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Dust to Glory

Don't be surprised if you feel a dry, tickling sensation in the back of your throat after watching the slam-bang racing documentary Dust to Glory. It's probably from the lingering sand and silt spewed from the knobby wheels of an array of machines that skitter from one end of the Baja Peninsula to the other. Using 90 cameras in a variety of formats, director Dana Brown captures the giddy danger of the race with truly visceral force. In 1967, a few California thrill-seekers had the Eureka spirit to take their homemade race cars for some whooping-up in the wide-open land just a few hours away. Since then, the Baja 1000 has turned into a party-fueled happening that's more akin to Burning Man than the Indy 500. It's billed as the world's longest nonstop race, running point-to-point for 1,000 miles through the Mexican desert from Tijuana to La Paz--pretty much the entire length of Baja.

Dana Brown is the son of Bruce Brown, whose 1966 film The Endless Summer sparked a surfing craze, and still holds up as an incomparable ode to the existential surfing lifestyle. Dust to Glory is by no means so profound and uses more of a Warren Miller thrill-marketing style (he of the annual throwaway extreme-skiing films). Cameras swoop down from helicopters, careen through silt, and are put into tracks over which vehicles pass at extreme speeds. In spite of the adrenaline rush, Dust to Glory is ultimately more about what people think about the higher implications of the competition. One veteran finisher describes it this way: "It's like having all 10,000 close calls of your life in one day. It makes regular life feel like slow-motion." --Ted Fry

Don't be surprised if you feel a dry, tickling sensation in the back of your throat after watching the slam-bang racing documentary Dust to Glory. It's probably from the lingering sand and silt spewed from the knobby wheels of an array of machines that skitter from one end of the Baja Peninsula to the other. Using 90 cameras in a variety of formats, director Dana Brown captures the giddy danger of the race with truly visceral force. In 1967, a few California thrill-seekers had the Eureka spirit to take their homemade race cars for some whooping-up in the wide-open land just a few hours away. Since then, the Baja 1000 has turned into a party-fueled happening that's more akin to Burning Man than the Indy 500. It's billed as the world's longest nonstop race, running point-to-point for 1,000 miles through the Mexican desert from Tijuana to La Paz--pretty much the entire length of Baja.
Dana Brown is the son of Bruce Brown, whose 1966 film The Endless Summer sparked a surfing craze, and still holds up as an incomparable ode to the existential surfing lifestyle. Dust to Glory is by no means so profound and uses more of a Warren Miller thrill-marketing style (he of the annual throwaway extreme-skiing films). Cameras swoop down from helicopters, careen through silt, and are put into tracks over which vehicles pass at extreme speeds. In spite of the adrenaline rush, Dust to Glory is ultimately more about what people think about the higher implications of the competition.

From the creators of Step Into Liquid comes this absolutely exhilarating film about the most notorious and dangerous race in the world: the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Showcasing Mario Andretti, Robby Gordon, Johnny Campbell and J.N. Roberts, and packed with awesome helicopter footage, in-your-face POV shots and stories of raw courage, Dust to Glory follows a wild assortment of motorcycles, dune buggies, ATV quads and tricked-out trucks in a 32-hour dash across 1,000 miles of unforgiving terrain and delivers such pulse-pounding thrills that you feel like you've been there .

Battle of the Bulge [Blu-ray]

The German offensive in December 1944 became the basis for this all-star Hollywood take on the Battle of the Bulge. Henry Fonda is an officer who predicts the assault, Robert Ryan and Dana Andrews are Army brass skeptical of his intuitions, and Robert Shaw (his hair dyed yellow and his eyes glinting with malice) is a German officer leading the tank attack. Shaw is certainly the most compelling thing about the film, especially in his philosophical debates with ambivalent underling Hans Christian Blech. Elsewhere, the movie jumps around to sidebar stories (cowardly James MacArthur becomes a leader, wheeler-dealer Telly Savalas falls in love) while messing around with the historical facts of the battle. There are interesting episodes, such as the Malmedy massacre of American POWs and the Germans' use of English-speaking spies, but overall Battle of the Bulge has the feeling of having been patched together from different scripts. On the physical level the movie comes up short, with the Spanish locations rarely suggesting the wintry misery of the battle, and the use of models and studio sets highly inadequate. A number of war films from this era are compelling on their own terms, but in the wake of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers, this one looks antique. --Robert Horton

Nazi Panzer forces stage a last-ditch Belgian front offensive that could turn the tide of WWII. Henry Fonda Robert Shaw and Robert Ryan in the spectacular recreation of a crucial campaign. Year: 1965Running Time: 169 min.Format: BLU-RAY DISC Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE UPC: 085391142621 Manufacturer No: 114262

NASCAR - The IMAX Experience

When NASCAR: The IMAX Experience 3D is released to IMAX Theatres in Spring 2004, fans will literally be transported into the driver's seat of America's most popular spectator sport. The groundbreaking IMAX 3D film, set against America's most popular spectator sport, will be distributed exclusively to IMAX theatres by Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX in Spring 2004 and marks Warner Bros.' first foray into the IMAX arena.

Until you've seen NASCAR: The IMAX Experience, you haven't really seen NASCAR. Even without the advantage of a gigantic IMAX screen and 70-millimeter 3-D projection, this 48-minute IMAX film is a perfect primer for newcomers to the sport of stock-car racing. Like all IMAX films it's aimed at a mainstream audience (hardcore NASCAR fans won't learn anything new here), so it covers a broad spectrum of general history, technical information, and pure high-speed adrenaline, from NASCAR's origins in 1947 to the oval-track highlights of the 2003 season. While Lonesome Dove director Simon Wincer captures the action (including some amazing mid-pack and cockpit footage during actual races), Kiefer Sutherland narrates an informative survey of season-long activities, from car building and safety measures at Mooresville, North Carolina, to pit-crew practice, transportation logistics, constant danger and its effect on drivers' wives and families, and the aerodynamics of drafting. Interesting trivia (each tire costs $389!) is included along with driver profiles and a compilation of memorable race finishes, but it's the IMAX footage that makes this a thrill-a-minute DVD, perfect for anyone who's just beginning to enjoy the world's fastest (and fastest-growing) sport. --Jeff Shannon

Funny Car Summer

Jim Dunn is an Orange County, California fireman nine months out of the year. But every summer, for the past twenty years, Jim and his family pack up their suitcases and hook up their trailer to haul a funny-looking dragster to twenty different races in twenty different states.This unusual style of summer vacation has become a way of life for this fun-loving, action- oriented family. The film follows the Dunns' from their Southern California home life to the dangerous, often deadly, world of high speed drag racing and shares their joys and fears as they experience the thrills of this family obsession. Bonus Features: Previews| Scene Access| Interactive Menus. Specs: DVD5; Dolby Digital Mono; 98 minutes; Color; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; Year - 1974; SRP - $9.99.

Driving Force - The Complete Season One

Racing superstar John Force is the winningest Hot Rod driver of all time. These days, with the three Force daughters following in Dad's tracks, reconnecting with family is John Force's number one priority. DRIVING FORCE chases after 22-year-old Ashley, 19-year-old Brittany, and 16-year-old Courtney as they burn serious rubber in the male-dominated world of drag racing. But once their helmets are off and they're back at home, the Forces are a family like any other. From the turmoil of a terrifying crash to the excitement of a high school dance, and the sweetness of helping Dad get ready for a date with Mom, life is never slow when you're the fastest family on the block. 2 Disc Set

From heated arguments at home to thunderous runs down the quarter-mile stretch, Driving Force is an entertaining, warts-and-all portrait of the first family of drag racing. As a 30-year veteran with 14 National Hot Rod Association Funny Car championships to his credit (as of late 2006), John Force is a drag-racing legend, widely regarded as the NHRA's most colorful personality since the two Dons (Prudhomme and Garlits). But as Force confesses in this A&E reality series (which premiered July 17, 2006), nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of raising three girls while juggling his thriving career and the corporate empire he runs out of the wealthy Orange County suburb of Yorba Linda, California. For better or worse, Force is a bossy, selfish, belligerent, foul-mouthed S.O.B. who hollers like the rest of the world was stone deaf, and as these 14 fast-paced episodes unfold, there are many occasions when you just want to throttle the guy and put him out of his (and our) misery. But just as often, you see how Force truly loves his family, which consists of 55-year-old wife Laurie (still married to Force but living separately with their daughters); 23-year-old Ashley, the most focused and promising heiress to Force's drag-racing legacy; rebellious 19-year-old Brittany, a competitive but not-always-devoted racer of Super-Comp dragsters; and 17-year-old Courtney, a former cheerleader struggling (like Brittany) to balance school with her new and still-uncertain racing career.

Like their devoted mother (who understandably grew apart from John while supporting his career), the Force girls are gorgeous, headstrong, and more than a little spoiled, but they form an irresistible team even when they act like trendy "O.C." girls of limited intelligence (as when debating the definition of "original"). With father John as (pardon the pun) a Force to be reckoned with, these young, attractive women hold their own with solid family values, emerging as a close-knit clan more than ready to tackle the everyday challenges of a very demanding sport. From meetings with corporate sponsors to finding time for boyfriends (a topic which gives poor Dad no end of worry), this all-American family enjoys the luxurious perks of success (including three plush homes, limousines, and a very affluent lifestyle), but they're also managing more high-pressure responsibilities than many adults. As siblings, they ultimately prove to be admirably savvy young women who've clearly benefited from the sensible and grounded upbringing that Laurie gave them (indeed, Mrs. Force is the quiet presence that keeps Driving Force from careening out of control), especially since John Force readily admits that "this dad thing doesn't come natural." And while Driving Force serves as an excellent introduction to the dynamic sport of drag racing, it primarily functions as a funny, serious, occasionally toucing and never-boring portrait of a splintered yet close-knit family that anyone can relate to--fast, occasionally furious, anything but perfect, and full of genuine love. --Jeff Shannon

3 - The Dale Earnhardt Story (2 Disc Collector's Edition)

Biographical story of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. starts with his young life and growing up with his father, Ralph, who raced for a living, but initially wanted more for his son. When Dale quits high school to start driving full time, his father aids him and shows a reluctant pride when he is initially successful. Armed with many of his father's philosophies, Dale pushed himself to be the best. His aggressive track mannerisms earned himself fans and detractors. Fellow racer Neil Bonnett was one of those long time friends and whose death deeply affected Dale. Darrell Waltrip clearly was a detractor and the two men's rivalry is clearly depicted. Off the track, Dale's determination to make it impacts two marriages. Third wife Theresa was closer to racing and met Dale when he had started his rise into the Winston Cup circuit. The story also looks at his relationship with his children, particularly son Kerry from his first marriage and whom he did not see again after age 5 until Kerry in his late teens showed up to meet his father again. Similar to his own father, Dale drove Dale Jr. to be the best, including temporarily sending him to military school when his grades slipped, but like his father, Dale Jr. only wanted to race. Contains mild profanity.

Despite a limited TV budget and a tight 20-day shooting schedule, ESPN's 3 pays honorable tribute to NASCAR's greatest hero. Barry Pepper (the ace marksman in Saving Private Ryan) is perfectly cast as Dale Earnhardt, who rose from humble beginnings as a cotton-mill worker to legendary status as "the Intimidator," whose aggressive racing style was frequently controversial. While basing its drama on Earnhardt's relationship with his stern father Ralph (himself a fearless dirt-track champion), Robert Eisele's teleplay struggles with trackside clichés while functioning as both intimate portrait and highlight reel of pivotal races from Earnhardt's career. As directed by Russell Mulcahy (Highlander), the film succeeds as a blue-collar drama about a man driven by destiny--and ominous fate--who embodied the best (and sometimes the worst) of NASCAR culture, popularizing the sport like no driver before or since. All of the essential bases are covered, and the superb supporting cast includes Elizabeth Mitchell as Earnhardt's third wife, Teresa, J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson from the Spider-Man films) as Ralph Earnhardt, and newcomer Marshall McGee as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Titled after Earnhardt's black #3 Goodwrench Chevy, 3 is a conventional TV biopic, but it's essential viewing for those who loved--or even hated--the man who died too young, at age 49, on the final lap at Daytona in 2001.

Bonus features in this two-disc set are abundant and excellent, including an in-depth "making of" featurette, a definitive ESPN documentary on Earnhardt's life and career (featuring a virtual who's-who of NASCAR superstars), a generous archive of Earnhardt interviews, and extensive highlights from four historic races, including Earnhardt's controversial contact with Terry Labonte to win the 1999 Bush 500 at Bristol, and the Earnhardts' (Sr. and Jr.) 1st- and 2nd-place wins at IROC round 3 that same year. All in all, this is DVD heaven for NASCAR fans. --Jeff Shannon

ESPN Inside Access Jeff Gordon

ESPN INSIDE ACCESS - JEFF GORDON (DVD MOVIE)

MotoGP 2007: Official Review

The MotoGP Season Review 2007 provides a blow-by-blow account of an historic first season of 800cc racing in the premier-class of Grand Prix. An unpredictable season of success for Casey Stoner and Ducati began in the opening round at Qatar, when the young Australian was the surprise winner of a fascinating duel with Valentino Rossi. Despite winning the next round in Jerez, Spain, the Italian was powerless to stop Stoner s charge to the title the 21-year-old becoming the second youngest World Champion in the sport s history with three rounds to spare. As well as Stoner s emergence as the new dominant force in MotoGP, 2007 also heralded a bright new dawn for Suzuki, who took their first win in five years, and Kawasaki. Each intriguing episode of the season is covered with a ten-minute account of each Grand Prix, including news from the build-up to the race and qualifying practice as well as comprehensive highlights of the race itself. Extra DVD features include a report on the new tire rules that came into play this season, a look at how a team communicates with its riders during a race via the pit-board and an exclusive interview with the new MotoGP World Champion.

ESPN Ultimate NASCAR: Collector's Set

From the sport s sandy beach beginnings to today s multi-million dollar Nextel Cup showdowns from the glorious rise of Junior Johnson to the shocking crash that ended Dale Earnhardt s life ESPN Ultimate NASCAR chronicles the fuel-injected climb of America s #1 spectator sport featuring scores of never-before-scene images pulse-pounding behind-the-wheel stories and the passion and perspective only ESPN s experts can bring. Now all four volumes are available together in this high octane collector s set. System Requirements:Run Time: 412 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SPORTS/GAMES/AUTO RACING UPC: 796019807630 Manufacturer No: 80763

Back in the Day with Dale Jr. - The Complete Season One

Revisit the thrilling early days of stock car racing with today's biggest NASCAR star with this 2 Disc Set. Take an exhilarating look into the history of NASCAR with racing star Dale Earnhardt, Jr., as he steps back in time to look at exciting vintage racing footage from the program Car and Track. Revisit the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when racing greats like Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, and the Yarborough brothers reigned. Mixing incredible racing footage, facts, and trivia with Dales reflections on the sports history and the changes its been through, BACK IN THE DAY uses modern technology to bring NASCARs past into the 21st century. One of the most popular NASCAR drivers today, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., shares his passion for the old school style that brought NASCAR to life and defined the stock car scene where his father Dale Earnhardt, Sr., began a career that spanned decades and first put their family name in the racing history books. Run Time - Approx. 5 Hours