Susan Granger’s dvd update for week of Fri., Feb. 13:
Not sure what to get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day? You can’t go wrong with the first group of new releases from TCM Greatest Classic Film Collection, which includes romantic comedies (“Philadelphia Story,” “Bringing Up Baby,” “Adam’s Rib,” “Woman of the Year”), romantic dramas (“Rebel Without a Cause,” “East of Eden,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, “A Streetcar Named Desire”) and Best Picture Winners (“Gigi,” An American in Paris,” “Casablanca,” “Mrs. Miniver”). They’re packaged in four-title sets, each affordably priced at $27.92.
Adapted from Nicholas Sparks’ novel, “Nights in Rodanthe” shows that when it comes to love, it’s never too late for a second chance as two lonely people (Diane Lane, Richard Gere) spend a stormy weekend at a seaside inn on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Topical and timely, the Italian drama “Days and Clouds” explores economic ruin and the fragility of love as a middle-aged Genovese couple (Margharita Buy, Antonio Albanese) is caught in the throes of a life-crisis precipitated by a financial upheaval.
President George W. Bush is gone but not forgotten as Oliver Stone’s docudrama “W,” starring Josh Brolin, delves into his privileged background, Yale frat-boy days, career-choice screw-ups, struggles with sobriety and psychological problems with his father.
Eccentric inventor Wallace and his faithful, four-legged friend Gromit star in three new animated films available on separate DVDs for the first time: “A Grand Day Out,” “The Wrong Trousers” and “A Close Shave.”
For tiny tots, there’s “Barney: Be My Valentine,” filled with heartwarming songs and dances, and “Thomas & Friends: Railway Friends,” which encompasses six new engine adventures, encompassing loyalty, responsibility and friendship.
PICK OF THE WEEK: Both writer/director Courtney Hunt and actress Melissa Leo were Oscar-nominated for “Frozen River,” the compelling, suspense-filled story of two desperately poor women – one Caucasian, one Mohawk – in dreary upstate New York who form an uneasy alliance to smuggle illegal immigrants across the frozen, yet treacherous St. Lawrence River that separates Canada from the United States.