Revenge drama ‘Django Unchained’ out on DVD
“Django Unchained”
Quentin Tarantino’s Academy Award winning film “Django Unchained” is one of his best of his career.
Set in 1858 Texas, two years before the Civil War, Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave, is purchased by Dr. King Schultz, (Christoph Waltz), a bounty hunter.
Schultz does not believe in slavery, and sets Django free. He asks Django to become his partner. They go to Mississippi to find Django’s wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), being held captive at a plantation run by Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).
His personal slave Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson) suspects the two are up to something.
As Django and Schultz figure out how to free Broomhilda, the intrigue builds to a suspenseful crescendo.
This is pure Tarantino, and the ensemble cast keeps it interesting. This western thrills with action, adventure, suspense, drama, romance and humor. There is plenty of violence and blood. Fans will not be disappointed.
“Ethel”
“Ethel,” a well-made HBO documentary about Ethel Kennedy, was directed by her daughter, Rory, an Emmy winner for her previous works.
Many people know Ethel Kennedy as the widow of Robert Kennedy and sister-in-law of John Kennedy. She accomplished much in her life while also raising 11 children.
This is a love story, and we relive the 1950s and ‘60s with her story. We see home movies, photographs, and archival footage. Ethel gives her first interview in 20 years.
It’s uplifting to hear family members tell many stories about Ethel.
The public has always been fascinated with the Kennedys, and this is a personal insight to a loving and remarkable woman.
“Chicago Raw: Real Artists Working”
This new series, “Chicago Raw: Real Artists Working,” takes viewers behind-the-scenes, and lets them see bands rehearse in the studio and plan their tours.
Here, the subject is the band Chicago, formed in 1967. Since then, it has sold more than 120 million albums. It’s fascinating and inspiring to see a group of musicians still enjoying being together after all these years.
Songs include “Will You Still Love Me,” “Look Away,” “Make Me Smile,” “Color My World,” “25 or 6 to 4.”
“The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season One”
The classic TV comedy series “The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season One” is also available on Blu-ray.
The show centers around a New York comedy writer named Rob Petrie (Van Dyke) and his wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). They live in New Rochelle.
He works on “The Alan Brady” TV show along with Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Richard Deacon, Carl Reiner and others.
The three-disc set includes all 30 episodes from the first season. The series ran from Oct. 3, 1961, to Sept. 7, 1966.