By By Randy Williams Newdvdreleases
‘Dreamgirls’
This two disc widescreen showstopper edition about the dreams of a trio of female singers won a Golden Globe as Best Picture and earned Jennifer Hudson an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. There is a bounty of extra material including a dozen new extended music numbers plus original screen tests and auditions. Impeccable audio catches all the music. (Dreamworks) ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ Special Collector’s Edition A classic romantic tale between Debra Winger and aspiring naval officer Richard Gere. Louis Gossett Jr. won an Academy Award as Gere’s tough drill instructor. Bonus materials include features about the music, location, hand-to-hand combat scenes, director commentary, and true stories of military romance. (Paramount) ‘The Caine Mutiny’ Collector’s Edition Humphrey Bogart stars in this 1954 classic as the unstable Captain Queeg driving his WWII minesweeper crew to the breaking point. Nominated for seven Oscars. Features include a retrospective documentary. (Sony) ‘Not Just the Best of Larry Sanders’
They are not kidding. Eight hours of newly produced material, a feature-length documentary, and deleted scenes are part of this two disc set that includes 23 episodes of Garry Shandling’s hilarious look at talk show television. (Sony) ‘Melrose Place’ The Second Season An eight-disc 31 episode saga following the dreams and struggles of the everyday lives of young adults living in an apartment building in a trendy neighborhood. Heather Locklear stars. Bonus material includes commentary by creator Darren Star and a “Meet the Neighbors” feature. (Paramount) ‘Michael Palin’s Around the World in 80 Days’
Inspired by Jules Verne’s acclaimed novel, award-winning explorer and former Monty Python star, Michael Palin, attempts to retrace the footsteps of Phileas Fogg’s legendary journey traveling by land and sea but never air. Surprises and challenges abound in this three disc, five hour set. Will he beat the clock? (BBC Warner) Film and television author RANDY WILLIAMS reviews the latest movies, television shows, documentaries and music programs now available for purchase online or at your local retail store.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 3, 2007. Read the original PDF.