Nicholas, Thomas Ian

Rookie of the Year

Baseball movies seem like a sure thing, combining the drama of the game with positive values. So it's too bad this pleasant film takes the field in the most superficial way. Henry, the worst player in Little League, suffers an injury that miraculously heals as the strongest pitching arm in the world. His life becomes a kid's dream with a career in the Majors, but nothing really happens. His strength cannot hide his lack of skill, yet audiences love him, probably to support subplots such as the team being rescued from bankruptcy and Mom's boyfriend turning bad. Small attempts are made to create character, relationships, and themes. Gary Busey, as a burnt-out pitcher named Rocket, finds a family. Henry learns the importance of being a kid, not to mention a surprisingly cynical lesson about stardom, when Rocket says, "One day your gift will be gone." Mom learns Henry always respected her and Henry learns to rely on himself when his "power" disappears in the climactic game. Sadly, a fine cast including Dan Hedaya, John Candy, and '40s comedian Eddie Bracken is given nothing to work with. Worse yet, director Daniel Stern plays Phil, who suffered a head injury that left him an insult to comedy fans as well as the mentally challenged. Kids who love baseball films where kids are the heroes and the comedy is dumb will enjoy sitting through Rookie of the Year, but I wouldn't expect them to pull it off the shelf too often. --Lloyd Chesley

When the cast is removed from his severely broken arm, clumsy 12-year old Henry Rowengartner (Thomas Ian Nicholas) is shocked to find his arm has become a 100 mile per-hour thunderbolt. His throw from the bleachers directly to home plate alerts the last place Chicago Cubs and before you can shout "play ball!" he is signed as their new ace pitcher. With a few pointers from an aging star pitcher (Gary Busey) young Henry actually manages to pull of the impossible.

Halloween - Resurrection

Number 8 in the Halloween line maintains connections to John Carpenter's original. Resurrection picks up the thread of Halloween: H2O, with poor Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) now in a psychiatric hospital and determined to shut down homicidal Michael Myers once and for all. After this prologue, the story shifts to the old Myers house, where a TV reality show has enticed six teenagers to spend a single night in the spooky home. Needless to say, things are spoiled when Michael barges in: "I so did not sign up for this," sighs the young heroine, when the bloodletting begins. The mayhem is being broadcast live on the Internet, which makes the film a bit like Rear Window with Instant Messaging. The interesting premise is routinely handled, but that's enough to make this one of the better sequels in the series. Maybe they finally finished off Michael in this one, wink wink. --Robert Horton

Original HALLOWEEN star Jamie Lee Curtis (HALLOWEEN: H2O, TRUE LIES) is back and joined by Busta Rhymes (SHAFT) and Tyra Banks (COYOTE UGLY) in the terrifying HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION -- the latest in this electrifying horror film series! The reality programmers at DangerTainment (Rhymes, Banks) have selected Rudy (Sean Patrick Thomas -- SAVE THE LAST DANCE), Bill (Thomas Ian Nicholas -- AMERICAN PIE 1&2), and a group of thrill-seeking teenagers to spend one fun-filled night in the childhood home of serial killer Michael Myers. But the planned live broadcast turns deadly when their evening of excitement becomes a night of horror as Michael himself decides to crash the party!

Radio Flyer

Lorraine Bracco John Heard and Oscar®- winner Ben Johnson (Best Supporting Actor The Last Picture Show) star in this moving story of a family torn apart by violence - and healed by imagination. Elijah Wood and Joseph Mazzello co-star as Bracco's two young sons devoted brothers who escape their chaotic family life with dreams of flying. Inspired by a local legend they attempt to build a working airplane. And in the process of transforming their ordinary red wagon into a fantastical flying machine they transform their own lives into an extraordinary adventure. A beautifully-made movie filled with all the heartache and joy of childhood RADIO FLYER is "daring amazing and wonderful. A deeply moving film." (Dennis Cunningham WCBS-TV)System Requirements:Running Time: 113 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG-13 UPC: 043396067103 Manufacturer No: 06710

American Pie - Unrated (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Anyone who's watched just about any teenage film knows that the greatest evil in this world isn't chemical warfare, ethnic cleansing, or even the nuclear bomb. The worst crime known to man? Why, virginity, of course. As we've learned from countless films--from Summer of '42 to Risky Business--virginity is a criminal burden that one must shed oneself of as quickly as possible. And while many of these films have given the topic a bad name, American Pie quietly sweeps in and gives sex some of its dignity back. Dignity, you may say? How can a film that highlights intercourse with fruit pies, premature ejaculation broadcasted across the Internet, and the gratuitous "gross-out" shots restore the dignity of a genre that's been encumbered with such heavyweights as Porky's and Losin' It? The plot may be typical, with four high school friends swearing to "score" by prom, yet the film rises above the muck with its superior cast, successful and sweet humor, and some actually rather retro values about the meaning and importance of sex. Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Eddie Kaye Thomas make up the odd quartet of pals determined to woo, lie, and beg their way to manhood. The young women they pursue are wary girlfriend Vicky (Tara Reid), choir girl Heather (Mena Suvari), band geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and just about any other female who is willing and able. Natasha Lyonne as Jessica, playing a similar role as in Slums of Beverly Hills, is the general adviser to the crowd (when Vicky tells her "I want it to be the right time, the right place," Jessica responds, "It's not a space shuttle launch, it's sex"). The comedic timing hits the mark--especially in the deliberately awkward scenes between Jim (Biggs) and his father (Eugene Levy). And, of course, lessons are learned in this genuinely funny film, which will probably please the adult crowd even more than it will the teenage one. --Jenny Brown

The Rules of Attraction

A not-quite dazzling array of cinematic tricks (split screens, freeze-frames, running the film backwards, rapid editing, etc.) are used to depict college students floundering in the pursuit of love and meaning. Drugs, blow jobs, pornography, booze, rape, masturbation, '80s pop tunes, beatings, suicide, attempted suicide, faked suicide, loss of bladder control, and trite pseudo-philosophy are on display as pretty young actors with squeaky-clean images (like James Van Der Beek and Jessica Biel) attempt to dirty themselves up. The Rules of Attraction comes to life for about five minutes when an actor named Russell Sams appears for an outrageous restaurant scene, then slumps back into terminal disaffection when he departs. Also featuring Shannyn Sossamon, Faye Dunaway, Swoozie Kurtz, Ian Somerhalder, Kate Bosworth, Eric Stolz, Fred Savage, and many strikingly good-looking young people. The filmmakers are attempting to depict the vacuousness of today's youth but only succeed in portraying the void in their own hearts. --Bret Fetzer

It's the mid-1980s at Camden College. Sean Bateman (James Van Der Beek) is the younger brother of psychotic Wall Street broker Patrick Bateman. Sean's a drug dealer owes a lot of money to "fellow" dealer Rupert Guest (Clifton Collins Jr.) and sleeps with nearly half of the female population on campus. Lauren Hynde (Shannyn Sossamon) is technically a virgin. She's saving herself for her very shallow boyfriend Victor Johnson (Kip Pardue) who's left the states to backpack across Europe. Her slutty roommate Lara (Jessica Biel) has the hots for Victor as well. Paul Denton (Ian Somerhalder) is bisexual. He used to love Mitchell Allen (Thomas Ian Nicholas) before Mitchell dumped him for Candice (Clare Kramer). Sean loves Lauren. Paul loves Sean and used to date Lauren. Lauren loves both Sean and Victor. Sex Drugs Rock and Roll...what more could you want in a movie?System Requirements:Starring: James Van Der Beek Jessica Biel Kate Bosworth Shannyn Sossamon Ian Somerhalder and Kip Pardue. Directed By: Roger Avary. Running Time: 110 Minutes. Color.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE Rating: R UPC: 031398822721 Manufacturer No: 71472

American Pie 2 - Unrated (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

To the horror of prudes everywhere, American Pie 2 is even funnier than its popular predecessor, pushing the R rating with such unabashed ribaldry that you'll either be appalled or surprised by its defiant celebration of the young-adult male libido. Females will be equally shocked or delighted, because like American Pie this appealing, character-based comedy puts the women in control while offering a front-row view of horny guys in all their dubious glory. Which is to say, American Pie is mostly about sex--or, to be more specific, breasts, genitalia, "potential" lesbianism, blue silicone sex toys, crude methods of seduction, "the rule of three" (just watch the movie), a shower of "champagne," phone sex, tantric sex, and, oh yeah... superglue.

In the case of college freshman Jim (Jason Biggs), performance anxiety plagues his upcoming reunion with sexy Czech exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth), but his buddies from American Pie have a solution: rent a Lake Michigan beach house for the summer, throw wild parties to lure the local "hotties," and score big-time. Beach Party this ain't: blessed with a complete cast reunion from AP1 (including Eugene Levy as Jim's dad), this sequel is anything but innocent, and with the exception of drugs (which are conspicuously absent), pretty much anything goes. The gags are almost nonstop, and director J.B. Rogers (recovering from his debut debacle Say It Isn't So) handles them with laudable precision, allowing his young cast (particularly Biggs, who epitomizes comedic good sportsmanship) to run with lines that most people wouldn't dare utter aloud. The result is a liberating and eminently good-natured comedy that needn't apologize for its one-track mind. --Jeff Shannon

American Wedding - Unrated (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

The producers of the American Pie movies pushed their luck with a third slice of their lucrative raunchy comedy franchise, and American Wedding cooked up surprisingly well. It's the sourest serving of Pie, with half of the original cast missing, and there's something undeniably desperate about comedic highlights (involving dog poop, a lusty old lady, two strippers to offset the absence of Shannon Elizabeth, and the ill-advised use of a trimming razor) that arise more from obligation than inspiration, on the assumption that another penile mishap is guaranteed to please. And yet, that's just what this movie does for devoted Pie-munchers: It gives 'em what they want, especially when the notorious Stifler (Seann William Scott) nearly ruins the frantic nuptials of Jim (Jason Biggs) and his band-camping sweetheart Michelle (Alyson Hannigan). Eugene Levy and Eddie Kaye Thomas also return for some reliable comic relief, but the one who's laughing most is three-time Pie writer Adam Herz--laughing loudly and often, all the way to the bank. --Jeff Shannon

You re on the guest list for this UNRATED American Wedding the version you couldn t see in theaters! The American Pie gang returns to wreak havoc with a new rite of passage when Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) decide to get married! Of course Stifler (Seann William Scott) will be there (bridesmaids!) and more importantly will throw the ultimate bachelor party (strippers!). So RSVP for the outrageously UNRATED American Wedding experience in this hilariously hot frantically funny final chapter of the unforgettable American Pie saga!Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY UPC: 025192379925 Manufacturer No: 61023799

National Lampoon Presents Cattle Call

It starts with "Lights!" and "Camera!" but it's all about the ACTION. Three lonely guys set up a fake casting call to find the best lady for a little real-life action. Sherman and Glenn are looking for a leading lay but Richie Ray is looking for true love. Just when they find the perfect girls for the roles the truth comes out. Now these actresses don't want the part they want revenge. Hold on to your hearts and protect your private parts this cattle call is gonna get rough.System Requirements:Running Time: 87 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY/BUDDY FILMS Rating: R UPC: 031398232773 Manufacturer No: 23277

A Kid in King Arthur's Court

Faith in oneself is crucial but often difficult to develop. Calvin Fuller (Thomas Ian Nicholas), a misfit from the 20th-century "Knights" baseball team, lacks self-confidence. Imagine his alarm when he's sucked into the Middle Ages to answer the wizard Merlin's (Ron Moody) plea for a "Knight" to save King Arthur and Camelot from the scheming Lord Belasco (Art Malik). Intense culture shock befalls all involved as a bewildered Calvin dines on pig snouts and learns to lance while King Arthur (Joss Ackland) and his court members are confounded by 20th-century inventions like rock & roll and roller-blading. Eventually, Calvin's interactions with the king and his court spark a journey of personal growth that leads to love and a newfound confidence that enables him to help King Arthur, Princesses Katey (Paloma Baeza) and Sarah (Kate Winslet), and Camelot as a whole. Will Calvin's confidence accompany him back to the 20th-century? Loosely based on Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. (Ages 5 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Return to those days of old when knights were bold and baseball ruled the land. Baseball? It's Camelot meets the sandlot in Disney's A KID IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT, the hilarious update of Mark Twain's timeless "A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court." To 14-year-old little leaguer Calvin Fuller, life is like one big strikeout when he lets his team down. Then an earthquake sends him through a magical time rift, and he finds himself in King Arthur's court. But all is not well with the realm. An aged King Arthur is in danger of losing control to the evil Lord Belasco, and now it's up to Calvin to save the kingdom. But before he can find a way to vanquish Belasco, he must first find a way to conquer his own fears. Now you can own Disney's marvelous mixture of medieval myth and modern mirth that will have the whole family cheering!

American Pie (Widescreen Rated Collector's Edition)

Anyone who's watched just about any teenage film knows that the greatest evil in this world isn't chemical warfare, ethnic cleansing, or even the nuclear bomb. The worst crime known to man? Why, virginity, of course. As we've learned from countless films--from Summer of '42 to Risky Business--virginity is a criminal burden that one must shed oneself of as quickly as possible. And while many of these films have given the topic a bad name, American Pie quietly sweeps in and gives sex some of its dignity back. Dignity, you may say? How can a film that highlights intercourse with fruit pies, premature ejaculation broadcasted across the Internet, and the gratuitous "gross-out" shots restore the dignity of a genre that's been encumbered with such heavyweights as Porky's and Losin' It? The plot may be typical, with four high school friends swearing to "score" by prom, yet the film rises above the muck with its superior cast, successful and sweet humor, and some actually rather retro values about the meaning and importance of sex. Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Eddie Kaye Thomas make up the odd quartet of pals determined to woo, lie, and beg their way to manhood. The young women they pursue are wary girlfriend Vicky (Tara Reid), choir girl Heather (Mena Suvari), band geek Michelle (Alyson Hannigan), and just about any other female who is willing and able. Natasha Lyonne as Jessica, playing a similar role as in Slums of Beverly Hills, is the general adviser to the crowd (when Vicky tells her "I want it to be the right time, the right place," Jessica responds, "It's not a space shuttle launch, it's sex"). The comedic timing hits the mark--especially in the deliberately awkward scenes between Jim (Biggs) and his father (Eugene Levy). And, of course, lessons are learned in this genuinely funny film, which will probably please the adult crowd even more than it will the teenage one. --Jenny Brown

Hysterical look at the goal of four \""unlucky in love\"" high school friends who make the ultimate pact: lose their virginity by prom night.
Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: R
Release Date: 24-AUG-2004
Media Type: DVD