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SEDUCING DR. LEWIS

A poor fishing village on a tiny French-Canadian island hopes a factory will come there. That depends on them persuading a young Montreal-based doctor to live in their town. It’s “A rambunctious comedy,” “Affectionate and enjoyable,” say two New York critics, while a Californian calls it “A treasure! A warmhearted film of considerable elfin charm.” I agree and consider it the best new comedy movie on DVD I’ve seen this month. In French with English subtitles, from Wellspring. Max’s rating: two paws up and lots of “Woo woo’s!”

Foreign Films of the Month

ISLAND AT WAR

The Nazis bombed London and other British cities during World War II, but the only part of the British isles they invaded and occupied was the tiny Channel Isles. This engrossing Masterpiece Theater series just shown on television is now on DVD, telling the story of those occupied years from three island families and the German soldiers whose lives intertwine. James Wilby and Clare Holman head an outstanding cast of Brit actors. A three-DVD boxed set from Granada International and Acorn Media. Max’s rating: Two paws up and some tail wags.

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS
Take a two-hour winter break with this “sweeping romantic saga of passion, betrayal, and redemption set in a time torn apart by hatred and violence.” No, it isn’t about America today, it’s the late 1930s as war clouds gather over Europe. Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, and Penelope Cruz star in a ménage a trios whose outcome will keep you guessing. From Columbia TriStar. Max’s rating: two paws up and some “Woo woo’s!” for the sexy stuff (it’s rated R for some nudity and violence).

THE RECKONING
Mystery, murder, romance, history, intelligent story, they’re all in this drama set in 14th Century England. A young priest cast out after a sexual misadventure joins a troupe of traveling actors who set out to change plays from traditional Biblical to contemporary themes. Along the way they attempt to solve a murder in a village and make it the subject of their new play. It isn’t a great movie, but it is diverting, my best drama pick of the month, and the sets and costumes of Olde England are excellent. British rising star Paul Bettany plays the priest capably, while American Willem Dafoe has trouble with his British accent and, typically for him, over-acting. From Paramount. Max’s rating: Two paws up.

 

INSPECTOR ALLEYN MYSTERIES
Dame Nagio Marsh’s Scotland Yard gentleman detective delves into murder and other mysteries in fashionable English country houses and villages. Patrick Malahide plays the sophisticated cop and Belinda Lang his helpmate. The very popular British television series is now on four DVDs in a boxed set from BBC Television and Acorn Media. The set includes four mysteries about an hour and a half long that provide plenty of opportunities to see if you can guess who dunnit before the inspector does. Marsh was one of the last great writers of mysteries involving clues and 32 Alleyn mysteries were published. Max’s rating: two paws up and some howls for scary parts.

THE FIFTH ELEMENT
It’s called “one of the most unique, stylized, pulse-pounding and hilarious science fiction films ever made,” and I agree. Bruce Willis plays a New York cab driver whose beauty queen passenger takes him on a wild ride to save the world in a tale of good and evil in the 23rd Century. The special effects in this ultimate DVD edition are some of the wildest, and the extras on the second disc tell how they were created. From Columbia TriStar. Max’s rating: two paws up and lots of “Woo Woo’s” for the action and special effects.


AUGUSTUS
If you think politics is dirty today, don’t forget the good old days of the Roman emperors. This made-for-TV drama now on DVD has an aged Peter O’Toole playing Augustus Caesar in 42 BC Rome. It’s another take on the Caesar-Marc Antony-Cleopatra story, and while not in the classic category, who really cares if it isn’t entirely historically accurate? It’s got lots of intrigue and nasty, power-crazed people who won’t stop at murder on their way to the forum. From Columbia TriStar. Max’s rating: Two paws up.

See It Again, Sam!

THE FANTASTIC FILMS OF RAY HARRYHAUSEN
Probably the most creative special effects before today’s computer-generated for movies were the genius of Ray Harryhausen. Five of them, made in the 1950s and 1960s, are now on DVD in terrific digitally-restored editions including “JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS,” “THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER,” and three about Sinbad the Sailor: “SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER,” “THE SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD,” and “THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD.” Sword-fighting skeletons, prehistoric monsters, magic galore -- these are some of the most exciting adventure movies for kids and the whole family. Each title is sold separately or all five are in a handsome boxed set, from Columbia Pictures. Max’s rating: Two paws up and lots of tail wags.

Other oldies but goodies out on DVD this month include one of the funniest movies ever: “THE PALM BEACH STORY,” a Preston Sturges gem with Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea not sure they want to stay married because their bank balance is too low, so she goes millionaire-hunting. “BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING,” an Otto Preminger psychological thriller from 1965 with two of Britain’s most incredible stars, Laurence Olivier and Noel Coward, in a guessing-game story about a missing child who not only may not be missing, but may not even exist. Sony Pictures. And six classic gangster movies from Warner Bros. archives including James Cagney in four of his best (“PUBLIC ENEMY,” “ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES,” “THE ROARING TWENTIES,” and “WHITE HEAT”); Humphrey Bogart in “THE PETRIFIED FOREST;” and Edward G. Robinson as “LITTLE CAESAR.”

HOW ARNOLD WON THE WEST
I have my own theory on why muscleman violence star Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor California, but you may not agree that voters today seem to prefer candidates with false smiles over those of any substance. In any case, this DVD documentary follows last year’s campaign in an attempt to explain how he beat out a female porn star and about 100 others. From First Run. Max’s rating: Just howls.

FOOTBALL ALL-STARS: INTIMATE PORTRAITS
Football fans can prolong the season after the last Bowl Games with six DVDs following the careers of eleven of the NFL’s most outstanding players and Don Shula, the most successful coach in the league’s history. The players are Brett Favre, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Reggie White, Brent Jones, Eric Allen, Jim Lachey, Jack Del Rio, Rodney Hampton, Jeff Gossett, and Jeff Jaeger. Lots of NFL action shots and in-depth interviews, from Westlake Entertainment Group.

For Puppies and Kids

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Another new animated version of the classic Kenneth Grahame novel about Toad, Badger, Rat, and their friends and adventures. It’s an excellent new telling of the beloved story and won a 1999 Parent’s Choice Silver Award. The DVD is from Sony Pictures. Max’s rating: two paws up and tail wags.

ALL ABOUT JOHN DEERE FOR KIDS
Kids see farm equipment such as tractors, excavators, planters, and dump trucks in action in this DVD from TM Books Video. They learn how a field is prepped, seeds planted, then cultivated, go to a tractor auction, and visit collectors of real-sized John Deere machinery as well as farm toys

 

Bones to Pick

 

Looking over the Academy Award nominations for the past year’s Oscars, my master almost wept, because he remembers when there were great movies and great performances. Of course, his memory goes back to the 1930s and 1940s. He says movies used to be great because many of them were based on great books. Now they’re based on comic books. Of course, part of that problem is there aren’t any great books being published anymore. It’s a Catch-22.

In the “Did You Know” category, I was surprised to learn that writers, directors, and actors of movies only earn a pittance from DVD and video tape releases of their work?

Studios claim they can’t share those profits and “remain financially viable.” Writers and directors get about a nickel from each $15 DVD, while actors have to split up about 15 cents per disc. Not all writers, directors, and actors make millions per movie, so maybe those who do ought to share a little. Just a thought, but that doesn’t seem to be The American Way anymore.

And congratulations to Jason Bateman winning the Golden Globe award for best actor in a TV comedy series, for “ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT.” It’s a clever, very funny show and Jason heads a terrific ensemble cast. See it Sunday nights on a network I’d rather not mention here. You’ll find it in your newspaper TV guide.

EXTRA! ADDED ATTRACTION FOR MAX’S BEST DVD PICKS!

 

 

LATEST HOLLYWOOD NEWS FLASHES

(from Movie Mirror, November, 1933)

Busy days for Charles Farrell. Although under contract to RKO, he journeys over to Warners to play opposite Bette Davis in ”Shakedown.” And Charlie looks better and happier than he has in years. (The movie was released as “The Big Shakedown” and Farrell got billing over Davis, with Ricardo Cortez and Glenda Farrell supporting.) In an article in this issue, the honest, handsome young man reveals that the much ballyhooed romance between him and Gaynor when they were king and queen of movie romances was all studio publicity, and his loving wife Virginia Valli confirms it.

It’s Gary Cooper legally now. The courts have permitted the tall boy to change his name. The real moniker was Frank James Cooper. And did you know that Gary stepped out with Carole Lombard the other night? And the first thing Carole did after returning from her Reno divorce from William Powell, was to attend Gloria Swanson’s house party planned for her. Carole and Bill have been seeing a lot of each other since the divorce, and really seem much happier together now that they’re “apart.”

Paris newspapers state that the mercurial Douglas Fairbanks will wed Lady Ashley when, and IF, Mary Pickford divorces him. (They did.)

Greta Garbo is collecting $16,000 every weekly payday from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. That should keep the lady in very nice style, but Greta isn’t one to go fancy on us. Her limousine is YEARS old.

Garbo and John Gilbert, the greatest lovers the screen has ever known, are reunited in “Queen Christina.” Only the powerful will of Garbo made it possible. She insisted he be her co-star, after his waning popularity due to talking pictures. Garbo’s kindness becomes one of the most charming acts ever done in Hollywood.

Valentino is credited with having discovered Myrna Loy, whose future is among the most promising in Hollywood. Currently, handsome Ramon Navarro is courting her.

The premiere of “Dinner at Eight” at Grauman’s Chinese Theater was a lot of whoopla for one evening. Suave William Powell escorted fun-loving Carole Lombard. Gloria Swanson’s fancy hair-do attracted almost as much attention as the movie. It was veddy 1890 and did it knock the villagers for a row of asterisks.

Tallulah (dynamite) Bankhead is one of the very few to be taken into Garbo’s limited circle of friends.

RKO-Radio is paying through the nose on the adjustment of Katharine (the great) Hepburn’s contract. Now she will make three pictures a year instead of two, and to a much sweeter financial tune because she is such a box-office humdinger.

We personally think Walt Disney’s “Three Little Pigs” ought to get the best picture of the year award.

Lupe (firecracker) Velez is THAT pleased over the gem-studded, platinum circulet given her by Johnny (swim-boy) Weissmuller. The gems spell “dearest”… diamonds for “D” and emeralds for “E” and so on. Darned clever, Tarzan.

A new wrinkle for evening wear is making the Hollywood rounds… a silk muff quilted with gardenias.

Adrian, M-G-M’s designer, cracks forth with his list of the ten most strikingly gowned women on the screen… Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Norma Shearer, Kay Francis, Lilyan Tashman, Constance Bennett, Hedda Hopper, Marlene Dietrich, Claudette Colbert, and Greta Garbo.

If you’d like more of this type of movie nostalgia, go to my master’s web site, Bijou Follies, which has highlights of his huge old movie magazine collection, put together by master web page designer Julie Stowe who also does this movie column.

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