What’s New

I’m the One That I Want (2000). Deft filming of Margaret Cho’s powerhouse concert in which the uninhibited comedian recollects an often painful and hectic life and career with scabrous, sometimes ultra-raunchy but consistently hilarious humor. Cho emerges as the poster girl of self-acceptance. Winstar: $14.98; DVD: $19.98; (CC); Unrated: strong, sexually graphic language.

The Legend of Rita (2000). Volker Schlondorff returns to home ground with this masterful film, one of his finest, in which we can perceive the contradictions and moral ambiguities of a Germany long divided only to be abruptly united in the saga of a ‘70s terrorist (Babiana Beglau) who retains her idealism as she settles into the ordinary life of an East German worker. Streaked with mordant irony, this richly observant film has both scope and intimacy, and a blazing portrayal by newcomer Beglau. With Martin Wuttke, Nadja Uhl and Alexander Beyer. Kino: no list price; DVD: $29.95; (CC); Unrated. Terrorist violence, some sex and nudity, adult themes.

Luminous Motion (2000). At 10, Phillip (Eric Lloyd) considers life to be perfect, as he accompanies his mother constantly on the run, luring men into motels and leaving them robbed. But when Mom (Deborah Kara Unger) begins to settle down, a surreal yet psychologically persuasive coming-of-age for her son is set in motion. The result is an offbeat fable, at once lyrical, brutal and darkly humorous. With Terry Kinney and Jamey Sheridan. Directed by Bette Gordon. Winstar: no list price; DVD: $24.98; (CC); Unrated: Mature themes.

What’s Hot

* Last week’s Top 5 VHS rentals:1. Along Came a Spider (2001). There are both mysteries and surprises in this reasonably diverting albeit frequently improbable thriller, but the biggest mystery of all is hardly a surprise: How does star Morgan Freeman manage to give a master class in acting every time he appears on screen? The film tries its hardest to outsmart us, yet in general outline and rhythm it’s fairly standard. With Monica Potter. Directed by Lee Tamahori. R, for violence and language.2. A Knight’s Tale (2001). Writer-director Brian Helgeland’s idea for marrying modern rock music to 14th century jousting was a good one, but he’s too parsimonious with it. As a result, we get to spend too much time watching a tedious romance between Heath Ledger and newcomer Shannyn Sossamon. Love may be grand, but this ain’t. PG-13 for action violence, some nudity and brief sex-related dialogue. 3. Spy Kids (2001). An engaging premise (two preteens have to rescue spy parents Antonio Banderas and Carla Guigino from the bad guys) is made into a winning family film that’s lively, imaginative and possessed of a playful sense of humor. Not what you’d expect from the maker of “El Mariachi” and “From Dusk Till Dawn,” but writer-director Robert Rodriguez is apparently something of a big kid at heart. PG, for action sequences.

4. Blow (2001). A film in which the notion that “drugs make you lose sight of what’s important” passes for a searing insight is more tired than it knows or wants to admit. With Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. Directed by Ted Demme. R, for pervasive drug content and language, violence and sexuality.

5. Someone Like You (2001). A jaunty romantic comedy that’s a comfortable fit for Ashley Judd, who in turn is surrounded by a stellar supporting cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Hugh Jackman, Marisa Tomei and Ellen Barkin. Adapted by Elizabeth Chandler from Laura Zigman’s novel “Animal Husbandry,” the film is smart, amiable and well-paced, and director Tony Goldwyn brings to it an all-too-rare buoyancy and breeziness. PG-13 for sexual content, including dialogue, and for some language.

* Last week’s Top 5 DVD rentals:1. Along Came a Spider 2. A Knight’s Tale 3. Driven (2001). An earnest, formulaic, unintentionally silly motion picture set on the international racing circuit. But director Renny Harlin’s visuals (shot by Mauro Fiore and edited by Stuart Levy and Steve Gilson) are crisp, slick and kinetic enough to make even pit stops look thrilling. Written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, with Burt Reynolds and Kip Pardue. PG-13 for language and some intense crash sequences.4. Blow5. Spy Kids * Last week’s Top 5 VHS sellers:1. Spy Kids 2. DBZ: Showdown (edited). 3. DBZ: Showdown (uncut). 4.DBZ: Dark Prince Returns (edi-ted). 5. DBZ: Dark Prince Returns (uncut).

* Last week’s Top 5 DVD sellers: 1. A Knight’s Tale 2. Along Came a Spider 3. The Simpsons-Season One

4. Spy Kids5. Driven

What’s Coming

Tuesday: “Angel Eyes,” “Cats & Dogs,” “The Crimson Rivers,” “Let It Snow.”

Oct. 23: “About Adam,” “Dr. Dolittle 2,” “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within,” “Freddy Got Fingered,” “Songcatcher,” “Town & Country,” “With a Friend Like Harry.”

Oct. 30: “The Animal,” “Swordfish.”

Nov. 2: “Shrek.”

Nov. 6: “Baby Boy,” “The Golden Bowl,” “Legally Blonde.”

Nov. 13: “America’s Sweethearts,” “Bride of the Wind,” “crazy/beautiful,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” “Under the Sand.”

Nov. 20: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Planet of the Apes.”

Nov. 27: “Made,” “Bread and Roses,” “Pootie Tang.”

Dec. 4: “Pearl Harbor,” “Summer Catch,” “American Outlaws,” “John Carpenter’s Ghosts of Mars.”

Dec. 11: “Hedwig & the Angry Inch,” “Jurassic Park III,” “Rush Hour 2,” “The Score.”

Dec. 18: “Princess Diaries,” “Scary Movie 2,” “Series 7.”

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Rental video charts provided by VSDAVidTrac, sales charts by VideoScan Inc.