Our Picks Reviews - Page 8
"Our Picks" provides reviews of new DVDs, CDs and books that our readers would enjoy.
DVD (Blu-ray $39.99)
Steve Martin makes his second appearance as inept French police inspector Jacques Clouseau in this comedic caper involving—once again—the theft of a valuable diamond that reflects a pinkish light in the shape of a panther. Kids will love the slapstick and parade of bumbles, tumbles and fumbles built atop the legacy of the late, great Peter Sellers, who originated the Clouseau role back in 1963. Grownups will appreciate the bloopers and gags, a spotlight on the movie's international cast and a bonus disc of 27 Pink Panther cartoons from the 1960s and '70s, sure to bring back Saturday-morning memories.
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DVD ($28.95)
Based on the true story of the first all-black regiment to bear arms in the American Civil War, this rousing historical drama from 1989 starred Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington. Newly released on Blu-ray, it gets a Yankee-doodle-dandy 20th anniversary treatment with bonus features that include deleted scenes, commentary by director Ed Zwick, a making-of documentary and a virtual depiction of a Civil War battlefield.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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The Rock
Tracy Lawrence
CD ($14.98)
Once a honky-tonk hell-raiser, country hit-maker Tracy Lawrence now finds himself at a different place in his life, one reflected in the 10 heavenward-looking songs on his first inspirational album. Featuring original tunes like "Dear Lord," "Somebody Who Would Die For You" and "Say a Prayer," it fulfills a promise he made a long time ago to his parents to someday record a gospel album. But it also has the sound of a promise he must have made to himself—and an honest, heartfelt ring of spiritual conviction rather than a grab for the spotlight.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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By John Wilcoxen
Hardcover, 369 pages ($26)
Most people know Lance Armstrong as a world-champion cyclist, or remember how quickly he was back on the bike after beating cancer. Wilcoxen, a top-notch sportswriter, paints a complete portrait of the world's most awarded bicycle racer, delving into areas that even Armstrong himself didn't cover in his two inspirational autobiographies and getting the superstar cyclist to open up about his broken-home childhood in Texas, his personal shortcomings and his romantic relationship with singer Sheryl Crow.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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The Garth Factor
By Patsi Bale Cox
Hardcover, 335 pages $24.99
The unprecedented country music boom of the 1990s was largely the result of the impact of Garth Brooks, a transplanted Okie whose success in Nashville changed the game plan—and opened up the playing field—for every record company in town. This solid exploration of his superstardom is also an insider's glimpse into a music industry blissfully basking in Garth's white-hot glow while wondering just how to capture his brand of lightning in a bottle.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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By Diane C. Arkins
Hardcover, 128 pages ($19.95)
The red-white-and-blue spirit of Independence Day past is captured in this collection of retro fireworks packaging, posters, postcards, parade decorations and party favors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And if you're itching to pitch a stars-and-stripes party of your own, there's also a roundup of vintage menu suggestions, games, poems and other suggestions for celebrating the Fourth of July with a festive, old-fashioned bang.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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DVD ($26.98)
Children today don't remember when Saturday mornings were blissful blocks of back-to-back cartoons, an oasis of merriment at the end of a week revolving around schoolwork and grown-ups. But baby boomers certainly recall it—and will love the fond memories sparked by this five-hour collection of 33 Saturday-morning 'toons, including "Top Cat," "Quick Draw McGraw," "The Jetsons," "Secret Squirrel," "Magilla Gorilla" and numerous lesser-known weekend characters, such as Marine Boy, Ricochet Rabbitt and Punkin' Puss.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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My Turn
Tanya Tucker
CD ($17.98)
One of country's most distinctive female vocalists turns her talent loose—and flips the gender tables over—on this collection of classic tunes originally made famous by men. Tucker, who hasn't released a new studio album in seven years, makes a most welcome return putting her feminine stamp on Buck Owens' "Love's Gonna Live Here," Faron Young's "Wine Me Up," Don Gibson's "Oh, Lonesome Me" and nine other gentlemanly gems she'd spent a lifetime admiring, but never recording until now.
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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Bert Sugar's Baseball Hall of Fame
By Burt Randolph Sugar ($35)
Hardcover, 272 pages
Sugar, a renowned sportscaster and sportswriter, takes you on a colorful tour of baseball's most sacred shrine with this handsome collection of more than 500 exclusive photos of exhibits, hallowed artifacts and historic moments. A special section spotlights the plaques of every inductee on display in the sport's equivalent of Mt. Olympus. Experience the magic of baseball's mecca of memories without ever leaving home!
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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John Wayne Westerns
DVD ($27.92)
Saddle up alongside John Wayne to ride herd over a crew of young greenhorns in "The Cowboys," hold down the frontier outpost called "Fort Apache," wander the wilderness in "The Searcher" or keep an army of gunmen at bay in "Rio Bravo." Part of a re-release collaboration by TV's Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video, it's enough dust, danger, drama and desperados for an all-day Duke-fest!
—Neil Pond, American Profile
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- 'Petticoat' Memories
- Holiday Gift Guide
- Cranberry Country
- Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Dishes
- Managing Money as a Couple
- Tortellini Toss
- Yo-Yo Fanatic
- Citrus Treats
- Far Flung
- The Rocking Rockettes
- Library Cats
- What's the Deal with the Imus Ranch?
- Handcrafting Fish Lures
- Kenny Chesney's Christmas
- Barber Shops
- Home Sweet Home
- Smoke, Sizzle & Sauce!
- Knitting with Love
- Facing the Giants
- The Quilt Bus
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake
- Everyone's Favorite Chicken
- Italian Cream Cake
- Zucchini Bake
- Chicken Supreme
- Chicken Wings
- Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
- Green Tomato Casserole
- Quick Apple Dumpling
- Georgia Cornbread Cake
- Slice & Bake
- A Stuffing Called Panade
- Salad Spinner
- Sweet Home Tennessee
- Holiday Lamb
- Going Cold Turkey
- Sugar & Spice (and a carton of eggnog) is So Nice
- Baby, It's Cold Outside
- Three Great Turkey and Gravy Recipes
- Four Great Cranberry Sauces
- Turkey-day dilemmas, solved!
- The Truth About Your Pet's Health
- To dye or not to dye
- Going Gray . . . or Going Broke
- Your Best Defense
- An Unwelcome House Guest
- Perfect Timing
- The Ride of My Life
- A diabetes cure?
- Live Better Now November 2009
