DVD/VIDEO REVIEWS week of November 10, 2008

This week's DVD and Blu-ray releases

The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and Blu-ray releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies on disc have a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films below, and do not take into account the extra content on these releases.

Quo Vadis

The DVD debut of a biblical classic. After a Roman general (Robert Taylor) falls in love with a Christian maid (Deborah Kerr), the situation is complicated by loony Emperor Nero (Peter Ustinov) deciding to burn Rome and blame the Christians. In director Mervyn LeRoy's version of the Henryk Sienkiewicz's worldwide best-seller that later earned him a Nobel Prize, the epic production overpowers the love story and focuses less on the conflict between Christianity and paganism than that of Nero and his rationalist adviser (Leo Genn). This mixed bag of religious fervor and pagan frolics includes a lengthy suicide scene, some sexual innuendo and stylized violence, but still makes reasonably reverential and historical family fare. The DVD includes brisk, comprehensive commentary by filmmaker-critic F.X. Feeney throughout the handsomely restored film, and a 43-minute scholarly documentary, "In the Beginning: 'Quo Vadis' and the Genesis of the Biblical Epic," which includes material on the story's influential Italian silent version, and this version's long gestation period at MGM. Spanish title option. A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Warner Home Video) 1951

Warner Bros. and the Homefront Collection (1943-1944)

Warner Bros.' three all-star musical salutes to the war effort are sensibly compiled in this boxed set with excellent prints and generous extras, including patriotic shorts, vintage newsreels, cartoons and trailers on each disc.

Of particular interest is the excellent new documentary, "Warner at War," narrated by Steven Spielberg.

None have been rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Warner Home Video)

Hollywood Canteen

A corporal winning a date with star Joan Leslie is the meager plot for a host of entertaining appearances and songs by Warner stars Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Peter Lorre, Roy Rogers and Jane Wyman, among others. Directed by Delmer Daves. A-II -- adults and adolescents. 1944

Thank Your Lucky Stars

An all-star extravaganza with the thinnest of plots again supports a succession of specialty numbers and skits featuring the likes of Humphrey Bogart, John Garfield, Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Dinah Shore and Hattie McDaniel. Davis famously sings "They're Either Too Young or Too Old." Directed by David Butler. The DVD includes an audio-only radio adaptation. A-II -- adults and adolescents. 1943

Irving Berlin's This Is the Army

Patriotic color musical recycling Irving Berlin's songs from his World War I Army show for a World War II edition. Director Michael Curtiz blends fact and fancy by restaging the 1917 original with a cast headed by George Murphy and then films the new version with the 1943 Army cast headed by Ronald Reagan as Murphy's son. A standout is Berlin singing one of his own numbers but the flag-waving rhetoric keeps getting in the way of the music and comedy. Besides "Warner at War," the DVD includes commentary by actress Joan Leslie and film historian Drew Casper, and extras include the restored musical number "My British Buddy," again sung by Berlin, cut from North American prints. A-I -- general patronage. 1943

Warner Home Video Classic Holiday DVD Collection Volume 2 (1941-1958)

A collection of three lesser-known Christmas films, with "Blossoms in the Dust" added as a "bonus" because of its holiday finale.

These are all good prints, though there are no significant extras. None have been rated by the Motion Picture Association of America. (Warner Home Video)

All Mine to Give

Bright story of Scottish immigrants (Glynis Johns and Cameron Mitchell) pioneering in 1856 Wisconsin turns maudlin when both die, leaving their six youngsters faced with an orphanage unless the eldest can find a foster home for each by visiting their neighbors on Christmas Day. Director Allen Reisner details well the bond of love between parents and their growing brood amid the harsh conditions of frontier life, but becomes increasingly morose as the orphans are parceled out in the downbeat, disheartening conclusion. A mixed bag of emotions for youngsters whose parents can help by discussing the movie's portrayal of family life, death and separation. A-I -- general patronage. 1958

Blossoms in the Dust

Oscar-winning story based on the life of Edna Gladney (Greer Garson), founder of the Texas Children's Home and Aid Society, which ministered to the abandoned children of unmarried mothers. This was Garson's first pairing with frequent screen partner Walter Pidgeon. As Edna declares, "There are no illegitimate babies ... only illegitimate parents." Directed by Mervyn LeRoy. A-II -- adults and adolescents. 1941

Holiday Affair

Undemanding sentimental romance in which a war widow (Janet Leigh) with a young son is torn between a steady but dull lawyer (Wendell Corey) and a hardworking but dreamy salesman (Robert Mitchum). Directed by Don Hartman, the warmth of the Christmas setting and likable performances by the principals make the sentimental proceedings hard to resist. A-I -- general patronage. 1949

It Happened on 5th Avenue

A philosophizing hobo and some GI families who can't find housing after the war take shelter in a fancy Fifth Avenue mansion whose vacationing owner is there in disguise learning something about the "common man." With Don DeFore, Ann Harding, Charlie Ruggles and Victor Moore. Directed by Roy Del Ruth. A-II -- adults and adolescents. 1947