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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
NOVEMBER 2008 DVD Selections
Alvin and the Chipmunks Special Edition
This adorable film is a combination live action and CGI. The three furry little chipmunks are hysterical. Jason Lee plays Dave Seville, and the film puts all the pieces into place as to how they all ended up together with the trio singing and Dave managing their careers. As they become a family, Alvin (the self-proclaimed "awesome-ist" one, Simon (the smart one), Theodore (the sweetest one), and Dave learn about fame and most important of all, love. Simon is the thinker of the group, Alvin is the angelic little devil, and Theodore is the sensitive one. And through the film Dave, who really doesn't know how to be a family man or care for anyone, comes to love the chipmunks. The DVD contains a featurette about the history of the chipmunks and how this movie incorporated much of the original ideas and objects from Ross Bagdasarian who invented the chipmunks decades ago. And there is also a look at the music in the movie and music videos. This holiday package can be purchased as a DVD alone or with an Alvin beanie baby.
JFK: Ultimate Collector's Edition
This month marks the 45th anniversary of the assassination of JFK and this new Ultimate Collector’s Edition includes not only Oliver Stone’s film starring Kevin Costner as New Orleans DA Jim Garrison who tried to prove there was more to the act in Dallas than simply one lone gunman, but also bonus features for any Kennedy enthusiast. A second DVD contains a new documentary tracing the roots of the family and exploring their lives and careers. The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings is an interesting look at the history of the family and an in-depth look at the President and his 1000 days in office. It’s a new collection of information and photos tracing the history of the famous family from Ireland to America, and back to the Emerald Isle. Jean Kennedy Smith was America’s Ambassador to Ireland under the Clinton Administration. Also included in this box set are photos of those who were involved on some level with the assassination, photo cards of the family, JFK’s inaugural address, a political button from the election, and a behind-the-scenes book from the film. This is a great collection.
Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda is the story of Po – not your ordinary hero. He lacks self confidence but learns to turn his weaknesses into his strengths.
He looks up at the Jade Palace on the hill and wonders what it would be like to join “The Furious Five.” The Five are the protégés of Kung Fu guru, Master Shifu. And from “The Five” the next Dragon Warrior will be selected to save the Valley of Peace from the evil snow leopard Tai Lung. With modern technology you’ll forget you’re watching animation, well, except for the fact that all the animals talk. Audiences will get swept away by the sights of ancient China, and the spirit of one little, make that big - Panda named Po. The DVD contains many bonus features including a lesson in how to properly use chopsticks. The entire DVD is fun for everyone.
Little House on the Prairie - Complete Series
The Little House on the Prairie Complete Series set is something to cherish. The frontier family faced many ups and downs during their nine years on TV, but through it all the family was what mattered most. This incredible set includes 60, count ‘em, 60 discs consisting of all the episodes as well as some great bonus features. Michael Landon was the foundation of this series and a feature on this talented man as well as interviews with several of the cast members. Most of the cast members are interviewed, including Karen Grassle, Melissa Sue Anderson and Merlin Olsen. Another fun aspect of this set is a featurette on casting the characters. Those who enjoyed this series through the years remember the explosive finale and how that came to be. There is a look back at this farewell to the town and the people. This complete series is a fabulous addition to any DVD library and the bonus features make the series more enjoyable.
The Mod Squad - Season 2 Part 1
This icon show of the day brought together three young actors who took the country by storm as they played hip, cool, undercover cops. Linc, Julie, and Pete (Clarence Williams, III, Peggy Lipton, and Michael Cole) managed to infiltrate gangs and get into situations the average, everyday cop could not. This was a show that brought together the establishment with the pop culture of the time, and included all the lingo that marked this time in history. With great mod clothing, and young attitudes, the trio helped bring down the bad guys. Hey man, this was what was happening on TV. It was cool, man. Real cool.
 
Roman Holiday and Sabrina
Two classic shows, Sabrina and Roman Holiday, starred a young Audrey Hepburn. In Sabrina she was the daughter of a chauffeur who fell in love with the son of his employer. The class system didn’t look kindly on that. Humphrey Bogart and William Holden costarred. And in Roman Holiday she played a princess who went AWOL in Rome and found a man who showed her the sights, although she didn’t know he was a reporter. Will he disclose her secret? Gregory Peck and Eddie Albert costar. These are both classic films, but the bonus features make these Centennial Collection sets even more important to film buffs. There are several features about Ms. Hepburn, including one about her as a fashion icon. Well, let’s face it, the costumers did all the work, but she carried off the clothing with glamour and class. There is a feature on William Holden, and features on Paramount Studios. Yes, these film are old (Sabrina was even remade recently), but they definitely stand the test of time, and Audrey Hepburn was one of the screen’s brightest stars.
Shrek the Halls
Shrek the Halls is an instant holiday classic and one everyone in the family will look forward to viewing every year. Being an ogre, Shrek has never had Christmas before. Now with his wife and three babies he decides to break with tradition and give his new family the best Christmas – their first together. When Donkey, Puss in Boots, Gingy and the gang come by for a holiday celebration, Shrek is annoyed. He wants this to be a family-only celebration, but the others think of themselves as his family. The more the merrier. Shrek begins to tell the kids the story of The Night Before Christmas, then Donkey starts with his rendition, and soon Puss is telling his own story. None of this is what Shrek had in mind, but he finally learns the true meaning of Christmas. This is a Shrek-tacular holiday delight.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
The fun foursome returns in a sequel that is even better than the original movie. As the four mature over the summer they each find their inner strength which, when combined, is what has cemented their friendship over the years. Yes they are great apart, but they are better together and they realize that their friendship is worth everything. Friendship is the foundation on which these characters build their lives as they grow from teens into young and talented women. It is truly a delightful movie. The DVD contains some deleted scenes, a blooper reel, and an interesting feature on the scene at the end of the film when the girls jump off a ledge into the water. This was not originally in the script, however the four girls tried it on their own and then asked for a scene to be written where they jump off together into the water. Ask and ye shall receive.
Space Chimps
Following in the footsteps of some famous chimpanzees who forged the way for manned space flight, a trio of modern-day chimps blast off into the unknown. After a wormhole is discovered, NASA enlists these chimps to track down the destination of the wormhole. Two of the three are excited about their mission, but Ham III only wants to be the lazy and revered circus chimp he has become. Unfortunately, his grandfather was one of the space chimp pioneers and young Ham is destined to follow in his footsteps. The trio discovers a planet where one resident is trying to take over, but the three manage to step in and set things right. You could say this is like an animated episode of Stargate, with chimps. There are some very humorous lines in this computer animated story of space, chimps, and friendship.
Transsiberian
Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer star in this story of a couple traveling by train from China to Moscow and unwittingly find themselves in the middle of a giant smuggling ring. Ben Kingsley also stars as a detective who befriends the couple only to find out what they know about the missing drugs and money. But once a lie is told, it keeps snowballing and little by little things start to unfold, revealing secrets and horrors. The scenery is beautiful as the train travels through the cold, snow-covered region of Siberia. This was filmed in Lithuania.
Wall E
Cute little Wall-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) was accidentally left turned on when humans abandoned the Earth because of all the trash and pollution on the planet. They thought they were leaving for a 5 year cruise aboard the AXIOM, a fabulous space ship, but it turns out to be a lot longer. How about over 700 years! One day a ship drops off another robot and Wall-E soon meets EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator). EVE is searching for signs of life on the planet and Wall-E presents her with a new plant that he recently discovered. The next thing you know, the two are aboard the AXIOM. The humans are the reason the robots are there in the first place, but the main story of this film is not about the humans. It is a love story. Just like the characters in his favorite movie, Wall-E is searching for love and he finds it with EVE.
© 2008 Francine Brokaw
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