Lassie Come Home
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Home Video (15 July, 1997)
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Director: Fred M. Wilcox
Starring: Roddy McDowall, Donald Crisp, and Dame May Whitty
Lassie Come Home is a classic for all the usual reasons: its timeless, universal appeal, its first-of-its-kind status, and its exceptional cinematography, direction, and performances. What makes this 1943 charmer especially fun for grownups who haven't screened it since their own preteen, pet-obsessed days, though, is a couple of cute-as-a-button cast members. An adorably over-earnest Roddy McDowall stars as Joe, the mostly hapless lad whom Lassie refuses to part with despite his down-and-out family's decision to sell her, for a paltry 15 guineas, to a wealthy duke; and Elizabeth Taylor, already stunning at around age 10, surrenders a sweet if mawkish performance as Priscilla, the Duke's tenderhearted granddaughter, who lends a hand in Lassie's escape from her family's unkind kennel master and winks her way into winning the fearless pup a permanent place at her true master's side. Beyond that, it's no mystery why generations of dog-loving audiences have marveled at the precocious collie's career--Lassie is a great actor. She so convincingly digs impossible trenches, leaps towering fences, swims raging rivers, knocks out bad guys, and betrays the essence of brokenheartedness with her bedraggled coat and woebegone expressions that it's sometimes hard to shake the suspicion that she's really an incredibly limber person in a cute dog suit. All told, Lassie Come Home delivers a lot to love, not the least of which is the deeply dramatic score--quirky sounding to the modern ear--which returns audiences to simpler, irony-free times, as does the movie's message of loyalty at all costs. --Tammy La Gorce

The Love of a Dog for a Boy

That was then, this is now

Excellent overall--but one scene upsetting to 4-yr old
Lassie Come Home
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Studios (11 July, 2000)
MPAA Rating: G (General Audience)
Director: Fred M. Wilcox
Starring: Roddy McDowall, Donald Crisp, and Dame May Whitty
Lassie Come Home is a classic for all the usual reasons: its timeless, universal appeal, its first-of-its-kind status, and its exceptional cinematography, direction, and performances. What makes this 1943 charmer especially fun for grownups who haven't screened it since their own preteen, pet-obsessed days, though, is a couple of cute-as-a-button cast members. An adorably over-earnest Roddy McDowall stars as Joe, the mostly hapless lad whom Lassie refuses to part with despite his down-and-out family's decision to sell her, for a paltry 15 guineas, to a wealthy duke; and Elizabeth Taylor, already stunning at around age 10, surrenders a sweet if mawkish performance as Priscilla, the Duke's tenderhearted granddaughter, who lends a hand in Lassie's escape from her family's unkind kennel master and winks her way into winning the fearless pup a permanent place at her true master's side. Beyond that, it's no mystery why generations of dog-loving audiences have marveled at the precocious collie's career--Lassie is a great actor. She so convincingly digs impossible trenches, leaps towering fences, swims raging rivers, knocks out bad guys, and betrays the essence of brokenheartedness with her bedraggled coat and woebegone expressions that it's sometimes hard to shake the suspicion that she's really an incredibly limber person in a cute dog suit. All told, Lassie Come Home delivers a lot to love, not the least of which is the deeply dramatic score--quirky sounding to the modern ear--which returns audiences to simpler, irony-free times, as does the movie's message of loyalty at all costs. --Tammy La Gorce

The Love of a Dog for a Boy

That was then, this is now

Excellent overall--but one scene upsetting to 4-yr old
Blue's Clues - Blue's Big Holiday
Released in VHS Tape by Paramount Studio (25 September, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Alan Zdinak, John Rowe (VII), Bruce Caines, Lucy Walker, Elizabeth Holder, Nancy Keegan, Paul Zehrer, Koyalee Chanda, and Daniel Silverman (II)
Starring: Steve Burns
If sleuthing, not Santa-stalking, is the name of your 2- to 5-year-old's game, grab your scarf and settle in for Blue's Big Holiday, a festive double feature that doesn't dissolve into folkloric fluff. The title episode arranges itself gently around December's gift-giving trifecta. Steve and Blue, off delivering presents, pick up on some peculiar goings-on at the homes of their pals: At Wynonna Judd's, a tree twinkles in the living room; at Lisa Datz's, candles symbolizing a miracle burn brightly; and at Tyrese's, corn and a cup, tokens of community togetherness, create a curiosity-arousing tableau. Who knew Blue hung out in such swanky celebrity circles? No matter--they're a mere sideshow here. The mystery we're meant to tackle is not who celebrates what and why, but which patch Blue wants to add to her holiday quilt. "A Snowy Day" also circumvents the seasonal trappings in favor of a romp through the white stuff. Before bundling up, though, Steve will need to get to the bottom of what Blue wants to play (hints: a carrot and a snowball factor in). He'll also have to skidoo into a calendar to fix an inappropriate winter scene (swimsuits in the snow?) and match some falling snowflake patterns for Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper. What's best about this collection is its bold choice to go against the holiday herd and bag the moralizing. Instead of getting all wrapped up in the dog days of December, it keeps its concept on a short leash, which means plenty of skill-builders and problem solving. It's perfect for preschool fans of the show, and parents hoping to head off the annual hoopla with calm, low-key holiday fare. --Tammy La Gorce

Phenomenal video

Blue's Clue: at least 8 hours a day

A good holiday special for kids
Dogfight
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Studios (28 October, 1992)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Nancy Savoca
Starring: River Phoenix and Lili Taylor
Director Nancy Savoca tackles tough material in the battle of the sexes, late-teen division, and makes it bitterly moving. River Phoenix plays one of a group of youngish marines on the verge of shipping out to Southeast Asia in 1963 San Francisco. On their last night in port, they decide to hold a "dogfight": a contest to see who can get the ugliest girl to go out with him. Phoenix winds up with a pudgy waitress (Lili Taylor), who has dreams of being like her hero, Joan Baez. As he draws her out, he finds himself intrigued by the self-contained world she has created for herself and by the time he gets her to the dance he is regretting his decision--but is too macho to pull out. Barely released, the film features touching performances by both the late Phoenix and the always fascinating Taylor, who gives this character great dignity. --Marshall Fine

A Beautiful, True to life story

DOGFIGHT - The ultimate love story!

great movie
Dogfight
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Studios (28 October, 1992)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Nancy Savoca
Starring: River Phoenix and Lili Taylor
Director Nancy Savoca tackles tough material in the battle of the sexes, late-teen division, and makes it bitterly moving. River Phoenix plays one of a group of youngish marines on the verge of shipping out to Southeast Asia in 1963 San Francisco. On their last night in port, they decide to hold a "dogfight": a contest to see who can get the ugliest girl to go out with him. Phoenix winds up with a pudgy waitress (Lili Taylor), who has dreams of being like her hero, Joan Baez. As he draws her out, he finds himself intrigued by the self-contained world she has created for herself and by the time he gets her to the dance he is regretting his decision--but is too macho to pull out. Barely released, the film features touching performances by both the late Phoenix and the always fascinating Taylor, who gives this character great dignity. --Marshall Fine

A Beautiful, True to life story

DOGFIGHT - The ultimate love story!

great movie
The Whoopee Boys
Released in VHS Tape by Paramount Studio (08 July, 1987)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: John Byrum
Starring: Michael O'Keefe and Paul Rodriguez

classic 80's comedy movie

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC

Nostalgic , Yet Well Aged Comedy !
Household Saints
Released in VHS Tape by Columbia/Tristar Studios (18 April, 2000)
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Director: Nancy Savoca
Starring: Tracey Ullman and Vincent D'Onofrio

It's not for the Pope....it's for God.

wow

Household Saints
She's Having a Baby
Released in VHS Tape by Paramount Studio (15 August, 1991)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: John Hughes
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth McGovern, and Alec Baldwin
Having delved repeatedly into the world of teenage joys and sorrows, from Sixteen Candles to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, writer-director John Hughes took a step into adulthood (or some facsimile of it) with She's Having a Baby. Peppered with whimsical asides and busy voice-over observations, the movie is shamelessly fun to watch, even if it doesn't add up to anything especially profound. Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern are newlyweds struggling through the tribulations of a youthful marriage. Along with the usual uncertainties, Bacon is sacrificing his dreams of becoming a writer to work in an ad agency, and his best supposed pal (Alec Baldwin, just before stardom) tries to seduce his wife. Hughes may have been reflecting on his own past job in advertising, and maybe that explains why the movie plays like a superficial, if entertaining, TV commercial. --Robert Horton

Funny & Honest!

She's Having A Baby

My all time favorite romantic movie
Blue's Clues - Story Time
Released in VHS Tape by Paramount Studio (09 June, 1998)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Directors: Alan Zdinak, John Rowe (VII), Bruce Caines, Lucy Walker, Elizabeth Holder, Nancy Keegan, Paul Zehrer, Koyalee Chanda, and Daniel Silverman (II)
Starring: Steve Burns
Finally, parents will have something to pop in the VCR when their hopelessly addicted tots ask for a hit of the blue dog during one of the many hours it's not actually playing on television. This 50-minute video contains two segments that touch on several traditional tales, but focus on "The Three Little Pigs" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." There's a little Elvis humor for the adults, but most of the jokes are aimed squarely at the pre-K set, who are asked to help our rugby-shirted friend Steve discover his evasive cartoon dog's favorite stories. With any luck, the video should buy you more than 50 minutes of peace as your child is likely to be inspired to engage his or her dog in porridge-portion comparisons or corner the cat behind the washing machine for a rousing game of "Little pig, little pig, let me come in." --Kimberly Heinrichs

Helped my son's speech

Seen this about 500 times now.

2.5 Year Old Twins Love Blue and This Video
The Carson Collection - His Favorite Moments from The Tonight Show
Released in VHS Tape by (25 June, 2002)
MPAA Rating:
Culled from 30 years of material, this collection of moments from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson contains some of most inspired bits of lunacy ever recorded. Whether cajoling with Hollywood's biggest stars or normal folk with special talents, Carson was a master of finding the right joke, with timing second to none. Along with bits of his opening monologues, skits, and early standup appearances from the likes of David Letterman and Eddie Murphy, there are many highlights with perhaps the perfect Carson guest--exotic animals that stole the show. This collection was released shortly after Carson's reign ended in 1992. Although most of the tapes of his first decade are lost, there are plenty of highlights from the '70s through the '90s. Also included is Carson's touching and historic "Final Show," which finds the host simply talking to his audience and showing highlights--or just the faces--from his years on the set. Although many followed--and a few have even succeeded--Carson's Midwest charm made him the king of TV in a period when America was defined by television. --Doug Thomas

The Ultimate Collection - Johnny Carson

Johnny's still the King

"The Best Television We Will Ever Have"