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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Double sided (full screen and 
     anamorphic widescreen)

- Single layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 108 minutes

- Subtitles: English

- Scene selections: Animated menu

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

- Full screen

Audio Features:

- English: Dolby Digital 5.1, and 
     Dolby Surround

Bonus Materials:

- The "Making-Of" featurette
- Theatrical Trailers

- Isolated Music Score

- Talent files

- Production Notes

Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:      03/03/00

DVD Release:              07/18/00

Review Date:               07/21/00

List price:                     $ 25.00

Avg. on-line price:       $ 17.50

Pre-order price was:    $ 16.25

Starring: Garry Shandling, Annette Bening,
     Greg Kinnear, Ben Kingsley, Linda Fiorentino, 
     and John Goodman
Director: Mike Nichols

MPAA Rating: R

Studio: Columbia TriStar 
             (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Movie: B+        Video: B        Audio: B+        Extras: B+

Summary: In the name of world domination, an alien species devoid of emotion 
   sends its best trainee, Harold Anderson, on a mission to earth to impregnate a 
   human woman.  Along the way, Harold learns the ropes of an emotionally rich 
   human life as he finds his mate.  Though in a cosmic setting, this is really a 
   comedic look at the relationship between man and woman.  Garry Shandling 
   is hilarious in his role as the alien.

The Story

Harold Anderson (Garry Shandling) is an alien who is best at interacting with a holographic woman during his training.  Hence, he is selected as the candidate who is sent to earth on a mission to impregnate a (human) woman.  To fulfill his mission, he tries to get into any woman's pants with his repertoire of limited pick-up lines.  His inability to understand of women, lack of social skills, and his buzzing crotch turn the women he targets away.  Then, he meets Susan Heart (Annette Bening) at an AA (Alchoholics Anonymous) meeting through his co-worker Perry (Greg Kinnear).  Susan is actually attracted to Harold because he's "just out of this world".  

Harold's mission is somewhat complicated by the fact that she will not engage in sex with a guy until he marries her.  He meets up with his leader (Ben Kingsley) to discuss this marriage requirement.  At this point, an FAA official (John Goodman) becomes suspicious of Harold of being an alien because he was a passenger on both flights which experienced the same unexplained in-flight turbulence.  

Harold experiences human emotions when his life on earth is turned upside-down by a wife who is unable to conceive, a manipulative co-worker, and a relentless FAA official.  Even in this predicament, this cosmic comedy keeps you laughing to the end.

The Extras

The DVD features a "making-of" featurette, an isolated music score, theatrical trailers, talent files, and production notes.  The rather short "making-of" featurette follows the same sense of humor as in the movie.  In the talent files section, there are theatrical trailers of movies in which various cast members had starred. 

Video & Audio

The image quality of this DVD suffered slightly due to the low data rate of the video signal (i.e., the video was compressed too much).  The picture in some scenes lost detail, though this was not overly distracting.  The digital surround sound is well presented, but there are few scenes that really brings it to the limit.

Recommendation

"What Planet Are You From?" is really depicting men at odds with women, though using the example of an intergalactic alien.  This new perspective enables us to have a better look at men's difficulty with sensing women's needs and desires.  As a comedy, this is a great addition to your collection to watch when you feel like your world is out of control.

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