Black History Month Treat: Lincoln and Douglass

Posted on February 4, 2011 at 3:59 pm

My very favorite series for kids, the Scholastic Storybook Treasures, has a new gem out for Black History Month and President’s Day. It’s a collection of DVDs based on four superb history books for children including Lincoln & Douglass: An American Friendship, adapted from the book by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier, and narrated by Danny Glover. It is the story of an historic friendship between two great American leaders, the President of the United States and the man who was born a slave and came to lead the fight for freedom for all slaves.

The DVD also features “The Pilgrims of Plimoth,” “John, Paul, George, & Ben,” the story of five boys who grew up to become the Founding Fathers of the United States, and “The Journey of the One & Only Declaration of Independence.”

Turner Classic Movies Salutes the Oscars

Posted on February 1, 2011 at 9:15 am

Every year, Turner Classic Movies salutes the Oscars with a month full of classics and rarely-seen gems that were nominated for or won Oscars, not just for the acting and directing awards but for costume design, cinematography, and more. Today features three films about the same character — Robert Shaw, Charles Laughton, and Richard Burton all played Henry VIII in Oscar-nominated or awarded films. The most-nominated actor gets a special tribute. (Do you know who it is? Here’s a hint: “Five Easy Pieces,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Reds.”) There’s also a tribute to the actress who had the most nominations without ever winning, Deborah Kerr. And there are enticing categories like “Oscar Falls in Love,” “Husbands and Wives,” and one for “Love at First Site.” Every movie on the schedule is worth watching, so get our your calendars and go through the whole schedule.

Contest: Alice in Wonderland

Posted on January 23, 2011 at 3:47 pm

I am overjoyed to have two copies of one of my very favorite Disney classics to give away. This is the Blu-Ray/DVD 60th anniversary edition of “Alice in Wonderland.” I have loved this film since we watched it at my own 6th birthday party. Of all the many versions of the book by Lewis Carroll, this is my favorite. Alice took Walt Disney full circle, as he began his career with films that featured a real-life girl playing Alice in an animated wonderland.
In addition to the movie with its memorable score (“A Very Merry Un-Birthday,” and “I Give Myself Very Good Advice”), the package includes some behind the scenes footage hosted by Kathryn Beaumont, who provided the voice for Alice (and for Wendy in “Peter Pan”), and some deleted scenes — featuring a newly discovered Cheshire Cat song called “I’m Odd” and the “Pig and Pepper” episode. There’s also a Mickey Mouse through the looking glass cartoon, for the first time in Hi-Def.

Send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com with “Alice” in the title and tell me your favorite Alice character. On Feb 4, I will randomly select two lucky winners.

My policy on conflicts and accepting prizes from film-makers.

Remembering JFK

Posted on January 20, 2011 at 9:33 am

Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of John F. Kennedy with a look at these films:

JFK – A Presidency Revealed The History Channel’s balanced view is candid about the President’s shortcomings and mistakes but also captures his optimism and vigor and his ability to inspire.

Thirteen Days The gripping story of the Cuban Missile Crisis shows the young President at his best in responding to Soviet missiles placed in range to attack the United States.

John F Kennedy – Years of Lightning, Day of Drums This documentary focuses on “Six Faces of the New Frontier:” Six Faces of the New Frontier”, the Peace Corps (founded by the President’s brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver, who died this week), the Alliance for Progress, Civil Rights, Space Exploration, Disarmament, the pursuit of peace, the Cuban crisis, the Berlin crisis, his journey to Costa Rica, his speech at the Berlin Wall and his visit to the Kennedy ancestral home in Ireland.

Pt 109 Cliff Robertson stars as Kennedy in this story of his experiences as skipper of a PT boat and his heroism in saving 10 of his men. (Only available on VHS.)

Famous Speeches & Interviews He was the first true television president and this collection of some of the highlights of his appearances on video and television includes his famous inaugural speech.

Contest for Teachers Only: DVDs on Presidents and Martin Luther King

Posted on January 9, 2011 at 3:52 pm

I have two DVDs to give away — for teachers only, this time. These are from my very favorite series for kids, Scholastic’s Storybook Treasures and they are perfect for celebrating Martin Luther King Day, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and President’s Day in the classroom.

March On!… and More Stories About African American History The first story on this DVD is written by the sister of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., with a very personal account of his “I Have a Dream” speech. “Martin’s Big Words” has Michael Clarke Duncan narrating the story of Dr. King, from his childhood asking his mother about “Whites Only” signs and being inspired by the power of his preacher father’s big words. “Rosa,” narrated by author Nikki Giovanni, is the story of the woman who decided not to give up her seat on the bus and changed the world. And “Henry’s Freedom Box” is the true story of a slave who escaped to freedom — through the mail.

So You Want to Be President… and More Stories to Celebrate American History The title story teaches kids that presidents are people and that their backgrounds and personalities affect the way they do their job — and sometimes the mistakes they make. Narrator Stockard Channing played the role of the first lady on “West Wing.” The late Senator Ted Kennedy narrates “My Senator and Me,” his own story about a dog’s-eye view of political life in Washington. In “Madam President,” a girl imagines what she could do if she had the job. And “I Could Do That: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote” tells the story of the suffrage leader and first woman to hold public office in the United States — she took over the job of the judge who resigned in protest when she got women the vote in Wyoming, the first state to give women that right.

Send an email to moviemom@moviemom.com with either President or King in the subject line, to let me know which one you want. Don’t forget your address! The first to respond will get the DVDs.