Downhill Racer

Downhill Racer VHS cover art. Skiing movie starring Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Camilla Sparv. Directed by Michael Ritchie. 1969.

Downhill Racer on VHS. Starring Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Camilla Sparv. Directed by Michael Ritchie. 1969.

From the box:

Director Michael Ritchie’s (The Golden Child) debut film is a tense and taut look at the world of Olympic skiing. Robert Redford is the hero, a handsome loner from Idaho Springs, Colorado, bent on making to the top of the heap. As the pressure and tension build, Redford handles himself well, learning in the process how fleeting and lonely fame can be. Redford is well cast as the all-American boy chasing his dream, and Gene Hackman is excellent as the tough and demanding American ski coach.

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Major League

Major League VHS cover art. Comedy sport movie starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen. With Margaret Whitton, James Gammon, Rene Russo, Bob Uecker, Wesley Snipes, Charles Cyphers, Chelcie Ross, Dennis Haysbert. Directed by David S. Ward. 1989.

Major League on VHS. Starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen. With Margaret Whitton, James Gammon, Rene Russo, Bob Uecker, Wesley Snipes, Charles Cyphers, Chelcie Ross, Dennis Haysbert. Directed by David S. Ward. 1989.

From the box:

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 (L.A. Law’s Corbin Bernsen) is more concerned fielding endorsements than grounders.

Throw in a bus load of other misfits and you’ve got yourself a hilarious line-up thats destined for disaster! Or is it?

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Bob Uecker’s Sport Show All-Star Comedy

Bob Uecker's Sport Show All-Star Comedy on VHS. Starring Bob Uecker, Tex Cobb, Dick Vitale, Jay Johnstone, Ben Davidson, "Boom Boom" Geoffrion, Joe Torres, Al Bernstein, Henry Lawrence and Roy Firestone. 1988.

Bob Uecker’s Sport Show All-Star Comedy on VHS. Starring Bob Uecker, Tex Cobb, Dick Vitale, Jay Johnstone, Ben Davidson, “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, Joe Torres, Al Bernstein, Henry Lawrence and Roy Firestone. 1988.

From the box:

Bob Uecker is back and funnier than ever! Bob “Mr. Baseball” Uecker Sport Show’s guests include Dick Vitale, Ben Davidson, Jay Johnstone, Tex Cobb, Joe Torres, Al Bernstein and Roy Firestone, among others.

For the first time you’ll see your favorite athletes singing, dancing, joking their way into the Uecker hall of fame. Former Los Angeles Raider Henry Lawrence and ESPN boxing analyst Al Bernstein warble their hearts out while sports personality Roy Firestone does his hilarious sports impressions. Bringing it all together is the acknowledged master of sports comedy Bob Uecker. “The Bob Uecker Sports Show” is perfect for sports fans who enjoy a good laugh. It’s “Mr. Baseball” at his very best.

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Jerry Maguire

Jerry Maguire VHS cover art. Movie starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger. With Kelly Preston, Jerry O'Connell, Jay Mohr, Bonnie Hunt, Regina King. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. 1996.

Jerry Maguire on VHS. Starring Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger. With Kelly Preston, Jerry O’Connell, Jay Mohr, Bonnie Hunt, Regina King. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. 1996.

From the box:

“Tom Cruise gives his best performance to date” (Neil Rosen, NY-1) as a sports agent who suddenly discovers his scruples — and promptly loses his job.

But with the help of one loyal colleague and one outrageous client, Jerry Maguire learns that loving well is the best revenge.

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Legend

Legend VHS cover art. Movie starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry. With David Bennent, Alice Playten, Billy Barty. Directed by Ridley Scott. 1985.

Legend on VHS. Starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry. With David Bennent, Alice Playten, Billy Barty. Directed by Ridley Scott. 1985.

From the box:

A World Full Of Magic, Wonder And Desire.

Tom Cruise stars in this visually stunning fantasy adventure in which pure good and evil battle to the death amidst spectacular surroundings. Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, the fantastic story has Tom Cruise, a mythical forest dweller, chosen by fate to undertake a heroic quest. He must save a beautiful princess, Mia Sara, and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness, Tim Curry, or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.

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Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings

Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings VHS cover art. Movie starring Timothy Stultz, Ken Mitzkovitz, Erika Ann, Steven Barry Prince. Directed by Kevin Summerfield. 2002.

Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings on VHS. Starring Timothy Stultz, Ken Mitzkovitz, Erika Ann, Steven Barry Prince. Directed by Kevin Summerfield. 2002.

From the box:

“A fantasy epic in the tradition of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.” — Science Fiction Chronicle

Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings is a magical tale about young Max, a shy, bullied boy. His life is forever changed when he receives an ancient magical book that opens a mystical door into an enchanted kingdom where an adventure filled with warriors, elves, queens and sorcerers awaits.

Once the young magician learns that an evil underworld king threatens the beautiful forest realm, Max must summon the courage and knowledge to help them survive.

Join him on his magical adventure to a world where people and forests are one, kings and queens still rule, animals talk and mysterious villains haunt the shadows. Follow Max’s journey as he transforms from a timid weakling to a skilled warrior and master of sorcery, returning to his own world after saving another with more confidence and wisdom than ever imagined.

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Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Rings VHS cover art. Animated movie starring Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt. Directed by Ralph Bakshi. From the novels "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" by J.R.R. Tolkien. 1978.

Lord of the Rings on VHS. Starring Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt. Directed by Ralph Bakshi. From the novels “The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Two Towers” by J.R.R. Tolkien. 1978.

From the box:

All the magical adventure of J.R.R. Tolkien’s thrilling fantasy classic comes to life in this brilliantly animated tale of the enchanted land of Middle Earth — and the brave band of hobbits, heroes and wizards who set out to protect it!

When a dangerous and powerful magic Ring falls into his hands, a little hobbit named Frodo is caught up in a gigantic adventure! Now, join him, the mighty wizard Gandalf and a daring band of elves, dwarfs and warriors as they set out to defend their enchanted land from the wicked sorcerer who would destroy it. Set in a mystical age of magic, monsters and unlikely heroes on incredible journeys, The Lord of the Rings will cast its spell over your entire family!

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Read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings

Read J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers: The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies VHS cover art. Adventure drama thriller movie starring James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards, Roger Elwin. Directed by Peter Brook. Based on the novel by William Golding. 1963.

Lord of the Flies on VHS. Starring James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards, Roger Elwin. Directed by Peter Brook. Based on the novel by William Golding. 1963.

From the box:

“A near perfect adaptation… Visually hypnotic and powerful.” — Video Movie Guide

The original film adaptation of William Golding’s classic moral parable, Peter Brook’s Lord of the Flies has been praised as “one of those rare instances in which the movie is better than the book.” Stranded on a remote island, a group of British schoolboys try to organize themselves into a law-abiding society: “After all, we’re not savages — we’re English,” one of them proclaims. The decent, levelheaded Ralph is picked to lead them, but is soon rivaled by the brash and outspoken Jack, whose appeals to the boys’ primal urges of food and fear soon threaten Ralph’s rule. As Jack’s unruly bank of hunters quickly grows in number, the boys’ fragile society disintegrates, and they plunge headlong into anarchy and bloodshed. Brook’s decision to shoot his tropical film in black and white is inspired: The resulting stark images add depth and weight to the chilling study of the inherent defects of society and man. In today’s post-Cold War world, with its lack of simple “us versus them” conclusions, Lord of the Flies becomes an even more compelling film, exploring how easily the threads that hold our social fabric together can thin, fray, and ultimately unravel.

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Frogs

Frogs VHS cover art. Horror movie starring Ray Milland, Sam Elliott, Joan Van Ark, Adam Roarke, Judy Pace, Mae Mercer. Directed by George McCowan. 1972.

Frogs on VHS. Starring Ray Milland, Sam Elliott, Joan Van Ark, Adam Roarke, Judy Pace, Mae Mercer. Directed by George McCowan. 1972.

From the box:

Everyone knows that man is the dominant species on Earth. Or… is he?

“Frogs” is the shudder-inducing answer to that query, a nightmare of what can happen when the denizens of your local swamp decide to strike back at the so-called “intelligent” life form that despoils their environment.

In the best horror film tradition, this grisly tale unfolds on an isolated island off the coast of the deep South, where great-grandfather Jason Crockett (Ray Milland) gathers the clan to celebrate his birthday and the Fourth of July. And after family members discover the corpse of the island’s caretaker — who had been spraying poison to limit the expanding frog population — crawling with frogs and snakes, it becomes ominously apparent that the party will have unexpected guests as well.

Gate-crashing is subtle at first: the maid and the butler discover a poisonous snake in the dining room, and small bevies of frogs start hopping into the mansion. The festivities only get deadlier after that.

One of Jason’s grandsons goes into the woods to repair torn telephone lines and meets an arachnid array that will set you squirming. Another grandson ventures into the greenhouse where some curious lizards have discovered a cache of deadly insecticide. By now, fright fans get the picture: old man Crockett and his brood won’t leave the island alive if Mother Nature’s minions have their say.

Creepy crawlers of all sizes have been marshalled to create “Frogs” realistically gruesome effects. Besides frogs, snakes and lizards, all manner of spiders, tarantulas, scorpions, alligators, salamanders, toads, leeches and even an alligator turtle contribute lethal specialties,

Who among such stalwart players as Sam Elliot, Joan Van Ark, Adam Roarke, Judy Pace and Mae Mercer will survive this reptilian revenge? It would spoil the party to tell, especially since “Frogs” will not only keep you perched at the edge of your seat but also persuade you to think twice before squashing a bug or swatting a fly again. After all, today the pond… tomorrow the world!

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The Life of Python

The Life of Python VHS Box Set. Conceived, written and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin. With special appearances by Eddie Izzard, Meat Loaf, Kevin Kline, Sir David Frost, Ronnie Corbett, & the creators of South Park, Trey Parker & Matt Stone. 2000.

The Life of Python VHS Box Set. Conceived, written and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin. With special appearances by Eddie Izzard, Meat Loaf, Kevin Kline, Sir David Frost, Ronnie Corbett, & the creators of South Park, Trey Parker & Matt Stone. 2000.

From the box:

They’re not all dead yet.

For more than 30 years, devout fans of Monty Python have tortured the rest of us with endless repetition of the “Dead Parrot Sketch,” “The Spanish Inquisition,” “Spam,” “The Lumberjack Song,” “Nudge Nudge” and more.
In a desperate attempt to shut them up, A&E presents this, the ultimate Python fanatic’s collection, chock full of interviews, new material, tours, new material, de rigeur “lost” episodes and bits, new material, shots of the old geezers sitting on their laurels, and, of course, new material.

VHS Tape 1: It’s… The Monty Python Story
This outrageous BBC production celebrates 30 years of Python with new Monty Python sketches, a plethora of guest appearances and the funniest funeral you’ll ever attend.

VHS Tape 2: A Veritable Potpourri of Python
Pythonland — Journey with Michael Palin in search of the locations where the best known Python sketches were shot.
The Lost Python Mayday Special — A fun and fusty relic from the 1971 Pan-European May Day Festival, freshly dug from the BBC rubbish bin.
From Spain to Sperm: Monty Python’s Greatest Hits — Join host Meat Loaf for a countdown of the songs we were grounded for singing as kids.
An animated South Park tribute.

VHS Tape 3: Monty Python’s Filegender Zirkus #2
One of the famous “lost” German episodes never before available in the U.S. Yes, Monty Python is funny in German! Unfortunately, this programme is in English.

DVD Upgrade: The Life of Python