Some movie notes of interest on DVDs due out in the coming months.
Of major interest to us History/Wargaming buffs: "The Wind and the Lion" (Finally!) is due 01/06/04 John Milius' great adventure, wherein Candice Bergen plays the widowed mother, whom with her young children is kidnapped by Berber Brigands (lead by Sean Connery) in 1904 Morocco, provoking an international incident that has Teddy Roosevelt (Brian Keith) sending in U.S. troops, with the Germans flexing their colonial ambitions. One of the all time great adventure stories, which when seen from the two children's view point is super fun for kids over 8 to 10 years! War violence, lots of shooting, but it's worth it for the great adventure!
Also in Jan. a double film treat: "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"; the 1932 version with Frederick March as the protagonist, who won an Oscar for his performance, and the 1941 Spencer Tracey version (not as good) but with Ingrid Bergman and Lana Turner (so they'll help make up for a lesser take on the classic tale) both films come in the same DVD package.
01/20/04 find "Open Range" and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" available.
02/24/04 brings a favorite of mine "Melvin and Howard" a very well done, off-beat story of Melvin Dummar's (Paul LeMat) brief meeting with the reclusive Howard Hughes (Jason Robards) and Melvin's claim to $156 million Hughes might have willed him. Mary Steenburgen is great in a very revealing performance as Melvin's on-again, off-again wife. Can you say: Trailer Trash?
Still no set date: The "Star Wars" Trilogy set, like Indiana Jones (finally here!) is in the works, as is "300 Spartans" promised some time in 2004.
Back to War History: The theatrical re-release of "The Battle of Algiers" the story of the fight for Algerian independence from France will be on the big screen again, 01/04 with music score by Ennio Morricone. Perhaps a DVD isn't far behind?
As for me; I'm thinking about doing movie recommends again...one of these days.
('Unka) Jim
