Having problems with message search?
******************************
ONVIDEO E-MAIL NEWS
******************************
3/3/09 V13.9
This is an automated mail list; please do not reply to this
e-mail. Messages should be sent to mail@...
ONVIDEO'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, March 3 -- Monday, March 9
Australia
Set in Australia on the brink of World War II, Lady Sarah Ashley, an English Aristocrat (Nicole Kidman), travels to the faraway continent where she has inherited a cattle ranch, owned by her late husband. When Australian cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn local known as The Drover (Hugh Jackman) to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country's most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor. When tragedy strikes and Lady Sarah becomes unofficial guardian to a "half-caste" boy, the unlikely couple must come to terms with a prejudiced society, dishonorable business associates and the impending arrival of the Japanese. Vitals: Director: Baz Luhrmann. Stars: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 170 min., Drama, Box office gross: $46.686 million, Fox.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Chloe (voice of Drew Barrymore), a diamond-clad, bootie wearing Beverly Hills Chihuahua, enjoys her luxurious lifestyle so much, she hardly notices Papi (voice of George Lopez), a tough looking Chihuahua who happens to be head-over-paws for the pampered pooch. But when Chloe gets lost in the rough streets of Mexico with only a street-wise German Shepherd (voice of Andy Garcia) to help her find her way home, Papi heads south of the border -- joining forces with a motley crew: two humans (Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona), a sly rat (voice of Cheech Marin) and a nervous iguana (voice of Paul Rodriguez) -- to rescue his true love. Vitals: Director: Raja Gosnell. Stars: Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andy Garcia, Placido Domingo, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Piolin, Drew Barrymore, Eugenio Derbez, Luis Guzman. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 91 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $92.338 million, Disney.
I've Loved You So Long Juliette Fontaine (Kristin Scott Thomas) is a frail, haunted woman, an ex-doctor who's a shell of her former self. Having served 15 years in prison for an unspeakable crime, she's back on the "outside." With nowhere else to go, she comes to live with her loving but estranged sister Lea (Elsa Zylberstein). Together the pair embark on a painful but redemptive journey back from life's darkest edge in a gripping drama of struggle and salvation. In French with English subtitles. Vitals: Director: Philippe Claudel. Stars: Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein, Serge Hazanavicius, Laurent Grévill, Frederic Pierrot. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 117 min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.355 million, Sony.
---------------------------------------------------------
NEWS
DVD Collectibles:
"Ashes of Time Redux" (2009), originally completed in
1994, was the first film from director Wong Kar Wai's Jet Tone
production company. The film received only a limited release and, in
the years since, the existing prints and negatives had become damaged
or destroyed. "To rectify this situation," Wong Kar Wai said, "we
decided to revisit this project and to create the definitive version."
He and his colleagues began the process by gathering as much existing
material as could be found and restoring those elements, using advanced
technology that had not existed in the early '90s. He also collaborated
with Yo-Yo Ma to create a new soundtrack, rearranging some of the
original compositions by Freddie Chan and adding some original ones.
The story centers on Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung), a heartbroken and
cynical man who spends his days alone in the desert, connecting expert
swordsmen with those seeking revenge, and willing to pay for it. As
Ouyang narrates his tale, interweaving the stories of his unusual
clients, old friends and future foes, he begins to realize the mistakes
of his own past, and how his fear of rejection may have led him to a
life of exile. From Sony ... If you can't wait for the March 6 theatrical release of Zack Snyder's "Watchmen," you might want to grab a copy of "Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic,"
which brings the graphic novel to life page-by-page in 12 episodes;
it's available as a two-disc set on standard DVD and Blu-ray Disc; from
Warner.
"Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season" (2008), a three-disc set with seven episodes, $29.95 from Sony ... "ER: The Complete Tenth Season" (2003-04), a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98 from Warner ... "The Hills: The Complete Fourth Season" (2007-08), a three-disc set with 20 episodes, $39.98 from Paramount ... "Hotel Babylon Season 3," a three-disc set with eight episodes of the BBC series about the Hotel Babylon, a place where you can have whatever you want -- for the right price; $39.98 from Warner ... "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is a 1982 CBS adaptation of the Victor Hugo classic, starring Anthony Hopkins, Derek Jacobi, David Suchet, John Gielgud, Robert Powell and Lesley-Anne Down, from Sony ... "John Steinbeck's East of Eden" (1981) is a three-disc set of the three episode miniseries, starring Timothy Bottoms, Jane Seymour, Bruce Boxleitner, Soon-Tek Oh, Karen Allen, Hart Bochner, Sam Bottoms, Warren Oates, Howard Duff, Anne Baxter, Richard Masur, Nicholas Pryor, Lloyd Bridges and M. Emmet Walsh; $59.95 from Acorn Media ... "My Two Dads: The Complete First Season" (2008) is a four-disc set with 22 episodes, $34.99 from Shout! Factory ... "Nash Bridges: The Second Season" (1996-97)is a five-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.98 from Paramount ... "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Complete Series One" is a two-disc set with eight episodes of the U.K. series that launched Britain's most celebrated and colorful chef to international notoriety; $24.99 from Acorn Media ...
"Rick & Steve: The Complete Second Season"
(2008-09) features eight episodes from the sophomore season of the
raunchy hit animated series about the happiest gay couple in all the
world; $19.99 from LOGO/Paramount ...
"The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E." (1983) stars Robert Vaughn, David McCallum and Patrick Macnee in a telefilm sequel to the TV series; from Paramount ... "Seventh Heaven: The Eighth Season" (2003-04) is a five-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.98 from Paramount ... "The Story of David"
is a 1976 two-parts ABC-TV telefilm of the Biblical saga of the famed
ruler of Israel and his journey to redemption, starring Timothy
Bottoms, Anthony Quayle, Keith Michell and Jane Seymour ... "Trial & Retribution, Set 2" (2008) is a
four-disc set with four riveting British crime dramas from the creators
of "Prime Suspect"; $59.99 from Acorn Media.Buzzin' the 'B's:
"Dead in 3 Days" is a 2006 German
thriller that takes place on a quiet lakeside, where a celebratory
gathering of recent graduates grows grim as each of them receives an
eerie text message that says "In 3 days you're dead" ... and one-by-one
the friends are killed by the stalker; from the Weinstein Co./Dimension
Extreme/Genius Products ... In "True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet" (2008)
starring Joanna "JoJo" Levesque, Valerie Bertinelli and Lynda Boyd, a
17-year-old starlet starts a new life in rehab in Indiana where she
faces the challenges of a sober high school life; from Anchor Bay ... 
In "Exit Speed<"
(2008), starring Lea Thompson,Desmond Harrington, Alice Greczyn and
Fred Ward, a bus load of tourists on vacation in Texas is forced off
the road by a murderous group of bikers and must fight back to save
their lives; from Peace Arch Home Entertainment ... "In the Electric Mist"
(2009), directed by Bertrand Tavernier and starring Tommy Lee Jones,
John Goodman, Peter Sarsgaard, Ned Beatty and Tom Sizemore, is a
psychological thriller based on the Dave Robicheaux detective character
from the 17 best-selling novels by James Lee Burke. While on an
investigation into a series of grisly murders, Robicheaux (Jones)
navigates his way through the Louisiana bayou and th dark, sultry world
of the New Orleans mob and corruption; from Image Entertainment.
For the Family:
In "Ace Ventura Jr., Pet Detective" (2009), the son of the eccentric detective steps into his father's shoes
after his mother is wrongly arrested for stealing a baby panda; from Warner ... "The Smurfs: Volume 1" feat rues five uncut episodes of the animated series; $14.97 from Warner ... Chowder includes five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for kids 6 to 11; $14.97 from Warner ... "Wonder Woman"
(2009) is a new direct-to-video animated feature with the voices of
Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Rosario Dawson and
Virginia Madsen, available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc Special
Edition and Blu-ray Disc; $29.98 from Warner ... "Pucca: Sooga-Super Squad"
(2009) is a single disc with 13 episodes of the animated series about
the super-powered Pucca and her ninja boyfriend Garu; $14.99 from
Shout! Factory.
Special Interest:
"A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama"
(2009) is a commemorative DVD that presents highlights of the entire
day's coverage, anchored by Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer and George
Stephanopoulos, from the Newseum above Pennsylvania Avenue, with
reporting by ABC News' team of correspondents throughout Washington.
(MPI Media ).
THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:
Ashes of Time Redux (2009) This definitive version of Wong Kar Wai's epic film has been restored, re-edited, digitally colorized and re-scored, with solos by acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. "Ashes of Time," originally completed in 1994, was the first film from director Wong Kar Wai's Jet Tone production company. The film received only a limited release and, in the years since, the existing prints and negatives had become damaged or destroyed. "To rectify this situation," Wong Kar Wai said, "we decided to revisit this project and to create the definitive version." He and his colleagues began the process by gathering as much existing material as could be found and restoring those elements, using advanced technology that had not existed in the early '90's. He also collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma to create a new soundtrack, rearranging some of the original compositions by Freddie Chan and adding some original ones. The story centers on Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung), a heartbroken and cynical man who spends his days alone in the desert, connecting expert swordsmen with those seeking revenge, and willing to pay for it. As Ouyang narrates his tale, interweaving the stories of his unusual clients, old friends and future foes, he begins to realize the mistakes of his own past, and how his fear of rejection may have led him to a life of exile. Extras: "Born From the Ashes: The Making of Ashes of Time Redux," Q & A with Wong Kar Wai. (Sony).
Australia (2008) Dir.: Baz Luhrmann; Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Bryan Brown. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Deleted scenes. Blu-ray Disc adds "Australia: The People, the History, the Location featurette as well as a multi-chapter behind-the-scenes featurette. (Fox).
Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona, Jamie Lee Curtis, Andy Garcia, Placido Domingo, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Piolin, Drew Barrymore, Eugenio Derbez, Luis Guzman. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Disney).
Chowder. Five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for kids 6 to 11, $14.97. (Warner).
Dead in 3 Days (2006 -- German) Sabrina Reiter, Julia Rosa Stockl, Michael Steinocher. On a quiet lakeside, a celebratory gathering of recent graduates grows grim as each of them receives an eerie text message that says "In 3 days you're dead" ... and one-by-one the friends are killed by the stalker. (The Weinstein Co./Dimension Extreme/Genius Products).
ER: The Complete Tenth Season (2003-04) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. (Warner).
Exit Speed (2008) Lea Thompson,Desmond Harrington, Alice Greczyn, Fred Ward. A bus load of tourists on vacation in Texas is forced off the road by a murderous group of bikers and must fight back to save their lives. Extras: Two making-of featurettes, digital copy of the film. (Peace Arch Home Entertainment).
The Hills: The Complete Fourth Season (2007-08) Three-disc set with 20 episodes, $39.98.(Paramount).
Hotel Babylon Season 3. Three-disc set with eight episodes of the BBC series about the Hotel Babylon, a place where you can have whatever you want -- for the right price; $39.98. (Warner).
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982) Anthony Hopkins, Derek Jacobi, David Suchet, John Gielgud, Robert Powell, Lesley-Anne Down. CBS adaptation of the Victor Hugo classic. (Sony).
In the Electric Mist (2009)
Dir.: Bertrand Tavernier; Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman, Peter
Sarsgaard, Ned Beatty, Tom Sizemore. Psychological thriller based on
the Dave Robicheaux detective character from the 17 best-selling novels
by James Lee Burke. While on an investigation into a series of grisly
murders, Robicheaux (Jones) navigates his way through the Louisiana
bayou and th dark, sultry world of the New Orleans mob and corruption. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).
I've Loved You So Long (2008) Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein, Serge Hazanavicius, Laurent Grévill, Frederic Pierrot. Extras: Deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
John Steinbeck's East of Eden (1981) Three-disc set of the three episode miniseries, $59.99. Stars Timothy Bottoms, Jane Seymour, Bruce Boxleitner, Soon-Tek Oh, Karen Allen, Hart Bochner, Sam Bottoms, Warren Oates, Howard Duff, Anne Baxter, Richard Masur, Nicholas Pryor, Lloyd Bridges, M. Emmet Walsh. Extras: Interview with Jane Seymour, biography of John Steinbeck, cast filmographies. (Acorn Media).
A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama (2009) Commemorative DVD presents highlights of the entire day's coverage, anchored by Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos, from the Newseum above Pennsylvania Avenue, with reporting by ABC News' team of correspondents throughout Washington. (MPI Media ).
My Two Dads: The Complete First Season (2008) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $34.99. (Shout! Factory).
Nash Bridges: The Second Season (1996-97) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.98.(Paramount).
Pucca: Sooga-Super Squad (2009) Thirteen episodes of the animated series about the super-powered Pucca and her ninja boy Garu; $14.99. (Shout! Factory).
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Complete Series One. Two-disc set with eight episodes of the U.K. series that launched Britain's most celebrated and colorful chef to international notoriety; $24.99. (Acorn Media).
The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1983 -- TV) Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, Patrick Macnee. Telefilm sequel to the TV series. The criminal organization THRUSH steals an A-bomb and demands $300,000 to be delivered within 72 hours by their former antagonist Solo, forcing U.N.C.L.E. to reactivate from retirement super agents Solo and Kuryakin. (Paramount).
Rick & Steve: The Complete Second Season (2008-09) The happiest gay couple in all the world is back with all eight episodes from the sophomore season of this delightfully sweet and cleverly raunchy hit animated series. $19.99. Extras: Bonus shorts, cast interviews, more. (LOGO/Paramount).
Seventh Heaven: The Eighth Season (2003-04) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.98. (Paramount).
The Smurfs: Volume 1. Five uncut episodes of the animated series, $14.97. Extras: "Meet the Smurfs": a Smurf Village chock full of character profiles, trivia and other treats. (Warner).
The Story of David (1976) Timothy Bottoms, Anthony Quayle, Keith Michell, Jane Seymour. Biblical saga of the famed ruler of Israel and his journey to redemption. Originally aired in two parts on ABC-TV. (Sony).
Trial & Retribution, Set 2 (2008) Four-disc set with four riveting British crime dramas from the creators of "Prime Suspect"; $59.99. (Acorn Media).
True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet (2008) Joanna "JoJo" Levesque, Valerie Bertinelli, Lynda Boyd. Lifetime original telefilm directed by Tim Matheson. A 17-year-old starlet starts a new life in rehab in Indiana where she faces the challenges of a sober high school life. (Anchor Bay).
Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic (2008) The graphic novel comes to life page-by-page in 12 episodes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Wonder Woman (2009) New direct-to-video animated feature with the voices of Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Rosario Dawson, Virginia Madsen. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc Special Edition and Blu-ray Disc. Extras: Commentary. Special Edition and Blu-ray add "Wonder Woman: A Subversive Dream" and "Wonder Woman: Daughter of Myth" featurettes, four "Justice League" episodes, digital copy. (Warner).
For more DVD info, check out our DVD calendar pages at
<http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm>
------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2009 CyberPod. All rights reserved.
ISSN 1094-3676
An archive of past issues of the OnVideo E-Mail News can be found
at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/onvideoguide
Messages and missives: mail@...
Thanks to the Woo family of Culver City, Calif. and Leslie
Rigoulot for helping support this issue of the news.
Subscriptions to OnVideo E-Mail News are
free for the asking by sending an e-mail request to
onvideoguide-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
No subject or body text is required.
If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you can
un-subscribe by sending an e-mail message to
onvideoguide-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
No subject or body text is required.
And don't forget to bookmark our major OnVideo Web site located
at http://www.onvideo.org
Offline 
Send Email