St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 36

4E ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1990 i VIDEO REVIEWS THE HIT LIST HOWARD BLUMENTHAI ILhl 111 1 air lis 1 VI Mi mm The week's most popular videocassettes In St Louis-area stores. Figures provided by Sight and Sound Distributors. Jzj 'Theaters' For Home RENTALS SALES 1. Turner and 1.

Batman Hooch 2. Uncle Buck 2. Bambi 3. When Harry 3. Who Framed Met Sally Roger Rabbit 4.

Karate Kid III 4. Wizard of Oz 5. Kickboxer 5. New Kids on the Block Live 6. See No Evil 6.

New Kids Hear No Evil on the Block 7. K-9 7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 8. Eddie and the 8. Lethal Weapon Cruisert 9.

Do the Right 9. Big Thing 10. Beetlejuice 10. Weekend at Bemie's "ft Harrison Ford (center) and Sean Connery all tied up by Alison Doody and her Nazi buddies in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." COMING ATTRACTIONS Reviews of recently released videocassettes: "INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE" Paramount Home Video, $24.95 It really is the last one, say director Steven Spielberg, executive producer George Lucas and star Harrison Ford of this third entry in the Indiana Jones adventure series. It may seem familiar if you've seen the first two.

You get the feeling that Spielberg and company only halfheartedly tried to give this film a unique identity. We get Nazis for villains again, as in "Raiders matic actors are on screen. The story this time has Indy searching for the ultimate archaeological the Holy Grail from which Jesus is said to have drunk at the Last Supper. Naturally, Indy's not the only one who wants it. One of his competitors is Elsa, a beautiful Austrian art historian (played by newcomer Alison Doody) who ends up getting our hero and his friends in hot water.

As the adventure unfolds, it's hard not to be amazed by Spielberg's ability to keep the whole film in near-constant motion, which contributes to its edge-of-your-seat quality. The tricks may not be all new ones, but they're fun to see again. "The Last Crusade" sports many familiar names and faces from the other Indy films, both in front of and behind the camera. Denholm Elliot and John Rhys-Davies portray Indy's eccentric boss and his sidekick Sallah respectively, and composer John Williams and director of photography Douglas Slocombe contribute to the team effort. It all makes for a well-oiled, precision entertainment machine, fine for a cold winter night in front of the VCR.

Josh Mooney, Entertainment News Service of the Lost Ark," and this time out, it's not hard to guess how Indy's going to deal with them during the many expertly staged fight scenes. At the same time, there's Sean Connery as Indy's father an unusual but inspired casting choice. The repartee between Connery and Ford JAY LENO is thinking about getting one. Eddie Murphy has had one for some time and is very happy with it. John Hillerman (of "Magnum, P.I.") is getting one, too.

I want one, but at $33,195 for the cost of the equipment alone, I'm going to wait awhile. Get ready for the first big trend of the 1990s: home theaters. While the stars are paying $50,000 and more for the latest in high-tech comforts, a $5,000 home theater with a 100-inch movie-style screen, high-resolution images, and five-speaker surround sound is not more than a few years away. Throughout the year, I'll be writing about reasonably priced home theaters. But this week, let's forget about money and go for the best.

The heart of our dream system is a remarkable new projector made by Barco, a company well-known among broadcasters for high-quality video monitors. The Barcodata 1001 Projector ($23,495) was originally designed to project large-sized computer graphics at trade shows, but it has found a place in the homes of the rich and famous. A combination of the very best lenses; special, high-resolution circuitry; and an uncommon measure of brightness results in images that weave the same kind of all-consuming spell as motion picture film. This projector is versatile enough to display not only computer graphics, but High Definition Television images as well. The sensation of watching TV melts away.

This is something altogether different. A space shuttle liftoff began a demonstration of the Barco projector, and at first, I thought this was going to be just another display of HDTV's wider screen ratio screens are about 20 percent wider than the screens currently in our homes; they're shaped more like motion picture screens). But the film cut to an aerial view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and I felt as if I were actually in the plane, looking through a front window, as we swooped toward traffic and the bay below. Looking straight down at one of the towers, I heard myself gasp, so real was the sensation of true-to-life 3D. (An excellent sound track enhanced this sensation of reality.) Imagine being able to see the entire baseball diamond on a TV screen, with the kind of perspective available only from the press box, or the better part of a football field or basketball court.

City streets look so vivid that signs can be read at a distance. Night scenes, poorly reproduced on traditional television, regain their detail and mystery. I haven't been a big fan of HDTV. I thought the claims about its additional clarity were overblown, mainly on the basis of Japanese demonstrations that showed pretty women in Technicolor kimonos, close-ups of orchids and temple grounds. Now that I've seen more familiar images Qn a top-notch system, I feel differently.

If the Barcodata is any indication of things to come, I can't wait to own an HDTV set. (Unfortunately, playback sources for HDTV, notably video-cassette recorders, laserdiscs and cable TV service, are still several years off, at least in their consumer-priced versions.) The Stewart Filmscreen Video-matte 150 was designed by the nation's top screen-maker to complement Barco's projectors; the screen really does make a differ-. ence. Stewart may not be a familiar name, but you've seen its products in motion picture theaters and at Disney theme parks. Stewart is now becoming involved in home entertainment as well.

The cost of a screen is not unreasonable: A pull-down Ultramatte 150 runs about $600 (depending on size), while an electrified model (to lift and lower the screen) costs $1,200 or more. Stewart will also custom-manufacture screens for home theaters. Installing a top-quality sound system is as important as choosing the best video hardware when you're creating your home theater. There are now several premium-priced audio systems available, and more are on the way. Each comes with one or more amplifiers, a decoder to translate the surround sound signals embedded in the film's sound track, and several speakers two for the back of the room, two for the front corners, and one for placement above or below the screen.

Lexicon has long enjoyed a reputation for the best decoders. Shure's HTS also has many advocates. Philips recently introduced a new system. The Fosgate-Au-dionics system, used in the Barco demonstration, is one of the best possible choices. The heart and soul of the Fos-gate-Audionics approach is a new Digital Servo Logic circuitry, which places sounds and sound effects precisely.

The overall sound presentation is equal to that of a movie theater. Indeed, Fosgate-Audionics is now installing its sound systems in commercial theaters because its system is superior to many present-day installations. The total price of theater-style sound from this manufacturer: $8,500 for five speakers, three amplifiers and the decoder. If you find yourself with $35,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you'll be happy to know that Barco now has a consumer sales division call (404) 956-7705, or write to Barco Consumer Sales at 1500 Wilson Way, Smyrna, Ga. 30082 and that the finest audio-video salons may soon be demonstrating the system described here.

Barco also sells a top-quality standard (not HDTV) video projector, model 600C, for $10,250. Its images, when seen on a high-quality screen, are far better than those available on traditional rear projection sets. You can write to Stewart Filmscreen at 1161 West Sepul-veda Boulevard, Torrance, Calif. 90502, and FosgateAudionics at P.O. Box 70, Heber City, Utah 84032.

Rumors, rumors: Look for Apple to introduce a new low-priced Macintosh with a color screen by fall. Several new Macintosh portables are also on the way, including one that's being jointly designed with a Japanese maker of notebook-sized computers. provides the film's most enjoyable moments, and allows us to see a new side of Indy. Another intriguing bit of casting has the teen-aged River Phoenix playing the young Indy. We don't quite believe that Connery could be Indy's dad or that Phoenix could grow up to be Ford, yet I it's impossible to look away when these charis COMPUTING ti inn A Problem Of Language The following videocassettes are scheduled for national release next week.

Local release dates and prices may vary. Drama 1989. Directed by Larry Peerce. Starring Michael Chiklis, J.T. Walsh, Patti D'Ar-banville, Alex Rocco.

Dramatic telling ot the life of late comedian John Belushi, based on the Bob Woodward book of the same title. International Video Entertainment, $89.95. "Distant Voices, Still ($89.95, International Video Entertainment) 1988. Directed by Terence Davies. Starring Freda Dowie, Peter Postlewaite, Angela Walsh, Dean Williams.

Autobiographical family drama set In post-World War II England. International Video Entertainment, $89.95. Musicals "Pal 1957. Directed by George Sidney. Starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Rita Hayworth.

Rodgers Hart musical about a fast-talking, womanizing nightclub entertainer. Songs include "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," and "My Funny Valentine." RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video, $19.95. "Cover 1944. Directed by Charles Vi-dor. Starring Rita Hayworth, Gene Kelly, Phil Silvers, Eve Arden.

Jerome Kern-Ira Gershwin classic musical about a chorus girl's rise to stardom as a cover girl. RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video, $19.95. "One Night of 1934. Directed by Victor Shertzinger. Starring Grace Moore, Tullio Carminati, Lyle Talbot.

An aspiring opera star and her teacher. Oscar-winning score. RCA-Columbia Pictures Home Video, $19.95. Kids "Asterix in 1986. Animated feature.

Asterix and his friend Obelix keep the Romans from conquering ancient Britain. Just for Kids, $39.95. "The Magical Princess Gigi." Animated feature. A young princess from another world visits earth to share her lessons of love. Just for Kids, $39.95.

"McTreasure ($9.95, Hi-Tops Video) 1989. Thirty minutes of Ronald McDonald performing his version of the literary classic. Co-produced by the fast-food giant as it begins grinding up authors and serving them on a sesame seed bun. Hi-Tops Video, $9.95. "Here Comes Peter 1971.

Animated television special with Easter theme. Family Home Entertainment, Action-Adventure "Lethal Weapon 1989. Directed by Richard Donner. Starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Patsy Kensit. Gibson's character, suicidal in the first "Lethal," is a far more stable individual this time around.

Can't say the same for the world, at large, however, as the usual violence reigns. Warner Home Video, $24.98. "Ministry of 1989. Directed by Peter Maris. Starring John Schneider, George Kennedy, Apollonia.

Minister leaves pulpit to find the murderers of his wife and child. Media Home Entertainment, $89.95. Comedy 1989. Directed by Michael Almer-eyda. Starring Harry Dean Stanton, Crispin Glover, Suzy Amis, Dylan McDermott.

A family's members get too caught up in their own problems to notice a life-threatening twister is headed their way. Vestron Video, $89.98. 1989. Directed by Michael Simpson. Starring David Lander, William Windom, Bruce Mahler, Mike McManus.

Mob takes over amusement park, makes things less amusing. Vestron Video, $79.98. "Ghost 1988. Directed by Roland Emmerich. Starring Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow, Tim McDaniel, Chuck Mitchell, Paul Gleason.

Three teen film makers inherit a trunk and a ghost. M.C.E.G.Virgin Home Entertainment, $79.95. Documentary "Great Moments in College Basketball." Narrated by Curt Gowdy. Starring Kareem Ab-dul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Larry Bird. History, highlights, play-by-plays.

By Michael Himowitz 1990, The Baltimore Evening Sun BY THE TIME Kim called me, she was frantic. She and her husband had just spent a bundle of money on a new computer system. He was working on a free-lance piece with a deadline. And they couldn't get anything but gibberish out of their printer. Their computer, a Tandy 1000 TL, checked out OK.

So did their printer, a Panasonic KXP-1124. The computer is IBM-compatible, and the printer is designed to work with IBM-compatible computers. So what was the problem? Compatibility but not the kind most people think about when they buy a system. It was something I hadn't considered, either, when I recommended the hardware to them. As it turned out, the word processing program Kim was using had no idea how to talk to their particular printer.

Because I know at least a dozen people who are using that printer with great pleasure, it never occurred to me that a popular word processing program might not support it in one mode or another. But that was the case. So if you are buying a new computer, or changing printers, or buying new software, it pays to know a little bit about how printers and software interact. It can save you a lot of grief. First, consider that there are hundreds of printers on the market today.

Each manufacturer designs its printers a little differently. But most can produce a variety of type sizes, faces and even different fonts. When you tell your word processor to print a document, it does not just send text to the printer. It sends non-printing control codes that set margins, line spacing, typefaces, underlining and other text attributes. Each printer requires its own set of control codes.

For that reason, most word processing programs come with a set of printer "drivers." These are software programs or data files that tell the word processor how to talk to a particular printer. Your software usually provides some way of selecting the type of printer you are using. Often, this occurs when you set up the software for the first time, a process known as "installing" the program. Other programs have menu choices that allow you to choose a printer at any time. Unfortunately, printer manufacturers bring out new models much more frequently than software publishers update their packages.

So if you buy a new printer, you may not find it on the list your software provides. Printer makers are well aware of this, so most design machines that will "emulate" printers from major manufacturers. That means they will accept the control codes designed for these popular printers. You may not be able to access all the fancy new features your printer provides, but you will be able to do some useful work. For example, most dot matrix printers will emulate Epson FX, MX or LQ series printers, the old IBM Graphics printer, the newer IBM Pro-Printer, or the Diablo 630, an old warhorse daisy wheel machine.

Most low-end laser printers will emulate the Hewlett Packard LaserJet. Before you buy a new printer or computer system check to see if your word processing software will support the printer. If the printer isn't on the list, check the printer manual and see which machines it emulates. If one of the emulations is supported by your word processor, you will be all right. Be aware that it may take some finagling with internal switches or the front panel buttons to set up the printer for the emulation you want.

Also, contact the publisher of your word processing software. The companies that produce the best sellers, such as Word Perfect, Microsoft Word, PFS Professional Write and WordStar, are constantly updating their printer drivers. Ask whether they have one for your printer or one of its emulations. If they do, they may be willing to send it to you for a nominal fee (or sometimes for nothing, if you have registered your software). If you know someone with a modem who subscribes to a big on-line database service, such as CompuServe, Genie or The Source, ask him to check in with the on-line support services that many software publishers maintain.

Frequently, they wili post new printer drivers on these services. They can be downloaded to disk and used on your computer. Some software publishers are better about this than others. For example, IBM and Tandy, who produce both hardware and software, are much better about supporting their own printers than they are about supporting others. As always, the best policy is to Investigate before you buy.

Best Videos Of The Decade By Susan King Entertainment News Service THE '80s saw the emergence of a number of bright lights in the ranks of American film directors. And unlike the turn of the last decade, you can take advantage of that other great advance of the past 10 years videocassettes to relive some of the best cinematic moments of the period. The following list will give you some ideas on the best to watch. "Raging directed by Martin Scorsese. "Raiders of the Lost directed by Steven Spielberg.

"E.T. The directed by Steven Spielberg. directed by Warren Beatty. "The Right Stuff; directed by Philip Kaufman. "Blue directed by David Lynch.

"Hannah and Her directed by Woody Allen. directed by Oliver Stone. "The Unbearable Lightness of directed by Philip Kaufman. "Who Framed Roger directed by Robert Zemeckis. BRIDGE TIPS ANIMAL DOCTOR MICHAEL FOX By Omar Sharif and Tannah Hirsch East-West vulnerable.

South deals. NORTH Q9752 V5 843 4AJ64 Morris is lucky to have you as his guardian angel. He's obviously spoiled. And probably he's a little bored. When Morris bites you, he's giving you what are known as "love bites." He's showing you affection kissing you, in effect.

Sometimes he gets carried away and hurts you. Cats will also love-bite when they're excited, as by a running child, or when they're being petted near the base of the tail. Attune yourself to Morris quirk-iness and don't punish him. (Your attempts at punishment with the brush only backfired!) Ktep him in another room when children visit. Don't pet him too much.

And give him some imaginative toys to keep him busy and feeling wild. Dear Dr. Fox: My cat Morris (so-called because he's the color of the famed Morris) came to my door as a stray. It's now eight years later, and Morris has developed a bad habit he bites. I've yelled at him and said, "No," and he knows when I'm angry (he runs and hides).

But nothing stops him. I even tried hitting him with a brush, but all that accomplished is that now he won't let me brush him! He seems to want to be near me all the time. He sleeps with me and sits with me when I watch TV. All very well, but how do I stop him from biting me? Sometimes he even draws blood. I'm worried when my friends' kids come, he runs after them and tries to bite their legs.

clarer elected to postpone that decision until more was known about the distribution. Declarer captured the king of diamonds with the ace, drew two rounds of trumps and ruffed the remining heart in dummy. Now came the key play declarer led a club to the king and exited with a diamond. West won the trick with the ten, but the defense was in its death throes. If West cashed the queen of diamonds, his forced red-suit return at the next trick would allow declarer to ruff on the table while disposing of a losing club from hand.

If West put East on lead with a low diamond to the jack, that worthy would have an additional means of committing suicide besides conceding a ruff-sluff, East could lead a club into dummy's ace-jack tenace. What if West could win the third diamond and lead a club? Then declarer, having exhausted all other possibilities, would have to fall back on the club finesse to try to land the contract. The bidding: South West North East 14 44 Pass Pass Pass Opening lead: King of Don't be too eager to commit yourself to a specific line of play. A finesse destined to succeed at trick two will work equally well at trick 10 or 1 North's pre-emptive jump to four spades worked extremely well. Because of the double fit in the red suits, five hearts by East-West would be defeated only one trick, but the vulnerability made it too risky for East to enter the fray.

West led the king of hearts and, when East followed with the deuce to indicate he was prepared for a switch, West shifted to the two of diamonds. It might seem that the fate of the contract now hinged on the club finesse, but de EAST 46 9642 9 10 9 82 WEST 84 VAKQJ83 Q1072 43 SOUTH 4AKJ103 A65 K75 1 Jm.