'Stardust' is an enjoyable cinematic escape
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By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
Neil Gaimen's other movie, a concert video, the perfect gift for a Red Sox fan and an intriguing television series are in this week's DVD column.
Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season One
Like "Dirty Jobs" and "The Deadliest Catch," "Ice Road Truckers" examines just what people will do to make money. The result is a reality series that makes one appreciate the more mundane jobs the bulk of us do.
In northern Canada there are several diamond mines that can only be reached overland during the two coldest months of the winter. At that time the Canadian government constructs a road over the frozen lakes and permafrost wetlands. Truckers are brought in to be part of an on-going convoy bringing the annual batch of supplies to the three mining camps.
This is no easy task as driving over frozen lakes is not anything like driving on interstates. The ice can crack and fail and trucks can fall in. Death is not uncommon along the ice road.
Since the truckers make more money as they make more runs, the incentive is to stay on the road and sleep as little as possible a factor that adds to the danger of the venture.
The reward is that a trucker can make up to $75,000 for two months hauling.
This is pretty compelling viewing and for reality show fans, it's a show that is free of the more sordid aspects of the genre.
For more information, log onto www.historychannel.com.
Hands Across the Sea: The Band of the Grenadier Guards
Perhaps the baby boomers are the last generation of Americans to regularly hear Sousa marches. The work of American composer John Philip Sousa has been a staple for marching bands and patriotic performances for a century, but I wonder just how many younger people today could recognize a Sousa march.
In some ways, the Sousa trademark marches have become so much a part of the American musical lexicon they have almost become a clich , but this concert video of over 20 Sousa compositions restores them to their proper context and reveals their power and beauty.
One of the oldest military bands on the planet, the Grenadier Guards, shot this video at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The military setting is the right one for the Sousa marches and I defy you not to feel just a little flutter of patriotic feeling if you watch this DVD.
For more information, go to www.kultur.com.
Stardust
Neil Gaimen is one of the world's most beloved fantasy authors and he has had an interesting year at the movies. His graphic novel, "Stardust," was adapted into a film that was released earlier this year and then the screenplay of "Beowulf" he co-authored was produced.
Of the two films, "Stardust" is the far more successful and satisfying. If you liked "The Princess Bride," you will probably like this film as well.
Taking place sometime in the late 19th century, "Stardust" tells the story of Tristan, a young man who lives in the English village of Wall. The village is named so because of an ancient wall that supposedly separates this world from another. Tristan finds out the rumors are true when he manages to cross through the one hole in the wall in search of a fallen star so he can impress the love of his life.
Thinking he would find a stone of some sort, instead he finds a beautiful woman -- the form which stars take when they fall to earth, apparently. What Tristan also finds is a land in which feuding sons are trying to determine who will be the new king and a witch is on an evil quest.
Romantic and funny, "Stardust" presents some enjoyable performances from Michelle Pfeiffer as the witch as well as Robert De Niro as a pirate with a secret.
This is fun stuff and aside from younger children, the whole family should enjoy this film.
For more information, log onto www.paramount.com/
homeentertainment.
The Boston Red Sox 2007 World Series Collector's Edition
It is one of my greatest failings -- I've been told -- that I'm not a sports fan, so despite my being a New Englander most of my life I've somehow avoided being part of Red Sox nation.
This affliction does not prevent me from wanting to pass along the news that A&E Home Video has released an eight-disc boxed set that has games five, six and seven against the Cleveland Indians, plus the four World Series games against the Colorado Rockies.
There is a bonus disc with team interviews, the clubhouse celebration and much more.
I hope in some small way I've now redeemed myself for not being a Sox fan. I doubt it though.
For more information, log onto www.aetv.com.
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