaking images of the subject material. Island of the Sharks is no different, as it showcases many spectacular and beautiful underwater vistas. Watching as a pack of white-tipped reef sharks hunt prey at night or seeing sea lions corral a herd of fish into a tornado-esque funnel to pick them off one by one are just two of the fantastic scene...Read the entire review

If I had to guess the three hottest properties in anime now, I'd go with Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. Sharing much of the same merchandising strategy as those other two series, Yu-Gi-Oh! has video games, collectible card games, clothing, and, of course, an animated TV series. Originally released in Japan, Yu-Gi-Oh! appeared first as a more teenager/adult oriented series and when it concluded, the series was remade to appeal more to children. It's the latter series that has arrived here, and presented on this DVD are the first three episodes:

Episode 1: Heart of the Cards
Episode 2: The Gauntlet's Thrown
Episode 3: Journey to the Duelist Kingdom

Yami Yugi enjoys playing the Duel Monsters card game with his friends at school and gets loads of playing tips from his grandfather, who runs a game shop. To impress his friends, Yugi takes them all to see ...Read the entire review

Originally released theatrically in 1992 and directed by Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Serving Sara), Boomerang is almost a who's who of black entertainers, though at the time, most were early on in their careers. The cast includes: Eddie Murphy (Marcus), Robin Givens (Jacqueline), Halle Berry (Angela), David Alan Grier (Gerard), Martin Lawrence (Tyler), Grace Jones (Strangé), Chris Rock (Bony T), John Witherspoon (Mr. Jackson), and Lela Rochon (Christie).

Marcus Graham is a highly successful advertising executive who has no problem bedding women. In search of perfection, Marcus has gone through many a female and has yet to discover one that meets his high standards. That is, until Jacqueline, his new boss, arrives during the company merger. He finds himself falling for her, though when she starts treating him the same way he's been treating women previously, his performance at wo...Read the entire review

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of my all-time favorite anime series. Released originally in Japan in 1995, the series ran twenty-six episodes, with the last two being both confusing and somewhat bizarre. Created to appease the fans, End of Evangelion was a theatrically released new conclusion to the series that, depending on your perspective, takes the place of or works in addition to episodes 25 & 26.

For those unfamiliar with the TV series, Neon Genesis Evangelion, followed the exploits of three fourteen-year olds – Shinji, Asuka, and Rei – who pilot EVAs in an attempt to defend Tokyo 3 from the Angels, otherworldly creatures bent upon our destruction. Episode twenty-four concludes with Shinji's destruction of the final Angel, Kaoru, after which, Shinji collapsed into near schizophrenia.

After Shinji defeats the final angel, SEELE takes an offensive against NERV,...Read the entire review

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of my all-time favorite anime series. Released originally in Japan in 1995, the series ran twenty-six episodes. In May of 2000, ADV released the first of eight volumes that comprised the series on DVD. More than a year later, the final volume was released, and earlier this year, the entire eight-volume set was introduced in a more affordable package dubbed The Perfect Collection. While much of The Perfect Collection is identical to the original releases, even down to the annoying ADV trailers before the main menu, there are some differences. The first volume was re-mastered and both the first and second volumes received new DVD inserts so the spines would match the other six. Extras remain the same, and are spread across the collection.

In the year 2015, the battle for mankind is waged between deadly, bio-humanoid, combat mechs known as Evang...Read the entire review

Hostile Takeover is the first of six volumes in the twenty-six episode Dai-Guard series, which originally aired in 1999. Included here are the first five episodes, titled:

Episode 01: Disaster from the Sea
Episode 02: The Fort at Night
Episode 03: Circumstances of a Hero
Episode 04: The Heroine's Melancholy
Episode 05: Can't Run Facing the Setting Sun

Designed to combat Heterodynes, the one prototype Dai-Guard was relegated to being a public relations tool after their disappearance twelve years ago. The Dai-Guard is the responsibility of the P.R. department of the 21st Century Defense Security Corporation and three of the staff – Akagi, Ibuki, and Aoyama – are on duty as tour guides at a convention where the Dai-Guard is displayed as an exhibit. However, when a Heterodyne suddenly appears, instead of activating the Dai-Guard, a giant three-person mech, the milita...Read the entire review

Dragon Half, originally released back in 1993, consists of two twenty-five minute OVAs, titled Mink's Voyage and Brutal, Killer Martial Arts Tournament. A mix of regular and super deformed animation, Dragon Half is often hilarious, and reminds me, albeit in a more low-key way, of the more recent Excel Saga.

As the daughter of a Red Dragon and a famous knight, Mink retained her mother's wings, ability to breathe fire, and strength, while appearing mostly human. Mink is a teenager, obsessed with Dick Saucer, a pop singer and, in his spare time, dragon hunter. The King, determined to take the Red Dragon for a bride, plots Mink's demise. Mink, though, is unconcerned with the sudden attempts on her life, instead worrying about how to earn the money to see Saucer in concert. Through one of the King's ploys, Mink enters into the Brutal, Killer Martial Arts Tourna...Read the entire review

Based on the popular videogame series of the same name, Power Stone consists of twenty-six episodes spread over six volumes. The Last Battlefield, reviewed here, is Volume 6, and contains episodes 22-26:

Episode 22: Crisis in the House of Falcon
Episode 23: Pursuit of the Power Stones
Episode 24: United We Stand!
Episode 25: Battle Field
Episode 26: Hill of Destiny

After receiving a note from his father that his family was in crisis, Falcon returns home, only to discover it's a trick. While there, another power stone is stolen, prompting Falcon and his party to warn his other friends that possess power stones. Despite their efforts, more are stolen, and while several clues point to Valgas' involvement in the theft, Falcon refuses to accept this. On the trail of the stones, their quest leads them to Darkland, where Valgas and the final battle for the stones await. ...Read the entire review

Based on the popular videogame series of the same name, Power Stone consists of twenty-six episodes spread over six volumes. Friends & Enemies, reviewed here, is Volume 5, and contains episodes 18-21:

Episode 18: Run Toward Tomorrow
Episode 19: Danger Cruise
Episode 20: Get Kraken
Episode 21: Valgas' Promise

Seven legendary stones imbued with mystic power are scattered throughout the land. Prophecy foretells that the stones have the power to make dreams come true and, when combined, a miracle will occur. Falcon, in possession of one of the stones, discovers that by activating it, he can create a battlesuit to fight in. With several friends, also in possession a few power stones, Falcon travels the land in search of the rest and in the hopes of defeating Draken, the pirate king, and his henchman, the Octopus Twins. After their defeat, however, Falcon runs into Va...Read the entire review

While movie-goers are probably more familiar with the new, Matt Damon, version of The Bourne Identity, Robert Ludlum's novel was also the basis for a two-part TV miniseries during 1988, also titled The Bourne Identity. As many did this summer, I too went to see The Bourne Identity in theaters, having no knowledge of the earlier miniseries and not having read the novel. Intrigued with the premise of the film, I went in with high expectations and came away mostly disappointed. Several of the action scenes (especially that stairwell mess) were completely unbelievable, there was little in the way of romance or character interaction, and Damon just didn't cut it as an 'action hero.' When the 1988 version of The Bourne Identity came up for review, I gave the material another chance. Not that this version is without flaw, but I found that it worked much better than this summer...Read the entire review

Movie:
Reminiscent of both America's Sweethearts and Wizard of Oz, Betty is a mixture of the subtler moments of each, though still managing to be mostly unique. Finished in 1997, Betty was released theatrically earlier this year in a limited run. The film stars Cheryl Pollak (Betty), Holland Taylor (Crystal), Udo Kier (Vicent), Ron Perlman (Donnie), Stephen Gregory (Fred), and Dan O'Donahue (Burt).

Believing herself not worthy of the luxurious life of a movie star, Betty Monday walks off the set of her latest $70M film, in order to get her head straight and discover what she wants out of life. While renting a house in Palm Springs, she scoops a leaf out of the pool, and feeling alive in the process, convinces the pool man to let her 'team up' with him. Run-ins with the muscle cream salesman and grocery deliveryman also have similar results. But before lon...Read the entire review

Movie:
Tokyo Revelation, originally released in Japan in 1994, has now arrived in the US, courtesy of Manga Video.

Determined to take his revenge on those who tormented him in elementary school, Akito enters into a contract with demons. Using a computer program, he is able to bring them into the surface world to possess and destroy humans, though in order to do so, they must have magnetite. At school, he discovers a girl, Saki, who possesses an overabundance of the substance in her body. Using her, he plans to bring Satan to the surface world…but one is determined to defeat the demons – Kojiro, Akito's childhood friend.

For a sixty-minute OVA, Tokyo Revelation has a huge supporting cast of characters who really contribute very little to the storyline. In addition to Kojiro and Akito, there are also a coven of 'witches," two spiritual ninjas, a priest, Saki's fou...Read the entire review

After Season One's release on DVD earlier this year, it was only a matter of time till Season Two of Friends, which originally aired on TV from 1995-96, arrived on our beloved format. Friends is, of course, the hit comedy sitcom from NBC. The show stars Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Matthew Perry (Chandler), Courtney Cox (Monica), Matt LeBlanc (Joey), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe), and David Schwimmer (Ross). For those who have never seen the show, the series explores the intertwining friendships, relationships, and lives of the six main characters through a variety of situations and events.

The twenty-four episodes of Season Two are: Ross's New Girlfriend, The Breast Milk, Heckles Dies, Phoebe's Husband, Five Steaks and an Eggplant, The Baby on the Bus, Ross Finds Out, The List, Phoebe's Dad, Russ, The Lesbian Wedding, After The Super Bowl (pts 1 & 2), The Prom Video, Ross and ...Read the entire review

Princess Nine is a twenty-six episode anime series about an all female baseball team at Kisaragi Girl's High School focused on challenging – and beating – the boys' teams in the Koshien Tournament in order to shatter the sexual barriers in Japan. Lead by Ryo, their pitcher and a natural with the fastball, her team includes Seira, Hikaru, Yuki, Koharu, Izumi, Yoko, Mao, and Kanako. At first glance, the series might appear to be only about baseball, but Princess Nine is actually more complex. For many episodes, the series is actually concerned more with fleshing out the characters and their relationships with each other, than on baseball. Bases Loaded!, reviewed here, is the fifth of six volumes in the series, and contains episodes 18-21:

Episode 18: Gift
Episode 19: Hearts & Diamonds
Episode 20: Back in Training
Episode 21: I Hate You, Takasugi

After he...Read the entire review