February 2008
	by Max (with Walt Oleksy)	view previous issues here

Click on small photos for larger views

THE WAR BRIDE (Canada)

It keeps amazing my master and me how many excellent stories continue to come out of World War II. This insightful drama from Canada tells about the war from an entirely new perspective, and it has strong implications today because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially on those who are geographically far removed from the fighting. It tells the engrossing story of British young women who married Canadian soldiers stationed in London during the Nazi Blitz of 1943. While the husbands go off to battle zones in Europe and Africa, the wives are shipped to Canada to wait in safety for their men. Anna Friel expertly plays one such war bride and Aden Young her soldier husband. The film follows the bride to an unexpectedly depressing life on a small farm in a remote part of Canada with the husband’s bitter mother and sister played by Brenda Fricker and Molly Parker. Another in a superb ensemble cast is Loren Dean as a young man who reminds the wife of how lonely she is with her husband away at war for more than three years. I highly recommend this film, especially to wives of soldiers away at war and to those who don’t think war affects everyone, even those not in combat. From Porchlight Entertainment, released on DVD by Questar, Inc. of Chicago which is bringing us some of the finest movies and nature and other documentaries, far better than those from most major studios.
Max’s rating: Two paws up and tail wags.

Also recommended:

GOLDEN DOOR (Italy)

The story of European immigrants coming to America at the turn of the last century is a familiar one, but this excellent romantic drama focuses on how hard it is to leave the Old country and arrive in the New. In this case, a peasant and his mother and sons from Sicily experience the unexpected difficulties at Ellis Island before they are allowed into this country. On shipboard the uncultured young man falls under the spell of a beautiful and refined young British woman who is traveling alone and in need of a husband so she can be admitted into America. Vincenzo Amato and Charlotte Gainsbourg are both excellent as the couple. The film segues into fantasy at times which to me distracted from the impact of its reality, but you may like that. In Italian with English subtitles, from Miramax.

SHADOWS IN THE SUN

Also known as THE SHADOW DANCER, this fine film actually has nothing to do with either titles, but with relationships, which foreign films do so much better than American. It follows a young editor of a London publishing house who is assigned to go to a village in Tuscany, Italy, to entice a reclusive best-selling author to write a new novel after many years away from writing. Joshua Jackson (of TV’s Dawson’s Creek and Grey’s Anatomy) excels in his first big movie role as the editor, and Harvey Keitel plays the enigmatic author, not quite chewing up as much scenery as he usually does in his films. Their evolution from cold to warm is well played by both as we learn that they may indeed succeed in helping each other become even better writers. The Tuscan scenery is, as expected, gorgeous, and so is the love interest, the author’s beautiful daughter, played by Claire Forlani who was Brad Pitt’s love interest in MEET JOE BLACK. Very good as they all are, the old pro Giancarlo Giannini steals the picture in every scene he’s in as the village priest. You’ll love the ending. A very good film written and directed by Brad Mirman who wrote THE GOOD SHEPHERD and JOSHUA. In English, from Studio Eight, Peace Arch Films, and others.

JANE AUSTEN QUARTET

Four of the novels by the legendary author of British romances have been given new film treatments in a Masterpiece Theatre series now being shown on PBS Television and released on DVD. They include SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, PERSUASION, MANSFIELD PARK, and NORTHANGER ABBEY. All had been previously made into theater or television movies, and quite well, especially Emma Thompson’s version of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY. But the new treatments are also excellent and feature mostly young British actors, perhaps in an effort to give them experience with star rolls after having given good performances in supporting roles in other productions. Among the perhaps future stars are Rupert Penry-Jones and Sally Hawkins who are the leads in PERSUASION. PERSUASION and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY are released by Granada and BBC Television, and MANSFIELD PARK and NORTHANGER ABBEY by Granada and WGBH Boston Video.

MELISSA

Just as an unemployed British newspaper reporter begins a new career as a novelist, his wife, Melissa, is strangled. Then all clues point to him as her killer. This starts a new mystery by crime writer Francis Durbridge, author of the Paul Temple mystery series which was one of the most successful in British TV history. Peter Barkworth, star of MANHUNT, and Ronald Fraser, are the stars of MELISSA, well worth your viewing. From Acorn Media.

LILLIE

The glamorous life of the beautiful and scandalous Lillie Langtry got a full-length dramatization treatment in the acclaimed Masterpiece Theatre production of 1979 during the golden age of British television miniseries. Francesca Annis stars as the actress and Victorian-era courtesan whom George Bernard Shaw called “intelligent, daring, and independent.” It’s grand-scale drama as we follow her rise from clergyman’s daughter to an infamous woman of the world who may be considered the first celebrity idol or pop culture star. With a cast of more than 1,000 others and meticulously recreated costumes, sets, and location settings, the 13-part drama has been available on VHS but is now on DVD, from Acorn Media.

HOUSEWIFE, 49

A 49-year-old British housewife’s diary of her life in Lancashire during World War II is dramatized in this excellent film that depicts the hardships and terror of wartime as well as the opportunities it gave her to grow as a person and to be of service. It was written by and stars Victoria Wood who won a British best actress award for her performance. Well worth seeing, from Acorn Media.

ROMEO & JULIET GET MARRIED

A modern romantic comedy spin-off on the Shakespeare classic. This time a young couple in love in today’s Italy are kept apart by their families who are locked in a soccer fan rivalry. A lot of fun in English with Spanish subtitles from LifeSize Entertainment.

ROUGH DIAMOND

If you like crime dramas with a lighter touch as I do, you will enjoy this new British television series in which clever crime drama mixes with sly humor. Sir David Jason stars as a lovable master thief who also is a master of disguises. Not well-known to American audiences, Sir David was voted Britain’s most popular actor three times in recent years. This series, now on DVD, is from Acorn Media

PRINCE AMONG SLAVES tells the harrowing and inspirational story of a real-life prince of an African tribe who is sold to slavers and shipped to America. After first resisting work on a cotton plantation, he comes to terms with his captivity and rises to a position of importance. Later being freed and regaining his royal heritage. he spends the rest of his life trying to win freedom for his children and grandchildren. The docudrama is a very moving experience from PBS Home Video.

DARKON
This very unusual “reality movie” involving live-action role playing (LARP), follows the real-life adventures of an unusual group of weekend “warrior knights.” They gather together in costume to re-enact historical events with lavish storylines. Camping out, they stage court intrigue, as well as panoramic battles involving competitive strategies while using convincingly real props and full-contact “combat.” If you’re looking for something different, this could satisfy you. From Condor Entertainment

VISIONS OF IRELAND will give you a jump start on St. Patrick’s Day next month as you take a helicopter tour of the Emerald Isle’s most historic and beautiful sites.
The 75-minute travelogue from Dublin to Galway is from Acorn Media.

Season One of the animated children’s PBS Television series that has won seven Emmy awards is a 4-DVD boxed set of all 30 episodes from the delightful and educational short films. The producers say that kids who regularly watch the series learn reading skills faster than those who don’t. Extras include a literacy bonus video, downloadable kindergarten guide and family activity guides in both English and Spanish. A lot of excellent viewing for kids, from WGBH Boston Video.

BUTTERFLIES, DREAMS, AND RHYMES is a fun DVD songbook featuring the Nash Ensemble of kids singing some of the best-loved songs and rhymes for pre-schoolers and the kindergarten set. From Kultur/Whitestar and Sony.

TRAVEL WITH KIDS: PARIS is a travelogue showing the family-friendly side of Paris, France. Viewers of all ages learn about the city’s history, culture, and beauty, enjoy crepes with the locals, ride the subways, and visit Disney Resort Paris. From Porchlight Home Entertainment.

PAUL REVERE: MIDNIGHT RIDE, part of the History’s Heroes series of DVDs, has an eagle introducing young viewers to the adventure of the patriot who rode his horse from Boston to Lexington, Mass., and warned Colonial Minutemen of the arrival of British soldiers in advance of the American Revolution. From American Animation Studios.

HEROES OF FREEDOM: Stories of Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks
A Black History Month docudrama about the struggles of two famous black women. Tubman, a slave, became a “conductor” on the infamous “Underground Railroad” in 1830. Parks’ refusal to give up a seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955 sparked a boycott that led to the Civil Rights Movement. Excellent educational DVD for ages 8 to 12 from Mazzarella Media.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS: Mango’s Big Dog Parade features animated characters teaching early socialization skills for children, with the help of music from Roger Daltrey of The Who. From Our Happy Child Productions.

LITTLE PLAYMATES shows kids how to have fun while also developing new friendships through caring, kindness, and sharing. This new entry in the award-winning series is also from Porchlight.

SKILL-BUILDING BUDDIES is the newest in the developmental DVD series from Mazzarella Media, helping teach social interaction skills to children, especially parents of those with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

FARMKIDS is an animated series for ages 6 to 11, taking viewers to a farm where animal characters engage in many adventures. Also from Porchlight.

ON THIN ICE is a delightful animated adventure following Pingu the Penguin and friends as they explore the icy regions. From 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

CELEBRATING AROUND THE WORLD takes young explorers on trips with Barney and other favorite animated characters to Brazil, Kenya, India, Japan, and Ireland.

SPRINGTIME FUN has Barney, Bob the Builder and their friends springing into the season of tulips, water sports, and learning all about butterflies. Lots of fun for kids, also from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

A new National Geographic nature documentary, ARCTIC TALE, made by those who gave us MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, is very good, about the species-endangered Polar bears and walruses of the Arctic because of global warming. But I was surprised when the narrator, Queen Latifah, said, while walruses were searching for elusive clams on the Arctic Sea floor, "First they have to catch the little suckers."

I’m no prude and have heard my share of street language, but that word hit me in the face like a cold, wet flounder, because I know the word that precedes it.
The word is not part of my social vocabulary, and I doubt parents want it to be part of their children's watching the film. Didn't the producer voice any objection to the script writer using that word? Didn't the director? Didn't Queen Latifah? My guess is, no one cared.

Morgan Freeman narrated MARCH OF THE PENGUINS and brought dignity to the reading of the script. I doubt very much he would have spoken the word The Queen did in ARCTIC TALE.

Maybe I'm making too big a thing out of one word, but it strikes me as being a glaring example of how entertainment, even educational entertainment such as this film, can negatively influence us, especially young viewers, by using street or gutter language. For shame, National Geographic. I wonder if your founder heard it and turned over in his grave.

A word I suggest Hollywood use in making new movies, rather than drag us and our language down to the gutter is, instead: elevate.