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3/24/09 V13.12
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ONVIDEO'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, March 24 -- Monday, March 30
Bolt DVD
For super-dog Bolt (voice of John Travolta), every day is filled with adventure, danger and intrigue -- at least until the cameras stop rolling. When the star of a hit TV show is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City, he begins his biggest adventure yet -- a cross-country journey through the real world. Armed only with the delusions that all his amazing feats and powers are real, and with the help of two unlikely traveling companions -- a jaded, abandoned housecat named Mittens (voice of Susie Essman) and a TV-obsessed hamster in a plastic ball named Rhino -- Bolt discovers he doesn't need superpowers to be a hero. Vitals: Directors: Chris Williams, Byron Howard. Stars: Voices of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Malcolm McDowell, James Lipton. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 96 min., Animated, Box office gross: $112.581 million, Disney.
Quantum of Solace
The 22nd film in the James Bond franchise. Beginning shortly after "Casino Royale" ends, Daniel Craig returns as James Bond, betrayed by the woman he loved and determined to find those responsible for her death. His pursuit and determination lead him deeper into the criminal organization known as "Quantum" and into the company of Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), an environmentalist using his wealth and power to help overthrow a government in exchange for a barren piece of desert land that will allow him to control the country's water supply. Forced to work without the help of MI6, Bond partners with Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a young woman on her own quest for justice, and together they travel across the globe in order to stop Greene and seek retribution. Vitals: Director: Marc Forster. Stars: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 106 min., Action Thriller, Box office gross: $166.820 million, MGM.
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NEWS
DVD Collectibles:
Highlight of the week is Warner Home Video's "Forbidden Hollywood Collection Volume Three,"
a four-disc set with six features (two per disc) by William Wellman,
who represented the essence of Warner Bros.' films made prior to the
enforcement of Hollywood's Production Code (It was not the roaring
twenties, as is generally believed, but the four years between 1929 and
1934 that was the real era of wide-open sexuality in films. Before
Hollywood began enforcing a self-imposed Production Code, many films
allowed for extraordinary frankness, including nudity, adultery,
premarital sex and prostitution): "Other Men's Women" (1931), "The
Purchase Price" (1932), "Frisco Jenny" (1932), "Midnight Mary" (1933),
"Heroes for Sale" (1933) and "Wild Boys of the Road" (1933). Starring
big headliners of the era like Barbara Stanwyck, Mary Astor, Joan
Blondell, Loretta Young, James Cagney and George Brent, each of the
films has been digitally remastered from newly-restored film elements.
The fourth disc contains two documentaries: "Wild Bill: Hollywood
Maverick" (1996) and "The Men Who Made the Movies (William Wellman)"
(2007). Extras include commentaries, original theatrical trailers,
vintage Warner Bros. shorts and cartoons of the era; $49.92..
The folks at the Criterion Collection have put together a new, restored high-definition digital transfer of Francois Truffaut's "The Last Metro" (1980), starring Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Jean Poiret and Andrea Ferreol. Depardieu and Deneuve star as members of a French theater company living under the German occupation during World War II in Truffaut's gripping, humanist character study. Against all odds -- a Jewish theater manager in hiding; a leading man who's in the Resistance; increasingly restrictive Nazi oversight -- the troupe believes the show must go on. Equal parts romance, historical tragedy, and even comedy, "The Last Metro (Le dernier metro)" is Truffaut's ultimate tribute to art overcoming adversity. The two-disc set (in standard DVD and Blu-ray edition) includes two commentaries; deleted scene; French television excerpts of interviews with Truffaut, and actors Deneuve, Depardieu, and Jean Poiret; "Une histoire d'eau," Truffaut's 1958 short film co-directed by Jean-Luc Godard; a new essay by Armond White; more.
Paramount has added two titles to its Centennial Collection: "The Odd Couple" (1968), starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, with commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon; five featurettes; more ... and "To Catch a Thief" (1955), directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Grace Kelly and Jessie Royce Landis. Extras include commentary by Dr. Drew Casper, Hitchcock film historian; eight featurettes; galleries; more.
From TV to Video:"In Treatment" (2008) is a five-disc set with 43 episodes,$59.99 from HBO ... "The Life & Times of Tim" (2008) is an HBO adult animated series, $29.98 from HBO ... "The Riches" Season Two" (2008) is a two-disc set with seven episodes, $29.98 from Fox ... "Runaway: The Complete Series" (2006) is a two-disc set with nine episodes, $29.95 from Sony ... "The Venture Bros. Season 3" (2008) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes of the Adult Swim animated series, $29.98 from Warner.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
A two-bit con man sentenced to prison for defrauding the elderly hires a mysterious guru to teach him to survive behind bars in "Big Stan"
(2007), starring Rob Schneider, David Carradine, Jennifer Morrison,
Scott Wilson, Sally Kirkland, M. Emmet Walsh and Henry Gibson; from
Warner ... A young woman fumbles with love and ethics as she navigates
a career in the pharmaceutical industry in "Side Effects"
(2005), starring Katherine Heigl, Lucian McAfee and David Durbin; from
New Line ... A loner American computer hacker brought to Russia to
commit bank fraud finds a family and love in the incomprehensible,
violent, and chaotic Moscow underworld in "Moscow Chill" (2007), starring Norman Reedus, Slava Schoot, Konstantin Yushkevich and Xusha Buravsky; from MTI Home Video ... "Passengers"
(2008) is a thriller about a young therapist assigned to counsel the
five survivors of a plane crash who gets in way over her head when the
survivors begin to disappear mysteriously, one by one; stars Anne
Hathaway, Patrick, Andre Braugher, Clea DuVall and Dianne Wiest; from
Sony ... "The Line"
(2007) is a gritty, edgy Australian thriller about three detectives who
team to solve the murder of the head of an Asian crime syndicate; from
Cinevolve Studios ... In "Ready or Not" (2009), a traditional right of
passage bachelor party turns into a south-of-the-border mishap for a
groom and his three buddies when they get stranded in Mexico on the day
of the wedding; from Monarch Home Video.
For the young ones there's "Follow That Bird" (1985),a remastered version of the first Sesame Street feature film, $19.97 from Warner ... and Strong>"Secrets of the Furious Five" (2008), with the voices of Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman in a sequel of sorts to "Kung Fu Panda"; from DreamWorks Animation/Paramount ... for older kids there's "Happily n'Ever After 2: Snow White" (2009) a twisted fairy tale re-telling of Snow White, $19.99 from Lionsgate ... "Star Wars: The Clone Wars: A Galaxy Divided" (2008), featuring four episodes from the animated TV series, $19.98 from Warner ... and Lilo & Stitch: Big Wave Edition (2002), a two-disc special edition of the animated film, from Disney.
Special Interest:
"Living with the Wolfman" is a riveting Animal Planet
series that documents the life of a British wolf expert who has
successfully imbedded himself with a pack of wolves; $19.95 from Genius
Products ... "Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit O' Revolution" (2008) is a Comedy Central stand-up special taped in Boston; $14.98 from Image Entertainment.
THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:
Bolt (2008) Voices of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton. Extras: Available as a single-disc with a new Super Rhino short; available as a two-disc special edition that adds I Thought I Lost You" music video featuring Miley Cyrus and John Travolta; "In Session With John Travolta and Miley Cyrus" behind-the-scenes look at recording Bolt's signature song ; "A New Breed of Directors: A Filmmakers' Journey" featurette; "Act, Speak! The Voices of Bolt" featurette; "Creating the World of Bolt" featurette; deleted scenes; DisneyFile Digital Copy. (Disney).
Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit O' Revolution (2008) Comedy Central stand-up special taped in Boston; $14.98. (Image Entertainment).
Follow That Bird (1985) Remastered version of the first Sesame Street feature film, $19.97. Extras: Featurette, more. (Warner).
Forbidden Hollywood Collection Volume Three. Four-disc set with six features (two per disc) by William Wellman, who represented the essence of Warner Bros.' films made prior to the enforcement of Hollywood's Production Code: "Other Men's Women" (1931), "The Purchase Price" (1932), "Frisco Jenny" (1932), "Midnight Mary" (1933), "Heroes for Sale" (1933) and "Wild Boys of the Road" (1933). The fourth disc contains two documentaries: "Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick" (1996) and "The Men Who Made the Movies (William Wellman)" (2007). Extras: Commentaries, original theatrical trailers, vintage Warner Bros. shorts and cartoons of the era. $49.92. (Warner).
A Galaxy Far, Far Away: Special Edition (2001) Hilarious cult-classic documentary follows rabid "Star Wars" fans eagerly awaiting the release of George Lucas' first "prequel" to the original trilogy, "Episode I: The Phantom Menace." This updated version is loaded with out-of-this-world extras: from over-the-top fan conventions and nationwide premieres (where many waited in line for 40+ days), into the homes of devoted fans showing off their treasures, offering new insights into the powerful franchise that has captivated generations upon generations of moviegoers. (Cinevolve Studio).
Happily n'Ever After 2: Snow White (2009) DVD sequel, a twisted fairy tale re-telling of Snow White; $19.99. (Lionsgate).
In Treatment (2008) Five-disc set with 43 episodes,$59.99.(HBO).
The Last Metro (1980 -- French) Dir.: Francois Truffaut; Catherine Deneuve, Gerard Depardieu, Jean Poiret, Andrea Ferreol. Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve star as members of a French theater company living under the German occupation during World War II in Fran?ois Truffaut's gripping, humanist character study. Against all odds -- a Jewish theater manager in hiding; a leading man who's in the Resistance; increasingly restrictive Nazi oversight -- the troupe believes the show must go on. Equal parts romance, historical tragedy, and even comedy, "The Last Metro (Le dernier metro)" is Truffaut's ultimate tribute to art overcoming adversity. Two-disc set. New, restored high-definition digital transfer (uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition). Extras: Two commentaries: one featuring Annette Insdorf, author of "Francois Truffaut," and one with actor Gerard Depardieu, historian Jean-Pierre Azema, and Truffaut biographer Serge Toubiana; deleted scene; French television excerpts of interviews with Truffaut, and actors Catherine Deneuve, Depardieu, and Jean Poiret; video interviews with actresses Andrea Ferreol, Sabine Haudepin, and Paulette Dubost, assistant director Alain Tasma, and camera assistants Florent Bazin and Tessa Racine; video interview with the celebrated cinematographer Nestor Almendros, detailing his collaborations with Truffaut; "Une histoire d'eau," Truffaut's 1958 short film co-directed by Jean-Luc Godard; new essay by Armond White. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
The Life & Times of Tim (2008) HBO adult animated series, $29.98. (HBO).
The Line (2007) David Barry, Andy McPhee, Mike Calis. Gritty, edgy Australian thriller. When a member of an Asian crime syndicate is brutally murdered, two hard-yakka (that's Aussie for hard-working) undercover cops (one a recently promoted detective, the other young, inexperienced and idealistic) and world-weary, rogue cop are assigned to solve the crime and prevent gang warfare. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Cinevolve Studios).
Living with the Wolfman. Riveting Animal Planet series documents the life of a British wolf expert who has successfully imbedded himself with a pack of wolves. Now, as he attempts to immerse his girlfriend into the pack, they will have to go to extreme measures and risk their lives to promote a greater understanding of wolves; $19.95. (Genius Products).
Masters of the Game (1984) David Birney, Dyan Cannon, Leslie Caron. Miniseries based on Sidney Sheldon's bestselling novel. International saga spans a century and focuses on the Blackwell family's rise to wealth from 1890s South Africa, where the family's fortune is made in diamonds, to the primary story of iron-willed Kate Blackwell, the driven, power-hungry head of the family's embattled corporate empire. (Paramount).
Moscow Chill (2007) Norman Reedus, Slava Schoot, Konstantin Yushkevich, Xusha Buravsky. A loner American computer hacker is brought to Russia to commit bank fraud, only to find a family and love in the incomprehensible, violent, and chaotic Moscow underworld. (MTI Home Video).
Never Say Never Again Collector's Edition (1983) Sean Connery, Max Von Sydow, Barbara Carrera, Kim Basinger. Extras: Commentary by director Irvin Kershner and James Bond historian Steven Jay Rubin, "The Big Gamble" featurette, "Sean Is Back" featurette, "The Girls of Never Say Never Again. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
The Odd Couple Paramount Centennial Collection
(1968) Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau. Extras:
Commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon; Featurettes: "In the
Beginning," "Inside the Odd Couple," "Memories from the Set," "Matthau
& Lemmon," "The Odd Couple: A Classic"; galleries. (Paramount).
Quantum of Solace (2008) Dir.: Marc Forster; Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright. Available in a single-disc DVD, two-disc special edition and Blu-ray Disc.Extras: Single-disc: "Another Way to Die" music video; Two-disc special edition: Adds "Bond on Location" featurette, "Start of Shooting" featurettes, "Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase" featurette, featurettes on location shooting, director Marc Forster, the music and crew files. (MGM).
Ready or Not (2009) Christian Oliver, Seamus Dever, Evan Helmuth, Jonathan Murphy, Alex Rocco. A traditional right of passage bachelor party turns into a south-of-the-border mishap for a groom and his three buddies as they get stranded in Mexico on the day of the wedding. (Monarch Home Video).Extras: Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
The Riches" Season Two (2008) Two-disc set with seven episodes, $29.98. Extras: "Eddie Izzard: Revealed" featurette. (Fox).
Runaway: The Complete Series (2006) Two-disc set with nine episodes, $29.95. (Sony).
Secrets of the Furious Five (2008) Voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman. Sequel of sorts to "Kung Fu Panda." Dragon Warrior Po faces what may be his greatest challenge: teaching a class of beginning Kung Fu students. Drawing on his encyclopedic Kung Fu fan-boy knowledge, Po captivates his rambunctious young scholars with the early tales of Monkey, Tigress, Mantis, Viper and Crane, revealing how they unlocked important teachings about the art and ideals of Kung Fu, including patience, courage, confidence, discipline and compassion. Extras: Games, play activities, dances, Inside the Chinese Zodiac" featurette, "Animals of Kung Fu Panda," "What Fighting Style Are You?" featurette. (DreamWorks Animation/Paramount).
Side Effects (2005) Katherine Heigl, Lucian McAfee, David Durbin. A young woman fumbles with love and ethics as she navigates a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Extras: Commentary by director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, making-of featurette. (New Line).
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: A Galaxy Divided (2008) Four episodes from the animated TV series, $19.98. (Warner).
To Catch a Thief Paramount Centennial Collection (1955) Dir.: Alfred Hitchcock; Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis. Extras: Commentary by Dr. Drew Casper, Hitchcock film historian; featurettes: "A Night With the Hitchcocks," "Unacceptable Under the Code: Film Censorship in America," "Writing and Casting To Catch a Thief," "The Making of To Catch a Thief," "Behind the Gates: Cary Grant and Grace Kelly," "Alfred Hitchcock and To Catch a Thief: An Appreciation," "Edith Head: The Paramount Years," "If You Love To Catch Thief, You'll Love this Interactive Travelogue"; galleries. (Paramount).
The Venture Bros. Season 3 (2008) Two-disc set with 13 episodes of the Adult Swim animated series, $29.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter (2009) Voiced by Gerald Butler. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
For more DVD info, check out our DVD calendar pages at
<http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm>
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