Damon, Gabriel

Newsies (Collector's Edition)

Except for feature-length animation, the musical has gone the way of the dinosaur. The Walt Disney company took a stab at reviving the live-action musical in 1992 with Newsies, a throwback picture with a curious subject. In 1899, the pint-sized newsboys delivering the New York papers go on strike against the unfair practices of news magnates Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The production is heavy on kiddie humor, although Christian Bale (the child star of Spielberg's Empire of the Sun) is charismatic as one of the older leaders of the revolt. The adult stars don't fare as well, with Robert Duvall doddering around as Pulitzer and Ann-Margret and Bill Pullman doing decorative duty. The film was not well received when first released, but hindsight reveals its charm (and allowed the young target audience to catch up with the picture on video). The first-time director is Kenny Ortega, the choreographer of Dirty Dancing, who brings plenty of energy to the action. --Robert Horton

Starring Academy Award(R)-winner Robert Duvall (Best Actor -- TENDER MERCIES, 1983) and screen favorite Ann-Margret, here's the true story of a courageous group of newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they team up to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. Determined to make their dreams come true, they find the courage to challenge the powerful! Critically acclaimed from coast to coast -- if you're looking for must-see, feel-good entertainment, NEWSIES delivers!

The Land Before Time (Anniversary Edition)

This 1988 animated feature from Don Bluth (An American Tail) focuses on an orphaned young dinosaur, Littlefoot, who has to make his way to the paradise of the Great Valley in order to survive a plague. Along the way, he meets up with some other dinos from different species, and they all bond and travel together. On the way, they have plenty of adventures. Even with elements of suspense, this is a pretty relaxed movie that isn't in a particular hurry to roll out its story. Kids will like the originality of the concept, and the themes of friendship and cooperation are well woven into the fabric of the entertainment, plus the music is great. Bluth's artwork looks good, though--as always--he never seems to quite catch up with the quality of the Disney machine. --Tom Keogh

Tequila Sunrise

Robert Towne is one of Hollywood's most celebrated screenwriters, but because his directorial efforts have been few and far between, anticipation was high when this star-powered crime story was released in 1988. Critical reaction was decidedly mixed, but there's plenty to admire in this silky, visually seductive film about a drug dealer (Mel Gibson) whose best friend from high-school (Kurt Russell) is now working for the Los Angeles sheriff's drug detail. Their personal and professional conflicts are intensified by their love for the same woman, a waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer) at the Italian restaurant they both frequent. There's a big deal going down with a drug lord (the late Raul Julia), but as it twists and turns, Towne's story is really more about personal loyalties and individual honor. And even if it doesn't quite hold together, the movie's got a fantastic look to it (courtesy of the great cinematographer Conrad Hall), and the three stars bring depth and dimension to their well-written roles. --Jeff Shannon

TaleSpin, Volume 1

The ever-swinging Baloo from Disney's Jungle Book has taken up flying and is now the proud pilot of his very own bush plane--problem is, Baloo's laid-back, "work only when you want to" attitude is definitely not conducive to running a thriving business. Add in a young orphan bear named Kit Cloudkicker who's befriended Baloo and stolen a valuable treasure from a band of pirates led by the evil Don Karnage and a newly graduated business major Rebecca Cunningham who's recently purchased the deeds to Baloo's plane and cabin, and you've got an animated series that simply explodes with adventure and conflict. This three-disc, animated DVD set includes the 1990 four-part television pilot and 23 additional one and two-part episodes. The plots encompass everything from piracy and circus performing, to childrearing, oil shortages, and the unexpected importance of good spelling, but what always remains constant is Baloo's willingness to stand up and fight for his friends and what is right, even in the face of the toughest enemy. Throughout his adventures, Baloo also encounters many old acquaintances from the jungle including the corporate maverick Shere Kahn and the ever-cool nightclub operator Louie. (Ages 3 to 10) --Tami Horiuchi

Available for the first time ever on DVD, TALESPIN features beloved JUNGLE BOOK star Baloo the bear in his very own series. Happy-go-lucky pilot Baloo and his navigator Kit Cloudkicker are the intrepid flight crew for a cargo company owned by expert businesswoman Rebecca Cunningham. Throughout their travels, Baloo and Kit encounter familiar characters like the tree-swinging nightclub manager King Louie and corporate big shot Shere Khan. There's excitement at every turn as our heroes face off against Don Karnage and his band of evil Air Pirates, with only Baloo's skills and Kit's wits to save them. With three discs packed with laughs and thrills, the sky's the limit with TALESPIN!

TaleSpin, Volume 2

Everyone's favorite furry cargo pilot returns for more high-altitude hilarity in TALESPIN VOLUME 2! Beloved JUNGLE BOOK star Baloo the bear and his navigator Kit Clouldkicker take to the skies as couriers for their friend and boss the always resourceful businesswoman Rebecca Cunningham. With Rebecca's adventurous daughter Molly and ace mechanic Wildcat rounding out the crew the Higher for Hire crew is joined by the most memorable cast of colorful characters and scheming villains yet. Join our heroes as they face off against familiar foes like the evil Colonel Spigot -- as well as a whole new batch of rogues. Baloo and Kit battle air pirates ancient curses mummies and their most hair-raising challenge ever...finishing high school! With three discs packed with full-throttle thrills and first class excitement TALESPIN VOLUME 2 is a boxed set that really delivers!System Requirements:Running Time: 617 Mins. Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 786936746839

High adventure in the skies and on the ground are a daily occurrence for Jungle Book's Baloo in this second volume of 27 Disney Talespin episodes. Baloo, his sidekick Kit Cloudkicker, boss Rebecca Cunningham, and mechanic Wildcat operate a fledgling airplane charter service "Higher for Hire" that's continually on the brink of bankruptcy and is seemingly destined to land one complicated job after another. From archeological digs sabotaged by evil villains to treasure hunts-gone-wrong, half-baked money-making business schemes, Baloo's return to school, and some crazy schemes to preserve the idealism of childhood for Kit and Rebecca's young daughter Molly, Baloo and the gang can consistently be counted upon to become entangled in one sticky situation after another. Friend Louie the swinging nightclub operator is an integral part of several episodes as is the evil Don Carnage and the formidable Shere Khan. A host of new characters include old-time flyer Joe McGee, woman archeologist Katie Dodd, the dastardly Thaddeus Klang, and the Queen of Walla Walla Bing Bang. Baloo's comical bumbling and uncompromising resolve to stand up for his friends make this is a fun adventure series with a nice message about friendship. (Ages 3 - 10) --Tami Horiuchi

Robocop 2

With the surprise success--both critical and commercial--of Robocop, it was inevitable that a sequel would emerge (actually, two sequels). But this follow-up lacked the dyspeptically funny vision of filmmaker Paul Verhoeven and wound up skimming the surface to repeat only the most superficial elements of the original: the big, clunky hero (played by Peter Weller), the ultra-violence (minus a dark sense of humor), and the plethora of action sequences. What plot there is deals with the corporation that runs the cops and its two-pronged attempt to squeeze every dime out of the populace and the city: create a new drug crisis (with an incredibly addictive synthetic drug the corporation manufactures, spread by a charismatic drug lord) and then attack with a bigger robot, one that eliminates Robocop at the same time. Would that they had. --Marshall Fine

When Detroit's descent into chaos is further compounded by a police department strike and a new designer drug called Nuke, only Robocop can stop the mayhem. But in his way are an evil corporation that profits from Motor City crime and a bigger and tougher cyborg with a deadly directive: Take out Robocop. Containing the latest in gadgetry and weaponry as well as the brain of the madman who designed Nuke, this new cyborg isn't just more sophisticated than his predecessor...he's psychotic and out of control! And it's going to take everything Robocop has- maybe even his life-to save Detroit from complete and utter anarchy.

The Land Before Time - 9 Movie Dino Pack

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

Welcome to the fantasy world of "Little Nemo," filled with dreams of enchanted lands and new friends, amazing magic and fun-filled adventure. A place where anything is possible and the only boundaries are those of the imagination. In this major motion picture, Nemo journeys to the Kingdom of Slumberland. The King of Slumberland welcomes Nemo with open arts, making him heir to the throne and giving him a magical key that opens any door in the kingdom. "But I must warn you," the King says, "there is one door you must never open." Not heeding the King's advice, Nemo unlocks the door. With the King kidnapped and the nightmare unleashed upon the kind people of Slumberland, Nemo and his friends must venture into the depths of the Nightmare World in a courageous attempt to make things right. Will they be able to save the King and restore peace to the Kingdom of Slumberland? Only then will Nemo dream happily ever after.

The Land Before Time

This 1988 animated feature from Don Bluth (An American Tail) focuses on an orphaned young dinosaur, Littlefoot, who has to make his way to the paradise of the Great Valley in order to survive a plague. Along the way, he meets up with some other dinos from different species, and they all bond and travel together. On the way, they have plenty of adventures. Even with elements of suspense, this is a pretty relaxed movie that isn't in a particular hurry to roll out its story. Kids will like the originality of the concept, and the themes of friendship and cooperation are well woven into the fabric of the entertainment, plus the music is great. Bluth's artwork looks good, though--as always--he never seems to quite catch up with the quality of the Disney machine. --Tom Keogh

Robocop 2

With the surprise success--both critical and commercial--of Robocop, it was inevitable that a sequel would emerge (actually, two sequels). But this follow-up lacked the dyspeptically funny vision of filmmaker Paul Verhoeven and wound up skimming the surface to repeat only the most superficial elements of the original: the big, clunky hero (played by Peter Weller), the ultra-violence (minus a dark sense of humor), and the plethora of action sequences. What plot there is deals with the corporation that runs the cops and its two-pronged attempt to squeeze every dime out of the populace and the city: create a new drug crisis (with an incredibly addictive synthetic drug the corporation manufactures, spread by a charismatic drug lord) and then attack with a bigger robot, one that eliminates Robocop at the same time. Would that they had. --Marshall Fine

Peter Weller and Nancy Allen return for more crime-fighting action in the sequel to the sci-fi fantasy, "Robocop." This time, the "Future of Law Enforcement" is pitted against his newer, bigger and more powerful replacement.