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C.E. Morgan is a member of the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association

           If, like me, you enjoy some of those specials on The History Channel, be advised that they release some of the very best to DVD from time to time. Very recently, three of the titles caught my eye and they all proved to be very engaging entertainment.
            Lost Book of Nostradamus gives some historical background on one of the most famous prophets and sheds light on some newly discovered predictions believed to have been written over 400 years ago. I refer to Prophecy of the Roman Popes which has proven to divulge some very interesting divinations and forensic analysis of current events, especially with regard to the problems in the Middle East today.
            The film employs state-of-the-art CGI animation techniques and dramatically recreated scenes to make some enthralling observations about this man and his often quoted predictions. Whether or not you are a believer in the power of this ancient seer, the story and the translations of his cryptic statements are sure to draw you into the subject.
            1968: With Tom Brokaw is subtitled, “The Year That Everything Changed,” and after viewing it, you may agree. Tom Brokaw revisits the scenes of the events that were the backdrops of the space race, the Vietnam Conflict, the feminist movement, Civil Rights unrest, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy, political riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and many of the people and events occurring that year that changed our nation forever. The use of original footage adds depth and bridges the 40-year gap in our history quite effectively. If you lived it, it will all look very familiar. If not, it is a wonderful history lesson taught by a master.
            And speaking of history, America At War, with its voluminous coverage from the American Revolution to present-day Iraq, presents over 30 hours of selected documentaries from the History Channel. You’ll hear commentary from noted historians, military men, engineers and war correspondents. This is not the “dry” history book version. Instead, it features very personal observations of America at war. Students of American history, this is the extra material that you have been looking for to supplement your studies and make history come alive.
            Straight from the box office to your family room in record time is Beowulf. This version of the epic poem is not your high school English class rendition. In fact the copy I picked up was the “Director’s Cut,” the unrated version. But, rating aside, probably the thing that this film will be remembered for is its use of digitally enhanced live action throughout. The look of the screen is different enough to create a surreal mood, in keeping with the likes of the ancient fictional hero Beowulf and his nemesis, the monstrous Grendel.
            Director Robert Zemeckis shares the laurels with a worthy cast including Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone and Robin Wright Penn. The presentation of the ancient tale is breathtaking and terrifying, even on the small screen. Plenty of bonus features are included on the DVD for those interested in production techniques.
            And don’t forget the kids. Disney Studios has just released two of their finest to home video. Now you can own The Aristocats and let the little ones watch it over and over, again. Chances are they just can’t get enough of Duchess, the Parisian heiress-cat, and her three cute little kittens. When things get “fishy” at the estate, it’s up to alley cat Thomas O’Malley to step up to the task of setting things straight.
SNOW BUDDIES brings back those cuddly talking puppies (Buddah, Mudbud, Rosebud, Budderball and B. Dawg) that kids just can’t resist. In this episode they get involved with some huskies and end up in a dog sled race across Alaska. Brush up on your lecture about team work, folks. As is usual, there are more extras than you can imagine. Disney always gives you more than you were expecting in this area. The dog bloopers are great!