Video Picks Archive

August 18, 1999
This Week's Video Picks
Back to Archive

This week my picks are Analyze This (1999 - ) and The Godfather: Part II (1974 - ).

Robert De Niro stars as mafia boss Paul Vitti in the first film. After an anxiety attack, he goes to psychiatrist Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) for help. Against his will, Dr. Sobel is dragged into the world of organized crime and gets constantly harrassed by Vitti whenever he isn't feeling well. One of the best comedies this year, this film was directed by Harold Ramis (Vacation, Groundhog Day). De Niro is incredibly brilliant as the Don with a soft heart. Crystal turns in one of his best performances in years (not counting the Oscar telecasts). There is also a wonderful soundtrack containing classics from Louis Prima and Tony Bennett, who makes a brief appearance as himself.

Of course, De Niro's breakthrough performance was in the same vein. In the second film, he plays a young Vito Corleone in this great sequel to The Godfather, which manages to surpass the original in many ways. The film shows a parallel between the early career of Don Vito with that of his son, Michael (Al Pacino), after he takes over the family. Simply one of the best films ever made. It won six Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for De Niro, Best Picture, and an award to Francis Ford Coppola for Best Director.

Here's some merchandise for sale at

Analyze This (1999)	-- VHS
Analyze This (1999)	-- DVD
The Godfather: Part II (1974)	-- VHS
The Godfather: Part II (1974)	-- VHS Widescreen
The Godfather Collection	-- VHS
The Godfather Collection	-- VHS Widescreen
The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo	-- Hardcover
The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo	-- Paperback
The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo	-- Audio Cassette
Francis Ford Coppola's Godfather Trilogy, edited by Nick Browne	-- Hardcover
The Godfather Legacy, by Harlan Lebo	-- Paperback
The Godfather: Part II: Soundtrack	-- Compact Disc

webmaster@filmhead.com