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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
June 2007 DVD Selections
Arnie the Doughnut
The newest selection of children’s stories in the Scholastic Video Collection includes the delicious tale of Arnie, a doughnut who doesn’t want to be eaten. When he is purchased at the bakery he thinks he is going to a home to live, but when he realizes he is a snack he throws a fit. Can he convince his owner not to eat him? Other stories in this DVD included in this DVD are “Roberto the Insect Architect” (about a termite who wants to make big buildings), “Hondo & Fabian” (a cute little story of a dog and cat who are best friends), “The New Animal” (about two dogs who are jealous of the new baby in the house, but then realize they love it), and a bonus story, “Swamp Angel” (about a very young but very strong woodswoman).
The DVD contains a Read-Along option so kids can read while they watch and listen to the stories. The Scholastic Video Collection is recommended for ages 3-9. Parents can feel comfortable letting their little ones watch these stories over and over again.
The Bridge to Terabithia
This classic tale focuses on the imaginations of two school kids who finally find a place where they belong. Jess (Josh Hutcherson) is the only boy in a house of girls, well, with the exception of his father. He has to share his room with his sisters and escapes to a world of his own through his drawings. Leslie (Anasophia Robb) is a lonely girl. She is an only child and her parents are always busy with their writing. At school these two are outcasts and always picked on, but they discover a place, not far from their home, where they belong.
They find an old rope that traverses a stream and swing across to discover a new land filled with infinite possibilities. Their imaginations soar as they become the rulers of the beautiful land of Terabithia. It is only after “discovering” Terabithia that they each feel happy in their home lives. They begin to excel and take part in things at school, because they know that as soon as they go home, they will once again be in their make-believe land. Terabithia is not all flowers and sunshine. It is filled with evil creatures that Jess and Leslie must fight in order to protect their fellow Terabithians. But they enjoy facing the dangers each day before swinging back across the stream to their normal lives.
The DVD contains a “making of” featurette, a music video, and a look at the book from which the store is taken and how it has affected the lives of so many people through the years. Imagination is important for all of us, and this book emphasizes that fact.
The Derby Stallion
Zac Efron stars as Patrick, a boy who is trying to find out what he really wants out of life. His father, a former baseball player, pushes him to excel in the sport, but Patrick isn’t as fond of baseball as his dad wants him to be. Patrick has other ideas. He spends all his free time with retired horse trainer Houston Jones (Bill Cobbs) who relates stories about his past and instills in Patrick a love of horses, which the boy never knew he had. When his dad confronts him about his desires, Patrick divulges that he is quitting baseball and wants to train for the derby.
Patrick pours all his heart and soul into training, but at times doesn’t understand why Houston makes him do some of the things he does. In the vane of The Karate Kid (“Wax on, wax off”) Houston is smart about how he trains his young friend, and soon it is clear to Patrick why he was made to do the things he did. But Patrick must face many challenges on the way to the Derby Cup. First he has to learn to get onto his new horse, and then he has to learn how to jump. To say Patrick is starting from scratch is an understatement. This is a story about this young boy’s desire to do something different with his life. With the help of Houston, Patrick learns more than just how to ride and jump. He learns how to become a man, and his dedication impresses his hard-nosed father and ends up bringing the family closer together. But will his hard work be enough to defeat the reigning champion and local bully?
Bonus features include a Zac Efron calendar (tweens and teens will no doubt hang these all over their walls), an interview with Efron, and a look at the making of the film.
Die Hard Collection
All three of the previous Die Hard films are included in this box set as well as a bonus disc about the newest feature film Live Free or Die Hard, which just hit the big screen. Die Hard, Die Hard 2 – Die Harder, and Die Hard with a Vengeance all star Bruce Willis as the tough police detective John McClane who always manages to find himself in the middle of a major event. The original film turned Willis from a comedy/drama actor (he was co-starring in the TV show Moonlighting) into a full-fledged action star. In the Die Hard films Willis’ character takes on some of the most ruthless terrorists and makes McClane a true American hero.
Lucille Ball Collection
Five wonderful films are included in this boxed set. The Big Street, Critic’s Choice, Dance, Girl, Dance, Du Barry Was a Lady, and Mame combine to make this a great collection for all Lucille Ball fans. If all you know of Lucy is her character on I Love Lucy, you should watch these movies. She was a wonderful actress, not only a great comedian.
With wonderful costars like Henry Fonda, Bob Hope, Maureen O'Hara, Gene Kelly, Red Skelton, Robert Preston and Bea Arthur, all of these films are delightful viewing for everyone.
The Broadway play Mame is brought to the big screen with Ball as Auntie Mame, the free-spirited woman who believes life is a banquet (and most people are starving to death).
The movies are fun and each show a side of Lucille Ball many young viewers have never seen. There’s not a clunker in the bunch! The set includes a “making of” feature for the movie Mame, some classic cartoons, and vintage shorts.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Friendship Edition
Winnie the Pooh is a beloved character to both kids and adults and this new edition of his classic story shines a light on the friendship between Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, and all the other friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The story of how Pooh got stuck in the door, how Pooh met Tigger, the blustery day and other great adventures make up this delightful film. Besides the fun tale of Pooh and all his friends, the DVD contains the first episode from the new television series “My Friends Tigger and Pooh.” Other bonus features include a fun challenge game, a “making of” featurette, an animated short featuring Eeyore, an art gallery, the wonderful theme song performed by Carly Simon, and the option to have fun facts pop up during the show. There is also a sing-along to Tigger’s theme song. This is a delightful DVD for everyone – young and old.
The Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Collection - Volume 2
You’re Never Too Young, Artists and Models, Living it Up, Pardners, and Hollywood or Bust make up this second volume of films from the legendary comedy team of Martin and Lewis. Blending songs from both Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis with the slapstick humor of Lewis and the straight man roles of Martin were the trademark of this very successful team. Before they started making films, this duo was the most successful nightclub act of the time.
With costars like Shirley MacLaine, Anita Ekberg, Eva Gabor, Janet Leigh, Raymond Burr, Dorothy Malone and more, the movies are the quintessential comedy of the starring duo.
A great companion to this DVD collection is the book by Jerry Lewis (Dean and Me) in which he describes the beginning, middle, and end of the team’s incredible success. In the book he talks about making the films, and the high profile breakup of the duo. Hollywood or Bust was their last film together and Lewis mentions he cannot watch that movie as it has too many bad memories associated with it. Being their final film, and also the feuding that was going on between them, the movie is not one of their best, however it is an essential part of the team’s history.
This collection is a great addition for anyone who remembers the success of Martin and Lewis or those who just want to see a part of Hollywood history.
The Secret of NIMH
This new edition of the favorite animated film includes two discs. The first disc has both the widescreen and full screen version of the film with audio commentary from Don Bluth and Gary Goldman. The story focuses on Mrs. Brisby, a widowed mouse who is caring for her children, including one very sick little boy. It is plowing season though, and time to move but she cannot move her sick little boy so she seeks the help of the wise old owl. He instructs her to ask the rats for assistance. It is there where she discovers the secrets of their lives. A long time ago, NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health) performed scientific tests on several mice. Her husband was one of them. The tests made the mice intelligent and they could talk and read. This changed their lives forever, as they escaped from captivity and set up their homes far away from NIMH. But at the moment, the only thing on her mind is helping her sick child and moving their house before the plow ruins their home and kills them. For a children’s animated film, this one is a bit violent. The animated characters actually bleed when they’re cut. So keep that in mind when buying or renting this for your children.
The second disc contains a featurette about making the movie, from its inception to the final product, including the secrets of animation. This film was originally produced in 1982 before modern technology skyrocket the animation process. Also included are several set-top games: Fuzzy Focus, Memory Game, Who’s Footprint, Untangle Jeremy, and Origami Mouse.
© 2007 Francine Brokaw
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