New DVDs: TV Series, NonFiction and Feature Length Films – November 2009

An Awfully Big Adventure

An engaging comedy about a star-struck young girl lured into the grown-up world of the theater. Young Stella Bradshaw quickly discovers what it takes to make it in the theater. Cast: Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Georgina Cates, Peter Firth. (1995) Rated R

The Barefoot Contessa

With extraordinary beauty, talent and grace, Spanish dancer Maria Vargas was born to be a star. Aided by American movie director Harry Dawes, she attains great success and fortune in Hollywood’s land of dreams. But, though she gives her all for stardom, there is one thing Maria will never compromise – her soul. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Marius Goring, Valentina Cortesa, Rossano Brazzi, Warren Stevens, Bessie Love, Elizabeth Sellars. (1954) Not Rated

Battlestar Gallactica: The Plan

The Cylons began as humanity’s robot servants. They rebelled and evolved and now they look like humans. Their plan is simple: destroy the race that enslaved them. But when their devastating attack leaves human survivors, the Cylons have to improvise. The story of two powerful Cylon leaders, working separately, and their determination to finish the task. Cast: Tricia Helfer, Edward James Olmos, Grace Park, Callum Keith Rennie, Dean Stockwell, Kate Vernon, Michael Trucco, Michael Hogan, Rekha Sharma, Aaron Douglas, Alisen Down. Not Rated

Beyond Christmas

While three elderly businessmen are having a Christmas Eve dinner, they are visited by two kind-hearted strangers who return their wallets. The men are all killed in a blizzard, but return to Earth as the couple’s guardian angels. Cast: Harry Carey, Charles Winninger, Aubrey Smith, Jean Parker, Richard Carlson. (1940) Not Rated

The Bridge on the River Kwai

British soldiers captured by the Japanese during World War II are forced to construct a strategic railroad bridge which a commando team is instructed by the British High Command to destroy. Cast: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, James Donald, Ann Sears, Geoffrey Horne. Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle. (1957) Rated PG

California Suite

Five couples have come to the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles for diverse reasons, and they must all confront some rather amusing personal dilemmas. Cast: Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Bill Cosby, Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Richard Pryor, Maggie Smith. Screenplay by Neil Simon. (1978) Rated PG

Call Me Claus

Lucy is a cranky, volatile producer at a home shopping network in charge of hiring the station’s on-air Santa Claus. The “real” Santa, who finds himself at the end of his 200-year contract, must convince Lucy that she is the perfect candidate to fill his shoes. Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Nigel Hawthorne, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Victor Garber, Taylor Negron, Frankie R. Faison, Alexandra Wentworth. (2001) Not Rated

Candide

Leonard Bernstein’s comic operetta is based on the classic Voltaire tale of an innocent young man’s journey through a life filled with colorful characters and unexpected life lessons. Cast: Robert Orth (Pangloss), Michael Slattery (Candide), Nancy Allen Lundy (Cunegonde), Gabriele Ribis, Rosalind Elias, Hilda Ramos. Recorded in the Teatro Argentina, Rome, Italy, June 2003.

Dogtown

This National Geographic special profiles life at Dogtown, a sanctuary for stray dogs located in Utah’s canyon country and part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Shows how sanctuary workers transform problem dogs into well-behaved pets. (2008)

Fail Safe

A computer malfunction causes nuclear-equipped American bombers to destroy Moscow and the president of the United States has to take terrible measures to appease the Soviets and prevent all-out nuclear war. Cast: Henry Fonda, Dan O’Herlihy, Walter Matthau, Frank Overton, Edward Binns, Larry Hagman, Fritz Weaver. (1964) Not Rated

Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens

Based on the book Galileo’s Daughter by Dava Sobel and produced as an episode of the PBS television series: Nova. A dramatization of the life and achievements of 17th century Tuscan astronomer Galileo Galilei. Focuses on Galilei’s struggles with the Catholic Church over his controversial theory that the earth revolves around the sun.

Hamlet

Hamlet, a prince of medieval-era Denmark, senses treachery behind his royal father’s death. His mother is all too dangerously entangled in that treachery. This film portrays Shakespeare’s immortal tale of high adventure and evil deeds. Cast: Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Helena Bonham-Carter. (1990) Rated PG

The Haunted Airman

RAF Flight Lieutenant Toby Jugg is wounded during the war and confined to a wheelchair. He arrives at a remote mansion in Wales to recuperate. While recovering he begins to suffer from terrible nightmares and visions. Toby finds that he can’t trust the hospital staff and psychologists, especially once other patients begin to die. Cast: Julian Sands, Rachael Stirling, Robert Pattinson.  Based on “The Haunting of Toby Jugg” by Dennis Wheatley. (2006) Rated R

Incredible Human Machine

Brilliantly designed and marvelous in its mechanics, the human body is incredible. With stunning footage and powerful first hand accounts, take a fantastic journey through an ordinary day in the life of the human body. Witness striking feats of medical advancement, from glimpses of open-brain surgery to real-time views of Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler’s vocal chords. Meet athletes and other unique people who push the human body to its ultimate limits.  As seen on the National Geographic Channel.

Inside Mecca

This National Geographic special examines the spiritually charged history of Mecca and its place at the center of the fastest growing and perhaps most misunderstood religion in the world.  (2003)

Inside the U.S. Secret Service

Originally broadcast on the National Geographic Channel in 2004.  In the post-9/11 world, where the stakes have dramatically escalated, the Secret Service agent is the first and last defense for the President of the United States. Agents operate in an arena where there is no margin for error. Go inside and meet the dedicated men and women who are sworn to protect the President at any cost. Get an agent’s-eye view of the daily challenges faced through the decades by Secret Service veterans, from keeping tabs on the president’s children to dealing with the privacy of the First Family.

Inside the Vatican

National Geographic, with unprecedented access, provides a rare glimpse inside the secret archives and private chapels of the Vatican.  Privileged accounts from Vatican officials, historians, and devoted individuals who work closely with Pope John Paul II provide insight into the remarkable history of the holy city and the unique traditions that have survived for nearly 2000 years.  (2002)

Inside the White House

This National Geographic documentary, narrated by Morgan Freeman, takes viewers on an in-depth tour of the White House, including its private quarters. Interviews with White House staff members as well as every President and First Lady living at the time of production are included, as is a behind-the-scenes look at a state dinner preparation.

Inspector Lewis: The Pilot and Complete First Series

Following the death in 2000 of his eponymous mentor in Inspector Morse, Sergeant Lewis was promoted to Inspector and took a two-year sabbatical in the British Virgin Isles. Newly widowed, he now returns to Oxford and soon finds himself in charge of his own murder case. But it is notes that Morse made on an earlier case which help Lewis solve his case. Cast: Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Clare Holman, Rebecca Front. Inspired by the Inspector Morse novels of Colin Dexter. (2006) Not Rated

Journey to the Edge of the Universe

This National Geographic production uses CGI technology created from images taken by the Hubble Telescope to present a view of outer space.

Look Back in Anger

Fierce, funny, and cathartic, John Osborne’s classic ‘kitchen sink’ drama as directed by Academy Award winner Judi Dench is a masterpiece of ensemble acting.  Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Gerard Horan, Siobhan Redmond, Edward Jewesbury. (1989) Not Rated

Love in the Afternoon

Frank Flannegan, an American playboy infamous for his scandalous affairs is smitten by Ariane, the beautiful, innocent daughter of the worldly detective, hired by a man who believes that Frank is carrying on with his wife. Frank turns out to be no match for Ariane and they stumble through one of the funniest seductions. Cast: Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, John McGiver. (1957) Not Rated

A Month by the Lake

Two women pursue a handsome bachelor at a luxurious lakeside resort. Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Edward Fox, Uma Thurman, Alida Valli.  Based on the novel by H.E. Bates. (1995) Rated PG

Metropolitan

When a group of young sophisticated high society friends in New York take in a new member with more humble origins, they begin to learn what life is like outside their sheltered world. Cast: Carolyn Farina, Edward Clements, Taylor Nichols, Christopher Eigeman, Allison Rutledge-Parisi, Dylan Hundley. (1990) Rated PG-13.

A Midwife’s Tale

Dramatic exploration of the life of Martha Ballard, a woman who lived through the economic boom and bust, and political and social turmoil of the decades following the American Revolution. Based on the book by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. (1997) Not Rated

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Christmas is the perfect season for Clark Griswold and his family. Clark’s a disaster waiting to happen. You have to see it to believe it. There are 25,000 lights on the Griswold rooftop. An exploding turkey. And a house full of relatives. Cast: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, Diane Ladd, John Randolph, E.G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (1989) Rated PG-13

Quartet

The quartet consists of novelist Marya Zelli, her Polish husband, Stephen, wealthy philanderer/artist H.J. Heidler and his wife, Lois. Though she has been indulgent of H.J.’s past indiscretions, Lois isn’t keen on her husband carrying on an affair with Marya under their own roof. Meanwhile, Stephen sits in prison, jailed for his various petty thefts. Once Stephen is released, he learns about the triangle. When the dust settles, it is Marya who suffers the most. Cast: Alan Bates, Maggie Smith, Isabelle Adjani, Anthony Higgins. Based on the novel by Jean Rhys. (1981) Not Rated

Roberto Clemente

This episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, tells the story of Roberto Clemente, an exceptional baseball player and committed humanitarian who challenged racial discrimination to become baseball’s first Latino superstar. Not Rated

Secrets of the Titanic

This National Geographic special documents Dr. Robert Ballard’s famous expedition, the first to uncover the passenger ship Titanic that had sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean seventy years earlier.

Shroud for a Nightingale

Adam Dalgliesh visits John Carpenter Hospital to interview an arms dealer, but while he is there, a nurse dies a horrible and violent death during a teaching demonstration. Cast: Roy Marsden, Joss Ackland, Sheila Allen, Liz Fraser, Thelma Whiteley, Andree Evans, John Vine. Based on the novel by P. D. James. (1986) Not Rated

Six Degrees Could Change the World

This National Geographic program discusses why many scientists believe that the Earth’s average temperature could rise by as much as six degrees Celsius by 2100. Explores what each rising degree could mean for the future of humanity and our planet. Illustrates how global warming has already affected the reefs of Australia, the ice fields of Greenland, and the Amazonian rain forest. Explains what’s real, what’s still controversial, and how existing technologies and remedies could help dial back the global thermometer.  (2008)

State of the Union

When an idealistic businessman is chosen to run for President, he is caught between the ruthless ambition of a string-pulling newspaper owner and the integrity of his devoted wife. Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Van Johnson, Angela Lansbury, Adolph Menjou, Lewis Stone.  Based on the play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. (1948) Not Rated

A Touch of Frost: Season 14

Three episodes from the British detective series featuring Detective Inspector Jack Frost, a policeman who approaches his cases with a dry wit and sense of moral justice. Cast: David Jason, Bruce Alexander, John Lyons. Based on characters created by R.D. Wingfield. Not Rated

Twice upon a Yesterday

Victor, an out of work actor, tries to stop his ex-girlfriend, Sylvia, from marrying another man. When she refuses him, Victor is miraculously given a second chance to go back and correct the mistake which led to their break-up.Cast: Lena Headey, Douglas Henshall, Penelope Cruz, Gustavo Salmeron, Eusebio Lazaro, Mark Strong, Charlotte Coleman, Neil Stuke, Elizabeth McGovern. (1999) Rated R

Unnatural Causes

Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh investigates the bizarre murder of a man with his hands cut off found floating in a dinghy out at sea. Cast: Roy Marsden, Simon Chandler, Kenneth Colley, Mel Martin, Bill Nighy. Based on the novel by P.D. James. (1993) Not Rated

Vietnam: A Television History: The Fall of Saigon

Three episodes from Vietnam, a Television History, looks at the end of the war, peace efforts by diplomats in Paris and the American opinion of the Vietnam War.   

Volcano: Nature’s Inferno

This National Geographic special explains what a volcano is, explores how volcanoes build new land mass, and chronicles past volcanic eruptions throughout the world. Features comments from leading volcanologists and visits to some of the world’s most famous volcanoes including Mount Pinatubo in the Phillipines and Mount Unzen in Japan. (1997)

Woman of the Year

In this hilarious excursion into the battle of the sexes, Tracy plays Sam Craig, the down-to-earth sportswriter of the New York Chronicle. As Tess Harding, the paper’s bright international columnist, Hepburn makes his life miserable. As soon as they start taking swipes at each other in their columns, there is little peace between them. In the office and in the bedroom the squabbling continues, until their problems are overcome by their deep love for each other. Cast: Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Fay Bainter, Reginald Owen. (1942) Not Rated

New Releases on DVD November 2009

The Accidental Husband

When New York’s most practical-minded ‘doctor of love’ convinces one of her distraught callers to break off her engagement, the caller’s unpredictable fiance decides to get revenge. Creating a fake marriage license, he ‘accidentally’ weds himself to the doctor, who is already engaged. A wildly unpredictable romance is set in motion that neither one expects to find. Cast: Uma Thurman, Colin Firth, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Rated PG-13

Angels & Demons

Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of the most powerful underground organization in history, the Illuminati. Upon learning of an unstoppable terrorist act against the Vatican, Langdon travels to Rome and joins forces with Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra and together they will follow the 400-year-old Path of Illumination that leads to the Vatican’s only chance for survival. Cast: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgård, Pierfrancesco Favino, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Armin Mueller-Stahl.  Based on the novel by Dan Brown. Rated PG-13

The Answer Man

Reclusive author Arlen Faber (Jeff Daniels) — who’s intentionally been out of the spotlight since he penned an inspirational self-help book two decades ago — finds himself in need of spiritual healing in this quirky indie romance. Though everyone still looks to Arlen for answers, he’s an emotional cipher without a clue … until he meets an angst-ridden, overprotective single mom (Lauren Graham) and a recovering alcoholic (Lou Taylor Pucci). Rated R

Bruno

Flamboyantly gay Austrian television reporter Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen) stirs up trouble with unsuspecting guests and large crowds through brutally frank interviews and painfully hilarious public displays of homosexuality. An incredible chameleon who completely disappears behind his flaming alter ego, the bold Baron Cohen serves up nonstop laughs in this comedy by successfully rubbing people the wrong way. Rated R

Four Christmases

Every Christmas, Brad and Kate escape divorced parents and exasperating relatives by getting on a plane. But this year, heavy fog shuts down the airport, forcing the couple to celebrate Christmas with four sets of relatives. Cast: Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon, Robert Duvall, Jon Favreau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Voight, Sissy Spacek. Rated PG-13

Funny People

When a famous comedian discovers that he has less than a year to live, he decides to return to the places and people that matter to him the most. Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman. Rated R

I Love You, Beth Cooper

When bookish high school valedictorian Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) uses his graduation speech to express his adoration for resident hottie Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere), he gets the shock of his life when she responds by showing up on his doorstep that very night. Rated PG-13

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Manny and the herd discover a lost world of ferocious dinosaurs while Scrat goes nuts over the beautiful Scratte. Voices: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah. Rated PG

Is Anybody There?

Growing up in a seaside nursing home run by his parents takes its toll on 10-year-old Edward (Bill Milner), but things begin to look up for the lonely boy when a retired magician (Michael Caine) with a zest for life moves in. Set in the 1980s, this poignant tale follows the developing friendship between Clarence — a spirited old troublemaker hiding from his past — and death-obsessed Edward, a youngster unable to live life in the moment. Rated PG-13

My Sister’s Keeper

A former defense attorney (Cameron Diaz) finds herself back in the courtroom when she and her husband (Jason Patric) are sued for medical emancipation by their 11-year-old daughter, Anna (Abigail Breslin), who is expected to donate a kidney to her dying older sister. The subsequent trial tests ethical boundaries and the limits of parental love. Joan Cusack and Alec Baldwin round out the cast in this powerful drama based on Jodi Picoult’s novel. Rated PG-13

Not Forgotten

Every family has its secrets, and it’s those secrets that come back to haunt banker Jack Bishop (Simon Baker) when the disappearance of his daughter, Toby (Chloe Moretz), disrupts his picture-perfect life in a Southwest border town. Forced to face his past, Bishop travels to Mexico and back into the thrall of his former faith — the death-worshipping cult of Santa Muerte — as he searches for Toby.  Rated R

Nothing Like the Holidays

Debra Messing and John Leguizmo head up an all-star cast in this multicultural ensemble comedy that follows a trio of Puerto Rican siblings on their way home to Chicago for a Christmas season family reunion. Directed by Alfredo De Villa, the holiday tale also features performances by Alfred Molina, Luis Guzman, Jay Hernandez, Freddy Rodriguez, Vanessa Ferlito and Melonie Diaz. Rated PG-13

Star Trek

Capt. Kirk (Chris Pine) and his trusted team on the starship USS Enterprise boldly go where no man has gone before in this installment of Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi franchise that follows the early days of the intergalactic adventurers. The crew includes Spock (Zachary Quinto), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Scotty (Simon Pegg) and Sulu (John Cho). Eric Bana co-stars, and Leonard Nimoy appears as an older version of Spock. Rated PG-13

The Taking of Pelham 123

When a group of hijackers led by criminal mastermind Ryder (John Travolta) take the passengers aboard a New York subway train hostage and demand a king’s ransom, it’s up to subway dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) to bring them down. This action thriller — an update of the 1974 film — also stars James Gandolfini, John Turturro, Luis Guzmán and Michael Rispoli.  Rated R

The Ugly Truth

The search for ‘Mr. Right’ has left Abby, a romantically challenged morning show producer hopelessly single. She receives an eye-opening education when she gets teamed up with Mike, a hardcore TV personality who wants to prove his theories on what makes men tick by helping her find true love. The unexpected results may surprise them both. Cast: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly, Cheryl Hines. Rated R

Up

Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Junior Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life. Rated PG 

Whatever Works

While falling for a young Southern belle (Evan Rachel Wood), an aging New York City eccentric (Larry David) finds himself caught in a series of bizarre situations involving the girl’s parents and his own Greenwich Village group of pals. Written and directed by Woody Allen, this romantic comedy also stars Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Michael McKean and Henry Cavill. Rated PG-13

New Releases on DVD October 2009

Away We Go

A couple who is expecting their first child travel around the U.S. in order to find a perfect place to start their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover “home” on their own terms for the first time. Cast: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Chris Messina, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Schneider. Rated R

Battle for Terra

In this animated feature, a peaceful alien planet faces annihilation, as the homeless remainder of the human race sets its eyes on Terra, a distant planet. Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, James Garner, Chris Evans, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet, David Cross, Justin Long, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson. Rated PG

Cheri

In 1920s Paris, the son of a courtesan retreats into a fantasy world after being forced to end his relationship with the older woman. Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Friend, Felicity Jones, Kathy Bates. Based on the novels Chéri and The Last of Chéri by Colette. Rated R

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

A bachelor is haunted by the ghosts of his past girlfriends at his younger brother’s wedding. Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Robert Forster, Anne Archer, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas. Rated PG-13

Goodbye Solo

On the lonely roads of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, two men forge an improbable friendship that will change both of their lives forever. Solo is a Senegalese cab driver working to provide a better life for his young family. William is a tough Southern good ol’ boy with a lifetime of regrets. Solo’s American dream is just beginning, while William’s is quickly winding down. Despite their differences, both men soon realize they need each other more than either is willing to admit.  Cast: Souleymane Sy Savane, Red West, Diana Franco Galindo, Lane ‘Roc’ Williams, Mamadou Lam, Carmen Leyva. Rated R

Julia

Julia is a 40-year-old alcoholic who gets by on nickel-and-dime jobs. Seeing a financial opportunity after encountering a woman estranged from her son, Julia throws herself into a criminal plot that escalates beyond anything she ever imagined. Cast: Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate Del Castillo, Aidan Gould, Jude Ciccolella, Bruno Bichir, Horacio Garcia Rojas. Rated R

Land of the Lost

A has-been scientist gets more than he bargained for when his expedition takes a wrong time and ends up in the Land of the Lost. Cast: Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone. Based on the television series created by Sid Krofft & Marty Krofft. Rated PG-13

Management

A travelling art saleswoman tries to shake off a flaky motel manager who falls for her and won’t leave her alone. Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Fred Ward. Rated R

Monsters vs Aliens

In this animated feature film, Susan Murphy gets turned into a giant monster on her wedding day when a meteorite from outer space hits her. She is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger, on a desperate order from The President, the motley group of Monsters are called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction. Rated PG

My Life in Ruins

A Greek tour guide attempts to recapture her mojo by guiding a ragtag group of tourists around Greece and showing them the beauty of her native land.Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, María Ádanez, Sheila Bernette, María Botto, Rachel Dratch, Alexis Georgoulis, Ralph Nossek, Bernice Stegers, Harland Williams. Rated PG-13

Observe and Report

The self-important head of security at a shopping mall squares off in a turf war against local cops. Cast: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Peña, Ray Liotta. Rated R

The Orange Thief

Living on the outskirts of society, an orange thief and some other country-wise ruffians steal fruit for sustenance and the sheer excitement of courting danger. After the thief ends up in jail, his life takes a turn when his bunkmate promises him a deal. Italian dialogue; English subtitles. Cast: Andrea Calabrese, Wild Boar Giottoli, Miceala Saxer, Jean Marc Burger, Cesare Riatti, Maria Cecil Genovese.  Adult Language. Not Rated

Paris 36

Three unemployed performers decide to take over the music hall where they once worked and stage a show there. Cast: Gérard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad, Nora Arnezeder. French dialogue; English subtitles. Rated PG-13

The Proposal

High-powered book editor Maggie is everyone’s worst nightmare: ruthless, driven, and tactless. When she finds herself faced with deportation back to Canada, she coerces her much younger assistant into marrying her. However, when the government becomes suspicious, they embark upon a charade in order to make the marriage seem legitimate. Cast: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, Betty White. Rated PG-13

Shrink

Unable to cope with a recent personal tragedy, a shrink turns into a pothead with no concern for his appearance and a creeping sense of his inability to help his patients. Cast: Kevin Spacey, Mark Webber, Keke Palmer, Saffron Burrows, Jack Huston, Pell James, Laura Ramsey, Dallas Roberts, Robert Loggia. Rated R

Sugar

A baseball player from the Dominican Republic struggles to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Cast: Algenis Perez Soto, Rayniel Rufino, Andre Holland, Ann Whitney, Ellary Porterfield, Jaime Tirelli, Jose Rijo, Michael Gaston, Alina Vargas, Richard Bull, Kelvin Leonardo Garcia, Joendy Pena Brown. Spanish and Portuguese dialogue, English subtitles. Rated PG-13

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

When college-bound Sam Witwicky learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers, he must accept his destiny and join Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in their epic battle against the Decepticons. As the battle for Earth continues, the Decepticon forces have returned stronger than ever with a plan to destroy our world. Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro. Rated PG-13

Twelve Rounds

When New Orleans Police Detective Danny Fisher stops a brilliant thief from getting away with a multimillion-dollar heist, the thief’s girlfriend is accidentally killed. When the thief escapes from prison, he seeks revenge on Danny, taunting him with 12 rounds of nearly-impossible puzzles and tasks that he must complete in order to save the life of the woman he loves. Cast: John Cena, Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, Steve Harris, Brian White. Rated PG-13

New DVDs: TV Series, NonFiction and Feature Length Films – October 2009

Amadeus

Adapted from Shaffer’s play, the film presents the life of Antonio Salieri, a mediocre 18th century Viennese composer obsessed with and jealous of the musical genius of the age: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Cast: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Simon Callow, Roy Dotrice, Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones. (1984) Rated PG

Amarcord

Federico Fellini satirizes his youth and turns daily life into a circus of social rituals in this portrait of provincial Italy during the Fascist period. Italian dialogue, English subtitles. Cast: Pupella Maggio, Armando Brancia, Magali Noel, Ciccio Ingrassia. (1973) Not Rated

Barcelona

Ted Boynton is an American businessman looking for love. His cousin, Fred, is out for lust. Together, they launch an all-out attack to find the girl of their dreams in the city of Barcelona. Cast: Taylor Nichols, Chris Eigeman, Tushka Bergen, Mira Sorvino, Pep Munné, Hellena Schmied, Nuria Badia, Jack Gilpin, Thomas Gibson. (1994) Rated PG-13

Battlestar Gallactica: Season 4.5

From their initial action-packed battles against the Cylons to their desperate attempts to find the fabled 13th colony, Earth, a determined band of human survivors has captivated audiences everywhere with their desperate quest to find a new home for the dwindling numbers. Join them now as the fleet journeys into the furthest reaches of unexplored space. Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell. Not Rated

Bones: Season Four

In the fourth season of this darkly comic procedural drama inspired by true events, forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) continue to crack unsolved murder cases. The season begins with a two-parter in which, during a trip to England, Brennan and Booth find themselves assisting with a high-profile investigation involving the murder of a British heiress.

Castle: The Complete First Season

A famous crime and horror novelist, Rick Castle, helps Kate Beckette of the NYPD homicide department solve crimes. Castle’s non-traditional approach to solving the crimes conflicts with Beckett’s conservative approach, leading to much tension and a hint of romance. Cast: Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic. Rated TV-PG

The Climb

Two hotshot climbers forge an uneasy friendship in order to reach their ultimate summit. Flamboyant Derrick Williams earns the climb of a lifetime, but ‘Safety Man’ Michael Harris never takes unnecessary risks. Cast: Jason George, Ned Vaughn, Kyli Santiago, Clifton Davis, Dabney Coleman. (2002) Rated PG

Criminal Minds: Season Four

The Behavioral Analysis Unit’s founding member Agent David Rossi returns with his elite team of FBI profilers to stop the country’s most twisted criminal minds before they strike again. Cast: Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gray Gubler, Paget Brewster, Shemar Moore, Joe Mantegna, Kirsten Vangsness, A.J. Cook.  Not rated

Dexter: The Third Season

Dexter is back with a new take on taking life. He is ready to put the past behind him, until a high-profile case sides him with powerful Assistant DA Miguel Prado, and the pressure might be too great for even Dexter to hack. Cast: Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Michael Hall, Erik King, James Remar, Lauren Velez, David Zayas ; with special guest star, Jimmy Smits. Not Rated

Damage

A middle-aged man and his son’s fiancee are entangled in an intensely erotic affair that is as irrestible as it is destructive. Cast: Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche, Miranda Richardson, Rupert Graves, Ian Bannen, Leslie Caron.  Based on the novel by Josephine Hart. (1992) Rated R

8 1/2

Fellini’s autobiographical film about a famous film director who loses his inspiration in the midst of making of film. Cast: Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee, Sandra Milo, Barbara Steele. (1963) Italian dialogue, English subtitles. Not Rated

Eureka: Season 3.0

Make a return trip to the seemingly ordinary small town were extraordinary things happen. Reunite with the town’s hard-working sheriff, Carter, as he tries to deal with his adopted hometown’s unique geniuses, volatile experiments, and Earth-shaking secrets, all while trying to raise his feisty teenage daughter on his own. Cast: Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Joe Morton, Jordan Hinson, Erica Cerra, Neil Grayston, Chris Gauthier. Not Rated

A Father’s Choice

After the death of their mother, Chris and Kelly find themselves in the care of the cowboy dad they have never really known. Cast: Peter Strauss, Mary McDonnell, Michelle Trachtenberg, Yvonne Zima, Susan Hogan, Roger R. Cross, Eddie Velez. Made for TV (1999) Not Rated

Fiddler on the Roof

Tevye is a poor milkman in czarist Russia, where he provides for five unmarried daughters and a sharp-tongued wife. Faced with mounting financial strain and growing anti-Semitism, Tevye strives to maintain balance despite the precarious nature of his situation. Cast: Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann. (1971) Rated G

The Films of Michael Powell

A Matter of Life and Death: British flyer Peter Carter survives a jump from his burning plane without parachute and wakes up in a nether world between Earth and the next life. He is informed that he should have died and must go to Heaven, where he is put on trial for his life. He falls in love with June, an American radio operator. (1946)  Age of Consent: Based on the life of controversial Australian artist Norman Lindsay. Lindsay is a jaded painter who heads Down Under looking for a way to revitalize his creative soul. His self-imposed exile is interrupted by Cora, an uninhibited young woman on her own journey of self-discovery. (1969)

The First Churchills

Tells the story of the 50-year marriage of John and Sarah Churchill, the first Churchills to make their mark on British history. John was a handsome and charismatic general who won the battles that shaped the future of England. Sarah was a fiery beauty whose passion and intellect made her a favorite at court and won the undying devotion of her husband. The turbulent history of 17th century England is seen through the eyes of Sarah, and are filtered through her love for John and their shared love of England. Cast: Susan Hampshire, John Neville, James Villiers, John Westbrook, John Standing, Margaret Tyzack, Frederick Peisley, Job Stewart, Alan Rowe. Originally broadcast by BBC1 in 1969. Not Rated

The Fish Fall in Love

Released after 20 years in prison, Azziz returns to his hometown to find that an old flame has converted his family estate into a popular restaurant. Afraid that he plans to sell the house, Atieh cooks up a plan to save her business. The Iranian drama puts a tasty spin on the classic fable The Thousand and One Nights, as Atieh decides to create an amazing new meal every day to keep Azziz coming back for more. Persian dialogue, English subtitles. Cast: Reza Kianian, Roya Nonahali, Golshifteh Farahani, Mariam Saadat. (2006) Not Rated

The French Chef with Julia Child

Chefs of all ages and abilities can share Julia’s love of fine French food and learn to cook some of her most-loved dishes with this collection of 18 episodes from her original 1960’s series. Includes downloadable recipes and a bibliography. Not rated

The Great Fever

Originally produced as an episode of the PBS series, American Experience in 2006.  In June 1900, Major Walter Reed, Chief Surgeon of the U.S. Army, led a medical team to Cuba on a mission to investigate yellow fever. For more than two hundred years the disease had terrorized the United States, killing an estimated 100,000 people in the 19th century alone.  This production documents the heroic efforts of Reed’s medical team. Eventually their discovery enabled the United States to successfully eradicate the disease among workers constructing the Panama Canal, making possible the completion of one of the most strategic waterways in the world.

Grey’s Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season

The drama continues in the fifth season of this popular and critically successful series as Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina (Sandra Oh), Izzie (Katherine Heigl), George (T.R. Knight) and Alex (Justin Chambers) cope with various crises both inside and outside Seattle Grace Hospital. Professional challenges notwithstanding, the young doctors also juggle complicated personal lives. Patrick Dempsey and Chandra Wilson co-star.

The Grocer’s Son

When his father suffers a stroke, Antoine reluctantly returns home from the big city to his small mountain village to help out with the family business, a grocery that makes daily rounds to the town’s elderly inhabitants. But when Antoine’s poor manners rub the villagers the wrong way, can the lovely young Claire help smooth things over?  French dialogue, English subtitles. Cast:  Nicolas Cazalé, Clotilde Hesme, Jeanne Goupil, Daniel Duval, Lilane Rovère.  Not Rated

The Hoover Dam

An episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, tells the dramatic story of how a ragtag army of workers re-routed the mighty Colorado and erected the 700 foot high damn. More than 100 workers died building the marvel that forever transformed the West. (1999) Not Rated

House M.D.: Season Five

Dr. Gregory House pushes new boundaries in medicine while dealing with emotional chaos. Cast: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Kal Penn, Peter Jacobson, Olivia Wilde. Originally broadcast on Fox during the 2008-2009 season. Not Rated

Italy Revealed

This Discovery Atlas video takes a look at Italy through the lives of a group individuals who live there. Narrated by Isabella Rossellini. (2006) Not Rated

Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth

Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell discuss the themes and roots of human myth which is seen as man’s attempt to relate himself to the universe. Starting with various topics Campbell shows both how man creates his universe and is controlled by the myth he has created. (1988) Not Rated

Light of My Eyes

The precarious romance between two people cast adrift in a lonely urban landscape. Antonio is a “fallen angel,” an ordinary man without direction or ambition. Maria is a single mother whose life is slipping out of her control. As Antonio is drawn deeper into her fragile situation, he discovers a sense of hope they both might not be ready for yet. Italian dialogue, English subtitles. Cast: Luigi Lo Cascio, Sandra Ceccarelli, Silvio Orlando, Barbara Valente, Toni Bertorelli. (2001) Mature themes. Not Rated

Lost Subs: Diasater at Sea

They are among the most powerful and deadly war machines ever built, and yet they are chillingly vulnerable to fickle fate, human error and the crushing, unforgiving waters of the sea. Tells the stories of four submarine disasters, including the USS Squalus and the story of the disabled nuclear-powered Soviet K-19. A National Geographic special, 2002.  Not Rated

A Mind to Murder

Investigating a savage death at an exclusive psychiatric clinic, Dalgliesh is caught in a whirlwind of political intrigue and deceit. Cast: Roy Marsden, Frank Finlay, Jerome Flynn, Robert Pugh, Christopher Ravenscroft, Suzanne Burden, David Hemmings. Based on the book by P. D. James. (1994) Not Rated

Midsomer Murders: Set 13

The cozy villages of Midsomer County reveal their most sinister secrets in these four contemporary British television mysteries. Cast: John Nettles, Jason Hughes, Jane Wymark, Laura Howard, Barry Jackson. Based on the characters created by Caroline Graham. (2006) Not Rated

Miss Marple: Series Four

Presents four episodes of the Emmy-nominated series starring Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple. Based on the novels by Agatha Christie. Originally produced as episodes of the PBS Masterpiece Mystery! series.  Not rated

The Mentalist: The Complete First Season

Celebrity psychic, Patrick Jane, uses his paranormal talents bring killers to justice. At crime scenes across California, Patrick now helps an elite team of detectives break their toughest cases. Cast: Simon Baker, Robin Tunney, Tim Kang, Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti. Not Rated

Mozart and the Whale

Donald and Isabelle have a form of autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. Donald, a good-natured but hapless cab driver has a knack for numbers. He falls head over heals in love with the beautiful but complex Isabelle when she joins the autism support group he leads. Cast: Josh Hartnett, Radha Mitchell, Gary Cole, Sheila Kelley, Erica Leerhsen, John Carroll Lynch, Nate Mooney, Rusty Schwimmer, Robert Wisdom, Allen Evangelista. (2004) Rated PG-13

The Music Man

Silver-tongued con artist Harold Hill hoodwinks the stubborn townsfolk of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boy’s band, but his game ultimately and romantically backfires. Cast: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford, Ronny Howard. (1962) Rated

The York Underground

An episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, tells the story of how New York City’s subway was built in 1900.(1997) Not Rated

One Woman, One Vote

This episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, documents the 72-year struggle for women’s suffrage which culminated in the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. It illuminates the story of the fledging alliances that grew into a sophisticated mass movement. This film portrays the movement’s leaders, among them Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, Carrie Chapman Catt, Mary Church Terrell, Anna Howard Shaw, and Alice Paul. Narrated by Susan Sarandon. (1995) Not Rated

Open City

Director Roberto Rossellini’s unsettling drama portrays the harrowing struggle of everyday women and children as they try to shield resistance forces from the Nazis and to maintain compassion and self-respect despite Rome’s de facto occupation during World War II’s waning days.  Cast: Anna Magnani, Aldo Fabrizi. Italian dialogue, English subtitles. (1945) Not Rated

The Orphan Trains

An episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, examines the efforts of the Children’s Aid Society in New York, organized by minister Charles Loring Brace, which from 1853 to 1929 sent over 100,000 unwanted and orphaned children from the city to homes in rural America. Hosted by David McCullough and narrated by Stacy Keach. (1995) Not Rated

The Philadelphia Story

A sophisticated romantic comedy about a rich, spoiled socialite who learns some things about who she is and what she really wants on the eve of her second marriage. Cast: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey, John Howard, Roland Young, John Halliday, Mary Nash, Virginia Weidler.  Based on the play by Philip Barry. (1940) Not Rated

La Scorta

When a judge and his bodyguards are brutally murdered by the Mafia, four reluctant young cops are assigned to protect the new prosecutor where the only thing that lies ahead of them is more danger. Based on a true story. Italian dialogue, English subtitles. Cast: Claudio Amendola, Enrico Lo Verso, Carlo Cecchi, Ricky Memphis, Francesca D’Aloja. (1993) Mature themes, Not Rated

Snowcake

Recently released from prison, Alex offers a ride to a hitchhiker, only to have her killed instantly when they are involved in a brutal car accident. Alex then approaches the girl’s mother, and the events that unfold dramatically change both his life and those of others around him. Cast: Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-Anne Moss, Emily Hampshire, James Allodi, Callum Keith Rennie, David Fox, Jayne Eastwood, Julie Stewart, Selina Cadell. (2007) Not Rated

Stargate Atlantis: Season Five

Forgotten worlds and parallel universes abound in the fifth season of this popular sci-fi series. Follow the continuing adventures of Lt. Col. John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Col. Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), Dr. Keller (Jewel Straite) and the rest of the Atlantis crew as they attempt to unlock the secrets of the Ancients and protect the Earth’s inhabitants from the threats posed by the hostile forces of the Pegasus galaxy. Not Rated

Sea Spies: Secrets Beneath the Waves

From National Geographic Television, witness how technology, commerce and conflict have shaped the struggle for supremacy of the seas – not on the surface, but at the very bottom of the ocean. Hosted by Dr. Robert Ballard. (2004) Not Rated

Submarines: Steel Boats, Iron Men

This documentary examines the special qualities and the life of naval personnel who serve on submarines, and the challenges they face. Ride along on the USS Hyman G. Rickover. (2005) Not Rated

Too Bad She’s Bad

Sophia Loren in an early role as a lusciously larcenous petty thief. Marcello Mastronianni is the naive young cabbie who tries to set her straight, while Vittorio de Sica, as Loren’s smooth con man papa make sure his not so little girl stays on the crooked and narrow. Italian with English subtitles. (1955) Not Rated

Two and a Half Men: Season Six

Harper siblings Alan (Jon Cryer) and Charlie (Charlie Sheen) continue to help Alan’s son, Jake (Angus T. Jones), navigate his teen years in this popular sitcom’s sixth season. Free-spirited Charlie never fails to keep nebbish Alan on his game, while Jake sits back and enjoys the ride. Besides putting up with their overbearing mother (Holland Taylor) and making sure Jake stays on track, the brothers try to muddle through the mine field of romance.

The Winter Guest

An inside look at the lives of eight people living in a remote and icy Scottish village. The story focuses on the relationship between a mother and a daughter, played by real-life mother and daughter Emma Thompson and Phyllida Law. (1997) Rated R

Wire in the Blood: The Complete Sixth Season

Dr. Tony Hill is a clinical psychologist with an extraordinary understanding of the criminal mind. Working alongside detective inspector Alex Fielding, Tony must race against time to profile and track down vicious murderers before they strike again. Based on the characters by Val McDermid. Cast: Robson Green, Simone Lahbib. Not Rated

New Releases on DVD September 2009

The Art of War II: Betrayal

Agent Neil Shaw comes out of retirement after his martial arts mentor is killed, and uncovers a plot to assassinate U.S. senators. Cast: Wesley Snipes, Athena Karkanis, Winston Rekert, Ryan McDonald, Lochlyn Munro. Rated R

Bridge to Nowhere

Living in a rundown Pittsburgh neighborhood, four lifelong friends come up with a plan to get rich by running a prostitution ring. When their business takes off, they find things get way out of hand. Ben Crowley, Danny Masterson, Bijou Phillips, Daniel London, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Alexandra Breckenridge, Sean Derry, Ving Rhames. Rated R

The Butterfly Tattoo

Seventeen-year-old Chris, living and working in Oxford, falls in love with a free spirited girl named Jenny, find themselves torn apart by the criminal dealings of the adults in their lives. Cast: Duncan Stewart, Jessica Blake, Aidan Magrath, Dan Morgan, Christopher Dane. Based on the novel by Philip Pullman. Not Rated

Delgo

When a forgotten enemy returns, the fate of the world lies with a spirited princess and an unlikely hero. Take an exciting journey to a spectacular realm of magic, fantasy, romance, and adventure. Voices: Freddie Prinze, Jr., Chris Kattan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anne Bancroft, Val Kilmer, Malcolm McDowell, Michael Clarke Duncan, Louis Gossett Jr., Eric Idle, Burt Reynolds, Kelly Ripa, Sally Kellerman. Rated PG

Easy Virtue

A young Englishman marries an American divorcee on the spur of the moment in the South of France and then must return home to face his family. Cast: Jessica Biel, Colin Firth, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Barnes, Kris Marshall, Katherine Parkinson, Christian Brassington, Charlotte Riley, Jim McManus, Pip Torrens. Based on the play by Noel Coward. Rated PG-13

Gigantic

Brian is a mattress salesman who gets swept up into a romance with Harriet when she falls asleep on one of the beds in his store. To win her over, he must compete with her father, an art-collecting loudmouth with a bad back and deep pockets. Cast: John Goodman, Jane Alexander, Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, Edward Asner. Rated R

The Golden Boys

In 1905 Cape Cod, three retired sea captains try to lure an attractive middle-aged woman into marriage. Cast: Bruce Dern, David Carradine, Mariel Hemingway, Rip Torn ; Charles Durning ; John Savage ; Angelica Torn ; Christy Scott Cashman ; Jason Alan Smith with a special appearace by Julie Harris. Rated PG

Gooby

When eleven-year-old Willy moves into the family’s new house, his childhood toy, Gooby, comes to life as a big, scruffy, six-foot-tall creature who helps Willy through rough times with hair-raising and hilarious adventures. Cast: Robbie Coltrane, David James Elliott, Ingrid Kavelaars, Matthew Knight, Eugene Levy. Rated PG

Hannah Montana: The Movie

As Hannah Montana’s popularity begins to take over her life, Miley Stewart, on the urging from her father takes a trip to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tennessee to get some perspective on what matters in life the most. Cast: Miley Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Melora Hardin, Vanessa Williams, Billy Ray Cyrus. Rated G

Leaving Barstow

A small-town teenager dreams of a bigger world, but his devotion to his mother and his awakening attraction to a new girl combine to keep him at home. Cast: Michelle Clunie, Kevin Sheridan, Steven Culp. Not Rated

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh

Art Bechstein is a recent college grad and plans on spending his last summer sleepwalking through the exams that will send him far away to a job chosen for him by his gangster father. But when Art meets the beautiful Jane Belliweather and her wild boyfriend, Cleveland, Art’s summer and life change forever.  Based on the novel by Michael Chabon. Cast: Jon Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, Sienna Miller, Mena Suvari, Nick Nolte. Rated R

State of Play

When D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey is assigned to investigate the murder of an assistant to an up-and-coming politician, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to bring down the nation’s power structures. In a town of spin-doctors and wealthy power brokers, he will discover one truth: when fortunes are at stake, no one’s integrity, love, or life is safe. Cast: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren. Rated PG-13

X-men Origins: Wolverine

Somewhere in the wilds of northwest Canada, two half-brothers with special powers grow up amid violence. Eventually they will become the near-indestructible warriors known as Wolverine and Sabretooth. Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Ryan Reynolds. Rated PG-13

New DVDs: TV Series, NonFiction and Feature Length Films – September 2009

Air Group 16: We Came to Remember

This PBS video looks at Air Group 16, including the pilots, radiomen and gunners as they travel to a reunion and the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. The members of Air Group 16 served on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington in the Pacific during World War II. Features veterans: Paul Bonilla, Tom Bronn, T. Earl “Dupe” Dupree, Ralph Weymouth and family members.

The Alzheimer’s Project

From HBO, this Momentum in Science documentary features 25 leading scientists, a primetime state-of-the-science report revealing the most cutting-edge research advances. Three additional specials (The Memory Loss Tapes; Grandpa, Will You Remember Me? with Maria Shriver; and Caregivers) capture what it means to experience the disease, to be a child or grandchild of one who suffers, and to care for those who are affected. Rated TV-PG

Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna

Until the day she died in 1984, Anna Anderson claimed she was truly Grand Duchess Anastasia, the sole surviving child of Russian Czar Nicolas II. Many believed her. Even for those who did not, her story of royalty, flight from execution and years of struggle to reclaim her heritage was a great dramatic mystery. Cast: Amy Irving, Olivia De Havilland, Jan Niklas, Nicolas Surovy, Susan Lucci, Elke Sommer, Edward Fox, Claire Bloom, Omar Sharif, Rex Harrison. Based on the book  Anastasia: The Riddle of Anna Anderson by Peter Kurth. (1986) Not Rated

Annie

The story of the comic strip character Little Orphan Annie, who is adopted by billionaire “Daddy” Warbucks. Cast: Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Geoffrey Holder, Edward Herrmann, Aileen Quinn. (1981) Rated PG

The Art of Vinyasa Flow: Power Sweat & Connect

Lisa Kapantais of Yogatopia leads this 60 minute routine, immersing your entire body into the rhythmic pattern of your breathe  This dynamic and vigorus practice for all levels is a complete yoga routine that melts away tension and toxins.

Black Narcissus

Plagued by uncertainties and worldly desires, five Protestant missionary nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, struggle to establish a school in the desolate Himalayas. Cast: Deborah Kerr, Sabu, David Farrar, Flora Robson, Esmond Knight, Jean Simmons, Kathleen Byron. Adapted from the novel by Rumer Godden. (1947) Not Rated

Breaker Morant

Three Australian lieutenants are court martialed for executing prisoners as a way of deflecting attention from war crimes committed by their superior officers. Based on a play and true story. Cast: Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, John Waters, Bryan Brown, Rod Mullinar, Charles Tingwell. (1979) Rated PG

A Canterbury Tale

Follow three modern-day incarnations of Chaucer’s pilgrims – a landgirl, an American GI, and a British sergeant waylaid in the English countryside, forced to solve a bizarre village crime en route to a mythical town. Cast: Eric Portman, Sheila Sim, Dennis Price, Sgt. John Sweet, Esmond Knight. (1944) Not Rated

Death of an Expert Witness

Scotland Yard’s Adam Dalgliesh (Roy Marsden) is searching for a “back seat strangler” who has already murdered four people. When an unpopular forensic scientist is found dead in a British government laboratory, Dalgliesh discovers that almost everyone there could be a suspect. When another body is found nearby, the detective must race against time to find the killer.Roy Marsden.Based on the book by P. D. James. (1985) Not Rated

Devices and Desires

Scotland Yard Commander Adam Dalgliesh retreats to an isolated town for some rest, but his isolation is shattered when he discovers he cannot escape murder. Cast: Roy Marsden, Susannah York, Gemma Jones, James Faulkner, Tony Haygarth, Tom Georgeson. Based on the book by P.D. James. (1991) Not Rated

Eureka: Season One

In the seemingly perfect, but quirky small town of Eureka, America’s brightest scientists are working on some of the government’s best-kept secrets– some lead to brilliant inventions and some to total chaos. Making sense of the mysteries is Sheriff Jack Carter, a former U.S. marshal who is stranded in the surreal small town after a random car accident. Cast: Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson, Jordan Hinson, Joe Morton, Ed Quinn, Erica Cerra. (2006) Not Rated

Eureka: Season Two

Return to the seemingly perfect town of Eureka, where the hidden work of America’s brightest scientists can lead to innovative discoveries and unnatural chaos. Follow Sheriff Jack Carter as he struggles to keep a sense of normalcy amid the scientific mayhem, big brains and bigger adventure in this unusual little town in the Pacific Northwest. Cast: Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson, Jordan Hinson, Joe Morton, Ed Quinn, Erica Cerra.  Originally broadcast on the SciFi Channel in 2007. Not Rated

The Flambards

In this British television drama, Christina is sent to live with her domineering, crippled Uncle Russell and her cousins Mark and William at ‘Flambards’, a rambling, decaying mansion in England in the early 1900’s. Cast: Edward Judd, Steven Grives, Alan Parnaby, Christine McKenna. Based on the novel by K.M. Peyton. (1993) Not Rated

The French Chef 2 with Julia Child

Chef Julia Child shares her recipes and techniques for French food. Originally produced as episodes of the television program The French chef between 1963-1972. Not Rated

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

At the turn of the century a young widow and her daughter move into a cottage on the English coast. Soon she learns that the cottage is haunted by the ghost of its former owner, a sea captain. When he finds he can’t scare her away, they soon fall into a most unlikely love affair! Cast: Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, George Sanders, Natalie Wood. (1947) Not Rated

The Gold Rush

This episode of the PBS series, the American Experience, explores the California gold rush that started in 1848 when most of San Francisco’s residents rushed off to dig for gold. Focusing on 5 individuals, including rare daguerreotypes and original recreations.

Golden Gate Bridge

Originally broadcast in 2004 as an episode of the PBS series, American Experience. This documentary follows the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and recounts the struggles of engineer Joseph B. Strauss to make the project a reality. Not Rated

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Mr. Chips is a shy and proper classics professor who teaches at an English all-boys school. He falls in love with a London dance-hall girl and decides to marry her. The couple makes Brookfield Academy for Boys its home and brightens the school with their unlikely union. Cast: Peter O’Toole, Petula Clark, Sir Michael Redgrave.  Based on the novel by James Hilton. (1969) Rated G

Grand Central

This episode of the PBS series, American Experience, chronicles the designing, engineering, and construction of New York’s Grand Central Station, and examines the station’s importance to present-day New Yorkers. Not rated

The Helen West Casebook

A crown prosecutor, Helen West struggles to find justice for those wronged as well as keep her own messy life in order. Cast: Amanda Burton, Conor Mullen, Nicholas Woodeson, Anthony Howell, Dermot Crowley, Rita Tushingham. Based on the books by Frances Fyfield. (2002) Not Rated

His Girl Friday

A re-make of The Front Page with the main character as a girl reporter (Rosalind Russell). The editor (Cary Grant) wants his top reporter to cover the impending execution of a murderer rather than get married and leave the job. Featuring: Ralph Bellamy, Gene Lockhart, Helen Mark, Porter Hall. (1939) Not Rated

I Vitelloni

A character study of five aimless young men living in a small Italian town, based in part upon Fellini’s own experiences and those of his acquaintances. Italian dialogue, English subtitles.  Cast: Franco Interlenghi, Alberto Sordi, Franco Fabrizzi, Leopoldo Trieste, Eleonora Ruffo. (1953) Not Rated

Julia Child’s Kitchen Wisdom

A retrospective look at Julia Child’s four decades on public television. Cooking demonstrations fall in the categories: vegetables; seafood; eggs and poultry; pork and beef; and desserts. Features appearances by various culinary celebrities.Featuring Julia Child, Jacques Pépin, Charlie Gibson, Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, Alice Waters, Jasper White.

The Last Days of Disco

Two women, recently graduated from college, adjust to life in the real world of 1980 NYC, partying the nights away at the hottest club in town.Cast: Chloë Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale, Chris Eigeman, Matt Keeslar, Mackenzie Astin, Matthew Ross, Tara Subkoff, Burr Steers, David Thornton, Jaid Barrymore, Michael Weatherly, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Beals. (1998) Rated R

M. Butterfly

A French civil service officer risks and then abandons everything in his life in his obsessive pursuit of a enigmatic Chinese opera diva. Cast: Jeremy Irons, John Lone, Barbara Sukowa, Ian Richardson. Based on the play by David Henry Hwang. (1993) Rated R

The Marine

John Triton has just been discharged from Iraq. His wife, Kate, is kidnapped by a group of diamond thieves on the run. Now Triton needs to save her and goes on a chase through the South Carolinian wilderness in order to save her. The only, and best, weapon that Triton has is himself. Cast: John Cena, Kelly Carlson, Robert Patrick. (2006) Rated PG-13

Metropolis: The Splendor of Cities throughout the Ages

Go into the very heart of ancient and medieval urban life to examine the crucial and historic steps towards civilization, in cities such as Athens, Carthage, Rome, Venice, Paris, and many more.  Episodes include:  The Power of Cities: Athens, the Rule of the People ; Alexandria, the Centre of Knowledge ; Carthage, City of Seafarers ; Rome, the Heart of the Empire. The Bright Cities of the Dark Ages: Mission to Constantinople ; Escape to Venice ; Murder in Paris. (2003, 2006 & 2007) Not rated

Midway

The dramatic personal stories of the men who fought the courageous battle that was to be the Pacific turning point for the United States. Cast: Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Glenn Ford, Hal Holbrook, Toshiro Mifune, Robert Mitchum, Cliff Robertson, Robert Wagner, Robert Webber, Ed Nelson, James Shigeta, Christina Kokubo, Edward Albert. (1976) Rated PG

Miss Firecracker

Carnelle, a hellraiser, enters the Miss Firecracker contest in the old-fashioned town where she was raised. Carnelle’s not the usual contestant, but her cousin is a famous winner, and Carnelle’s determined to equal her, no matter what. Cast: Holly Hunter, Tim Robbins, Mary Steenburgen, Scott Glenn, Alfre Woodard, Veanne Cox, Ann Wedgeworth, Trey Wilson, Amy Wright, Kathleen Chalfant, Robert Fieldsteel, Avril Gentles, Greg Germann, Bert Remsen. (1988) Rated PG

My Brother Is an Only Child

The violent political unrest of 1960s Italy brings simmering tensions between two feuding brothers to the boiling point in this critically acclaimed film. Italian dialog, with English subtitles. Cast: Elio Germano, Riccardo Scamarcio, Angela Finocchiard, Massimo Popolizio. (2006) Rated R

Notorious

A beautiful woman with a tainted past is enlisted by American agent Devlin to spy on a ring of Nazis in post-war Rio. Her espionage work becomes life-threatening after she marries the most debonair of the Nazi ring, Alex. Only Devlin can rescue her, but to do so he must face his role in her desperate situation and acknowledge that he has loved her all along. Cast: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern, Madame Konstantin, Reinhold Schunzel, Moroni Olsen, Ivan Triesault, Alex Minotis. (1946) Not Rated

Rebecca

Alfred Hitchcock directs this adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic story of suspense.  When a shy girl becomes the wife of a wealthy Britisher and moves into his house, she finds herself haunted by her husband’s deceased first wife. Cast: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson. (1940) Not Rated

Rebecca

Masterpiece Theatre’s rendition of Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel.  A timid young girl marries a troubled widower only to find her new home is haunted by the memory of Rebecca, the first wife. Cast: Charles Dance, Emilia Fox, Diana Rigg, Faye Dunaway, Geraldine James, Timothy West, Jonathan Cake. (1996) Not Rated

The Red Shoes

Torn between two lovers, a young ballerina must choose either the composer who loves her or the man who can make her a great dancer. Cast: Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring, Moira Shearer, Robert Helpmann, Leonide Massine, Albert Basserman, Ludmilla Tcherina, Esmond Knight. (1948) Not Rated

Respiro

Grazia is a carefree mother of three, who soon becomes the focus of her neighbors’ gossip. She is not understood or accepted by the social conventions of the town, nor its strict tribal rules. Conflict arises when her husband seeks to control her spirited behavior. Cast: Valeria Golino, Vincenzo Amato, Veronica D’Agostino, Filippo Pucillo, Avy Macciano, Francesco Casis. Italian dialogue, English subtitles. (2002) Rated PG-13

Rome: Engineering An Empire

Using state-of-the-art CGI animation this History Channel documentary chronicles the spectacular as well as sordid history of the Roman Empire from the rise of Julius Caesar in 55 BC to its fall around 537 AD. The CGI animation gives the viewers an opportunity to see Rome’s greatest structures the way the ancient Romans saw them. The insights of engineers, archaeologists and historians add depth to segments on Hadrian’s Wall, Caesar’s Bridge, the aqueducts, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Baths of Caracalla, and the remains of Emperor Nero’s lavish Golden Palace for a rare look at how one of Rome’s most notorious megalomaniacs lived. Also never-before-seen footage shot on a diving expedition in the water channels underneath the Colosseum, channels once used to flood the arena for mock naval battles. (2005) Not Rated

Sick Around America

Originally broadcast on PBS’s Frontline, this documentary investigates the failures and future of the private insurance industry, examining the best and worst of U.S. healthcare by telling the gripping and sometimes tragic stories of ordinary Americans. As the national debate intensifies, the program lays bare the flaws in the system and examines the critical choices Americans face in changing a system that all sides agree needs a fundamental overhaul. Not Rated

Sick Around the World

Frontline correspondent T.R. Reid examines first-hand the health care systems of other advanced capitalist democracies, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and Taiwan, to see what tried and tested ideas might help reform the United States’ broken health care system.-

Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s tale of Viola, shipwrecked on an unfriendly Illyrian shore, believing her twin brother is dead, disguises herself in male attire and joins the retinue of the lovesick Duke Orsino. Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Richard E. Grant, Nigel Hawthorne, Ben Kingsley, Mel Smith. (1996) Rated PG

Walt Whitman

An episode of the PBS series, American Experience. The documentary tells Walt Whitman’s life story, from his working class childhood in Long Island to his years as a newspaper reporter in Brooklyn when he struggled to support his impoverished family, then to his reckless pursuit of the attention and affection he craved for his work, to his death in 1892 at the age of 72.

Witness

An Amish boy witnesses a murder, and the cop on the case discovers it’s part of a conspiracy in his department. Includes all-new special features including a five part documentary and much more. Cast: Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis, Lukas Haas. (1985) Rated R

The Wizard of Photography: The Story of George Eastman

An episode of the PBS series, American Experience. The documentary uses early moving images and snapshots to dramatize the life story of George Eastman, exploring how his inventions helped make photography easy and affordable for everyone. (2000) Not Rated

New Releases on DVD August 2009

Adventureland

When a recent college graduate realizes he cannot afford his European dream vacation, he is forced to take a minimum-wage job at a local amusement park. Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Margarita Levieva, Ryan Reynolds. Rated R

August

Tom, a dot-com business owner, fights to keep both his professional and his personal life afloat as he tries to reunite with an old flame, gain control of his company, and repair his relationship with his family. Cast: Josh Hartnett, Naomie Harris, Adam Scott, Robin Tunney, Andre Royo, Emmanuelle Chriqui, David Bowie, Rip Torn. Rated R

The Betrayed

A young woman and her son find themselves  kidnapped and tortured by a mysterious figure who suspects her husband of stealing millions from a crime syndicate. Cast: Melissa George, Oded Fehr, Christian Campbell, Alice Krige. Not Rated

Coco Chanel

Charts the rise of one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. From her humble childhood and early days as a young dressmaker’s assistant, to her passionate love affair with a dashing Englishman and ultimate success as a pioneering fashion icon. Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Malcolm McDowell, Barbora Bobulova, Sagamore Stévenin. Rated PG

The Code

Two thieves try to pull off a dangerous heist with FBI, NYPD, and KGB operatives on their trail, determined to escape with the loot and their lives. Cast: Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas, Radha Mitchell, Robert Forster, Rade Serbedzija, Marcel Iures. Rated R

Crossing Over

An immigration officer must protect the U.S. border in Los Angeles from those trying to pursue the American Dream, as those around him try to break the rules by fraud, blackmail, and work-site enforcement. Cast: Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Ray Liotta, Jim Sturgess, Cliff Curtis, Alice Braga, Alice Eve. Rated R

A Day in the Life

Bad blood between two urban crime families explodes into an all-out turf war in this gritty, hard-hitting drama.Cast: Kirk “Sticky Fingaz” Jones, Michael Rapaport, Omar Epps, Mekhi Phifer, Clarence Williams III, Fredro Starr, Drena De Niro, Faizon Love, Michael K. Williams, Bokeem Woodbine. (2007) Rated R

Duplicity

A pair of corporate spies who share a steamy past hook-up to pull off the ultimate con job on their respective bosses. Cast: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti. Rated PG-13

The Edge of Love

The unconventional love story of poet Dylan Thomas and the two women who inspire him. Cast: Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys. Rated R

Fast and Furious

After being released from prison, an ex-con works with the feds to bring down a heroin importer by infiltrating his operation. Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso.  Rated R

Five Fingers

When a young Dutch idealist travels to Morocco to start a food charity, he’s kidnapped by local terrorists and has to engage in a mental chess match to learn his captors’ objectives. Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Ryan Phillippe, Gina Torres, Touriya Haoud, Said Taghmaoui, Colm Meaney. (2006) Rated R

The Great Buck Howard

A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an aging illusionist. Cast: John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, Emily Blunt, Ricky Jay, Steve Zahn, Tom Hanks. Rated PG

The Green Lantern: First Flight

An animated feature film based on the DC Comics characters.  When Hal Jordan becomes a Green Lantern, he is put under the supervision of senior Lantern, Sinestro, only to discover that his so-called mentor is part of a secret conspiracy that threatens the entire Green Lantern Corps. Voices of: Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, Tricia Helfer, Michael Madsen, John Larroquette, Kurtwood Smith, William Schallert, Larry Drake. Rated PG-13

How About You

When free-spirited and headstrong Ellie is left in charge of a residential home over the Christmas holidays, her youth and inexperience clash with the four grumpy residents. Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton, Brenda Fricker, Hayley Atwell, Joss Ackland, Orla Brady, Joan O’Hara. Based on the short story How about you by Maeve Binchy. (2007) Not Rated

I Love You, Man

A newly engaged guy sets out to find the perfect “best man” for his wedding. Cast: Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Jaime Pressly, Jon Favreau, Jane Curtin, J.K. Simmons, Andy Samberg, Jason Segel. Rated R

Lighthouse Hill

When his best friend suddenly dies, Charlie drives off into the country where he comes across a lonely hotel with a landlocked lighthouse. Here he meets many fascinating characters, including an attractive vagrant who will change his life forever. Cast: Jason Flemyng, Kirsty Mitchell, Frank Finlay. Not Rated

Obsessed

When a successful financial advisor settles into a new neighborhood with his loving wife and young son, everything seems perfect. But when a beautiful temp joins the firm, his life begins to spiral out of control. Cast: Idris Elba, Beyoncé Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O’Connell, Christine Lahti. Rated PG-13

Race to Witch Mountain

A UFO expert enlists the help of a cabbie to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an evil organization.Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Annasophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott, Christopher Marquette.Based on the novel by Alexander Key. Rated PG

17 Again

A man wakes up one morning to find he’s a teenager again and has a shot at fixing his wayward life. Cast: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry. Rated PG-13

Shooting Star

A Hollywood starlet finds herself stranded in a rural Utah town where she learns some of life’s most important lessons and simple pleasures. Cast: Torrey DeVitto, Erin Chambers, KC Clyde. (2007) Rated PG

The Soloist

Tells the true tale of a Los Angeles newspaper reporter who discovers a brilliant street musician.  The pair’s unique friendship soon transforms both of their lives.  Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisagay Hamilton.  Based on the novel by Steve Lopez.  Rated PG-13

Spinning into Butter

A hate crime on the campus of a New England college puts the school’s dean in a position where she has to examine her own feelings about race and prejudice. Cast: Miranda Richardson, Beau Bridges, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mykelti Williamson.  Originally released as a motion picture in 2007. Based on the play by Rebecca Gilman. Rated R

Step Up 2 the Streets

Romantic sparks occur between two dance students from different backgrounds at the Maryland School of the Arts. Cast: Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Will Kemp, Cassie Ventura. Rated PG-13

Sunshine Cleaning

A woman who wants to send her eight-year-old son to a private school decides to go into business with her unreliable sister in order to earn more money. Cast: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevack, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins, Jr., Eric Christian Olsen. Rated R

Surveillance

When FBI agents Elizabeth Anderson and Sam Hallaway arrive at a rural police station to investigate a series of gruesome murders, there are three witnesses with three different stories of the roadside rampage. Cast: Julia Ormond, Bill Pullman, Pell James, Ryan Simpkins, French Stewart, Kent Harper. Rated R

Table for Three

A single guy invites what he thinks is a perfect couple to move into his apartment, only to discover they quickly insert themselves into all aspects of his life.Cast: Brandon Routh, Sophia Bush, Jesse Bradford, Jennifer Morrison. Rated R

New DVDs: TV Series, NonFiction and Feature Length Films – August 2009

Aberdeen

A very downbeat drama about a successful-but-unhappy London lawyer who goes on a road trip with her alcoholic father to visit her dying mother in a hospital in Norway.Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Lena Headey, Ian Hart, Charlotte Rampling. (2000) Rated R

American Dreamer

A housewife wins a trip to Paris as a prize from a mystery writing contest. Silly from a blow on the head, she begins living the fictional life of her favorite literary adventure. Cast: JoBeth Williams, Tom Conti, Giancarlo Giannini. (1984) Rated PG

Blue Murder: Set 4

This set sees Janine tackle some of her most baffling cases yet: the murders of an illegal Belarusian émigré, a suburban cheerleading coach, a rock star about to break into the big time, and more. In Blue Murder s signature style, heart-tugging domestic drama and good-natured workplace ribbing leaven each suspenseful, grimly realistic mystery. Cast: Caroline Quentin, Ian Kelsey, Paul Loughran, Nicholas Murchie, Belinda Everett. Not Rated

Buffalo Bill

This episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, explore how William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s legendary exploits helped create a myth that endures even today. Features the life of the master showman who became part of American history. (2008) Not Rated

Cover Her Face

Scotland Yard’s Adam Dalgliesh investigates the murder of a drug dealer found dead in the basement of a book club.  Mysterious deaths occur, and the detective must deal with a multitude of suspects, evasive answers, and his growing attraction to Deborah Riscoe.  Cast: Roy Marsden, Phyllis Calvert, Bill Fraser, Julian Glover, Mel Martin, Rupert Frazer. Based on the book by P.D. James. (1987) Not Rated

Everest

Based on the true story of the first Canadians to ever make it to the top of the world’s tallest and most historic peak. Cast: Eric Johnson, John Pyper-Ferguson, Jason Priestley, William Shatner. (2007) Rated PG-13

400 Years of the Telescope

This PBS documentary features interviews with leading astrophysicists and cosmologists from the world’s renowned universities and observatories, who explain concepts ranging from Galileo’s act of revealing the cosmos with a simple telescope, to the latest discoveries in space, including startling new ideas about life on other planets and dark energy – a mysterious vacuum energy that is accelerating the expansion of the universe. Originally broadcast on PBS on 2008.  Not Rated

Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes

This episode of the PBS series American Masters, is a freeform and intimate look at the private man in the public spotlight goes behind the scenes of America’s most popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, and inside the imagination of the man who created it. (2009)  Not Rated

Grey Gardens

Based on the life stories of the eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy, this HBO drama tells the tender, intimate story of an eccentric mother and daughter.Cast: Drew Barrymore, Jessica Lange, Daniel Baldwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Ken Howard. Not Rated

High Hopes

Low-budget, cerebral British black comedy/drama about conflicts between yuppies and socialists in 1980s England. Fans of non-mainstream, slice-of-life, thought-provoking films enjoy its sharp dissection of the British class system. Cast: Philip Davis, David Bamber, Ruth Sheen, Edna Dore, Lesley Manville, Philip Jackson, Hether Tobias (1989) Rated PG

Influenza 1918

This episode of the PBS series, The American Experience, examines the influenza pandemic that broke out in 1918 and that within two years killed 30 million people. Epidemiologists discuss the odds of such a plague occurring again. (1998) Not Rated

Into Thin Air

This made for TV movie attempts to re-create the disastrous events that took place during the Mount Everest climb on May 10, 1996. Cast: Peter Horton, Nat Parker, Richard Jenkins, Christopher McDonald. Based on Jon Krakauer’s best selling book. (1997) Not Rated

Jazz & Swing Greats: Live from Lincoln Center

One amazing night in 1972, the greats of swing – Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Bennie Goodman – came together at New York’s Philharmonic Hall for a jazz blowout. Joined by Dizzy Gillespie, hosted by Doc Severinson, these jazz pioneers reveled in the numbers with which they had changed the face of popular music more than thirty years before. (1972) Not Rated

King Lear

Proposing to divide his vast kingdom amongst his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cornelia, Lear devises a test for his offspring to convince him of their suitability and compassion for rule. Goneril and Regan’s true colors emerge, they uncover a vast conspiracy of greed and cruelty within the once loyal dynasty. Cast: Ian McKellen, Frances Barber, Monica Dolan, Romola Garai, Jonathan Hyde, Seymour Matthews, William Gaunt, Sylvester McCoy, Philip Winchester. Originally broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances in 2008. Not Rated

The Longest Day

The complete story of the D-Day landings at Normandy through the eyes of all its participants. Cast: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Rod Steiger, Richard Todd, Richard Burton, Robert Wagner, Eddie Albert, Red Buttons, Sean Connery, Peter Lawford, Mel Ferrer, Paul Anka, Stuart Whitman, Edmond O’Brien, Curt Jürgens. Based on the book by Cornelius Ryan. (1962) Rated G

Mad Men: Season Two

A continuing look at the Sterling Cooper advertising agency and the lives of the people who work there. Cast: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, John Slattery. Originally broadcast on AMC in 2008.  Not Rated

Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in The Whirlwind

Originally broadcast as an episode of PBS series, The American Experience, this documentary uses a wealth of archival film, photographs and documents to uncover the story of this Jamaican immigrant who between 1916 and 1921 built the largest black mass movement in world history. Also features interviews with people who witnessed the Garvey movement first hand. (2001) Not Rated

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy about the king and queen of the fairies and the two couples brought together by their celestial matchmaking. Cast: Rupert Everett, Calista Flockhart, Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, Christian Bale, Sophie Marceau, David Strathairn. (1999) Rated PG-13

My Life

A high-powered executive, diagnosed with terminal cancer, begins filming a home movie in which he teaches his unborn son all the things a man must know: how to shave, how to slam dunk, and most of all, how to love. Cast: Michael Keaton, Nicole Kidman. (1993) Rated PG-13

Othello

In this dramatization of William Shakespeare’s tragedy a great man’s vanity is manipulated by a jealous aide to bring about his downfall. Betrayal, deception and murder end the friendship between Othello and Iago and culminate in the tragic death of Desdemona. Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Irene Jacob, Kenneth Branagh. (1995) Rated R

Patton

The Academy Award-winning dramatization of the experiences of General George S. Patton during World War II. Based on “Patton: Ordeal and Triumph” by Ladislas Farago and “A Soldier’s Story” by Omar N. Bradley. Cast: George C. Scott, Karl Malden. (1970) Rated PG

Power Yoga

Kristin McGee presents her special blend of power yoga with this intense fitness program. Building on the yoga lessons she taught on MTV, McGee combines aerobics with soul-centering moves all accompanied by an energizing workout.

Psycho

In this Alfred Hitchcock horror film, a secretary steals money from her boss and leaves town. On the road, she checks into the Bates Motel, run by a nice young man and his mother. Cast: Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam, John McIntire, Janet Leigh. (1960) Rated R

Pygmalion

Professor Henry Higgins works to make a pretty flower girl into a young lady of society. Cast: Wendy Hiller, Leslie Howard, Wilfred Lawson, Marie Lohr, Scott Sunderland. Based on the play by George Bernard Shaw. (1938) Not Rated

Spellbound

In this Alfred Hitchcock film, a psychologist falls for a suspect in a murder, which she tries to solve by unlocking the clues hidden in his mind. Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov, Leo G. Carroll, Rhonda Fleming, John Emery. (1945) Not Rated

Summer of Love

David Ogden Stiers narrates this episode of the PBS series, The American Experience.  It offers a look into the hippie revolution in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district during the summer of 1967, and how the free love and music turned into a life of drug use, violence, and broken dreams. (2007) Not Rated

Swann in Love

Set in Paris in the 1890s, Swann falls in love with a young courtesan, and soon finds himself tormented by his unrelenting sexual desire. Cast: Jeremy Irons, Alain Delon, Ornella Muti, Fanny Ardant, Marie-Christine Barrault, Anne Bennent, Nathalie Juvet. Based on the novel by Marcel Proust. (1984) In French, English subtitles. Not Rated

The Taming of the Shrew

A lavish screen production of the classic Shakespearean play, with Taylor starring as the wealthy Katharina and Burton as the Petruchio who tries to subdue her. Cast: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael York, Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Alfred Lynch, Alan Webb, Victor Spinetti, Natasha Pyne. (1967) Not Rated

Twelve O’clock High

A heroic American bomber group, based in England during WWII, is overworked and overstressed. Their empathetic leader is replaced by a severe general who begins to identify with the young fliers.  Cast: Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill.  (1949)  Not Rated

Twice upon a Yesterday

When a man tries to stop his ex-girlfriend from marrying someone else, he is magically given an opportunity to turn back the clock and correct a past mistake. Cast: Lena Headey, Douglas Henshall, Penelope Cruz, Gustavo Salmeron, Eusebio Lazaro, Mark Strong, Charlotte Coleman, Neil Stuke, Elizabeth McGovern. (1999) Rated R

Waterland

A history teacher, Tom Crick, inspires his students to embrace the past and discover the marvels and mysteries of life. Through many extraordinary stories, he takes them on an unforgettable journey into the past that changes their lives forever. Cast: Jeremy Irons, Ethan Hawke, Sinead Cusack, Cara Buono, Grant Warnock, Lena Headey, Peter Postlethwaite, David Morrissey, John Heard. (1992) Rated R

Wildfire: Season Two

Change comes to Kris Furillo and everyone at the Raintree Ranch. A near win at the Sandpiper Race puts Kris and Wildfire in the limelight, but how will she adjust to fame and how will it affect those closest to her? Cast: Genevieve Cortese, Nicole Tubiola, Nana Visitor, Greg Serano, Micah Alberti, Andrew Hoeft, Ryan Sypek. Originally broadcast on television in 2006. Not Rated

Yoga: Total Body Makeover

Alanna Zabel presents traditional, flowing yoga routines moving through sequences that target specific body parts and muscle groups. Begins with a simple warm-up and moves to lower body to lift and tighten buns, thighs and hips. Next is the sculpting arm and upper body sequence, followed by a middle-whittling core segment, finishing with a total body stretch.

New Releases on DVD July 2009

Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia

A team of U.S. Navy SEALS must find evidence to clear their names after they’ve been framed for an assault on the government of Colombia. Cast: Joe Manganiello, Ken Anderson, Channon Roe, Yancey Arias, Chris J. Johnson, Antony Matos, Keith David, Jennice Fuentes, Steven Bauer. Rated R

Chasing the Green

The true story of two brothers, Adam and Ross, who become millionaires. Their drive leads them into conflict with FTC officials trying to destroy them. Adam tries to reconcile this with his personal life, ultimately wondering what his true passion is. Cast: Jeremy London, William Devane ; Ryan Hurst ; Heather Mccomb ; Robert Picardo ; Dan Grimaldi ; Patricia Rae ; Larry Pine ; Chris Gunn ; Vinny Vella ; Lavinna Dowell ; Howard Nash. Not Rated

College Road Trip

When an overachieving high school student decides to travel around the country to choose the perfect college, her overprotective cop father insists on coming along. Cast: Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné, Donny Osmond. Rated G

Coraline

A young girl walks through a secret door that she has found in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life, but much better. When her adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents, including the Other Mother, try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to get back home – and save her family. Voices: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Ian McShane. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman. Rated PG

Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea

Genghis Khan, the name is a legend, the man was mythical. He was a soul who was obscured by his own achievements. He was a son, husband, father, and conqueror. The saga of one man’s march toward immortality and the battle to unite the tribes of Mongol under one rule. Cast: Takashi Sorimachi, Rei Kikukawa, Mayumi Wakamura, Yoshihiko Hakamada, Kenichi Matsuyama. Based on the story by Seiichi Morimura. Originally released as a motion picture in 2007. Japanese or dubbed English dialogue, English subtitles. Rated R

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Two guys try to outrun authorities who suspect them of being terrorists when they try to sneak a bong on board their flight to Amsterdam. Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry, Roger Bart, Neil Patrick Harris. Rated R

Home

 By day their lives seem magical, but at night, Inga is troubled by her marriage and its lack of intimacy and her own fear of mortality.  The past comes back to haunt Inga, a poet who finds herself re-creating the events of her youth. She develops breast cancer and begins to use alcohol to quell the pain (in a similar fashion to her mother), and becomes fixated on a house that reminds her of her childhood home. Will she find a way to break the vicious cycle?  Cast: Marcia Gay Harden, Marian Seldes, Michael Gaston, Eulala Scheel, Paul L. Nolan, Candy Buckley. Rated PG-13

Knowing

A teacher discovers a time capsule that holds prophecies—some of which have already come true. Cast: Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury, Lara Robinson, Ben Mendelsohn. Rated PG-13

Passengers

While helping a handful of airline crash survivors cope with their grief, a young psychologist begins to uncover conflicting accounts of the accident. At first, she believes that trauma is behind her patients’ different stories– until the survivors mysteriously start to disappear. Cast: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, David Morse, Andre Braugher, Clea DuVall, Dianne Wiest. Rated PG-13

Phoebe in Wonderland

Confounded by her clashes with the seemingly rule-obsessed world, a little girl seeks enlightenment from her unconventional drama teacher.Cast: Felicity Huffman, Patricia Clarkson, Elle Fanning, Campbell Scott, Bill Pullman. Rated PG-13

The Pink Panther 2

When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther diamond, Clouseau is assigned to a dream team of international detectives who are under pressure to bring the master thief to justice before he strikes again. Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin, John Cleese. Rated PG

Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup 2009 Champions

For the first time in almost 2o years the Staley Cup returns to the Steel City.  You can relive every magical step of their march to the 2009 Stanley Cup highlighted by series wins against Philadelphia, Washington, Carolina, and the mighty Detroit Red Wings.  Go inside the championship season with exclusive footage featuring the sights and sounds of their memorable run, plus interviews with players and coaches. Not Rated

Powder Blue

On the gritty streets of L.A., the destinies of four people desperate for connection and redemption are about to collide. An erotic dancer, a grieving husband, a terminally ill ex-con, and a mortician all desperate for redemption collide on Christmas Eve. Cast: Forest Whitaker, Jessica Biel, Ray Liotta, Patrick Swayze, Lisa Kudrow, Kris Kristofferson, Eddie Redmayne. Forest Whitaker, Jessica Biel, Ray Liotta, Patrick Swayze, Lisa Kudrow, Kris Kristofferson, Eddie Redmayne. Originally released as a motion picture in 2007. Rated R

Push

A group of young American ex-pats with telekinetic and clairvoyant abilities hide from a clandestine U.S. government agency. Cast: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Djimon Hounsou.Rated PG-13

Ruby Blue

The sudden death of his wife has left Jack lost and alone. He is despised by his son and ignored by neighbours. A ray of sunshine arrives in the unlikely form of the eight-year-old, Florrie, when she moves in next door and delights in Jack’s neglected racing pigeon, Ruby, unwittingly rekindling Jack’s love for life, while forcing him to come to terms with his past. When his glamorous French neighbour, Stephanie, takes pity on him, Jack cannot help but fall for her charms. But when Stephanie reveals a well-kept secret, the nature of Jack’s friendship with Florrie is questioned by everyone and his life thrown into turmoil once again. Cast: Bob Hoskins, Josiane Balasko, Jody Latham, Josel Altin, Jessica Stewart. (2007) Not Rated

Street Kings

Tom Ludlow is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of his former partner, Detective Terrance Washington, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he’s been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him. He teams up with a young detective to track down Washington’s killers, who track down the murderers and bring them to justice. Cast: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans. Rated R

Two Lovers

After Leonard moves back into the home he grew up in to mend a broken heart, he meets two women in quick succession. Michelle is a mysterious and beautiful neighbor. Sandra is the lovely and caring daughter of a businessman who is buying out his family’s dry-cleaning business. Leonard is forced to make an impossible decision, between desire and the comfort of love, or risk falling back into the same darkness that nearly killed him. Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas. Rated R

Watchmen

When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorschach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion. Cast: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson. Rated R

New DVDs: Feature Length Films and Made for TV Productions July 2009

Against the Odds: The Artists of the Harlem Renaissance

This PBS documentary examines the outpouring of creativity in the visual arts by African Americans during the 1920s and 1930s, the period known as the Harlem Renaissance. Presents items from the 1990 exhibition Against the odds, curated by the Newark Museum. (1993) Not Rated

Amongst White Clouds

American director Edward A. Burger documents his journey into the lives of China’s forgotten Zen Buddhist hermit tradition. The Zhongnan Mountains have been home to recluses for some five thousand years; Burger’s experiences demonstrate that the tradition continues to thrive. One of only a few foreigners to have lived and studied with these hidden sages, Burger reveals to us their tradition, their wisdom, and the hardship and joy of their everyday lives. Not Rated

Battlestar Gallactica: Season One

After losing the war against the Cylon robots, the Battlestar Galactica crew quickly head toward the fabled 13th Colony, Earth. Galactica Commander Adama and President Laura Roslin are facing the problems of waning supplies and crushed morale. Along the way they have to deal with the credible threat that Cylons may be aboard the ship. Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park. Originally broadcast on the Sci-fi Channel during the 2004-2005 television season. Not Rated

Battlestar Gallactica: Season Two

This season finds the twelve colonies of man caught in a brewing civil war between the followers of President Roslin and those of Commander Adama. They must face the Cylons from outside, and within, the fleet.  Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Michael Rymer.
(2005-2006) Not Rated

Battlestar Galalctica: Season 2.5

A continuation of the epic Sci-Fi series, follows the ongoing battle of President Laura Roslin and Commander William Adama in their heart-pounding crusade to save humanity from the deadly robot Cylons.
Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Michael Rymer. (2005-2006) Not Rated

Battlestar Gallactica: Season 3

The Colonies’ survivors have found their hopes of eluding their Cylon pursuers dashed by an invasion and occupation of their new home. As the fate of all human life hangs in the balance, friends become enemies, enemies become unexpected allies, and decisions are made that will haunt some people for the rest of their lives.  Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Grace Park, Katee Sackhoff, Tahmoh Penikett. Originally broadcast on television during the 2006-2007 season. Not Rated

Battlestar Gallactica: Season 4

The civil war amongst the Cylons escalates and Galactica’s quest for Earth continues. Cast: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Michelle Forbes, Stephanie Jacobsen. (2008) Not Rated

The Crucible

A group of teenage girls meets in the woods at midnight for a secret love-conjuring ceremony. When the ceremony is witnessed by the town minister, the girls are accused of witchcraft. Soon the entire village is consumed by hysteria, and innocent victims are put on trial, leading to a devastating climax. Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen. Based on the play by Arthur Miller. (1996) Rated PG-13

Edward II

Offbeat, intriguing, graphic retelling of Christopher Marlowe’s Elizabethan tragedy about gay king’s expulsion from British throne. Cast: Steven Waddington, Andrew Tiernan, Tilda Swinton. Rated R

Far from the Maddening Crowd

A headstrong young woman’s life becomes entwined with three disparate men–a dashing soldier, a wealthy landowner, and a sheep farmer. Cast: Julie Christie, Terence Stamp, Peter Finch, Alan Bates. Based on the novel by Thomas Hardy. (1967) Not Rated

Ganges

The Ganges runs through the heart of India. For millions of Hindus it is India’s sacred river, but they share its banks with a rich variety of wildlife. Reveals how the Ganges has shaped the wildlife, culture and beliefs in India. Originally broadcast on BBC Two. Includes narration in English, Hindi and Bengali. (2008) Not Rated

Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers

The impoverished Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro come to Venice in search of the heir to the throne of Barataria, inconveniently mislaid at birth and betrothed to their daughter.  It takes the help of the nursemaid to unravel the knots in this particularly twisty tale. Cast: Davod Hobson, Roger Lemke, Suzanne Johnston, Christine Douglas. This Opera Australia production was originally performed in 1990.  Not Rated

Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore and Trial By Jury

Two Gilbert & Sullivan operettas recorded live over three performances at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, in May 2005.  Performers: Anthony Warlow, David Hobson, John Bolton Wood, Tiffany Speight, Richard Alexander, Colette Mann.  Not Rated

Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado

The parody of British Victorian life, spiced with the usual topical allusions to English customs and institutions, set in a Japanese Never-Never Land, is performed by The Australian Opera. Recorded live at the Sydney Opera House, Feburary 25, 1987. Not Rated

Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience

Set in the early 20th century, the aesthetic poet Bunthorne sings his love for Patience, the village milkmaid. Meanwhile he has captured the heart of every other lady in the village. Upon the arrival of the idyllic poet Grosvenor, all hell breaks loose when he proposes to Patience. Cast: Christine Douglas, Heather Begg, Anthony Warlow, Dennis Olson.  Recorded live at the Sydney Opera House, Feb, 25, 1995. Not Rated

Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance

The Opera Australia’s production of G&S’ classic, comic operetta.  Cast: Anthony Warlow, David Hobson, John Bolton Wood, Taryn Fiebig and Suzanne Johnston. (2007)  Not Rated.

Hallowed Grounds: America’s Overseas Military Cemeteries

This PBS special visits America’s overseas military cemeteries, and weaves elements of a historical documentary with beautiful, contemporary scenes of the cemeteries, and powerful stories about the men and women who are buried in them. Includes on-location interviews with formal and informal historians, witnesses of the wars, and the creation of the cemeteries. Not Rated

Heart and Soul

Four souls learn why they are earthbound and tied to a hard driving executive–through him, they each have one chance to resolve the unfinished business in their lives. Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Charles Grodin, Kyra Sedgwick, Elisabeth Shue, Tom Sizemore, David Paymer, Alfre Woodard. (1993)  Rated PG-13

Into the Woods

A fusion of fairytales in musical form, covering themes from Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and others.  Cast: Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Tom Aldredge, Robert Westenberg, singers ; additional singers ; orchestra. Originally telecast on American Playhouse in 1987. Not Rated

Kiss Me Kate

The backstage and on-stage antics of two feuding romances during a tryout for the musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s  The Taming of the Shrew.  Music by Cole Porter.  This 2000 Broadway production was featured on PBS’ Great Performances. Cast: Brent Barrett, Rachel York, Nancy Anderson, Michael Berresse.  Not RatedCast: Brent Barrett, Rachel York, Nancy Anderson, Michael Berresse.  Not Rated

Mary White

In this heart-warming true story of a loving father-daughter relationship, William Allen White reflects on the last year he spent with his daughter Mary. Cast: Ed Flanders, Tim Matheson, Fionnula Flanagan. Based on the writings of William Allen White. (1977) Not Rated

Meet Me in St. Louis

The Smith family eagerly anticipates the opening of the 1903 World’s Fair in their hometown of St. Louis. Love is in the air with the handsome boy next door, but all hopes and dreams may be dashed when father announces they’re moving to New York City! Cast: Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Marjorie Main. (1944) Not Rated

Moonlight: The Complete Series

Mick St. John is a private investigator ‘living’ in Los Angeles. Mick’s bride turned him into a vampire on the couple’s wedding night fifty-five years earlier. In the present day, he struggles with his love for a mortal woman, his dealings with other vampires and other criminal elements. Cast: Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles, Shannyn Sossamon, Jason Dohring. Originally broadcast on CBS television during the 2007-2008 season.  Not Rated

The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries

Assisted by her confidant George Moody, Mrs. Bradley solves the most complicated crimes with a sly combination of charm, intelligence and wit. In this set of five mysteries, she gets the lowdown on the upper crust – much to the bemusement of Police Inspector Christmas. Cast: Diana Rigg, Neil Dudgeon, Peter Davison. Based on the novels by Gladys Mitchell. (1998) Not Rated

Murdoch Mysteries

In the 1890’s, Detective William Murdoch adopts modern techniques like ‘finger marks’ and forensics to track Toronto’s most sinister killers. Though derided by his skeptical boss, Murdoch finds friends and allies in a lovely pathologist and an eager-to-learn constable. Along the way they cross paths with some of the era’s most famous figures, including Nikola Tesla, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Prince Alfred. Cast: Yannick Bisson, Hélène Joy, Thomas Craig, Jonny Harris.  Characters adapted from the novels by Maureen Jennings. (2008) Not Rated

Prison Break 4: The Final Season

Revenge, deceit and edge of your seat action lead to the most breathtaking, suspenseful series finale. Cast: Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller, Michael Rapaport, Amaury Nolasco, Wade Williams, Robert Knepper, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Sarah Wayne Callies, William Frichter. (2008-2009) Not Rated

She Fell Among Thieves

The BBC Drama that launched the PBS Mystery Series.  While on a Pyrenees vacation in 1922, English gentleman Richard Chandos encounters the villainous Vanity Fair, mistress of the turreted Chateau Jezreel and leader of a motley band of criminals. Cast: Malcolm McDowell, Eileen Atkins, Michael Jayston and Karen Dotrice. Based on the novel by Dornford Yates. Originally broadcast on PBS television in 1978. Not Rated

Showboat

Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical extravaganza which celebrates the loves and heartbreaks of a Mississippi riverboat troupe, starting with a young girl whose heart is stolen by a dashing gambler.
Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel, Joe E. Brown, Marge and Gower Champion, Robert Sterling, Agnes Moorehead, William Warfield. (1951) Not Rated

The Story of India

Historian Michael Wood chronicles the history of the Indian subcontinent, the richness and diversity of its peoples, and its continuing relevance in today’s world. Broadcast on PBS in 2008-2009. Not rated.

Supernatural: The Complete Third Season

Two brothers search for their missing father, the man who trained them to be warriors against supernatural evil. Cast: Jared Padalecki, Kate Cassidy, Lauren Cohan, Jensen Ackless. Originally broadcast by the CW 2007-2008. Not Rated

Trial  & Retribution: Set 2

This British TV Series explores the bitter internal rivalries among police investigators, the political pressures of high-profile cases, and the legal maneuverings of defense attorneys and prosecutors. Police probe an abandoned house concealing multiple murders, a dysfunctional family with a deeply troubled musical prodigy, the mysterious disappearance of a well-connected woman, and a shadowy sex club for London’s elite. Cast: David Hayman, Kate Buffery, Dorian Lough, Dermot Crowley, Simon Callow. (2001-2004) Not Rated

The Turn of the Screw

Henry James’ chilling ghost tale about a governess hired by a charming bachelor to look after two young children in a grand mansion in rural England where sinister events place their lives in jeopardy. Cast: Jodhi May, Pam Ferris, Colin Firth, Joe Sowerbutts, Grace Robinson. (1999) Not Rated

Two and a Half Men: The Complete First Season

Charlie Harper is a bachelor in paradise, complete with Malibu beach house, overpaid job and a very active dating life. Then his uptight brother Alan, in the throes of a divorce, moves in, bringing his 10-year-old son Jake with him. Together they start a new family of two adults, one kid, and no grown-ups. Cast : Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Melanie Lynskey, Holland Taylor. (2003-2004) Not Rated

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Second Season

Welcome back to the Harpers’ Malibu beach house. Bachelor Charlie is trying (but not very hard) to remember the name of the girl currently taking a shower upstairs. Alan, Charlie’s tightly-wound, divorced brother is trying to figure out how he can get his ex-wife to remarry so he can stop paying alimony. And Jake, Alan’s 11-year-old son, is just trying to figure out what’s for lunch and where’s the TV remote. After a year of living together, the guys have figured out how two and a half men equal one family. Sort of. Cast: Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell, Melanie Lynskey, Holland Taylor. (2004-2005) Not Rated

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Third Season

The boys (two-and-a-half-men’s worth) are back! A drop-dead gorgeous parade of Kandis, Sandys, Mandis and more marches in and out of the Harpers’ Malibu beach house, but the warm heart of the series remains the makeshift family that calls the beach house home– carefree bachelor Charlie, his fussy chiropractor brother Alan and Alan’s precocious young son Jake. This season Charlie romances a beautiful ballet dancer, Alan dates a 22-year-old cutie and his domineering ex-wife– and finally, wedding bells ring. But who’s the happy couple? Cast: Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell, Melanie Lynskey, Holland Taylor. (2005-2006) Not Rated

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Fourth Season

Charlie has a close encounter with his long-deceased dad. Alan, after a few resumé embellishments, tries his hand at online dating. Jake swaps his Harry Potter posters for the joys of hottie wall art. Cast: Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell, April Bowlby, Holland Taylor. (2006-2007) Not Rated

Two and a Half Men: The Complete Fifth Season

In this hilarious fifth season, Charlie tops the charts as kiddie-song sensation Charlie Waffles, Alan at last meets the perfect woman, Jake starts junior high, armed with ‘helpful’ advice from Alan and Charlie, and Evelyn ties the knot for the fifth time. Cast: Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones, Marin Hinkle, Conchata Ferrell, April Bowlby, Holland Taylor. (2007-2008) Not Rated

A Village Affair

Recently returned to England from New York City, vivacious heiress Clodagh Unwin befriends a couple new to her village. The husband is entranced by the young aristocrat, but Clodagh has eyes for someone else: his wife Alice. Cast: Claire Bloom, Kerry Fox, Jeremy Northam, Nathaniel Parker, Keira Knightley. Based on the novel by Joanna Trollope. (1994) Not Rated

The Vincent Price Collection

Contents: House on Haunted Hill (1959)– The Last Man on Earth (1964)– The Bat (1959) — Not Rated

Weeds: Season Four

Last time we saw her, Nancy’s business and house were going up in smoke. So the Botwin bunch has relocated near the border for a fresh start with some new buds. Cast: Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Kevin Nealon.  Originally broadcast on Showtime.  Not Rated

Will Shakespeare

This BBC-TV production begins with Shakespeare’s youthful obscurity in Avon. As he struggles to survive as a playwright, he faces multiple hardships, but defeats all obstacles to achieve unprecedented success in London. Cast: Tim Curry, Ian McShane, André Morell, John McEnery, Simon Rouse. (1978) Not Rated

Wycliffe: Season One

Detective Wycliffe takes a traditional approach to solving crimes on his Cornwall beat, a land of myths and magnificent scenery. Cast: Jack Shepherd, Bill Nighy, Jimmy Yuill, Helen Masters, Tim Wylton, Aaron Harris, Adam Barker. Based on the novels by W. J. Burley. (1994) Not Rated