Heston, Fraser C

Alaska

Two teenagers journey into the Alaskan wilderness to rescue their father a bush pilot whose plane has crashed.Running Time: 115 min.System Requirements: Running Time 110 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG UPC: 053939256222

Director Fraser Heston captures the danger and beauty of Alaska in this adventurous family film about two kids who embark on a very personal rescue mission. Former 747 pilot Jake Barnes (Dirk Benedict) moved away from a fast-paced Chicago lifestyle with his two children, Jessie and Sean, after the death of his wife. While daughter Jessie thoroughly enjoys and excels in her new surroundings, son Sean's moodiness and homesickness escalates. One stormy night Jake's small plane crashes during an emergency flight, leaving him stuck on a treacherous cliff with a broken leg and no radio. The local search and rescue team soon gives up, prompting Sean and Jessie to kayak, hike, canoe, and rappel their way over many lush and snowy miles to save their dad.

Younger kids will enjoy the antics of Cubby, the baby polar bear who befriends the youthful trekkers and eventually leads them to their father. They'll also enjoy the good-natured sibling rivalry between the tough but tender-hearted Jessie (Thora Birch of Now and Then) and Sean (Vincent Kartheiser of The Indian in the Cupboard) and a chance to hiss at the two evil poachers (including the director's father, Charlton Heston). Parents, on the other hand, may feel compelled to explain etiquette around wild animals, the dangers of hypothermia, and how to pack for a long hike. But the scenic Cook's tour of Alaska and British Columbia makes some of these otherwise corny elements tolerable to grown-ups. --Liane Thomas

Needful Things

Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most (the town's aging jock finds his old, high-school letterman's jacket there, for example), but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff (Ed Harris) catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario (directed by Charlton Heston's son, Fraser), but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. --Jeff Shannon

Welcome to Castle Rock, Maine, a lovely place to live if you don't mind selling your soul! Oscar® nominees* Ed Harris (A Beautiful Mind) and Max Von Sydow (Minority Report) head an exceptional castincluding Bonnie Bedelia (Die Hard) and Amanda Plummer (Pulp Fiction)in this supernatural thriller that's dark, haunting and a hell of a good scare (LosAngeles Magazine)! Sheriff Alan Pangborn (Harris) has a devil of a problem: Suddenly all the residents of his sleepy little town are dying'to kill each other. But at least business is still booming, especially at a new antique store. The store's owner (Von Sydow) has something for everyone, and his prices are always reasonable: just one small favor oh, and, of course, eternal damnation! *Harris: Actor, The Hours (2002); Actor, Pollock (2000); Supporting Actor, The Truman Show (1998); Supporting Actor, Apollo 13 (1995). Von Sydow: Actor, Pelle the Conqueror (1988).

Born to Be Wild / Alaska / The Amazing Panda Adventure

When your best friend is an 800-pound gorilla, where do you go to set her free? Anywhere she likes! A young boy and an ape who's learned to communicate with sign language hit the road in search of freedom in Born to Be Wild (Disc 1/Side A). Next, Alaska (Disc 1/Side B) is where two sons meet challenges (including a baddie played by Charlton Heston) and an irresistible polar bear while seeking their stranded father. And a 10-year-old American separated from his father in China lives The Amazing Panda Adventure (Disc 2) as he tries to protect an endangered baby panda from poachers. Follow your heart to adventure with these three family favorites.

Needful Things

Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most (the town's aging jock finds his old, high-school letterman's jacket there, for example), but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff (Ed Harris) catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario (directed by Charlton Heston's son, Fraser), but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. --Jeff Shannon

Alaska/The Amazing Panda Adventure

Treasure Island/Quest for Camelot

Needful Things [Region 2]

Stephen King adaptations are strictly hit-or-miss propositions, and this supernatural thriller from 1993 is definitely a "miss," based on one of King's lesser novels and starring Max von Sydow as the evil proprietor of a small-town antique shop named "Needful Things." That's the place where anyone can go to find the one thing they cherish the most (the town's aging jock finds his old, high-school letterman's jacket there, for example), but of course there's a price for such priceless keepsakes. Yep, that's right ... von Sydow is Satan, and his customers pay for "needful things" with their souls. The sheriff (Ed Harris) catches onto this hellish predicament, and, well ... let's just say things go downhill from there, with von Sydow delivering sardonic wisecracks as he wreaks devilish havoc on the town. Lots of stuff gets blown to bits, by which time this movie has long since worn out its welcome. Harris and von Sydow do their best to liven up the dreary scenario (directed by Charlton Heston's son, Fraser), but this is strictly for die-hard King fans, and even then the recommendation is marginal. --Jeff Shannon