Interesting sci-fi underwater adventure that suffers from being a bit silly in the last half hour. Ushered in the era of CGI effects (along with Cameron's other sci-fi opus, Terminator 2.) The "Making Of" documentary is more interesting than the film itself.

Apart from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension remains as one of the top "cult" science fiction films. The picture has a quirky sense of fun, although it's cult sensibility feels a bit manufactured. Tip: Stay away from anyone displaying a "Team Banzai" bumper sticker on their car - they are trouble.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade come packaged together in one impressive boxed set. The films are top notch, with the middle Doom film being somewhat weaker. The forth disc features welcomed bonus material, sure to satisfy fans until the next DVD release.

The Alien Legacy Box set includes the entire film series: Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien Resurrection. Like most film sequels, the latter films have difficulty living up to the first two films. Alien Resurrection particularly suffers from a laughable ending that both figuratively and literally "sucked". Still, you can't go wrong with the first two films and the extensive extras of the DVD set.

"Where were you in '62?" Before George Lucas went to a galaxy far far away, he flashed back to not so long ago - to the 60s car crusing culture of Modesto California. This film is pitch perfect with regards to nostalgia, and was the first film to use an extensive number of rock songs in the soundtrack.

"Some legacies must end." In his Oscar nominated performance, Edward Norton paints a vividly shocking black and white portrait of a skinhead neo-Nazi. Redemption might be in the offering, as Norton tries to prevent his younger brother from falling into the same trap. (Side note: I designed the cover and wrote the the cover copyline.)

Jason Biggs screws an apple pie. Hilarity ensues. Surprisingly effective modern day Porky's, although it's appeal is reduced with subsquent viewings. This film also has the distinction of having more unecessary "special edition" re-releases on DVD than any other film in recent memory.

Captures the NASA space disaster without being too heavy handed. Tom Hanks is dependable as always, almost too likeable at times in this space program drama. Suffers a common flaw of many Ron Howard directed films - weak character development. Served as the creative springboard for the FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON mini-series on HBO.

Want an aquarium without the expense? Need a companion to your endless "Fireplace" DVD? This is the video for you. Features five different "aquaria" to choose from, including fresh and salt water versions. Other features round out the set, but can only serve as a novelty background video at best.

Better known as EVIL DEAD 3, this is the king of the cult-comic-horror genre (which isn't a very crowded field). Less horror and more slapstic than the previous Evil Dead films. Bruce Campbell supplies the catch-phrase worthy character with bravado, second only to the direction by Sam Rami.

Austin Powers is a perfect example of a "sleeper hit" in the theatres that turned into a blockbuster on home video. Mike Meyers paints a funny character, although it draws heavily on his previous Saturday Night Live work for inspiration, including his old boss Lorne Michaels inspiring Dr. Evil.

Meyers once again provides the laughs, most often through Dr. Evil. Suffers from a few too many re-hashes of the original film, but does offer up a few new comic scenes, especially those involving Mini-Me. Heather Graham steps in as the eye candy, although Elizabeth Hurley is missed.

Somewhat dated and cheesy at times, the Avia Guide to Home Theater offers plenty of test tones, video patterns, and other home theatre setup information to satisify most audio/video users. Expensive alternative to the Video Essentials DVD.