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Max’s Best DVD and Blu-ray Picks – December 2011

Hi, I’m Max. best friend of Walt Oleksy (waltmax@comcast.net), and I review new DVD and Blu-ray releases each month. We don’t care for most of the new stuff out of Hollywood. We’ve seen more than enough thrillers, car chases, men and women in their birth-day suits, and comedies the critics say are “hilarious” but which just aren’t funny unless you’re two years old (I’m nine and my master admits to being “over thirty-nine.” We don’t watch anything with vampires in it, except the original “Dracula.” We like movies that tell a good story and maybe we learn something from it. We figured you can read about the new so-called blockbuster films everywhere else, so we look for flicks that are worth seeing but get little publicity and are not seen in most mall theaters.

Everyone’s so busy these days, I keep my recommendations brief. So here goes for what I think you’ll like this month.

Let’s start by recommending our favorite movie on DVD this past year:

DOWNTON ABBEY

The British television miniseries won lots of awards and we agree. It has everything… drama, comedy, great performances, sets, costumes, cars, and always keeps you guessing. It’s a new take on the classic old “upstairs, downstairs” story, taking place in a country manor house just before the start of World War 1. I won’t tell you more if you haven’t already seen it, because you’ll enjoy discovering its many charms as you watch it. From PBS Distribution in both DVD and Blu-ray. If you have seen it, see it again to prepare for Downton Abbey 2 which is coming on PBS Television in January.

Others I think you’ll like:

THE COMPLETE INSPECTOR LEWIS

Mystery fans will welcome this boxed set of all 20 episodes of the series through series four which were all spun off from the Inspector Morse novels by Colin Dexter. From PBS Distribution.

THE LEGACY COLLECTION: KIRK DOUGLAS

Kirk made some great movies and was named one of the 25 greatest male American screen legends of all time by the American Film Institute. Inception Media Group has put together a DVD tribute to Douglas with some of his lesser films and television appearances. Films on the 3-disc set include “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” (1946), “My Dear Secretary” (1948), “The Big Trees” (1952).

DAHLING: A TRIBUTE TO ZSA ZSA GABOR

Merv Griffin called her “glamour personified,” the beautful Hungrian actress who graced dozens of films and television shows. Inception Media Group has compiled some of her films and television appearances in a disc that her fans will love. Included are full-length movies “Mooch Goes to Hollywood” (1971) and “Frankenstein;s Great Aunt Tillie (1984). Granted they are not classics, but lots of fun anyway. Also seen are her appearances on the Milton Berle Show (1950), and The G.E. True Theater feature “The Honest Man (1956).

Documentaries

DOGS

Forgive me for recommending this series of PBS Television specials on my favorite subject, but it’s the best thing about us adoreable, loyal, loving, man’s and woman’s best friends. The boxed set of four DDs includes “How Smart Are Animals,” “Dogs Decoded,” “Through a Dog’s Eyes,” and “Dogs and More Dogs.’ From PBS Disdtribution.

RADIOACTIVE WOLVES

My ancestors are the stars of this documentary about some packs of wolves and other wildlife that are (thankfully) thriving today in the “dead zone” that still surrounds the remains of the devastating nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, Soviet Union, 25 years ago. In Blu-ray and DVD from PBS Distribition

LIDIA’S CHRISTMAS KITCHEN: Nonna Tell Me a Story

Just in time for the holiday, Lidia Bastianich delights us with a mix of Christmas storytelling, and cooking instructions, sharing special family moments in her home, especially the kitchen. On DVD and Blu-ray from PBS Distribution.

FRONTLINE: FAITH AND DOUBT AT GROUND ZERO

The award-winning television series explores how the spiritual lives of Americans who are both believers and nonbelievers have changed sine the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Most wonder how God could have allowed such a disaster, some gaining strength from their faith and others doubting the existence of a higher being. The thought-provoking two-hour DVD is from PBS Distribution.

COAST

A wonderful armhair journey along Britain’s coastline and inland, an award-winning documentary in 16 episodes, hosted by experts on history, architecture and other subject. The adventure following relationships between the coastal communities and their neighbors goes from prehistoric times to World War II and later. My master especially enjoyed the section tht helped him remember catching a ferry from Belgiu and crossing the English Channel to Dover when he was a G.I. in Germany in 1957. See the complete coastal journey all in a few evening gulps or ration the 16 hours to one or two a night. From BFS Entertainment.

TOO IMPORTANT TO FAIL

Television host Tavis Smiley reports on the alarming nearly 50 percent high school dropout rate among young black males in America in this segment of Tavis Smiley Reports. He suggests the root cause of the problem and what can be done to reverse it. From PBS Distribution.

WOMEN, WAR & PEACE

This documentary focuses on the untold stories of women’s strategic roles in global conflict and peacemaking. The women focused on will give you new insight into women today in modern warfare. Narrating the stories are movie stars Alfre Woodard, Matt Damon, Geena Davis, Tilda Swinton. The DVD is fom PBS Distribution. “This ground-breaking series must be seen,” says one critic, and I agree.

H.M.S. PINAFORE

On the lighter side, I loved this new staging of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic operetta in the Guthrie Theater production. Ite’s a fresh comic treatement of the show loved for its songs, story, and satire. Nearly four hours of musical joy on a DVD from PBS Distribution.

For Puppies and Kids

FIZZY’S LUNCH LAB: FRESH FOOD 101 teaches kids about good nutrition and eating right in this new animated DVD. Professor Fizzy and his friends prepare tasty snacks and tell kids the difference between healthy and bad food. Kids also learn what happens once the food they eat goes into the body. The learning segments are short and sometimes funny, an easy way for kids to digest the information. From PBS Distribution.

See you next month at the same fire hydrant, and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!