Passer, Ivan

Cutter's Way

This Ivan Passer movie--a marvel of dark, brooding cinema--almost didn't make it into theaters. The film was nearly dumped by its studio because its pessimistic story seemed too downbeat. Which, in fact, is part of the appeal: the way it gets to the heart of a group of people who have given up, but then find something that motivates them to go on. In this case, it's greed: Cutter (Jeff Bridges), a burnt-out gigolo, and his pal Bone (John Heard), a disfigured Vietnam veteran, get involved in a plot involving corruption and murder. Bone has proof that a powerful businessman is behind the killing and wants to be paid off to keep quiet; instead he buys them more trouble than he can imagine. Bridges, as always, is superb--and Heard is downright scary. --Marshall Fine

One of the most original, unpredictable buddy movies in cinematic history, this "hauntingly powerful, exhilarating thriller" (New York Magazine) stars four-time Oscar(r) nominee* JeffBridges and John Heard (The Pelican Brief) as two friends locked in a pulse-pounding battle for their lives. Suspected of murdering a teenage girl, Richard Bone (Bridges), a laidback Santa Barbara boat salesman and gigolo, turns to his best friend, Alex Cutter (Heard), a disabled Vietnam veteran, for help in finding the real killer. But Bone gets more than he bargained for when Cutter pushes the envelope and, instead of contacting the police, tries to blackmail their suspect andtheir suspect, instead of giving in, violently turns the tables on them! Trapped between the killerand the cops, Cutter and Bone begin a cunning game of cat-and-mouse that ignites into a full-blown wara "nightmare vision that leaves you bewildered, yet moved" (LA Herald-Examiner)! *2000: Supporting Actor, The Contender; 1984: Actor, Starman; 1974: Supporting Actor, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot; 1971: Supporting Actor, The Last Picture Show

Nomad: The Warrior

Ivan Passer (Cutter's Way) co-directed Nomad: The Warrior, a handsome, sprawling story set in the early 18th century about a real-life descendant of Genghis Khan who is destined to unite Kazakhs tribes against invaders. Mansur (Kuno Becker), the son of a sultan, is foreseen by an oracle-- (Jason Scott Lee), as the leader Kazakhs people have desperately needed to unite disparate peoples against the relentless, conquering Jungars. Trained by Oraz to be both a great warrior and leader, Mansur becomes known as Ablai Khan, a redeemer with seemingly preternatural skills in battle and a destiny to forge what will eventually become Kazakhstan. At the heart of the film is Mansur's lifelong friendship with another young fighter (Jay Hernandez), a young man so loyal he will not speak to Gauhar (Ayana Yesmagambetova) of his love for her, knowing Mansur loves her, too. (Mansur says nothing to her about his feelings, either, out of respect for his friend.) Nomad's widescreen action is full of impressive horsemanship, swordplay, and terrific stunts. But it's the film's obvious sense of pride in its historically-based story about the creation of a united people that ultimately proves moving. --Tom Keogh

A war epic with amazing action. A legendary warrior arises to unite a group of clans against an onslaught of besieging enemy hordes. System Requirements:Run Time: 111 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/MARTIAL ARTS Rating: R UPC: 796019803199 Manufacturer No: 80319

Creator

Exuding the charm and grace for which he seems to hold the patent, Peter O'Toole plays Doctor Harry Wolper, a renowned research biologist whose pet project is to clone his sorely missed wife, dead now for 30 years. Assisting him in fine fashion are Meli (Mariel Hemingway), a self-proclaimed 19-year-old nymphomaniac bent on capturing the affections of Dr. Wolper, and a research assistant (Vincent Spano), whose love interest is fellow student Virgina Madsen. This sweet and enjoyable romantic comedy is brought to a head when the Madsen character drops suddenly into a coma. Then Wolper's nemesis, played almost lovably by David Ogden Stiers, thwarts his cloning attempts by reclaiming the stolen equipment he's using to do so. While Dr. Wolper preaches the beauty of The Big Picture as a way of apprehending life, this one is decidedly a small picture, but in the sense of being attuned to small details, probably owing to the foreign sensibilities of Czech director Ivan Passer (Cutter's Way). The many disparate plot threads are eventually brought into harmony, though the sheer number of them may seem a jumble to many viewers. Better to let the big picture take care of itself, and content oneself with the many smaller pleasures this delightful film affords. --Jim Gay

Dr. Harry Wolper a lonely biologist is unable to let go of the memory of his beloved wife who died 25 years earlier during childbirth. Armed with his genius as a biologist/physician he is intent on mastering the process of creating life. Specifically in the form of his dead wife. All that's standing in his way is the university the faculty the laws of nature and about 20 local ordinances!But just when he is about to unravel the mystery of life a sexy young assistant moves in and captures his heart. Now the only life that comes unraveled is his own. A wild and wonderful fantasy that is comically brought together by a wacky professor and his free spirited assistants.System Requirements: Running Time 107 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: R UPC: 031398703839

Kidnapped

Francis Ford Coppola executive produced this mini series adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure novel about a boy who's kidnapped and sold into slavery while searching for his rightful inheritance. From the family-oriented "Timeless Adventures" series.System Requirements:Run Time: 180 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR UPC: 084296407057 Manufacturer No: 40705

Faerie Tale Theatre - The Three Little Pigs

Three pig brothers leave home to build their own houses, only to be confronted by a wolf who is hungry for pork.

Faerie Tale Theatre - Puss 'n Boots

A clever cat comes up with a way to transform his master into a nobleman, but first he demands a new wardrobe.

Faerie Tale Theatre - The Tale Of The Frog Prince

A prince who was turned into a frog by a witch's spell is ultimately saved by the kiss of a self-centered princess.

Faerie Tale Theatre - The Princess Who Had Never Laughed

When her sadness becomes so overwhelming that a princess refuses to leave her room, a king searches the land for someone to make his daughter laugh.

The Wishing Tree

Faerie Tale Theatre - The Boy Who Left Home To Find Out About The Shivers

A cowardly king offers a young man who isn't afraid of anything all the riches in the land if he rid the castle of a ghost.