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Volume III, Issue 4 |
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| Video Flash |
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Monthly selections of materials for children, nonfiction, new release blockbusters and anime are collected here to help you find what you need as quickly as possible.
Kid’s Picks Highlights
Heads Up!
New to DVD for Children
Upcoming Anime Highlights
Nonfiction Picks Highlights
Classic Features on DVD
| Kid's PICKS Highlights |
The Adventures of Pete & Pete Season 1 (1993)
This brand new collection contains all eight episodes from the first season of this wildly popular Nickelodeon series about a surreal suburban world seen through the eyes of preteens. Featuring celebrity cameos from Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Kate Pierson (The B-52s), Steve Buscemi, Debbie Harry (Blondie), Ellen Cleghorne (SNL), Frank Gifford, William Hickey, and Juliana Hatfield.
Fantastic Four (1994-1995)
Get ready for fun, excitement and nonstop action in this spectacular four-disc DVD set, featuring all 26 episodes of the popular 1990s animated series. Learn the origin of The Fantastic Four, and witness their unique super powers as they save the world from the dastardly Doctor Doom and his legion of villains.
Nick Jr. Favorites 1
A can’t miss compilation from Nick Jr.’s most popular series including Dora the Explorer: The Lost City, Blue’s Clues: The Legend of the Blue Puppy, Little Bill: Little Bill’s Adventures with Captain Brainstorm, Max & Ruby: Max’s Work of Art/Max Meets Morris/Ruby’s Scavenger Hunt, Oswald: A Day at the Beach/Sand Sculptor Contest and LazyTown: Sports Day. These have never been released on DVD before.
Nick Picks 1
Enjoys hours of laughs and adventures with this compilation of hit episodes from seven of Nick’s most popular series! Contains All Grown Up: Lucky 13, SpongeBob SquarePants: SpongeBob BC, The Fairly OddParents: Information Stuporhighway, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius/The Fairly OddParents: Jimmy Timmy Power Hour, Danny Phantom: Bitter Reunions, Rugrats: Finsterella and My Life As a Teenage Robot: Hostile Makeover. These have never been released on DVD before.
Really Bend It Like Beckham (2005)
Really Bend It Like Beckham provides a real-life glimpse into the soccer world of David Beckham including insights into Beckham’s amazing kick-free talents, soccer tricks, training techniques and insights into what it takes to make it to the top of the game. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes with David Beckham, kid’s Q&A and a printable version of the UEFA sanctioned coaching plan.
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| Heads Up! |
The Brooke Ellison Story (2004) (PG) (TV)
Based on a true story and directed by Christopher Reeve, Brooke Ellison became a paraplegic at age 11 but, with determination and the support of her family, rose above her disability and went on to graduate from Harvard University. Starring Lacey Chabert. Rated PG (thematic elements and language).
Funky Monkey (2004) (PG)
A CIA agent and Clemens, a super intelligent chimp trained in martial arts, break out of a secret testing lab which turns primates into soldiers. With evil henchmen on their trail, they go into hiding in the house of a local boy and his mother. Clemens is captured and the new friends team up to attempt a daring rescue. Starring Matthew Modine. Rated PG (some action violence, language and crude humor).
The Sandlot 2 (2005) (PG)
Set ten years after The Sandlot, the shabby dirt field is once again the place where neighborhood kids share laughs, face fears, and learn about the two most important things in life: Baseball and friendship. Starring James Earl Jones. Rated PG (language, rude humor and brief violence).
Spin (2003) (PG-13)
In this intimate coming-of-age adventure based on the novel by Donald Everett Axinn, a teenage boy learns about the dangers and pleasures of love, life, and flying. Starring Ryan Merrymen. Rated PG-13 (thematic elements and some violent images).
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New to DVD for Families and Children
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After School Specials (1981-1986) (TV)
The next two-disc sets in the series span the years 1981-1986. Set 4 (1981-1982) contains A Matter of Time, First Step, Tough Girl, and The Night Swimmers. Set 6 (1982-1986) contains Two Loves for Jimmy, Did You Hear What Happened to Andrea?, Ace Hits the Big Time, and Face at the Edge of the World.
Anne of Green Gables (1985-2000) (TV)
Based on the novels by Lucy Maude Montgomery and starring Megan Fellows as Anne, all three volumes of this popular TV series are now available.
Clarissa Explains It All Season 1 (1991) (TV)
The classic Emmy Award–winner from Nickelodeon, Clarissa Explains It All, stars a young Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) as Clarissa, along with her annoying little brother (Ferguson), her health-nut mom (Janet), her architect dad (Marshall) and her next door neighbor (Sam), who was always welcome in her room.
DangerMouse: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2 (1981-1987) (TV)
Originally released on VHS by HBO in the early 1980s, A&E finally introduces the DVD release of DangerMouse, the greatest mouse spy the world has ever known. DangerMouse and his timid hamster sidekick Penfold must save the world from crazed villains aided by wacky hi-tech gizmos in this tongue-in-cheek series.
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| Upcoming Anime Highlights |
Appleseed: The Movie
Earth’s last city, Olympus, rose from the ashes of a global war on the backs of Bioroids, artificial clones who make up half the city’s population. Under the strict guidance of a supercomputer, humanity’s last survivors enjoy an idyllic peace, but only on the surface. Human terrorists within the military seek a return to power and clash with the government’s ESWAT forces lead by the legendary soldier, Deunan Knute, and her boyfriend, who is 75% machine. Retrieving the Appleseed will end the conflict, and Deunan alone holds its secret. Recommend for ages 17+.
Burst Angel Vol.01: Death Angel
The Recent Armed Police of Tokyo is stealing away jurisdiction from the local authorities quicker than a bullet leaves a barrel. People are getting desperate and their desperation causes their fingers to get itchy, resulting in more bodies in the streets. Meanwhile, an enigmatic angel has just come to Earth. With her partners Sei, Amy, and Meg, she’s the best chance this town has. Recommended for ages 13+.
Dragon Ball Z Movie 1: Dead Zone
Gohan has been kidnapped! To make matters worse, the evil Garlic Jr. is gathering the Dragonballs to wish for immortality. Only then will Garlic Jr. be able to take over the Earth in order to gain revenge for the death of his father. Goku rushes to save Gohan, but arrives at the fortress just as Garlic Jr. summons the Eternal Dragon. Krillin and Piccolo try to help Goku, but their combined powers are no match for Garlic Jr., who creates a “Dead Zone” to suck the heroes into oblivion. Suddenly, Goku begins to show his hidden power, but will it be enough? Recommended for ages 13+.
Full Metal PanicFumoffu Vol.01: Full Metal Pandemonium
Sousuke and Kaname are back in action and, this time, the battleground is the school ground. High-yield explosives and hilarity come together as the somber soldier and his unwitting target brave everything from lovesick “terrorists” to an unforgiving teacher who is bent on revenge. Yet, as good as he is with guns, Sousuke is one clueless commando when it comes to girls – especially Kaname. Recommended for ages 15+.
Ninja Scroll Boxed Set
In feudal Japan, the Edo period brought a time of delicate peace bought with blood. Ninja Scroll: The Series chronicles the life of Jubei Kibagami as he wanders the countryside as a ninja for hire. At this time, ninja clans are everywhere. One clan, known as the Hiruko Clan, doomed to live and die in darkness, protects a sacred treasure called the Dragon Stone. The Kimon Clan, however, bent on reviving the power of the Toyotomi, wants the Dragon Stone and the treasure it hides. Jubei is the best man for the job of protecting both the Dragon Stone and the only one who can use it--The Light Maiden. Contains the entire TV series. Recommended for ages 15+.
Rahxephon: The Complete Collection
The city of Tokyo has been overthrown, taken over by Invaders who have devastated the rest of the planet. For 15 years, the remnants of the human race have fought a losing battle against the Mu and their Dolem, knowing that the key to victory lies within the domed walls of Tokyo Jupiter. Time flows in a different path there and none of the mind-wiped citizens even know that the city has been conquered and no one has been able to get into Tokyo. Until now. Prepare for the ultimate paradigm shift as one young man learns the horrifying secret in RahXephon.
Contains all 26 episodes on seven discs. Recommend for ages 15+.
NOTE: A comprehensive list of upcoming Anime releases is available on ipage.
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| Nonfiction Picks Highlights |
Above and Beyond: The Complete Television Series
Twenty-six episodes cover over ten hours of astonishing and breathtaking content including rare and never-before-seen footage in an in-depth look at the mystery and wonder of the vast beyond.
Checkpoint (2003)
Israeli filmmaker Yoav Shamir documents the impact of the enforced boundaries known as “checkpoints” on the Israeli border guards drafted to monitor them and the Palestinian citizens who must pass through them daily in this award-winning film. A guidebook correlated to national standards is also available www.choicesvideo.com.
Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story (2005)
Cinderella Man: The Real Jim Braddock Story explores the rollercoaster rise and fall and rise again of Jim Braddock’s life. He fought hard to earn his recognition as a fighter and then had it all taken away when he, and the rest of the country, fell into hard times during the Great Depression.
Trading Spaces (2000-present)
Two sets of neighbors have 48 hours to complete a redesign task in five separate and complete episodes. In Trading Spaces: Creative Home Décor, designer Doug Wilson brings his creative genius to five American households, and in Trading Spaces: Great Kitchen Designs and More! designers Doug Wilson and Genevieve Gorder and carpenter Ty Pennington tackle the most popular room in everybody’s home--the kitchen!
Yankeeography Volume 3 (2005)
The third volume in this signature biography series includes Joe DiMaggio, Bobby Murcer, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Jorge Posada and 90 minutes of bonus footage about these legends.
Available on DVD for the first time:
The Courtesans of Bombay (1983) (TV)
Director Ishmail Ivory (Merchant & Ivory) documents the goings-on of Pavan Pool, the enclosed area where Bombay’s singing and dancing courtesans ply their trade.
Language DVDs
Mastervision is releasing their collection of language tapes combining similar languages together on one DVD. Included in the May release are Basic Japanese & Chinese on DVD, Basic Arabic, Hebrew & Yiddish on DVD, Basic Spanish & Portuguese on DVD, Basic French and Italian on DVD, and, although I don’t see the similarity here, Basic German & Russian on DVD.
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| New! Classic Features on DVD |
DVD releases of classic titles are coming fast and furious, as DVD becomes the preferred format for today’s audience. This new addition to the newsletter highlights notable features new to DVD, or “super” Special Edition releases available previously on DVD that belong in a core collection. Several of these titles will be included in We Recommend… Level 3 and will be noted with (WR).
Controversial Classics… In Their Day
Warner Home Video is releasing seven classic titles, all of which are fine additions to any collection. Considered controversial in their day, the set includes Blackboard Jungle (1955) (B&W), starring Sidney Poitier; Elia Kazan's A Face In The Crowd (1957) (B&W) starring Andy Griffith; Fritz Lang's Fury (1936) (B&W) starring Spencer Tracy; Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) starring Spencer Tracy; Advise and Consent (1962) (B&W) starring Henry Fonda; The Americanization of Emily (1964) (B&W) starring James Garner and Julie Andrews and I Am A Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932) (B&W), starring Paul Muni.
Fox Studio Classics: Wave 26
20th Century Fox is releasing three titles in their Studio Classics series: Anna and the King of Siam (1946) (B&W) starring Rex Harrison; The Razor’s Edge (1946) (B&W) starring Tyrone Power and The Best of Everything (1959) starring Hope Lange and Joan Crawford.
Worth a Mention
The Father’s Day promotion from 20th Century Fox includes 18 titles. On Melly Anderson’s recommended list are Brigham Young: Frontiersman (1940) (B&W) starring Tyrone Power; Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) (B&W) starring Henry Fonda; A Farewell to Arms (1957) starring Tyrone Power; Hombre (1967) starring Paul Newman and In Old Arizona (1928) (B&W) starring Warner Baxter.
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