Max's Best DVD Picks

Aussie Hugh Jackman and Brit Christian Bale, two of the best actors in movies today, duel as stage magicians in this drama full of mystery and plot twists set in Victorian England. First friends, they become enemies and professional rivals after Jackman’s wife drowns during a performance and he blames Bale. It’s the kind of mystery you will probably enjoy at first-seeing, and even more in a replay. From Buena Vista/Touchstone. Max’s rating: Two paws up.

THE HOLIDAY

Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Cameron Diaz star in this romantic comedy from Nancy Meyers, director of SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE and WHAT WOMEN WANT. Couples mix it up during a holiday weekend, and one of the couples is assuredly the oddest. From Sony.

JANE EYRE

This latest dramatization of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel stars Ruth Wilson as the hapless governess who falls in love with the brooding master of the mansion, played by Toby Stephens. Lavish and more modern and moody than most previous versions, it also is more sensual. But, of course, being a British film, sensual does not necessarily mean sexy. First seen on Masterpiece Theatre, the DVD is from WGBH Boston Video.

This acclaimed and lavishly produced 1980s British television series stars Michael Praed of the American prime-time soap opera Dynasty as Robin of Loxley in a very lively dramatization of the much-loved and much-filmed legend. Gritty period realism blends with a mix of history and myth in this telling on four DVDs with a fifth disc containing extensive special features. First seen on PBS Television and Showtime, the series has been digitally remastered, and the boxed set of five DVDs is from Acorn Media.

Another Masterpiece Theatre production, this new dramatization of Bram Stoker’s horror story stars Marc Warren as the fellow with a thing for blood, with David Suchet of Poirot fame and Sophia Myles. Bela Lugosi would have liked seeing this telling of the story of the black-caped neck-biter. Also from WGBH Boston Video.

The very popular and entertaining Masterpiece Theatre television series returns in set 4, called DAYS OF GRACE. David Rintoul plays the good doctor serving the Scottish village residents of Tannochbrae in the heartwarming drama co-starring Ian Bannen. One of our favorite Brit television series, from BFS Entertainment.

HARD TIMES
Charles Dickens’ classic, first seen on PBS-TV’s Great Performances, is a gritty drama of Victorian England’s industrial era beset by hypocrisy. You doubtlessly will notice parallels with America today as people in the highest places of commerce and society misbehave badly. Patrick Allen, Timothy West, and Edward Fox star in the production from the company that brought BRIDESHEAD REVISITED and THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN to the TV screen.
From Acorn Media.

Women’s Lib was alive back in 1788 England in this true story of a poor waif who is convicted of a petty crime and sentenced to seven years in the Australian penal colony of Botany Bay. Managing to escape, Mary Bryant starts upon a 4,000-mile journey by sea and land in this Brit television miniseries on DVD from Timeless Media Group. Romola Garai stars as the plucky Miss Bryant, with Jack Davenport and Sam Neill.

The winner of six Oscars in 1966 including best picture and actor for Paul Scofield playing Thomas Moore, this DVD special edition is remastered in high-definition and includes some historically interesting extras. Scofield plays England’s Roman Catholic Chancellor who risks his life in opposing King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw). The king demands the Chancellor’s approval in his desire to divorce his wife and marry his mistress. No good can come of that, to be sure. The classic drama also stars Wendy Hiller, Orson Welles, Leo McKern, and Susannah York. From Sony.

The good old days of television westerns ride again in a boxed set of 12 double-sided DVDs featuring 150 episodes from 29 favorite saddle shows. The Roy Rogers Show, Wagon Train, The Rifleman, and many other popular TV oaters are fun to watch again, especially since some of the supporting players later became stars. A real bargain bonanza for $29.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment. The same company also offers APOCALYPSE, a boxed set of 20 horror movies starring Christopher Lee, Claude Rains, Buster Crabbe, and others.

Author, artist, and radio and television entrepreneur Sandra Magsamen suggests how to live more creatively. Through inspiring stories, she tells how to turn everyday moments into special ways to connect with friends and family. From Acacia and Acorn Media.

Just what every man wants -- washboard abs without hardly trying. Handsome young fitness guru Scott Cole, who’s got ’em, shows how to get them in easy and fun exercise routines. He also host-stars in a companion exercise program, TAI CHI TRAINING. Both DVDs from Mill Creek Entertainment.

This is the inspiring and little-known true story of the grandson of Alabama slaves who broke the color barrier in American science more than a decade before Jackie Robinson did in baseball. Among other discoveries, Julian’s experiments with soybeans helped to make drugs such as cortisone available to millions. Ruben Santiago-Hudson plays Julian in this NOVA production from WGBH Boston Video.

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

		March 2007

	by Max (with Walt Oleksy)	view previous issues here