By By Randy Williams Newdvdreleases
‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ TV Double Feature Following up on the recent feature film remake, all seven of its seasons released on DVD, comes this “what happened next” set that includes two full length made-for-TV films, Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion and Hazzard in Hollywood. The exploits of good ‘ol boys Bo Duke (John Schneider) and Luke Duke (Tom Wopat) originally aired on CBS from 1979-1985. A crooked developer (Stella Stevens) is out to turn Hazzard Swamp into a theme park and selling musical recordings in order to raise money to build a new hospital in Hazzard County are the themes behind the movies that originally aired in 1997 and 2000 respectively. (Warner Bros) In London during medieval times there was a large stone with a heavy sword imbedded in it. The man who could pull the sword from the stone would become king of England, but no man despite his strength was able to complete the deed. This classic Disney feature based on the children’s book by T.H. White tells the story of Wart a young boy in medieval England who runs into the eccentric wizard Merlin. The sorcerer decides to give the boy an education and in the process the two have a series of magical adventures. Will Wart be the one to become king? Extras include a segment on the film’s music, some bonus movie shorts, and Merlin’s Magical Academy Game. (Disney) ‘Cheers’ Season 9 It is that cosy little Boston bar where everybody knows your name. Will wedding bells chime for Rebecca? (Kirstie Alley). How does Woody (Woody Harrelson) get so hooked on home shopping shows? Norm (George Wendt) and Cliff (John Ratzenberger) look into a fight between Sam (Ted Danson) and Frasier (Kelsey Grammer). The brilliant writing is reflected in all 26 episodes spread out over five discs and will keep the laughs coming. (CBS) ‘DNA’ Complete Series One and Two Tom Conti (”Reuben, Reuben”) stars in this British “CSI”-style program portraying Joe Donovan, an accomplished but troubled criminologist. Looking for redemption from a mental breakdown that cost him his job, Donovan returns to consult with Manchester’s crack Forensic Investigations Unit on a murder case that suspiciously resembles the one that drove him into near madness. (Acorn Media) ‘Army Wives’ The Complete First Season From the producers of “Grey’s Anatomy” comes this drama about five military spouses on a South Carolina base who share friendship, secrets, home and heartache. Package includes thirteen episodes with extra materials like deleted scenes, outtakes, cast interviews, and a look at the making of the series. Army Wives stars Kim Delaney (”NYPD Blue”), Catherine Bell (”JAG”) and Brian McNamara (”The OC”). (ABC/Lifetime) ‘King’
Forty years after his assassination comes this stirring new look at Dr. Martin Luther King, a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement and an iconic symbol for change. This feature length chronicle of King brings the relevancy of his message to today’s world primarily through candid interviews with such public and private figures as former President Bill Clinton, Andrew Young, Bono, Condoleeza Rice, and Martin Luther King III. “I have a dream." (A&E)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 9, 2008. Read the original PDF.