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4/1/08 V12.14
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ONVIDEO'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, April 1 -- Monday, March 7
Alvin and the Chipmunks
When struggling songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee) opens his home to a talented trio of chipmunks named Alvin, Simon and Theodore, they quickly become overnight music sensations. But when a greedy record producer (David Cross) tries to exploit the musical ensemble, Dave must use a little human ingenuity y -- and a lot of 'munk' mischief -- to get his furry family back before it's too late. CG/live-action hybrid film. Vitals: Director: Tim Hill. Stars: Jason Lee, Cameron Richardson. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 91 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $204.121 million, Fox.
Sweeney Todd
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller "Sweeney Todd." Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who "shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again." Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford, and Sacha Baron Cohen as a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli. Vitals: Director: Tim Burton. Stars: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee, Jamie Campbell Bowen, Jayne Wisener, Laura Michelle Kelly, Ed Sanders. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: R, 116 min., Musical Thriller, Box office gross: $52.015 million, Paramount.
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NEWS
Coming up on the centenary of Bette Davis (April 5, 1908), Warner Home Video will release "The Bette Davis Collection Volume 3,"
A six-disc set with: - "In This Our Life" (1942) Dir.: John Huston; Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Walter Huston. Extras: Commentary by film historian Jeannine Basinger; "Warner Night at the Movies 1942" short subjects gallery: vintage newsreel, patriotic short "March On, America!" musical short "Spanish Fiesta"; classic cartoon "Who's Who in the Zoo."
- "The Old Maid" (1939) Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins. Extras: Warner Night at the Movies 1939 short subjects gallery: Vintage newsreel, historical short "Lincoln in the White House," Howard Hill sports short "Sword Fishing"; classic cartoons "The Film Fan" and "Kristopher Kolumbus."
- "All This, and Heaven Too" (1940) Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Barbara O'Neil. Extras:Commentary by "The Women of Warner Bros." author Daniel Bubbeo; Warner Night at the Movies 1940 short subjects gallery: vintage newsreel, patriotic short "Meet the Fleet," classic cartoons "Hollywood Daffy" and "Porky's Last Stand"; audio-only bonus: radio show adaptation with the film's stars.
- "The Great Lie" (1941) Mary Astor, Bette Davis, George Brent. Extras: Warner Night at the Movies 1941 Short Subjects Gallery: vintage newsreel, "Broadway Brevities" short "At the Stroke of Twelve," Sports Parade short "Kings of the Turf," Hollywood Novelty short "Polo With the Stars," classic cartoon "Porky's Pooch."
- "Deception" (1946) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains. Extras: Commentary by film historian Foster Hirsch; Warner Night at the Movies 1946 short subjects gallery: vintage newsreel, Sports Parade short "Facing Your Danger," Specials Short "Movieland Magic," classic cartoon "Mouse Menace."
- "Watch on the Rhine" (1943) Paul Lukas, Bette Davis, George Colouris. Extras: Career profile "Bette Davis: A Basically Benevolent Volcano"; commentary by film historian Bernard F. Dick; Warner Night at the Movies 1943 short subjects gallery: patriotic short "March On, America!; musical short Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, classic cartoon "The Wise Quacking Duck."
- "The Night of the Shooting Stars" (1982 -- Italy) Dir.: Vittorio and Paolo Taviani. Acclaimed drama about a woman who tells her child about "The Night of Shooting Stars" (when dreams come true) in 1944 when the residents of her small town defied their Nazi occupiers.
- "Kaos"(1984 -- Italy) Dir.: Vittorio and Paolo Taviani. Five tales adapted from the short stories by the great Italian playwright Luigi Pirandello.
- "Fiorile"(1993 -- Italy) Dir.: Vittorio and Paolo Taviani. On a long drive to visit their grandfather, two children are told the story of a family curse that has lasted 200 years. $26.98 each.
From TV to Video:
Due this week: "Country Matters" (2005), a four-disc set with eight episodes of the lavish British series starring Ian McKellan, Peter Firth, Joss Ackland and Pauline Collins, set in the English countryside just after WWI; $34.98 from Koch Vision ... "The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream" (2008), the second sequel to 1992's ice skating romance, starring Matt Lanter, Francia Raisa, Ben Hollingsworth, Alycia Purrott and Christy Carlson Romano, from MGM ... "Doctor Who: The Time Warrior" (2005), with digitally remastered Dr. Who classics "The Time Warrior," "Timelash" and "Planet of Evil," $24.98 from Warner ... "Gene Simmons Family Jewels: The Best of Seasons 1 & 2" Eight episodes, $12.95 from A&E Home Video ... "John From Cincinnati: The Complete First Season," a three-disc set with 10 episodes, $59.99 from HBO Video ... "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Sixth Year," a five-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98 from Universal ... "Martin: The Complete Fourth Season," a four-disc set with 27 episodes, $29.98 from HBO Video ... "Murder She Wrote: The Complete Eighth Season," a five-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98 from Universal ... "That '70s Show Season Eight," a four-disc set of the last season's 22 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom, Ringo," a two-disc set of Tomorrow Show interviews by Tom Snyder: John Lennon Tribute aired 12/9/80 (one day after his murder); Paul McCartney interview, original air date 12/20/79 (with Linda McCartney and other Wings members); Ringo Starr interview, original air date 11/25/81 (with additional guests actress (and Ringo's wife) Barbra Bach, Angie Dickinson. $24.99 from Shout! Factory.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
In "The Cook" (2008), a handful of
girls stay behind at the Lambda Epsilon Zeta sorority house during a
long holiday weekend for three days of partying, sex games and
strangely delicious meals prepared by the weird new chef; but as the
sisters begin to disappear one-by-one, the remaining coeds begin to
suspect that they're scheduled to be next on the menu; from Anchor Bay
... In "Fear House" (2008), friends of a missing
best-selling author discover she's living like a frightened animal in
an old dilapidated house as she struggles to finish her next novel --
but when they attempt to get her out, they learn that anyone who tries
to leave the house is killed by their innermost fear; from LifeSize
Entertainment ... look for two sequels this week: "Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II"
(1987), starring Michael Ironside, Wendy Lyon, Justin Louis and Lisa
Schrage, timed to the theatrical release of the remake of "Prom Night"
in early April, from MGM; and "The Return of the Swamp Thing" (1989), starring Louis Jourdan, Heather Locklear, Sarah Douglas and Dick Durock, from Warner.
The "Music Within" (2007) , starring Ron Livingston, Melissa George and Michael Sheen, is the true story of Richard Pimentel, a man on a quest to find the "music within" after losing his hearing to a bomb blast during combat in Vietnam; from MGM ... The New York-set comedy "The Good Night" (2007) features Martin Freeman as a washed-up pop star who writes ad jingles and suffers a midlife crisis. Penelope Cruz plays the object of his romantic interests and Danny DeVito plays a dream doctor who tries to get the troubled man back on track. Also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Simon Pegg, and Michael Gambon; from Sony.
For the Family:
"Animal Planet: Growing up Wildcats" (2005) follows newborn cubs as they find their way through the joys, adventures, discoveries and challenges of their first days with the help of some professional caregivers in four themed episodes form the Animal Planet series: "Growing Up Lion," "Growing Up Tiger," "Growing Up Cheetah" and "Growing Up Black Leopard"; $14.95 from Genius Products ... Paramount has two Chipmunk adventures this week: "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipmunk Adventure Special Edition" (1987), the Chipmunk's first full-length motion picture; and "Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies: Funny, We Shrunk the Adults" (1990), in which the Chipmunks spoof three of Hollywood's biggest comedies: "Back to Our Future," "Bigger" and "Funny, We Shrunk the Adults."
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THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipmunk Adventure Special Edition (1987) The Chipmunk's first full-length motion picture. (Paramount).
Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies: Funny, We Shrunk the Adults (1990) The Chipmunks spoof three of Hollywood's biggest comedies: "Back to Our Future," "Bigger" and "Funny, We Shrunk the Adults." (Paramount).
Animal Planet: Growing up Wildcats (2005) Newborn cubs find their way through the joys, adventures, discoveries and challenges of their first days with the help of some professional caregivers in these four themed episodes form the Animal Planet series: "Growing Up Lion," "Growing Up Tiger," "Growing Up Cheetah" and "Growing Up Black Leopard"; $14.95. (Genius Products).
The Bette Davis Collection Volume 3. Six-disc set honoring the 100th birthday of Hollywood's first lady of film with "In This Our Life," "The Old Maid," "All This, and Heaven Too," "The Great Lie," "Deception" and "Watch on the Rhine"; $59.92. (Warner).
- In This Our Life (1942) Dir.: John Huston; Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Walter Huston. Extras: Commentary by film historian Jeannine Basinger; "Warner Night at the Movies 1942" short subjects gallery: vintage newsreel, patriotic short "March On, America!" musical short "Spanish Fiesta"; classic cartoon "Who's Who in the Zoo."
- The Old Maid (1939) Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins. Extras: Warner Night at the Movies 1939 short subjects gallery: Vintage newsreel, historical short "Lincoln in the White House," Howard Hill sports short "Sword Fishing"; classic cartoons "The Film Fan" and "Kristopher Kolumbus."
- All This, and Heaven Too (1940) Bette Davis, Charles Boyer, Barbara O'Neil. Extras:Commentary by "The Women of Warner Bros." author Daniel Bubbeo; Warner Night at the Movies 1940 short subjects gallery: vintage newsreel, patriotic short "Meet the Fleet," classic cartoons "Hollywood Daffy" and "Porky's Last Stand"; audio-only bonus: radio show adaptation with the film's stars.
- The Great Lie (1941) Mary Astor, Bette Davis, George Brent. Extras: Warner Night at the Movies 1941 Short Subjects Gallery: vintage newsreel, "Broadway Brevities" short "At the Stroke of Twelve," Sports Parade short "Kings of the Turf," Hollywood Novelty short "Polo With the Stars," classic cartoon "Porky's Pooch."
- Deception (1946) Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains. Extras: Commentary by film historian Foster Hirsch; Warner Night at the Movies 1946 short subjects gallery: vintage newsreel, Sports Parade short "Facing Your Danger," Specials Short "Movieland Magic," classic cartoon "Mouse Menace."
- Watch on the Rhine (1943) Paul Lukas, Bette Davis, George Colouris. Extras: Career profile "Bette Davis: A Basically Benevolent Volcano"; commentary by film historian Bernard F. Dick; Warner Night at the Movies 1943 short subjects gallery: patriotic short "March On, America!; musical short Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra, classic cartoon "The Wise Quacking Duck."
Country Matters (2005) Four-disc set with eight episodes of the lavish British series starring Ian McKellan, Peter Firth, Joss Ackland and Pauline Collins, set in the English countryside just after WWI; $34.98. (Koch Vision).
The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream (2008) Matt Lanter, Francia Raisa , Ben Hollingsworth, Alycia Purrott, Christy Carlson Romano. Second sequel to 1992's ice skating romance.Extras: Deleted scenes, featurettes. (MGM).
Doctor Who: The Time Warrior (2005) Digitally remastered Dr, Who classics "The Time Warrior," "Timelash" and "Planet of Evil," $24.98. (Warner).
Fear House (2008) Aleece Jones, Matthew Stiller, Meredith Barnett, Olivia Price. Friends of a missing best-selling author discover she is living like a frightened animal in an old dilapidated house as she struggles to finish her next novel -- but when they attempt to get her out, they learn that anyone who tries to leave the house is killed by their innermost fear. (LifeSize Entertainment).
Gene Simmons Family Jewels: The Best of Seasons 1 & 2. Eight episodes, $12.95. (A&E Home Video).
The Good Night(2007) Martin Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Penelope Cruz, Simon Pegg, Danny DeVito, Michael Gambon, Amber Sealey, Ketih Alan, Finty Williams. The New York-set comedy features Martin Freeman as a washed-up pop star who writes ad jingles and suffers a midlife crisis. Penelope Cruz plays the object of his romantic interests and Danny DeVito plays a dream doctor who tries to get the troubled man back on track. Extras: Commentary. (Sony).
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garces, Neil Patrick Harris, Christopher Meloni, Ryan Reynolds, Fred Willard. Extreme unrated remastered special edition, released in time for the big-screen sequel. (Warner).
Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987) Michael Ironside, Wendy Lyon, Justin Louis, Lisa Schrage. Timed to the theatrical release of the remake of "Prom Night" in early April. (MGM).
John From Cincinnati: The Complete First Season. Three-disc set with 10 episodes, $59.99. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette on Episode 6, commentary on select episodes. (HBO Video).
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: The Sixth Year. Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98. (Universal).
Martin: The Complete Fourth Season. Four-disc set with , $29.98. (HBO Video).
Murder She Wrote: The Complete Eighth Season. Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. (Universal).
Music Within (2007) Ron Livingston, Melissa George, Michael Sheen. True story about Richard Pimentel, a man on a quest to find the "music within" after losing his hearing to a bomb blast during combat in Vietnam. Extras: Commentary by director Steven Sawalich, producer Brett Donowho and writer Kelly Kennemer; deleted scenes. (MGM).
The Return of the Swamp Thing (1989) Louis Jourdan, Heather Locklear, Sarah Douglas, Dick Durock. (Warner).
Sweeney Todd (2007) Di.: Tim Burton; Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee, Jamie Campbell Bowen, Jayne Wisener, Laura Michelle Kelly, Ed Sanders. Available in standard and two-disc Special Collector's editions. Extras: "Burton + Depp + Carter = Todd." Special Collector's Edition only: Sweeney Todd press conference, November 2007, "Musical Mayhem: Sondheim's Sweeney Todd," "Sweeney Todd Is Alive: The Real History of the Demon Barber," "Sweeney's London," "The Making of Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street," "Grand Guignol: A Theatrical Tradition" featurette, "Designs for a Demon Barber," "A Bloody Business" featurette, "Moviefone Unscripted" with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, "The Razor's Refrain," photo gallery. (Paramount).
That '70s Show Season Eight. Four-disc set of the last season's 22 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Commentary on select episodes, "That '70s Show Through The Years: A Retrospective," "A '70s Show Flashback" Tommy Chong and Josh Meyers featurettes, "That '70s Set Tour" with director David Trainer, "Season 8 in 8 Minutes" featurette. (Fox).
Three films by the Taviani brothers: $26.98 each from Fox Lorber.
- The Night of the Shooting Stars (1982 -- Italy) Dir.: Vittorio and Paolo Taviani. Acclaimed drama about a woman who tells her child about "The Night of Shooting Stars" (when dreams come true) in 1944 when the residents of her small town defied their Nazi occupiers.
- Kaos (1984 -- Italy) Dir.: Vittorio and Paolo Taviani. Five tales adapted from the short stories by the great Italian playwright Luigi Pirandello.
- Fiorile (1993 -- Italy) Dir.: Vittorio and Paolo Taviani. On a long drive to visit their grandfather, two children are told the story of a family curse that has lasted 200 years.
What Love Is (2007) Cuba Gooding Jr., Anne Heche, Gina Gershon, Sean Astin, Tamala Jones, Matthew Lillard, Mars Callahan. Comedy that explores the different perspectives between men and women in relationships. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Mars Callahan and producers George Bours and John Hermansen; "Making Love: The Making of What Love Is" featurette. (Sony).
For more
DVD info, check out our DVD calendar pages at
<http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm>
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