Burns new documentary a tribute to national park system
"Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea" - Ken Burns' great documentary has been playing on PBS, but if you've missed it, here comes this six-disc set.
It took Ken Burns six years to put together the series, which lasts 12 hours. The series follows the tradition of other Burns' documentaries on jazz, baseball, war and others with its depth, narration and stunning visuals. How many people know how and why the national parks were created?
Burns has organized the programs in a way that is very easy to follow. You also don't have to be a lover of history to enjoy each and every one. It's wonderful to hear the stories of regular Americans as we follow 150 years of the rise of the national parks. Music once again plays a big role setting the tone for the programs.
The parks are America, and the history of them tells a story of who we are, and what it took to preserve that land. You can learn more about the history of the parks, the people who make a difference, park profiles, people sharing their personal stories and the untold stories of the parks and more on the Web site pbs.org/national parks.
"The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition" - The greatest family musical of all time, is now available in a special two-disc edition, four-disc ultimate edition, and Blue-ray. The film has gone through seven restorations trying to give the public the best "Wizard of Oz" that they have ever seen. For the 70th anniversary, Warner Bros. got an original print to work from, which is very rare. Because of that, this version has the best video and audio anyone has ever seen. The colors jump off the screen, each frame is brilliant, and the sound is awesome. The commemorative edition includes four hours of all-new bonus features.
The extraordinary package includes the remastered feature, commentary by film historian John Fricke, interviews with the cast and crew, Oz storybook, restoration process, supporting cast profiles, music and effects track, 70th anniversary watch, original film budget, reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book, 52-page hardcover book, 1990 TV special, TCM documentary, Harold Arlen home movies, outtakes and deleted scenes, tornado tests and featurettes.
"Sam Kinison: Wild Child" - There was nothing like seeing Sam Kinison in concert. He was loud, honest, abrasive, shocking and, above all, funny. Fans of Sam, know him from his specials, guest appearances on television and the film "Back to School." The two-disc set presents Sam at his best. Included are his cable TV specials "Breaking all the Rules," "Outlaws of Comedy," "Family Entertainment Hour," "Sam Kinison: Live in Vegas" and "Brother Sam - A Tribute." There is bonus footage of Sam in three separate stand-up performances along with rare photos of Kinison.
"Madonna: Celebration - The Video Collection" - Madonna has sold millions of records, and she has always produced videos to go along with the release of her songs. This terrific collection spans her career from 1983 to 2009. It includes 47 videos on a two-disc set, with 27 that have never appeared on a Madonna DVD compilation. The videos were selected by Madonna and her fans through her Web site. Some of the videos are: unedited "Justify My Love," "Lucky Star," "Borderline," "Erotica," "Burning Up," "Into the Groove," "True Blue," "Who's That Girl," "Papa Don't Preach," "Like a Prayer," "Rain," "Ray of Light," "Music," "Express Yourself," "Celebration" and many more.
Available next week:
• "Ally McBeal: Season One & Complete Series"
• "Bob Dylan: Keep Your Eyes On the Prize"
• "Esther Williams Collection Vol. 2"
• "Futurama: Complete Collection"
• "Joan Baez: How Sweet The Sound"
• "John Denver: Around The World Live"
• "Pat Paulsen's Half a Comedy Hour"
• "The Proposal"