The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 72

VIDEO Biggest video news of 1989: push to rush the hits to tape By JIM McCULLAUGH Billboard Magazine OS ANGELES For viewers of home video, the year just ending proved to be a good one. Among the developments: a shorter lapse between theatrical exhibition and the release of a home cassette and a move to $15 as the sale price for recent blockbusters. When the trade got word in early October of a Dec. 14 release date for "When Harry Met Sally a bona fide $80 million box office title, a debate was triggered as to whether there was a new trend toward shorter theatrical windows for major titles. That title joined "Batman," the summer's slam-dunk box office champ, with well above $250 million and "Ghostbusters II" at $110 million, as a title that would Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal's 'When Harry Met Sally set the trend this year move to home video in less than six months.

"Batman" (with tie-in a year ago, when films of that cali- be "maximized" by being partner USA) was be- ber received nine to 12 month dropped into a late Coca-Cola ing primed as the major fall title December period that has been as windows, many home video obat $24.98, while "Ghostbusters I1" (also with tie-in partner Coca- servers said the trend was more pre- home typically lean of A titles in illusory than real. vious years. The focus was Cola USA) was being groomed as video rental strategy, not win- 2," a rental title. "Batman," the counter argu- dows, said their suppliers as rentIn addition, several other ma- ment went, was considered one of al activity is extremely active co), jor summer releases including those "once in a decade" movies during the holiday period. "Star Trek "Lock Up," and that compelled a Christmas On Elm Street 5" lease in order to capitalize on Irrespective of whether there were being prepped for the De- home video's massive fourthis a shrinking window, however, cember rental market, each with quarter, gift-giving surge.

the generous supply of big sumwindows of less than six months. mer blockbusters and the yearAnd "Ghostbusters II" and round nature of home video sales But while the release pattern "When Harry Met Sally were did trigger a subtle shift in studio was in sharp contrast to patterns designed, said their suppliers, to release strategies. Discover cult director Pedro Almodovar By MIKE CIDONI Gannett News Service or the first time since the tently critics, Waters, director arrival who's there's fascinating of John a consis- the new the shocking prudish and speaking to a relatively massive cult of U.S. moviegoers. Get to know his name: Pedro Almodovar.

But cult success as well as a reverence for the irreverent, blatant sexuality and campy humor are about all that tie the two directors. Almodovar's oh-so grown-up 1988 Oscar-nominated comedy, "Women on the Verge of a NerBreakdown" (arriving this weekend on $79.98 Orion tapes, early next year on Image laser videodiscs), is one of decade's most-successful foreign-language titles, with a nearly $7 million domestic take. And its popularity has prompted the small, New Yorkbased Spanish-language film distributor Cinevista to rush-release of Almodovar's earlier mov- PAGE 18 December 22, 1989 Here are this week's top videocassette rentals as reported in Video Insider magazine. 1. "Batman" 2.

"Ghostbusters 3. "'Scrooged" 4. "K-9" 5. "'Three Fugitives" 6. "'Say Anything" 7.

"'Working Girl" 8. "Major League" 9. "Roger Rabbit" 10. "The Dream Team" receiving shorter window treatment, the six- to nine-month window for both sales and rental appears to be holding firm. The first indication of less than $15 major catalog product came in May when Paramount and HBO announced that price point for 15 titles and 10 titles, respectively.

In the title mix from the two companies were "Beverly Hills Cop," "Trading Places," "Witness," "'Back to and "Desperately Seeking Susan." Later, Vestron and IVE would make similar price moves with such titles as "Mad Max," "Mr. Mom," "Rambo: First Blood Part II," and "Extreme Prejudice." The less than $15 price point is viewed as the second or third step now in the supplier repricing process. By the time these titles come out at this price level, the bulk of them have already been out at $19.95 for as long as two years, after having been reduced from their original rental price. for quick video releases. Other major summer, $100- million-plus box office films, such "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (with tie-in partner Coca-Cola USA), "Lethal Weapon and "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" (with tie-in partner Nabishave all been set for firstquarter release not late next summer or fall.

Fueling the rethinking, of course, is the now seemingly endless bumper crop of good films, which are shattering box office records with more regularity. Apart from a handful of films ies to video. lover and has a one-night stand You can see these now, even if with another young man only you may not be able to find them to bring on a different kind of at a video store near you. Hunt fatal attraction. A broad and around and you'll bump into a bright, but also dark and intense, copy of the well-promoted "'Wom- comedy about the price of pasen on the Verge of a Nervous sion.

Breakdown." If you can't find the "Matador" (1986, $79.95 others, write or call Cinevista Vi- Cinevista tapes). A retired bulldeo, 353 W. 39 New York, fighter and a lady lawyer seem N.Y. 10018, (212) 947-4373. like an odd couple; that is, until it's revealed that both are pretty on video wacked out.

So is one of the Almodovar "Women on the Verge of a fighter's students, who is Nervous Breakdown" (1988, ar- charged with committing a series rives this week). A dark, rich, hi- of brutal murders. More strange larious comedy about two wom- and horrifying than funny, it's en whose lives appear destroyed Almodovar's darkest comedy. by an unfaithful lover. So, they "What Have I Done to Deseek revenge: first against each serve This?" (1985, $79.95 Cineother, then against him.

It's Al- vista tapes). Here's a housewife modovar's lightest, but also that deserves to be mad: her husbrightest, work one that twists band's an insensitive lug, her and turns every imaginable younger son is seducing his best slapstick and woman-scorned friends' fathers, her older son cliche into something funky, fun- sells heroin so that he and ny and fresh. Starring Carmen Grandma can flee to the country. Maura (an Almodovar regular), And that next-door neighbor Fernando Guillen and Julieta whew! if Barbie became a Serrano. prostitute, this is what she'd be "Law of Desire" (1987, like.

It's Almodovar in his $79.95 Cinevista tapes). Not your "Women-on-the-Verge" mode. If typical movie love triangle: a you loved "Women" and you hard-core gay-porn director want to see more of the direcsplits with his younger male tor's work, this is the one to hunt VIDEO CONNECTION RENTALS SALES SERVICE NEW RELEASES CALL YOUR SUN ACCOUNT ON CALL $1.98 EXECUTIVE TODAY FOR VIDEO 1168 E. Highland Ave. YOUR WEEKEND S.B.

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