REEL LIFE FILMS & VIDEOS : Movie Looks at Issues From the Holocaust : ‘The Quarrel,’ the first in a series of three films, is about two friends discussing the event’s implications.

Don’t expect to see “Schindler’s List” in Ventura County this week. New releases tarry some time before arriving at local theaters, but if your conscience is set on seeing a movie about the Holocaust, there’s a potential substitute screening a bit earlier than “Schindler’s” anticipated arrival.

“The Quarrel” is about two old friends, both of them Jews involved in the Holocaust, who meet after 15 years apart and spend the day talking about the implications of the Holocaust and discussing how God could permit the death of 6 million Jews.

It’s serious stuff, with dialogue that is challenging and intellectually satisfying. Jim Svejda of CBS called it one of the best films of 1992.

“The Quarrel” is being presented by The United Jewish Appeal, The Maimonides Society and The Cardozo Society as the first installment in a series of three films either by Jewish directors or dealing with Jewish issues.

“We took quite a risk in bringing to the area events that might not otherwise have come here,” said Ina Frank, director of the United Jewish Appeal of Western Ventura County.

The moderator for the event is also something of a risk. He’s Michael Medved, the film critic some have called the Jewish Dan Quayle.

Medved, author of the controversial book “Hollywood vs. America,” has written that the entertainment industry is destroying American culture with sex, violence, contempt for religion and hatred of adult authority.

Medved gave “The Quarrel” favorable reviews. To add perspective to that pronouncement, we offer Medved’s comments on a list of other films.

“The Silence of the Lambs”: “Served no discernible artistic purpose beyond horrifying and titillating.”

“Yentl”: Suggests that “religious convention is, at best, a relic and is an obstacle to personal fulfillment.”

“The Little Mermaid”: “Encouraged children to disregard the values and opinions of their parents.”

“Wayne’s World”: “Inventive, outrageous and irresistible.”

Medved will set the tone for each of the evenings, and there will be discussion following the film.

The screening is set for Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ventura College Theater. For tickets, call 647-7800.

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This item is in the interest of avian accuracy.

“The Pelican Brief” opens with a shot of brown pelicans but with audio that sounds suspiciously like common sea gulls.

Craig Faanes, supervisor at the Ventura office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is not surprised.

“That’s one of my pet peeves,” said Faanes who is trained as an ornithologist. “They dub in bird voices and they think nobody’s listening.”

Faanes, who owns more than 30 tapes and records of bird calls, holds the title as having identified more species of birds in North America than anyone else--1,627 out of a possible 1,850.

Faanes’ feathers were ruffled during the movie “Born on the Fourth of July” when northern water thrushes from Canada were cast as background in a Vietnamese scene and during episodes of “Little House on the Prairie,” which featured songs of the California Quail and California Grosbeak--the latter a species common in Malibu and Sycamore canyons rather than on the plains of the upper Midwest.

As for the pelicans, he said the only noise they make is a grunt when they’re nesting.

“They sound more like a pig.”

Pancho Doll compiles Reel Life each week for Ventura County Life. If you have information on local film, television or video events or personalities, write to him at 5200 Valentine Road, Suite 140, Ventura 93003, or send faxes to 658-5576.