DD 5.1

Blood Simple made it clear that the cinematically precocious Coen brothers (writer-director Joel and writer-producer Ethan) were gifted filmmakers to watch out for. But it was the outrageously farcical Raising Arizona that announced the Coens' darkly comedic audacity to the world. It wasn't widely seen when released in 1987, but its modest audience was vocally supportive, and this hyperactive comedy has since developed a large and loyal following. It's the story of "Ed" (for Edwina, played by Holly Hunter), a policewoman who falls in love with "Hi" (for H.I.

Mel Brooks's directorial debut remains both a career high point and a classic show business farce. Hinging on a crafty plot premise, which in turn unleashes a joyously insane onstage spoof, The Producers is powered by a clutch of over-the-top performances, capped by the odd couple pairing of the late Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, making his screen debut. Mostel is Max Bialystock, a gone-to-seed Broadway producer who spends his days wheedling checks from his "investors," elderly women for whom Bialystock is only too willing to provide company.

Academy Award nominee Julia Roberts (Notting Hill, Runaway Bride) and Richard Gere (Runaway Bride) light up the screen in this irresistible comedy! When successful corporate mogul Edward Lewis (Gere) meets carefree Vivian Ward (Roberts), their two lives are worlds apart. But Vivian's energetic spirit challenges Edward's no-nonsense approach to life, and soon they are teaching each other - and falling in love! This timeless rags-to-riches romance captures hearts with its humor, passion and unforgettable fun!

What a combo! Tobe Hooper, the director of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, teamed up with family-oriented producer Steven Spielberg to make Poltergeist. The film is about a haunted suburban tract home in a development very much like the Arizona one in which Spielberg was raised. (Because it came out the same summer as Spielberg's E.T., it was tempting to see both movies as representing Spielberg's ambivalent feelings about childhood in suburbia.

Gus is a pretty clever cat burglar, but he's having a really bad Christmas Eve. He just stole precious gems from a wealthy amusement park owner. But his plan to escape has gone awry. So he ducks into Lloyd and Caroline's house only to find himself caught in the middle of a marriage from hell. Lloyd and Caroline are possibly the most dysfunctional pair in the world. To make matters worse, the unhappy twosome are expecting their in-laws for dinner.

Clever twists and a bona fide surprise ending make this an above-average courtroom thriller, tapping into the post-O.J. scrutiny of our legal system in the case of a hotshot Chicago defense attorney (Richard Gere) whose latest client is an altar boy (Edward Norton) accused of murdering a Catholic archbishop. The film uses its own manipulation to tell a story about manipulation, and when we finally discover who's been pulling the strings, the payoff is both convincing and pertinent to the ongoing debate over what constitutes truth in the American system of justice.

Kevin Costner and Madeleine Stowe ignite the screen in this deeply erotic and suspenseful thriller from the director of Top Gun and Crimson Tide. Costner stars as Michael J. Cochran, a former fighter pilot who is irresistibly drawn to the beautiful wife of an old friend. Anthony Quinn, in a powerful performance, co-stars as the husband who reacts with uncontrollable rage to the double betrayal.

The Rookie is based on a true story about a coach who discovers that it's never too late to try and make your dreams come true. Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) never made it out of the minor leagues before a shoulder injury ended his pitching career twelve years ago. Now a married-with-children high-school chemistry teacher and baseball coach in Texas, Jim's team makes a deal with him: if they win the district championship, Jim will try out with a major league organization.

If you've ever indulged a rock & roll fantasy, Rock Star will give you the vicarious thrill of seeing that fantasy come to life. That's what happens when talented tribute-band singer Chris Cole (Mark Wahlberg) is tapped to replace his idol as frontman for 1980s metal gods Steel Dragon. Chris becomes the groupie-laden "Izzy," his manager girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston) grows weary of sex 'n' drugs on tour, and Rock Star plays out its utterly conventional plot line.

The plot line may sound familiar: Two mismatched cops are assigned as reluctant partners to solve a crime. Culturally they are complete opposites, and they quickly realize they can't stand each other. One (Jackie Chan) believes in doing things by the book. He is a man with integrity and nerves of steel. The other (Chris Tucker) is an amiable rebel who can't stand authority figures. He's a man who has to do everything on his own, much to the displeasure of his superior officer, who in turn thinks this cop is a loose cannon but tolerates him because he gets the job done.