Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 63

FRIDAY, MAY 252001 VIDEOS STAR TRIBUNE PAGE E3 Family New releases "Vertical Limit' hits new heights If you're afraid of heights, you can just walk right past "Vertical Limit' out of four stars; rated PG-13 for intense scenes and language) at the video store. Otherwise, pop a fcw of microwave pcpcom, lead up on pop and hang on to your seat for one wild ride. Chris OTJonnell stars as Peter Garrett, a one-time mountaineer who's haunted by the climbing death of his father. (That scene opens the movie, and trust me it won't cause anyone to take up the pastime soon.) When his gung- A ho sister, Annie (Robin Tunney), becomes stranded atop K2, one of the world's tallest mountains, Peter Pick to click How do children learn to cope with grief? With a bit of intervention, perhaps, and a crash course in learning to live again. Such is the premise of "Voyage of the Unicorn" (Haiirnark, based on James C.

Christensen's 1996 book "Voyage of the Basset." It stars Beau Bridges as Prof. Alan Aisling, whose life goes into a tailspin after his wife dies. His two daughters have different ways of coping with their mother's death: Cassie daydreams about the mythical world of her mother's unfinished books, and Miranda, once joyful, hides her pain with sarcasm. But these conflicts begin to pale in comparison with menacing trolls, who co-opt the family's home one evening and force them aboard the Unicorn. The family's mission: To find the magical dragon that once ruled the legendary Faerie Isles with extraordinary kindness.

Along the way, the Aislings see strange lands and mythical creatures, and the journey reignites an exuberance for life the family hasn't known for some time. It's magical family entertainment. New York Times must muster up the courage and fellow rescuers to save her and her climbing partners before they die. Annie must battle not only the elements, but also a conniving billionaire (Bill Pax-ton) concerned only with self-preservation. Although one might expect the big-scale look of "Vertical Limit" to lose something on the small screen, it fares surprisingly well.

Sure, the visuals aren't quite as spectacular as in the theater, but credit director Martin Campbell for crafting action scenes of such cliff-hanging intensity that the viewer can't help but be drawn in. A nerve-frazzling helicopter scene comes to mind, with the wind-tossed chopper's blades slicing the ground at the feet of one would-be rescuer. Plot implausibilities and inconsistent special effects keep "Vertical Limit" from reaching the heights of the 1993 climbers-in-peril flick "Cliffhanger" or Campbell's nearly perfect 1998 actioner, "The Mask of Zorro." But that's tough to remember while dodging avalanches with OTJonnell and crew. Randy A Salas Photo provided by Columbia Pictures A helicopter gyrates wildly during a mountain rescue attempt in "Vertical Limit." If you rent the DVD Basics: Widescreen (1.85:1 ratio, anamorphic); Dolby Digital 5.1 audio; English and French subtitles. Extras: Director and producer's commentary; making-of and mountain-climbing featurettes; bios; trailers.

Good stuff: Crank it up if you have a home theater, because the demo-quality sound will blow you away. "Beautiful Joe" (VIIS, DVD; R): A single mother (Sharon Stone) uses nice men to help her out when she gets into trouble with gambling and the mob. "Before Night Falls" (VHS, DVD; R): The story of Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas (Oscar nominee Javier Bardem), who defied artistic censorship and persecution during the upheaval of the Cuban revolution. "Bongwater" (VHS, DVD; R): The trials and tribulations of a struggling artist and pot dealer. "Dungeons Dragons" (VHS, DVD; PG-13): An empress calls on a band of magicians and sorcerers to thwart an evil wizard's plot.

"Forever Mine" (VHS, DVD; R): An affair between a boy and the young wife of a sinister politician triggers a 16-year vendetta between the two men. With Joseph Fiennes and Ray Liotta. "Hamlet" (VHS; R): Campbell Scott (who also directed) takes on the role of the melancholy Dane in this modern-day adaptation. "Homicide: The Movie" (VIIS, DVD; PG-13): Detectives search for an elusive gunman in this TV movie based on the NBC show. "Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Kennedy Women (VHS; not rated): The triumphs and tragedies of the women behind the Kennedy men.

"Peril" (VHS, DVD; R): A woman is held hostage while her husband is trapped in a cave. "Requiem for a Dream" (VHS, DVD; not rated): A lonely widowed mother (Oscar nominee Ellen Burstyn), her son and his beautiful girlfriend and best friend each fall victim to drug addiction in this harrowing film. Entertainment News Service Look for previews of next week's new rental videos in Sunday's Arts Entertainment and DVD news and reviews for videophiles in Tuesdav's Varietv. A few films that show their range Top video rentals Shelf life job as a high-climbing rescuer after being part of a tragic accident one of the best movie openings ever. Walker is pressed back into service after a band of nasty hijackers loses $100 million in the mountains.

It's a smart film with a few plot holes, but they are quickly forgotten amid eye-popping stunts. V4 Randy A Salas "Everest" (1998, not rated): A real mountain and a real expedition are captured in breathtaking splendor and heart-pounding intensity by mountain climberfilmmaker extraordinaire David Brashears. Filmmaking at 29,000 feet is a daunting task in itself, but the story behind this IMAX film makes the final result even more impressive: Brashears made it during the 1996 tragedy that killed eight climbers (chronicled in the bestseller "Into Thin Air," which became a TV movie that also is available on home video); he donated the film crew's oxygen to the rescue cause. V4 (CD.) The peak of filmmaking: "The Sound of Music" (1965, G): The hills are alive: From Julie Andrews' opening twirl to the Von Trapps' trek across the Swiss border, the Alps form an imposing backdrop to the familiar story of patriotism, love and the healing power of music. Repeated viewings reveal surprising new insights; you might even discover a little humanity in the baroness.

Yes, it's syrupy, but admit it: It's one of your favorite things. Cindy Dickison "The Eiger Sanction" (1975, R): Clint Eastwood stars as a college professor who was an agent for a CIA-type agency. To finance his art-collecting hobby, he takes a job with the agency to assassinate the killers of an agent. To complete the job, he finds he must scale a mountain. The film is beautiful to look at, and the climbing scenes are nerve-wracking.

But the movie is a little The week's top rentals nationally, courtesy of Video Software Dealers Association: 1. "What Women Want" 2. "Miss Congeniality" 3. "Pay It Forward" 4. "Finding Forrester" 5.

"Men of Honor" 6. "The Emperor's New Groove" 7. "Antitrust" 8. "Little Nicky" 9. "All the Pretty Horses" 10.

"Space Cowboys" Look for top video sales in Tuesday's Variety. Next week's major rental releases: "The House of Mirth," "Shadow of the Vampire," "Traffic" and "Two Family House." slow. Milford Reid "Total Recall" (1990, R): In the opening scenes, our hero, Quaid (Arnold Schwarznegger when his pictures were still events), is walking along the rocky ledge of a mountain on Mars. Unfortunately, his suit develops problems, and he explodes. Luckily for him (and the movie), it was all a dream.

The incident prompts Quaid to go to Mars where he discovers a plot by the planet's administrator (Ronny Cox at his sleaziest) to keep Mars devoid of a breathable atmosphere. There's enough action and special effects for two or three movies. The acting is good, too. -k-k-kVi (M.R.) "Cliffhanger" (1993, R): In one of the best action flicks of the '90s, Sylvester Stallone stars as Gabe Walker, a hotshot mountaineer who gives up his LIFETIME IS COMING TO MINNEAPOLIS WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME MALL TOUR 4 jN-. VV I Come participate in this special 'V informational and interactive tour! Treat yourself to a makeover.

Get help with your family's finances. Find out about the latest ways to stay in touch with loved ones. And there's even something for the kids! Don't miss this great Lifetime experience. DATE: May 26th and 27th LOCATION: Mall of America TIME: Saturday, 10am Sunday, 11 am -7pm -1 Log on to www.lifetimetv.com for the virtual experience. underground tunnels, get up close, and be The Minnesota Zoo presents the Meerkats of the Kalahari.

Southern Africa's very own Meerkats for a day. Exhibit opens May 26. Lifetime I Lifetime Television is available on TIME WARNER VT CABLE bug-chomping, dirt-digging, playful little Be sure to check out the great shows critters. At the exhibit kids can go through MINNESOTA ZOO right next door at the IMAX Theatre. For full details on the events, call 952-431-9500 or see our Web site at www.mnzoo.org.

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