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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
January 2007 DVD Selections
A Chipmunk Valentine
Alvin dreams he is the dashing Captain Chipmunk and wins the heart of Brittany and escorts her to the Valentine Ball. But when he awakens at the dance, he is once again Alvin. This adorable episode, along with three others, combine to make this a wonderful DVD filled with love and laughter. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Danielle Steel
Danielle Steel is a bestselling author, and four of her beloved stories are included in a special 2-DVD collection. Palomino, Secrets, Star, and The Promise combine to make this a memorable set. These stories go straight to your heart. The Promise stars Kathleen Quinlan and Stephen Collins as two young people who are very much in love. When an accident separates them they begin to lead their lives separately, but love proves too much of a life force and in the end they learn their destinies are with each other. Although his interfering mother concocts a plan to keep them apart, they soon discover fate is something that even she cannot control.
  
Doris Day
Most of us are familiar with Doris Day the actress. For years she shined on the big and small screens. Several of her films have just been released on DVD. Move Over, Darling is a fun story about a woman who was lost at sea for several years. In the meantime her husband (James Garner) remarries – on the day she is rescued. This causes havoc for everyone as soon as she is discovered. The film was originally going to star Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin and was in the process of being filmed at the time of Monroe’s death. Several years later it came out of mothballs and recast Day and Garner, who also starred together in The Thrill of it All that same year. Do Not Disturb is another new DVD release. With Rod Taylor as her husband who relocates them to England when he is promoted. His new job takes all of his time and soon she is spending her time being wined and dined by a romantic Frenchman. This, of course, is the fodder for this delightful comedy. And in Caprice Day is a spy trying to get the formula that keeps women’s hair dry in the water. Imagine how much this little formula is worth. Along with another spy (Richard Harris), this story takes viewers on an exotic escapade. These three new releases, Move Over Darling, Do Not Disturb and Caprice, each contain several bonus features and gives viewers an inside look at Ms. Day and the films..
Fiddler on the Roof – Collector’s Edition
Tradition! This story about the changing times in Russia and the fate of the Jewish residents in the little town of Anatevka is now available in a collector’s edition two-disc DVD set. With an introduction by filmmaker Norman Jewison, this special edition contains a deleted song sung by Paul Michael Glaser, a look at that time in history, and a documentary on Mr. Jewison. There are new features including interviews with the cast, photo galleries, a featurette on the music and many more bonuses make this a must-have for everyone who loves this movie. The story about Tevya and his family was taken to heart by millions of people around the world in the theater and then in this movie. Tevya was a man who lived by his heritage and traditions, but as the times changed he had to adjust to the new world. “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and other songs fill the movie with memorable music.
It’s a Big, Big World – Investigate Your World
A bunch of loveable puppets entertain and educate in this DVD all about different aspects in the world. Led by a loveable sloth named Snook, kids can safely explore the world and learn about things like animals, the weather and more. With songs and delightful characters, this DVD provides Big, Big Fun for little kids. There will be several volumes in this series, each with five episodes that answer questions all little kids have (What is the moon made of?) and are filled with fun songs.
Open Season
Boog, (voiced by Martin Lawrence), a gentle grizzly bear, was brought up by ranger Beth (voiced by Debra Messing). He has been living a domesticated life in the town of Timberline, and loves every minute of it. Then one day he meets a mule deer named Elliot (voiced by Ashton Kutcher) and his whole life gets turned upside down. Elliot entices Boog out of his comfy home and together they have a rousing night on the town. That’s enough for Beth to be convinced Boog belongs in the wild, even though he doesn’t have any idea how to care for himself. When Boog wakes up one morning he discovers he and Elliot have been abandoned in the mountains. He decided to find his way back to Beth, his comfortable home, and civilization. But what he discovers is a whole new way of life. This is a delightful story for everyone. The special features on the DVD include several deleted scenes, a look at how they created this animated movie, behind the scenes peeks, and a fun “Wheel of Fortune” game where players test their knowledge of the story and the characters.
A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Volume 5
Four episodes filled with this friendly pup make this a lot of fun for fans of this furry little fellow. “Chickenstein Lives,” “Night of the Living Burger,” The Computer Walks Among Us,” and “Dog Gone Scooby” are each delightful tales filled with fun, and the mystery solving antics of Scooby and the gang.
Read it and Weep – Zapped Edition
Real-life sisters Kay and Danielle Panabaker star in this story of a girl who’s personal journal accidentally gets sent in for her school assignment and becomes a book – a bestseller! What Jaimie (Kay) puts in her journal are her fantasies about all her High School friends. She is one of the meek and unpopular kids. Her alter-ego Is (Danielle) is not afraid to say what she thinks and do what she wants. Zap! Jaimie’s writing talent and imagination captures the attention of the entire school, who think she’s wonderful. That is, until they realize all the characters are based on them. This is a cute movie, especially for kids. We’ve all imagined getting even with those who put us down. Well, Is is able to. But can Is teach Jaimie how to stand up for herself? With bonus features like a making of featurette, interviews with the cast and more, this is something teens, and tweens will enjoy.
Robert Mitchum: The Signature Collection
This box set includes an array of films spanning the talents of veteran actor Robert Mitchum. His career spanned more than 50 years and in that time he made over 120 films. Six new to DVD titles combine to make this a treasure for fans of the classic actor. Macao (1952), Home from the Hill (1960), Angel Face (1952), The Good Guys and the Bad Guys (1969), The Sundowners (1960), and The Yakuza (1975) each have a different feeling and a different persona for the actor. Whether he’s a sheepherder in Austrailia with Deborah Kerr in The Sundowners, or a man involved with the mobs in Japan and fighting for his life in The Yakuza, Mitchum’s performance is impeccable, and he illuminates the screen. This is one man who got better with age! A few featurettes are included in this six DVD set. Mitchum’s soft voice and easy going manner have been copied through the years, but there is only one Robert Mitchum.
That’s So Suite Life of Hannah Montana
The stars from three of the Disney Channel’s popular shows get together in this crossover story. When Raven checks into the Tipton Hotel, that starts everything. Zack and Cody and the gang, and soon Hannah Montana are all involved in this story. For those who enjoy “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” “Hannah Montana,” and “That’s so Raven,” this is definitely something to see. Bonus features include a DVD game, a music video, and a new episode of “The Suite Life.”
The Guardian
Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher star in this action-packed story of the Coast Guard and the high seas. Costner plays a “swimmer” who bravely saves the lives of stranded people day after day. After an accident when his crew is killed, he is sent to unwind at the academy where he teaches the new class of potential swimmers. He is the best the Coast Guard has ever had, and wants his students to be the best. With that in mind, he is tough on them. But he knows the job better than anyone and he knows what it takes to do it. Therefore he won’t pass anyone who is not up to the challenge. Consequently, most of his class wash out, no pun intended. This is definitely an intense film with a lot of action and some interesting human interaction. The DVD contains some deleted scenes and an alternate ending, as well as a “making of” feature and a tribute to the real Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers.
© 2007 Francine Brokaw
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