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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
May 2007 DVD Selections
Arthur and the Invisibles
This fantasy story follows Arthur, a young boy who takes a unique adventure into another world. Arthur must find a stash of rubies hidden years ago by his grandfather, or his grandmother will lose their house and property. But Arthur’s grandfather has been missing for a couple years and no one knows where he hid the jewels.
Arthur discovers some clues left by his grandfather, and soon he shrinks down to a miniature size and enters the underground world of the invisibles. There he must help the princess defeat the evil villain who is keeping the rubies. Along the way Arthur is reunited with his grandfather who has been held captive all these years.
This magical journey is part animation, part live action and part CGI. It’s a fun story for everyone.
The DVD contains a feature about the voices behind the characters (Madonna, Snoop Dogg, David Bowie), a music video by Jewel, a feature on Jewel recording the song, and another music video by Elijah.
Caillou the Creative
From the PBS series Caillou, this DVD contains several adventures with the four-year-old boy, and shows his creative side. Whether he’s making a sun out of clay for his mother who has to shovel the snow, or creating his own pizza with his friends, little Caillou is a sweet little guy who shows kids what great things they can do. This little fellow loves his family and friends, and gets a lot of enjoyment out of the little things in life – just like most 4 year olds.
The DVD contains interactive games to play on your computer, parental information, coloring pages to print out, and bios on all the characters narrated by Caillou. Parents can feel good about popping this DVD in their player and leaving their kids to watch Caillou.
Camelot
Long before the motion picture, “Camelot” was a Broadway play. Written by legendary writers Lerner and Loewe, this new DVD puts viewers in the front row of a 1982 performance at New York’s Winter Garden Theater. Playing the optimistic King Arthur is Richard Harris, who starred in the 1967 film version of the classic tale of idealism and love.
Arthur envisions a world where laws govern, violence is obsolete, and might is used for right. With his Queen Guenevere (Meg Bussert) by his side he sets up the round table where knights gather and no one is more important than the other. Lancelot (Richard Muenz) hears of the idealistic king and his round table and travels from France to join this new order. Lancelot and Arthur become best friends, and soon Lance and Guenevere discover a strong attraction between them, thereby putting in jeopardy everything good Arthur has accomplished. When Arthur’s illegitimate son arrives to claim his heritage to the throne, he sets out to destroy everything his father has built.
This production was originally broadcast on HBO in 1983. Now it is available on DVD for everyone to enjoy. It is an enchanting video, and provides a wonderful viewing experience. It’s different from the movie, so if that is the only version of this story that you know, you deserve to watch this DVD and see the story unfold the way it was originally written. This is pure entertainment!
Can Can
Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine star in this Cole Porter musical that takes place in Paris circa 1896 and focuses on the alleged immoral dance known as the Can Can. MacLaine is the owner of a nightclub as well as a dancer in the club, and Sinatra is her boyfriend/lawyer whose morality is itself a little shaky. Louis Jourdan is an uptight judge who falls for MacLaine while she is trying to get his attention and keep him out of her supposed immoral nightclub. And Maurice Chevalier is the seasoned judge who tries to get his younger protégé to lighten up. The numbers are fun and memorable.
The 2-disc DVD set contains several bonuses including a behind the scenes featurette that conveys how the film went from the stage to the big screen. It also describes how several Cole Porter numbers were added to the film version of the story to showcase the talents of the film stars. There is also a featurette on Cole Porter and one on Abe Burrows who wrote the book.
This is a fun film filled with delightful song and dance numbers. It’s something everyone can enjoy.
Curious George – Rocket Ride and Other Adventures
8 fun-filled episodes from the PBS animated series are included in this DVD. Curious George is a playful – and curious – little monkey, and he manages to get himself in the strangest situations. But being a monkey is sometimes advantageous. For instance, when the space station runs out of food for the astronauts, it is George who saves the day by going into space and launching the payload to send food to the hungry astronauts. So why did George get selected to carry out this important mission, you ask? Because he was able to press four different buttons at the same time! That’s not something a human can do. And when George and Hundley get lost outside of the apartment building, they work together to use George’s memory and Hundley’s hearing to find their way back home. Being a monkey has its advantages! Those are just two of the fun episodes with the loveable little monkey and his friends.
The DVD contains two games. The Curious Constructions Game is where kids select different shapes on the screen to help George build things, like a kite and a rocket. The Curious Shadows Game is where kids can match a shadow to an item. There are also printable coloring pages available in the DVD-ROM feature.
George is a fun-loving little fellow, and these episodes are entertaining and educational for kids. Narrated by William H. Macy, these stories will be enjoyed over and over again.
Dance with Len Goodman
Len Goodman is one of the judges on the popular show Dancing with the Stars. He has been a dancing instructor for many decades, and now with his DVD you can learn some of the dances the stars perform on the television show. Len takes you step-by-step through the Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Samba, and Jive. He also gives a little history about the dances themselves. While you will learn the basics of the dances, the professional couple on the disc will also demonstrate what you can do with them after you get the main steps down pat. You’ll gain a new appreciation for all the stars who have undertaken this great challenge in front of the entire country. However you can learn these dances yourself in the privacy of your own home. Slide the furniture to the side, put on your dancing shoes, and pop in this DVD. You’re going to enjoy Len and his fun approach to the dances. One, two, cha cha cha.
Dirty Dancing – 20th Anniversary Edition
This classic story of two people from different walks of live who find love one summer has been a beloved movie for the past twenty years. Johnny and Baby (Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey) meet at Kellerman’s summer resort in the Catskills. He is a dance instructor and she is an idealistic rich girl who is off to an Ivy League college in the fall. That summer changed both their lives.
This film spans generations as all ages have taken the story to their hearts. The story takes place in the summer of 1963, just before President Kennedy was assassinated and before the country as wrought with sorrow. This summer was the last time we were young and innocent.
The attraction between Johnny and Baby is strong, and during their fateful summer together they each learn an important lesson. He learns that someone can really care for and about him. And she learns how to love – and dance.
The second disc in this special edition contains many bonus features, among which are an interview with Patrick Swayze as he looks back on the movie and his relationship with his character Johnny Castle, and an interview with Jennifer Grey who discusses making the film. There are alternate, extended, and deleted scenes, a very short outtake reel a photo gallery, several music videos, and a beautiful tribute to the long and varied career of the late Jerry Orbach, who played Baby’s dad in the movie. There is also a look at how they adapted the movie to a stage play.
Dreamgirls 2-Disc Showstopper Edition
The early 1960’s was a time of racial segregation, and the music industry was no exception. This story of three R&B singers, who call themselves The Dreamettes is filled with heart, soul, and plenty of music.
Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles), and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) have been singing together since they were very young. Their luck hasn’t been good until they get a gig as backup singers for a big star, James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). Then their manager, Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), decides to change the dynamics of the trio and book them as their own act. He changes their singing dynamic and later even their name – to The Dreams. He outfits them with more sophisticated costumes and tames down their sound. This proves to be the right change and soon The Dreams are topping the charts all around the world, however they find their personal lives are not what they would like.
The two-disc showstopper edition contains plenty of bonus features. There are twelve extended and alternate scenes, an image gallery, a couple auditions and screen tests, and a music video of “Listen” by Beyoncé. There is also a section of “Previsualization Sequencing” where viewers see how the story went from sketches to rehearsals. And a full-length feature called “Building the Dream” dissects the movie, the songs, choreography, casting, sets, costumes, and explains how the project got off the ground from the time it opened on Broadway in 1981 to the time it was produced as a motion picture. Practically everything from its inception is revealed..
 
Harold and the Purple Crayon – New Worlds to Explore and Let Your Imagination Soar
Two new DVDs from the HBO TV series are available for all the Harold fans. This adorable little boy expresses his creativity and imagination with his crayon – his purple crayon. With this crayon Harold has all kinds of adventures. He can go to visit dinosaurs, become a cowboy, and learn about all kinds of places and things. This curious little toddler loves everything and enjoys new experiences – although they all take place in his imagination in the safety of his bedroom. Sharon Stone narrates these delightful episodes about little Harold and his quest for new adventures and answers to how things work. These colorful episodes will be enjoyed over and over, by both parents and children.
Music and Lyrics
Take one “has been” pop star and add one spunky girl and put them together and you have the recipe for a delightful comedy. Hugh Grant stars as Alex Fletcher, who was on top of the charts with his band in the 1980’s, but since then he has been singing his old hits at state fairs and private engagements. Drew Barrymore is Sophie Fisher, a somewhat quirky girl who meets Alex when she fills in for her friend taking care of people’s plants. They meet when he is in the middle of trying to write the next big hit for a Britney-esque singer. Sophie comes up with some lyrics and before she knows what is happening, she is persuaded to write the song with him. Together they will try to write a big hit – in less than a week, which is the time allotted to them. The film is one laugh after another as the two try to get through their daily lives while still writing a gold record. Through the next few days Sophie and Alex try to write the perfect song, while getting to know each other at the same time. Grant and Barrymore are wonderful together and thoroughly enjoyable to watch.
The DVD contains some additional scenes which, when you see them, you’ll understand why they were left on the cutting room floor. There is a not-so-funny gag reel and a good “making of” featurette. There is also the complete “Pop! Goes My Heart” music video.
 
John Wayne
Volumes 1 and 2 of the John Wayne Collection are available to commemorate the 100th birthday of the duke! Each volume contains four of his classic films. Volume One includes Flying Tigers, Wake of the Red Witch, Sands of Iwo Jima, and The Quiet Man (Collector’s Edition). These films explore different aspects of the actor’s range, far from the western image most people associate with John Wayne. Whether he’s a marine in the South Pacific or on the Irish countryside, this man takes over the screen. His classic characters are beloved by fans around the world.
Volume Two includes A Lady Takes a Chance, Rio Grande (Collector’s Edition), The Fighting Kentuckian, and Dakota, all beloved westerns featuring Wayne in some of his best Western roles. Some of the DVDs include additional making of and behind the scenes featurettes, and The Quiet Man also includes a documentary of Ireland with Wayne’s co-star Maureen O’Hara. With his recognizable swagger and distinctive voice, Wayne was and is an icon. John Wayne was a movie hero, whether he was on a horse or in the skies, and these boxed collections feature the star in his many roles that won the hearts of movie audiences and continue to live on in the annals of movie history.
Everybody Love's Raymond - Season 8
The complete eighth season of this very popular TV show is available with all of the 23 episodes that made up season eight. The show, about a sportswriter (Ray Romano) and his wife (Patricia Heaton) raising their family under the watchful eyes of his parents (Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts) and his brother (Brad Garrett) is in syndication and still enticing television viewers. The 5-disc DVD set contains several audio commentaries as well as some deleted scenes and bloopers from the series. There is also a featurette from the Museum of Television and Radio with a panel discussion with the series creator and writers. Everybody Loves Raymond is a modern TV classic comedy.
Shirley Valentine
Pauline Collins stars as Shirley Valentine, a middle aged British woman who is in a stale marriage and living an unfulfilled life. When her friend wins a trip to Greece and invites her to come along, Shirley decides to do it. She takes off to Greece and leaves her cares and worries behind. And what she discovers in this new enchanting land is the real Shirley Valentine. She discovers that she has many years to live and she wants to make them the best they can be. She also discovers that she can be happy and enjoy her life. With the help of Costas (Tom Conti), Shirley realizes she is still a vital, sexy woman. This is a delightful movie for anyone who thinks they are stuck in a sad life. Second chances are what life is for. Take a chance. You never know what is waiting for you around the corner.
That Thing You Do! – Tom Hank’s Extended Cut
This movie follows four young boys from Pennsylvania in the mid-1960’s as they form a band called The Wonders and record a hit record that climbs the charts in no time! Their song, "That Thing You Do” is a fun, upbeat pop song that all the kids want to hear. And once their new manager and record exec (Tom Hanks) brings them into the Play-Tone stable of artists, they hit the State-Fair circuit until they jet off to the West coast where they appear on TV and in a major motion picture. This experience plays out differently for each of the four singers and the lead singer’s girlfriend (Liv Tyler) who travels with them wherever they go. The boys (Tom Everett Scott, Jonathan Schaech, Steve Zahn, and Ethan Embry) are four distinct characters who want different things out of life, and while on the road they discover what is important to each of them.
This two-disc edition contains the original theatrical release as well as the extended cut with plenty of never-before-seen scenes. The second disc contains a music video, trailers and a TV spot, as well as some wonderful featurettes. There is a “Making of” featurette with plenty of behind the scenes antics and “The Story of The Wonders,” in which the cast describe their characters and how they all worked together. “The Wonders – Big in Japan” is an interesting and fun bonus. The cast actually went to Japan as their onscreen band, The Wonders, and received a Beatles-type reception. “That Thing You Do Reunion” brings back several of the cast members who describe what it was like making the film and look back at their experience. Charlize Theron, who played Tom Everett Scott’s girlfriend in the beginning of the movie, is among those reminiscing about the film. And the “HBO First Look: That Thing You Do” is another behind-the-scenes featurette.
To Catch a Thief
Alfred Hitchock outdid himself with this classy and classic story of love and intrigue. Cary Grant stars as John Robie, a former thief who is now accused of stealing valuable jewels on the French Riviera. Grace Kelly is a spoiled heiress who sees a little game in trying to entice Robie into stealing her own jewels. But Robie is still in retirement, to the chagrin of the insurance company. Now with no suspect to hang the burglaries on together they devise a plot to flesh out the real burglar and thereby clear Robie’s name once and for all.
The cool beauty of Kelly and the dark and charming manner of Grant combine to make this a top notch story. Add in the beautiful landscape of the French Riviera and a dash of Hitchcock magic and you have a delightful movie that has remained a classic for over 50 years.
The DVD contains features with Hitchcock’s daughter and granddaughter as they look at the movie and the career of Alfred Hitchcock, while providing insight to the man who is only seen on camera for a brief second in each of his films. The movie was shot on location in the Riviera as well as back at the Paramount lot. And it was filmed in the new VistaVision technique, which at times caused problems for the filmmakers when they were filming close-ups. There is also a look back at Alfred Hitchcock’s life, career and this film. And a feature on costume designer Edith Head looks at her career from the very beginning up to the time she was considered “the” designer to Hollywood.
Wings - Season 4
The fourth season of this hilarious high-flying series is available in a four-disc set. The season sees the arrival of Alex Lambert, the female helicopter pilot who catches the eye – and possibly heart – of Brian Hackett. Alex adds a different aspect to the cast. In the meantime, in order to join the string quarter Helen must find a new cello because her old one sank to the bottom of the ocean when the airplane crashed. And when Brian accidentally sinks Lowell’s houseboat, the Hackett brothers invite Brian to stay with them. Crashed airplanes, sinking cellos and houseboats, and many other situations are what made this a well-loved series. The funny antics of this adorable cast play out in these 22 episodes of this beloved series which is set on the picturesque island of Nantucket.
© 2007 Francine Brokaw
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