Vassey, Liz

The Tick - The Entire Series

He's the Wild Blue Yonder, and The Tick is back to show why this outlandishly funny TV series should never have been canceled! After proving his mettle in comic books and animated TV, creator Ben Edlund's blue-insect superhero made his auspicious debut on Fox (in November 2001), portrayed in live action (in a buff-muscled rubber suit) by Patrick Warburton, the popular Seinfeld guest star (as "Puddy"), who instantly perfected the role he was born to play. In his appreciative commentary track, co-executive producer (and Men in Black director) Barry Sonnenfeld calls the pilot episode "the best thing I've ever directed," and it's easy to agree: wide-angle lenses, stylized sets, hilarious dialogue, and a comedically gifted cast make the episode (and the entire series) a perfect summation of Sonnenfeld's wacky style. Edlund concurs, observing that The Tick is "something you get or you don't," and the impatient Fox executives obviously didn't get the show's expert blend of absurdity, stupidity, and good-natured irreverence. They axed the series after eight of these nine episodes aired, only proving that The Tick was too hip for their bean-counting mentalities.

In the title role, Warburton (with highly expressive antennae) hits all the right notes of dimwitted innocence and brute-force gallantry, aided immeasurably by his moth-costumed sidekick Arthur (David Burke), wannabe lothario Batmanuel (Nestor Carbonell), and buxom beauty Captain Liberty (Liz Vassey). Attentive to the more mundane aspects of superheroism, The Tick offers outrageous villains (like the nefarious "Destroyo") and eccentric allies (like Ron Perlman's hilarious "Fiery Blaze") while showing that even crimefighters have everyday problems and desires. Brilliantly conceived and executed, The Tick can now be enjoyed by an audience it never had a proper chance to cultivate. --Jeff Shannon

Man of the House

Let's face it, sometimes you just want to watch some fluff. The ever-expanding subgenre of cheerleader cinema offers dependable fluff, of which Man of the House is a shiny, frivolous example. After a multiethnic cheerleading squad witnesses a mob execution, Texas Ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones, The Fugitive, Men in Black) is assigned to protect them. That's all you need to know--a formulaic plot follows, but the filmmakers recognizes that the formula is known by all so they doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. Instead, we go straight to amusing scenes of Sharp teaching the unruly (and scantily clad) girls some discipline and the girls teaching Sharp to loosen up and forge a better relationship with his estranged daughter. It's a one-joke movie, but thanks to Jones' leathery hound-dog face and cowpoke gravitas, the contrast between the girls and Sharp keeps being funny. Of its kind, Man of the House isn't in the same league as Bring It On (pretty much the ne plus ultra of cheerleader movies), but it's head and shoulders over the likes of Sugar & Spice. Also featuring Cedric the Entertainer (Barbershop), Anne Archer (Fatal Attraction), and R. Lee Ermey(Full Metal Jacket). --Bret Fetzer

When five perky cheerleaders witness the murder of a drug bust informant, they require 'round-the-clock surveillance to keep from being the next victims. Enter tough-as-nails Texas Ranger Lt. Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones), who masquerades as their assistant coach and camps out in their campus digs. But these feisty foxes just want to have fun, and the buttoned-down Sharp learns it's no easy task to keep the uncontrollable coeds in line and out of harm's way. Cedric the Entertainer joins this spirited cast in a comedy that busts out with high energy, pride, and the joy of a Texas Ranger getting in touch with his feminine side.

Dane Cook - The Lost Pilots

Fans of standup comedian turned movie star Dane Cook are in for a treat with this set of two failed pilots for television shows which never got picked up. The first entitled HUMOR ME or COOKED stars Dane in a close-to-life role of standup comedian with a bright television future and great girlfriend who ends up crashing with his brother and bitter wife after his show gets canceled and his girl leaves him. The next quirky pilot stars Dane as a slacker who spends his days goofing off with his buddies and coming up with doomed schemes for success.System Requirements:Running Time: 56 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 043396212695 Manufacturer No: 21269

Pursuit of Happiness

Sad Inheritance (True Stories Collection TV Movie)

The Secrets of Lake Success

In the irresistible tradition of Dynasty and Dallas comes this story of a glamorous family living in a gorgeous mansion in an idyllic town called Lake Success. Beneath the town's peaceful façade are backstabbing power struggles, family betrayal, forbidden sexual trysts, shady business deals and long-buried secrets. Family patriarch (Brian Keith) gets the last laugh in his will when he leaves the family business to his long-lost daughter, Suzy Atkins (Liz Vassey, The Tick, ER). Suzy's ambitious stepsister, Decker, and her amoral brother, Rowan, will stop at nothing to get the company back. Complicating matters, Suzy's mother (Valerie Perrine) suddenly returns to Lake Success with an agenda of her own after abandoning her family many years ago. Meanwhile, Rowan's sex-hungry mistress and her provocative little sister will stop at nothing to get their share of the Atkins money! Can pure-hearted Suzy outsmart-or even survive-a family who are experts in deception#and maybe find love while she's at it? A truly addictive pleasure with many surprising twists and turns, The Secrets of Lake Success will have you hooked! Sizzling cast includes Ryan Philippe (Cruel Intentions), Samantha Eggar (The Brood), Ray Wise (Twin Peaks), John Bradley (Independence Day), George Del Hoyo (Days of Our Lives)

Man of the House

Let's face it, sometimes you just want to watch some fluff. The ever-expanding subgenre of cheerleader cinema offers dependable fluff, of which Man of the House is a shiny, frivolous example. After a multiethnic cheerleading squad witnesses a mob execution, Texas Ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones, The Fugitive, Men in Black) is assigned to protect them. That's all you need to know--a formulaic plot follows, but the filmmakers recognizes that the formula is known by all so they doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. Instead, we go straight to amusing scenes of Sharp teaching the unruly (and scantily clad) girls some discipline and the girls teaching Sharp to loosen up and forge a better relationship with his estranged daughter. It's a one-joke movie, but thanks to Jones' leathery hound-dog face and cowpoke gravitas, the contrast between the girls and Sharp keeps being funny. Of its kind, Man of the House isn't in the same league as Bring It On (pretty much the ne plus ultra of cheerleader movies), but it's head and shoulders over the likes of Sugar & Spice. Also featuring Cedric the Entertainer (Barbershop), Anne Archer (Fatal Attraction), and R. Lee Ermey(Full Metal Jacket). --Bret Fetzer