‘Slumdog Millionaire’
Winner of eight Oscars including Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards, Dev Patel stars as a Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums and becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” He is then arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown, which explain why he knows the answers. (Fox)
‘The Odd Couple’
As part of Paramount’s Centennial Collection comes this two-disc set featuring that memorable pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as two divorced men sharing a New York City apartment. Both slip into their roles like a hand in a glove with Lemmon as the fussy and fastidious Felix Unger and Matthau as the slovenly and sloppy Oscar Madison. The film, which begat a popular television show of the same name featuring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman in the respective roles, was originally released in 1968. The two-disc set includes commentary by the late actors’ sons as well as several never-before-seen special segments. (Paramount)
‘To Catch a Thief’
The beautiful French Riviera is the backdrop for this Alfred Hitchcock classic. Cary Grant plays a reformed jewel thief suspected of returning to his former occupation, so he must ferret out the real thief in order to prove his innocence. Grace Kelly co-stars in this picture that won an Oscar for Best Cinematography. Also part of Paramount’s Centennial Collection, this two-disc version provides many brand new features with segments on writing and casting, fashion design, making-of and an interactive travel companion. (Paramount)
‘Pinocchio’
A comparatively dark and edgy animated film from the early days of Disney Studios, this moralistic fable features a puppet who learns that there is more to being a kid than fun and games. Premiering 70 years ago, the picture also marks the screen debut of one of Disney’s signature characters, the fast-talking, wisecracking Jiminy Cricket. (Disney)
‘USC: 2009 Rose Bowl Game’
Here is the complete game of the USC Trojans’ dominating victory over Penn State in the 95th Rose Bowl. Their third straight Rose Bowl crown not only includes the stirring performance by Pete Carroll’s squad, but also post game interviews with the coach and game MVP Mark Sanchez, who threw four touchdown passes and a career-high 413 yards against the Nittany Lions. (ESPN/Genius)
‘F1 Racing: Luck Does Not Come Into It’
This is the official review of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship season. And what a season it was. The two-disc set takes us through an amazing season that saw seven drivers from five different teams win races, while four drivers headed to the championship standings. But after 5,000 miles of racing Britain’s Lewis Hamilton took the checkered flag capping a brilliant 18 race season. Five up close and personal features along with nearly four hours of highlights are included here. (Kultur Video)
‘Imperial War Museum: Desert Victory’
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary (1943), this film was made by the British Army and R.A.F. to capture the Battle for El Alamein as it happened. The two-disc collector’s edition also includes four bonus films covering desert survival, early victories against the Italians and two different perspectives on the siege of Tobruk.
(Koch Vision)
‘Shaw Brothers Collection’
From one of the largest Chinese film collections which includes over 750 films produced between the 1950s and 1990s, comes this four-title box set of popular Kung Fu movies. The Shaw Brothers Studios have long been part of the Hong Kong film industry. Digitally remastered with the inclusion of an English dub track, the selections are: “The Heroic Ones,” “The Battle Wizard,” “The Duel of the Century” and “Two Champions of Shaolin.” (Well Go USA)
Randy Williams can be reached at writtenbyrw@yahoo.com
