Heads Up! New Releases on Netflix!

This weekend brings a lot of new releases to Instant Watch on Netflix, giving us all some much needed downtime from the work week. There are plenty of options for TV series, from the old Hawaii Five-O, to the entire collection of Family Ties. Even season one of Glee is up to watch, as well as the Twilight Zone series. Top Movies this month include such favorites as The Hunt for Red October and many Bond Films. The Classic movie collection gets an upgrade with Gone with the Wind and All About Eve. Come April 2nd, Marvin’s Room is available, and if you wait until the weekend ends, Toy Story 3 is available to stream on April 4th.

I have separated them for you by Movies and TV Shows, in order of the Netflix release schedule. There are more releases coming to Netflix this weekend, but I have omitted anything lower than a 2-star review. You will also find the Top 5 Most watched (streaming) in the last 24 hours.) What will you be watching out of this list? Leave us a comment below! Plus, if you like this feature here at the Yak, click the like button at the bottom of this article!

Movies:

• For Once in My Life – 2010 – Documentary – This inspring documentary about overcoming the odds showcases the Spirit of Goodwill Band, an eclectic and talented ensemble comprised of musicians who suffer from a variety of physical and mental disabilities. As the band rehearses for an important upcoming concert, the members reveal not only their amazing musical chops, but also their stirring joie de vivre in the face of difficult personal challenges.
• The Pixar Story – 2007 – Documentary – Go behind the scenes at Pixar Animation Studios with this Emmy-nominated documentary tracing the creation and history of the groundbreaking company and featuring interviews with founders Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and Steve Jobs. Assembling rare Pixar footage and conversations with animators, producers, directors and voice actors, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks takes viewers on a fascinating tour of the outfit that forever changed Hollywood animation.
• Gone with the Wind – 1939 – Director Victor Fleming’s 1939 epic adaption of Margaret Mitchell’s novel of the same name stars Vivien Leigh as self-absorbed, headstrong Scarlett O’Hara, a Southern Belle who meets her match in Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) just as the Civil War breaks out. Living on a large cotton plantation called Tara in rural Georgia in 1861, Scarlett sees her beloved home and life as she knows it go up in flames — but will her true love be lost too?
• A Kiss of Chaos – 2009 – In this thriller written and directed by Ricardo Sean Thompson, an artist named Phoenix (Judy Marte) is set upon a course of life-threatening danger when her up-to-no-good ex, Angel (Michael Rivera), and her sick sister, Isis (Gleendilys Inoa), come back into her life. Angel has stolen cocaine, and the drugs need to find a home. Will Phoenix’s best friend, Tiffany (Stephanie Ortiz), and her brother, Tony (Manny Perez), be able to calm the chaos?
• White Lion – 2010 – When a rare white lion is born to a pride in an African valley, a Shangaan boy named Gisani (Thabo Malema) believes it his is responsibility to protect the cub, which he names Letsatsi. Tribal beliefs dictate that the lion is a messenger of the gods. But Letsatsi breaks free of his pride and must learn to survive on his own. Meanwhile, Gisani learns that a trophy hunter wishes to track Letsatsi down and kill him.
• Memphis Belle – 2002 – The B-17 Flying Fortress known as the Memphis Belle completed a remarkable 25 bombing runs during her World War II service. This film tells the story of the airmen who risked it all to fulfill those combat missions and bring their craft safely home. The program makes use of original material director William Wyler shot for his famed 1944 documentary and also contains unseen footage of the U.S. Air Force over Europe between 1943 and 1945.
• The Hunt for Red October – 1990 – When a Soviet nuclear sub headed toward American waters drops off U.S. scanners, the Yanks scramble to take defensive steps. But CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) convinces the brass that the sub’s commander (Sean Connery) has something other than a first strike in mind. A perilous cat-and-mouse game ensues in this taut technothriller co-starring Scott Glenn and Sam Neill.
• Thunderball – 1965 – Terrorist mastermind Emilio Largo hijacks two nuclear weapons and has his sights set on a blackmail payday of global proportions — unless James Bond (Sean Connery) can stop him! Thunderball gets the Special Edition treatment with commentary by director Terence Young and two making-of featurettes. An action classic that’ll move and thrill you, Thunderball is one of the best of the franchise.
• Young@Heart – 2007 – Documentary – Coldplay, the Clash and Jimi Hendrix will never sound the same once you’ve heard the Young@Heart chorus, a group of Massachusetts senior citizens who thrill audiences worldwide with their unusual — and unusually poignant — covers of rock songs. Stephen Walker’s humane and heartwarming documentary, which premiered at Sundance in 2008, follows the elderly ensemble as they prepare their latest show for public performances.
• The Winds of War – 1983 – Robert Mitchum stars as naval commander Victor Henry in this epic miniseries set during World War II. Hitler leads Germany’s expansion in Europe, Mussolini fights to establish fascism in Italy, and the Japanese exert pressure on China. Against this broad landscape, the Henry clan attempts to stay together even as larger forces threaten to rip them apart. This Emmy-winning production is based on a historical novel by Herman Wouk.
• All About Eve – 1950 – Writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s sharp script anchors this story about New York City theater life, with Bette Davis playing an aging Broadway diva who employs a starstruck fan (Anne Baxter) as her assistant, only to learn the woman is a conniving upstart. The now-classic All About Eve won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Mankiewicz), Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (George Sanders).
• Diamonds Are Forever – 1971 – When he discovers that his evil nemesis, Blofeld (Charles Gray), is stockpiling the world’s supply of diamonds to use in a deadly laser satellite, secret agent James Bond (Sean Connery) sets out to stop the madman, with the help of beautiful smuggler Tiffany Case (Jill St. John). Connery’s final turn as Bond (until 1983′s unofficial outing, Never Say Never Again) boasts the gadgets, gunplay and girls that symbolize the heyday of the 007 series.
• You Only Live Twice – 1967 – After American and Soviet spaceships disappear, the two countries trade blame for the incidents. As the nations edge toward war, James Bond (Sean Connery) finds himself in the middle of another international mystery. After staging his own death, Agent 007, with Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tanba) and the beautiful Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi), discovers that the leader (Donald Pleasence) of the SPECTRE crime organization orchestrated the events.
• Masterpiece Classic: Any Human Heart – 2011 – Riding the waves of the 20th century to two continents, Logan Mountstuart tries his hand at writing, the art trade and espionage, brushing shoulders along the way with a stunning assortment of iconic personalities. Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen and Sam Claflin pool their acting talents to portray one multifaceted man through three different seasons of his life in this sweeping British drama based on William Boyd’s best-selling novel.
• Body of Proof - 2011 – In the wake of a severe car accident that cut short her career as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) establishes herself as a top medical examiner who solves perplexing murders by combing dead bodies for clues and staying a step ahead of the police. Throughout this medical investigation series, Hunt tries desperately to reconnect with her estranged daughter, whom she was always too busy to ever really know.
• Hello, Dolly! – 1969 – Composer Jerry Herman’s Tony Award-winning Broadway musical was adapted for the big screen in an outsize production featuring Barbra Streisand as matchmaker Dolly Levi, a role originated on stage by a much-older Carol Channing. When wealthy merchant Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau) hires Dolly to find a mate for him, she decides to win him over for herself. Songs include “Before the Parade Passes By” and the glorious title tune.
• How to Marry a Millionaire – 1953 – In this classic comedy, three New York models (Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall) set up an apartment with a mission: They plan to use their looks, charm and talent to catch and marry a trio of millionaires. The gold-digging dames’ outrageous man-hunting scheme does attract wealthy candidates, but, love and money don’t appear to coexist; all three women must choose between the extremes.
• The Accused – 1988 – Jodie Foster won an Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Tobias in this fact-based drama. After being raped by three men in a local bar, Sarah, enraged at the light sentence her attackers receive, persuades attorney Kathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis) to press charges against the men who cheered on the attack. But it won’t be easy: Sarah has a shady past that could be used against her in court.
• Die Hard with a Vengeance – 1995 – Bruce Willis is back and kicking bad-guy butt as New York detective John McClane in the third installment of this action-packed series, which finds him teaming with civilian Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) to prevent the loss of innocent lives. McClane thought he’d seen it all, until a genius named Simon (Jeremy Irons) engages McClane, his new “partner” — and his beloved city — in a deadly game that demands their concentration.
• The Graduate – 1967 – Dustin Hoffman (in his first major film role) turns in a landmark performance as a naïve college graduate who is seduced by a middle-aged neighbor (Anne Bancroft) but ends up falling in love with her beautiful, young daughter (Katharine Ross). Mike Nichols won a Best Director Oscar for this 1960s classic, which boasts an immortal score from Simon and Garfunkel that includes the iconic “Mrs. Robinson.”
• True Lies – 1994 –  Special agent Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a top spy in the ultra-secret Omega Sector — but his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) thinks he’s just a boring computer salesman. When Harry’s identities collide, the Taskers find themselves in the clutches of international terrorists, fighting to save their marriage and their lives. Director James Cameron’s action comedy adds romance and special effects to the Oscar-nominated mix.
• Live Flesh – 1997 – One of director Pedro Almodóvar’s best films recounts the story of Victor, born on a bus to prostitute Penélope Cruz. As a troubled teen, Victor is in the apartment of drug addict Elena (Francesca Neri). He accidentally shoots a policeman and gets sent to prison. Years later, Victor learns Elena has married the now-paralyzed cop, and he begins to stalk her!
• For Your Eyes Only – 1981 – In the 12th film in the series based on Ian Fleming’s short stories, British spy James Bond (Roger Moore) faces yet another devastating threat. When a British ship is sunk, the world’s superpowers race to recover its valuable cargo and prevent global devastation. As Agent 007 joins the hunt for Soviet spies, he also finds time to get to know the lovely Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet). Bill Conti’s theme song earned an Oscar nomination.
• Pinky - 1949 – Elia Kazan’s anti-racist drama centers on a light-skinned black woman trying to fit into society. When her white boyfriend proposes, Patricia “Pinky” Johnson (Jeanne Crain) fears that he can’t handle an interracial marriage and leaves him. She returns to her Southern childhood home, where her grandma (Ethel Waters) cares for rich Miss Em (Ethel Barrymore). When Miss Em wills her estate to Pinky, the young woman must endure a painful legal battle.
• The Conversation – 1974 – Francis Ford Coppola follows The Godfather with this intimate film about an audio surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) who faces a moral quandary when he suspects that a couple whose conversation he’s been hired to surreptitiously record will be murdered. The San Francisco-set film features a tremendous supporting cast, including John Cazale and Teri Garr, and was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay.
• Camille Claudel – 1988 – The talent and ambition of French sculptor Camille Claudel (Isabelle Adjani) catch the attention of legendary sculptor Auguste Rodin (Gérard Depardieu) in this passionate biographical drama. Claudel abandons her work to assist the womanizing Rodin, becoming his muse and his lover. When the affair ends disastrously, Claudel spins into an emotional turmoil that eventually sends her spiraling toward madness.
• L’Auberge Espagnole – 2002 – When Frenchman Xavier (Romain Duris) signs on to become an exchange student and learn Spanish so he can get a plum job, he heads to Barcelona and moves in with a host of other young Europeans who help him discover how to relish life. The roommates — from Italy, England, Germany, Belgium and Denmark — form close friendships despite their diverse backgrounds. Audrey Tautou, of the film Amelie, co-stars in a small role as Xavier’s girlfriend.
• Three Rivers - 2009 – A new twist on the television medical drama, this one-season series set in a Pittsburgh hospital explores the race-against-time world of organ transplants from the perspective of the medical team, the organ recipients, the donors and their families. Alex O’Loughlin plays adored leader of the surgical team Dr. Andy Yablonski, Katherine Moennig is feisty surgical fellow Dr. Miranda Foster and Daniel Henney plays resident lothario Dr. David Lee.
• Absolute Power – 1997 – Cat burglar Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood) finds himself in the president’s doghouse when he spies the chief executive (Gene Hackman) trysting with a trophy wife. When their rough romancing turns lethal, efforts to cover up the scandalous situation spiral violently out of control. Now, Luther must survive a desperate pursuit from the back streets of the nation’s capital to the halls of power. Eastwood also directed this riveting crime thriller.
• Le Doulos – 1962 – French new wave icon Jean-Paul Belmondo stars as Silien, a poker-faced crook who may or may not have squealed on newly sprung gangster Maurice Faugel (Serge Reggiani) in this ice-cool noir from the great Jean-Pierre Melville. Fedoras, trench coats, dark alleys and jazz pervade this intricate crime drama, which features a virtuoso eight-minute interrogation scene — done in a single take — that was a highlight of Melville’s remarkable career.
• Red Dragon – 2002 – This Silence of the Lambs prequel stars Edward Norton as former FBI agent Will Graham, who was once nearly killed by the savage Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) and now has no choice but to face him again. It seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer, Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes) — but can he be trusted? Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, Mary-Louise Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman co-star.
• Live and Let Die – 1973 – Roger Moore steps in as the suave, sophisticated Agent 007 in this eighth Bond installment. Bond’s investigation of the murders of three fellow agents in New York soon puts him on the trail of Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto), a Harlem crime boss plotting a globally threatening scheme involving tons of self-produced heroin. Jane Seymour plays Mr. Big’s Tarot card reader, the beautiful Solitaire, whose loyalties are quickly cultivated by the charming Bond.
• The Spy Who Loved Me – 1977 – In this action-packed James Bond adventure, someone has found a way to track submarines and offers the technology to the highest bidder. An international crisis breaks out when a British submarine equipped with 16 nuclear warheads disappears. Agent 007 (Roger Moore) joins forces with a brainy female Russian spy (Barbara Bach) to locate the vessel before the missiles can be launched at New York City.
• Ponette – 1996 – When her mother dies in a car accident, 4-year-old Ponette (Victoire Thivisol) is left physically and emotionally scarred and in the care of her grief-stricken father. Sent to live with family for a while, Ponette slowly comes to terms with her loss. Thivisol earned a Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festival for her powerful, haunting performance as her character sullenly navigates a world comprised mostly of children’s faces.
• Trade – 2007 – Based on a New York Times Magazine story, this crime drama starring Kevin Kline delves into a sordid world of international sex trafficking that leads from Mexico City to a New Jersey stash house. In a bid to save kidnapped 13-year-old Adriana (Paulina Gaitan) before she’s sold into sexual slavery, her desperate brother (Cesar Ramos) teams with a Texas cop (Kline). Can they find her before she vanishes into a hellish underworld?
• Never Say Never Again – 1983 – Sean Connery makes his final appearance as Agent 007 in this action classic. When two atomic warheads are hijacked by the evil SPECTRE organization, James Bond jumps into a frantic race to save the world from nuclear terrorists. With Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer), Blofeld (Max von Sydow) and Fatima (Barbara Carrera) bent on destroying the world, Bond is never far from death in director Irvin Kershner’s Golden Globe-nominated spy flick.
• Dead Alive – 1992 – Although it’s easy to admire the maniacal glee of director Peter Jackson’s bloodfest, Dead Alive is nonetheless intense and profoundly disturbing. When a Sumatran rat-monkey bites Lionel Cosgrove’s mother, she’s transformed into a zombie. She begins killing (and transforming) the entire town while Lionel races to keep things under control. Events culminate at a house party that turns into a blood-drenched zombie buffet.
• Marx Brothers: Inside the Marx Brothers – 2003 – Take an in-depth look at the personal lives and careers of the famous Marx Brothers: Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo and Gummo. Pioneers on the American comedy scene, the brothers’ comedic timing, wit and style are unmatched to this day. Fans will delight in this broad collection of Marx memorabilia, including favorites such as “Animal Crackers,” “Monkey Business,” “Duck Soup” and “A Night at the Opera,” as well as interviews and rare footage.
• Moonraker – 1979 – Agent 007 (Roger Moore) blasts into orbit in this action-packed adventure that takes him to Venice, Rio de Janeiro … and outer space. Bond investigates the hijacking of an American space shuttle by power-mad industrialist Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale). Along with beautiful CIA agent Holly Goodhead (Lois Chiles), Bond’s soon locked in a life-or-death struggle against Drax, whose horrific scheme may destroy all human life on Earth.
• The Man with the Golden Gun – 1974 – Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee), the world’s deadliest assassin, has set his sights set on 007 (Roger Moore). James Bond has a license to kill, but Scaramanga isn’t playing by anyone’s rules as the cat-and-mouse game of death takes the two from the Far East to Scaramanga’s island lair. Also includes director Guy Hamilton’s commentary and extensive documentaries.
• A View to a Kill – 1985 – Agent 007 (Roger Moore, in his final appearance as Bond) races against time to stop a power-mad French industrialist (Christopher Walken) who plots to destroy California’s Silicon Valley — by triggering a massive earthquake that would kill millions — in order to corner the world’s microchip supply. From the Eiffel Tower to the top of the Golden Gate Bridge, James Bond can’t be stopped! Grace Jones and Tanya Roberts co-star.
• Teen Wolf – 1985 – Adolescence means changes, and for nerdy basketballer Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox), that includes transforming into a werewolf. What would seem like a setback proves to be a great asset as Scott finds himself unstoppable on the court and a hit with the ladies. Susan Ursitti co-stars as Boof, Scott’s best friend and confidante, and Jerry Levine plays the snarky “van surfing” buddy who tries to turn Scott’s lycanthropy into a windfall.
• Charles Mingus: Triumph of the Underdog – 1998 – Filmmaker Don McGlynn examines the tumultuous personal life and creative legacy of jazz legend Charles Mingus as never before in this insightful documentary. Performance footage of Mingus, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Gerry Mulligan accompanies interviews with Mingus disciples, radio performances and more. Songs include “Goodbye Porkpie Hat,” “Epitaph” and “Peggy’s Blue Skylight.” Sue Mingus, the artist’s widow, co-produced the production.
• That Obscure Object of Desire – 1977 – Adapted from the novel La Femme et le Pantin by Pierre Louys, this Oscar-nominated erotic dark comedy was Luis Buñuel’s final film. The story follows, in flashback, middle-aged Mathieu (Fernando Rey) and his obsession for the much younger, moody Conchita (played by both Carole Bouquet and Angela Molina). The two play a continuous tug-of-war with each other’s desires, each trying to outlast the other at their own game.
• Conspiracy Theory – 1997 – New York City cab driver Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson), who moonlights as a conspiracy theorist, puts his own life in danger when crooked government officials set out to silence him. An attorney named Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts) might be able to help him. But first she’ll have to unravel a mysterious murder that could be connected to Fletcher’s theory. Patrick Stewart co-stars in this thriller from crowd-pleasing director Richard Donner.
• Four Weddings and a Funeral – 1994 – At various social gatherings, Charles (Hugh Grant), a commitment-phobic Brit, tries to reconnect with Carrie (Andie MacDowell), a beautiful, alluring American who’s about to make a seemingly terrible mistake by marrying a wealthy, boring man (Corin Redgrave). Kristin Scott Thomas, John Hannah, James Fleet and Simon Callow co-star in this lighthearted comedy about love, friendship and fate. But, as the title suggests, there’s a tragedy in the mix.
• Father of the Bride – 1991 – In this hilarious update of the much-loved Hollywood classic, Steve Martin turns in a winning performance as George Banks, the befuddled father who has a hard time letting go of his daughter (Kimberly Williams) when she unexpectedly announces her plans to wed. Diane Keaton co-stars as George’s level-headed wife, Nina, and Martin Short steals his scenes as an off-the-wall wedding consultant.
• Octopussy – 1983 – In the 13th installment of the legendary James Bond series, Agent 007 (Roger Moore) discovers a plot hatched by a renegade Soviet general (Steven Berkoff) and an exiled Indian (Louis Jourdan) to launch a nuclear attack against NATO forces in Europe. The terrorists plan to fund the attack with the sale of Faberge eggs. A beautiful but mysterious smuggler (Maud Adams) doesn’t make things easy for him, but Bond is determined to save the day.
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – 1969 – George Lazenby takes over the role of Agent 007 for what many consider to be the finest Bond film ever made. Bond tracks archnemesis Ernst Blofeld (Telly Savalas) to a mountaintop retreat where he’s training an army of beautiful but lethal women. Along the way, Bond falls for Italian contessa Tracy Draco (Diana Rigg) — and marries her in order to get closer to Blofeld. Meanwhile, he locates Blofeld in the Alps and embarks on a classic ski chase.
• The Onion Field – 1979 – One of veteran police writer Joseph Wambaugh’s most compelling and uncompromising dramas, The Onion Field is the true story of the psychological collapse of a cop, Karl Hettinger (John Savage), whose partner (Ted Danson) is murdered in front of him by a pair of crooks. Karl tries to put his life back together while wrestling with the guilt of surviving the ordeal and letting the killers get away.
• Up Close & Personal – 1996 – Michelle Pfeiffer stars as ambitious reporter Tally Atwater, who aspires to make it to the top in television news. Along the way, she meets veteran newsman Warren Justice (Robert Redford), who gives her a shot at her dream job — and a chance at love. Tally soon turns heads in broadcasting, but her relationship with Warren becomes arduous. This film is based loosely on the story of anchorwoman Jessica Savitch.
• Before Sunrise – 1995 – This intoxicating film from director Richard Linklater stars Ethan Hawke as an American backpacker who strikes up a conversation with a lovely fellow traveler (Julie Delpy) on the train to Vienna and persuades her to spend his last day in Europe with him. Wandering the picturesque streets of the Austrian capital, the two share stories of their pasts and their dreams for the future, ultimately forging a bond that leads to love.
• Out of Ireland: Emigration Into America – 1994 – Documentary – Writer-director Paul Wagner’s thoughtful documentary details the history of Irish immigration to America using archival and contemporary film footage, readings from correspondence and expert analysis to convey the flavor and progression of events. Included are insightful discussions of the potato famine, Irish folk traditions, Catholicism and the deprivation and political oppression that led millions to abandon their homeland for a better life.
• The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie - 1972 – In Luis Buñuel’s deliciously satiric, Oscar-winning masterpiece, an upper-class sextet (Fernando Rey, Paul Frankeur, Delphine Seyrig, Stéphane Audran, Bulle Ogier and Jean-Pierre Cassel) sits down to dinner but never eats, their attempts repeatedly thwarted by a vaudevillian mixture of events both actual and imagined. Perhaps his greatest film, Buñuel’s absurdist view of the upper class is a timeless satire about consumerism and class privilege.
• Licence to Kill – 1989 – James Bond (Timothy Dalton) resigns from the Secret Service after a friend in the CIA (along with his new wife) is brutally murdered by drug lord Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi). With a score to settle, Bond partners up with pilot Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell) and Sanchez’s mistress (Talisa Soto). While avoiding the British government, Bond races across land, air and water in a whirlwind of action and suspense.
• Bill Evans Trio: The Oslo Concerts – 2007 – Two concerts from jazz great Bill Evans and his trio showcase the talent that influenced scores of fellow piano players. Evans won multiple Grammy awards in his stellar career, and musicians including Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea drew on his work to create their own styles. Filmed live in 1966 and 1980, this pair of performances features some of Evans’s best-loved songs, including “Nardis,” “Stella by Starlight,” “Autumn Leaves” and more.
• The Living Daylights – 1987 – Timothy Dalton makes his suave and lethal debut as superagent James Bond in this turbo-charged action-adventure. This time, Bond’s charged with protecting a Soviet general (Jeroen Krabbe) from a beautiful sniper (Maryam d’Abo). But after being used as a pawn in a fake defector scheme, Agent 007 must trek across the world to find the escaped general and stop a terrifying weapons conspiracy that may be linked to the Soviet military high command.
• The Story of Bluegrass Music - 1993 – Longtime fans of bluegrass music and those only recently discovering it will appreciate this documentary on the genre, which was born of a combination of African and Celtic sounds and is the base of American country music. This film traces the musical form from its Appalachian roots to the present and features more than 100 songs performed by legends such as Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, Flatt & Scruggs and others.
• 21 Grams – 2003 – A tragic car accident brings together three strangers — a teacher (Sean Penn) with a weak heart, a former drug addict (Naomi Watts) turned housewife and an ex-con (Benicio Del Toro) who’s found Christ — forcing them to face their darkest fears, reevaluate their lives and seek redemption. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu directed this complex drama that earned Oscar nominations for lead actress Watts and supporting actor Del Toro.
• Korn: Live on the Other Side – 2006 – Alternative metal rockers Korn kick off the release of their record “Live on the Other Set” with a concert for their closest fans in the intimate setting of New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. High-def footage and digital surround sound capture the raw energy of the show, which includes the tracks “Shoots and Ladders,” “Here to Stay,” “Freak on a Leash,” “One,” “Somebody Someone,” “Hypocrites,” “Coming Undone,” “Dirty,” “Got the Life” and more.
• Hot Tub Time Machine - 2010 – Fueled by energy drinks, vodka and nostalgia for their younger, wilder days, a group of aging best friends travels back in time to 1987, where they get the chance to relive the best year of their lives. And their time machine? Well, it’s a hot tub. John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover and Sebastian Stan co-star in this out-of-the-box comedy that takes time travel to a whole new level.
• Accidentally on Purpose – 2009 – After a one-night stand with much-younger Zack (Jon Foster) leaves her pregnant, Billie (Jenna Elfman) decides to keep the baby and let Zack move in to share parenting duties. But Billie doesn’t expect her home to become a playground for Zack’s party-animal friends. Meanwhile, she’s also coping with a break-up with her boss (Grant Show) and child-rearing advice from all sides. This sitcom co-stars Ashley Jensen, Lennon Parham and Nicolas Wright.
• Little Man Tate – 1991 – Jodie Foster’s directorial debut centers on Fred Tate (Adam Hann-Byrd), a gifted 7-year-old whose prodigious talents land him in the middle of a battle between his working-class mom (Foster) and a school director (Dianne Wiest) who wants to cultivate his genius. Fred, meanwhile, yearns to fit in with the other children at his school, who treat him as an outcast. Harry Connick Jr. and David Hyde Pierce co-star in this moving drama.
• The Executioner’s Song – 1982 – Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones took home an Emmy for his starring turn in this made-for-television movie, adapted by acclaimed author-journalist Norman Mailer from his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Based on a true story, the compelling drama follows the troubled last days of Gary Gilmore, a career criminal on death row who became the first prisoner executed in the United States after the government’s death penalty reinstatement in 1976.
• Ishi, the Last Yahi - 2002 – Ishi, the sole survivor of California’s Yahi Native American tribe before his death in 1916, is the subject of this documentary featuring interviews and historical footage that tell Ishi’s story of survival in the face of non-native encroachment. Narrated by Oscar Award-winning actress Linda Hunt, the enlightening presentation chronicles not only Ishi’s story, but also the fledgling science of anthropology as it existed in the early 20th century.
• Demolition Man – 1993 – In the violent 1990s, a cop (Sylvester Stallone) catches a relentless killer (Wesley Snipes), and both end up in a cryogenic deep freeze. In the peaceful year 2032, the criminal emerges from his long chill and attacks the now crimeless California. Unable to stop the bloodshed, a “Big Brother” boss (Nigel Hawthorne) defrosts the murderer’s past nemesis, who struggles to adapt to the ways of a new world and a restless new partner (Sandra Bullock).
• Far from Heaven – 2002 – When she finds her husband (Dennis Quaid) with another man, a Connecticut housewife (Julianne Moore) finds herself dealing with infidelity and the racial tension that epitomized the late 1950s at the advent of the Civil Rights movement in America. As a coping mechanism to deal with the emotional turmoil, she develops an unlikely friendship with her African-American gardener (Dennis Haysbert), who’s full of sage wisdom.
• Don’t Bother to Knock – 1952 – After Lyn (Anne Bancroft) dumps him, Jed (Richard Widmark) sulks until he spots gorgeous Nell Forbes (Marilyn Monroe), who recently moved to New York City. But Jed soon realizes that Nell harbors a dark past when her mental instability becomes apparent. While she babysits the daughter (Donna Corcoran) of Ruth (Lurene Tuttle) and Peter (Jim Backus), Nell’s sad truth can’t be hidden — not even by her Uncle Eddie (Elisha Cook Jr.).
• Hart’s War – 2002 – When an African-American pilot (Terrence Howard) in a German POW camp is accused of murdering one of his fellow inmates, Lt. Tommy Hart (Colin Farrell) must defend him. But Hart’s superiors (including Bruce Willis) caution that digging too deep could expose secrets that would mean death to all prisoners. In a place where lies keep men alive, one young officer must uncover the truth — whatever the cost.
• The Four Musketeers – 1975 – After infuriating the utterly contemptible Lady de Winter (Faye Dunaway), newly inducted musketeer D’Artagnan (Michael York) teams up with his swashbuckling cohorts to avenge a close friend’s death and rescue kidnapped maiden Constance (Raquel Welch), whom he loves dearly. A refreshing take on Alexandre Dumas’s classic adventure, director Richard Lester’s comedic sequel delivers slapstick antics mixed with awe-inspiring action.
• Before Sunset – 2004 – Ethan Hawke reprises his role as Jesse, a traveling American who fell for a sweet French girl named Celine (Julie Delpy) while he was backpacking through Europe, in this sequel to the 1995 hit Before Sunrise that’s set nine years after they met. Now a successful author, Jessie’s on a book tour in Paris when Celine shows up at a reading, just hours before his plane leaves. It’s their last chance at closure — and maybe their second shot at love.
• Blood Work – 2002 – Retired FBI director Terry McCaleb (Clint Eastwood), feeble from a recent heart transplant, is hired by Graciela Rivers (Wanda De Jesus) to investigate the death of her sister, Gloria — who is, coincidentally, the donor of McCaleb’s new heart. McCaleb soon deduces that Gloria was murdered by a serial killer he was trailing for years while in the FBI … but can the elderly agent muster the strength to hunt down the killer and stop him for good?
• My Beautiful Laundrette - 1986 – Omar (Gordon Warnecke), a Pakistani, and his old school chum Johnny (Daniel-Day Lewis) use stolen drug money to renovate a laundrette in a squalid London neighborhood. But conflicting interests soon threaten their newfound success. Hanif Kureishi received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay, a stunning portrait of two boyhood friends who are struggling to survive in racially tense Thatcher-era Britain.
• The Howling – 1981 – After a traumatic experience at work, TV reporter Karen White (Dee Wallace) checks into a plush California resort called The Colony to rest. Yet, on her first night there, the howling outside her window leads her to discover that she’s in a colony of werewolves. Now she must expose the secret — if she can survive! Rife with in-jokes, horror film references and genuine scares, this John Sayles-penned howl fest is a werewolf classic.
• The Mountain Men – 1980 – Director Richard Lang’s adventure-themed tale centers on lust and greed, with grizzled fur trappers Bill Tyler (Charlton Heston) and Henry Frapp (Brian Keith) running from the wrath of a Blackfoot chief named Heavy Eagle (Stephen Macht) and his band of thieves. While defending their horses and supplies, the men of the Rockies attract the attention of Running Moon (Victoria Racimo), which puts them in deadly danger.
• Rising Sun – 1993 – An ex-investigator (Sean Connery) with knowledge of Japanese customs is called in to help a detective (Wesley Snipes) solve a prostitute’s murder. Committed during the height of a corporate gala, the crime was captured on video — but the evidence has been suspiciously altered. As they work together to solve the case, the unlikely partners uncover a chain of corporate corruption that’s nearly as gruesome as the victim’s death.
• Muddy Waters: Got My Mojo Working – 2000 – This 12-song collection of outstanding live performances — which were harvested from a trio of taped concerts for German television — captures the legendary guitarist at his bluesy best. Among the musical highlights in the compilation are “Caledonia,” “Everything Gonna Be Alright,” “Blow Wind Blow,” “Honey Bee,” the title track and Muddy’s wailin’ 1978 performance on one of his great signature songs, “Mannish Boy.”
• Her Best Move – 2007 – While pursuing a spot on the U.S. national team, teen soccer star Sara Davis (Leah Pipes) must juggle high school’s myriad demands, including endless schoolwork, dance lessons, a part-time job and a romance with a dreamy yearbook photographer (Drew Tyler Bell). Daryl Sabara co-stars as Sara’s dorky friend, Doogie, in this kickin’ family comedy, which won first prize at the Kidseye International Film Festival in 2007.
• Anna Karenina – 2000 – To help her brother mend his failing marriage, young Russian beauty Anna Karenina (Helen McCrory) — who’s married to eminent nobleman Alexei Karenin (Stephen Dillane) — leaves St. Petersburg for Moscow, where she meets the dashing Count Vronsky (Kevin McKidd). They soon fall madly in love, but the scandal of their illicit affair and Alexei’s vengeance give rise to tragedy in this faithful adaptation of author Leo Tolstoy’s immortal novel.
• The Incredible Shrinking Woman – 1981 – Hardworking housewife Pat Kramer (Lily Tomlin) gets that “shrinking” feeling after she is exposed to a mix of household chemicals that slowly and steadily make her smaller and smaller, much to the concern of her kids and her ad exec husband (Charles Grodin). It isn’t long before a team of goons plots to kidnap Pat so they can study her condition and inflict it on the rest of the human population, in this visually captivating family comedy.
• One False Move – 1991 – Carl Franklin directs this edge-of-your-seat thriller about two drug dealers and their female cohort who commit a string of bloody murders, then flee Los Angeles to hide out in small-town Arkansas. Before long, they realize the local sheriff is no yahoo: He’s on to them, and the net tightens further when L.A. cops arrive on the scene just as the crooks’ crumbling plans make them even more desperate. Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton and Cynda Williams star.
• Made for Each Other – 1939 – Charming singles Jane (Carole Lombard) and John (James Stewart) enthusiastically fall in love, get hitched and have a baby. But soon enough, harsh realities — including meddling in-laws, money problems and a family illness — intrude on the couple’s dream of living happily ever after. While the floundering lovebirds may be meant for each other, they’ll have to work together to weather life’s ups and downs.
• Empire – 2002 – Gangster Victor Rosas (John Leguizamo) is determined to escape his criminal past and free himself of the trappings of easy money on the violent South Bronx streets. Hoping to make a legitimate life for his family, Victor partners with a powerful Wall Street banker (Peter Sarsgaard). But while Victor thinks he’s living the American Dream, he discovers that the price he must pay for his new lifestyle is much more than he bargained for.
• A Home at the End of the World – 2004 – Boyhood pals Bobby (Colin Farrell) and Jonathan (Dallas Roberts) both love the same woman (Robin Wright Penn), but in different ways. (For one thing, Jonathan is gay). Yet, undaunted, they all try to make a life together — and even have a baby — in 1980s New York. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham’s novel gets deft treatment in this story about a troika of close friends who enter into an unconventional living arrangement.
• Out of Practice – 2005 – For a family made up of physicians, the Barnes clan sure has a hard time keeping their personal lives and relationships healthy. Divorcing parents Stewart and Lydia (Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing, in an Emmy-nominated role) trade barbs, playboy plastic surgeon Oliver can’t get past the surface, ER doc Regina is a thrill junkie, and counselor Ben endures family contempt because he’s not a “real” doctor.
• Rugrats Go Wild – 2003 – Nickelodeon’s Rugrats meet the Wild Thornberrys — with babies and parents stranded on an island. Spike (Bruce Willis) loses his sense of smell in a sneezing fit, and Tommy Pickles (Elizabeth Daily) is sure that only family can help them: Nigel Thornberry (Tim Curry) and his traveling band. But Nigel is acting like a toddler, and only Eliza (Lacey Chabert) understands what it will take to save everyone.
• Warlock – 1989 – In 17th century Boston, a warlock (Julian Sands) escapes death and magically leaps 300 years into the future, where he searches in Los Angeles for the three parts of the Devil’s Bible that will unmake the world. Meanwhile, the witch hunter (Richard E. Grant) who brought him to trial — aided by one of the warlock’s victims (Lori Singer) — is in hot pursuit to stop his heartless path of violence and foil his destructive plans.
• Jaco Pastorius: Live and Outrageous – 1982 – Jazz legend Jaco Pastorius takes the stage for a landmark concert performance at the 1982 Montreal Jazz Festival with bandmates Randy Brecker on trumpet, Peter Erskine on drums, Bobby Mintzer on reeds, Don Alias on percussion and Othello Molineaux on steel drums. Tracks include Charlie Parker’s “Donna Lee” and Pastorius’s signature “Chicken,” plus plenty of improvisation to keep jazz fans fully satisfied.
• Intacto – 2001 – Set at a Spanish resort, Intacto tells the story of a World War II concentration camp survivor, Samuel (Max von Sydow), who lives in the basement of a casino and has a supernatural ability to acquire good luck — which he can give, take, sell or gamble for others. As the story begins, he steals luck from an earthquake survivor, Federico, who then vows revenge on Samuel. A series of strange mind games of luck and intrigue follow.
• Addicted to Love – 1997 – Sam (Matthew Broderick) isn’t about to jettison his relationship with Linda (Kelly Preston), even after she takes up with suave Frenchman Anton. So, Sam does the logical thing and moves into an abandoned building across the street … to spy! But Sam isn’t alone in the jilted department. Anton’s ex (Meg Ryan) shows up on Sam’s doorstep with a plan — for retribution!
• Buffalo Girls – 1995 – Anjelica Huston stars as colorful cowgirl Calamity Jane in this made-for-TV biopic that follows her through the waning days of the Wild West — from her stint as a mule skinner for Gen. George Armstrong Custer to her fling with Wild Bill Hickok.
• Bite the Bullet – 1975 – Gene Hackman plays a former roughrider who matches wits with a lovely but shady lady-in-distress (Candice Bergen). James Coburn is a drifting ex-cowboy who joins a grueling 700-mile race and competes against a young, reckless cowboy (Jan-Michael Vincent), a haughty English sportsman (Ian Bannen) and a gutsy Pony Express rider (Ben Johnson).
• The Joneses – 2009 – Keeping up with the Joneses (Demi Moore, David Duchovny, Amber Heard and Ben Hollingsworth) is next to impossible, considering they’re a family with good looks, fancy cars, a sprawling estate — and a shocking secret the neighbors would never guess. Gary Cole, Glenne Headly and Lauren Hutton co-star in this smart drama about the dark side of a material world from writer-director Derrick Borte.
• Elizabethtown – 2005 – Fired after causing his shoe company to lose hundreds of millions of dollars, Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) is on the verge of ending it all. But he gets a new lease on life when he returns to his family’s small Kentucky hometown for his father’s funeral. Along the way, he meets a quirky flight attendant (Kirsten Dunst) with whom he falls in love, easing the pain of his recent break-up with his girlfriend (Jessica Biel).
• The Langoliers – 1995 – Ten people awake on a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to discover that the other passengers, the flight crew and the pilots have disappeared. After a passenger (David Morse) manages to land the plane, the small group of survivors soon makes a startling discovery. Not only are they alone on the plane — they’re alone on the planet. The sole sound on Earth comes from the mysterious Langoliers, who are systematically destroying everything in their path.
• Russian Revolution in Color – 2007 – The Russian Revolution brought about the end of the reign of the czars and saw the rise of communism. This compilation of rarely seen color and colorized footage brings the reality of the civil war vividly to life. Noted historians offer their insights on these events that occurred nearly a century ago, events that paved the way for the formation of the Soviet Union and still resonate today.
• H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds – 2005 – David Michael Latt directs this modern retelling — with a few new twists — of H.G. Wells’s classic science-fiction novel chronicling the brutal destruction of human civilization after aliens from Mars invade Earth. As thousands of innocent human beings flee the army of deadly alien “walkers” combing the globe, one man (C. Thomas Howell) adopts an against-the-odds mission to find a powerful weapon and save the planet.
• The Day of the Dolphin – 1973 – Mike Nichols directs George C. Scott in this exciting, Oscar-nominated adventure. After Dr. Jake Terrell (Scott) and his wife (Trish Van Devere) train their dolphins to speak, the sleek swimmers are kidnapped by the military for use in a vicious assassination plot. Buck Henry wrote the script (based on Robert Merle’s novel) and performed the dolphin voices; Paul Sorvino co-stars.
• Johnny Cash/Roscoe Holcombe: Rainbow Quest - 2005 – Pete Seeger served as host for the TV show “Rainbow Quest” during the mid-1960s when folk music was at its peak in popularity. In this installment of the program, you’ll see a different side of the late musical legend Johnny Cash as he teams with his wife, June Carter Cash, to perform a variety of tunes within and beyond the folk genre. Renowned banjo and guitar player Roscoe Holcombe also appears, performing classic folk songs with Jean Redpath.
• City Hall – 1996 – This sprawling tale wends its way from New York City’s crime-ridden streets to the halls of power after a police shootout leaves innocent people dead. The probe to understand what happened only unearths more questions. With Al Pacino as the mayor, John Cusack as his deputy and an ensemble cast that includes Bridget Fonda and Danny Aiello, City Hall brilliantly examines the principles, politics and compromises that make a metropolis percolate.
• The Fog – 1980 – While an old, weather-beaten fisherman tells a ghost story to fascinated children huddled by a campfire, a piece of driftwood in a child’s hands begins to glow, and an eerie fog envelops the seaside community of Antonio Bay. From its midst emerges demonic victims of a century-old shipwreck seeking revenge on the small town. Director John Carpenter’s follow-up to his breakout film, Halloween, stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh.
• Golden Years – 1991 – In a top-secret U.S. military laboratory, a freak explosion exposes unsuspecting janitor Harlan Williams (Keith Szarabajka) to fallout from toxic chemicals. Williams, an older man, soon finds the accident has reversed his aging process. But the government’s plan to use him as a human guinea pig forces Williams to go on the run, setting off a nationwide manhunt. Horror writer Stephen King penned this gripping, made-for-television miniseries.
• Son House and Bukka White – 2000 – American musical titans Eddie “Son” House and “Bukka” White — both landmark figures in the flourishing of Mississippi Delta blues — influenced artists ranging from Robert Johnson to Muddy Waters to Eric Clapton. In this hypnotic video, the legendary bluesmen perform before a studio audience in Seattle. Tunes include “Preaching the Blues,” “John the Revelator,” “Death Letter Blues,” “Mama Don’t Allow” “Gibson Hill and “Poor Boy.”
• Take This Job and Shove It - 1981 – When Frank’s (Robert Hays) boss appoints him as the head of a big project that will spruce up a newly bought brewery, Frank couldn’t be happier. That is, until he realizes that the job will be sending him back to the Iowa town he left 10 years ago. Once there, Frank renews a romance with a former flame (Barbara Hershey) and is put in a difficult predicament: choosing between the welfare of his townsfolk or his role as a corporate big shot.
• La Buche - 1999 – In this lightweight French comedy from screenwriter-turned-director Daniele Thompson, three daughters, Sonia (Emmanuelle Béart), Louba (Sabine Azéma) and Milla (Charlotte Gainsbourg), scheme to reunite their parents, who divorced 25 years ago and haven’t spoken to each other since. It’s a Christmas dinner that will give every person from a dysfunctional family a nod of acknowledgement and many laughs.
• Stanley Brothers/Doc Watson: Rainbow Quest – 2005 – Pete Seeger served as host of “Rainbow Quest” in the mid-1960s when folk music hit its peak. This episode features two of the genre’s acclaimed acts: the Stanley Brothers, a major force in bluegrass, and renowned guitar flat picker Doc Watson. Ralph Stanley found new success thanks to his rendition of “O Death” for the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?; brother Carter died soon after filming this show, making it the duo’s only performance on DVD.
• Mance Lipscomb and Lightnin’ Hopkins – 2000 – Masters of their craft, Texas bluesmen Mance Lipscomb and Lightnin’ Hopkins pioneered a sound that was unique and classic — and had a color all its own. This black-and-white documentary takes footage of the country-blues legends in their element and showcases the intricacies of each musician’s style and technique. For newbie fans, the film also offers a solid background about the history of the blues.
• The Story of Will Rogers – 1961 – America’s favorite cowboy, Will Rogers, is the topic of this documentary chronicling the star’s beginnings as a rope-trick phenomenon in a traveling Wild West show, his rise to national prominence and his tragic death in a plane crash. Narrated by Bob Hope and featuring extensive archival footage, rare photographs and even home movies, this program paints a moving portrait of the man who would become known as America’s cowboy philosopher.
• The People I’ve Slept With – 2009 – When Angela Yang (Karin Anna Cheung) finds out she’s pregnant, she’s got countless reasons to be upset about it. But, more specifically, she’s concerned because she’s slept with so many different guys that she has no idea who the father is. Her more conservative sister (Lynn Chen) makes finding the baby’s daddy — and marrying him — sound like the only plausible option. But Angela’s liberally minded best friend (Wilson Cruz) has other ideas.
• Kicking and Screaming – 1995 – In writer-director Noah Baumbach’s take on postcollege angst, Grover (Josh Hamilton) declines to go with his girlfriend (Olivia d’Abo) to Prague and decides to move in with other recent college grads who can’t quite break the gravitational pull of campus. Together, the friends wrestle with leaving the past behind as they reluctantly step into adulthood. But they’re afraid they’ll end up like bartender and professional student Chet (Eric Stoltz).
• Traditional Music Classics – 2002 – A scrapbook of the time-worn melodies of the Appalachian mountains, featuring rare performances of traditional tunes by the likes of Kilby Snow, Buell Kazee, Doc Watson, and Roscoe Holcomb.
• A Man Called Sledge – 1971 – James Garner is Luther Sledge, the leader of a pack of rebels who are planning to steal a stash of gold. But after the thieves actually manage to get away with the bounty, they soon discover that the enemy lies within their midst. As they begin to bicker over who should get the biggest cut, the stage is set for a deadly showdown. Claude Akins and John Marley co-star in this Italian Western directed by Vic Morrow.
• Charlie Hunter: Solo Inventions – 2005 – With his self-designed guitar in hand, Charlie Hunter burst onto the San Francisco jazz scene in the early 1990s, bringing a new kind of funk to fans of the genre. This solo concert showcases his unmistakable talent with performances of original compositions as well as twists on the work of other artists (among them, Mitchell Parish’s “Stars Fell on Alabama”). In addition, a string of short interviews provides insight into Hunter’s artistry.
• Matter of Life and Death – 2006 – This fascinating and comprehensive multipart documentary explores 5,000 years of medical health care, analyzing smallpox, tuberculosis, the plague and other historical diseases, as well as contemporary afflictions such as AIDS and other viruses. The four segments — “The First Breath,” “The Wild Years,” “Mid-Life” and “Aging and Death” — provide thorough discussions of astonishing medical breakthroughs … and terrible scientific blunders.
• Times Ain’t Like They Used to Be – 2000 – This musical documentary includes some of the first country and blues tunes ever put on sound film. Featuring footage from the 1920s and ’30s, the film presents the musicians in their elements, be it at square dances or on their front porches. The Duke Davis Banjo Band plays “Ida,” Jules Allen sings “Home on the Range,” Fiddler’s Convention performs “Turkey in the Straw,” and the Cumberland Ridge Runners offer their rendition of “Goofus.”
• Ernest Tubbs and Mart Robbins – 2002 – Country crooning legends Marty Robbins and Ernest Tubb give inspired performances in this compilation of concert footage filmed between 1954 and 1956. Robbins’s songs include “Pretty Words,” “Time Goes By,” “I Can’t Quit,” “Singin’ the Blues” and “At the End of a Long Lonely Day.” Tubb offers up “Walking the Floor Over You,” “Try Me Once More,” “So Doggone Lonesome,” “Tomorrow Never Comes,” “So Many Times,” “I Know My Baby Loves Me” and more.
• Popcorn – 1991 – In loving tribute to the classic horror movies of the 1950s, a group of students decides to hold a film festival celebrating mid-century terror flicks. Their event is a wild success — that is, until the projectionist takes a cue from the scary films he’s screening and turns into a bloodthirsty lunatic. Jill Schoelen, Tom Villard, Derek Rydall and Malcolm Danare star in director Mark Herrier’s campy movie about campy movies.
• Flatt & Scruggs TV Show: All Vol. – 1954 – Bluegrass trailblazers Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs launched their television show during their heyday in the late 1950s, creating a national stage for playing their hits (and covers of other bluegrass tunes) with their band, the Foggy Mountain Boys. The set list includes “I Won’t Be Hanging Around,” “Walking in My Sleep,” “You Live in a World All Your Own,” “Down the Road,” “Over There” and “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”
• Battle for Dien Bien Phu - 1986 – In a gruesome 1953-54 battle, Gen. Giap and his Vietminh army defeated French troops led by Gen. Navarre. This documentary examines the decisive battle from both sides through archival footage and contributions by French and Vietnamese survivors. The program looks at how guerilla tactics employed by the Vietminh at Dien Bien Phu, as well as a false sense of pride on the side of the French, helped to set the course of the Vietnam War.
• Wynton Marsalis: Congo Square – 2007 – Joined by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis teams with African master drummer Yacub Addy and his percussion ensemble for a memorable concert recorded at the 2007 Montreal Jazz Festival. Blending blues, Dixieland, swing, funk and jazz, the musicians create a singular sound in the 80-minute suite “Congo Square,” written by Marsalis and Addy shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.
• Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – 1988 – Founder of legendary group the Jazz Messengers, Art Blakey gigged with everyone who was anyone during his prolific career. On this video, he jams alongside trumpet player Wynton Marsalis in a concert that dates from 1982. And it isn’t long before other artists join the jam, including Wynton’s brother Branford. This is a wonderful time capsule and a “passing of the baton” from a jazz great from one generation to two up-and-coming stars.
• Storyville: The Naked Dance – 2000 – This documentary is the first to profile America’s legendary — and legal — red-light district, which thrived in New Orleans from 1898 until the U.S. Navy closed it permanently in 1917. It was an area filled with the raucous rhythms of a new American music called jazz, excitement — and sin. Set against the backdrop of Victorian morality, 2,000 prostitutes worked the 16 square blocks of twinkling lights and rat-infested alleyways.
• Alberta Hunter: Jazz Masters Series – 2005 – Alberta Hunter debuted as a cabaret singer at age 11, and by the early 1920s was already a best-selling recording star. During her career, she sang with numerous jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Fats Waller. Filmed in 1982, just two years before Hunter’s death, this concert features her performances of “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” “My Castle’s Rockin’,” “Down Hearted Blues” and many more classics.
• Battle for Warsaw – 2004 – The tragic story of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising (in which 250,000 Poles died fighting the occupying Nazi forces) is chronicled in this filmed record of the epic event. With some shocking new footage unearthed from the vaults, this documentary is an indispensable guide to the horrific events that unfolded. Listen to eyewitness accounts and view haunting depictions of mass graves and troops storming into the beleaguered country.
• Danu: One Night Stand - 2004 – Named for a Celtic Goddess, Danu is a captivating Irish music group composed of seven world-class musicians. The band blends traditional Irish elements with modern energy, offering their own strikingly original sound. Filmed live and designed as a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, “One Night Stand” presents a series of kinetic instrumentals and moving ballads performed by this leading-edge Irish band.
• Italian Fascism in Color – 2007 – Using period letters, secret memos, rare archival footage and expert interviews, this documentary traces the rise of Mussolini’s fascist Italian government after World War I to its violent downfall in the throes of World War II. This penetrating exploration of Il Duce’s rule reveals why his efficient administration was initially admired across the globe as well as the reasons his growing allegiance with Nazi Germany sealed his fate.
• New Lost City Ramblers & Greenbriar Boys – 2005 – In this wonderful chestnut from a bygone era, the New Lost City Ramblers and the Greenbriar Boys perform on the “Rainbow Quest” TV show hosted by Pete Seger in the 1960s. The “neo-folk” New Lost City Ramblers sound like an old-fashioned string band (and indeed modeled themselves after such bands that were popular in the 1920s and ’30s). Also on the bill, the Greenbriar Boys weave elements of country, blues and bluegrass into a pleasing whole.
• Judy Collins and Elizabeth Cotten – 2005 – Catch two of folk music’s biggest names — Judy Collins and Elizabeth Cotten — in these concerts taped in the 1960s, the genre’s heyday that witnessed a sea change in the way the public perceived folk music, finally embracing it as a powerful mode of self-expression. Collins and Cotten command the stage as they pay homage to their fellow musicians and rip through such memorable fare as “Wilson Rag” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”
• House of Bamboo – 1955 – Filmed in Japan and featuring stunning photography, Sam Fuller’s 1955 crime noir tells the story of Eddie Kenner (Robert Stack), a U.S. army operative sent to Tokyo to investigate ex-soldier Sandy Dawson (Robert Ryan). Working undercover, Kenner must gain the trust of Dawson, who now heads a gang that’s robbed several ammunition trains. Mariko (Shirley Yamaguchi), the secret wife of a dead American soldier, comes forward to help Kenner.
• No Man’s Land – 1987 – Benjy Taylor (D.B. Sweeney), a young cop fresh from the Academy, is assigned to crack a ring of auto thieves led by flashy, rich lothario Ted Varrick (Charlie Sheen). Taylor’s quickly seduced by his new boss’s extravagant lifestyle, and soon the rookie cop is stealing cars himself — and even bedding his employer’s sister (Lara Harris). But Taylor must make a choice between the law and friendship when the time comes to arrest his new pal.
• Great Guns – 1941 – In this madcap comedy from director Monty Banks, stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy join the Army to protect their rich cosseted master, Dan Forrester (Dick Nelson), who’s just been drafted. Zaniness ensues when Stan and Ollie follow Dan to boot camp, where he romances camera store owner Ginger Hammond (Sheila Ryan) — who may be a fortune hunter. Mae Marsh and Ethel Griffies play Dan’s mollycoddling aunts, and Alan Ladd turns up in a bit part.
• Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem – 2005 – Internationally renowned Irish folk singers the Clancy Brothers are the focus of an episode of “Rainbow Quest” — a television series produced by Pete and Toshi Seeger and Sholom Rubinstein in the early 1960s to highlight the folk music scene worldwide. Joined by Tommy Makem and The Cajun Band, they sing traditional and contemporary Irish songs, including “Butcher’s Boy.” Pete Seeger makes a guest appearance, singing “Ramblin’ Boy.”
• Brownie McGhee/Sonny Terry – 2003 – This eclectic collection of 16 live performances by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee captures the country blues legends jamming with Woody Guthrie on “John Henry” and treating fans to the Piedmont blues classics “Red River Blues” and “Crow Jane.” The set also includes the duo’s 1948 recording for the Library of Congress and a 1973 BBC show that features Terry’s harmonica masterpiece “Whoopin’ the Blues.”
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo: In Harmony – 1999 – Members of the oddly named vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo — immortalized in Paul Simon’s award-winning 1985 solo album, “Graceland” — perform in their first live concert video at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This video showcases the group’s musical harmonies with stirring performances of “Homeless,” “Rain Beautiful Rain” and “King of Kings,” among others, and includes an interview with group leader Joseph Shabalala.
• Legendary Sin Cities – 2005 – In between the world’s biggest wars, the cities of Paris, Berlin and Shanghai, China, thrived as centers of culture, debauchery and sin — which only increased their popularity among lost souls everywhere. In this intriguing collection, three one-hour documentaries examine the notorious towns as they were then (and as they are now), relying on archival film, feature-film excerpts and evocative music from the period.
• David Grisman Quartet: Live – 2006 – In this concert video, the David Grisman Quartet ignites the crowd at the 1983 Montreal International Jazz Festival with a selection of acoustic songs blending jazz, bluegrass, gypsy swing, Latin and klezmer music. The quartet plays through a diverse set list that includes “Blue Midnite,” “Dawg Grass,” “Gypsy Medley,” a memorable version of guitarist Django Reinhardt’s jazz standard “Minor Swing” and more.
• My Dear Old Southern Home – 2003 – Husband-and-wife team Norman and Nancy Blake deliver a down home-style sampling of American bluegrass favorites from the 1930s in this Southern-inspired collection of performances, including “Jimmy in the Swamp” and “Old Mother Flanagan.” Other selections include “My Dear Old Southern Home,” “Last Train from Poor Valley,” “The Grave Bonaparte,” “Franklin Roosevelt’s Back Again” and “Billy Richardson’s Last Ride.”
• Andrew Dice Clay: One Night with Dice – 1987 – Recorded at Philadelphia’s Comedy Factory Outlet, this uncensored performance by Andrew Dice Clay — whose routines have covered everything from blind dates and one-night stands to marriage and morality — will leave you shocked … and laughing. With his lethal put-downs, vicious jokes and raunchy stand-up act, the controversial Clay has earned his bad-boy reputation — along with a lifetime ban from MTV.
• Chop Shop – 2007 – Scrappy street orphan Alejandro (Alejandro Polanco) lives and works amid the mass of auto shops and junkyards known as the Iron Triangle just outside Queens, N.Y. But when his teenage sister (Isamar Gonzales) arrives, the ambitious boy is inspired to make life better for them both. Nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards, this sophomore feature from director Ramin Bahrani offers an unflinching look at life on society’s margins.
• Best Laid Plans – 1999 – Rich, successful Bryce (Josh Brolin) meets beautiful Lissa (Reese Witherspoon) at a bar one night and invites her back to his house, not suspecting for a moment that Lissa isn’t really who she seems. What unfolds next is a dangerous, tangled web of double-crosses and seduction. Alessandro Nivola co-stars as Lissa’s troubled boyfriend — and Bryce’s college chum — in this stylish thriller that’ll keep you guessing at every twist and turn.
• Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor – 1982 – In addition to being a talented saxophonist, the late Art Pepper was many things — among them, a drug addict, a thief, an alcoholic and a writer. This personal film portrait reveals the fascinating life of a remarkable jazz musician in his own words, as he describes his dreams, his criminal past, his upbringing and the meaning of his tattoos. Featured tracks include “Red Car,” “Patricia” and “Miss Who?”
• Country Blues: Gary Davis & Sonny Terry – 1963 – Featuring introductions by famed bluesman Taj Mahal, this hourlong video showcases the talents of country blues legends Gary Davis and Sonny Terry with two classic performances recorded in the 1960s. Guitarist and vocalist Davis delivers an eight-song set that includes “If I Had My Way” and “Where’d You Get Your Liquor?” Harmonica master Terry sizzles on “Hootin’ the Blues,” “My Baby Changed the Lock on the Door” and three more selections.
• A History of Jews: Taking Root 1820-1880 – 2001 – This documentary traces the fascinating history of Jewish immigrants in the U.S. during the 19th century, revealing how they contributed to the country’s remarkable expansion and examining the internal struggles that challenged their communities. Impressive reenactments bring to life the stories of famous Jews such as peddler Levi Strauss, who made a fortune by inventing jeans and selling them to miners.
• Robin Hood - 1991 – This retelling of the classic tale features Robin Hood (Patrick Bergin) as something less than a shining knight and a kick-butt Maid Marion (Uma Thurman) who can thrust and parry with the best of the Merry Men. Robin is a landowner who gets bilked by a conniving tax collector. In response, Robin forms his cadre of chums and goes after the taxman and other villainous Normans (there are plenty) in this made-for-TV movie.
• The Story of the Clancy Brothers – 1991 – This hourlong documentary charts the storied career of Clancy brothers Tom, Pat and Liam, who, along with their friend Tommy Makem, formed a musical quartet that ignited renewed interest in Irish and traditional folk music in America. Featuring interviews with the Celtic foursome and stars such as Bob Dylan, the video traces the group’s influence during the 1950s and ’60s, and includes clips of a reunion concert at New York City’s Lincoln Center.
• Clancy Brothers and Tommey Makem – 2003 – After introducing Irish folk music to America, the Clancy Brothers and front man Tommy Makem split up in 1969 to pursue separate interests. This concert, filmed on a reunion tour in 1984, finds the foursome revisiting the sound that made them famous. The set list includes “Galway Races,” “Jug of Punch,” “Shoals of Herring,” “Rocky Road to Dublin,” “The Ballad of William Bloat,” “Carrickfergus,” “Portlairge” and “Will Ye Go Lassie Go.”
• Lightnin’ Hopkins & Roosevelt Sykes – 2003 – Texas blues legend Lightnin’ Hopkins and renowned pianist Roosevelt Sykes discuss their musical heritage and legacy, then show off their chops as each performs his unique brand of musical magic. Hopkins’s creative guitar style and witty lyrics are on full display in “Walkin’ Down Highway 75,” “Short Haired Woman,” “Mojo Hand” and more. Sykes’s songs include “I Ain’t Mad with You,” “Sykes Boogie,” “Blue Moon” and others.
• The Golden Bowl - 2000 – This adaptation of the classic novel by Henry James pits an American industrialist (Nick Nolte) and his daughter against two well-connected but impoverished social climbers (Uma Thurman and Jeremy Northam) who’d rather marry for money than lower their station. Together, they engage in a subtle, fascinating dance with misdirection at its heart. The Golden Bowl marks another triumph from the producing-directing team of James Ivory and Ismail Merchant.
• Kim Waters: In the Groove – 2006 – Saxophonist and composer Kim Waters is a wunderkind in the world of contemporary smooth jazz (a heady blend of jazz with rhythm and blues). Waters has 10 No. 1 hits to his credit and boasts 13 chart-topping albums. This fabulous performance — recorded at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre Theatre — includes “All I Want to Do (Is Please You),” the classic “Over the Rainbow” and an array of songs from the multifaceted musician’s back catalog.
• Solas Live - 2000 – Lively Celtic band Solas takes the stage in Burlington, Vt., for this exciting performance filmed in 1998. Vocalist Karan Casey, fiddler Winifred Horan and the rest of the band mix the Emerald Isle with the Americas, performing an eclectic blend of traditional Irish folksongs as well as some American classics. The set list includes “Timmy Cliffords,” “Roger the Miller,” “She Is Like the Swallow,” “Big Reel of Ballynacally” and many more.
• A Night with Chieli Minucci – 2006 – Smooth-jazz guitarist Chieli Minucci and his group Special EFX have been pleasing crowds with their silky sound for more than two decades. In this energetic concert recorded at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre Theatre, the band shows off its versatility by playing a mix of jazz and funk selections. Among the songs performed are “Cruise Control” and a cover version of Stevie Wonder’s “‘Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers.”
• Operation Barbarossa – 1971 – One of the biggest battles in World War II took place when Hitler decided to invade the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941. The titanic battle caused an estimated 20 million casualties and saw an unparalleled number of men and amount of material used (from both sides) in an attempt to emerge victorious. This fascinating video offers views from both sides of the conflict, which was code-named “Operation Barbarossa” by the German army.
• J.W. Coop - 1972 – J.W. Coop (Cliff Robertson, who also directed the film) has just been released from jail after a 10-year sentence for writing a bounced check and decking a sheriff. Coop knows what he’s got to do: “Get back on the horse” and jump-start his rodeo career as a former top rider. The odds are against him, but with the help of his dishy sidekick, Bean (Christina Ferrare), he just might have a shot at the championship.
• Jimmy Cliff: Moving On - 2004 – Reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff guides viewers on a personal tour of his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica, recounts major highlights from his life and career and performs several of his hit songs in this illuminating musical portrait. Whether picking up a guitar and playing impromptu or jamming in a studio with a full band, Cliff impresses with tunes such as “The Harder They Come,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” “Crime” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want.”
• Sam’s Lake - 2006 – In the wake of her father’s death, city girl Sam (Fay Masterson) invites a bunch of her pals on a relaxing getaway to the lakeside cottage where she grew up. But once there, they learn of a horrific tale of murder that has haunted the area for decades. It isn’t long before our young heroes become personally — and terrifyingly — acquainted with the legend of Sam’s Lake. This thriller was an official selection at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.
• The Scarlet Tunic – 1998 – Passions erupt between a German hussar (Jean-Marc Barr) serving with King George III’s personal cavalry and the only daughter of an English solicitor (Emma Fielding) in this period tearjerker adapted from a short story by Thomas Hardy. Longing to escape their own personal imprisonments — he, his service to the king, and she, her engagement to a man she doesn’t love — they find solace in each other’s arms.
• The Kid: Chamaco – 2009 – Martin Sheen and Michael Madsen co-star in this inspiring tale of second chances, the story of a diametrically opposed father (Sheen) and son (Kirk Harris) who set aside their differences to help a young Mexico City street fighter (Alex Perea) achieve his dreams. Once they agree to redirect their energies away from fighting each other and toward the goal of fighting for something positive, anything’s possible.
• St. Patrick: The Irish Legend – 2000 – Filmed in Ireland, this made-for-cable biopic profiles the Emerald Isle’s patron saint. While suffering as the slave of pagan barbarians, young Patrick (Luke Griffin) has a divine encounter that rekindles his religious fervor. He grows up to become a missionary (played by Patrick Bergin) determined to convert his native land to Christianity. But upon returning home, Patrick butts heads with a British bishop (Malcolm McDowell).
• Derailed – 2002 – NATO undercover operative Jack Logan (Jean-Claude Van Damme) must cut a family vacation short when he’s called away for a top secret assignment involving a sexy and much sought-after international thief, Galina Konstantin (Laura Elena Harring), who wants to get past the Slovakian border and safely into Frankfurt. Things seem to be going smoothly as Jack and Galina board the train posing as a “couple” … but soon, all hell breaks loose!
• Chase the Devil: Religious Music – 1990 – Originally aired on PBS, these documentaries focus on the music and exuberant preaching styles of prominent religions in the southeastern United States, from the Baptists to the Holiness Church. The sights and sounds, combined with extensive interviews and personal accounts, offer a first-hand look at the myriad music and traditions that converge to create this geographic region’s own unique, provocative culture.
• Konkombe: The Nigerian Pop Music Scene – 2000 – From ethereal juju rhythms to funky Afrobeat tunes, explore the wide spectrum of Nigerian pop music in this documentary that showcases a blind traditional minstrel, bandleader King Sunny Ade, composer I.K. Dario and the provocative Fela Kuti. In his powerful interview, the internationally renowned Kuti explains how he fuses socially commentary with African beats to create uniquely Nigerian music.
• Webb Pierce & Chet Atkins – 1991 – Two of country music’s all-time greats come together to perform many of their classic hits, captured in the earliest days of their careers through vintage television appearances showcasing the artists at the peak of their fame. The colorful crooner Webb Pierce performs songs such as “Walking The Dog” and “There Stands The Glass” while guitar virtuoso Chet Atkins Performs picks on hits such as “Frankie & Johnny” and “Mr. Sandman.”
• World Music Portraits: Angelique Kidjo – 2003 – Join West African musician Angelique Kidjo as she returns to her native Benin for the first time in 13 years. The journey is equal parts homecoming, cultural tour and concert film as Kidjo discusses her heritage and prepares for her comeback show. Reunions with her mentors and visits to a slave port and voodoo priests are all reflected in the way Kidjo blends traditional African music, soul, jazz, funk and salsa in the live performance.
• The Panic Is On: The Great Depression – 2009 – From a soup kitchen in Manhattan to a striking labor force in North Carolina to a group of New Mexico Zuni Indians advising the white man on how to deal with tough times, this documentary shines a light on the many faces of the Great Depression. Using newsreel footage, propaganda films, eyewitness accounts, popular music, photographs and more, the film provides an overview of a time of great struggle as well as great courage and inventiveness.
• Beats of the Heart: Salsa: Latin Pop Music – 1988 – Infused with the sounds of infectious salsa music, this lively documentary examines the roots of the sensual Latin dance that was born in the 1960s and has continued to influence the beats and rhythms of today’s most popular music. An invigorating soundtrack includes live performances from an impressive lineup of Latin music legends, from Celia Cruz and Felipe Luciano to “El Rey” himself, Tito Puente.
• And This is Free: Maxwell Street - 2008 – Through two films, this collection explores the vibrant history of Chicago’s legendary Maxwell Street, an area that blossomed from a simple wooden-plank road into the birthplace of Chicago blues. The 1964 documentary And This Is Free offers a slice-of-life portrait of the local scene at the time. Maxwell Street: A Living Memory looks back on the experiences and legacy of the neighborhood’s Eastern European Jewish immigrants.
• At Long Last Love - 1975 – Peter Bogdanovich directs this homage to the great musical comedies of the 1930s about three couples that meet, fight, sing and eventually fall in love in New York. A playboy (Burt Reynolds) woos a singer (Madeline Kahn), an heiress (Cybill Shepherd) meets a gambler (Duilio Del Prete) and the playboy’s valet (John Hillerman) falls for the heiress’s maid (Eileen Brennan) in this song-and-dance extravaganza featuring music by Cole Porter.
• Thick as Thieves - 1999 – Macklin is a professional thief-for-hire. He’ll steal anything for anyone who can pay. When he gets hired to do a simple job and then realizes he’s been set up by the local ghetto chief Pointy Williams, Macklin gets mad. Real mad.
• God Is Great, I’m Not - 2001 – Michele (Audrey Tautou), a 20-year-old French model, has just broken up with her boyfriend and aborted their baby. Full of existential angst, she’s looking for something to believe in. That’s when she meets François, a Jewish veterinarian. Though he’s non-practicing and several years her senior Michele falls in love with him anyway and is inspired to convert to Judaism — much to François’s chagrin.
• Present at the Creation – 2001 – From the dawn of American history, Jews have been present in this country, striving for freedom from prejudice. This documentary traces their history, from the arrival of 23 Jews in 1654 to Jewish settlers fighting in the Revolutionary War. Expert interviews, historical reenactments of major events and vintage artwork help to tell the amazing stories of their participation in the birth of this nation.
• Masters of the Country Blues – 2002 – This documentary traces the lives and music of two influential blues artists, Memphis’s Furry Lewis and Mississippi’s John Lee Hooker. Rare footage recorded by the Seattle Folklore Society captures both men in performances of their signature styles. Lewis infused the blues with turn-of-the-20th-century ballads and ragtime, while Hooker is noted for building the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll.
• Project XX: End of the Trail – 1967 – This classic episode of NBC News’ “Project Twenty” series presents an early look at the travesty of the frontier settlers’ inhumane treatment of Native Americans in the West. Graphic photos and first person narratives taken from diaries debunk the classic, heroic notion of the old west in favor of tragic reality. Narrated by Walter Brennan.
• Beats of the Heart: Spirit of Samba – 1982 – The exuberant sound of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, Brazil’s most famous export — the samba — has gained a worldwide audience with its infectious beats and sensuous rhythms. This rousing documentary tours the country, from ghettos to music schools, to explore the origins and influences of the genre. Interviews with and performances by such samba stars as Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento and Chico Barque make this a special treat for fans.
• The Early Days of the Automobile – 1961 – Focusing on the early 1900s, this historical documentary traces America’s transition from the horse-and-buggy era to the automobile, an invention that helped supplant the gentle pace of everyday life with a burning desire for speed and total freedom. Narrated by legendary comedian Groucho Marx, the hourlong video features vintage photos and archival footage that clearly illustrate how cars forever transformed American society.
• Project XX: The Great War – 1956 – Narrated by Alexander Scourby, this fascinating documentary examines Western culture and the great conflagration of world powers between the years 1914 and 1918, when the nations of Europe, and later America, were dragged into World War I (also known as the Great War). Includes rare footage of the war’s pivotal events, from the assassination of Austria’s archduke to the Battle of Verdun and President Wilson’s Fourteen Points for peace.
• Hugh Masekela: Homecoming Concert - 1998 – After 30 years of self-imposed exile, famed South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela makes a triumphant return to Johannesburg in this live performance. During the many years the composer was away, he began incorporating American jazz, funk and soul music into his Afro-centric beats — all evidenced in the danceable tunes he performs here, such as “District Six” and “Uptownship,” backed by other South African musicians.
• Slapstick, Too – 2004 -The origins of slapstick and vaudeville are explored in this documentary narrated by actor Eli Wallach. The film takes an in-depth look at the history and evolution of the comedy genre, tracking the careers of slapstick heavyweights such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields and many more, all of whom began their careers in either vaudeville houses or slapstick-heavy films.
• Still Of The Night – 1982 – Meryl Streep stars as Brooke Reynolds, the mistress of a married man who turns up dead, prompting her to pay a visit to her deceased lover’s psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Rice (Roy Scheider), to pass along a wristwatch to the man’s wife. Soon, Dr. Rice becomes obsessed with the lovely Brooke, even while he starts to suspect that she may have taken the life of his patient — and fears that he might be next. Jessica Tandy co-stars.

• April 2 – Marvin’s Room – 1996 – The tables are turned when straight-laced Bessie (Diane Keaton) — who devotes her life to caring for her chronically ill father (Hume Cronyn) — suffers a health catastrophe of her own and must ask her estranged, bohemian sibling (Meryl Streep) for help. This film is a first-class adaptation of Scott McPherson’s play, with a young Leonardo DiCaprio holding his own among a heavyweight cast that includes Robert De Niro and Gwen Verdon.
• April 4 – Toy Story 3 – 2010 – In this installment of the Pixar animated franchise, toy cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), his astronaut pal, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and their friends cope with their owner’s departure for college — and their new home in a day-care center. Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton and Ned Beatty also lend their voices to this delightful sequel that earned a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

TV Shows:

• Top Gear: Series – Join goofy gearheads James May, Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond as they hit the track to push the limits of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, a Corvette ZR1 and other high-performance cars in another season of this hit UK automotive-review series. Also this year, the boys journey to Romania and other foreign locales, attempt to build their own electric car, and host celebrity drivers Michael Sheen, Chris Evans and Eric Bana.
• MI-5: All Seasons – Richard Armitage, Nicola Walker, Peter Firth, Shazad Latif
• Glee: Season 1 – High school Spanish teacher Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) agrees to take over the school’s glee club, New Directions, whose misfit members are eager to reverse the group’s reputation as the worst in the country. The club must win at sectionals in order to stay alive but they have to defeat their archrivals — and uber-talented — Vocal Adrenaline. Meanwhile, cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Emmy winner Jane Lynch) plots to blot them off the face of the school.
• Sons of Anarchy: Season 1 - Things are changing in the town of Charming, Calif., and not necessarily for the better, prompting a group of motorcycle-riding vigilantes to take matters into their own hands. Young Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) is all for it at first, but as the Sons of Anarchy veer into increasingly treacherous territory, he’s no longer sure where he stands. Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman play Jax’s mother and stepfather in this FX original series.
• Luther – 2010 – Idris Elba (“The Wire”) stars in this powerful television drama as Det. John Luther, whose personal demons complicate the chase as he searches for the evidence to convict mass murderer Alice Morgan (Ruth Wilson), who is also his closest confidante. Luther’s marriage to the long-suffering Zoe (Indira Varma) is equally complicated, and after she leaves him, he pours even more frenetic energy into the pursuit of London’s most nefarious criminals.
• Twilight Zone – 1959 – This anthology collection of the legendary science-fiction series includes 17 of the original 36 episodes, featuring such classic favorites as “The After-Hours,” in which mannequins haunt a department store shopper. You’ll also find “Time Enough at Last,” about the lone survivor of a nuclear blast, as well as spy appearances by Hollywood greats such as Ida Lupino, Ed Wynn, Burgess Meredith, Jack Klugman and more.
• Jericho: Season 1-2 - 2006 – This CBS entry into the serial drama genre revolves around a small town in Kansas that finds itself cut off from the rest of the world after a mushroom cloud appears on the horizon, and a TV and radio blackout ensues. Has there been a terrorist attack or a preemptive nuclear strike? Faced with terrifying uncertainty, the town — including the mayor (Gerald McRaney) and his prodigal son (Skeet Ulrich) — begins to come apart at its seams.
• The Game: All Seasons – 2007 – The lives of pro-football players and their wives drive this “Girlfriends” spin-off’s second season, which finds Melanie (Tia Mowry) seeking more than just companionship from an old friend — a result of boyfriend Derwin’s (Pooch Hall) infidelity. Meanwhile, Kelly (Brittany Daniel) discovers a shocking truth about Jason (Coby Bell), while Malik (Hosea Chanchez) becomes a sex symbol for an unlikely audience.
• Bramwell: All Seasons – Despite resistance from her male colleagues, London doctor Eleanor Bramwell (Jemma Redgrave) pursues her dream of being a leading surgeon in this Victorian-era drama. Goodhearted Eleanor often gets caught up in her patients’ troubled lives, and she stands her ground against the negative comments of head surgeon Sir Herbert Hamilton (Robert Hardy). Season 1 ends with Eleanor’s matchmaker father finding the perfect mate for his daughter.
• Waking the Dead: All Seasons – Detective Peter Boyd (Trevor Eve) leads his team of crack forensic investigators as they use DNA and other advances in technology to unravel murder cases that have long gone cold. Joined by pathologist Dr. Felix Gibson (Esther Hall), the squad works to close the files on old crimes such as a dried-up corpse found in an abandoned airplane and a serial killer who imprisons victims underground.
• Ghost Whisperer: All Seasons - Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt) — who longs to lead an ordinary existence — has grappled her whole life with an unexplained power to speak with the dearly departed. In the meantime, the ghostbuster-for-hire investigates a plethora of spectral scenarios, helping the dead move on to the other side. Aisha Tyler and David Conrad co-star in this riveting drama based on psychic James Van Praagh’s real-life cases.
• Flashpoint: All Seasons - 2008 – A highly skilled team of police officers takes on the toughest cases — including rescuing hostages, defusing bombs and talking down suicidal citizens — in this action-packed television drama. The SRU (Strategic Response Unit) team uses both cutting-edge weaponry and their highly developed negotiating and profiling talents to get even the riskiest jobs done. Enrico Colantoni, Amy Jo Johnson, Hugh Dillon and David Paetkau star.
• Numb3rs: All Seasons – 2004 – FBI agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow) recruits his math whiz brother Charlie (David Krumholtz) to help solve some of the bureau’s most challenging crimes. Despite their different approaches to life and work, when the two team up they become a brilliant crime-fighting machine. Inspired by true-life cases, this fascinating TV series explores the details of criminal investigation and the crucial role mathematics can play.
• Ally McBeal: All Seasons – In the debut season of this Emmy-winning comedy-drama, law school grad Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart) lands a job at an eccentric Boston law firm where her former lover, Billy (Gil Bellows), and his new wife, Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith), also practice. While juggling a variety of peculiar cases, Ally contends with a stalled love life, lingering feelings for Billy and her hallucinatory flights of fancy, including an imaginary dancing baby.
• Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: All Vol. – 1993 – Swing into action with history’s greatest hero in seven feature-length episodes of the Emmy Award-winning series. Young Indy (Sean Patrick Flanery) travels the world in search of adventure, encountering the 20th century’s most influential people. He witnesses the birth of the blues, crosses paths with Al Capone, rubs elbows with the stars in Hollywood and visits Thomas Edison’s lab. Anne Heche, Jeffrey Wright and Harrison Ford guest star.
• Mission: Impossible: All Seasons – 1968 – Jim Phelps, Barney Collier, Rollin Hand, Willy Armitage, Cinnamon Carter and the rest of the Impossible Mission Force are back for another exciting season — and they always accept the mission. The breakthrough season for the iconic show, Season 3 features guest appearances from names such as Edward Asner, Ruth Roman, Martin Sheen, Vincent Gardenia and one of the greatest boxers of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson.
• Twin Peaks: All Seasons - 1990 – The full first season of bizarre, ingenious, hysterical and terrifying stories set in the Pacific Northwest logging town of Twin Peaks follows quirky FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he tries to solve the murder of high school student Laura Palmer. As Cooper settles into the case, the town’s facade of extreme normality begins to crack, revealing a barrage of schemes, fronts and secrets.
• The Andy Griffith Show: All Seasons – 1963 – A bona fide television classic, “The Andy Griffith Show” follows the gentle give and take of small-town Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his son, Opie (Ron Howard), and all the other colorful characters who inhabit bucolic Mayberry, N.C. Deputy Barney Fife (the Emmy-winning Don Knotts), Andy’s Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) and troublemaker Ernest T. Bass (Howard Morris) all make appearances in the show’s auspicious first season.
• Harper’s Island: The Complete Series - 2009 – In this televised mystery series, a group of friends (including Katie Cassidy, Christopher Gorham and Cameron Richardson) visits a secluded island off the coast of Washington for a destination wedding — but the festivities are cut short by murder, and the guests realize they’re trapped with the killer. Over the course of each episode, the murderer claims a new victim, leaving the dwindling survivors to figure out who’s behind the sinister plot.
• Wings: All Seasons - 1992 – Return to Nantucket Island for a fourth hilarious season of the high-flying hit comedy. In this season’s misadventures, Brian (Steven Weber) sinks Lowell’s (Thomas Haden Church) boat and Joe (Timothy Daly) gets an elderly video clerk fired. Meanwhile, Antonio (Tony Shalhoub) is stalked by a robber, and the gang performs “Phantom of the Oprah,” all part of an average day’s events at the single-plane Sandpiper Air.
• Cheers: All Seasons - 1990 – Your favorite Boston neighborhood bar — where everybody knows your name — lives on in this complete collection of the show’s first season. Bartender Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and the object of his unrequited love, Diane (Shelley Long), cross swords in hilarious episodes from the landmark television comedy. Joining them for the fun in one of the most popular television series ever are Norm, Cliff, Carla, Frasier and “Coach.”
• MacGyver: All Seasons - 1985 – Meet ex-Special Forces agent Angus MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) — the intrepid inspiration for this popular 1980s television series that bears his name — in this collection of episodes from the hit show’s first season. No longer an official spy, the brilliant MacGyver still manages to be recruited to solve the toughest cases, relying primarily on his uncanny ability to fashion weapons and tools from everyday materials.
• Beauty and the Beast: All Seasons – 1988 – Beautiful Catherine Chandler (Linda Hamilton) and her chivalrous man-beast protector, Vincent (Ron Perlman), return for more urban and underground adventure in this cult-favorite fantasy that chronicles the growing relationship between them. In the show’s second season, Vincent and Catherine help some tunnel dwellers move to the world above. Guest stars include Joseph Campanella, Piper Laurie and Richard Roundtree.
• Melrose Place: All Seasons - 1992 – Enter a realm of love, lust and lies surrounding the sexy residents of California’s Melrose Place as they experience budding romances, backstabbing and emotional breakdowns in pursuit of their dreams. This collection will prove to be a guilty pleasure of torrid love triangles and tumultuous relationships featuring a cast of unforgettable characters.
• Hawaii Five-O: All Seasons – 1968 – Gentle tropical breezes and an idyllic setting are no deterrent to the baddies populating the 50th state in this long-running series about a special police unit lead by ex-Navy intelligence officer Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord). Assisting McGarrett in his battle against Hawaii’s most notorious criminals — including long-time nemesis Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh) — are Danno Williams (James McArthur) and Chin Ho Kelly (Kam Fong).
• Medium: All Seasons – 2005 – In the first season of this hit series based on a true story, we meet Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette, in an Emmy-winning role), a housewife with an extraordinary “gift” — the ability to see and hear dead people. Her rocket-scientist husband, Joe (Jake Weber), is initially skeptical, but after a time, he becomes a believer as Allison assists police departments in solving crimes across the country.
• Family Ties: All Seasons - 1982 – This Emmy-winning sitcom centers on proudly liberal, ex-hippie parents Steven and Elyse Keaton (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter) as they raise their kids — including Nixon-worshipping son Alex (Michael J. Fox) — during the conservative 1980s. Fashion-conscious Mallory (Justine Bateman), tomboy Jennifer (Tina Yothers) and cute-kid Andy (Brian Bonsall) — born into the Keaton clan in Season 3 — round out the rest of the cast.
• Melrose Place 2.0 – 2009 – Cruise on down to Melrose Place, where med student and part-time call girl Lauren (Stephanie Jacobsen), surfer and wannabe chef Auggie (Colin Egglesfield), bisexual good-time girl Ella (Katie Cassidy) and other residents shamelessly lie, cheat, steal and sleep their way to the top. Ryan Eggold and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz also star in this reinvention of the 1990s hit. Original cast members Thomas Calabro and Laura Leighton reprise their juicy roles.

Top 5 Watched in the Last 24 Hours:

1. Gangs of New York
2. What’s the Next Big Thing? Nova scienceNOW
3. The Human Experience
4. Lisa Lampanelli: Tough Love
5. Where Did We Come From? Nova scienceNOW