By DNA Smith
PICKS OF THE WEEK
“Bambi: Two-Disc Diamond Edition” (G) — Disney’s 1942 tale of one year in the life of an orphaned fawn is not only one of the best animated films from Disney’s Golden Age, it is without a doubt a timeless classic that has enthralled audiences for generations — and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Like all children, Bambi is a bit gangly, uncoordinated and innocent. But following the tragic death of his mother, the young fawn must quickly learn to survive in a forest fraught with peril. Thankfully, he is befriended by Thumper the bunny and Flower the skunk. Together, they learn valuable lessons (often with the help of a wise old Owl) as they take their first tentative steps into young adulthood.
“127 Hours” (R) — Director Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire,” “Trainspotting”) pulls out all the stops in this based-on-a-true-story account of Aron Ralston (James Franco, in his best performance to date), a young canyoneer trapped in the Utah desert.
In 2003, while climbing a remote canyon in Utah, Ralston tries to cross a gap that is bridged by a boulder. As he crosses, the boulder comes loose and Ralson — still holding onto the massive stone — falls about 20 feet to the canyon floor and finds that his hand is inextricably wedged between the boulder and the canyon wall.
For five days, Ralston tries to free himself from the rock, but to no avail. He has flashbacks and hallucinations. Severely dehydrated, he drinks his own urine. He uses the small blade from a multi-tool to carve out his birth and death dates into the canyon wall. Finally, he summons the courage to do the only thing he can if he wants to survive: use the blunted, tiny knife to cut off his arm, and muster what little strength he has left to hike the tens of miles to safety.
“Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde: 35th Anniversary Edition” (R) — Awww yeah … If you’re in the mood for some funky, low-budget ’70s blacksploitation, then look no further, my little possums.
Bernie Casey stars as Dr. Henry Pryde, a famous research scientist developing a serum that will reverse liver damage. When he tests the potion on himself, things get totally messed up: Dr. Pryde becomes Mr. Hyde, a white-skinned, hooker-killin’ psychopath!
TV SERIES
“Pioneers of Television” Season 2
“Cake Boss” Season 3
“Scooby Doo: Curse of the Lake Monster”
“Nova Science Now: Can We Make It to Mars”
“The Norman Conquests”
“Leave It to Beaver” Season 6
“Murder Investigation Team” Series One
“In Loving Memory” Series One
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.