Seeing Videos in Linux?

[Hart Larry]

Well, I suppose I could ask this at the LUG I am going to this evening, but for 
the times I have some1 sighted here, I would like to show them actual video in 
these .mpgs, ETC.  When my Dad was here, I tried showing him boxing, he said he 
only saw shadows of the fighters.  Obviously I would want to use a separate 
alias to startup mplayer or whichever tool would be best in a console.
Tried looking in google, but no luck--thanks in advance
Hart