Riverdance--The Show is a cultural phenomenon that defies criticism for the enthusiastic and leaves everyone else scratching their heads. The wonderfully talented cast, headed by the Riverdance Irish Dance Company, bewitchingly spins (and stomps) its Celtic folk choreography featuring numerous breathless solos by Michael Flatley (since departed) and Jean Butler. The mellifluous ...

Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Starring: Michael Flatley, Jean Butler, Brendán de Gallaí, Eileen Martin, Areleen Ni Bhaoill
Directed By: John McColgan

Andrei Konchalovsky's expansive television mini-series production of Homer's epic poem gets off to clumsy start as he tries to squeeze the Trojan War into a mere half hour, but once the arrogant but honorable Odysseus (strikingly played by Armand Assante) and his loyal crew begin their doomed voyage home, this film turns into a fantastical adventure. Integrating often-stunning special effects with ...

Manufacturer: Hallmark Entertainment
Starring: Armand Assante, Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Bernadette Peters, Eric Roberts
Directed By: Andrei Konchalovsky

Manufacturer: Sony
Starring: Michael Jackson, Hakeem Abdul-Samad, Khiry Abdul-Samad, Tajh Abdul-Samad, Brandon Quintin Adams
Directed By: Colin Chilvers, Jerry Kramer, Jim Blashfield

Manufacturer: Sony
Starring: New Kids on the Block

The American Ballet Theater version of the Tchaikovsky classic, a 1977 studio rendition directed by Tony Charmoli, has become a holiday perennial on PBS stations and home video. It's a favorite of parents who want to give their kids the gift of culture--and with good reason. There's a loose fairy tale plot to keep dance neophytes interested, and Boris Aronson's eye-candy production design is a ...

Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
Starring: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, Alexander Minz, Victor Barbee, Warren Conover
Directed By: Tony Charmoli

Manufacturer: Sony
Starring: New Kids on the Block

Simon Kieth's popular comic book was adapted for television in this multipart animated series first broadcast on MTV. A little confusing, the series--which concerns a kind of hulking superhero and his attachment to a female therapist and her teenage client--is actually mesmerizing and surprisingly touching. The writing is unusually sophisticated, and Kieth's ability to create complex female ...

Manufacturer: Sony
Starring: Tony Fucile, Michael Haley, Barry Stigler, Glynnis Talken, Amy Danles
Directed By: Eugene Salandra, Gregg Vanzo, Yeol Jung Chang

Tchaikovsky's ballet, a feature-length ballet movie. Performed by the Pacific Northwest Ballet. One little girl's enchanted Christmas. A holiday treat for the whole family to cherish--year after year!

Manufacturer: Atlantic Releasing Corp.

Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
Starring: Madonna, Michael Perea, Lyndon B. Johnson, Silvio Ciccone
Directed By: Daniel Kleinman