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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
FEBRUARY 2008 DVD Selections
Across the Universe
This unique movie combines 33 songs by the Beatles in a story pitting young love against the turbulence of the 1960s. When Jude (Jim Sturgess) a dock worker from Liverpool comes to America to look for his biological father, he meets Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) and her brother Max (Joe Anderson) and along with several friends they make their way through the turmoil of the era. When Max gets drafted he is sent to Vietnam and when he returns, he is a broken man. The war took a toll on his psyche. In the meantime Jude, an artist, is hired to design the logo for their friend Sadie’s (Dana Fuchs) new record label. While all this is going on, Lucy changes from a prim, proper, wealthy young woman who could do anything with her life to a radical war-protesting woman with one thing on her mind.
Bonus features include featurettes on creating the film, casting mostly unknowns in the film, the choreography, the special effects, and eight extended musical performances.
The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
Brad Pit and Casey Affleck star in this in-depth look at the final days of the outlaw Jesse James and his association with Robert Ford. This haunting story depicts, as close to reality as any other film, the cold-blooded killer – Jesse James. James was as well-known then as Paris Hilton is today, and he was as much a pop icon in the late 1800s. Robert Ford, an unknown squirrelly man of nineteen had Jesse on a pedestal. He idolized the man, but as they became closer and the true Jesse was revealed, it was ultimately up to Ford to either kill Jesse or be killed by him. After Jesse James was killed, Ford became as well known as his victim, but not as well-liked. The public turned against this young man. After all, he had killed their hero, whom they considered a modern-day Robin Hood, although Robin Hood was not a cold-blooded killer.
To this day, almost everyone knows of Jesse James and he is still idolized. In the show The Brady Bunch, Bobby Brady wanted to be like Jesse James, until he was taught how ruthless and murderous the outlaw really was. This film shows James the way he really was – a killer without a heart. Pitt plays the outlaw to perfection, and Affleck’s portrayal of Robert Ford is just as intriguing.
At 160 minutes this is a long movie, but it is a complete look at the personalities of both of these historical figures.
Beauty and the Beast - The Final Season
“Though lovers be lost love shall not; and death shall have no dominion.” This phrase from a famous Dylan Thomas poem is the centerpiece of the final season of this popular fantasy series as Catherine finds herself pregnant and Vincent finds that he has lost his telepathic connection to her. Catherine is unwittingly entangled in the middle of a mafia investigation and is kidnapped to find out exactly how much she has uncovered. During the six months she is held captive she gives birth to their son and he is whisked away just as Vincent finally locates them. Catherine dies in his arms, and Vincent is left to search for his son. Through more than half of the season Vincent searches for his son, and others who live below face their own challenges.The excerpt from Dylan Thomas’ poem undoubtedly inspired lovers everywhere to inscribe that on their tombstones. It is the ultimate show of love and for lovers tied together like Catherine and Vincent, it is their legacy.
Blue State
John Logue (Breckin Meyer) is a big John Kerry fan. He publicly vows to move to Canada if George W Bush wins reelection. Well, we all know that Bush won, so John must face his own challenge and move to Canada – or lose all his credibility. He finds a traveling companion to share the trip north. Chloe (Anna Paquin) turns out to be a little different than her initial impression. When John learns the real reason Chloe is going to Canada, he is shocked. But there is something about this girl that interests and intrigues him. Can they both find what they’re looking for in Canada? Is running away from your country, responsibilities, and family the best thing to do or are there other ways of dealing with these things? This is a rather boring film that is touted as a romantic comedy, however it is not really romantic or comedic. It’s just a sad little story of two people trying to find their way in life.
Curious George Goes to the Doctor and Lends a Helping Hand
George is a very curious little monkey, so when the man with the yellow hat goes to the doctor, George is interested in everything in the office. He loves listening through the stethoscope, hearing sounds he never heard before. Thump, thump. In another episode the little guy breaks his leg and must stay in the apartment. Hundley, the lobby dog, stays with George, even though he thinks the monkey is a nuisance. But when George is not running around, the two get along very well. There are eight episodes included on this disc, as well as two fun interactive games for kids. Using the DVD-ROM feature kids are able to print coloring pages.
It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown
This remastered deluxe edition of the classic show looks brighter and better than ever. The Peanuts gang is just as adorable and funny as they can be in this story that has Linus extolling the virtues of the Easter Beagle who will bring colored eggs to everyone on Easter morning. And Peppermint Patty is trying to teach Marcie how to color eggs, but little Marcie just doesn’t get the grasp of boiling them first. And Woodstock, upset with the rain filling up his nest, gets an unexpected surprise when Snoopy buys him a bird house. This is an adorable show for everyone. You’ll be laughing at the gang as they get ready for the holiday. Included on this special DVD is another feature – It’s Arbor Day, Charlie Brown. A new featurette, “In Full Bloom: Peanuts at Easter” includes interviews with those associated with the comic strip and Charles Shultz who talks about his faith and the faith of good old Charlie Brown who never gives up.
 
Harlequin Collection
Volumes One and Two are now available. Each contains three discs. These six movies are filled with emotion and intrigue for romance fans. Volume One contains This Matter of Marriage, a fun story about two women architects who take on the job of competing for a big project. Along the way they almost lose their business, but they each find love. At the Midnight Hour is about a nanny who falls in love with her widowed employer. Another Woman is an interesting story of a woman who wakes up with amnesia after being attacked. She learns she is married and as she puts the pieces together discovers she was not the kind of person she wants to be. She is given a second chance, which she takes full advantage of.
Volume Two contains Recipe for Revenge about a chef who witnesses a local TV star commit two murders. It is her word against his as she fights to put things right while not losing her catering business. In Hard to Forget, an investigator uses a victim’s twin sister to help prove the woman was murdered by her husband. And Treacherous Beauties focuses on a photojournalist who investigates her brother’s death.
All of these stories are great for rainy days. Put in a DVD, plop down on the couch and enjoy these heartwarming tales. Personally, Another Woman is my favorite of the bunch, but they are all charming stories, especially for those who enjoy a nice romantic tale.
In the Shadow of the Moon
This documentary tells the story of man’s missions to the moon. The 12 men who walked on the surface and their missions are detailed in a stunning visual presentation with footage from the flights and memories from the actual men who rode the Apollo missions to the moon. These are the only humans who have ever seen the earth in its entirety. They are the only ones who have stepped on another celestial terrain. These are the men who had the world watching as they took their “small” steps and had the right stuff. Their first-hand testimonies are woven into the film footage, giving viewers a remarkable overview of the Apollo program. Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Dave Scott, John Young, Gene Cernan, Mike Collins, Charlie Duke and Harrison Schmitt reminisce about their experience in the space program and their missions to the moon. Additional features include an introduction by Ron Howard, deleted and extended scenes, new footage from the missions, and a bonus on the music in the film. This is an extraordinary DVD.
In the Valley of Elah
When his son returns home from Iraq and suddenly goes missing from the Army base, Hank Deerfield (Tommy Lee Jones) sets out to find him. A former military man himself and investigator, he comes up against a brick wall when he turns to the Army for assistance. He then turns to the local police and finds an ally in an officer (Charlize Theron) who realizes things are not what they seem when body parts are discovered in a field. Deerfield is relentless in his investigation into what happened to his son. Why was he killed and who was responsible? The authorities say it was a bad drug deal, but he knows better and continues to hunt down clues. This is a story that will keep you wondering what really happened and why. The DVD contains some “making of” documentaries with interviews with the cast and crew and a look at how they put the cast together, many of which were former military men who had served overseas and had personal knowledge of the camaraderie the soldiers form while in combat.
Introducing the Dwights
Brenda Blethyn stars as Jean, a controlling mother who is trying to make it big as a comedienne while keeping her two sons under her thumb. She has a funny but risqué act and the love and devotion of her sons. But she is a control freak who drinks a lot. She keeps her sons close to her and doesn't give them any space to live their own lives. This is one show that definitely fits in the genre category of "dramedy." It is filled with comical things, but it is a touching story of a very dysfunctional family. This non-traditional household is the quintessential poster family for dysfunction. But they do love each other, even though at times they want to strangle each other. And you'll want to slap Jean yourself! Through their journey they discover more about each other than they ever knew. The DVD contains both widescreen and full screen editions on the one disc.
The Jane Austen Book Club
This charming film focuses on five women and one man who are at various stages in their lives. All of them come together to form the Jane Austen Book Club, in part to share their love for the author (except for Grigg who is just learning about her), and in part to share their lives. The film is more about the characters than it is about the novels. They get together every month to discuss one of the six Austen novels and find their lives sometimes mirror what they are discussing. And, in a humorous way, oftentimes their discussions blur the line between the novel plots and what is happening to them at the time. It’s ingenious how the screenwriter merges the characters lives and their innuendoes and insinuations about their lives and loves with the plots and characters in the novels. The DVD contains some deleted scenes, a featurette on the life of Jane Austen, behind-the-scenes of the film, and a comparison between the characters and the various Austen books.
Jesse Stone: Sea Chase
Tom Selleck is Jesse Stone in this fourth film of the series. The chief of police in Paradise, Massachusetts, Stone finds life and work there a little tame compared to his former life in Los Angeles. Having little to do, he reopens a 12-year-old unsolved case involving the murder of a bank teller. What he discovers is completely unexpected. At the same time he is investigating this cold case, the department is also involved in investigating a local young woman’s claim of rape. Soon Stone has more than he imagined, but he deals with it in his usual calm demeanor. Selleck is currently filming the fifth film in the series which is scheduled for the 2008 TV season.
The Martian Child
John Cusack stars as a widower who takes on the challenge of raising a young boy who insists he is from Mars. David is a popular science-fiction writer and Dennis fits in quite nicely with him as they both have active imaginations. But is Dennis’ claim that he is from another planet actually true? He has an incredible mind and his memory for words and facts is phenomenal. But as Dennis bonds with David, and vice-versa, they form more than just a bond between two people. They form a family. And that is something Dennis never had. He was abandoned when he was a small boy and although he insists his people will come take him back to Mars, David realized the extent of the boy’s broken heart. Bonus features include deleted scenes and a couple featurettes.
Michael Clayton
George Clooney plays the title role in this suspenseful story of corporate America. Michael Clayton is a fixer for a powerful law firm. Although he is a good litigator, the firm uses his talents to “fix” the messes they get into, and right now they are in a big mess. The firm is defending a corporation against a $3 billion class-action suit. When the lead attorney on the case (Tom Wilkinson) discovers that the corporation is indeed at fault, he decides that perhaps he doesn’t want to play the game anymore and Clayton is sent in to get him back on track. Feelings aside, the firm is defending the company and that is their job, whether they are on the right side or not. The finale is the best scene in the movie. This is an intense story. The DVD contains some additional scenes.
Persuasion
Jane Austen’s last novel is beautifully portrayed in this BBC Video in this story of lost love and second chances. Anne Elliot (Sally Hawkins) is from a family with high social standards. Eight years ago she was persuaded to reject the proposal of Captain Frederick Wentworth (Rupert Penry-Jones) and has regretted it ever since. Her heart still belongs to him, and now that she is 27 her prospects for marriage are dismal. When he returns (a successful and wealthy man) she cannot bear to see him, but their lives are entwined and they must endure each other’s company. Anne is convinced he detests her. And he feels the same, and resents her for listening to her family instead of her heart all those years ago. This is a beautiful adaptation of the popular novel.
Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost
Young Roxy Hunter (Aria Wallace) is a kind of pint-sized Nancy Drew. This little girl is precocious and imaginative and will entertain viewers of all ages. When her mother moves them (along with Max, a 12-year-old boy genius who is living with them while his parents are away) from the city to Serenity Falls, a small town where Roxy feels she will wither away. But when she gets a look at the mansion they are renting she’s thrilled beyond belief. When the neighborhood bullies tell Roxy and Max that the house is haunted, this ignites the sense of adventure in the girl. She sets out to uncover the ghost and learn the mystery of what happened in the house.While rummaging through the attic, Roxy learns a little about the former residents and decides to find out what happened to them and where they went. In the meantime her mother forbids her to leave the property, but how can she sleuth without following the clues? So, off she goes and soon she is causing some problems in town, not to mention with her mother.
Roxy is a fun character who always seems to mix up words. Well, after all, she’s only nine years old. She says “country pumpkin” instead of country bumpkin, “security protractions” instead of security precautions, “subdecide” instead of subdivide, and Humpty Boogart instead of Humphrey Bogart. The code name she gives herself is “Pooh,” and one of her accomplices is “Heffalump.” Face it, she’s adorable with a fun sense of adventure and wonder. And she has an important mission to “extracute.” When her talents finally bring all the clues together, she ends up reuniting old loves, one of which has been dead for over 50 years. She’s one of a kind.
This is the first in a series of four original Nickelodeon movies. It’s great for kids, and adults will get a kick out of little Roxy too. The movie is creative and Roxy is a delightful character for young tweens and pre-tweens. When Roxy is on the case, you never know what is going to happen.
Stanley Kramer Film Collection
Stanley Kramer created some of the most socially conscious films of the 20th century. He took on subjects that challenged the ideas of the time and five of his most popular films are included in this box set.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner was the first film in which a white woman and a black man kissed. Sydney Poitier starred along with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as well as newcomer Katherine Houghton in this story of love. It was Tracy’s final film, and he died two weeks after completing the movie. At that time (1967) the subject of inter-racial marriage had never been tackled in cinema, and this film not only took on that subject, but did it with class, charm, and humor. When their daughter brings home her black fiancé, two liberal, intelligent white people must confront their own feelings and ideals. The shock of the situation wears off and they transverse the day and learn more about the man and themselves, culminating in a final speech by Spencer Tracy in which he sums up the entire day and the subject of love. After all, love is what it’s all about. This is the story of the glory of love.
The bonus disc contains some incredible features. “A Love Story of Today” and “A Special Kind of Love” delve into the background of the movie, the making of the film, and the love story between not only the two main characters, but also the parents and the off-screen love between Tracy and Hepburn. “Stanley Kramer: A Man’s Search for Truth” looks at the films of the director and his life and career. There is also a piece from the Producers Guild 2007 presentation of the Stanley Kramer Award to Al Gore for his socially conscious film An Inconvenient Truth, as well as Stanley Kramer accepting the Irving Thalberg Award.
Also included in the set are: Ship of Fools, which tackles the subject of prejudice on an ocean liner heading to pre-Hitler Germany, The Member of the Wedding, from Carson McCullers novel about adolescence and loneliness. The Wild One starring Marlon Brando on this story of outlaw bikers inspired by a real incident in Hollister, California. The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T is a fantasy originally written by Dr. Seuss, about a young boy who does not like playing the piano and one night has a magical and mystical dream about a fantasy world where he and 499 other boys are forced to play a giant piano. The boys must find a way to escape from the tyrannical piano teacher.
Bonus features on all these discs include introductions by Kramer’s widow Karen Kramer, as well as features on the films, stars and events that inspired the movies. Stanley Kramer left a mark on American cinema with this thought provoking films each tackling a subject that got audiences thinking and talking.
© 2008 Francine Brokaw
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