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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
December 2006 DVD Selections
Air Buddies
Air Bud’s starring in a new film, this time with his wife Molly and their five adorable puppies: B-Dawg, MudBud, Bud-Dha, RoseBud, and Budderball. And believe it or not, these dogs can talk – to each other. They are the cutest little “buddies” but the time is near for them to each be placed in their own homes. After all, they can’t stay together forever. On the day they are to go to their new homes, Air Bud and Molly are dognapped, and it’s up to the puppies to rescue their parents. Their search takes them all over, through the farmland, through a drive-in theater playing, what else? – 101 Dalmatians - and ultimately to a winery where the two dogs are being held. Soon it is the puppies who are in need of rescuing. This adorable tale of tails is bound to make you say “aw” at least once or twice during the film. The Air Buddies are cute and loveable. The DVD contains a segment on training your own dog, and a behind the scenes look at the movie.
Barnyard
This moo-ving story shows viewers what happens when the barn door is closed! Courtney Cox, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, and others supply the voices for the animals who have a life other than what we humans see. When Otis (Kevin James) becomes the new protector of the group after his father dies, he worries that he cannot live up to everyone’s expectations. After all, protecting your fellow barn animals from coyotes is a big responsibility. He would love to party hardy, but now has an awesome responsibility. Viewers will enjoy the antics of the menagerie, which includes pigs, cows, roosters, coyotes, and others. The barnyard will never be the same again.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
From the story by C.S. Lewis, this movie has captured the imagination of audiences and has become a beloved film. This new 4-disc extended version contains some additional scenes that were not in the film as well as bloopers and fun facts. There is also a look inside the two worlds and a feature on C.S. Lewis, who also brought us “Alice in Wonderland.” The creatures and legends of Narnia are explored and viewers get an inside look at the magical land. The story about four children who explore a mysterious land has been entertaining readers for generations, and this film has inspired many kids’ imaginations. This extended edition is a wonderful addition to any kids’ library, or adult’s library for that matter. With the fascinating story and all the bonus features, it’s the perfect holiday gift.
Dean Martin Double Feature
Two very funny – and clever – films combine in this DVD which stars Dean Martin. Who Was That Lady also stars Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in a story that has Martin enticing Curtis to the dark side. His scheming has the two masquerading as F.B.I. agents in order to keep Leigh in the dark about some extra-marital activities. When they tell her they are undercover agents, she encourages her husband to go out on the town. Now, what husband wouldn’t see the benefit in this little charade? But when the real F.B.I. is alerted, things start to unravel. This is really a cute little story. How To Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life is another adorable story which has Martin trying to save the marriage of his friend by trying to prove that his mistress isn’t really all that angelic. He develops a plan to lure her away from him to prove his theory so he’ll go back to his wife, but a little case of mistaken identity manages to put a wrinkle in all their lives. Yes, these are dated shows, and yes, one of them is in black and white, but they still manage to hold a lot of laughs for today’s viewers.
 
Disney DVD Game World
DVD Board Games have changed. In the recent past you would buy a box with a board and game pieces, and it included a DVD so the game would be shown on your television screen or monitor. Well, with the new “Disney DVD Game World” games, all you need is the DVD. No more cumbersome boards to open up or pieces to lose. Everything is contained on the disc. In the case of the ‘Disney Princess Edition’ (with 250 games and activities), simply insert the DVD and everything appears onscreen. From one to four players can play at any given time, and the game keeps track of everyone’s progress. The idea is to answer questions about Disney Princesses, collect all the items necessary to go to the ball, and be the first to get there. And in the ‘Disney Dogs Edition’ (with over 1200 trivia questions and mini-games) up to four players can play in two different categories. These are a bit more difficult questions to answer than some of the Princess questions, and you really do need to know your Disney Dogs history. Watching the pups jump around the board and seeing the various film clips is just as entertaining as actually winning the game. And the player who collects enough blue and gold ribbons by correctly answering questions becomes the top dog. If you’re thinking these are the perfect items to take on a car ride, you’re right. Insert the disc into the DVD player and enjoy the trip. Your kids will have a wonderful time playing the game, and you won’t have to worry about missing game pieces or lost dice.
Disney's True Life Adventures
The world is the setting for these beautifully filmed explorations of Mother Nature and all the wonders of the planet. Four volumes of these remarkable DVDs include Natures Mysteries, Lands of Exploration, Creatures of the Wild, and Wonders of the World. Even though they were produced in the 1950s, their subjects are never out of date. From exploring Seal Island to the Everglades, they all show the spectacular beauty and complex world of nature. There are not any animated animals. Everything in here is real. The March of the Penguins last year was a surprising success and proved that people are always interested in exploring places and wildlife and learning about everything that makes up this incredible planet. Whether the subjects are under water or on dry land, what you see in these films is life as it unfolds. So go exploring the world with all of these DVDs. You don’t need a passport!
The Fox and the Hound 2
Copper and Todd are best friends for life, even though they should be natural enemies. But these little guys have a bond that goes beyond all of that. Their friendship becomes jeopardized when Copper discovers he has a talent – he can sing. Being good at something is new to Copper. He is usually the goof-up. When he is “discovered” by a singing group at the county fair, he turns his back on his old friend in favor of his new pals and Todd feels betrayed. But the friendship is just as strong as ever and even though they have a rough patch, these two find their way back to each other. The movie is filled with new country music sung by Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood and other country legends. The DVD contains a look at the making of the movie, and some other bonus features.
Full House – Season 5
The fifth season of this very popular series is now available. Join the Tanner gang in this season that sees many changes in the lives of the characters as the kids get older and Uncle Jesse becomes a father – of twins. The girls are definitely growing up: DJ gets her driver’s license, Stephanie gets interested in boys, and Michelle wants her dad to get married because she is lonely for a mom. This show won the hearts of audiences around the world with the sweet storylines and sentimental characters who, although they go through some tough times, always manage to strengthen their bond as a family. All 26 episodes of this season are available in this DVD set.
Invincible
In 1976 Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) was a bartender in Philadelphia. He was also a big Philadelphia Eagles fan. Along with his friends in South Philly, he would play football in the local parking lot. Little did he know that one day he would be playing in the NFL! The team had open tryouts, and Vince got the nod. Vince was the “old man” of the team, and had literally no experience. His only games were in the parking lot. But he had speed, determination, and knew how to play, and that was exactly what the team needed. Against all odds, Vince earned a place on the NFL team and led them to victory. This film is inspirational, moving, and heartwarming. It’s a wonderful family film filled with hopes and dreams.
My Geisha
This 1962 film is just as adorable today as it was when it was produced. Shirley MacLaine stars as Lucy Dell, a comedy film star who has had great success with her career and her marriage to director Paul Robaix (Yves Montand). But when he announces he is going to Japan to make a movie of Madame Butterfly and is using Japanese people for the parts, she is unnerved. She knows she can realistically portray a Japanese Geisha so she schemes with the producer (Edward G. Robinson) to masquerade as a Geisha to see if Paul recognizes her. He thinks she is the genuine article and just as she is about to tell him the truth things get out of hand and she ends up making the movie with everyone believing she is a real Geisha. Lucy has the help of a real Geisha to educate her and guide her, and she is a quick learner. She even fools her costar (Bob Cummings) who wants to marry her. It’s one dilemma after another as she realizes she has to keep up the charade for her husband’s sake, although little does she know the real reason he didn’t want her in the film in the first place. This is truly a fun movie and MacLaine is wonderful in the role.
O’Henry’s Full House
O’Henry wrote some of literature’s most memorable stories, and this DVD brings five of them together on one disc. Starring some of Hollywood’s top actors, these stories are as timeless as they are classic. Included are The Cop and the Anthem, The Clarion Call, The Last Leaf, The Ransom of Red Chief, and The Gift of the Magi, all introduced by John Steinbeck. Also on the DVD is a feature on O’Henry and some looks at restoring the original films. O’Henry had a knack for twisting a story, and each of these has that special O’Henry trademark style. They are old and they are black and white, but they are still wonderful stories with great messages, for young and old.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton Film Collection
These are two of the best actors of the twentieth century. Whether onscreen or off, they were quite a pair. Married to each other twice, they just couldn’t make a go of their love, but their films together live on in the annals of Hollywood history. Four films combine to make this a wonderful collection for their fans. The Sandpiper has Taylor as an artist and single mother raising her son to be free thinking and free spirited. After a bout with the law he is taken away and placed in a boarding school where Burton is headmaster, who finds her to be an interesting and remarkable woman. The two fall in love, to the dismay of his wife (Eva Marie Saint). The poignant Academy-Award winning song “The Shadow of Your Smile” came from this film. The V.I.P.s, The Comedians, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Round out this collection, with the latter also being available separately. All of these movies were made in the 1960s which was a different time in Hollywood. It was a time when studios relied on the acting talents of their stars and not special effects. These films are all wonderfully acted. The “stars” today could take some lessons from these two.
The Oh in Ohio
Pricilla Chase (Parker Posey) is a successful businesswoman with what looks like the perfect life. She is beautiful, has a great husband and the perfect house. However her husband Jack (Paul Rudd) is not as happy as he could be with their marriage, and as it turns out, Pricilla isn’t as happy as the outside world perceives. Pricilla is sexually unfulfilled, to Jack’s dismay. He tries everything, but she just cannot get to the finish line, so to speak. Then Jack leaves her and she begins to explore her sexuality. She remains unfulfilled until she embarks on an affair with an unlikely man (Danny DeVito) and finally she discovers what life has to offer. For the first time Pricilla is fulfilled and completely happy. And life is good. Liza Minnelli makes an interesting appearance as a sex guru.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
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