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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
Some of the Many November DVD Releases
Spider-Man
What do you do when you're bitten by a genetically altered spider and are morphed into a half-human/half-spider? If you're Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) you use your new superhuman skills to fight crime. He swings and climbs into the public's consciousness by thwarting crimes and fighting on the side of good.
Right away he comes up against his first superhuman nemesis, The Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe). All the while Peter tried to gain the affection of Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), who is infatuated with Spider-Man, not knowing they are one in the same. This is reminiscent of the Superman/Lois Lane relationship. Peter didn't ask for his power, but always remembers what his uncle (Cliff Robertson) told him, "With great power comes great responsibility."
This movie is packed with special effects and although it is an adaptation of a comic book character, the story is interesting. Extra bonuses on this 2-disc DVD include a "making of" feature, commentaries, character files, comic book artist gallery, a historical documentary (Spider-Man: Mythology of the 21st Century), screen and costume tests, a gag reel and much more. The extra features give the audience a complete vision of the film and the story. Spider-Man has been a super-hero for decades and continues to capture imaginations around the world. We all love our super-heroes, and as super-heroes go, Spider-Man is one of the most popular. After all, he's a swinger!
The film is rated "PG-13" for stylized violence and action.
Houseboat
Cary Grant stars as Tom Winston, a dashing widower saddled with his three children. He hasn't seen them in a long time and isn't accustomed to being a father. His apartment is too small for the four of them, so through circumstances end up living on a dilapidated houseboat. Sophia Loren stars as Cinzia, the daughter of a famous Italian conductor who leaves the comfort of her father's surroundings and goes to work as the nanny/maid on the houseboat. The thing is, she has been pampered her entire life and doesn't know how to do anything as far as housework goes. No one is aware who she is, and she likes it that way. She wants to experience life, American life. And that she does.
The three kids are a handful. They are an emotional wreck, trying to deal with their mother's death and now living with their father in a new home. Martha Hyer plays their aunt who has designs on Tom. But in the end, it is Cinzia who wins the hearts of the children and Tom. Together they all turn the rickety old houseboat into a charming residence and, as they say, "live happily ever after."
Houseboat is an enjoyable story running 109 minutes. It was produced in 1958, and the DVD includes a photo gallery.
Roman Holiday
When a young princess decides to take a vacation from her royal life, she escapes from her surroundings had finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life. She feels free. And what better way to show her newfound freedom than to cut off her long hair and take on a new appearance? She is befriended by Joe Bradley, a reporter, and Irving Radovich, his photographer friend (Eddie Albert) who show her around Rome, all the while taking pictures of her escapades with the intent on making a bundle on the story. Ann is completely unaware of any of this.
The one problem they encounter is their feelings for this young woman. Ann and Joe develop a sweet romance, but soon Ann feels the tug of her responsibilities and returns to her life. It's a different twist on the Cinderella story, and a bittersweet romance because the two know they can never be together and must go on with their own lives the way they were before their little "Roman holiday."
The 1953 film is in black and white and runs 118 minutes. This gem was produced and directed by William Wyler. Every frame of the Special Collector's Edition has been restored so the audio and video are the highest quality.
To Catch a Thief
Cary Grant and Grace Kelly star in this Alfred Hitchcock story of mystery and romance. It received 3 Academy AwardŽ nominations and the award for Best Cinematography.
What do you do when you are a retired cat burglar living a quiet life on the French Riviera then a rash of burglaries with your MO shatters your peaceful existence? John Robie (Grant) decides to beat the "copy cat" at his own game and catch him in the act in order to clear himself of any involvement. He teams up with an insurance agent from Lloyd's of London named H. H. Hughson (John Williams) to figure out who will be the next victim. After all, the company insures jewels and it is in their best interest to keep any more jewels from being stolen. A prime target is Mrs. Jessie Stevens, who is vacationing on the Riviera with her beautiful daughter Francie (Kelly), so he "accidentally" meets them and soon he is squiring around the younger woman in an attempt to stay close to the potential burglary. John is unaware Francie knows who he is and suspects him of the crimes. When he learns of her knowledge, he pleads his innocence, and the story climaxes with the four of them plotting an elaborate ruse to catch the burglar once and for all. During the entire time, a romance has been simmering between John and Francie.
The 1955 film has glamour (Grace Kelly exudes glamour), charm, humor, mystery and the beautiful scenery of the French Riviera. This was Grace Kelly's final film for Hitchcock and is a classic. The running time is 106 minutes.
The DVD includes several featurettes: The writing and casting of the film, The making of the film, an "Appreciation" of Hitchcock and the film, and a section on Paramount Pictures' premier costume designer Edith Head.
Bad Company
Terrorists have possession of a nuclear bomb and the CIA is trying to get the bomb before it blows up New York City. Sound familiar? The twist here is that a CIA agent has been killed and his twin brother must fill in for him in order to get the bomb. Anthony Hopkins stars as the veteran agent training Chris Rock to follow in his brother's shoes. The DVD features a behind-the-scenes feature. Bad Company is rated "PG" for intense sequences of violent action, some sensuality and language. It runs 117 Minutes.
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
After being left alone on Earth three million light years from home, this loveable little alien is taken in by Elliot, a young boy whose heart and soul soon becomes linked with his. The relationship between the two is the heart of this charming story as they work together to find a way to get E.T. back to his home.
The DVD includes both the original release and the enhanced re-release, a "making of" featurette, the reunion of the cast, photos, John Williams conducting at the 2002 Premier, a lesson about our solar system narrated by E.T. himself and an explanation by Steven Spielberg why he re-issued the film. This is a "must have" for fans of the little alien, giving viewers an up-close and personal view of the cast, the story, the film makers, and the making of the film.
Ice Age
Ice Age is Fox's first fully digital animated film and it's sure to become a family favorite. Ice Age is a product from Blue Sky Studios, a unit of Fox Film Entertainment and features several unforgettable characters. Manny, a cynical woolly mammoth, Sid, a fast talking sloth, and Diego, a calculating saber-tooth cat join together to return a human baby to his family. Another character, Scrat (a prehistoric squirrel/rat) is intent on his mission to bury his beloved acorn in his own story that threads its way through the film. This delightful story has humor, charm, and compassion.
The two-disc DVD set includes an animated short ("Scrat's Missing Adventure") in which the little rodent tries to push a nut into a place with hundreds of nuts and ends up causing another global event impacting the planet - again. This poor little guy doesn't have the best luck in the world. Another bonus is an award-winning short ("Bunny"), deleted scenes and a "making-of" feature. The film was a big hit in the box office, and the additional bonus features on the DVD add more fun and interesting aspects to the film.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
This is the story about a horse whose spirit could never be broken, as told from the horse's perspective. "They say that the history of the West was told from the saddle of the horse. But it's never been told from the heart of one before." This is truly a visual story, and the dialogue between the "two-leggeds" is kept to a minimum. The expressions on the animals' faces along with the music and the minimal narration tell the tale.
Spirit is the story of freedom.
Additional features on this DVD include an incredible "Make-A-Movie Studio" where kids can actually create their own movies with backdrops, music and more. This innovative feature is a first, and kids will enjoy making their own Spirit adventure. Also included is a desktop creativity kit, songs, games, and a step-by-step lesson on how to draw Spirit. There is a film-to-storyboard comparison so the viewers can see how the film was put together. These bonus features are incredible, to say the least.
Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood
Sidda (Sandra Bullock) is a successful playwright. When her interview with Time magazine is published and some of her words are taken out of context, her mother Vivi (Ellen Burstyn) is no less than furious, going so far as to cut Sidda's face out of the family photos. With mother and daughter estranged, Vivi's old friends, the Ya-Yas (Fionnula Flanagan, Shirley Knight, and Maggie Smith) take it upon themselves to make things right. They abduct Sidda for an "intervention."
The DVD includes 8 additional scenes, commentaries, and a music video of Alison Krauss' "Sitting in the Window of my Room." Another bonus is a featurette called "Unlocking the Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." Through scenes and interviews with the cast, the heart of the story is explained. Ashley Judd says, "Life is infinitely richer with female friendships." Ellen Burstyn describes her character as "vivacious, neurotic, and funny." And she explains that the entire movie is about getting Vivi and her daughter together by first making Sidda understand her mother. The friendships are the heart of the story, and after all, what is life without friendships?
This film is based on Rebecca Wells' novel. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood is rated "PG-13" for mature thematic elements, language, and brief sensuality. It runs a little under 2 hours.
© 2002 Francine Brokaw
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