Kruse, Doug

One Love - The Bob Marley All-Star Tribute

Conceived with DVD release in mind, this high-end, live video concert taped in Jamaica lives up to its title with a generous repertoire of Bob Marley songs performed by reverent pop, hip-hop, rock, and reggae veterans. Shot on a rainy night in December 1999, the home video version expands upon an inaugural TNT cable telecast with an additional hour of performances. The DVD edition adds a premium level of special features and exclusive content.

The music's the main thing, of course, and on that front One Love is uniformly respectful, orbiting around Marley's songs and infused with whiffs of his Rastafarian world view and reggae's broader Third World perspectives. Marley's family members serve as hosts and frequent collaborators, with a limber house band further reinforcing a coherent, communal element to the performances, and the titular all-stars immerse themselves in Marley's world. Lauryn Hill opens the concert with what is clearly one of its highest points, a joyful "Turn the Lights Down Low." Chrissie Hynde and Erykah Badu take turns duetting with Jimmy Cliff, and another reggae titan, Toots Hibbert, proves a perfect, ebullient fit with a current lineup of the Wailers. The celebrity choices include a conspicuous subset of American folk-rockers in Tracy Chapman, Ben Harper, and Hootie and the Blowfish's Darius Rucker, with Chapman the most convincing in a glowing version of "Three Little Birds."

Avid reggae fans may be mildly frustrated by the overall crossover thrust of this homage, which favors Yankee rap and hip-hop (via Busta Rhymes and Queen Latifah) instead of homegrown dancehall; it tantalizes us with glimpses of Marley's peers, like Cliff and Hibbert, while being largely occupied with sustaining its parade of non-reggae marquee names. For most viewers, though, the scope of the concert and the first-rate sonic finish will sustain the spell, an effect powerfully expanded on the superb DVD version. --Sam Sutherland

One Love documents the December 1999 tribute concert honoring reggae pioneer Bob Marley produced in Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica, and originally broadcast on the TNT cable network. Featured is a cross-section of major rock, pop, hip hop, and reggae talent including Lauryn Hill, Chrissie Hynde, Jimmy Cliff, Erykah Badu, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, and Tracy Chapman.

For its DVD release, the producers have restored an hour of additional footage not included in the broadcast, including bonus songs performed by the Marley Family and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Exclusive DVD features also include a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound mix and a multi-angle presentation of the concert finale, enabling users to select from five separate angles.

Selections include:

1. Turn the Lights Down Low--Lauryn Hill
2. Waiting in Vain--Chrissie Hynde
3. Jammin'--Chrissie Hynde & Jimmy Cliff
4. No More Trouble--Erykah Badu
5. No Woman No Cry--Erykah Badu & Jimmy Cliff
6. Who the Cap Fit--Queen Latifah
7. War--Darius Rucker
8. Three Little Birds--Tracy Chapman
9. Rasta Man Chant--Busta Rhymes & Julian Marley
10. Kinky Reggae--Chris Robinson & Damian Marley
11. Get Up Stand Up--Ben Harper
12. Lively Up Yourself--Toots Hibbert & the Wailers
13. Trenchtown Rock--Tracy Chapman, Stephen Marley & Ziggy Marley
14. Rat Race--Eve & Stephen Marley
15. Africa Unite--Marley Family Band, the Melody Makers & the Wailers
16. Redemption Song--Lauryn Hill & Ziggy Marley
17. Could You Be Loved--Marley Family
18. Pass It On--The Melody Makers
19. One Love--FINALE (all performers)

Plus five bonus tracks.

Caught Up

It's no wonder Caught Up only garnered haphazard theatrical release in 1998. Director Darin Scott, who is credited with screenplay nods for Tales from the Hood and Sprung, tosses everything--including the kitchen sink--into this noir rip-off that borrows liberally from Chinatown and Bound but lacks the intelligent gravity and grace of the former and the stylish, tongue-in-cheek fun of the latter. Starring Bokeem Woodbine as Darryl, an ex-con who wants to go straight but who keeps finding himself in unlucky circumstances, Caught Up has laughable dialogue and terrible bug-eyed over-emoting that tries to pass for acting and wastes the laconic beauty of One False Move costar Cynda Williams, who plays a femme fatale named Vanessa Dietrich (honest!). Vanessa wraps Darryl around her little finger and embroils him in a voodoo-esque drug plot that will have the viewer rolling on the floor in disbelief. Had Caught Up played its convoluted plot for laughs, it may have at least been a camp parody on the genre, but as it is, it doesn't avoid a single cinematic cliché. The DVD comes with a slew of music videos, the radio and TV spot, as well as a director's commentary track. But don't be fooled by all the goodies--they're simply a smokescreen to nudge the audience into thinking the film is important and worthy. Caught Up is a goofy mess of contradictions and implausibility. --Paula Nechak

Hard Justice/Outside the Law

Explosive action times two! Starring action favorite David Bradley (American Ninja Cyborg Soldier).Hard Justice: Hardboiled ATF agent Nick Adams goes undercover to find his partner's killer in prison. But when he discovers the warden is running an illegal gun ring out of the prison basement Nick realizes that his own life is in danger. Attacked from all sides he finds the only way to survive is to fight... and justice only comes the hard way!Outside the Law: When a woman is brutally murdered Detective Brad Kingsbury is called in to solve the crime. After questioning beautiful Tanya Borgman she becomes the prime suspect... but Brad is helplessly drawn to her entering a dangerous affair that could cost him his job and his life. Turn up the heat with this action-packed thrill ride!Hot cult action cast! Anna Thomson (Bad Boys The Crow) Charles Napier (First Blood The Blues Brothers) Ashley Laurence (Hellraiser) Bill Moseley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Devil's Rejects) Vernon Wells (The Road Warrior Fortress).Hard Justice is rated R for non-stop brutal violence and for language.Outside the Law is rated R for sexuality violence and language.System Requirements:Running Time 185:05 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: R UPC: 014381165326 Manufacturer No: ID1653LIDVD

I Like to Play Games Too

No inhibitions. No boundaries. No rules. Suzanne Branwin is always the seductress, never the seduced. The gorgeous owner of a respected advertising agency, Suzanne gets her kicks from playing sexual games with men. But this time she may have met her match. Dominick D'Aura owns a chain of upscale, private gentlemen's clubs and his account would mean big money for Suzanne's firm. But as she's about to find out, he's a masterful player himself, and he's looking to push the limits to dangerous new heights. When their games lead to extortion, blackmail, and possibly murder, Suzanne knows she's in over her head. In this twisted test of cunning and will, winning may not be enough. Survival is the name of the game.

Caught Up

It's no wonder Caught Up only garnered haphazard theatrical release in 1998. Director Darin Scott, who is credited with screenplay nods for Tales from the Hood and Sprung, tosses everything--including the kitchen sink--into this noir rip-off that borrows liberally from Chinatown and Bound but lacks the intelligent gravity and grace of the former and the stylish, tongue-in-cheek fun of the latter. Starring Bokeem Woodbine as Darryl, an ex-con who wants to go straight but who keeps finding himself in unlucky circumstances, Caught Up has laughable dialogue and terrible bug-eyed over-emoting that tries to pass for acting and wastes the laconic beauty of One False Move costar Cynda Williams, who plays a femme fatale named Vanessa Dietrich (honest!). Vanessa wraps Darryl around her little finger and embroils him in a voodoo-esque drug plot that will have the viewer rolling on the floor in disbelief. Had Caught Up played its convoluted plot for laughs, it may have at least been a camp parody on the genre, but as it is, it doesn't avoid a single cinematic cliché. The DVD comes with a slew of music videos, the radio and TV spot, as well as a director's commentary track. But don't be fooled by all the goodies--they're simply a smokescreen to nudge the audience into thinking the film is important and worthy. Caught Up is a goofy mess of contradictions and implausibility. --Paula Nechak

Cypher [Region 2]

Double Tap [Region 2]

Double Tap [Region 2]

One Love: The Bob Marley All-Star Tribute [Region 2]