Binder, Mike

The Upside of Anger

The sight of two lost souls finding something unavoidably necessary in each other carries The Upside of Anger through it pleasant episodic drift. When Terry Wolfmeyer (Joan Allen) realizes that her husband won't be coming home again, she hits the skids and the bottle, leaving her four thunderstruck daughters (Alicia Witt, Keri Russell, Erika Christensen, and Evan Rachel Wood) to fend for themselves while she fends off the attentions of concerned neighbor Denny Davies (Kevin Costner). Writer/director Mike Binder (who has a good bit as Costner's sleazy producer) juggles too many subplots in this comedy/drama--his charming young actresses are all but wasted--then tosses in a wrongheaded climactic twist and terrible explanatory narration from young Wood. But the two leads do career-best turns: If you've given up hope on Costner, you'll be surprised by his shaggy dog appeal as a perpetually soused radio show host/faded ex-baseball star, while Allen's boozy, brittle performance is so remarkable that even her comic drunkenness is nuanced. --Steve Wiecking

A touching yet humorous film about a woman who finds her and her daughters' lives changed by a former baseball star who steps into her life as her drinking buddy.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Commentary #1 with Director Mike Binder, Joan Allen and moderated by filmaker Rod Lurie
Deleted Scenes:Deleted scenes with commentary by Director Mike Binder (approx. 10 minutes)
Documentary:approx. 30 minutes
Theatrical Trailer

Indian Summer

Settle back for a delightful INDIAN SUMMER -- the heartwarming comedy about eight friends who reunite at their summer camp after 20 years! Starring an impressive ensemble cast including Elizabeth Perkins (CATS AND DOGS, 28 DAYS) and Alan Arkin (AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS, GROSSE POINTE BLANK), no sooner do the visitors arrive than they return to the best summer of their lives -- practical jokes, midnight kitchen raids, boat races, campfire stories, and secret romances pick up right where they left off! And with so much hilarity and excitement, the fun never stops. Pack your gear, this week at camp is sure to be a hilarious, feel-good treat for everyone.

American Gothic - Complete Series

Finally, the complete cult hit series American Gothic, produced by Sam Raimi, comes to DVD for the first time ever! Visit Trinity, South Carolina, a small town with more chills than charm. Sheriff Lucas Buck (Gary Cole) won't let anyone - including local doctor Matt Crower (Jake Weber) or the determined Gail Emory (Paige Turco) - stand in the way of his evil plans. Marking the tenth anniversary of its broadcast debut and packed with all 22 episodes, including four "lost" ones never broadcast on network television, American Gothic's eerie storylines of intrigue and suspense are sure to hold you captive!

Reign Over Me (Full Screen)

One of the first films to examine the aftermath of post- 9/11 New York City, Reign Over Me shows how much even indirect contact with those who lost loved ones in the tragedy can greatly affect. Like rings of debris spiraling out from an explosion, Charlie Fineman's (Adam Sandler) loss also devastates his in-laws, who he refuses to speak to, and ex-college roommate, Alan Johnson. Reign Over Me stars Johnson, a successful dentist with a gorgeous wife, Janeane (Jada Pinkett Smith) and two kids, who finds Charlie reverted back into a teenage wasteland, unable to face his unbearable sadness. Sandler as Charlie looks like Bob Dylan and acts like Dustin Hoffman in his great dramatic performance. Listening to The Who and The Boss through headphones, playing video games, and continually remodeling his kitchen, Fineman's escapism disturbs Johnson, who, in turn, feels squelched by his stiflingly normal lifestyle. As the two reacquaint, Johnson is the only person who can help save Fineman from self-obliteration. The story analyzes Post Traumatic Stress with some accuracy, though excess sentimentality undermines emotional scenes. Survivor's guilt, assessing mental illness, and absolute incapacitation due to grief are all topics covered within the bounds of the enduring friendship forged between these two men. Ultimately, Reign Over Me's message is one of compassion, as a reminder to treat victims of loss with patience and care. But interestingly, it also pays heed to smaller human tribulations, which are obstacles to healing when left untreated. --Trinie Dalton

Stills from Reign Over Me (click for larger image)

Adam Sandler Don Cheadle Jada Pinkett Smith and Liv Tyler star in this heart-rending story about Charlie Fineman (Sandler) who has slipped away from reality after the sudden loss of his wife and children. But Charlie s life takes a turn for the better when he runs into his old college roommate Alan Johnson (Cheadle) whose life is torn between the demands of career and family. Their renewed friendship rekindles their long-forgotten bond and both men emerge enriched and enlightened. Bill Zwecker of CBS-TV hails REIGN OVER ME as A truly brilliant film. System Requirements:Run Time: 124 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 043396194816 Manufacturer No: 19481

Blankman

The Mind of the Married Man - The Complete First Season

Often (misleadingly) compared to Sex and the City, The Mind of the Married Man is more like a buttoned-down Curb Your Enthusiasm or saltier Everybody Loves Raymond. Created by Mike Binder (The Upside of Anger), the HBO comedy revolves around Chicago reporter Micky (Binder), wife Donna (Sonya Walger, C.S.I.: NY), and fellow ink-stained wretches Jake (Jake Weber, Medium) and Doug (Taylor Nichols, Metropolitan). Unlike the glamorous Carrie Bradshaw, Micky's just a regular guy with a pretty decent life, but he often feels as if something's missing.

Things get off to a shaky start in the pilot when Donna finds pornography on his computer. Then he hires the impossibly leggy Missy (Ivana Milicevic, Love Actually), because he finds her attractive. He fires her for the same reason--she had become distracting--then has to rehire her, because she hadn't done anything wrong. (M. Emmet Walsh plays his droll boss, Randall.) Mickey is nothing like the adulterous Jake, but as the theme song puts it, "The neighbor's grass may seem much greener than the grass right here at home." So then Jake introduces him to sensual massage ("The God of Marriage"), which starts out innocently enough--although he neglects to tell Donna about his new "hobby." By the end of the season, Missy will have moved on, but the situation with the masseuse (Michelle Krusiec, Saving Face) will have crossed a line, leaving Micky's marriage more precarious than ever.

Aside from Binder, directors include Danny Leiner (Dude, Where's My Car?), Nancy Savoca (Household Saints), Bob Saget (The Aristocrats), and Bruce Paltrow (St. Elsewhere). Recurring characters include Larry Miller (Mad About You) as host of the TV show on which Micky regularly appears and Kathryn Morris (Cold Case) as a fellow guest. (Interestingly, Binder and Morris both appeared in Minority Report.) --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Can married men survive in modern times? Today there are more responsibilities. Obligations. Temptations. At the dawn of the 21st Century it's getting harder and harder for men to stay happy and stay married. So why do we even try? HBO presents an all-new comedy series that shows what really goes on inside The Mind of the Married Man.Running Time: 120 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 026359259722

Four Play

The Sex Monster

No Description Available.
Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: R
Release Date: 2-APR-2002
Media Type: DVD

Crossing the Bridge

Hailed nationwide by critics, CROSSING THE BRIDGE is an entertaining winner you're sure to enjoy -- starring Josh Charles (DEAD POETS SOCIETY), Stephen Baldwin (BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY), and Jason Gedrick (BACKDRAFT). Through thick and thin, Mort, Tim, and Danny were friends. Now they're putting everything on the line with a dangerous drug-smuggling venture promising high-stakes consequences. The trio's about to leave their fun, carefree days behind to face a moment of truth. Their decision will not only determine their freedom, but the future of their lives!

Fourplay