DVD Releases Tuesday September 14, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Jake Gyllenhaal stars as the adopted son of the King of Persia who's framed when his step-father is assassinated. On the run to prove his innocence, he meets a princess ("Quantum of Solace" Bond girl Gemma Arterton) who guards a legendary dagger that contains The Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that allows the possessor to turn back time and, if so inclined, rule the world. Naturally, the pair must safeguard the dagger from the evil forces around them. Vitals: Director: Mike Newell. Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Steve Toussaint. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 116 min., Adventure, Box office gross: $89.523 million, Disney.THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

America: The Story of Us (2010) The first television event in nearly 40 years to present a comprehensive telling of America's monumental history, presented in a 12-part series, featuring highly realistic CGI animation, dramatic re-creations and thoughtful insights from some of America's most respected artists, business leaders, academics and intellectuals -- as well as a very special introduction from President Barack Obama. From the revolutionary war that birthed the nation to the civil war that divided it, and to the making of the modern world, the series -- watched by more than 6 million viewers -- tells the extraordinary story of how America was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress -- from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad, the internet of its day, to triumphing over vertical space through construction of steel structured buildings to putting a man on the moon. Historical events covered include: the arrival of the first English settlers, the Revolutionary War, Native American wars, slavery, westward expansion, economic growth of the North and South, the Civil War, the settling of the Great Plains, the development of modern, industrialized cities, the California Gold Rush and the Western frontier, the Great Depression and the World Wars right up to present day. $39.95. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. $49.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).

Amish Grace (2010) Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Matt Letscher. Lifetime telefilm. Chronicles the community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, forever changed when a gunman senselessly takes the lives of five girls in a schoolhouse shooting before taking his own life in October, 2006. What transpires takes the town by storm, as the media descend on the city and criticize its Amish leaders for their notion of unconditional forgiveness and their outreach of support to the gunman's widow. (Fox).

Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale (2010) With the aid of three fairies, Barbie rescues her aunt's failing Paris fashion house. Animated feature. (Universal).

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Third Season (2009-10) Three-disc set with 23 episodes, $44.98. Extras: Featurettes, gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong (2010) No-holds-barred performance before a packed house in Raleigh, North Carolina, $19.97. (HBO Video).

The Black Cauldron: 25th Anniversary Special Edition (1985) Extras: Deleted scene: ­The Fairfolk, "The Witches' Challenge Game," still frame gallery, "Quest for the Black Cauldron" trivia game, "Trick or Treat" ­classic Donald Duck cartoon from 1952. $19.99. (Disney).

Bored to Death: The Complete First Season (2009) Two-disc set with eight episodes, $39.98. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (HBO Home Video).

Call of the Wild: The Complete Series (2000) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).

Casino Jack and the United States of Money (2010) Portrait of Washington super lobbyist Jack Abramoff from his early years as a gung-ho member of the GOP political machine to his final reckoning as a disgraced, imprisoned pariah. A tale of international intrigue with Indian casinos, Russian spies, Chinese sweatshops, and a mob-style killing in Miami, this is the story of the way money corrupts our political process. $26.98. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

The Children of USSR (2007 -- Israel) An underdog Israeli soccer team (made up of immigrants) must fend off local thugs and mean-spirited politicians to win a $10,000 sports prize -- all the while getting to school on time.(SISU Home Entertainment).

Classic Artists': Jimi Hendrix: The Guitar Hero (2010) This September marks the 40th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix's death, and this documentary celebrates the occasion with a look at his career -- from playing backup guitar for Little Richard to making headlines with his history-making performances at the Monterey Pop Festival and Woodstock. Through the words of Jimi's family and a collection of contemporaries and admirers, including Dave Mason (Traffic), Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker (Cream), Eric Burdon (The Animals), Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), Paul Rodgers (Bad Company) and Bev Bevan (ELO) -- the myth falls away and Jimi Hendrix is brought to life once more. Less a biography than the first film to focus on the music itself and the impetus of the master who created it. Extras: Henry Diltz' 8mm Silent Footage: "The Monkees," Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Marquee:"Hey Joe," 20-page booklet, extended interviews, photo galleries. (Image Entertainment).

The Commish -- Season Two (1992-93) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).

Dora the Explorer: Dora's Slumber Party. Compilation containing six of Dora's bedtime adventures. Kids join Dora and her friends as they search for their bedtime stuffed animals, wish upon a star, and wake up their friends during this exciting slumber party. $16.99. (Nick/Par).

Fringe: The Complete Second Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "The Mythology of Fringe," "Fringe: Analyzing the Scene" sidebars on six key episodes, "In the Lab with John Noble and Prop Master Rob Smith," commentary, "Unusual Side Effects" gag reel, "Dissected Files" unaired scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Glee: The Complete First Season (2009-10) Seven-disc set with 22 episodes, $69.99. Extras: Extended episodes, a sing-along karaoke, a behind-the-scenes look at "The Power of Madonna" episode, "Glee" makeovers, never-before-seen "Sue's Corners," dance tutorial: "Staying in Step with Glee." (Fox).

The Good Wife Season One (2009-10) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $64.99. Extras: Deleted Scenes, "The Education of Alicia Florrick: Making Season One" featurette, "Aftermath: Real Life Events" featurette. (CBS/Paramount).

Grey's Anatomy: Complete Sixth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99. (Disney).

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season Five (2009) Three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.98. Extras: "Archer" Season 1 pilot episode, blooper reel, "Kitten Mittens" Endless Loop "Phindin' Love in Philly" featurette, extended/uncensored scenes and alternate takes, Season 5 dream sequence. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds The Gang's dating profile, Schwep dream sequence. (Fox).

Just Wright (2010) Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Phylicia Rashad, Pam Grier. Extras: "The One You Can't Live Without" featurette, "Common on the Fast Break" featurette, gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds "When Amazing Happens" featurette, "Live Extras – What's New," digital copy. (Fox).

The League Complete First Season (2009) Two-disc set with six episodes, $29.98. Extras: Blooper reel, deleted scenes, "Alt Nation," "Three Penis" wine infomerical, "Vaginal Hubris" extended, "Birthday Song," "Legalize Kevin's Pubic Smoke," "Mr. McGibblets Fun House and Dojo," "Andre: Dress with Style, Win with Style." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).

The Legend of White Fang: The Complete Series (1992-94) Three-disc set with 26 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).

Letters to Juliet (2010) Vanessa Redgrave, Amanda Seyfried, Gael Garcia Bernal, Chris Egan, Franco Nero. Available as a single-disc DVD and DVD/Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack. Extras: Deleted and extended scenes, commentary by director and cast, "The Making of Letters to Juliet: In Italia," "A Courtyard in Verona." (Summit Entertainment).

Lonesome Dove Collection. Eight-disc set with remastered and restored "Lonesome Dove" miniseries, "Return To Lonesome Dove," "Larry McMurtry's Dead Man's Walk," "Larry McMurtry's Streets Of Laredo." (Vivendi Entertainment and RHI Entertainment).

Mad Ron's Prevues From Hell (1987) Blood-and-guts compilation featuring coming attractions from some 47 classic grindhouse horror flicks. Made in 1987 at the height of the VHS boom, when anyone and everyone was popping anything and everything into their VCRs in search of ever-more twisted thrills and chills, "Mad Ron's Prevues From Hell" was an ambitiously researched and compiled anthology of trailers hyping cult grindhouse and drive-in theater favorites where the blood, guts and gore take center stage. Adding a colorful and campy element to the proceedings is the wraparound storyline, which concerns a loopy ventriloquist (Nick Pawlow) and his ghoulish dummy "Happy," who are sitting in a run-down movie theater as demented projectionist "Mad Ron" (Ron Roccia) unspools one trailer after another featuring an unimaginable compendium of graphic guts and gore from the most notorious films of the Sixties and Seventies. As the ventriloquist and his dummy serve up a slew of silly remarks and off-color jokes, a cadre of blood-thirsty zombies and otherworldly creatures feast upon human body parts in other sections of the theater. (Virgil Films & Entertainment).

My Son, My Son What Have Ye Done (2009) Michael Shannon, Chloe Sevigny, Willem Dafoe, Grace Zabriskie, Udo Kier, Brad Dourif. The first collaboration between legendary filmmakers David Lynch (producer)and Werner Herzog (director). Psychological thriller loosely based on the mysterious true crime story of a young stage actor who, obsessed with a Greek tragedy he's rehearsing, slays his own mother with a sword. Extras: Commentary by Werner Herzog, Herb Golder and Eric Bassett; interviews with Werner Herzog and Herb Golder; behind-the-scenes footage; short film: "Plastic Bag" (narrated by Werner Herzog). (First Look Studios).

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Director: Milos Forman. Stars Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Christopher Lloyd, Vincent Schiavelli, Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif, Scatman Crothers. 35th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition. Extras: "Completely Cuckoo," a feature-length documentary about the making of the film, commentary by director Milos Forman and producers Michael Douglas and Saul Zaentz, new interview with producer Michael Douglas, Deleted Scenes, Original Trailer, collectibles including playing cards, posters, character cards, pre-production correspondence and movie trivia. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Out of Europe (2010) Documentary about a family of Belgium diamond merchants and activists who fled the Holocaust in 1940. (SISU Home Entertainment).

The Pirates of Penzance (1983) Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose. (Universal).

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) Director: Mike Newell. Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina, Steve Toussaint. Extras: "An Unseen World: Making Prince of Persia." Also available as a single Blu-ray Disc, which adds a deleted scene: "The Banquet: Garsiv Presents Heads," and a Three-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, which adds "CineExplore: The Sands of Time" interactive feature, which allows viewers to take control of the dagger and use it to unlock the secrets behind many of the film's most exciting scenes, uncovering more than 40 spellbinding segments, including "Walking Up Walls," "Filming in Morocco" and "Ostrich Jockey Tryouts." (Disney).

Princess Kaiulani (2009) Q'orianka Kilcher, Barry Pepper, Will Patton, Shaun Evans. The true story of a Hawaiian princess' attempts to maintain the independence of the island against the threat of American colonization. Extras: "Kaiulani: The Crown Princess of Hawaii" documentary, behind-the-scenes featurette. (Lionsgate).

Private Practice: The Complete Third Season (2009-10) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $45.99. (Disney).

Raging Phoenix (2009 -- Thailand) A group of friends band together to break a violent Thai gang that has been abducting and killing women. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).

Renegade -- Season Two (1993-94) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).

The Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms (aka Crippled Avengers) (1978 -- Hong Kong) Shaw Brothers' kung fu cult classic. An evil warlord and his son cripple anyone who crosses their path. Four men who fell victim to their violence -- a blind man, a deaf-mute, a man with no legs and a young man who has lost his sanity -- visit a kung fu master who teaches them deadly fighting skills and ways to overcome their disabilities, and they band together to reclaim their village from the warlord's reign of terror. (Vivendi Entertainment/The Weinstein Company).

Rock Prophecies (2010) Documentary on photog Robert Knight's 40-year career photographing some of the rock world's biggest legends in their most intimate moments. The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, B.B. King, Eric Clapton and Aerosmith have all been captured through his lens. However, Knight is more than just a famous rock photographer -- he's someone with a genuine passion for music and musicians. Features interviews with and performances by Jeff Beck, ZZ Top, Carlos Santana, Slash, Panic at the Disco, Sick Puppies, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, and Steve Vai, among others. $24.99. Extras: Alternate ending; deleted scenes featuring Jeff Beck, Santana, Slash, and more; two music videos from Sick Puppies; commentary. (PBS).

Rules of Engagement: The Complete Third Season (2009-10) Two-disc set with 13 episodes, $29.95. (Sony).

Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare (2010) The lovable Great Dane and the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang explore some mysterious goings-on at a haunted summer camp in this new animated feature, $19.98. (Warner).

Sherlock Holmes Double Feature (1943) "Sherlock Holmes in Washington" and "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death," both 1943 and starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, have been digitally restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. (MPI Home Video).

SpongeBob SquarePants: 10 Happiest Moments. Join SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy and the rest of the gang as they spread laughter and cheer throughout Bikini Bottom in this compilation of 10 SpongeBob favorites. $14.99. (Nick/Paramount).

StarCrash (1978) Caroline Munro, David Hasselhoff, Christopher Plummer, Joe Spinell, Marjoe Gortner. The cult classic comes to DVD in a new anamorphic widescreen transfer (1.85:1) and DTS HD 5.1 Surround Sound (Blu-ray), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (DVD). Brave, bikini-clad star warrior Stella Star (Caroline Munro) and her co-pilot Akton (child evangelist-turned-actor Marjoe Gortner) are pressed into service to thwart the evil Zarth Arn's plot to take over the universe. If they succeed, galactic peace will be achieved. If they fail, the universe will fall into decay and destruction at the hands of its sadistic new overlord. Extras: Interview with writer-director Luigi Cozzi; "StarCrash:The music of John Barry," two commentaries by StarCrash historian Stephen Romano: Commentary 1: The history of "StarCrash," the making of the film and its importance in 1970s fantastic cinema, and Commentary 2: "StarCrash" scene-by-scene: production trivia, anecdotes and critical analysis; behind-the-scenes image gallery, featuring storyboards, art, and rare, never-before-seen photos; promotional art gallery, featuring photos, posters, lobby cards and early poster designs by Drew Struzan; fan art gallery; TV spots and radio spots; interview with actress Caroline Munro; 17 deleted and alternate scenes; complete, original "StarCrash" screenplay, illustrated with original storyboards and early, full-color concept art; exclusive 20-minute behind-the-scenes footage reel, with commentary; the making of the special effects of "StarCrash" by Armando Valcauda with exclusive, never-before-seen special-effects footage. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Roger Corman's Cult Classics/Shout! Factory).

Two Tickets to Paradise (2006) John C. Mcginley, D.B. Sweeney, Moira Kelly, Ed Harris. Three guys on the verge of forty head out on a spontaneous road trip adventure when they realize all the best things in their lives happened before they were 20 ... and they need to balance the ledger. Extras: Outtakes, deleted scenes, commentary by actor-director D.B. Sweeney. (Paramount).

Weapons of War: Volume 1 (2010) Three-disc set examines the history of warfare and how technology has changed the ways battles are fought: "Ground War" explores the key technological advances that have defined ground warfare through the ages, "Warplane" investigates the 100 years since the Wright brothers first took to the air," "Warship" tells the story of the evolution of the warships, right up to the U.S.' current cutting-edge navy battle groups. $49.99. (PBS Distribution).

Who Is Clark Rockefeller? (2010) Eric McCormack, Sherry Stringfield, Stephen McHattie, Regina Taylor, Emily Alyn Lind. Lifetime Original Movie based on the Amazing true story of one of the FBI's most wanted con artists, Karl Gerhartsreiter, who for more than a decade called himself Clark Rockefeller and claimed to be a member one of the most powerful families in the world, marrying into high society and raising a daughter before the scam fell apart. (Sony).

World Wrestling Entertainment
Four WWE hot mat releases:
• Fatal 4-Way 2010: Relive the historic night when the WWE, World Heavyweight Championship and Divas Championship all changed hands. And, in a bout dedicated to Bret Hart, watch The Hart Dynasty & Natalya prevail over the vicious team of The Usos & Tamina in a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match.
• Raw: The Beginning -- The Best of Seasons 1 & 2 (2010): Four-disc set packed with more than 11 hours of matches and highlights from the first two years of Raw.
• Money in the Bank 2010: First instituted at WrestleMania 21, the Money in the Bank Ladder Match has become one of the most prestigious and most anticipated contests in WWE.
• Satan's Prison: The Anthology of the Elimination Chamber (2010): Since its inception at Survivor Series 2002, the Elimination Chamber has hosted some of the most brutal matches in WWE history. Three-disc set with every Elimination Chamber Match contest.

Oil (Enough Said)

Who's To Blame For Gulf Oil Spill?

By Alex Sangha - The Gulf oil spill is a wake up call for all of us.

The public is quick to point blame at British Petroleum. BP is partly to blame but so are we. It is our demand for oil that drives oil tankers into harbour cities. BP is responding to our thirst for oil.

If we want to protect our waters and marine life we need to turn to alternative energy sources. Solar, wind, and water based energy needs to be developed and put into mass usage.

The technology is out there but the market is failing to respond to the needs of our eco-system. If oil companies can continue to make a profit through the use of oil why would they turn to cleaner burning fuels?

The oil basically has to run out or the planet has to turn black for any transformative change in consumption and production to happen.

This is where the government needs to play an active role and create incentives for the energy sector to produce clean, safe, and toxic-free alternatives.

The fact is an oil tanker is a floating disaster waiting to happen!

The pollution and toxins that come from oil use is threatening our existence.

Millions of birds and marine life are put at risk with oil spills. The oil covers the bodies of these creatures. This affects their temperature levels. Some creatures die of hypothermia. Others ingest the oil and this does potentially fatal damage to their vital internal organs.

We must remember we are all connected.

As one part of the food chain starts to fall apart; it leads to the deterioration of another.

Oil spills reduce how much sunlight can reach the ocean waters. This limits photosynthesis and other essential life giving processes which depend on sunlight.

Coastal communities depend on the oceans for fish and seafood. Our fish is now filled with mercury and toxins.

There is only so much that nature can do to clean up our environment if we keep on polluting it.

So how can we live more in harmony with nature?

The corporate world can start by thinking longer term about the impact of their decisions. It would be great if the fiscal year was based on a three year cycle instead of a one year.

Companies can be encouraged to invest in the research and development of alternate energy sources.

Maybe we can turn our trash into energy.

Oil tankers can be banned from entering major harbours and sensitive coastal habitats.

Citizens can demand that their governments legislate and enforce stringent environmental protection rules and regulations.

Our dependence on non-renewable resources has to end.

We cannot sustain our lifestyle the way it is. The rest of the world is becoming more developed and is demanding more of the Earth’s limited resources.

It is essential that we come up with more sustainable solutions.

It is worthwhile to protect our planet so we are healthy and our future generations inherit an eco-system that is as pristine as possible and secure.

Alex Sangha, BSW (UBC), MSc (London School of Economics)
Registered Social Worker
The Enlightened Society Blog

Kathleen Higgins at Scottsdale Mall

It's the last weekend before the election and I'll be in Scottsdale Mall all day tomorrow (September 11)at a publicity table, at the exit to Save-On-Foods. I'll be available to meet people and discuss any issues that are important to people in Delta. If you know anyone in Delta who might be interested in speaking with me, please let them know about tomorrow.

I've attached my election brochure for your information as well.

Thanks so much.

Kathleen E Higgins
Candidate for Delta Council

DVD Releases Tuesday September 9, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
Solitary ManThe dryly funny story of Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas), a fifty-something New Yorker and former successful car dealer, who through his own bad choices lost his entire business. He's also divorced from Nancy (Susan Sarandon), his college sweetheart and the one person who knows him better than anyone. Although he still finds the time for his daughter Susan (Jenna Fischer) and her adoring grandson, his role as more of a friend than father or grandfather is starting to wear thin on the family. His girlfriend Jordan (Mary-Louise Parker) is the daughter of a very influential businessman who's on the board of a major auto manufacturer. If Ben can just keep his hubris in check for a little while longer, he will be back as big as ever, but some of the same motivations that lead to his demise are threatening to take him down again, and for good. Vitals: Director: Brian Koppelman, David Levien. Stars: Michael Douglas, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fishe, Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Comedy-Drama, Box office gross: $.871 million, Anchor Bay Entertainment



THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

American Cowslip (2009) Ronnie Gene Blevin, Rip Torn, Val Kilmer, Peter Falk, Diane Ladd, Cloris Leachman, Lin Shaye, Hanna Hall. Black comedy about an eccentric living in his childhood home in the California desert community of Blythe who decides to grow the perfect American Cowslip, a stunning, rare flower that will be the centerpiece of his garden and a floral representation of his life -- and maybe even win $10,000.00 in a gardening contest -- to fend off the foreclosure of his house. An exorcism and surrogate moms are thrown in for good measure. (E1 Entertainment).

Bugs Bunny's Howl-Oween Special (1978) Feature-length TV special, first time on DVD, $14.97. (Warner).

Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition (2010) Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, Maria Canals-Barrera, Meaghan Martin, Alyson Stoner, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Jasmine Richards, Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan, Jordan "J" Francis. Disney Channel original movie. Available as a standard DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack. Extras: "Rock-Along" interactive featurette. Blu-ray adds "Getting to Know Camp Rock's Newest Stars," music videos from Camp Rockers around the world. (Disney).

Caravaggio (2007) Alessio Boni. The tumultuous and adventurous life of controversial 17th century Italian master painter Michelangelo Merisi di Caravaggio. (E1 Entertainment).

Chuck: The Complete Third Season (2010) Five-disc set with 19 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Chuck-Fu ... and Dim Sum: Becoming a Spy Guy," "The Jeffster Revolution: The Definitive Mockumentary," "Declassified Scenes," gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Criminal Minds: Fifth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $55.98. (Paramount).

Doctor Who: The Creature From the Pit Three more digitally remastered Doctor Who classics: "The Creature From the Pit," "The King's Demons" and "Planet of Fire," $24.98. (Warner).

George Lopez: America's Mexican and Tall, Dark & Chicano (2009) Two-pack of live performances: "America's Mexican," solo debut performed live in front of a packed house at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona; and "Tall, Dark & Chicano," at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. $24.98. (HBO Video).

Goosebumps: The Blob That Ate Everyone (2010) Three tales of horror based on author R.L. Stine's best-selling Goosebumps books series: "The Blob That Ate Everyone," "My Hairiest Adventure" and "Piano Lessons Can Be Murder," $14.98. (Fox).

Goosebumps: Go Eat Worms! (2010) Three tales of horror based on author R.L. Stine's best-selling Goosebumps books series: "Go Eat Worms!" "Bad Hare Day" and "Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes," $14.98. (Fox).

John Rabe (2009) Ulrich Tuku, Daniel Bruhl, Steve Buscemi. A true-story account of a German businessman who saved more than 200,000 Chinese during the Nanjing massacre in 1937-38. (Strand Releasing).

Killers (2010) Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Tom Selleck, Catherine O'Hara, Katheryn Winnick, Kevin Sussman,Lisa Ann Walter, Casey Wilson. Extras: Featurette: "Killer Chemistry: Behind the Scenes With the Cast of Killers," gag reel, deleted and alternate/extended scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).

Laughology (2010) It's millions of years old. Plato hated it, the Bible discouraged it, scientists avoided it and Victorians thought it could drive you insane. It is also highly contagious and spread by humans. Symptoms, that can affect anyone of any age, may include shortness of breath and gasping for air: laughter. This documentary takes a look at why we laugh and explores the new scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of laughter. $19.98. (The Disinformation Co.)

The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008) Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Will Patton, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn. Set in the Roaring Twenties in a town in Memphis, a young rebellious heiress, Fisher Willow (Bryce Dallas Howard), defies the strict protocol of Southern society when she hires the caretaker's son, Jimmy Dobyne (Chris Evans), to escort her to the major event of the season. When she falls for him, their budding relationship is threatened when a priceless diamond goes missing. Based on Tennessee Williams play. (Screen Media).

MacGruber (2010) Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer, Ryan Phillippe, Maya Rudolph, Powers Boothe. Extras: Commentary by director/co-writer Jorma Taccone, co-writer/star Will Forte and co-writer John Solomon; deleted scenes; gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

The Norm Show: The Complete Series (1999-2001) Eight-disc set with all 54 episodes, $59.97. Commentary by co-creators Norm Macdonald and executive producer Bruce Helford, booklet and liner notes written by Helford and Macdonald. (Shout! Factory).

The Office Season Six (2009-10) Five-disc set with 26 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Podcast" minisode; "Welcome to Sabre" full-screen version of the corporate welcome video starring Kathy Bates and Christian Slater; commentary; deleted scenes; two extended episodes; blooper reel; "The Office Promo: Dwight's Tribute to Canada." Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds BD-LIVE access to five Season 7 episodes, available on TV via the Internet in HD the day following broadcast. (Universal).

The Phantom (2010) Ryan Carnes, Sandrine Holt, Jean Marchand, Cameron Goodman, Isabella Rossellini, Ron Lea. SyFy Channel miniseries. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Vivendi Entertainment).

Prime Suspect: The Complete Collection. Nine-disc set with all nine feature-length mysteries, $124.99. Extras: "Prime Suspect" behind-the-scenes special, Series 6 behind-the-scenes featurette, photo gallery, cast filmographies. (Acorn Media).

The Prophet's Game (1999) Dennis Hopper, Joe Penny, Stephanie Zimbalist. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).

Road Ends (1997) Dennis Hopper, Peter Coyote, Chris Sarandon. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).

Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Kneel Before Zod" featurette, "Justice for All" featurette, cast/creator commentaries on episodes "Idol" and "Kandor," unaired scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Solitary Man (2010) Michael Douglas, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fishe, Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Brian Koppelman, director David Levien and Douglas McGrath; "Solitary Man: Alone in a Crowd" behind-the-scenes featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).

Supernatural: The Complete Fifth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Supernatural: Apocalypse Survival Guides," "Ghostfacers: The Web Series," commentary on Episode 4, "The End," unaired scene from Episode 9, "The Real Ghostbusters," gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

thirtysomething: The Complete Final Season (1990-91) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, mastered from new high-definition transfers, $59.97. Extras: Introductions from show creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, more. (Shout! Factory).

TCM Greatest Classic Films. Here's another wave of three releases in the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection, a collaboration between Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video to present low-priced collections of some of the greatest films of all to serve both serious film buffs and a new generation of movie lovers. Each four-disc set sells for $27.92. (Warner).

• TCM Greatest Classic Films: Gangsters: "High Sierra" (1941), "Little Caesar" (1930), "The Public Enemy" (1931) and "White Heat" (1949).
• TCM Greatest Classic Films: Hammer Horror: "Horror of Dracula" (1958), "Dracula Has Risen From the Grave" (1969), "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957) and "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed! (1970)."
• TCM Greatest Classic Films: Greatest Gangsters Prohibition Era: "The Public Enemy" (1931), "The Roaring Twenties" (1939), "Little Caesar" (1931), "Smart Money" (1931).

Wall Street: Insider Trading Edition (1987) Dir.: Oliver Stone; Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill), Martin Sheen, James Spader, Terence Stamp. Two-disc set timed for the theatrical release of Stone's sequel, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Extras: Wall Street Fact Exchange Scrolling Trivia Track, "Fox Movie Channel Presents Fox Legacy With Tom Rothman," "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" sneak peek. (Fox).

Woodshop (2010) Jesse Ventura, Mitch Pileggi, Scott Cooper Ryan. When high school valedictorian Chris Johnson's plans for an Ivy League future are suddenly derailed by an unfortunate chem lab explosion, to make amends he must attend - and survive - Saturday detention under the watchful eye of the woodshop teacher (Jesse Ventura), an ex-Army Ranger who's more than a little rough around the edges. (42 Productions).

Winner Declared - Delta Free Press Candidate Challenge

Since announcing the candidate challenge, two question gets asked all the time. "Why are you doing this challenge?", and "Isn't endorsing a single candidate biased?"

The answer to the first question is easy. By-elections rarely inspire people to get out and vote. When you add to that, the general malaise of having an election cycle which spans the summer months, you get even less participation. The Delta Free Press Candidate Challenge was our attempt to inject some excitement into this less than exciting by-election and get the public more involved with the candidates.

As an inducement for candidate participation the winner will receive the following:

1. Editorial endorsement by the Delta Free Press
2. Free advertising on the Delta Free Press (for the duration of the election cycle and pursuant to election advertising rules.)
3. Prime lawn sign location on private land (which, as it turns out is in very short supply with the way signs are being knocked down on public land)
4. A campaign donation of $200
5. And (most importantly) my vote.

The second question regarding bias is even easier to answer, "Yes, it is absolutely biased." That's really the point of an editorial endorsement and I make no bones about it. I have chosen one candidate above all the others for reasons that affect me and the people I care for. I looked for personality, integrity, and trustworthiness as key factors and then I carefully analyzed each candidate. Who in the community was supporting them? What was there platform? Where did they publicly stand on the issues? I took all my research and distilled it down to what really mattered. Then I chose the absolute best person to represent Delta until the next general municipal election.

Initially the challenge was issued in the form of a questionnaire. What came as a shock was the resistance by the candidates as a whole to actually fill in a very generic online form. I took into account that many of the candidates may not be tech savvy and gave them low tech options as well, but to no avail. I'm not going to try and augur the reasons why some candidates chose to ignore the questionnaire. I can only guess that they either:

a) felt that the readers of Delta Free Press, which measures in the thousands since the by-election, wasn't their target audience, or
b) they didn't want their answers out in public fora to be picked apart and debated.

An act of cowardice? Maybe. But lets be honest with ourselves. Perhaps we expect too much of the people that would contend for the public's trust?

Fortunately, the field managed to cull itself, as it usually does. With only Kathleen E. Higgins and Sylvia Bishop choosing to answer the questions facing our community, this should have made my decision easier, but I will say without hesitation that both Higgins and Bishop are model candidates. I believe their ethics and integrity are above reproach and we would be so lucky to have four more candidates of their caliber in next year's election.

I don't want to go into too much detail about how I chose the winner as I intend to write an analysis of each candidate in future columns (consider yourselves warned). After weighing my choices, I have decided to endorse the candidate that I feel can bring the strongest voice to the council chamber, someone who will stand up for all of Delta's citizens, a shining beacon of righteousness to correct the faltering moral compass of our current mayor and council, a political warrior who wont sell the future of our children off to greenfield developers offering magic beans. It is for this reason that I am pleased to endorse...

Sylvia Bishop

Winners of the Best Green Photos Contest of Summer 2010 Announced!

Alouette River at Dusk by Kyle Falconer

Delta, BC – Greener Steps Sustainable Living is proud to announce the winners of its first annual Greener Steps Photo Contest held throughout British Columbia.

This year’s theme was the ‘Best Green Photo of Summer 2010’ and the first prize was claimed by Kyle W. Falconer of Pitt Meadows, B.C. Kyle submitted a beautiful photo of Alouette River at dusk.

The Greener Steps Photo Contest is the idea of Greener Steps founder and Delta resident Alex Sangha. The contest aims to generate greater public interest about the environment, sustainability and greener living, through a series of thematic photo contests.

The contest generated a lot of public interest and drew in over 43 quality photo entries from locations as far as Harrison Hot Springs, Duncan, Nanoose Bay, Buntzen Lake, and throughout the Lower Mainland.

The 2010 Summer Contest was sponsored by local companies Metropolitan Aromatherapy and Kiss My Flash Photography, both well known eco supporters.

A panel of judges were selected from the Greener Steps Team to shortlist finalists who included website developer, Evanson Bess, of Webbchief Internet Solutions.

Catherine McLaren of Kiss My Flash Photography was brought onboard to help with the final decision making.

“We are very excited about the response and the support from the community in our inaugural contest. We hope next year the contest will be even bigger and better. And of course a special thanks goes out to our sponsors Metropolitan Aromatherapy and Kiss My Flash Photography whose support was invaluable, and to all those who participated”, says Alex Sangha.

Dragonfly on Blackberries by Mia Paisley

Mia Paisley of Maple Ridge captured second place with her photo of a dragonfly resting on a blackberry bush.

Ryan Rose of Surrey captured third place with his photo of Hyland Park in Newton. Ryan Rose was also the recipient of a $400.00 photo shoot or photo workshop from Kiss My Flash Photography. This prize was randomly drawn from all the entrants in our first ever Greener Steps Photo Contest.

Hyland Park by Ryan Rose

Says Ryan, “I'm 17 years old, who just graduated high school and took media arts in grades 11-12. I'm hoping to get into Emily Carr University of Art and Design to get my BFA and major in photography. All my photography skills where self-taught ...Nature/environmental photography is important as it can really show how beautiful the Earth really is, and in contrast it can also show how ugly our Earth is. It always keeps our eyes open though ...”

The winners all received a Greener Steps Certificate; cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 respectively; the chance for their photos to be displayed on the Greener Steps website; and $100 gift certificates from Metropolitan Aromatherapy. Each winner also received Greener Step’s latest offering: Greener Steps Biodegradable Ballpoint Pens made from 99% organic materials.

Greener Steps is already preparing for next year’s contest in Fall 2011, which will run from September to November of the same year.

For media and company sponsorship opportunities contact Alex Sangha at info@greenersteps.com or visit their site at www.greenersteps.com

South Fraser Perimeter Road to destroy Fraser River Environmental Reserves

Dear Editor,

RE: Artificial Reef Project Runs aground (Article in Vancouver Sun Aug. 28, 2010)

It surprises me that Environmental Stewardship Manager Jennifer McGuire would prevent the sinking of an artificial reef in Halkett bay, since it would bring life to an otherwise barren and muddy area and would boost its biodiversity. Someone very powerful must own property in Halkett Bay to be able to convince the Ministry of the Environment to stop a project that would enhance the amount and types of species in the area with a project that has been a year and a half in the making at a cost of nearly half a million dollars. I suspect that they don’t want divers and other boaters to be using their bay and would like to keep it for their own personal use.

Ms. McGuire was of no help when we asked her to protect the Norum Place Park Environmental Reserve that is not only home to many species at risk but is made up of plant and animal species that are said to be the last of their kind in the Province. This small park on the banks of the Fraser River in North Delta will be totally wiped out by the construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road, along with a critical section of nearby Collings Way Ravine Environmental Park Reserve, separating it from the Fraser River and the wildlife corridor that connects it to other important green spaces.

These two parks are part of a 2 1/2 km. long wildlife corridor that connect six other environmentally sensitive ravine parks with Burns Bog, the Fraser Heights Wetlands, Surrey Bend Regional Park and the upper Fraser River, an essential wildlife corridor that would be replaced with a highway.

Despite the fact that these reserves are Red- and Blue-listed habitat, home to threatened and endangered species, and are made up of habitat that are some of the last of its kind in the province, we were told there was no protection. Well now it seams there is a protection rule, and both of these parks qualify.

The Artificial Reef Society will no doubt find another location to sink their Warship to improve some other area of Howe sound, but we could never replace the loss of habitat nor the species at risk that would be lost by the construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road through this section.

The Mission statement of the Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Stewardship Division is to “maintain and restore the natural diversity of provincial ecosystems and fish and wildlife species and their habitat” So what about it Ms. McGuire?



Don Hunt

Sunbury Neighbourhood Association

Delta BC