THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 19, 1996 TAG: 9603190031
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Craig Shapiro
LENGTH: Long : 128 lines
SILENTS MOST definitely are golden.
The historically inclined staff at Kino on Video proved it last year with the films of Buster Keaton and its line of First American Features (among the titles, Raoul Walsh's 1915 masterpiece, ``Regeneration'').
With the new Masterworks series, Kino strikes gold again. The films, meticulously restored and with new soundtracks, include F.W. Murnau's astonishing ``Faust'' (1926), Robert Weine's influential ``The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' (1919) and the lavish ``Cyrano de Bergerac'' (1925).
They are a must for even the casual film fan.
When Kino was founded in 1977, the simple rule of business was supply and demand: The New York-based company distributed the foreign imports cinephiles wanted to see. With the rise of the cineplex, outfits like Kino, New Yorker and Fox Lorber still fill a niche, said Kino video director Lance Schwulst,
``In the 1990s, there are fewer art-house screens out there,'' he said. ``Access to these types of films is pretty much on video.''
The 30 titles in the award-winning ``Art of Buster Keaton'' opened the market, Schwulst added.
``I received a letter from a 12-year-old girl in Kansas thanking me,'' he said. ``The baby boomers remember seeing these films on TV in the '50s and '60s. Now that they're being released again, it allows them an opportunity to present their children with a part of their childhood they might not get.''
Producer David Shepard, who was in charge of the Keaton project, also oversaw the new series.
``Faust'' is groundbreaking by today's standards. Murnau's experiments with double imagery and miniatures clearly influenced filmmakers from Victor Fleming (``The Wizard of Oz``) to Tim Burton. Most thrilling is his bold use of lighting. In one scene, the wings of Mephisto become the shadows cloaking a city; others are as intricately lit as a Vermeer painting.
Likewise, the advances Weine brought to ``Caligari,'' one of the major films in the German Expressionism movement, are apparent in ``Frankenstein'' and ``Dracula.'' The stylized sets are a trip. Look deeper and the evil Caligari and his somnambulist killing machine Cesare not only captured a nation's post-war angst, they forecast what would happen decades later.
``Cyrano'' is a familiar story, but the Kino restoration adds a wrinkle. When the film was produced 71 years ago, it was with the elaborate Pathecolor technology, a process that involved tinting each scene frame by frame. Check out the costumes.
Kino's Schwulst offered one more explanation for the films' appeal.
``The market is growing because people are sick of seeing the trash that is being released on video,'' he said. ``A lot is good,'' but they want something different.''
Amen to that.
(Titles are $29.95 plus S&H. Call 1-800-562-3330.)
The word from Robyn
Greetings, and many thanks to my esteemed colleagues for welcoming me into the Videomatic fold. But, uh, what's this about an initiation ritual?
Anyway, in the spirit of tender regard for our animal friends inspired by the darling ``Babe,'' I asked my kitties to name their favorite movie. After a lively discussion, Missy, Tucker, Callie and Kirby finally agreed that their sentimental choice is ``Milo & Otis.''
Winningly narrated by Dudley Moore, it's the sunny tale of a mischievous cat and a pug-nosed pooch who grow up on a farm. Milo's curiosity leads to all sorts of misadventures, while the devoted Otis rescues his pal from each scrape.
Kirby and the girls readily identify with the irrepressible Milo. But Tucker, much like Babe, suffers from an identity crisis: He thinks he's a dog. But, the gallant pig teaches us not to let labels restrict our potential.
``Milo & Otis'' is a delightful film the entire family will enjoy.
Vids for kids
``Babe'' (MCA/Universal, 1995). Best picture? Maybe. But this much - and yes, it's stating the obvious - is certain: The gentle tale of the little pig that could holds something for viewers of every age. The barnyard pals are pure magic, with personalities all their own. The lessons about compassion, tolerance and having faith in yourself are universal. Plus, it looks gorgeous. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, voice of Christine Cavanaugh. RATED: G. 91 mins. $16.99)
``Angus'' (Turner, 1995). Another winner with universal appeal. Angus only wants to be accepted for what he is: a fat kid who plays football OK and has a knack for science. Eventually, he learns to ignore what others think and believe in himself. First-timer Charlie Talbert is a natural; everyone will see themselves in Angus. His scenes with his granddad (George C. Scott) are priceless. Videomatic says: A
(CAST: Charlie Talbert, George C. Scott, Chris Owen, Ariana Richards, Kathy Bates. RATED: PG-13 for language; 87 mins.)
``Operation Dumbo Drop'' (Walt Disney, 1995). When a sacred elephant is slain by the Viet Cong, five at-odds soldiers must escort a replacement to the village that lost it. Of course, they unite in the cause. Billed as a comedy, it may be too intense for little kids. Adults will appreciate the can't-miss cast and lush locale. Based on a true story. Videomatic says: B-
(CAST: Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Denis Leary. RATED: PG for warfare, threats to animals, language; 108 mins.)
Also: The feature-length ``Jonny Quest vs. the Cyber Insects'' ($14.98) and four tapes from the original TV series ($12.98, Turner); more exploits of ``Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.s'' and ``Mega Man'' (Sony Wonder, $9.98); a new, animated ``Gulliver's Travels'' (Sony Wonder, $12.98), and three titles from ``The Littlest Pet Shop'' ($12.98, F.H.E.)
The Couch Report
``Country Life'' (Miramax, 1995). An Australian comedy of manners with Sam Neill as an idealistic, alcoholic doctor taken with the wife of a stuffy drama critic. While it's based on Chekhov's ``Uncle Vanya,'' there isn't much to digest. The eccentric characters, post-WWI detail and satisfying conclusion, however, make for a breezy, engaging story. Videomatic says: B
(CAST: Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Michael Blakemore. RATED: PG-13 for playful innuendo, brief nudity; 107 mins.)
``The Promise'' (New Line, 1995). Teenage lovers are separated by the Berlin Wall. Because the leads create few sparks, the film falls short as romantic drama. More interesting is the ideological gulf that Sophie and Konrad embody. Rather than black and white, it is colored in shades of gray. (Subtitled.) Videomatic says: C
(CAST: Meret Becker, Corinna Harfouch, Anian Zollner, August Zirner. RATED: R for language, brief nudity, situations; 115 mins.)
Also: Kelly LeBrock and James Brolin in the thriller ``Tracks of a Killer'' (R); action in ``Hard Justice'' (R); ``The Takeover,'' billed as ``the crime war of the decade'' (R), and ``The Invaders,'' based on the '60s sci-fi series (unrated)
Next Tuesday: ``Seven,'' ``Crumb,'' ``Mallrats,'' ``Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey,'' ``Daens,'' ``Delta of Venus'' by CNB