Filmmaker Burns brings realities of 'War' home
Ken Burns is a master storyteller who has been making documentaries for more than 30 years. He writes, directs, produces and is involved with the music and cinematography on his projects, which include "The Civil War," "The Statue of Liberty," "Jazz," "Mark Twain," "The West," "Brooklyn Bridge" and "Baseball."
His latest epic, "The War," has just been seen on PBS, and is now available in a box set loaded with extras. It explores World War II from the points of view of men and women from four small towns around the country, and captures the war like never before.
"The War" (Paramount/PBS, six discs, $129.99)
The 15-hour film took six years to finish, and shows how the war affected every person in America. There are many actors who narrate various sections, and the music of the era is featured along with new music by Norah Jones and Wynton Marsalis. Included are commentaries, featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, biographies, photo galleries and more. There is also a deluxe-edition CD along with a companion book.
Collection
"Audrey Hepburn Collection" (Paramount, five discs, $42.99)
Audrey Hepburn was a beautiful and talented actress who commanded the screen. She was nominated for Best Actress five times, winning only once, although she won many awards in her lifetime. The collection includes "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "Paris When It Sizzles," "Roman Holiday," "Sabrina" and "Funny Face: 50th Anniversary Edition." The new edition has been restored and includes featurettes, a photo gallery, theatrical trailer and more.
Music
"Music for the Movies" is a four-part series that features some of the greatest composers in the history of cinema. If you ever want to see for yourself how vital music is to a scene in a film, watch one of your favorite movies without sound and see how differently you feel about it.
With this series, we get to see the mixing rooms and dubbing stages where the music is put into the scenes. Each one includes clips from famous films, plus interviews about the important artists who contributed to them.
The four programs from Kultur Video retail for $24.99 and feature Bernard Herrmann, Toru Takemitsu, Georges Delerue and "The Hollywood Sound" with Max Steiner, Franz Waxman, Erich Korngold, David Raskin and Alfred Newman.
Television
"60 Minutes: Alan Greenspan" $17.95
"Criminal Minds: Season Two" $64.99
"Entourage Season Three, Part Two" $39.98
"Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" $19.99
"A Salute to Hee Haw" $69.95
"How I Met Your Mother: Season Two" $39.98
"I Love New York: Season One" $39.99
"Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Set 5" $39.95
"Jericho: Season One" $54.99
"Little People Big World: Season One" $27.95
"Masterpiece Theatre: Body and Soul" $29.99
"Metalocalypse: Season One" $29.98
"Paul Lynde Halloween Special" $14.99
"Sarah Silverman Program: Season One" $19.99
"Secret World of Alex Mack: Season One" $22.95
"Shark: Season One" $59.98
"Star Trek: The Next Generation Complete Series" $438.99
Available this week
• "1408"
• "Bram Stoker's Dracula: Special Edition"
• "Broadway's Best at Pops"
• "Caligula: Imperial Edition"
• "Calling"
• "Chicken Soup: Conversation for the Golfer's Soul"
• "Civic Duty"
• "Day Night, Day Night"
• "Drowning Man"
• "Elton 60: Live at Madison Square Garden"
• "Evil-Aliens"
• "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"
• "Films of Kenneth Anger Vol. 2"
• "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"
• "Jungle Book: Platinum Edition"
• "Misery: Collector's Edition"
• "Most Dangerous Game: 75th Anniversary Edition"
• "Mystics in Bali"
• "Night in Hawaii With Don Ho"
• "Other Side"
• "Planet Earth & Blue Planet: Seas of Life Collection"
• "Ramones: It's Alive, 1974-1996"
• "Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story"
• "Southern Fried Chicks"
• "Species IV: The Awakening"
• "Spike 'n' Mike's Complete Festival of Animation"
• "Strawberry Shortcake: Let's Dance"
• "Sun Dogs"
• "Unseen Beatles"
• "Victor Manuelle: Live From Madison Square Garden"
Next week
Available Tuesday:
• "28 Weeks Later"
• "Evan Almighty"
• "MGM Classic Musicals"
• "Poltergeist: 25th Anniversary Edition"
• "Reign Over Me"
• "Roots: The Complete Collection"
• "Stanley Kramer Collection"
• "Surf's Up"
• "You Kill Me"