It's easy to inexpensively find 'Casablanca' on DVD

Many people dislike Walmart for a variety of reasons (some of which are legitimate). However, the store has been an indispensable resource as I have built up my DVD collection.

Last Saturday, I found Casablanca there for only $7. It included the film, a documentary hosted by Lauren Bacall, and the original movie trailer. Most importantly, it was the black and white version of the film, and not the horrible colorized version that Ted Turner put out back in the '80s. The colors in that version almost burned out my retinas.

If I were a high school history teacher, I would require my students to watch this film. I know we should not make a habit of relying on Hollywood to give us a civics' lesson. However, the film does make important statements about the folly of isolationism and the need for self-sacrifice.

Both of those themes are as important today as they were back then.

Underrated movie: John Wayne's 'The Shootist'

I know some may brand me as un-American for writing this, but I have never been much of a John Wayne fan. I really don't know why. We can't all have the same tastes, so maybe this is one of those things where I am in the minority.

However, there is one film of his that I think is excellent, and I don't often hear it talked about when discussions of his body of work take place.

The Shootist was made in 1976 and is a character study of a dying gunfighter. Wayne's character had killed a lot of people in his life and now he was having to deal with his own mortality. In a way, the film mirrored what Wayne was going through in his own life. His character, John Bernard Books, was dying of cancer just as Wayne would die from it not long after this film.

Perhaps that is why this film stands out to me. The most gripping types of art are when art imitates life and vice versa. Obviously, Wayne didn't murder a lot of people, but he was definitely facing the issues of a life that was winding down.

The film has an excellent cast. Jimmy Stewart has a small but memorable supporting role. Lauren Bacall and Ron Howard are also outstanding.

For those interested, read here for more.