Calling all movie buffs on the Web!

By Donna Freydkin Special to CNN Interactive

If your favorite movie theater is your very own living room, look no further than your home computer to stock your video library. From blockbusters to Arab films to obscure horror movies, Web-based video stores can transform your living room into a personal screening room.

Not only do many movie sites offer substantial discounts for online purchases, but a loophole in the tax law allows users to save even more cash. When ordering from mail-order houses, customers can avoid paying a sales tax when they are located in a different state than the company selling the product.

With fairly low prices, wide selection and numerous shipping options, the movie sites take advantage of the growing popularity of online commerce. A CommerceNet/Nielsen Media Research survey released in December 1997 estimates that almost 10 million people had made purchases via the World Wide Web. During 1997, online transactions totaled approximately $9 billion, according to Forrester Research. However, those consumers wary of online shopping can often fax, mail or call in their orders as well.

Whether you prefer Jackie Chan or Emma Thompson, the Web provides an amazing selection of movies to satisfy all tastes. Clearly, the site you use most depends on the types of flicks you enjoy. Best of all, you can locate the most obscure, low-budget movies in minutes.

General movie sites

Reel, the mother of all movie sites, calls itself the biggest movie store on the planet. With 85,000 movies for sale and 35,000 movies for rent, its billing may be right on target. Not only does the site offer a 15 percent discount on all new movies, but it allows users to rent movies or buy new, used or rare flicks in VHS, laser disc or DVD format (when available), either online or via fax.

The site's calendar also allows film buffs to keep track of new movie releases. And for every film listed on the site, Reel has compiled a cast list, major movie critics' ratings, a summary of the movie, close movie matches and an anatomy of the movie according to 14 key elements, from violence to character development to humor.

If you have a favorite movie, the site matches it with similar films that might appeal to you. The site provides preview clips of many films, and has a great selection of rare or hard-to-find movies.

One of the best-known music clubs, Columbia House also offers a video club with quite a few perks for movie buffs. You get seven videos for one cent each (plus shipping and handling) for joining the club online. You need to buy six more movies over three years at regular club prices, which run around $19.95, plus shipping and handling. The site is easy to navigate and use, and provides six ways of finding the movie you want. Users wary of online purchases can also send in an order with your order information. The movie selection seems fairly mainstream and focused on American movies, but the deal may be too sweet to turn off.

With over movie 35,000 titles and 125 new ones added weekly, Best Video offers movies covering more than 200 film genres ranging from film noir to quality action to classic horror. Although the movie selection is fairly impressive, the site does not provide any plot or cast information, so do your research to be sure you are ordering the right movie. Users can place their order online, or call, fax or mail them in. Users can also rent a variety of movies for up to seven nights.

New Release video offers some 30,000 movie titles, with most new arrivals or popular movies costing around 20 dollars. The movies are categorized by genre, as new arrivals or most popular selections. Most impressive is the site's selection of Japanese animation. Users can purchase movies online.

Specialty sites

Whether you're searching for "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," episodes of "Absolutely Fabulous" or the "Fawlty Towers" gift set, look no further than BBC Worldwide Americas. The commercial arm of the British Broadcasting corporation releases its programming on home video. Users can call the toll-free number, fax or mail in their orders.

The classy, attractive Home Vision Cinema site boasts an impressive selection of classic international films. Along with such treasures as "The Burmese Harp," "M" or Leni Riefenstahl's "Olympia I", the site provides clips and scholarly reviews of many movies. The site indexes movies by title, by director, by country, by genre, or by year. Users can place their orders online.

If films from the Arab world appeal to you, the attractive and easy to navigate Arab Film Distribution site should be a mandatory stop. You can browse movies by title, country or release time. The Seattle-based site provides brief summaries of movies. Users can order through the mail only.

Go to B-Movie Theater for an amazing selection of cult horror movies and low-budget flicks. Fans of the bizarre and the odd need to look no further for such cinematic wonders as "Santa Claws" or "Rock n' Roll Cop." If the site leaves you hungry for more, sign up for the free online horror newsletter. After downloading the entire movie catalog, users can either order online or phone, fax or mail in their orders. The site promises Real Video clips in the near future.

Ronnie Cramer's Cult Film Site features animated films, biker films, documentaries, silent films and westerns, among many others. Where else could you find movies that run the gamut from "American Rider" or "Back Street Jane," to extensive collections of Fritz Lang and Louis Malle masterpieces. The site features an index films by renowned international directors, and an alphabetical index of dramatic films organized by actor/actress. Users can only place their orders through snail mail. Although the site does sell adult movies, it mandates that users submit a signed age statement if ordering adult material.

AM Videos provides users with a fine selection of African American videos, ranging from such flicks as "Cleopatra Jones" and "The Mack" to children's movies, documentaries and theater productions, such as "A Raisin in the Sun." All orders must be prepaid. You can email orders, with the cost calculated and sent back to you, or you can send a check via snail mail.

India, which boasts the world's largest film industry and churns out at least 1,000 films each year, has a surprisingly small film presence on the Web. Films From India, one of the only sites selling Indian movies, offers selected films with synopses. Users can order online, by phone, fax and through the mail.

Asian film buffs can find a fairly rich selection of Asian feature-length films and TV shows at World Video. The site offers action flicks, Kung Fu movies, comedies, and both English-dubbed and native language films. Users can read the cast information and plot summaries of many of the movies. Unless otherwise noted, many of the movies are not dubbed. Users can order online, or through the phone, fax or mail.

Fans of Hong Kong cinema, Manga and Anime can check out The Place for a great selection of movies and merchandise. Hong King movie buffs can buy movies starring Chow Yun Fat, Jackie Chan, Jet Lui, and those directed by John Woo and Ringo Lam. The site allows users to reserve copies of upcoming releases and accepts special order. Users can order through email, snail mail, or call or fax their orders in.

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