WINONA RYDER   ETHAN HAWKE   BEN STILLER

and   RENEE ZELLWEGER

MICHAEL KEATON   GLENN CLOSE   MARISA TOMEI   RANDY QUAID  

and   ROBERT DUVALL

star in

REALITY BITES   and   THE PAPER

VHS - PAL - LIKE NEW - FEATURES 2 FILMS on the 1-TAPE - Video Dealer Preview - M and M-rated - Time Coded on Screen -  99-minutes and 112-minutes - Colour - 1994 / 1994-release - Small cardboard slip box

REALITY BITES
 
In this study of Generation X manners, Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder), the valedictorian of her college class, camcords her friends in a mock documentary of post education life. 

Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke) is her best friend, a perpetually unemployed musical slacker. 

Vickie Miner (Janeane Garofalo) is a manager at the Gap who worries about the results of an A.I.D.S. test, while Sammy Gray (Steve Zahn) has problems grappling with his sexuality. 

When Lelaina meets Michael Grates (Ben Stiller), an earnest video executive who takes her homemade video to his MTV-like station, she must decide what she values - the materialism of yuppie Michael or the philosophical musings of Troy.

I loved this movie the first time I saw it, and I enjoy it more with each viewing. 

It's routinely panned for reasons that I really can't comprehend. 

It's witty, well-acted, quickly paced. 

I notice that people don't talk as badly about it anymore. 

I think it's because "Reality Bites" will be one of the films that future generations will look back on to know a little bit about this time.


THE PAPER

Henry Hackett is the editor of a New York City tabloid. 

He is a workaholic who loves his job, but the long hours and low pay are leading to discontent. 

Also, publisher Bernie White faces financial straits, and has hatchetman Alicia Clark, Henry's nemesis, impose unpopular cutbacks. 

Henry's wife Martha, a hugely pregnant former reporter of his, is fed up because he has so little time for his family. 

He is therefore considering an offer from Paul Bladden to edit a paper like the New York Times, which would mean more money, shorter hours, more respectability...but might also be a bit boring for his tastes.

But a hot story soon confronts Henry with tough decisions.

I loved this movie...a real 90s sleeper. 

It's hard to determine why some films don't get the attention they deserve. 

The Paper is delightfully acted by an A-list ensemble in their prime. It's hilariously funny, with great timing and pace, and some poignant overtones on commitment, loyalty, family, friendship, work and the workplace, and big city journalism.

Feel-good and sardonic at the same time, I did NOT find it completely predictable. 

The screenplay is terrific, with thoughtful, intelligent, brisk dialog. 

Not a dull moment; completely entertaining. 

A film for "grown-ups". More kudos to Ron Howard.

Get it just to watch the superb Glen Close's character, especially in the "stop the presses" scene, is worth the time / money alone. 

A charming Marisa Tomei perfectly cast. 

Robert Duvall, Jason Alexander, Jason Robards, and of course Michael Keaton...what's not to like? 

One of those films that can be watched many times by men and women alike. Highly recommended.