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Charles Kuralt Classics on DVD
Plus: THE PRISONER on Blu, TV on DVD & More
While this is good news in some regards (as it means a few titles that
would never have been considered for a national retail release
otherwise will be available to the public for the first time), the fact
that studios seem to be steering away from mounting remastered/restored
DVDs with supplemental content and heading towards a M.O.D. model is
distressing in others (manufactured-on-demand is a lower risk/lower
cost venture for the studios, particularly because little work is
generally invested in the mastering process-- Warner Archive releases,
for example, are often culled from older, pre-existing video masters,
and pale in comparison with the studio’s typical DVD releases).
While some of this may well stem from the current economic climate
(indeed, DVD review copies from a few major studios are no longer being
provided to most websites including The Aisle Seat -- something that we
can only hope will be temporary), it’s a trend that seems to be
continuing as we progress towards the new year.
All of these developments, then, make a release like Acorn’s terrific
edition of ON
THE ROAD WITH CHARLES KURALT (378 mins.) something to savor.
The late Kuralt provided a series of vignettes for years on the CBS
Evening News, traveling outside America’s interstate highways to find
people and situations he found interesting. Kuralt’s brand of
human-interest storytelling is something we rarely see on the news
these days, with the fading network newscasts trying to hold onto their
audiences while major cable networks are seemingly preoccupied with
endless political content from both sides of the aisle.
Kuralt’s penchant for interviewing, and relating, human interest
stories drove “On the Road,” and whether it was on the CBS Evening News
or on CBS Sunday Morning -- which Kuralt also hosted for some 15 years
-- viewers loved seeing his homespun tales that reflected America’s
diversity and interests, ranging from a chronicle of the men who built
the Golden Gate Bridge, to an older African-American gentleman who
rented out bikes to kids of all colors in his neighborhood. Some of the
pieces have a historical context, others are just a celebration of the
day-to-day good things people do, but all of them are wry, poignant
portraits of the human condition, made all the more affecting by
Kuralt’s insight.
Several years ago The Travel Channel compiled many of these vintage
pieces from the best surviving sources for a series of 30-minute “On
the Road” episodes. Acorn’s three-disc DVD edition of “On the Road”
offers a handful of these specially-edited segments, each disc
containing six half-hour programs with welcome supplemental text
information on what might’ve happened to the people, innovations or
products detailed over the years since their respective segment
broadcasts.
It’s a terrific set that comes highly recommended -- and especially
when you consider DVD releases like this are becoming fewer and fewer
in number.
New on DVD & Blu-Ray
ICE AGE: DAWN
OF THE DINOSAURS Blu-Ray and DVD (**½, 94 mins., 2009, PG; Fox).
WHAT IT IS: One of the year’s biggest international box-office hits
(incredibly grossing nearly $600 million worldwide!), this third entry
into the affable, if a bit underwhelming, “Ice Age” franchise offers
more CGI-rendered prehistoric shenanigans for its intended young
audience. This time out the gang runs into a gaggle of wacky dinosaurs
while Scrat finds a romantic interest in Scrattle, all of the action
being played out against colorfully designed, eye-popping jurassic
backdrops. TECH SPECS: Fox’s Blu-Ray disc includes a reference-quality
AVC-encoded transfer with DTS Master Audio and loads of extra features,
including filmmaker commentary tracks, deleted scenes, making of
featurettes, BD Live extras and more. The BD comes with a digital copy
and a copy of the standard DVD edition, which boasts a clear 16:9
(1.85) transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital audio with the same filmmaker
commentary track. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: I enjoyed the first “Ice Age”
but have found the sequels to be mostly pedestrian, offering more of
the same while diluting the formula that worked so well in the first
picture. Still, if you’re Fox, it’s tough to argue with the approach,
especially when you consider how much money this third entry raked in
worldwide.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1-2-3
Blu-Ray (**, 106 mins., 2009, R; Sony).
WHAT IT IS: Mediocre remake of the superb Walter Matthau-Robert Shaw
1974 thriller (an adaptation by Peter Stone of John Godey’s novel,
expertly directed by Joseph Sargent) finds NYC transit dispatcher
Denzel Washington dealing with a nefarious criminal (John Travolta) who
hijacks a subway car and takes its passengers hostage. Tony Scott
directs in his usual “slick” style and Brian Helgeland’s script
attempts to update the story to the 21st century, but the original
“Pelham” was a product of its era to a degree, and its more memorable
aspects (Matthau’s humor, its sense of time and place, David Shire’s
score, and that great last scene) have been watered down for what turns
into a by-the-numbers, overly familiar thriller. TECH SPECS: Sony’s
Blu-Ray edition of the 2009 “Pelham” includes a superlative AVC-encoded
1080p transfer plus an active DTS Master Audio soundtrack sporting a
score by Harry Gregson-Williams that’s as predictable as Scott’s visual
and editorial style. Extras include commentary from Scott, another
commentary with Helgeland and producer Todd Black, plus several Making
Of featurettes, some BD Live content and a digital copy for portable
media players. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Perhaps if you’ve never seen the
1974 “Pelham” this serviceable and yet mostly uninspired re-do might be
satisfying enough. For those who have, you won’t be able to shake your
memories of its predecessor, no matter how boisterous this modern
adaptation is by comparison.
HARDWIRED DVD
(*½, 94 mins., 2009, R; Sony). WHAT IT IS: Cuba Gooding,
Jr. continues his downward spiral into direct-to-video sludge with this
tired action outing. In “Hardwired,” Gooding wakes up from a coma and
tries to piece back his existence, all the while a scientist (Val
Kilmer) and a group of shady folks have implanted a lethal microchip in
his brain. Perhaps Gooding himself has a microchip that’s causing him
to appear in junk like this, while Kilmer likewise “chips” in a
just-for-the-money performance that’s nearly as sad. TECH SPECS: Sony’s
DVD transfer is fine (16:9, 1.78 widescreen) but the movie’s threadbare
production does not result in a particularly good looking film. The 5.1
soundtrack is fine while a making of featurette rounds out the disc.
AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: While it’s easy to laugh at a movie like
“Hardwired,” it’s sad to think that, 10 years ago, Gooding and Kilmer
were at the top of the A-list in Hollywood. Both stars are capable of
so much more that it’s depressing to see them hitting rock bottom here.
WINGS OF DESIRE
DVD (***½, 127 mins., 1987, Criterion). WHAT IT IS: Wim
Wenders’ beautiful tale of an angel (Bruno Ganz) who falls for a mortal
trapeze artist (Solveig Dommartin) was widely embraced and acclaimed
upon its release in 1987. While the director would bring back Ganz for
his follow-up “Faraway, So Close!,” “Wings” would rank as one of the
top art-house hits of its era, with crisp B&W cinematography and an
eclectic supporting cast including Peter Falk also on-hand. TECH SPECS:
Criterion’s terrific double-disc DVD package includes a restored, new
digital transfer supervised by Wenders; an older commentary track from
Wenders and Falk; a 2003 documentary on the film’s production; deleted
scenes and outtakes; trailers; and other goodies. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM
LINE: Forget the American remake (“City of Angels”) and enjoy this
sumptuous new Criterion edition of one of Wenders’ best.
TWO GIRLS AND A GUY
Blu-Ray (**½, 84 mins., 1998, R/NC-17; Fox). WHAT IT IS:
James Toback’s 1998 study of two women (Heather Graham, Natasha Gregson
Wagner) who confront the man (Robert Downey, Jr.) they’re both dating
was controversial for its day, and ended up netting an NC-17 rating for
its frank sexual content. The performances by the three leads are all
fine but the movie is awfully talky and pretentious. TECH SPECS: “Two
Girls and a Guy” isn’t a title most would’ve expected to be released on
Blu-Ray by this point, but Fox has nevertheless issued the film in a
fine AVC-encoded transfer with DTS Master Audio sound. This isn’t the
kind of movie you’d ever want to use to show off the benefits of HD,
but it’s a fine presentation on the technical end. Extras include a new
“Conversation with James Toback” in addition to commentary from Toback,
Downey, and Gregson Wagner, plus the trailer, and both the R-rated and
NC-17 rated versions of the picture. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Downey
Jr.’s career resurgence -- and upcoming big movie slate of “Iron Man 2"
and “Sherlock Holmes” -- undoubtedly paved the way for this 1998 film
to hit Blu-Ray. It’s a perfectly watchable yet underwhelming film that
its admirers ought to find quite satisfying on Blu-Ray.
SAY
ANYTHING Blu-Ray (***, 100 mins., 1989, PG-13; Fox). WHAT
IT IS: Cameron Crowe's popular late '80s chronicle of a high school
outsider (John Cusack) who decides to court his graduating class'
gorgeous, and seemingly impenetrable, beauty (Ione Skye) is back on
Blu-Ray and DVD in a new anniversary edition. Cusack, Skye, and John
Mahoney (as Skye's domineering father) are all terrific, and there are
choice moments and incisive lines in Crowe's original screenplay. The
movie though has always had a split personality, with a wonderful first
half marred by a second stanza (involving Mahoney's criminal activity)
that doesn't quite work. TECH SPECS: Fox's Blu-Ray disc is a winner,
from its excellent AVC-encoded 1080p transfer to its DTS Master Audio
soundtrack and all-new extras. On-hand are commentary from Crowe,
Cusack and Skye, as well as a retrospective documentary, interview with
the writer-director, trivia track, a slew of deleted/extended/alternate
scenes, trailers, TV spots, a photo gallery, and vintage featurette.
AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: For a movie as uneven as "Say Anything..." it's
amazing that the film has as many iconic genre moments as it does. The
picture fades in the
second half but the opening hour is a poignant and effective chronicle
of growing up, marked by splendid performances from the cast.
Recommended!
THE PRISONER:
Complete Series Blu-Ray (aprx. 15 hours, 1968, A&E). SERIES
LOWDOWN: Network’s acclaimed, remastered transfers of this classic 1968
ITC series have been imported by A&E for their terrific Blu-Ray
release. Patrick McGoohan starred in “The Prisoner” as a man held
captive in an odd “Village” where he seeks to sort out his identity and
find a way out, and which, not coincidentally, has arrived on Blu just
in time for AMC’s mini-series remake with Jim Caviezel and Ian
McKellen, which begins November 15th. BLU-RAY SPECS: The crisp,
full-frame 1080p transfers are just tremendous, as are the remastered
5.1 Dolby Digital soundtracks. Directly sourced from Network’s UK
release the transfers are reportedly an appreciable upgrade on
A&E’s own domestic DVD editions, while copious extras (some of them
on standard-definition DVD) include a feature-length documentary; two
featurettes; original mono soundtracks; an alternate edit of the
episode “Arrival” with an optional music-only track featuring Wilfred
Josephs’ “complete and abandoned score”; the original edit of “The
Chimes of Big Ben”; seven commentary tracks; trailers; commercial break
bumpers, an image archive, DVD-ROM scripts and press releases, and a
promo for the upcoming remake. A goldmine for “Prisoner” fans. AISLE
SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Ranking right up there with CBS’ superb Blu-Ray
editions of “Star Trek: The Original Series,” A&E has delivered the
goods with an outstanding, five-disc presentation of a series that
remains a favorite of viewers worldwide. Packed with marvelous special
features and backed by outstanding transfers, “The Prisoner” comes
highly recommended!
THE MARY TYLER
MOORE SHOW: Season 5 DVD (624 mins., 1974-75, Fox). SEASON
LOWDOWN: Mary tries producing the news, Lou becomes Mary’s neighbor,
and Ted starts the false rumor he’s dating Mary in this fifth season of
the classic sitcom, which Fox has at last brought to DVD in a
three-disc set featuring the entire original cast (MTM plus Ed Asner,
Valerie Harper, Gavin MacLeod, Ted Knight and Cloris Leachman). DVD
SPECS: Remastered full-screen transfers and mono soundtracks are
on-hand, though there may also be edits and alterations (despite there
not being any indication of such on the packaging), so buyers, as with
any TV on DVD release, are cautioned to keep that in mind. AISLE SEAT
BOTTOM LINE: Some MTM fans had thought that Fox had abandoned them, but
thankfully the studio has returned with a top-quality presentation of
another marvelous year for one of the seminal sitcoms of the ‘70s.
Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait as long for the next couple of
seasons!
BONES: Season 4 Blu-Ray (1052 mins., 2008-09, Fox). SEASON
LOWDOWN: “Bones” (Emily Deschanel) and Booth (David Boreanaz) are back
for another go-around in this fourth season of the hit Fox prime-time
drama, which Fox has brought to Blu-Ray for the first time this month.
The 24 episodes include “Yanks in the UK,” “The Man in the Outhouse,”
“The Finger in the Nest,” “The Perfect Pieces in the Purple Pond,” “The
Crank in the Shaft,” “The He in the She,” “The Skull in the Sculpture,”
“The Passenger in the Oven,” “The Bone That Blew,” “Double Trouble in
the Panhandle,” “Fire in the Ice,” “The Hero in the Hold,” “The
Princess and the Pear,” “The Bones That Foam,” “The Salt in the
Wounds,” “The Doctor in the Den,” “The Science in the Physicist,” “The
Cinderella in the Cardboard,” “Mayhem on a Cross,” “The Double Death of
the Dearly Departed,” “The Girl in the Mask,” “ The Beaver in the
Otter,” “The Critic in the Cabernet,” and “The End in the Beginning.”
BLU-RAY SPECS: The inaugural Blu-Ray release of “Bones” sports Fox’s
customary AVC-encoded 1080p transfers and DTS Master Audio soundtracks.
Extras include deleted scenes, a gag reel, and two behind the scenes
featurettes. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: “Bones” fans should be happy with
this latest release from Fox, which has done a splendid job bringing
several series to Blu in the last month (following the latest
respective seasons of “How I Met Your Mother,” “My Name is Earl”
and “The Unit.”). Well worth it for fans.
VEGA$: Season
1, Volume 1 DVD (aprx. 10 hours, 1978, CBS). SEASON LOWDOWN:
Robert Urich IS private eye Dan Tanna, who investigates a series of
murders, landowner disputes, and the seedier side of Las Vegas in this
Michael Mann co-created prime-time series, which helped launch Urich as
a leading man. Judy Landers, Phyliss Davis, Will Sampson, Bart
Braverman, and Greg Morris co-star alongside Tony Curtis, who plays
Tanna’s landlord “Slick” Roth. DVD SPECS: CBS’ debut DVD of “Vega$”
includes the first half of its inaugural season, meaning the three-disc
set offers 11 episodes in satisfying full-screen transfers and mono
soundtracks, with episodic promos on certain episodes. AISLE SEAT
BOTTOM LINE: “Vega$” was a bit before my time but it’s nostalgic
entertainment for fans craving some late ‘70s prime-time goodness, and
Urich certainly was “the man” back then as well.
THE GUARDIAN:
Season 1 DVD (aprx. 16 hours, 2001-02, CBS). SEASON LOWDOWN:
Before he was “The Mentalist,” Simon Baker made his first splash on
U.S. TV in this CBS series as a high-powered attorney who has to
perform 1500 hours of community service after being arrested on a drug
charge. Subsequently Baker finds he’d rather work with the Children’s
Legal Services of Pittsburgh instead of his usual day job. DVD SPECS:
CBS opted not to split up the first season of “The Guardian,” which
fans will be thanking them for. This six-disc set includes the complete
first season of “The Guardian” in fine 16:9 transfers and 2.0 stereo
soundtracks. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: I never paid much attention to
“The Guardian” but its fans seemed to enjoy it and it certainly helped
propel Baker onto future success. Aficionados will be
satisfied.
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Vol XVI DVD (6 hours,
Shout!). VOLUME LOWDOWN: Four more hilarious episodes from
“Mystery Science Theater 3000" arrive on DVD for the first time in a
terrifically packaged Shout! limited edition release. The four entries
included here are highlighted by “Santa Claus,” the horrific(ally bad)
Mexican holiday release that remains one of the more memorable entries
in MST3K canon, along with “The Corpse Vanishes,” “Warrior of the Lost
World,” and “Night of the Blood Beast.” DVD SPECS: A limited-edition
Tom Servo figurine is the highlight of the package, which also includes
vintage MST3K “Turkey Day” bumpers (aaahhh, how I fondly recall those
Comedy Central Thanksgiving marathons), theatrical trailers, a “Turkey
Day” edit of “Blood Beast,” “Santa Claus Conquers The Devil: A 50-Year
Celebration,” and a new interview with “Warrior” director David Worth.
AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: While some MST3K fans continue to lament the
slow (and expensive) progression of individual series episodes to DVD,
Shout!’s presentation is nevertheless top notch and ought to be a
must-have for MST’ies this holiday season. (Available Dec. 1)
ANDY BARKER,
P.I. The Complete Series DVD (132 mins., 2007, Shout!). SERIES
LOWDOWN: Poor Andy Richter has been like TV Kryptonite since leaving
the halycon days of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” After starring in
the acclaimed (but little-seen) “Andy Richter Controls the Universe,”
Richter tried his hand in this short-lived NBC series, co-produced by
O’Brien, with the comedian as a CPA who opts to play detective after
being mistaken for a retired P.I. This six-episode series, co-starring
Harve Presnell, isn’t as enjoyable as Richter’s prior Fox sitcom (I’ll
just forget that “Quintuplets” ever happened), but it’s low-key and
moderately amusing, and has been brought to DVD in another excellent
package from Shout! DVD SPECS: Full-screen transfers and a full slate
of extras are on tap, including a gag reel, cast and crew commentaries,
and interviews with the writers and producers. Yet another fine
supplemental compilation from Shout! AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: “Andy
Barker” isn’t really an undiscovered gem but it surely did deserve a
better fate, particularly considering most of the junk that NBC trots
out nightly these days. For fans this is a fine DVD anthology with
Shout!’s customary DVD extras and top-notch presentation leading the
way.
ZORRO: Complete
First and Second Seasons DVD (Disney Treasures, aprx. 19 hours each). SERIES
LOWDOWN: Guy Williams starred as the legendary masked avenger in
Disney’s fondly-remembered late ‘50s TV series, which was previously
available on disc in a Season 1 release exclusive to Disney’s
mail-order DVD club. Both seasons of the series have now been released
as part of the studio’s terrific annual “Disney Treasures”
limited-edition tin releases for all to enjoy, with new supplements and
remastered transfers to boot. DVD SPECS: Each “Disney Treasures” tin
offers collectible pin, lithograph and certificate of authenticity, as
well as a bevy of extras. The latter include introductions from Disney
scholar Leonard Maltin, plus rarely-seen specials “Zorro: El Bandido”
and “Zorro: Adios El Cuchillo” (on the Season 1 release) plus “Zorro:
The Postponed Wedding” and “Zorro: Auld Acquaintance” (on Season 2),
episodes that were previously broadcast on the anthology series “Walt
Disney Presents.” Transfers and soundtracks are terrific, having been
fully restored and remastered. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Viewers who grew
up during the ‘50s and ‘60s are likely to remember “Zorro” as part of
their childhoods, and Disney’s long-overdue retail release of the
series comes highly recommended.
JIM HENSON’S
FRAGGLE ROCK: The Final Season DVD (596 mins., 1983; Lionsgate).
SEASON LOWDOWN: Fourth and final season of the beloved children’s
series from producer Jim Henson has been issued individually for the
first time by Lionsgate (it was previously packaged as part of Hit
Entertainment’s complete series DVD box-set). DVD SPECS: Full screen
transfers and stereo soundtracks are complimented by a good array of
extras, including a retrospective on the series, footage from the
show’s last day of filming and its wrap party, and other goodies. AISLE
SEAT BOTTOM LINE: If you didn’t pick up the complete series box-set
this is a terrific package from Lionsgate, celebrating the final year
of a show that remains one of Jim Henson’s most satisfying creations.
Strongly recommended!
KEEPING UP WITH
THE KARDASHIANS Season 2 DVD (220 mins., 2008; Lionsgate). SEASON
LOWDOWN: More shenanigans with Kim, Kloe and Kourtney Kardashian, with
the occasional appearance by stepdad Bruce Jenner, are on-tap in this
second season of the E! Entertainment reality series. DVD SPECS:
Lionsgate’s DVD includes full-screen transfers, stereo soundtracks,
deleted scenes and a video blog by the sisters’ younger brother Rob.
AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Has anyone done less to achieve a level of
celebrity than the Kardashian clan? Lionsgate’s DVD is fine, but unless
you’re a reality junkie there’s no reason to even attempt to keep up
with them.
Christmas on DVD & Blu-Ray, Part 1
You know the holidays can’t come soon enough for retailers when
seasonal products start popping up on store shelves before October
31st. Sure enough, it’s no different as far as the big studios go, as
holiday-themed product began arriving at our Aisle Seat offices a
couple of weeks ago. Here’s the first (and undoubtedly not the last)
yuletide round-up of new DVDs and Blu-Ray releases.
MIRACLE ON 34TH
STREET Blu-Ray (***½, 96 mins., 1947; Fox): A bona-fide
Christmas classic hits Blu-Ray in a fine Special Edition package from
Fox that essentially offers the same contents as its 2006 DVD, minus
that release’s computer-colorized version (though obviously that’s no
great loss). Commentary from Maureen O’Hara is on-hand while an
excellent AMC “Backstory” episode recounts the production and a Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade featurette, promo shorts and other vintage
material round out the disc. Technically Fox’s effort sports a crisp,
AVC-encoded B&W transfer with DTS Master Audio sound and the
original mono mix also on-hand.
Also being released on Blu is writer-producer John Hughes’ remake of MIRACLE ON 34th
STREET (**½, 113 mins., PG; Fox), which was expected to
be one of the big smashes of the 1994 holiday season but failed to find
an audience in spite of mostly positive reviews.
There’s nothing “wrong” with the movie per se, which has the look of
quality (with Hughes re-using many members of his “Home Alone”
production team), a nice Bruce Broughton score, a fine cast including
Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott in the Maureen O’Hara-John Payne
roles, a veteran supporting cast (J.T. Walsh, Robert Prosky), a cute
young star (Mara Wilson, remember her?), and Richard Attenborough as
Kris Kringle himself....it’s just that, like many remakes, there’s
little reason to select it over its predecessor, which has held up
quite well.
Fox’s Blu-Ray edition of the ‘94 “Miracle” includes another nice
AVC-encoded transfer with DTS Master Audio sound but no extras.
HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW
YORK Blu-Ray (**½, 120 mins., 1992, PG; Fox): For the
follow-up to their 1990 box-office blockbuster “Home Alone,”
writer-producer John Hughes and director Chris Columbus opted to
recycle the first movie’s formula, bringing back Maculay Culkin as
little Kevin McCallister, who this time is left alone to fend for
himself in a Big Apple hotel during Christmas time after his folks,
once again, leave him stranded. The gags involving thieves Joe Pesci
and Daniel Stern are more elaborate this time out, but there’s a
definite air of familiarity about “Home Alone 2,” which in addition to
bringing back its original cast, also reunites most of its key
behind-the-scenes personnel, including John Williams (who composed
another marvelous score with a pair of new, original Christmas carols),
editor Raja Gosnell and cinematographer Julio Macat, who really makes
NYC sing with his dreamy, colorful visuals. There are also engaging
supporting turns from Tim Curry, Eddie Bracken and Brenda Fricker (in
what amounts to a reprisal of the Royal Dano next-door neighbor role
from the original), making for a festive sequel that’s principally let
down by Hughes’ copycat script, which takes no chances whatsoever.
Fox’s Blu-Ray disc looks and sounds terrific, with its DTS Master Audio
soundtrack and top-notch AVC-encoded transfer, yet extras are limited
to trailers for the “Home Alone” series (this does not offer the “Home
Alone” trailer that had Bruce Broughton’s name attached as composer).
NOTHING LIKE
THE HOLIDAYS DVD & Blu-Ray (**½, 98 mins., 2008, PG-13;
Anchor Bay): Alfredo de Villa’s ensemble film follows a Puerto
Rican family who come together to celebrate the season in Chicago.
Included in the group are parents Alfred Molina and Elizabeth Pena;
Freddy Rodriguez as their son, an Iraq war vet; Vanessa Ferlito as an
aspiring actress; and John Leguizamo, who shows up with tightly-wound
spouse Debra Messing, just in time to create all kinds of sitcom-like
shenanigans. The cast is winning but the Alison Shaw-Rick Najera script
feels like small-screen material, with the laughs alternating with
heart-tugging moments and predictable situations. Anchor Bay’s DVD
edition of “Nothing Like the Holidays” includes a commentary with
Freddy Rodriguez, DeVilla and producer Robert Teitel; bloopers; the
trailer; a fine 16:9 (2.35) transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. The
Blu-Ray edition includes a superior 1080p transfer, the same extras
plus a BD-exclusive picture-in-picture “insider exclusive” set of cast
interviews and a digital copy for portable media players as well.
AN OLD-FASHIONED THANKSGIVING
DVD (88 mins., 2008; Sony): Fine,
family-oriented TV movie with Jacqueline Bisset as the estranged mother
of farm widow Helene Joy, who has hit hard times while single-handedly
raising her three children. This TV movie, shot in Canada by director
Graeme Campbell, offers fine performances and a heartwarming script
penned by Shelley Evans, based on Louisa May Alcott’s short story of
the same name. Sony’s DVD includes a satisfying 16:9 (1.78) widescreen
transfer and 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack.
FRAGGLE ROCK: A
MERRY FRAGGLE HOLIDAY (74 mins., 1983, Lionsgate): A trio of
holiday-themed episodes from Jim Henson’s delightful live-action series
arrive on DVD. Episodes include “The Bells of Fraggle Rock,” “The
Grapes of Generosity,” and “The Perfect Blue Rollie,” with extra
features including the animated episode “The Great Fraggle Freeze” and
segments from “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” and “The Christmas
Toy” included for good measure.
