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RUDY: THE RUDY GIULIANI STORY
James Woods really gets into the role as the disliked mayor of New York who was a bully, a tyrant, a womanizer, and more, until he led his city out of its most tragic disaster when terrorists flew two planes into the World Trade Center twin towers and changed our lives forever. The DVD includes the award-winning documentary “The Day the Towers Fell.” From Carlton International, American Home Treasures, and The History Channel.

ADAM SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS
A Christmas animated musical comedy with Adam Sandler as the voice of a small-town Scrooge whose icy heart eventually melts in true holiday fashion. I always beware of any movie whose star gets their name in the title. But go ahead and rent this one. There isn’t much else new for Christmas from Hollywood, unless you’re like me and am not an Adam Sandler fan. Give me Laurel and Hardy selling Christmas trees in California anytime. From Columbia Tri-Star.

LOVING WALTER
How can you not love a guy with a name like my master’s?
But thank heaven my Walter is not in the fix of the fellow in this movie. Sir Ian McKellen gives an Oscar-caliber performance as the Walter in this movie, playing an emotionally retarded young man in a British institution for both the physically and emotionally handicapped. It is a very strong, sometimes grim movie that will haunt you long after it’s over. If you think you’ve got no reason to be happy or grateful this Christmas, see this movie and you’ll count your blessings. On DVD from Carlton and BFS Video.

WHICH WAY POR FAVOR?
Take a winter vacation in two hours at home with this new DVD comedy-drama filmed in the seaside village of Telapa on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The film follows a group of tourists and their adventures looking for romance as well as scenic locations to snap photos of with their cameras.
The music is Latin pop-rock, the people a wide range of oddballs, the villagers mystified, and the sunny beaches are a long way from home where the snow is waiting to be shoveled. Thanks for the mini-vacation, Ardustry.

MAROONED IN IRAQ
If you want to know more (or for many of us anything at all) about the situation in Iraq and the Iraqi people, this movie will be a short education. It’s the story of an aging Iranian-Kurd musician during the Iran-Iraq war whose wife deserts him for his best friend. He cons his two sons into going to Iraq with him. Believe it or not, this movie also is funny and has music and romance. “A mix of war film, road movie, and romantic comedy-drama with enough energy to keep your eyes popping and your toes tapping,” said the Christian Science Monitor. From Wellspring.

Three Outstanding Documentaries

BLIND SPOT: Hitler’s Secretary
The true story of Traudl Junge, one of Hitler’s private secretary, telling -- after nearly sixty years of keeping silent about it -- how it was working for one of the most evil men of the 20th Century. Chosen from a clerical pool to work for Hitler in 1942, she says she never knew of his acts of atrocity and regarded him as a father figure. (Some father figure!) Just months before her death, she told of Hitler’s final weeks and days as his dreams of world domination crumbled and he descended into madness. Grim stuff, but important and worth seeing. From Columbia Tri-Star.

MY KNEES WERE JUMPING
On the eve of World War II, over 10,000 Jewish children were saved during the Holocaust because of the Kindertransport movement. Nearly every nation refused the refugee children sanctuary from Nazi persecution, except Great Britain. This is the story of those children, many of whom never saw their parents again. Joanne Woodward narrates Melissa Hacker’s extraordinary film in which survivors remember their adventures, with archival footage showing what their lives were like then. A terrific experience on DVD from Docurama, the Independent Film Channel, and NewVideo.

 

RADIO BIKINI
Robert Stone’s film, nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature, tells of the Cold War year of 1946 when the U.S. government secretly tested atomic bombs at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. Thousands of American sailors were exposed to heavy doses of radiation and the island remained uninhabitable for over 40 years. It’s hard to believe we did this to ourselves, and is a stark reminder of how far wrong things can go when good governments make bad decisions. Also from Docurama, the Independent Film Channel, and NewVideo.

From TV to DVD

 

THE PALLISERS
In 1974, BBC ran this television series that kept viewers entranced for weeks on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Now on 12 DVDs in a three-box set, you can follow the romantic and dramatic adventures of the Palliser family, based on six novels of Anthony Trollope that center on British Parliamentary life. Stars are Philip Latham and Susan Hampshire (of “The Forsyte Saga” fame) with a long and a veritable “Who’s Who” of British actors in supporting roles and 1800s costumes, of course, including Roger Livesey, Martin Jarvis, Anna Massey, Roland Culver, and Anthony Andrews and Jeremy Irons who later starred in the unforgettable “Brideshead Revisited.” “The Pallisers” is an engrossing and highly entertaining (some sexy stuff but no nudity) step back into the political intrigue and drawing rooms of Victorian England, from BBC Television and Acorn Media.

TROUBLES
It’s 1919 and a survivor of World War I, a British army major (Ian Charleson), goes to Ireland to try to pick up the pieces of his prewar romance with his fiancée. Her hotel has fallen onto hard times, and she also is drawn to a handsome Irish nationalist, played by Sean Bean.
It's definitely the time of "The Troubles" between Ireland and England, in more ways than one. A lavish ball is to be held to restore the hotel to its former glory, and maybe restore the romance between the major and the girl, but instead it becomes the scene of unsettling events including murder. From the novel by J.G. Farrell, it became a popular mini-series on London Weekend Television in 1989 and is brought back on DVD by Granada and BFS Video.

THE FAR COUNTRY
British author Nevil Shute who wrote several best-sellers during World War II spins a strong romantic drama in this story of a former Nazi doctor who tries to make a new life for himself in Australia but finds that the horrors of his former life won’t die. Michael York plays the doctor with a secret past and Australian actress Sigrid Thornton plays the woman whom he hopes will return his feelings of love. Directed by George Miller of a favorite Aussie movie of mine, “The Man from Snowy River.” The DVD is a Crawford Production from Eaton Films Ltd., distributed by BFS Video.

THE SONNY & CHER ULTIMATE COLLECTION
Beginning as a five-week summer replacement series for the Ed Sullivan Show, The Sonny & Cher Show became one of the most popular TV musical-comedy shows of the 1970s. If you missed it or want to see it again, three DVDs with over nine hours of highlights of the shows are out in a handsome boxed set from Paul Brownstein Productions and Image Entertainment. Yes, Cher is her outrageously entertaining self, dressed in outrageously entertaining almost-costumes. Go for it, Cher!

MY BIG FAT GREEK LIFE
If you want to know what happened after the wedding, this DVD of the seven-episode TV series based on the movie and starring its creator Nina Vardalos will fill you in. It may not come up to the charm of the movie, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, but there is enough comedy and slice of entertaining Greek life to make for an enjoyable evening or two. From Columbia Tri-Star.

BRIT MYSTERIES

If you’re like my master and me and can’t get enough of British mysteries, here are some of our recent favorites on DVD:

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT
Sets 1 through 6 of the series on DVD feature three nearly hour-long mysteries on each of the six discs. David Suchet stars as the Belgian detective with the funny mustache and prissy walk who solves even the almost-unsolvable crimes across Europe in the 1930s. Agatha gave us so many fascinating murder mysteries and detectives, and Hercule Poirot is one of the very most wonderful in these 18 mysteries. Long live Poirot! From the PBS Mystery! and A&E TV series, on DVD from Granada and Acorn Media.

THE MRS. BRADLEY MYSTERIES
The incomparable Diana Rigg stars in four hour-long mysteries as the glamorous Mrs. Adela Bradley, a sophisticated and sharp-tongued divorcee whose hobbies are psychoanalysis, toxicology, women’s lib before anyone called it that, and solving murders in 1920s England. The clothes, sets, cars, and hot jazz music are added attractions in the very entertaining series on DVD from BBC Television and WGBH Boston Video. We love you, Diana! But more dogs in your mysteries, please.

 

THE INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES
Four more engrossing Brit mysteries, this time with suave, sophisticated, handsome, upper-crust Inspector Thomas Lynley, played by Nathaniel Parker, and quite lovely working-class Police Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small) teamed up to solve murders while they just might get to like each other. Even though one of the four hour-long mysteries is called “Payment in Blood,” these are typical almost non-bloody murder mysteries that emphasize plot and character, not like American mysteries with screeching tires and blood all over the place, but you never get to care about the people in them, on either side of the law. From the ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theater Mystery! series and WGBH Boston Video.

Oldies on DVD

TWO NIGHTS WITH CLEOPATRA
Sophia Loren plays the gorgeous Egyptian queen who entices palace guards to sleep over with her, then has them killed. According to the History Channel, Cleopatra was not really so great-looking, but had a lot of charisma. And I think she knew how to grill a hot suchi. The film is mainly interesting because of a young Sophia, who also plays a slave girl in the 1954 film. From Wellspring. When my master was in the U.S. army in Germany and on a train to Belgium, a mother and daughter in one of those wonderful compartments giggled and asked him, "Sophia or Gina?" Without hesitation he replied, Gina!" Gina Lollabrigada was not the actress Sophia Loren was and still is, but he thought she was, how do people say it? "More Vroommmmmmmmmmmmm Vroommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!"

MICKI & MAUDE
Dudley Moore in a comedy from 1984 playing a lovable bigamist TV reporter whose wife is too busy to start a family with him, so he has a fling with a cellist, played by Amy Irving. So of course both women announce they’re pregnant. What’s a guy to do? Moore decides to have his cake and eat it too, taking turns living with both mothers-to-be. And also of course, the ladies have their babies in adjoining rooms at the same hospital. Better bring two bouquets of flowers and boxes of Pabulum, Dudley. From Columbia Pictures.

PLATINUM BLONDE
Jean Harlow zoomed to stardom in this 1931 romantic comedy from Frank Capra. 1931? Yes, there was a 1931, and my master says he was just one year old when this movie came out. (He's an old geezer now, but boy, he sure loves me and is a great master!) He didn't see it, but watching the DVD, he says it’s a satire on the newspaper business in the 1930s. He ought to know, he was a newspaper reporter in the 1960s. Harlow plays a rich socialite who falls in love with a fast-talking reporter (weren't they all back then? -- they're boring and/or worse now) played by Robert Williams who zoomed into oblivion after this picture. When Harlow tries to make him a kept man (my master says he'd love to be one), he rebels and almost winds up with Loretta Young playing a friendly co-worker. Harlow has her vamping work cut out for her. See this still-funny comedy and learn if Jean lands her man. They don't make actresses like Jean Harlow anymore, more's the pity.) A delightful restored oldie from Columbia Tri-Star.

THE SOLID GOLD CADILLAC
Judy Holliday (maybe the last of the really funny actresses) is a stockholder who uncovers shady dealings in a big corporation and creates havoc in the board room while the former CEO, played by Paul Douglas, falls for her. Judy practically patented the modern smart “dumb blonde” role, and this 1956 romantic comedy is one of her best goes at it. Another restored oldie from Columbia.

MAROONED
Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, James Franciscus, Gene Hackman, and David Janssen star in this sci-fi drama about three astronauts who are marooned in space. The space scenes were exciting and realistic enough to win a 1969 Academy Award for special visual effects. Even without the high-tech comptuer visual effects of today, it's more exciting, because of the quality of acting and story. From Columbia.

Christmas Kid Stuff

 

There are more highly advertised movies for kids and the family this Christmas but they're about as as potentially "classic" as last year's gingerbread house gone stale. Give me "Going My Way" and "It's a Wonderful Life" any day. But there are some good new holiday movies on DVD for kids and the family, and these are recommended:

A LIGHT IN THE FOREST
This fantasy about a holy boy, a wicked king, a witch, and a California Valley Girl may get you in the Christmas spirit, if you need help. Lindsay Wagner and Edward Albert star in the tale of hope, friendship, and holiday miracles which is good family viewing from Ardustry Home Entertainment.

DEAR SANTA
Shades of Bob Cratchett and Scrooge, this delightful new Christmas movie tells of a man with a tough job and a mean boss who just may skip Christmas with his family. Until an elf turns him into Santa Claus and he is kept busy learning the meaning of Christmas. From Ardustry Home Entertainment.

SING ‘N SIGN HOLIDAY TIME WITH GAIA
Emmy award winner Gaia and the KidSign Club kids host a holiday party with guests singing and dancing to celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. From Heartsong Communications.

 

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

No story, but almost an hour of snow-capped winter scenes, horse-drawn sleighs, a traditional holiday dinner, and music of the season make this a very pleasant Christmas DVD treat. From Ardustry.

 

 

MY MAGIC DOG
Lucky is a Golden Retriever who is invisible except to his 8-year-old master, Toby. When a mean aunt tries to steal Toby’s inheritance, Lucky makes sure she doesn’t get away with it. It’s a fun movie and I liked the dog. Two paws up for this one from Ardustry Home Entertainment.

DVD Recording

 

If you’ve been wondering about buying a DVD recorder, go for it. They’re great!
Only about a year ago a DVD recorder cost $1,000 or more. Now you can get one of the best on the market for under $400. I’m talking about the Philips R-75 DVD recorder. The Canada-made machine is versatile, easy to use, and does a fantastic job.
It can record at 1-hour for maximum sharpness, 2-hour for pre-recorded DVD quality, 2.5-hour for better than S-VHS quality, 3-hour for S-VHS quality, 4-hour for better than VHS quality, and 6-hour for VHS quality (although I noticed some pixilation playing back at the 6-hour mode).
The Philips R75 makes archival copies of anything off regular TV, cable, or satellite TV onto blank DVD+R discs (up to $5 each in most stores, but $1.20 or less at online discount stores. Office Depot often has sales on them). The DVD copy will look as good or better than the broadcast signal.
It makes back-up copies of any video tape when hooked up to a VCR. Again, the copy will look as good or better than a video tape, but most videos aren’t all that sharp unless they were store-bought.
DVD recorders with a slot for recording VHS cassettes onto blank DVDs are starting to come on the market, but you won’t need one. You already have a VCR you can hook up to your DVD recorder to copy tapes. Give it something to do instead of just letting it sit there gathering dust.
The Philips R75 also makes back-up copies of laser discs when hooked up to a laser disc player.
And it makes back-up copies of DVD movies when hooked up to a DVD player. If the original DVD movie has copyguard, a little black box can be hooked up to the DVD recorder to override it. Other killers may be cheaper, but not dependable, but one that does the job of overriding copyguard beautifully is FacetVideo’s Clarifier Macrovision Killer for $89.95 (for more info go to http://www.facetvideo.com/) .
For more info on the Philips DVDR 75 go to http://www.consumer.philips.com/.

A more detailed review than mine is here at audioreview.com
For comparison prices on the recorder from online sellers go to http://www.nextag.com

The Philips R75 manual is good but not always as easy to follow, as few manuals are. I’ve quickly gotten great free help from Philips’ web chat (at the Philips web site) where an employee will walk you through anything.
Other DVD recorders on the market from makers such as Sony and Panasonic do just about the same things the Philips R75 does, but may be more expensive. I’ve heard that the Apex DVD recorder may freeze, so I stayed away from it. And I’ve read that other Asian-made DVD recorders are going to be in stores before Christmas that may sell for around $300. But a very knowledgeable friend who evaluates home theater equipment and installs mine has always cautioned me to stay clear of unknown brands that may be a little cheaper but not work as well.
If you aren’t good at hooking up home theater equipment or adding a DVD recorder to your present system, help is just a phone call away. Best Buy will send a technician to your house to hook everything up for $100. Or look up computer helpers in your local newspaper classified ads and ask if one also hooks up home theater systems. Most do, but they may charge more than Best Buy.
So if your question is, “Is now the time to buy a DVD recorder?” my answer is a resounding YES! Whether you buy the Philips R75 (and they’re not paying me to endorse it) or some other known brand, you are in for the home theater fun of your life!

Merry Christmas from my master and me. And remember, only YOU can make the movies better. If you say away from the garbage and only see the good stuff (few as they may be), you are sending Hollywood the strongest message: You want them to do better.

You want less violence, sex, and mindless movies for people of all ages, and you will pay tickets to see movies that come up to your intelligence level, or even challenge it. You don't want more movies aimed at the intelligence level of Cave Men and Women.

Until they come up to your level of smarts, stick with the best of the movies made from 1930 to 1960. My master and I will try to keep letting you know about those that come out on DVD.

I bet you didn't know, but besides reviewing movies, I sing opera. Click here to see and hear me rehearsing the Barcarolle from "Tales of Hoffman."

Maybe you would like to visit my master's web site with highlights of his huge collection of old movie magazines, Bijou Follies
Two more web sites I recommend are: Errol Flynn and Jeffrey Hunter