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Travel back in time, say, to twenty years ago. At that time few people would have believed that at a time not far into the future we would be able to watch virtually every major film that was ever made in the comfort of our own home on our television screens. Who back then would have thought that video cassettes would be available in nearly every neighbourhood for a few quid and that every possible interest, from learning Yoga to the latest blockbuster and the great classics of the cinema could be enjoyed by anyone with a television screen at his or her own convenience?

During that comparatively short period, there have been many forecasts. The resurgence in cinema attendances would kill video. Satellite television would kill video. The movie channels on the cable stations would kill video. Wrong, wrong and wrong again.

The video is now an intrinsic part of our entertainment life and an automatic item on most family shopping lists. Renting a video is as easy as buying a daily newspaper and almost as inexpensive. The number of new titles coming onto the market every week is irrefutable proof of both the limitless creativity of the industry and a reflection on the insatiable appetite we now have for what has become one of the most engaging and best value-for-money items in the history of entertainment.

But before you head straight off to your friendly neighbourhood video rental store, here’s a quick trailer of just a small sample of what you will find on the shelves this week.

I AM CURIOUS – YELLOW

American celebrity novelist Norman Mailer described this film as “One of the most important pictures I have ever seen in my life. I felt I had encountered a major work”. In Sweden where it was set, the film has been described as “A naked, desperate revolt against well-fed, self-congratulatory, hypocritical, blue -and-yellow-waving Sweden”.

Although by no means a sexploitation film, I am Curious – Yellow caused worldwide outrage on its release in 1967 on account of its explicit sex scenes. Director Vilgot Sjoman takes a caustic and critical look at Swedish society in the sixties through the random questioning of a young girl (played by Nena Nyman) and uses the sex-act as a weapon against hypocrisy and cant. Just over two hours long and shot in black-and-white, I Am Curious – Yellow from Jezebel Films is still one of the most gripping films ever made and a must-see for anyone with a serious interest in quality films.

PASSION FISH

Director John Sayles (City of Hope) takes you on a funny and invigorating escape to a place where you can start all over again. A speeding taxi knocks soap opera star Mary McDonnell (Dances With Wolves, Sneakers) out of her career and back to the Louisiana bayou she defiantly left as a sassy teenager. Once there, the mysterious, wild and light-hearted side of life returns as she and her female companion, played by Alfre Woodard (Grand Canyon, Cross Creek) are reintroduced to the fertile environs and culture of Cajun country. Inspired by a swamp guide, played by David Strathairn (Sneakers, A League Of Their Own), the women embark on a fulfilling and humourous journey of self-exploration and renewal.

The Sunday Express described Passion Fish from Curzon Video as “a gentle and loving tale . . . a winner.”

HEART OF DARKNESS

Enigmatic novellist/adventurer Joseph Conrad set off on an expedition to the Congo in 1890 intending to stay in the jungle for three years. Heartsick, horrified and exhausted, he returned to Europe only months later and gave birth to Heart Of Darkness. This complex literary journey is faithfully brought to life by bold director Nicolas Roeg whose name has been attached to some of the most discussed films in history including Performance (starring Mick Jagger), The Man Who Fell To Earth (with David Bowie), Walkabout, Bad Timing, Insignificance, Eureka, Castaway and The Witches.

The plot follows Charlie Marlow as he accepts an assignment from a Belgian company to find it’s ivory cache held by the mysterious and possibly insane white trader Kurtz. What began as a dream journey quickly becomes a nightmare as Marlow ventures deeper and deeper into the heart of the Dark Continent.

From Turner Home Entertainment, this film features admirable performances by John Malkovich (Killing Fields) and Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs).

RED SCORPION 2

Those many people who were enthralled by Red Scorpion will know that the title refers to an elite, highly-trained killing machine.

But this time they have a real problem to deal with. An Aryan brotherhood bent on cleansing the United States of all ethnic diversity is growing increasingly more powerful. With the touch of a computer button, it’s maniacal leader Kendrick can control groups of terrorists around the country. On his command they will commit heinous, violent acts. They must be stopped and the computer must be destroyed. The National Security Council has miserably failed to curtail their expanding power, so there is only one breed of warrior who can infiltrate the citadel and battle against the skinhead centurions, The Red Scorpions.

This fine action video from First Independent stars Matt McColgan (Cyborg), John Savage (Godfather III), Jennefir Rubin (The Doors) and Michael Ironside (Top Gun, Total Recall).

DERMOT MORGAN LIVE

It’s always an encouraging sign when RTE deems a TV programme is getting so close to the political bone that it is removed from the airwaves without any convincing explanation, then it must be even more important than we had previously imagined. This is what happened with Scrap Saturday, the hilarious send-up of Irish social and political life that was too hot to handle.

Dermot Morgan was one of the mainstays of the programme and it is heartening that his corruscating wit and affectionate send-ups have made it onto video in this recording of a live show.

All the Irish public figures you love to loathe are here in all their buffoonery as Morgan in peak form turns his attention on them all in turn. Dermot Morgan Live comes from Warner Music and is directed by Morgan’s former Scrap Saturday cronie Gerry Stembridge.