By DNA Smith
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“The African Queen” (Commemorative Box Set) (Not Rated) — Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn star in this 1951 classic directed by John Huston. Set in 1914 Africa, Hepburn plays a Methodist missionary whose mission is destroyed by the Germans following the breakout of World War I. She is rescued by Charlie Allnut (Bogart, who won an Oscar for the role), the skipper of a rickety old tub named The African Queen. Together they brave the perilous waters of the Congo, avoiding the Germans and dangerous rapids in their attempt to sink the gunboat Louisa, thus opening the route to British ships and their way to freedom.
This boxed set is light on special features, but it what it offers is pretty nifty. The first disc contains the newly restored print and a one-hour documentary on the making of the film. The second disc is a CD featuring the radio broadcast of “The African Queen” starring Bogart and Greer Garson. Also included is a reproduction of the out-of-print book by Hepburn, “The Making of The African Queen, or How I Went to Africa with Bogart, Bacall and Huston and Almost Lost My Mind,” her memoir on the filming of this classic movie.
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” (PG-13) — The sparkly vampire series by Stephanie Meyer continues with Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), who, after being abandoned by vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), goes to frolic with shirtless teenage werewolfens. Stuff happens. I don’t know what, because I did not see this movie.
“The T.A.M.I. Show” Collector’s Edition (NR) — This is one of the greatest rock-n-roll concert films ever made. Filmed using an experimental high-definition video camera, this 1964 concert film features amazing performances by Jan and Dean, Chuck Berry, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones, just to name a few. But the performance that will grab you is the one by James Brown. In the prime of his career, Brown’s set (“Out of Sight,” “Prisoner Of Love,” “Please, Please, Please” and “Night Train”) brings down the house.
“Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2” (G) — With this year’s release of “Toy Story 3,” Disney is re-releasing the first two films on DVD and Blu-Ray. If you already own them, there’s no real reason to grab these, as the special features are basically the same as the older versions.
TV SERIES
“Mad Men” Season 3
“The Prisoner” (Miniseries)
“Krod Mandoon & The Flaming Sword of Fire”
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch” The Complete Sixth Season
“Father Knows Best” Season Four
“7th Heaven” The Complete Tenth Season
“The Lair” The Complete Third Season
“Case Closed” Season Four
(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.