What’s New

The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000). A highly polished, genteel fantasy about the game of golf and its relation to, yes, the game of life. It’s so earnest in its storytelling that it negates a charismatic performance by Will Smith and ends up both physically and spiritually airbrushed. DreamWorks/Universal: no list price; DVD: $26.96; (CC); PG-13, for some sexual content.

Million Dollar Hotel (2001). The title and setting of Wim Wenders’ shimmering but demanding romantic fable come from the Rosslyn, now the Frontier, on the northwest corner of 5th and Main streets in downtown L.A. An ambiguous tale of love and betrayal amid the marginalized boasts a starry ensemble cast headed by Jeremy Davies and Milla Jovovich as vulnerable young lovers and Mel Gibson as an intrepid FBI agent with a bizarre personal history. With Jimmy Smits, Gloria Stuart, Tim Roth, Peter Stormare, Donal Logue, Bud Cort and Julian Sands. (2:02) Studio: no list price; DVD: $24.95; (CC); R, for language and some sexual content.

102 Dalmatians (2000). Die-hard fans of “101 Dalmatians” may be pleased by this sequel, which is actually more a reworking of the 1996 release, with Glenn Close’s ferocious Cruella De Vil eager as ever, despite temporary reform, to create a cloak made of the skins of Dalmatian puppies. Gerard Depardieu is her aide-de-camp (in all senses of the word). With Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans providing the love interest. With some scenes of violence that strain its G rating. (1:40) Walt Disney: $24.99; DVD: $29.99; (CC); G.

What’s Hot

* Last week’s Top 5 VHS rentals:

1. “Remember the Titans” (2000). Producer Jerry Bruckheimer in a serious mood is still Jerry Bruckheimer. An earnest look, based on a true story, at how two football coaches--one black, one white--brought racial harmony to a divided community, all told with the usual energy, shrewdness and ability to reduce things to the simplest terms. PG, for thematic elements and some language.

2. “Meet the Parents” (2000). Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro star as prospective in-laws in one of the most fun mainstream comedies in years, a film that gets its laughs from shrewd casting, well-timed line readings and gags that are worked out to a remarkable degree. PG-13, for sexual content, drug references and language.

3. “The 6th Day” (2000). Hollywood, which has been cloning action-adventure movies for years, has gotten around to making an action-adventure movie about cloning and who does it star? Arnold Schwarzenegger. Twice. From its standard-issue action to its halfhearted dialogue and acting, not even Arnold Schwarzenegger in a dual role can save this film about cloning. PG-13, for strong action violence, brief strong language and some sensuality.

4. “Almost Famous” (2000). Writer-director Cameron Crowe uses irresistible performances and fine writing to turn a dramatized version of his own past as America’s youngest 1970s rock journalist into an intoxicating mixture of Hollywood and reality. Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Patrick Fugit Kate Hudson star. R, for language and drug content and brief nudity.

5. “Bedazzled” (2000). The best thing is its perfectly cast stars: Elizabeth Hurley as the tart-tongued devil and especially Brendan Fraser. But as written by Larry Gelbart, director Harold Ramis and Peter Tolan, An erratic comedy about a man who deals with the devil, though amusing from moment to moment, is erratic, unfocused and uncertain about where it’s going. PG-13, for sex-related humor, language and some drug content.

* Last week’s Top 5 DVD rentals:

1. “Remember the Titans”

2. “Meet the Parents”

3. “Almost Famous”

4. “Bedazzled”

5. “The Contender” (2000). A political melodrama about trashy doings in Washington that benefits greatly from performances by Joan Allen as a beleaguered senator and Gary Oldman as her nemesis. (Turan, Oct. 13) (2:12) R, for strong sexual content and language.

Last week’s Top 5 VHS sellers:

1. “Remember the Titans”

2. “Gladiator” (2000). Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielson star.

3. “Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure” (2001). Made-for-video sequel.

4. “Meet the Parents”

5. “The Little Vampire” (2000). Jonathan Lipnicki has a serious attack of the cutes as an American boy who befriends a Scottish boy vampire. A fitfully amusing fantasy for the 10-and-under set. With Richard E. Grant, Rollo Weeks. Directed by Uli Edel. PG, for some mild peril.

* Last week’s Top 5 DVD sellers:

1. “Remember the Titans”

2. “Meet the Parents”

3. “Almost Famous”

4. “Dune” (2000). The recent Sci-Fi Channel miniseries.

5. “Gladiator” (2000).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: “Bounce,” “Men of Honor,” “Psycho Beach Party” and “What’s Cooking?”

April 17: “Bamboozled,” “Billy Elliot,” “The Ladies Man,” “Space Cowboys,” “Tigerland” and “The Yards.”

April 24: “Finding Forrester,” “The Girl on the Bridge,” “Just Looking,” “Little Nicky” and “One Day in September.”

May 1: “All the Pretty Horses,” “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Miss Congeniality.”

May 8: “AntiTrust,” “Boesman and Lena,” “Duets,” “Quills,” “Sunshine,” “What Women Want” and “Yi Yi.”

May 15: “Best in Show” and “Pay It Forward”

May 22: “Before Night Falls,” “Dungeons & Dragons,” “Requiem for a Dream” and “Vertical Limit.”

May 29: “The House of Mirth,” “Shadow of the Vampire,” “Traffic.”

Rental video charts provided by VSDA

VidTrac, sales charts by VideoScan Inc.