Knight at HOME at the Movies
Fantasy Foursome

A quartet of fabu-lush fantasy movies to feast upon.  Once upon a time...

Stardust – From Paramount Home Video comes not just the best fantasy movie of the
year, but one of the best movies, period.  I can't say enough about this delicious fairy
tale adventure (which hits stores December 18th) and I was thrilled to have this DVD
version.  The disc includes some deleted and extended scenes (that should have been
left in - funny stuff!) and has already crossed my player more than once since it arrived.  
I couldn't stop raving about it when it hit theatres and though audiences didn't take to it,
it's a film that's going to have a VERY long shelf life on DVD.  And did I mention that
there's a major gay subplot with one of the characters?  And it couldn't have a sweeter
resolve.  Order your copy right now!



Harry Potter 5 – From Warner Home Video comes the fifth outing with Harry and his
pals.  I never can keep the actual titles straight and always resort to the numbers.  Now
that the world has stopped reeling from J.K. Rowling's announcement of Dumbledore's
gay sexuality (was this even a question?) we can get back to some fantasy adventure.  
Harry and company are now entering dangerous territory - Voldemort is on the loose,
gathering his dark forces and it's definitely time for the witchy trio to put down childish
things and wave those wands with all their might.  Warners has, as in the previous four
outings, stocked their surplus disc with lots of extra goodies that fans of the series will be
pleased by and after you've finished all those, why not watch ALL FIVE MOVIES IN A ROW,
EH?!  Call me in two weeks when you're done and we can compare notes.  Don't these just
get better and better?



Pirates of the Caribbean 3 – From Walt Disney Video here comes the summer's
biggest blockbuster.  I missed it in theatres and heard a lot of complaining about the
long running time (and it does clock in at around three hours).  But seeing this home
edition helps break that up and the film certainly could have played like the "road show"
movies of old - with an intermission and program books at the theatre.  But this two-disc
version will supply that (there's a nice insert) and an entire disc of extras.  Pretty much
everything you'd ever want to know about Pirates 3 - how they did it, why they did it, how
they feel about how they did it, how they feel about one another, etc.  Honestly, some of
this stuff I PURPOSELY skip over as I don't want my 12 year-old sense of awe and wonder
stolen.  There are many special effects to gape at (not all computer generated either)
and the film has the requisite action, naturally, to move it along.  Yes, there's a lot of fat
on it but again, this home edition helps address that problem.  Take a break, mull over
the magic of the movies, and come back.  I did - this after watching both Part I and II
beforehand!  And as a trilogy, all of a piece, it's a blast.


Ratatouille – Also from Walt Disney Films is this animated fantasy, the inventive story
of a French rat who dreams of becoming a gourmet chef.  I caught this while on a cruise
last fall with my husband and once again I marveled at the ability of director Brad Bird's
ability to make this equally entertaining for adults and kids - and two grown up gay men
to boot!  The charming story is aided by its delightful score and this home version has
lots of extras that the kids will like - while I'm happy to add it to my collection and
suggest you do as well!  After all, as Disney has reminded the world, this was 2007's BEST
reviewed film.  Based on the evidence of a second viewing, it's not hard to see why, what's
not to like?