Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Science Fiction and Fantasy Video Editor, Sam Sutherland FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Brad Pitt, crazy like a fox in "12 Monkeys" * New and Notable: "Soldier," "Doctor Who: Ice Warriors," and "The Twilight Zone" * Virtual Reality Fix: "The Matrix" and Beyond * Editor's Choice: "Return to Oz" * Advance Orders: "The Dark Crystal" and "Star Trek: Insurrection" WORD FOR WORD ************* "There's the television. It's all right there--all right there. Look, listen, kneel, pray. Commercials! We're not productive anymore. We don't make things anymore. It's all automated. What are we *for* then? We're consumers, Jim. Yeah. Okay, okay. Buy a lot of stuff, you're a good citizen. But if you don't buy a lot of stuff, if you don't, what are you then, I ask you? What? Mentally *ill*. Fact, Jim, fact--if you don't buy things--toilet paper, new cars, computerized yo-yos, electrically operated sexual devices, servo systems with brain-implanted headphones, screwdrivers with miniature built-in radar devices, voice-activated computers...." --Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt) on television, consumerism, and mental health in "12 Monkeys" You can find "12 Monkeys" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/078322172X/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "Soldier" starring Kurt Russell; directed by Paul Anderson http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0790739356/entertainmentsit A lean, often riveting sleeper that missed at the box office, this space-action feature is propelled by Kurt Russell's title hero, Sergeant Todd. Bred purely to fight, he's a ruthless warrior whose scant, laconic dialogue makes such terse forebears as Clint Eastwood and Gary Cooper seem positively garrulous. When the remorseless Todd finds himself discarded in favor of a new, genetically enhanced breed of soldiers, the killing machine starts to care--and the ensuing showdown proves among the rare recent sci-fi adventures to rely on plot instead of special effects. "Doctor Who: Ice Warriors" starring Patrick Troughton http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JSJ8/entertainmentsit Patrick Troughton, the second of the British cult series' myriad incarnations of the Time Lord, is both frenetic and deliciously irascible in this fast-paced, sardonic, and reliably campy installment from the good Doctor's late-'60s travels. This time, the Doctor and his companions find themselves in a frozen wasteland where they must avert the chilly civilization's impending doom--and, of course, crack wise about the objects of their salvation. "The Twilight Zone" starring Anne Francis, Burgess Meredith, and Telly Savalas http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JS7Y/entertainmentsit As first charted in 1959 by Emmy-winning playwright Rod Serling, this "fifth dimension... as vast as space and as timeless as infinity" became a unique destination for generations of television viewers, who have continued to savor the alternately ominous and ironic fables Serling collected for this anthology series. This three-tape box combines six classic episodes, three previously unreleased on video (including "The After Hours," with Anne Francis, and the truly frightening "Living Doll," starring a nasty Telly Savalas). VIRTUAL REALITY FIX: "THE MATRIX" AND BEYOND ******************************************** The convergence of computers with a broad array of technologies has tantalized science fiction and fantasy writers since the age of mainframes, a trend mirrored by the growing list of film and TV features that forge theme and plot from the head-spinning prospect of "virtual reality." Fittingly, the rise of computer-based special effects has been both inspiration and agency for modern forays into this pixelated sphere, which we survey from early examples such as "Tron" and "Brainstorm" to this fall's hotly anticipated blockbuster release, "The Matrix." Science Fiction & Fantasy EDITOR'S CHOICE *************** "Return to Oz" starring Fairuza Balk, Jean Marsh, and Nicol Williamson; directed by Walter Murch http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JMQC/entertainmentsit This 1985 sequel to "The Wizard of Oz" tempted commercial fate by faithfully adhering to L. Frank Baum's darker vision of Dorothy Gales's (Fairuza Balk) harrowing return to the no-longer-merry-old land of Oz, now in ruins. The lone directorial effort for Oscar-winning editor Walter Murch boasts a production design meticulously modeled after the original illustrations in Baum's enduring books, as well as innovative special effects combining Will Vinton's Claymation with masterful optical effects and great stunt work. Older kids will shiver with delight at the showdown between the intrepid Dorothy and the villains, Princess Mombi (Jean Marsh) and King Nome (Nicol Williamson), while grown-up SF and fantasy mavens will savor the visual invention. ADVANCE ORDERS ************** "The Dark Crystal" directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JPH4/entertainmentsit Having made the Muppets a global sensation (and proof positive that puppetry could address more sophisticated themes and characters), the late Jim Henson chose this ambitious fantasy quest to demonstrate just how rich his vision could be, given the right infusion of cinematic craft and the sumptious production design of illustrator Brian Froud. Teaming with another seasoned Muppeteer (and future big-screen director) Frank Oz, Henson crafted an allegorical story line evocative of J.R.R. Tolkien, pitting the elfin, innocent Gelfings against the ancient, evil Skeksis. This long-awaited reissue arrives along with the reappearance of Henson's subsequent mixture of puppetry and live action for "Labyrinth"; both are essential '80s fantasy triumphs. "Star Trek: Insurrection" starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and F. Murray Abraham; directed by Jonathan Frakes http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6305365121/entertainmentsit The ninth big-screen outing for the venerable space-opera franchise mixes New Agey mysticism with comic relief as Captain Picard and crew follow their android shipmate, Data, to an idyllic planet that seems to have located an extraterrestrial fountain of youth. Fans of the original late-'60s series will see threads familiar from the earlier adventures of Picard's predecessor, the redoubtable Kirk, and a strong supporting cast--including F. Murray Abraham as the dessicated, devious villain, Ru'afo, the late Anthony Zerbe as a Starfleet admiral gone wrong, and Broadway stage actress Donna Murphy as Picard's romantic match--further expands the usual ensemble emphasis. ****** You'll find more great videos, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Science Fiction & Fantasy Video section at Science Fiction & Fantasy ****** To help you kick off the fall TV season, we're offering complimentary delivery on every 30-inch or larger TV in our catalog, plus selected 27-inch sets. You can find the complete list of TVs covered by this special offer at Televisions ******
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