Audio Video News

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a concert video in which the camera angle changes every three seconds, and during the charango solo we're shown a close-up of the vocalist drinking bottled water offstage. More than once I've wanted to reach through the TV and throttle the film editor. But if a recent announcement pans out, it could put camera control into the viewer's hands and bring a whole new meaning to the term "interactive television."

M<I>ira Sorvino, Jeremy Northam, Alexander Goodwin, Giancarlo Giannini, Charles Dutton, Josh Brolin, Alix Koromzay, F. Murray Abraham. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Aspect ratio: 1.85:1 (letterbox). Dolby Digital 5.1. 105 minutes. 1997. Dimension Home Video 14251. Rated R. $ 29.99.</I>

Last week, the <A HREF="http://www.afionline.org/">American Film Institute</A> (AFI) commemorated the first 100 years of American movies by officially announcing their prestigious list of the 100 greatest films of this century, as determined by a "blue-ribbon" panel of more than 1500 members of the American film community. In a nationally televised broadcast, "AFI's 100 Years . . . 100 Movies," Orson Welles' classic <I>Citizen Kane</I> claimed the No.1 position.

In a move that reportedly caught <A HREF="http://www.circuitcity.com">Circuit City</A> CEO Richard Sharp by surprise, retail chain Sears, Roebuck & Co. has decided not to carry <A HREF="http://www.divx.com">Divx</A>. Apparently, the format's overwhelmingly negative pre-release publicity was taken seriously by the retailer.

With enthusiastic backing from the movie industry, DVD-Video is beginning a strong climb to widespread popularity. More than 3000 titles could be available by the end of 1998, which is four times the number available in 1997, the format's first year.

G<I>erard Depardieu, Nathalie Baye, Roger Planchon. Directed by Daniel Vigne. Aspect ratio: 1.66:1. Dolby Digital. One side. 123 minutes. 1982. Fox-Lorber FLV5008. Not rated. $29.99.</I>

Video is hot and getting hotter. With HDTV looming on the horizon, no-compromise video demonstrations will be among the biggest attractions at <A HREF="http://www.hifishow.com">HI-FI '98</A>, beginning Tuesday at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel.