The Streets of San Francisco: Season 1, Volume 1
Buy this DVD at Amazon.com
Rating: Not Rated
Starring:
Karl Malden as Detective Lt. Mike Stone
Michael Douglas as Inspector Steve Keller
Special Features:
14 episodes from the 1972-1973 season on 4 discs
4 minute interview on the show’s set with Michael Douglas and Karl Malden
Original pilot episode
Army Archerd interview
Pilot presentation
Other Info:
Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Dolby Digital Mono Sound
Spanish Language
Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 12 Hours 45 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“They’re keeping the streets safe!
San Francisco, city by the bay. Home of cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge and murder! The acclaimed police drama ‘The Streets of San Francisco’ follows the cases of detective Lt. Mike Stone (Academy Award® winner Karl Malden, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’), a 23-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department, and his young partner, Inspector Steve Keller (Academy Award® winner Michael Douglas, ‘Wall Street’). The smooth, handsome Keller is the perfect foil for the gruff, trenchcoat-wearing Stone. Yet what they have in common is they both have no patience for criminals! Includes Season One’s first 16 episodes.”
“The Streets of San Francisco: Season 1, Volume 1” is not rated.
CS Comment:
I thought I was familiar with Michael Douglas’ career, but I had no idea he had spent several years on this series. Fans of his will want to check it out. Plus here’s a vintage interview with Douglas and Malden.
Available Tuesday, April 10
Payback (Straight Up: the Director’s Cut – Special Collector’s Edition)
Buy this DVD at Amazon.com
Rating: Not Rated
Starring:
Mel Gibson as Porter
Gregg Henry as Val Resnick
Maria Bello as Rosie
David Paymer as Arthur Stegman
Bill Duke as Det. Hicks
Deborah Kara Unger as Mrs. Lynn Porter
John Glover as Phil
William Devane as Carter
Lucy Liu as Pearl (as Lucy Alexis Liu)
Jack Conley as Det. Leary
Kris Kristofferson as Bronson
Special Features:
Commentary by Writer/Director Brian Helgeland
Paybacks are a Bitch: On Location in Chicago
Paybacks are a Bitch: On Set in Los Angeles
Same Story, Different Movie – Creating Payback: The Director’s Cut
The Hunter: A Conversation with Author Donald E. Westlake
Other Info:
Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“Mel Gibson gives an unforgettable performance in this explosive film from director Brian Helgeland (‘L.A. Confidential’), which features a superb supporting cast including William Devane, Maria Bello and Lucy Liu.
The Director’s Cut allows you to see ‘Payback’ like you’ve never seen it before: through the eyes of its director. Experience a different version of Porter’s (Gibson) drive to avenge those who took his money and left him for dead. Witness the real ‘Payback.'”
“Payback (Straight Up: the Director’s Cut – Special Collector’s Edition)” is not rated. The theatrical version is rated R for strong violence, language, and drug and sexual content.
CS Comment:
While many director’s cuts just have a little scene added here and there, this film is a radically different version of the film. Check out what the film was like before the turmoil took place behind the scenes.
Available Tuesday, April 10
Major League: Wild Thing Edition
Buy this DVD at Amazon.com
Rating: R
Starring:
Tom Berenger as Jake Taylor
Charlie Sheen as Rick ‘Wild Thing’ Vaughn
Corbin Bernsen as Roger Dorn
Margaret Whitton as Rachel Phelps
James Gammon as Lou Brown
Rene Russo as Lynn Wells
Wesley Snipes as Willie Mays Hayes
Charles Cyphers as Charlie Donovan
Chelcie Ross as Eddie Harris
Dennis Haysbert as Pedro Cerrano
Andy Romano as Pepper Leach
Bob Uecker as Harry Doyle
Steve Yeager as ‘Duke’ Temple
Peter Vuckovich as Clue Haywood
Stacy Carroll as Suzanne Dorn
Special Features:
Commentary by: Writer/Director David S. Ward and Producer Chris Chesser
My Kinda Team: Includes interviews with Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Tom Berenger, Dennis Haysbert, and Bob Uecker
A Major League Look at Major League
Bob Ueker: Just A Bit Outside
Alternate Ending with filmaker intro
A Tour of Cerrano’s Locker
Photo Gallery
Other Info:
Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French Language
Running Time: 106 Minute
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“She’s beautiful, smart, goal-oriented, and she just inherited the Cleveland Indians. Unfortunately, she wants to move the franchise to Miami, and a losing season is her only ticket to Florida. So she signs the wildest gang of screwballs that ever spit tobacco.
They’re handsome, but they’re hopeless! Her catcher (Tom Berenger) is a washed-up womanizer who struck out in life. Her ace pitcher (Charlie Sheen) is a punked-out crazy who struck out with the law. And her third baseman (Corbin Bernsen) is more concerned fielding endorsements than grounders.
Throw in a busload of other misfits and you’ve got yourself a hilarious line-up that’s destined for disaster! Or is it?”
“Major League: Wild Thing Edition” is rated R.
CS Comment:
“Major League” is definitely one of the top sports movies ever made and this new version (complete with Astroturf!) gives you a chance to enjoy it again. You’ll also find a pretty good selection of bonus features.
Available Tuesday, April 10
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
Buy this DVD at Amazon.com
Rating: Not Rated
Starring:
Willie Brown as Himself (archive footage)
Dan Hurst as Knife Man
Special Features:
Deleted scenes
Interview with Stanley Nelson
Other Info:
Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the official DVD synopsis:
“On November 17, 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan traveled to an isolated rain forest in Guyana to investigate the concerns of his San Francisco-area constituents. Their alarming stories focused on a jungle compound known as Jonestown, a group called the Peoples Temple, and their leader, Rev. Jim Jones. According to news filtering back to America, U.S. citizens were being held against their will in prison camp conditions. There were allegations of physical and sexual abuse and even rumors of a planned mass suicide. Congressman Ryan, an impassioned human rights advocate, decided to get the facts for himself. Within forty-eight hours, Ryan, Jones, and over 900 Jonestown settlers were dead – causalities of the largest mass murder-suicide in history. In the next few days, grizzly details of cyanide-laced soft drinks and disturbing images of children poisoned by their parents emerged from the jungle. American Experience goes beyond the salacious headlines to provide a revealing portrait of Jones, his followers, and the times that produced the calamity in the Guyanese jungle, creating a compelling narrative told primarily by the people who know the story firsthand – Jonestown survivors, former Peoples Temple members, relatives of those who died, and journalists.”
“Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple” is not rated.
CS Comment:
PBS continues their excellent documentary series American Experience, this time highlighting the notorious mass suicide. If you’re intrigued by the story, this is a DVD you want to check out.
Available Tuesday, April 10
