It's an intriguing premise: An unhappy middle-age man is offered the opportunity by a secret organization to change his identity, his life and even his looks.
Should he do it? Better yet, would you do it?Those are the questions director John Frankenheimer's mesmerizing "Seconds" poses with chilling effect.
Released in 1966, this powerful parable cleverly dressed up as a psychological thriller is finally being released on video. Film fans shouldn't miss it.
In one of his best performances, Rock Hudson portrays this "remade" man. Having led a pedestrian and uneventful existence, Hudson's character discovers that reinventing yourself is only temporarily satisfying. In the end, it can suffocate the soul.
What easily could have become an expanded "Twilight Zone" episode is infused with originality and daring thanks to Frankenheimer's unsettling and uncompromising direction. Frankenheimer, who also directed the hallucinatory "The Manchurian Candidate," purposely plots his film on a surreal landscape, one that not only seduces you with its twisted images, but holds you captive in its nightmarish world.
And if "Seconds' " brooding atmosphere alone doesn't give you the heebie-jeebies, just wait for the film's shocking ending. It's a stunner. Quality filmmaking. (Rated R for brief nudity, language, brief violence.)
Other recent releases:
- "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1957). Victor Hugo would not be proud of this inferior Hollywood version, now being released on video. Unwisely, the famous bell-ringer (played by Anthony Quinn) is nothing more than a supporting player as Esmeralda takes center stage. Hello? This isn't called "Esmeralda of Notre Dame." Gina Lollobrigida gets to dance, cavort and show some cleavage as Esmie, but this production is seriously misguided. By making the enchanting Esmeralda the central character and sticking Quasimodo on the sidelines, the emotional center of Hugo's wrenching tale is sucked dry. PG-13 (violence).
- "Ed's Next Move." Light but very appealing story about a love-scarred young man (Matt Ross) who moves to New York from Wisconsin. What he discovers in the Big City is that that thing called love remains puzzling no matter what the geographic location. "Move's" characters are so likable that you'll enjoy spending the time with them, even after realizing that nothing much has happened in 90 minutes. Not rated, probable PG-13 (language).
- "Invasion of Privacy." Larry "It's Alive!" Cohen, one of the kings of the "B" movies, pounded out the nutty screenplay for this unpredictable and entertaining thriller. It's hard to believe that anyone would have the chutzpah to combine key plot points from "Fatal Attraction," "Misery" and "Roe vs. Wade" in one movie. But that's exactly what Cohen has done. There's never a dull moment as Johnathon Schaech charms, courts and weds a florist. Lovey-doveyness lasts for about 10 minutes, as Mili Avital discovers her pretty boy has some homicidal hankerings. When the very unhappy bride finds out she's pregnant, hubby locks wifey-poo in a cabin to make sure she'll bring the baby to term, since she's considering an abortion. Sound like I'm giving everything away? Wrong. There are a half-dozen surprises here, including a topical courtroom fight. "Privacy" is over-the-top schlock of the best kind. R (violence, language, brief nudity).
- "Crimetime." When a frustrated actor (Stephen Baldwin) snares the role of a serial killer on a sordid crime re-enactment show, he gets a fan he wasn't expecting - the real killer. Since he's somewhat of a pretentious thespian - feeling the need to delve deep into the motivation of the crackpot he's playing - Baldwin hopes to engage the murderer (a good Pete Postlethwaite) in a few heart-to-heart conversations. As Baldwin uncovers the dark corners of Postlethwaite's mind, he begins to doubt his own sanity. "Crimetime" is a good, if not great, thriller. It aims high (there is a message here about true-crime TV), but still wallows in low-brow stuff - like graphic violence. R (violence, language, nudity).
- SPORTS VIDEOS: He is known simply as "The Greatest." Now the story of one of the more renowned athletes of all time, "Muhammad Ali: The Whole Story," comes to video stores in a six-volume set at $109.98.
The six-hour story looks at Ali's career and personal life through the 1980s, with choice views from his family, friends, trainer, challengers and media people.
The first volume covers his humble beginnings in Louisville as Cassius Marcellus Clay, who made a name for himself at 18 with a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
Volume 2 relates how he became the youngest heavyweight champion in 1965; Volume 3, his exile for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War; Volume 4, the road back to the title; Volume 5, the Rumble in the Jungle, with George Foreman in Zaire; Volume 6, the Thrilla in Manila, eager to settle a score with Joe Frazier.
Eight other new sports videos include the NCAA basketball championship, two NBA offerings, a baseball keeper, Super Bowl XXXI, a pair of NHL goodies and one for auto racing fans:
- "The Official 1997 NCAA Championship Video" runs about 45 minutes and includes highlights from some early round games before settling in on Arizona's march to the title ($19.98, 1-800-747-7999).
- "NBA Courtside Comedy" is full of flubs, mishaps and pranks featuring top stars (40 mins., $12.98). Also out is the newest addition to the "Action" series, "NBA in the Paint," the story of how big men made this parcel of hardwood under each hoop the game's most prized real estate (40 mins, $14.98). For NBA vids, phone: 1-888-843-8622.
- "This Week in Baseball: 20 Years of Unforgettable Moments" serves up such all-time highlights as Cal Ripken's Iron-Man moment, Bucky Dent's homer, Nolan Ryan's no-hitters, Orel Hershiser's scoreless streak and many other cherishable moments (45 mins. $14.98, 1-800-899-6521).
- The NFL video of the Green Bay Packers' triumph over New England in "Super Bowl XXXI Champions" is packed with that special NFL Films photography (55 mins., $19.95, 1-800-428-4434).
- Hockey fans also have a keeper in "Mark Messier: Leader, Champion & Legend," which captures the intense style of the man who was named MVP twice, captained two Stanley Cup winners and played on the winning team six times (50 mins., $14.98). Also out is "NHL Power Players," a look at stars including Messier, Patrick Roy, Wayne Gretzky, Pavel Bure and Joe Sakic (45 mins., $14.98). NHL vids: 1-888-645-8433.
- On May 20, Live Video releases "The Inaugural U.S. 500," race footage of last year's race at Michigan International Speedway (60 mins. $9.98).
- Martie Zad (Washington Post)
NEW VIDEOS
TRIAL & ERROR - Peter Sellers stars with Richard Attenborough in this tepid 1962 release. Attorney Sellers defends Attenborough, on trial for murdering his wife. Whatever the film's weaknesses, Sellers fans should appreciate the chance to see it, since it never quite makes it into the theatrical repertory.
- Michael Blowen (Boston Globe)
TWO OR THREE THINGS I KNOW ABOUT HER - The title refers to a Paris housing project and also to the main character, a housewife who becomes a part-time prostitute to fill out her family's strained budget. Jean-Luc Godard directed this philosophical drama shortly before he left storytelling to spend several years on filmed essays with sociopolitical themes. It stands with the most original and thought-provoking works of his long career. Marina Vlady heads the cast. Not rated, New Yorker Video.
- David Sterritt
(Christian Science Monitor)
BOYS - When high-school senior Lukas Haas discovers an unconscious Winona Ryder, he falls in love and stows her in his school dorm room. While Ryder, who has lost her memory, recuperates, Haas keeps her hidden from staff, jealous students and local cop John C. Reilly, who believes the missing Ryder may be connected to a stolen vehicle. If you want to get a feel for life as a pimply, virginal boy in a school uniform, "Boys" is the movie for you. Otherwise, there's no reason to watch this misfired "older woman" film. Contains sexual situations and profanity. PG-13, 1996, 86 minutes, Touchstone.
- Desson Howe
(Washington Post)
THE FLOWER OF MY SECRET - It's Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's best film to date. Marisa Paredes stars as a romance novelist in the midst of a divorce who desperately wants to be taken seriously. The comedy of psychological pain, long Almodovar's strong suit, hits its apex when Paredes is hired as a serious literary critic.
- Michael Blowen (Boston Globe)