What to Watch: DVD Picks of the Week

Sunday is Mother’s Day and this week’s picks are perfect to watch with mom – this weekend or anytime of the year!  Ingrid Martinez, assistant store manager, at has selected a trio of films featuring amazing pairs: two comical talking toys, two larger-than life ‘triple threats’, and two legendary actors. 

Family Pick, The “Toy Story” movies (1995, 1999, 2010) – Toy Story was groundbreaking at its time.  The first movie, released Thanksgiving weekend in 1995, was the first-feature length film animated entirely by computer.  It generated a healthy $29 million dollars at the box office and opened to rave reviews. 

The endearing film focused on Andy, a little boy who loved to play with his toys, especially a pull-string cowboy doll named Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks).  The toys come to life when Andy isn’t around, and Woody gets some competition by a space-ranger action figure he received for his birthday – Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen).  Lightyear is not convinced he is a toy, and set forth a comical rivalry with Woody.  The two heroes eventually ban together to take on Andy’s vicious next-door neighbor, Sid.

In the sequel, Andy is away at summer camp when Woody gets toy-napped by a greedy collector, as he has become a rare and valuable collection item.  Buzz and company set out on a mission to find their friend before he winds up as a museum piece.

Andy is all grown up in last year’s Toy Story 3, which opened to the tune of over $110,307 million.  As he prepares for college, his gang of toys find themselves amidst sticky fingers in a daycare center.  They join up with some new characters, including a hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear, to plan their great escape.  (All are Rated G – Child Classic. Runtime: 81 minutes, 92 minutes and 103 minutes, respectively) 

“I loved them all and couldn’t choose just one of the three!  What’s great is that Andy grew up in each film so you got to witness his evolution as well as the toys, with their jokes and barbs.”

Drama Pick, “Burlesque” (2010) – Los Angeles’ Burlesque Lounge has seen better days.  Its owner, former dancer Tess (Cher), struggles to maintain the aging theater, as she experiences a litany of financial and artistic challenges.  Along comes Ali (Christina Aguilera in her big-screen debut), a small-town girl with big pipes.  Hired as a cocktail waitress, the girl from Iowa fulfills her dreams of being on stage and becomes the revue’s main attraction.

The all-star cast also features the talented Broadway, TV and film veteran Alan Cumming; Grey’s Anatomy’s “McSteamy”, Eric Dane; Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough (also starring in her first movie); and Glee’s Dianna Agron.   (Rated PG-13 – adult situations, brief nudity, sexual situations, profanity.  Runtime: 119 minutes)

“I know this movie received a lot of poor reviews, but you can’t deny Christina Aguilera’s incredible singing.  Cher was also great in this.  It’s perfect for anyone who likes musicals as well.”

Comedy Pick, “Something’s Gotta Give” (2003) – This hilarious movie follows a surprising love quartet, proving that age really is just a number (sometimes).  See if you can follow… Music industry executive Harry (Jack Nicholson) has a penchant for (much) younger women.  His latest conquest is Marin (Amanda Peet), who is about half his age.  They pack their bags and head to the Hamptons, where Marin’s mom, Erica (Diane Keaton), a successful Broadway playwright, has a lavish beach house.     

Turns out, Erica is there with her best friend Zoe (Frances McDormand) so she gets to meet (Rated PG-13 – adult language, brief nudity, sexual situations.  Harry suffers a heart attack and is left in Erica’s care.  With Marin away, the two develop a relationship despite the obvious attraction between her and Henry’s sexy doctor (Keanu Reeves), who has his sights set on the much older Erica.  So, who ends up with who??    (Rated PG-13 – adult language, brief nudity, sexual situations.  Runtime: 128 minutes)

“Just a great movie all around – wonderful storyline, amazing acting, smartly written.”