What’s New

* Memento (2001). Christopher Nolan’s exceptional film is a haunting, nervy thriller about a man who can remember nothing at all. More than a film of ideas, it’s a provocatively structured and thrillingly executed film noir--an intricate, inventive use of cinema’s possibilities that pushes what can be done on screen in an unusual direction. With Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano. Columbia TriStar: no list price; DVD: $24.95; (CC); R, for violence, language and some drug content.

What’s Hot

* Last week’s Top 5 VHS rentals:1. Hannibal (2001). The film is creepy and grotesque rather than terrifying. What’s more problematic is the film’s insistence on viewing Lecter with respect if not outright approval. If he’s not scaring us silly, what’s the point of having him around? Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as the cannibalistic Dr. Lecter and Julianne Moore replaces Jodie Foster. Directed by Ridley Scott. With Gary Oldman and Ray Liotta. R, for gruesome violence, some nudity and language.2. The Mexican (2001). A violence-prone screwball farce that has its eye on being a jaunty, picaresque adventure, kind of an updated version of those off-the-cuff road movies of some years back. It wants ever so desperately to be hip and offbeat, but it can’t manage to make it happen. With Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and James Gandolfini of “Sopranos” fame. R, for violence and language.

3. 15 Minutes (2001). Audacious and unwieldy, exciting and excessive, this dark thriller is too long, too violent and not always convincing. But at the same time, there’s no denying that it’s on to something, that its savage indictment of the nexus of media, crime and a voracious public is a cinematic statement difficult to ignore. Written and directed by John Herzfeld. Robert De Niro, Edward Burns and Kelsey Grammer. R, for strong violence, language and some sexuality.4. Enemy at the Gates (2001). Large and ungainly, this World War II tale of a sniper duel that parallels the bloody battle for Stalingrad has an indisputable visual power, but it’s nothing you’d want to have a conversation with--or, for that matter, about. Directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. With Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins and Ed Harris. R, for strong, graphic war violence and some sexuality. 5. The Family Man (2000). Nicolas Cage makes a heroic effort to induce us to go along with this fantasy about a ruthless Wall Street tycoon who gets a chance to see what his life would have been like had he married his college sweetheart (Tea Leoni) and sold tires for his father-in-law. This attempt to make an “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the new millennium lacks the honesty to pull it off. PG-13, for sensuality and some language.* Last week’s Top 5 DVD rentals:1. Hannibal2. 15 Minutes 3. Enemy at the Gates 4. The Mexican5. 3,000 Miles to Graceland (2001). Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell star as two Elvis imitators who rob a Las Vegas casino and then have to live (and die) with the consequences of the act. A reduction to near absurdity of many modern cinematic trends, it is a movie that takes a shot at redefining “shameless” for a new generation. R, for strong violence, sexuality and language. * Last week’s Top 5 VHS sellers:1. Pokemon 3: The Movie (2000). Two Tylenols and a pair of earplugs might be enough to get you through this. The animated world of Pokemon-land crystallizes and morphs into one reality after another. The Pokemon characters themselves screech and roar as they do battle. Sure, it holds kids’ attention. The noise alone prevents them from forming any other complete thought. G.2. Recess: School’s Out (2000). A complacent yet competent animation that kids will enjoy despite its mundane nature. G.

3. Scooby Doo: Spookiest Tales4. Shirley Temple gift set

5. DBZ-Lord Slug (edited).

* Last week’s Top 5 DVD sellers:1. Hannibal

2. Silence of the Lambs (1991) (widescreen). Thomas Harris’ harrowing, mesmerizing book concerns an institutionalized psychopath who is used to identify a serial killer. In a fine adaptation, director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ted Tally have focused on a duel of wits and wills between Jodie Foster’s young FBI trainee and that paradigm of evil, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). For audiences, the fascination is how much both actors are able to do with their literally or occupationally straitjacketed characters. Although Demme does not dwell on the gore, it’s definitely there, making it a film not for the faint of heart. R.3. Goonies (1985). Richard Donner sends a bunch of kids on a search for pirate treasure. With Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Kerry Green, Anne Ramsey and Joe Pantoliano. PG.4. Enemy at the Gates5. Silence of the Lambs (1991) (full screen).

What’s Coming

Tuesday: “Blow,” “Just Visiting,” “Me You Them,” “Shadow Magic,” “The Tailor of Panama.”

Sept. 18: “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles,” “Driven,” “The Luzhin Defence,” “Spy Kids,” “Startup.com,” “The Widow of Saint-Pierre.”

Sept. 25: “Along Came a Spider,” “Amores Perros,” “The Forsaken,” “Kingdom Come,” “A Knight’s Tale,” “One Night at McCool’s,” “Series 7,” “Someone Like You.”

Oct. 2: “Beautiful Creatures,” “Heartbreakers,” “The Mummy Returns.”

Oct. 9: “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “I’m the One That I Want.”

*

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