Jonge, Marc De

Empire of the Sun

Roundly dismissed as one of Steven Spielberg's least successful efforts, this very underrated film poignantly follows the World War II adventures of young Jim (a brilliant Christian Bale), caught in the throes of the fall of China. What if you once had everything and lost it all in an afternoon? What if you were only 12? Bale's transformation, from pampered British ruling-class child to an imprisoned, desperate, nearly feral boy, is nothing short of stunning. Also stunning are exceptional sets, cinematography, and music (the last courtesy of John Williams) that enhance author J.G. Ballard's and screenwriter Tom Stoppard's depiction of another, less familiar casualty of war.

In a time when competitors were releasing "comedic," derivative coming-of-age films, Empire of the Sun stands out as an epic in the classic David Lean sense--despite confusion or perceived competition with the equally excellent The Last Emperor (also released in 1987, and also a coming-of-age in a similar setting). It is also a remarkable testament to, yes, the human spirit. And despite its disappointing box-office returns, Empire of the Sun helped to further establish Spielberg as more than a commercial director and set the standard, tone, and look for future efforts Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. --N.F. Mendoza

Rambo III

No Description Available.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: R
Release Date: 19-AUG-2005
Media Type: DVD

And the hits just keep on coming. Sylvester Stallone, who can't seem to draw flies unless he's playing Rocky Balboa or John Rambo, went back to the Rambo well (or septic system, as it were) to show his well-known solidarity with the Afghan freedom fighters who battled the Soviet army in the 1980s. This time it's personal: his handler, Richard Crenna, is captured by the Evil Empire and so it's up to Rambo to leave his work in a monastery in Southeast Asia (oh, puh-leeze) in order to rescue him from the Ruskies. Ever wonder why the Russians had such a miserable time in Afghanistan? It was because Rambo took them on single-handed and kicked their hammer-and-sickle heinies all the way back to Moscow. Cartoonish action, taken ever so seriously by Stallone, who was working desperately to scrape away the unsightly wax buildup from his reputation. --Marshall Fine

The Boy from Lebanon

This truly unusual film tells the story of ten-year old boy who is recruited and trained to commit an act of international terrorism for his religion Islam. System Requirements:Run Time: 90 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: FOREIGN/LATIN UPC: 667443574149 Manufacturer No: WOL4413D

Mary of Nazareth

While the importance of Mary of Nazareth in the Gospels cannot be overstated, rarely is her life on its own looked at. This docudrama, filmed on location in the Middle East with 110 actors and 8,500 extras, does just that, dramatizing her story from her betrothal to Joseph to her witnessing of the crucifixion of her only son. Part 1 shows Mary in her hometown of Nazareth, examining what life was like for her and Joseph. It shows her encounter with the angel who announces that she will give birth to the son of the Holy Spirit, who will be called Jesus, the Son of God. Part 2 depicts Mary having to watch her son betrayed and humiliated, unable to help him. Told with sympathy and objectivity, this video is an exhaustive look at Mary as seen in the Gospels. --Samantha Allen Storey

This program tells the story of Mary, the one person who was with Jesus from birth to death. This feature-length docu-drama about the mother to the Son of God was filmed in the Middle East with a cast of 110 actors and 8,500 extras. In Nazareth, young Mary is a simple girl loved and cherished by all. One day, in a blinding light, an angel announces to Mary that she will give birth to a son who will be called the Son of God. Following this extraordinary announcement, she does bear a son who grows strong in wisdom and in spirit, and is soon ready to fulfill His destiny. With His baptism in the Jordan river, Jesus now begins His ministry. Many people, even Mary, had the wrong idea about Jesus, believing He would restore their nation to its former glory. In their disappointment, people turned against Him and He was betrayed, humiliated, tortured and crucified. Mary witnessed all of this, unable to reach out and help, even as He met death with tender words of forgiveness for His murderers.

Mary of Nazareth: From Nativity to Calvary

Directed by Cannes Film Festival award-winner Jean Dellanoy (La Symphonie Pastorale), Mary of Nazareth traces the life of Mary in her many roles - beloved daughter, wife of Joseph, mother of Jesus, and inspiration to all. Myriam Muller stars as Mary, the simple, young girl from Galilee, visited by the angel, Gabriel, who announces to her in a blinding light that she will give birth to Jesus- an event that will change the course history forever. Blind to His real mission, the people are sure that Jesus will help them to restore their nation to it's former glory. But He is there for something more important. He is not only the Jesus of history but also the Christ of faith. Share Mary's unique perspective as her son touches, heals and ministers to thousands, only to be humiliated and crucified before her very eyes. With over 100 featured actors and 8,500 extras, Mary of Nazareth is beautifully and reverently told, with nothing left out from the Gospels. One can only believe that if she had known all she would suffer as the mother of Jesus, Mary would have given the same response, "I am the Lord's servant."

Street of No Return

Keith Carradine (Nashville, The Tie That Binds) stars as a former pop star who has it all, until he fell in love with the wrong gangster's girl and had his throat cut for his sins. Now a drifter, he lives in a haze of amnesia, alcohol and misery, until one day, he rediscovers himself and a chance for vengeance. Legendary director Samuel Fuller's (Naked Kiss, Pickup on South Street) final film is a raw, powerful and stylish masterpiece in the genre that he helped to define. Based on the classic crime-novel by David Goodis (Shoot the Piano Player), this brutal tale strikes with the impact of a hammer blow to the head (literally!). Fantoma is proud to present the U.S. premiere of this modern classic, from one of cinema's most original visionaries, in a special new edition.

Rambo III

And the hits just keep on coming. Sylvester Stallone, who can't seem to draw flies unless he's playing Rocky Balboa or John Rambo, went back to the Rambo well (or septic system, as it were) to show his well-known solidarity with the Afghan freedom fighters who battled the Soviet army in the 1980s. This time it's personal: his handler, Richard Crenna, is captured by the Evil Empire and so it's up to Rambo to leave his work in a monastery in Southeast Asia (oh, puh-leeze) in order to rescue him from the Ruskies. Ever wonder why the Russians had such a miserable time in Afghanistan? It was because Rambo took them on single-handed and kicked their hammer-and-sickle heinies all the way back to Moscow. Cartoonish action, taken ever so seriously by Stallone, who was working desperately to scrape away the unsightly wax buildup from his reputation. --Marshall Fine

Tolerance

The story of a monk (played by Rupert Everett) who was expelled by the church and his story thereafter. He finds sanctuary on a small estate owned by a man named Marmant (Ugo Tognazzi) who dreams of starting an academy of gastronomy. Marmant s young wife Tolerance (Annne Brochet) welcomes the austere monk with open arms but tensions with the nobleman increase day by day. Conflicts and alliances form and re-form within the stately residence .until the monk reveals himself to be much less than the pious man he portrayed on his arrival.System Requirements:Runtime: 107 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 873820000426 Manufacturer No: SKDDV200426

Rambo III (Special Edition)

And the hits just keep on coming. Sylvester Stallone, who can't seem to draw flies unless he's playing Rocky Balboa or John Rambo, went back to the Rambo well (or septic system, as it were) to show his well-known solidarity with the Afghan freedom fighters who battled the Soviet army in the 1980s. This time it's personal: his handler, Richard Crenna, is captured by the Evil Empire and so it's up to Rambo to leave his work in a monastery in Southeast Asia (oh, puh-leeze) in order to rescue him from the Ruskies. Ever wonder why the Russians had such a miserable time in Afghanistan? It was because Rambo took them on single-handed and kicked their hammer-and-sickle heinies all the way back to Moscow. Cartoonish action, taken ever so seriously by Stallone, who was working desperately to scrape away the unsightly wax buildup from his reputation. --Marshall Fine

Tolerance