|
|
|
|
A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
October 2006 DVD Selections
Astaire and Rogers – The Complete Film Collection
Dancing with the Stars is a popular TV show because everyone dreams of dancing like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers – the original winning team. Now there is a box set of all their films, along with several additional items. Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, Roberts, Top Hat, Follow the Fleet, Swing Time, Shall We Dance, The Barkleys of Broadway, Carefree, and The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle were the ten films starring the delightful dancing duo. This comprehensive set also includes an additional DVD - Partners in Rhythm - documenting the stars and the films. There is also a CD of some of their memorable songs from their films, like “Cheek to Cheek,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” and “Top Hat.” Posters and photos make up the remainder of this incredible set. For everyone who enjoys watching the dancing team, this is a “must have” because everything is included. After you view these classic films with the trademark style of Astaire and Rogers, you’ll know why everyone is so enamored by Dancing with the Stars!
Barry Manilow – First and Farewell
This special DVD contains two concerts, both introduced by Manilow who gives some background to the concerts and his performances. The first is a rehearsal concert before his very first tour in 1974. Yes, that was 1974. The concert was recorded for his personal benefit in black and white and the audio isn’t the greatest. It was never meant to be seen by the public, but it is a little treasure for all Manilow fans. The second is the Anaheim, California concert on his farewell tour in 2004. That was an amazing concert. I can attest to that since I was in the audience. Manilow friend and fan, saxophonist Dave Koz, stopped by to add a special touch to the concert. Watching this DVD viewers will see how far Manilow progressed to becoming the ultimate performer. Also included on the DVD is a segment from his Las Vegas Concert with songs from his Broadway show Harmony, and a clip from his Chicago concert includes his tribute to that city. All fans of Barry Manilow will enjoy viewing these past concerts. As he says on the DVD, he was tired of touring, so now he has a pretty good gig in Las Vegas. However, Barry Manilow – First and Farewell will keep the magic alive for all those music lovers who have enjoyed his songs throughout the 30 plus years of his career.
Bewitched – Season 4
Samantha, Darrin, Tabitha, Endora and Uncle Arthur are back for another fun season. The episodes are always fun when an historic figure pops into the Stevens’ home, and this season Leonardo Da Vinci pays a visit, courtesy of bumbling Aunt Clara. This is also the season when Samantha becomes the Queen of the Witches. All 33 episodes are included in this spell-binding set with four discs. Bewitched was a popular series when it was on TV. Who wouldn’t want to be able to conjure up George Washington or fly to Europe in two seconds? Live vicariously through Samantha in this fun-filled DVD set.
Humphrey Bogart - The Signature Collection Volume 2
A special 3-disc edition of the classic film The Maltese Falcon is included in this new collection of movies with the legendary Humphrey Bogart. Across the Pacific, Passage to Marseille, All Through the Night and Action in the North AtlanticM round out the set, which also includes several bonus features. There are several featurettes, as well as two other versions of the Hammet story of the missing black bird. A new documentary about the classic film will delight fans of the show. Bogie was one of a kind, and these are only five of his memorable films which all bear the Bogart style. Sam Spade was only one of his notable roles, and film buffs have been studying the character and the film since it premiered. There was only one Humphrey Bogart.
Me, Eloise
That adorable little girl who lives in the Plaza Hotel in NYC is at it again. This animated film has Eloise turning six years old, however since she’s been telling everyone that she’s six already, somehow the actual day doesn’t have that much of an impact on her. Her new friend, Japanese violin prodigy Yuko, is happy to be a part of Eloise’s world, to the disappointment of her guardian. When the two girls find themselves locked in the cleaning closet, Eloise almost misses her birthday party and Yuko almost misses her big concert. Eloise has been entertaining audiences for generations. She has wonderful adventures in the world famous hotel, and audiences love to watch the kind-hearted child live life to the fullest. She is always happy and willing to take on another challenge. Along with her little dog and turtle, Eloise proudly reigns over the Plaza, and always has a smile for everyone. She will steal your heart, as she does everyone who enters the hotel. The DVD contains a sing-along, a fun game, and some DVD ROM features where kids can create their own party invitations, color pages, and more.
Eloise: Little Miss Christmas
With her friends at the Plaza, Eloise plans on putting together a holiday show. Undoubtedly, this DVD will wind up being a favorite every holiday season as the sweet little girl learns the spirit of the season. There are plenty of bonus features on the DVD, including a holiday card maker, a sing-along, and many more activities.
The Fox and the Hound 25th Anniversary Edition
It’s been 25 years since this classic was introduced. The story of a young fox named Tod and his friend a young bloodhound named Copper has touched the hearts of generations. These two natural enemies don’t know they are supposed to be the hunter and the hunted. All they know is they are friends. The DVD contains a new storybook as well as a sneak peek at the upcoming film The Fox and the Hound 2.
Holiday Inn - Special Edition
Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this classic holiday film that has stood the test of time. Crosby plays a tired crooner who buys an old inn in Connecticut and turns it into an entertainment destination that is open only on holidays. With the additional talent of Marjorie Reynolds helping him out with the tunes, Holiday Inn becomes a successful enterprise, and the duo become more than entertainment partners. Astaire plays his former partner who stole his fiancé but is now down in the dumps after she left him. Who else would be able to commiserate than his old partner? But when Astaire sees Reynolds, he is set on making her his new partner, to the horror of Crosby who doesn’t want to lose another woman to Astaire. The songs are the focal point of this film, which is just as fun on Valentine’s Day as it is at Christmastime. With “White Christmas,” “Easter Parade,” and all the other wonderful holiday tunes, Holiday Inn has delighted audiences for generations. This 1942 classic is a keeper! The DVD contains a look at the songs and dance numbers as well as a retrospective of the two stars.
Keeping Up With The Steins
Family dynamics play out against the funny backdrop of a young boy who is about to become a man, at least in the eyes of God. This is really a joy to watch, with Jeremy Piven, Jami Gertz, Daryl Sabara, Daryl Hannah, and Garry Marshall. This hilarious film deals with a family situation most Jewish families encounter when their child turns 13 – the Bar (or Bat) Mitzvah. In the case of the Fiedlers, they want to outdo their friend’s the Steins who’s lavish Bar Mitzvah party for their son was more like a Broadway production. The Steins hire a professional party planner and poor little Benjamin Stein finds his affair turning into a gigantic event – with Dodger Stadium being discussed as a possible venue! Viewers are also treated to a cute behind-the-scenes bonus with the cast and crew, who talk about finding the perfect house for the Feidlers, and Garry Marshall talks about being directed in his nude swimming scene by his son Scott Marshall. This is an adorable film, and even if you’re not Jewish, you will be caught up in both the family story and the hype of the big event.
The Little Mermaid
Fans of Ariel have waited long enough. Now available on DVD, this 2-disc special edition features a host of bonus features. Deleted scenes, a music video, a look into the making of the popular film, a peek behind the story of the mermaid who captured audiences’ hearts throughout the world, a look under the sea and much more combine to make this a treasure for all fans. The story of the mermaid who fell in love with a Prince and desired to live as a human captured the imagination of movie audiences with not only the story, which is based on a story by Hans Christian Anderson, but also with the wonderful songs. Ariel, Flounder, Eric, Sebastian and the rest of the cast have made The Little Mermaid a classic film for all ages.
Magnum, PI – Season 5
Grab your surf board; the fifth season of Magnum PI is now available. Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) was an icon when the series was originally on the air, and the show made Selleck a hit with PI fans – both men and women. Men wanted to be him and women just wanted him! The 1985/86 television season was hot for Thomas Magnum and his friends in Hawaii. This 5-disc DVD set includes all 22 episodes, including the one with Selleck’s future wife, Jillie Mack.
Over the Hedge
Besides the fun film about a group of animals that cause havoc when they venture over the hedge and discover the suburbs, this DVD contains a bunch of bonus features. Viewers meet the cast that makes up the fun characters and also learn how the film was created. There is a new adventure with Hammy that has some of the others playing a trick on the little fellow with a boomerang. Hammy thinks it keeps coming back, no matter how he tries to get rid of it, but it’s only a trick by the porcupines who have a big box of boomerangs at their disposal. This is reminiscent of the old fashioned cartoons. There are several games and an interesting bonus with facts about the real life animals portrayed in the film. Also, viewers can learn to draw Hammy. And on Nov. 28 a secret code on the overthehedge.com website will unlock more bonus features!
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
Let's Talk About It!
Issues newsgroup
Join us to talk about this article!
|
|
|
