DVD Playhouse--October 2011

DVD PLAYHOUSE—OCTOBER 2011
By Allen Gardner

TERRI (20th Century Fox) An awkward, obese teen (Jacob Wysocki) finds himself forming an odd friendship with his equally left-of-center vice-principal (John C. Reilly), who decides to help the boy navigate his way through adolescence’s rocky road. Low key film is filled with pathos and humor, but is ultimately too laid back for its own good (not to mention too long). Worth seeing for young Wysocki’s amazing, completely natural performance, and Reilly’s goofy charm. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurette; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
MR. NICE (MPI) Rhys Ifans stars in the true story of Howard Marks, a Welsh-born Oxford grad who gained the most notoriety in his life for being the UK’s biggest hashish smuggler during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when he wasn’t busy spying for Her Majesty’s government, hanging out with a psychotic pal (David Thewlis) from the IRA, and finally doing a long stint in prison to do penance for his colorful life. Ifans gives a tour-de-force performance, with fine support from Chloe Sevigny and Crispin Glover. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurette; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE TRIP (IFC Films) Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon play, more or less, themselves, taking a trip to the north of England to dine in some fine restaurants and stay in the region’s best B&Bs. Along the way, they have a series of comic duels with some priceless moments (their Michael Caine-off being a highlight), with Coogan bravely playing himself in a most unflattering light. Best described as My Dinner With Andre On the Road, and for most of the journey, it’s quite enjoyable, but would have been even better at about 90 minutes. Another quirky gem from director Michael Winterbottom. Bonuses: Trailer; Featurettes; Deleted scenes. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
WE ARE THE NIGHT (IFC Films) A troubled girl (Karoline Herfurth) is brought into the fold of a sexy cabal of female vampires (Nina Hoss, Jennifer Ulrich, Anna Fischer), and soon finds herself wreaking gleeful havoc all over Berlin. Stylish, scary and quite erotic little gem from director Dennis Gansel, who manages to put a fresh spin on the now-stale vampire genre. Bonuses: Trailer; Interviews; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE SILENT HOUSE (LA CASA MUDA) (IFC Films) Nifty little horror exercise, based on a true story that supposedly happened in Uruguay during the 1940s. When a teenage girl and her father travel to an isolated house in the country, they find the house to be not only in disrepair, but a force is inside it that is very much alive—and wants them dead. Shot in one continuous 78 minute take, the filmmakers show great skill in the execution of the film’s technical side, although the script and dialogue (perhaps the subtitle translation) feels rather half-baked at times. Still, worth seeing. Bonuses: Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE (Criterion) Victor Sjostrom’s silent classic from 1921 tells the very grim fairy tale of the last person who dies on New Year’s Eve before the clock strikes twelve, and is then forced to be the driver of Death’s chariot, tirelessly collecting souls for the next year. Sjostrom himself stars as a ne’er-do-well louse who is shown the error of his ways, Dickens-style, and is offered a shot at redemption through the unconditional love of a Salvation Army sister. One of silent cinema’s most innovative films, which influenced countless directors, including Ingmar Bergman, to step behind the camera. Groundbreaking special effects and hand-tinted color sequences are stunning nearly a century later. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Two musical scores; Commentary by film historian Casper Tybjerg; 1981 interview with Bergman; Visual essay by Peter Cowie. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 2.0
THE STOOL PIGEON (Well Go USA) Tough Hong Kong policier about a detective (Nick Leung) who causes his snitch to be gravely wounded. Starting from scratch, he must recruit a new man to go undercover in a ruthless gang of jewel thieves. Gritty look at honor among cops and thieves alike, and the fragile code that holds their tenuous relationships together. Well-directed by HK vet Dante Lam. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Featurettes; Trailers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
THE LAST CIRCUS (Magnolia) Twisted love triangle between a Sad Clown, a Happy Clown, and a beautiful acrobat in what must be the most bizarre circus since Tod Browning’s classic Freaks. Told with great style and wild abandon by director Alex De La Iglesia, it’s grand guignol meets David Lynch of the highest order. Cult status is almost assured for this beautifully-crafted shocker. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Trailers and teasers. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
GREEN LANTERN—EXTENDED CUT (Warner Bros.) A human (Ryan Reynolds) is recruited by an elite forces of intergalactic protectors called the Green Lantern Corps to help protect the Earth and the universe from the evil villain Parallax. DC Comics’ venerable character (who dates to WW II) is brought to shaky life in this CGI misfire, with what has to be the ugliest special effects and production design to date from a major studio release. Reynolds is always a likeable presence, but even his easy-going charisma can’t save this dud. Supporting cast includes Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Angela Bassett and Tim Robbins. And yes, the movie STILL sucks! Directed by Martin (Casino Royale) Campbell. Ditto. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Picture-in-picture commentary; Photo and storyboard galleries; Digital comic; Deleted scenes; Trailers and TV spots; 9 minutes of extra footage in extended version. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
CARLOS (Criterion) Olivier Assayas’ sprawling epic about the life and times of infamous terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez aka “Carlos the Jackal,” whose violent left-wing activism in the ‘70s and ‘80s made him one of the world’s most wanted men. Edgar Ramirez is a powerhouse in the titular role, infusing Carlos with a fiery blend of idealism, charisma and undiluted narcissism that ultimately causes him to self-immolate. 5 ½ hour epic is never boring, and moves at lightning pace. A truly magnificent cinematic achievement. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Select scene commentary; Featurettes and documentaries; Trailer; Booklet featuring essays by critics and scholars, as well as a timeline of Carlos’ life. Widescreen Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
TEMPEST (Touchstone/Miramax) Modern retelling of William Shakespeare’s final play stars Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Alfred Molina, Chris Cooper, Tom Conti, Alan Cumming, Djimon Honsou, David Straithairn, and Felicity Jones, among others. Exiled to a magical island, the sorceress Prospera (Mirren) conjures up a storm that shipwrecks her enemies and unleashes her powers for revenge. Helmed by the great Julie Taymor (whose film adaptation of Titus was one of the best Shakespeare-to-celluloid efforts), the film is a gorgeous, moving spectacle acted by a stellar cast who bring the Bard’s words vividly to life. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Documentary; Commentary by Taymor; Music video. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
A QUIET PLACE IN THE COUNTRY (MGM/Fox) Franco Nero plays an artist who moves into an isolated country villa, hoping he’ll be able to focus more on his work, with occasional time-outs for trysts with his matron/lover (Vanessa Redgrave). He soon discovers the house is haunted by the spirit of a young woman who was brutally murdered during WW II. Definitely a film of its time (1968), with director Elio Petri (The 10th Victim, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion) dishing out a host of psychedelic and metaphorical images, which ultimately obscure what little plot there is. Not always coherent, but never boring, and beautiful to look at. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
HICKEY & BOGGS (MGM/Fox) Bill Cosby and Robert Culp, who also directed, star in this Walter Hill-scripted tale about two L.A. private eyes investigating the case of a missing girl, and quickly find themselves in over their heads, bringing death to everyone around them, intentionally or otherwise. Downbeat to a fault and relentlessly brutal (but was able to secure a PG-rating in 1972), but also ultra-realistic in its cinema-verite style, a refreshing change from today’s action films, most of which look and feel like mouthwash ads with bullets. Fine supporting cast includes James Woods, Ed Lauter, Michael Moriarity and Vincent Gardenia. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE GLORY STOMPERS (MGM/Fox) Dennis Hopper, two years prior to Easy Rider, stars as the leader of a vicious biker gang who steals the girlfriend of his rival, prompting an all-out war between the two factions. Almost Showgirls-level bad, with dialogue that must’ve been hard to type, much less speak (Hopper says “man” more than Al Pacino says “fuck” in Scarface), but of note as a time capsule piece, and also as the film that convinced Hopper to make a “realistic” biker picture along with buddy Peter Fonda (who had to do penance for his own biker turkey, The Wild Angels, released the same year). Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
MIMIC THE DIRECTOR’S CUT (Miramax) Guillermo Del Toro’s first American effort is a nifty biological thriller about a team of scientists (Mira Sorvino, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Brolin) who create a breed of insect to wipe out a deadly strain of cockroaches. Three years later—their solution gets out of hand. Like most of Del Toro’s films, this is inventive, stunning, and purely cinematic entertainment, although the final third does lose some steam. Still, a must-see film from a master of the cinema. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Del Toro; Featurettes; Deleted scenes; Storyboards; Gag reel; Trailer; Seven minutes of extra footage. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 and DTS-HD 7.1 surround.
MOBY DICK (RHI) Herman Melville’s classic novel gets an update with this made for cable production, with William Hurt filling the boots of Captain Ahab, a seafaring man obsessed with killing an elusive and deadly albino whale, even at the cost of his ship and the lives of his crew. Ethan Hawke, Donald Sutherland, and Gillian Anderson co-star in this handsome production, which nearly rivals John Huston’s cinematic classic in its grandeur and scope. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
SUBMARINO (Focus Features) Two brothers from an abusive background, one an ex-con, the other a single father wrestling with demons of his own, struggle to find a way to reconnect and get their lives together. Powerful drama pulls no punches, with helmer Thomas Winterberg (The Celebration) providing more dramatic grit for the dysfunctional family mill. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
THE PRESENCE (Lionsgate) Mira Sorvino stars as a woman who travels to a remote lakeside cabin and soon finds herself stalked by an apparition who grows obsessive of her, particularly with the surprise arrival of her boyfriend. Spare, intelligent supernatural thriller focuses on suspense and what isn’t seen, instead of gore and shock effects. Sorvino is fine, as always, and is supported by a fine cast. Bonuses: Commentary by writer/director Tom Provost; Storyboards; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.




DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! Mill Creek releases seasons one and two of THAT ‘70S SHOW, the hit series about a groovy family from The Brady Bunch era that wasn’t so clean-cut, but a hell of a lot more fun. Great cast includes Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Danny Masterson, Wilmer Valderrama, and Kurtwood Smith. 26 and 25 episodes respectively, in each set. Bonuses: Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
The first and second seasons of ROSEANNE also arrive on DVD, with comic Rosanne Barr playing a thinly-veiled portrait of herself as a blue collar mom trying to make ends meet with husband Dan (John Goodman) and their three kids. Winner of multiple Emmys and Golden Globe awards, and one of TV’s classics of the 1990s. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Featurettes; Highlight reels. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN’s first two seasons also touch down on DVD this month, featuring John Lithgow, Kristen Johnson, French Stewart, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jane Curtin, and Wayne Knight in this comic farce about an alien nuclear family trying to fit in amongst the denizens of a small Ohio town. Very funny. Bonuses: Interviews with cast and crew; Bloopers; Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
Severin/MPI releases SNUFF BOX: THE COMPLETE SERIES, starring Rich Fulcher and Matt Berry in the legendary BBC series about a pair of depraved hangmen. Sort of a blend of Monty Python and sit-com, with a truly twisted style all its own. One of those rare television shows that must be seen to be believed! Loaded with bonuses, including Featurettes, outtakes, commentary by Berry, Fulcher and director Michael Cumming, as well as a bonus music CD. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
eOne releases CALL ME FITZ: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, starring Jason Priestly as the sleaziest of used car salesmen who suddenly starts conversing with his inner conscience (Ernie Grunwald), a do-gooder who is intent on healing Fritz’s mangled psyche. Truly original, very clever and extremely funny. Bonuses: Featurettes; Blooper reel; Season 2 sneak peak. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
Warner Bros. releases V: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON, offering more human vs. Visitor action in this slick, exciting update of the hit ‘80s series. Season two focuses on a resistance group called The Fifth Column rising up against the alien invaders. Smart sci-fi, loaded with contemporary social and political metaphors. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Interviews with cast and crew; Deleted scenes; Blooper reel. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
20th Century Fox releases LIE TO ME: THE COMPLETE THIRD AND FINAL SEASON, starring Tim Roth as the world’s greatest interrogator and truth-finder. Intelligent show with Roth’s multi-layered portrait a standout amongst the mostly-two-dimensional network TV characters these days. Fine support from Kelli Williams, Brendan Hines and Monica Raymond. 13 episodes on 4 discs. A real shame this winner got cancelled! Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Featurette. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
RAISING HOPE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON is from the mind of “My Name is Earl” creator Greg Garcia, about the pains of parenthood and being part of a dysfunctional family. When 23 year-old Jimmy Chance has a life-altering experience of unexpected fatherhood after a one-night stand, he finds himself a single dad and must juggle all the implications therein. Funny, if not always successful comedy, but worth a look. Cloris Leachman is a hoot! Bonuses: Unaired pilot; Extended cut; Featurettes; Commentary by cast and crew on pilot; Deleted scenes; Gag reel. Widescreen Dolby 5.1 surround.
MODERN FAMILY: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON won six Emmy’s for its smart, sassy brand of comedy that takes a seriocomic look at what it means to be part of a large, extended family in these turbulent times. Terrific cast includes Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Table read footage; Music video; Interviews with cast and crew. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA: THE COMPLETE SEASON 6 offers more irreverent fun from the gang (Danny De Vito, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney) that hangs their hats in the city of brotherly love. Un-PC to the extreme, and very funny as a result. De Vito is always a delight to watch, and he’s at his unhinged best in this TV gem. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Trivia challenge; Featurettes; “Lethal Weapon 5 extended cut”; Blooper reel; Deleted and extended scenes; Audio commentary by cast and crew; Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
GLEE: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON follows New Directions as they try to move on from their devastating loss at Regionals, with the ever-effervescent Sue Snell (Jane Lynch) leading the pack with her own brand of battle cries. Infectious blend of outrageous comedy and music, with loads of guest stars including Carol Burnett, John Stamos, and Kristin Chenoweth adding to the wild proceedings. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes; Bonus song. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER: THE COMPLETE SEASON 6 takes up with Ted (Josh Radnor)’s search for the perfect woman while Marshall and Lily (Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan) are trying to start a family. Meanwhile, Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) tries to locate his biological father and Robin (Cobie Smulders) finally starts to feel like a real New Yorker. Very funny sit-com for smart adults. 24 episodes on 3 discs. Bonuses: Commentary by cast and crew; Featurettes; Deleted scenes; Gag reel. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
PBS releases JANE AUSTEN’S MANSFIELD PARK, a “Masterpiece Theater” production starring Billie Piper as lower class girl Fanny Price who goes to live with posh relatives on their estate, Mansfield Park. Handsome adaptation with a fine cast (Blake Ritson, Jemma Redgrave).
JANE AUSTEN’S NORTHANGER ABBEY is another “Masterpiece Theater” production, beautifully adapting Austen’s classic parody of gothic fiction. Felicity Jones stars as a hopeless romantic who is invited to a medieval country house, where she forms a friendship with the estate’s younger son. Also stars Carey Mulligan, J.J. Field, and William Beck.
EMILY BRONTE’S WUTHERING HEIGHTS is a “Masterpiece Theater” production of Bronte’s classic novel about the fiery romance between Heathcliff (Tom Hardy) and Cathy (Charlotte Riley) in one of literatures most gothic of mansions. Loaded with gorgeous period detail, tangible atmosphere and a fine cast that includes Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Lancashire and Rosalind Halstead. All three are available on Blu-ray disc. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
THE COMPLETE INSPECTOR LEWIS offers the original pilot and all four seasons of the acclaimed series starring Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox as no-nonsense police detectives who keep order in the venerable university town of Oxford. Loaded with intricate plots and high-functioning suspects, the pair operate with a combination of intellect and instinct to nab their prey. 20 episodes on four discs. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.




DOCUMENTARY DAYS Magnolia releases PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES, a warts-and-all look behind the scenes at the nation’s newspaper of record and the men and women who bring it to light daily. Like the best documentarians before him, director Andrew Rossi takes a fly-on-the-wall approach that puts you in the room with the denizens of “The Gray Lady,” and takes the viewer on a voyeuristic journey into the cutthroat world of print journalism, one that becomes threatened daily by the Internet’s gradual take-over of information dispersal. A must-see for any budding journalists! Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes, including interviews with Carl Bernstein, Emily Bell, Sarah Ellison; Additional scenes; Q & A with cast and filmmakers. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-HD 5.1 surround.
MPI releases BUCK, an in-depth portrait of the man whom Robert Redford based his film The Horse Whisperer on, Buck Brannaman. After overcoming a horrifically abusive childhood, Brannaman devoted himself to a life as a horseman, soon realizing he had a unique gift to literally communicate with the majestic animals. Buck now “helps horses with people problems,” and his techniques with both species must be seen to be believed. A fascinating look at a truly unique free spirit. Bonuses: Trailer; Deleted scenes; Commentary by Buck and the filmmakers. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
A&E releases 2002 WORLD SERIES: ANAHEIM ANGELS COLLECTOR’S EDITION is a seven disc set that contains all seven of the games of the ’02 World Series in which the Anaheim Angels vanquished the San Francisco Giants. A must-own for any die-hard fan of “The Halos.” Special feature allows viewer to watch the video of the games and listen to the audio of the play-by-play radio broadcasts. Also from A&E, ANGELS’ MEMORIES: THE GREATEST MOMENTS IN ANGELS BASEBALL HISTORY, is a terrific compilation of the club’s finest hours, featuring portraits of its greatest players (Rod Carew, Garret Anderson, Tim Salmon, more). Both are Full screen, Dolby 2.0 stereo.
PBS releases THE WAR OF 1812 offers an in-depth look at the last major conflict between the United States and England. Using recreations, simulations, interviews with historians and evocative animation, this is an excellent reference tool for any student of history, formal or otherwise. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
ANCIENT MARVELS is a compilation of “Nova” episodes that examine some of the world’s greatest architectural achievements that were erected before modern technology existed that could have brought them to fruition. Examine mysteries such as “Secrets of Stonehenge,” “Riddles of the Sphinx,” “Ghosts of Machu Picchu,” “Secrets of the Parthenon,” and “Secrets of Lost Empires II: Easter Island.” Fascinating and loaded with eye-popping footage of its subjects. 5 disc set. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
HOUDINI takes a look at the 20th century’s greatest illusionist and escape artist, who arguably became the first world-wide celebrity at the turn of the last millennium. Narrated by Mandy Patinkin and loaded with archival photos, film footage, and interviews with present-day magicians such as David Copperfield, The Amazing Randi and author E.L. Doctorow. Like its subject, immensely entertaining and fascinating. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
ENGINEERING GROUND ZERO is a “Nova” episode that examines the architects, engineers, and workers who are helping to revitalize the area that once held the World Trade Center. Featuring interviews with architect David Childs, executive director of the Port Authority Chris Ward, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Michael Arad, the man behind the breakthrough concept for the 9/11 Memorial. Widescreen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
Shout Factory releases PETER, PAUL AND MARY: THE HOLIDAY CONCERT, with the New York Choral Society and Orchestra, an annual tradition that began in 1981, and features the legendary folk trio singing over twenty of their biggest hits, including “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” as well as holiday standards such as “Silent Night” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.
Cinema Libre releases EYE OF THE FUTURE: CLIMATE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PLANET, takes a look at five children of UN ambassadors around the world who take it upon themselves to reduce our carbon footprint. Engaging educational documentary should appeal in particular to grade schoolers, as they watch their contemporaries come up with innovative and tangible solutions to help the environment. Bonuses: Featurettes. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
Gonzo Multimedia releases a series of lectures from His Holiness The Dalai Lama: FACING DEATH AND DYING WELL, A PRACTICAL WAY OF DIRECTING LOVE & COMPASSION, INTERDEPENDENCE, INTERCONNECTEDNESS & THE NATURE OF REALITY, and CONTENTMENT, JOY & LIVING WELL. All are relevant, fascinating topics, but these discs all contain a major flaw: the quality of the audio is so poor, it’s difficult to hear what His Holiness is saying most of the time. Subtitles would have helped immensely. As is, they’re a better concept than they are an execution. Full screen. Dolby 1.0 mono.



FOR THE YOUNG ‘UNS Disney releases its modern classic THE LION KING in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack as part of its Diamond Edition Collection. Voted the #1 Animated Film of All-Time by an ABC News/People Magazine poll, the timeless tale of Simba, the lion cub who cannot wait to be king of his pride of wild cats, searches for his destiny in the great “Circle of Life.” Eye-popping animation and an Academy Award-winning score make this one of the best of its kind. Terrific voice work from Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Cheech Marin. Bonuses: Deleted scenes; Bloopers; Deleted song; Extended scene; Featurettes; Interactive Blu-ray gallery. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 and DTS-HD 7.1 surround.
Scholastic releases two new sets in its Storybook Treasures series: CHRYSANTHEMUM…AND MORE WHIMSICAL STORIES offers 17 stories on 3 DVDs, with narrators such as Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, Danny Glover, and others, reading stories such as “Rapunzel,” “Is Your Mama a Llama?” and others. MY FIRST COLLECTION VOL. 2 FEATURING SPOON, is another 3 disc set featuring 13 stories, such as “Hush Little Baby,” “Dem Bones,” and “That New Animal,” with narration by Mia Farrow, among others. Both feature interviews with stories’ authors; Spanish versions of stories; Read-alongs. Recommended for ages 2-6. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
Warner Bros. releases LEGO HERO FACTOR: SAVAGE PLANET, a fun animated adventure in which the Hero Factory must answer a distress call from the planet Quatros. Some terrific animation and voice work should ensure that the most discriminating kid in your household will get a kick out of this. Bonuses: Bonus episode. Widescreen. Dolby 5.1 surround.
SESAME STREET: ELMO’S SHAPE ADVENTURE, features Elmo giving lessons in recognizing shapes, counting and vocabulary. “SNL” star Andy Samberg guest stars in this three-part program that is packed with animation, songs, and film clips that explore math words. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 mono.
Paramount releases NICKELODEON MERRY CHRISTMAS!, featuring six holiday-themed episodes from Nick’s biggest hit shows: “Dora the Explorer: A Present for Santa,” “Blue’s Clues: Blue’s First Holiday,” “Go, Diego, Go! Diego Saves Christmas!” “Team Umizoomi: Santa’s Little Fixers,” “Wonder Pets! Save the Reindeer,” and “Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan: The Snowiest Ride.” Bonuses: Music video. Full screen. Dolby 2.0 stereo.