Martin G. Baker Movies

Celebrated sci-fi writer Neil Gaiman, who created the Sandman series, scripted this visually adventurous fantasy. Helena (Stephanie Leonidas) is a 15-year-old girl who has spent nearly her entire life on the road, traveling with her parents Joanne and Morris (Gina McKee and Rob Brydon), who make a living as circus performers. One night, Helena wishes for a quieter and more stable life, only to panic when her mother falls seriously ill, ending up in the hospital. Afraid she's caused her mother's illness, Helena slips into an alternate reality known as the Dark Lands, where nearly everything behaves differently and all is ruled by the Queen of Light and the Prime Minister (also played by McKee and Brydon). As it happens, the Queen of Shadows' daughter, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Helena, has gone missing; the Queen of Light has fallen unconscious as a result; and both queens' minders are looking for the child. As Helena struggles to make her way back to her own world to help her own mother, she discovers the Queen of Shadows' daughter has taken her place. Helena is aided in her journey by a gifted juggler named Valentine (Jason Barry), and together they seek to access a magic charm which will return everyone to the land where they belong. MirrorMask was produced by the Jim Henson Company, with most of the sets and many of the characters created using digital-effects technology. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The cult-favorite science fiction series Farscape comes to a close with this miniseries. The bloodthirsty Scarran Empire unexpectedly declares war against the Peacekeeper Alliance, and the Peacekeepers are forced to strike back with all they have. The Peacekeepers' last, best hope lies in astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder), an earthling who joined them when he was drawn into a wormhole in space. Can Crichton find a way to lead the Peacekeepers back through the same wormhole before they're destroyed by the Scarrans? Produced in part due to the volatile reaction from fans after Farscape was canceled with many plot threads left unresolved, Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars also features original cast members Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Jonathan Hardy, Paul Goddard, and Gigi Edgley. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Based on the popular children's series, this stage performance distills Bear in the Big Blue House's main themes, activities, and songs into one hourlong presentation. Ojo, Shadow, and many more characters show up over the course of the show to prepare for Tutter's surprise birthday party, and all of the fanciful creatures learn the importance of cooperation. The live audience is particularly enthusiastic, and the characters on-stage encourage many a sing-along. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Marvin Gaye was one of the few great stars of 1960s soul music whose popularity and influence actually increased in the 1970s and 1980s. He broke new ground at Motown Records with the masterful 1971 album What's Going On, became one of R&B's great love men with 1973's Let's Get It On, and made a triumphant comeback in 1982 with Midnight Love and the smash single "Sexual Healing." Marvin Gaye: Behind the Legend is a documentary, produced with the cooperation of Gaye's family, which tells the story of his rise to fame, his revolutionary music of the 1970s, his troubled personal life, his struggle with drug abuse, his self-imposed emigration to Belgium, and his return to America shortly before his tragic death (at the hands of his father) in 1984. Marvin Gaye: Behind the Legend also features footage of Gaye performing some of his best-known songs on-stage, including "Inner City Blues," "How Sweet It Is," "Sexual Healing," "What's Going On," and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A profile of Marianne Faithfull, a major pop icon of the '60s. After recording her first hit "As Tears Go By" at age 17, Faithfull plunged into both the music and drug scene in London. Her relationships with John Dunbar and Mick Jagger are explored, as well as her descent into drug addiction and eventual rehabilitation. She talks frankly about her personal life and career and how they have shaped her as a singer and songwriter. Included on the video are several tracks of her music, such as "Vagabond Ways," "Broken English," "Dreaming My Dreams," and "As Tears Go By." ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of a young orphan who becomes involved with pirate Long John Silver is given the Muppet treatment in this vibrant children's musical. As in The Muppet Christmas Carol, the film stays loyal to the original storyline but casts the well-known puppets in many of the supporting roles. Young Jim Hawkins remains human, as does Long John Silver, played by an amusingly exaggerated Tim Curry. However, Captain Smollet is played by the evergreen Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Rizzo the Rat serve as roving narrators; and numerous other Muppets assume smaller roles. The familiar adventure plot is enlivened by the Muppets' good-natured, winking sense of humor, and a number of anarchic musical numbers are reminiscent of the original Muppet Show. Long-time followers of the Muppets may find the film less fresh than Jim Henson's original creations, but the combination of old-fashioned storytelling, intriguing design, and clever humor will undoubtedly amuse younger audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

While Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker played together as Cream for only a bit less than two years, they made a huge impact on the future of rock & roll, and this video tells their full story, from their careers before joining the band to Cream's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Songs include "Sunshine of Your Love," "White Room," "I'm So Glad," "Tales of Brave Ulysses," and "Politician." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this holiday special for the whole family, Fozzie Bear's mother has invited him and all of his friends out to her house in the country to celebrate Christmas. Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Honeydew, Grover, and all the other Muppets gather to sing songs and share the warmth of the holiday, but soon the big question becomes "when will Miss Piggy make her entrance?" Muppet Family Christmas also features a brief onscreen cameo from Muppets creator Jim Henson. Approximately five minutes were cut for the VHS and DVD releases, mostly due to rights issues over the music. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide