Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dana Carvey
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Adam Sandler
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Dead Man Walking
by Tim Robbins
from MGM (Video & DVD)
Superbly adapted and directed by Tim Robbins from the nonfiction book of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, this spiritually enlightened drama is too intelligent to traffic in polemics or self-righteous pontifications against the death penalty. But in examining the issue of capital punishment from a humanitarian perspective, the film urges thoughtful reflection on the justifications for legally ending a human life. Although it features a fine supporting cast, the film maintains its sharp focus through flawless lead performances by Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon as the Catholic nun Prejean, and Sean Penn as the death-row killer she struggles to save. Robbins avoids a biased message, letting the movie examine both sides of the issue instead (R. Lee Ermey gives a fine performance as the grief-stricken father of one of Penn's victims). As the drama unfolds and Penn's execution deadline grows near, Dead Man Walking is graced by compelling depths of theme and character, achieving an emotional impact that demands further reflection and removes the stigma of piousness from socially conscious filmmaking. --Jeff Shannon
Inspired by the true story of a nun's relationship with a condemned man, this provocative examination of crime, punishment and redemption earned Susan Sarandon the 1995 OscarÂ(r) for Best Actress and Sean Penn an OscarÂ(r) nomination for Best Actor. Dead Man Walking is a "fast-moving and absorbing" film filled with "genuine suspense" (Variety) that will leave you awe-struck from beginning to end. Sister Helen Prejean (Sarandon), a compassionate New Orleansnun, is the spiritual advisor to Matthew Poncelet (Penn), a vicious, angry and complex murderer awaiting execution. Her dedication is to help others, like Matthew, find salvation. But as she attemptsto navigate Matthew's dark soul, she encounters a depth of evil that makes her question how far redemption can really go. Can she stave off the fateful day of execution long enough to save Matthew, or will she discover a truth that will rock the very foundation by which she lives her life?
Saturday Night Live - The Best of Molly Shannon
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Molly Shannon created a string of amazing characters on Saturday Night Live-from Catholic schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher to 50-year-old Sally O'Malley-and like Molly herself they're all fearless strong and hilarious. See the best of Joyologist Helen Madden Elizabeth Taylor Anna Nicole Smith Courtney Love and other extras including Molly's favorite scenes that were cut after Dress Rehearsal and never seen until now.System Requirements: Running Time 76 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 031398842323 Manufacturer No: VM8423D
Saturday Night Live - Christmas
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Get the gift of laughter from your favorite Saturday Night Live cast members including Dana Carvey Chevy Chase Jane Curtin Phil Hartman Jon Lovitz Eddie Murphy Bill Murray Mike Myers Adam Sandler and many more! You'll laugh out loud with special guests Alec Baldwin Candice Bergen Danny DeVito Steve Martin Paul Simon and William Shatner. It's great comedy fun any time of the year.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 031398818328 Manufacturer No: VM8183D
The best Christmas material from two-and-a-half decades of Saturday Night Live is collected in this video, which gets off to a raucous start by presenting Chevy Chase's (literally) unbalanced rendition of President Gerald Ford decorating the White House Christmas tree. A number of memorable Christmas satires appear, including Eddie Murphy's spoof of Mr. Rodgers, Ana Gasteyer appearing in the "Martha Stewart Topless Christmas Special," and even Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah Song." Some of the best material is from the show's early freewheeling years: a classic bit with guest Candice Bergen, playing an uptight newswoman, being suitably offended while interviewing an irresponsible and utterly sleazy toy manufacturer (Dan Ackroyd); John Belushi doing a silent yet brilliant turn as a hard-drinking department store Santa; and the entire original cast taking part in an elaborate (by the show's early standards) production number. Also appearing in the video compilation are cast members Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, and Dana Carvey, as well as guests Steve Martin, Danny DeVito, Paul Simon, William Shatner, and Alec Baldwin (who visits the NPR ladies to deliver a wickedly deadpan talk about his Christmas balls). Saturday Night Live has been notoriously uneven over the years, but this video is a full stocking of consistently inspired writing and performances. --Robert J. McNamara
Ohh Nooo!!! Mr. Bill Classics
by Christopher Guest
from Starz / Anchor Bay
One of the major breakout stars to come out of the first years of Saturday Night Live was not one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players, but was instead born from a bit of clay and the creative mind of Walter Williams.
The 18 shorts that comprise The Best of Saturday Night Live: The Mr. Bill Collection exemplify the humor and outrageousness that we have come to expect from Mr. Bill, Spot, Mr. Hands, and of course, Sluggo. The plots, and budget, may have been simple and at some times poorly executed, but they remain a catalyst of laughter and bring back memories of staying up late just to see what troubles would cause Bill to utter his famous phrase: "Ohh, nooo!!!" We are treated to classic Mr. Bill exploits, such as "Mr. Bill's Christmas Special," "Mr. Bill Goes to New York," and the inappropriately named "Mr. Bill Strikes Back," as well as a bonus "Public Service Announcement" relating to highway education.
Although the quality of the film is not always the best, the humor remains intact. In 50 minutes, The Best of Saturday Night Live: The Mr. Bill Collection illustrates how he was one of the show's brightest stars, all the while keeping his unkempt, independent charm. --Zachary Lively
SNL - Bad Boys Of Saturday Night Live
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Join the Bad Boys of Saturday Night Live along with Saturday Night Live's talented regulars and guest performers and get ready for the baddest most outrageous comedy to hit late night!System Requirements: Running Time 87 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 031398767121 Manufacturer No: VM7671D
Saturday Night Live - Halloween
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
Saturday Night Live's Halloween Special will tingle your funny bone! Join hosts Wayne and Garth (aka Mike Myers and Dana Carvey) as they peek into the vaults of spooky mayhem and unearth hilarious comedy sketches from seasons past and present.It's the frightful best of Saturday Night Live the ultimate Halloween party video. Treat yourself to these tricks tonight!System Requirements: Running Time 59 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 031398816522 Manufacturer No: VM8165D
Introduced by Wayne and Garth on the set of Wayne's World, the Saturday Night Live: Halloween special collection is frighteningly funny. Mining SNL's history back to the good old days of the Coneheads and the Land Shark, this tape selects an hour's worth of the best Halloween skits presented over more than 20 years. You'll see guests such as John Travolta and James Woods put through their paces by the SNL cast--Travolta is hysterical as a certain Transylvanian nobleman trying to convince his victims that they are mistaken about his secret (they think he's gay). All the stars you love, from Bill Murray to Adam Sandler, make appearances to poke fun at the weird, spooky pleasure we all share each year. You'll get tips on making scary faces, ideas for cheap costumes like "Johnny the Human Torch," and a new outlook on vampires in the age of AIDS, plus plenty more ghoulish laughs in Saturday Night Live: Halloween. --Rob Lightner
Saturday Night Live - The Best of Mike Myers
by Christopher Guest
from Lions Gate
From "Wayne's World" to the creepy hilarity of "Sprockets" and its slinky German host Dieter, this 16-sketch compilation showcases Mike Myers in his Saturday Night Live prime. Wayne Campbell and his sidekick Garth (Dana Carvey) are featured in two memorable sketches, jamming with Aerosmith and enjoying a sexy dream sequence with the babelicious Madonna. The Material Girl shows up again as the daughter of "Coffee Talk" hostess Linda Richman (who was inspired by Myers's mother-in-law), in a choice sketch with Roseanne, featuring a cameo by Barbra Streisand which is, as Linda would say, "like buttah."
More obscure sketches show Myers at his most bizarre, charming, and experimental. "Lothar of the Hill People" challenged network censors with not-so-subtle allusions to masturbation and female genitalia, while Myers's penchant for all things British is frequently indulged, including spot-on send-ups of Ron Wood and Mick Jagger. His portrayal of a hypoglycemic, hyperactive 6-year-old--complete with safety helmet and restraining harness--is both outrageously funny and more than a little dangerous. (It's a miracle that guest host Nicole Kidman keeps a straight face as she feeds the "kid" a chocolate bar, with the expected results.) And while other sketches such as "Middle Aged Man" were not likely to follow Wayne and Dieter to big-screen success, they show Myers doing what he does best: conceiving original characters and pushing them to comedic extremes. --Jeff Shannon
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