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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
OCTOBER 2008 DVD Selections
According to Jim - Season One
Season one of this hysterical sitcom is now available on DVD. Four discs include all episodes from the season. Jim (Jim Belushi) and Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith) are often at different sides of issues as he approaches everything from a manly aspect, and she inputs the feminine side. Even though he is a macho man, oftentimes he acquiesces to her more sensitive side of things. They’re a cute couple with three cute kids. With several seasons already under their belt, this has been a favorite sitcom for many TV viewers through the years. The DVD contains hilarious outtakes, a tour of the set with Belushi, a “making of” feature, and a look back at the first season with Belushi.
Capricorn One
What if the government pulled of the biggest hoax you could imagine? In this story of the first manned trip to Mars, that is exactly what they intend to do. While on final countdown, the three astronauts are secretly pulled from the capsule and taken to a secret location where they will “televise” their walks on the red planet in a few months. Apparently the life support system in the capsule was not up to snuff, so to speak, and the officials did not want to postpone the mission for fear the whole program would be shut down. So they devised this elaborate plan. At the end of the mission the three men will be taken to an island and after the capsule lands (off course), they will enter and the rest will be history. But when something goes wrong, the best laid plans just aren’t enough. It’s an interesting premise. The bonus feature discusses the paranoia of our society at the time the film was made and the several anti-government films that were produced during this period.
The Donna Reed Show - Season One
The Donna Reed Show brought a sweet family into our living rooms every week from 1958 to 1966. Yes, it’s been that long since it aired, but through the years it still maintains its entertaining factor. Granted, it’s often sugary sweet and a little tart, and nothing like the sitcoms of today. This wholesome family actually loves each other. What an old-fashioned idea. With Reed as the loving homemaker, Carl Betz as her pediatrician husband whose office is in their home, Shelley Fabares as their teenage daughter Mary, and Paul Petersen as the quick-witted boy Jeff, the Stone family has many escapades that by today’s standards are very tame, but even so are still enjoyable. The first season includes all episodes on four discs. If you want to see what the country was watching in 1958, this is a prime example. And in black and white! Whether they’re trying to plan a family weekend away or teaching Mary’s boyfriend how to dance, the Stones are enjoyable to watch.
Holiday Inn Collectors Set
This perennial favorite is now packaged with both the original black and white version and a color version of the adorable musical starring the classic song and dance men Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Now, if you’ve ever wondered what their actual wardrobe looked like, you can see. Many people still prefer to watch the old films in their original state – black and white. But with this collector’s set you get both discs as well as an audio soundtrack CD. A great bonus feature includes a look at the history of the two stars with many memories and comments from Mr. Astaire’s daughter. The story of one man’s escape from the rat race to start a nightclub that is only open on holidays seems like a great idea, but Bing Crosby gets more than he bargained for. This is definitely a film to bring out and watch every year, whether you chose color or black and white.
The Legend of Sasquatch
This sweet little movie tells the story of one little girl who discovers a baby Bigfoot in her backyard. She is befriended by the baby and his family. Her dad is constructing a dam and she soon discovers that the cave in which the Bigfoot family lives will be flooded if the dam is completed. With the help of her dad and sister, they find a way to save the fabulous – and friendly – creatures and preserve their very secret existence. It’s a cute story for kids and families.
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. – The Complete Series
Robert Vaughn starred as Napoleon Solo, the suave, sophisticated superspy who got the girls - along with the bad guys in this iconic show. Together with his partner Illya Kuryakin, played by David McCallum, the duo traveled the globe thwarting evil and doing all those spy things James Bond did on the big screen. With an array of technical gadgets, Solo and Kuryakin managed to get themselves out of countless dangerous situations. And whenever they needed to contact headquarters, they would simply pull out their trusty communicator and say, "Open Channel D."
U.N.C.L.E. stood for the United Network Command for Law Enforcement. 105 episodes and bonus discs - 41 discs in all - come packaged in a special case with the official U.N.C.L.E. logo.There are over 10 hours of bonus features which include interviews with both Robert Vaughn and David McCallum who take viewers into their experiences with the show and provide anecdotes. There is behind the scenes footage and a feature on the guest stars, as well as the pilot episode that never made it to the air. Home movies from the set add and discussions with the production staff add some additional fun for fans of this show. A look at the guns, gadgets, the Piranha car, and the music round out the additional features.
Today both Robert Vaughn and David McCallum are still lighting up our television screens - on different, yet popular shows. Vaughn stars in the AMC series Hustle playing - what else? - a suave, sophisticated con man, and McCallum is in the CBS show NCIS where he is the resident forensic doctor, Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard.
By today's standards the show was, for lack of another word, dorky. "Oh yes. No question about it," Vaughn acknowledges. Although the agents traveled the world keeping it safe, everything was shot on the MGM lot in Culver City, California. "Everybody thought - the people that didn't know - thought that we went on foreign locations, but we never left MGM. Everything was built there. They had a New York street, a Paris street, a Rome street. They had a jungle. They had a lake. They had a paddlewheel boat. So we didn't have to go more than 20 minutes to get any country in the world or town in the world. They were all there."
Vaughn smiles as he says, "It was the turning point in my life and I will look back on it with nothing but fond, good memories.”
Rear Window
This Special Edition of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller includes a number of bonus features. There is a feature with the screenwriter, a documentary on ethics, features on Alfred Hitchcock, and of course, the classic story starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. When photographer L.B. Jeffries (Stewart) is laid up in his apartment with a broken leg, he starts keeping track of his neighbors in the building across the street. What else does he have to do with his time? He gets suspicious about the disappearance of one of the women and soon his theory about her being murdered is shared by his nurse (Thelma Ritter) and girlfriend (Kelly). This is a tense story relying on drama and acting, with no special effects. It’s a masterpiece that is just as impressive over 50 years since it was produced.
Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid
This pint-sized investigative reporter comes across a very fishy story. When an amnesiac turns up in town, Roxy (Aria Wallace) volunteers to keep the girl until her memory returns, or someone claims her. But strange things start happening, and what Roxy discovers is that she is harboring a mermaid. This is a cute combination of Splash, Aquamarine, and The Little Mermaid, with Roxy Hunter smack, dab, in the middle. Roxy is a fun character teens and preteens have embraced.
Saving God
It’s good versus evil in this story of pastor Armstrong Cane (Ving Rhames) who is trying to help a young boy who is in the clutches of the local drug boss Blaze (Dean McDermott). Having served time in prison himself, the pastor knows evil first hand and is doing everything he can now to lead his parishioners to lead a good and fulfilling life. But when Blaze decides he cannot let go of this young boy, things get out of hand. It comes down to the souls of Blaze and Pastor Cane, good vs. evil, right vs. wrong. It’s a dramatic story of how people can change, given the right leadership and examples.
Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary Edition
This classic animated story of the delightful fairy tale of a young princess, three very good fairies, and a spell that only a prince can break is just as entertaining to today’s generation of viewers as it has been for the past two generations. This expanded version and digitally restored audio and video makes this a must-have for every DVD library. There are games and activities as well as some deleted songs, a never-before-seen opening, and a “making of” feature. A keystone in the Disney library of animation, Sleeping Beauty has captured the hearts of kids and adults since it was first seen in 1959. This takes viewers into a magical world of color, music, and love. While other tales begin with “Once upon a time,” you could say this is more like “Once Upon a Dream.”
TinkerBell
“The first time that a baby laughs, a fairy’s life takes flight.”
Newly “born” Tinker Bell suddenly discovers she is alive and in Pixie Hollow. After her initial test to discover what her true talent is, she is sent to live with the tinkers, but Tinker Bell is not truly happy there. She longs to be a nature fairy instead. After all, they get to go to the “mainland” in the springtime, and tinkers must stay behind in Pixie Hollow. What she discovers is that everyone has a special talent and taking pride in oneself and one’s talent makes for a happy and complete life.
Learning about Tink’s beginnings is something moviegoers have wondered about ever since she flew onto the screen in 1953 with Peter Pan. Now her past is revealed and she, along with the other fairies, will charm audiences on their own. And, if you pay close attention, there is a surprise at the end of the story.
Tinker Bell is an instant classic. Well, what did you expect from Disney?
Tori and Dean Inn Love
Tori Spelling and her husband Dean McDermott have a popular reality show and now the first season is available on DVD. The first season focuses on the couple’s move from Hollywood to run a Bed and Breakfast in Fallbrook, California. With a very pregnant Tori, the season has some comical as well as dramatic situations, and the birth of baby Liam. Imagine Tori Spelling painting the house, and say it isn’t so, but she manages to get paint in her hair extensions. Yikes. They also try their hand at other entrepreneur efforts and even consider branching out in the Bed and Breakfast business, however the strains on them win out and the end of the second season is their final with that particular endeavor. By the end of the second season, the couple calls it quits with the B&B and heads back to Hollywood, which is the subject of season 3, along with her second pregnancy. Tori is a born comedian and makes viewing the lives of these two people enjoyable. The interaction between them is sweet. If you haven’t seen this series, check out the DVDs. Some people might not think watching a Hollywood couple in a reality series is good entertainment, but Tori Spelling is adorable. The second season will be available on DVD November 4.
White House Pets
Many four-legged pets have resided in the While House. Actually, there have been crawling and slithering ones as well. This DVD from Animal Planet highlights many of the pets who have called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue their home from the time it was built until today. Bears, chickens, turkeys, an alligator, horses, cats and dogs are just some of the little critters who have befriended the first family. These fellows not only provide comfort but also a listening post for the President. And they don’t tell secrets. This is a cute and educational story of the first families of the United States and their pets. Move over Barney and Miss Beasley, there will soon be another pet or two wandering around that big, white house.
You're Not Elected Charlie Brown
It’s election time and even the Peanuts kids are getting into the spirit. With the President of the Student Body up for grabs, Linus thinks Charlie Brown would make a great President, but Lucy’s advance work shows that he would not get elected. So the gang decides to nominate Linus for the job. What they learn is that campaigning is not easy, and winning is even harder. There is another cute Peanuts story included (He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown) as well as a “making of” feature. Hey, I’d vote for Charlie Brown. Wouldn’t you?
© 2008 Francine Brokaw
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