VIDEO TREASURES

Next time you’re at a video store with no idea what to rent, here are a few recommendations.

THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (1975) Adventure

“Old-fashioned adventure and derring-do. Two British soldier-pals try to bamboozle high priests of remote Kafiristan into turning over their riches by convincing them that one of them is a god. The acting is ideal, the script is superb, and the film is entertaining.” (Leonard Maltin’s Movie & Video Guide)

SPLASH (1984) Comedy

“An uproarious comedy about a young man (Tom Hanks) who unwittingly falls in love with a mermaid (Daryl Hannah). Marvelous.” (Video Movie Guide)

THE LAST STARFIGHTER (1984) Science Fiction

“A teenage video game whiz is abducted by the survivors of a distant planet who need his skills to outwit their enemies. Sharp and witty.” (Halliwell’s Video Guide)

BILLY ELLIOT (2000) Comedy/Drama

“Living in working-class England, Billy is allowed to take boxing as a sport but his eyes are on the dance class next door. The dance instructor notices his interest and invites him to dance. He does—quite badly—but over time he improves. This film does well in showing a young man’s enthusiasm for dance and how he’s able to win acceptance through perseverance.” (Scarecrow Video Movie Guide)

The European medicinal leech has 32 brains.