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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, November 10 -- Monday, November 16
Star Trek Director J.J. Abrams'
phenomenal reimagining of the legendary adventure, here with a young,
adventurous crew. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter
rivals. One, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent,
thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was
raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery
instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful
partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through
unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before!
Vitals: Director: J.J.
Abrams. Stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce
Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton
Yelchin, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy, Marlene Forte, Jimmy Bennett.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 126 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $261.970 million, Company.
Bruno Borat trickster Sacha
Baron Cohen returns to the big screen to offer yet another stinging
dose of sociopolitical satire in this comedy that finds him assuming
the persona of gay fashionmonger Bruno, the self-proclaimed "voice of
Austrian youth TV." Originally conceived as part of Cohen's cult
television series "Da Ali G Show," the character of Bruno offered a
cleverly costumed Cohen the opportunity to highlight the absurdities of
the fashion industry by interviewing unsuspecting fashion icons and
other haute couture hangers-on. Vitals:
Director: Larry Charles. Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Alice Evans, Candice
Cunningham, Trishelle, Sandra Seeling, Ben Youcef, Emerson Brooks,
David Hill, Alexander von Roon.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 83 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $59.992 million, Universal.
Is Anybody There? Ten-year-old Edward lives
in his family-run retirement home. While his mother struggles to keep
the family business afloat and his father copes with the onset of a
mid-life crisis, Edward leads an increasingly lonely existence until he
meets Clarence, a retired magician and grieving widower who refuses to
give in gracefully to old age. The two strike up an unlikely friendship
that helps them both remember what magic is possible when life is lived
to its fullest. Disappointing small film whose script holds out more
than is realized on the big screen; but Caine turns in a bravura
performance.
Vitals: Director: John
Crowley. Stars: Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David
Morrissey, Thelma Barlow, Linzey Cocker, Rosemary Harris.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min., Melodrama, Box office gross: $2.024 million, Magnolia Home Entertainment.
My Sister's Keeper Based on the novel "My
Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. Anna is not sick, but she might as
well be. By age 13, she has undergone countless surgeries,
transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow
fight the leukemia
that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation
genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate
-- a life and a role that she has never challenged ... until now. Like
most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But
unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her
sister and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable,
a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal
consequences for the sister she loves. Vitals: Director: Nick
Cassavetes. Stars: Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin, Abigail Breslin, Jason
Patric, Thomas Dekker, Sofia Vassilieva, Joan Cusack.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 106 min., Melodrama, Box office gross: $48.073 million, New Line.
DVD Collectibles: Highlight of the week is clearly the release of three 50th Anniversary editions of the greatest movie of all time, 1939's "Gone With the Wind" (1939).
Warner Home Video has pulled out all the stops for this one: There's a
two-disc standard DVD set, a five-disc standard DVD Ultimate
Collector's Edition (with 12 hours of bonus features) and a two-disc
Blu-ray Ultimate Collector's Edition with 18 hours of bonus features.
The Ultimate Collector's Editions will also contain collectible
memorabilia including a 20-page reproduction of the original and
complete 1939 Souvenir Program; a 40-page Production History Book with
photos and production notes; eight Frameable 5x7 art prints; CD
soundtrack sampler featuring eight tracks (Main Title, Tara, The
Barbecue, Escape From Atlanta, I'll Never Be Hungry Again! Paddock
Scene, Scarlett In The Mist/Rhett Leaves, Flashback/Finale). Pricing:
Two-disc special edition: $24.98; Standard DVD: $69.92; Blu-ray: $84.99.
"Farscape"
was one of our favorite SciFi channel space operas, one that always
threw a surprise at us when we least expected it. The story followed
the adventures of an American astronaut mysteriously transported to a
strange universe where he encountered even stranger beings and
outlandish situations. A&E Home Entertainment has put together" Farscape: The Complete Series Megaset"
(1999-2003), a 25-five disc set with all 88 episodes for $149.95.
Extras include commentaries; multiple featurettes and documentaries
including "In the Beginning: A Look Back With Brian Henson," "Making of
a Space Opera" and "Inside Farscape: Save Farscape"; multiple video
profiles featuring archival clips and cast and crew discussing their
characters and roles; more than 90 minutes of deleted scenes; and much,
much more ... "Betty Blue: Director's Cut" (1986 --
French) Jean-Jacques Beineix's shocking and offbeat story of two French
lovers, Zorg (Jean-Hugues Anglade), a simple repairman, and Betty
(Beatrice Dalle), a sexy, mercurial younger woman whose mental illness
becomes more apparent as time goes on; from Cinema Libre Studio.
From TV to Video: "Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series"
(2007) is a two-disc set with all six episodes of the series about an
accountant (Andy Richter) turned accidental gumshoe; $24.99 from Shout!
Factory ... "Best of Monk" is a two-disc set with eight episodes, $19.98 from Universal ... "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas"
(2009)is a Christmas-themed special with the cast of the FX series, from Fox ... "Rome"
(2005-2007) is a 10-disc set of the HBO series that follows the lives
of two soldiers during the "fall of the Roman Empire," $99.98 from HBO
Home Entertainment ... "7th Heaven: The Ninth Season" (2004-05) is a five-disc set with 22 episodes, $34.99 from Paramount ... "The Sopranos: The Complete Series" is a 30-disk set with all 86 episodes, $299.95 from HBO Home Video.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "The Limits of Control"
(2009) is a stylish and sexy thriller about a mysterious loner and hit
man who arrives in Spain with instructions to meet various strangers,
each one a part of his dangerous mission; from director Jim Jarmusch
and starring Isaach de Bankole, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Gael Garcia
Bernal and Bill Murray; from Universal ... From Chan-Park, the
acclaimed director of the global hit "Old Boy," comes"Thirst"
(2009 -- South Korea) an original vampire story with a chilling, erotic
style. A blood transfusion saves the life of a priest, but also
transforms him into a vampire. He struggles to control his insatiable
thirst for blood until a love affair unleashes his darkest desires in
deadly new ways; from Universal ...
In "Penance (aka The Devil's Dungeon)"
(2008), a single-mother-turned stripper falls into the hands of a
sadistic surgeon intent on purifying her -- as well as other women he
has incarcerated, starring Marieh Delfino, Graham McTavish, Eve Mauro,
Tracy Coogan, Garrett Jones, Jason Connery, Allison Lange, James Duval;
from IMD Films and MVD Visual ... In "Prisoner"
(2007), starring Julian McMahon and Elias Koteas, an egotistical
Hollywood director -- whose take-no-prisoners philosophy of life and
work has earned him countless enemies in Hollywood -- picks a violent
prison drama as his next production. But while scouting locations at an
abandoned prison, he's taken captive by a mysterious jailer; from IFC
Films ... In "Wrong Turn at Tahoe" (2009), starring
Cuba Gooding Jr., Miguel Ferrer and Harvey Keitel, a tough-as-nails
collector for a mob boss one fateful day gets caught in the middle of a
double-cross involving the biggest drug lord in the business. When
revenge becomes the collector's sole purpose, his life takes a series
of very wrong turns; from Paramount ... "Route 30"
(2008) stars David DeLuise and Dana Delany in three comedic stories
that intertwine on Pennsylvania's Route 30, from Echo Bridge Home
Entertainment ... In "Vampire Party" (2008 --
France), starring Patrick Mille, Frederique Bel, Julie Fournier and
Tcheky Karyo, three hardcore partiers get more than they bargained for
when they join a wild party hosted by an elite race of lusty vampires;
from Dark Sky Films.
On the Indie Front: Rebecca De Mornay plays an irrational mother pushing her figure-skating daughter toward an Olympic gold medal in "American Venus"
(2007). But when the girl gets fed up and runs away to Vancouver, mom
straps on a pistol and goes looking for her; from IFC Films ...
"Emerald Cowboy" (2002) is the true story of the rise
of a Japanese businessman from Los Angeles named Eishy Hayata who
transformed himself from an Airline engineer into a legend in the world
of emeralds by moving to Columbia in the 70's and -- with six guns at
his side -- becoming the czar of emeralds in that country -- the
Emerald Cowboy; from Indican Pictures ... The adult son of a baseball
legend embarks on a road trip with his girlfriend and his estranged
father in "The Open Road" (2009), starring Justin
Timberlake, Jeff Bridges, Mary Steenburgen and Kate Mara; from Anchor
Bay ... A struggling young musician having an existential crisis
convinces a Canadian self-help guru to come to London and live with his
parents as his personal life coach in "How to Be" (2008), starring Robert Pattinson, Rebecca Pidgeon and Jeremy Hardy; from IFC Films.
Foreign: Tian Yuan. In the award-winning drama "Luxury Car"
(2006 -- Chinese), an old schoolteacher travels from his small village
to the city of Wuhan in search of his missing son, who his dying wife
wants to see one last time. But instead of finding their son, he
discovers his daughter working as a karaoke bar escort, and her mobster
boyfriend might be linked to his son's disappearance; from First Run
Features.
Special Interest:
"Elvis Costello -- Spectacle: Season 1" (2009) is a
four-disc set with all 13 episodes of the show that features intimate
one-on-one conversations and live performances with legendary artists
and notable newcomers. Each of the thirteen one-hour episodes exposes
the essence of iconic and influential figures who are given the rare
opportunity to speak intelligently and in-depth about music and their
careers; includes Elton John, president Bill Clinton, Tony Bennett, Lou
Reed, Julian Schnabel The Police, Smokey Robinson, Rufus Wainwright,
Jakob Dylan, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Kris Kristofferson, Roseanne
Cash, Norah Jones, John Mellencamp, James Taylor and more; $49.95 from
MVD Entertainment Group ... "Gettysburg" is a
three-disc set with 13 documentaries that examine The Battle of
Gettysburg and its lasting legacy; $29.98 from MPI Home Video ... "The Greatest Battles of the Civil War"
is a three-disc set with eight documentaries that give an in-depth look
at the hugely important clashes of the Civil War; $29.98 from MPI Home
Video ... "Moonshot" (2009) is a History Channel
documentary that relives the breathtaking story of Apollo 11 and the
first manned landing on the Moon; $19.95 from A&E Home
Entertainment ... In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Charles
Darwin's seminal work "On the Origin of Species" and the 200th
anniversary of his birth, National Geographic Home Entertainment will
release this NOVA feature, "Darwin's Darkest Hour"
(2009), depicting the professional and personal trauma Darwin endured
the year before the publication of his work that became the foundation
for evolutionary biology and changed the way the world thought about
the origin of mankind; $19.98 from National Geographic Home
Entertainment.
"The Exiles"
chronicles one night in the lives of young Native American men and
women living in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles. Based entirely
on interviews with the participants and their friends, the film follows
a group of exiles -- transplants from Southwest reservations -- as they
flirt, drink, party, fight, and dance. "The Exiles" was completed in
1961 and though well received at a few festivals, it was never
theatrically release and rarely seen for nearly 50 years. With UCLA
Film & Television Archive's magnificent restoration and Milestone's
2008 release, the film stunned the film world. From Milestone Film
& Video ... One of the classics of Latin American cinema, "The Battle of Chile"
(1976-78 -- Spanish) is an epic documentary that chronicles Chile's
peaceful socialist revolution, led by Salvador Allende, and the violent
counterrevolution and military coup against it, led by Augusto
Pinochet; $39.98 from Icarus Films Home Video ... "Food Beware: The French Organic Revolution"
(2008) is a documentary revealing the abuses of the food industry, the
competing interests of agribusiness and public health, the challenges
and rewards of safe food production, and the practical solutions that
we all can take part in; from First Run Features ... "A Wink and a Smile "
(2009) is a documentary that follows 10 "ordinary" women -- among them
a homemaker, a doctor, an opera singer, a taxidermist, a college
student -- who do something extraordinary: They learn the art of
burlesque dancing and striptease. Features burlesque star Indigo Blue;
from First Run Features.
Hulk Hogan
is an enduring name in sports entertainment, crossing over from the
world of wrestling to pop culture: he headlined the first nine
Wrestlemania events, in the process becoming a global icon. Hulkmaniacs
can add to their collection "WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series" (2009), a three-disc set featuring 27 never-before-released-to-DVD matches. $34.95 from WWE Entertainment.
American Venus
(2007) Rebecca De Mornay, Jane McGregor. De Mornay plays an irrational
mother pushing her figure-skating daughter toward an Olympic gold
medal. But when the girl gets fed up and runs away to Vancouver, mom
straps on a pistol and goes looking for her. (IFC Films).
Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series
(2007) Two-disc set with all six episodes of the series about an accountant (Andy Richter) turned accidental; $24.99, Extras:
Retrospective feature "Going Where the Numbers Take You" containing
interviews with Conan O'Brien, Andy Richter and other members of the
cast and creative team; the "Writers Class 101" feature, with
co-creator Jonathan Groff and writers Josh Bycel, Jane Espenson and Jon
Ross; cast and crew commentaries; gag reel. (Shout! Factory).
Best of Monk.
Two-disc set with eight episodes, $19.98. (Universal).
Betty Blue: Director's Cut (1986
-- French) A shocking and offbeat story of two French lovers, Zorg
(Jean-Hugues Anglade) and Betty (Beatrice Dalle), who fall into a
deeply erotic and all-encompassing relationship. Zorg is a simple
repairman in his mid-thirties who lives a relatively dull life in a
remote, weathered shack until he meets Betty, a sexy, mercurial younger
woman who challenges his way of thinking and forces him to change his
life. As the film progresses, Betty's mental illness becomes more
apparent, she lives in a fitful manic world of passionate highs and
lows while Zorg desperately attempts to coddle and comfort her.
Finally, the lovers start over in a dreamy rural town, hoping to live a
normal life, but Betty's fantasy world encroaches on her reality as she
slowly spirals out of control. Part of the Jean-Jacques Beineix
Collection. Photo gallery, interview with Beineix. (Cinema Libre
Studio).
The Battle of Chile
(1976-78 -- Spanish) One of the classics of Latin American cinema, an
epic documentary that chronicles Chile's peaceful socialist revolution,
led by Salvador Allende, and the violent counterrevolution and military
coup against it, led by Augusto Pinochet. The film was hailed on its
original release. The three-part film will be released on a special
edition three-disc DVD, including "Part I: The Insurrection of the
Bourgeoisie" (96 mins.), "Part II; The Coup d'Etat" (88 mins.) and
"Part III: The Power of the People" (78 mins.) $39.98. (Icarus Films
Home Video).
Bruno (2009) Sacha Baron
Cohen, Alice Evans, Candice Cunningham, Trishelle, Sandra Seeling, Ben
Youcef, Emerson Brooks, David Hill, Alexander von Roon. Extras:
Alternative, deleted and extended scenes, commentary by Sacha Baron
Cohen and director Larry Charles, "An Interview With Hollywood Agent
Lloyd Robinson" provides the story behind Bruno's real Hollywood agent.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal)
Darwin's Darkest Hour
(2009) In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's
seminal work "On the Origin of Species" and the 200th anniversary of
his birth, National Geographic Home Entertainment will
release this NOVA feature, its first scripted made-for-television
drama. The feature depicts the professional and personal trauma Darwin
endured the year before the publication of his work that became the
foundation for evolutionary biology and changed the way the world
thought about the origin of mankind. $19.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (National Geographic Home Entertainment).
Downhill Racer
(1969) Dir.: by Michael Ritchie; Stars Robert Redford, Gene Hackman.
Astonishing Alpine location photography and a young Robert Redford in
one of his earliest starring roles are just two of the visual splendors
of Michael Ritchie's visceral debut feature. In a beautifully
understated performance, Redford is David Chappellet, a ruthlessly
ambitious skier competing with an underdog American team in Europe for
Olympic gold, and Gene Hackman provides tough support as the coach who
tries to temper the upstart's narcissistic drive for glory. With a
subtle screenplay by acclaimed novelist James Salter, "Downhill Racer"
is a vivid character portrait buoyed by breathtakingly fast and furious
imagery that brings the viewer directly into the mind of the
competitor. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
New video interviews with screenwriter James Salter, film editor
Richard Harris, production manager Walter Coblenz, and former downhill
skier Joe Jay Jalbert, who served as technical adviser, a ski double,
and a cameraman; audio excerpts from a 1979 American Film Institute
seminar with director Michael Ritchie; booklet featuring an essay by
critic Todd McCarthy. The Criterion Collection).
Elvis Costello -- Spectacle: Season 1 (2009)
Four-disc set with all 13 episodes of the show that features intimate
one-on-one conversations and live performances with legendary artists
and notable newcomers. Conceived to provide a forum for in-depth
discussion and performance with the most interesting artists and
personalities of our time, "Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ..." fuses
the best of talk and music television. Each of the thirteen one-hour
episodes exposes the essence of iconic and influential figures who are
given the rare opportunity to speak intelligently and in-depth about
music and their careers -- how their classic songs were written and
why; their experiences; their influences and the creative process
overall, revealing new insights about their extraordinary work and
lives. Guests include Elton John, president Bill Clinton, Tony Bennett,
Lou Reed, Julian Schnabel The Police, Smokey Robinson, Rufus
Wainwright, Jakob Dylan, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Kris
Kristofferson, Roseanne Cash, Norah Jones, John Mellencamp, James
Taylor and more. $49.95. Extras: Extended episodes, behind-the-scenes interviews, outtakes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (MVD Entertainment Group).
Emerald Cowboy
(2002) Eishy Hayata, Eva Hayata, Juan Pablo Shuk. True story of the
rise of a Japanese businessman from Los Angeles named Eishy Hayata who
transformed himself from an Airline engineer into a legend in the world
of emeralds by moving to Columbia in the 70's and -- with six guns at
his side -- becoming the czar of emeralds in that country -- the
Emerald Cowboy. (Indican Pictures).
The Exiles.
Chronicles one night in the lives of young Native American men and
women living in the Bunker Hill district of Los Angeles. Based entirely
on interviews with the participants and their friends, the film follows
a group of exiles -- transplants from Southwest reservations -- as they
flirt, drink, party, fight, and dance. "The Exiles" was completed in
1961 and though well received at a few festivals, it was never
theatrically release and rarely seen for nearly 50 years. With UCLA
Film & Television Archive's magnificent restoration and Milestone's
2008 release, the film stunned the film world. It introduced a
filmmaker of incredible talent and insight. Gritty, realistic,
beautifully photographed, energized by the brilliant rock 'n' roll
score by Norman Knowles and The Revels, "The Exiles" is a cinematic
miracle. Directed by Kent Mackenzie, who died in 1980 at age 50.
Two-disc set. Disc One: "The Exiles" from the restored fine grain;
"Bunker Hill 1956" by Mackenzie; "Los Angeles Plays Itself," clips from
Thom Andersen's masterpiece; Disc Two: "A Skill for Molina" by
Mackenzie; "Story of a Rodeo Cowboy" by Mackenzie; "Ivan and His
Father" by Mackenzie; "Last Day of Angels Flight," directed by Robert
Kirste; "Bunker Hill: A Tale of Urban Renewal," directed by Greg
Kimble; "White Fawn's Devotion: The First Native American Film,"
directed by James Youngdeer in 1910;stills gallery; DVD-ROM material:
The Mackenzie Files. (Milestone Film & Video).
Farscape: The Complete Series Megaset
(1999-2003) Twenty-five disc set with all 88 episodes of the cult Sci-Fi Channel favorite, $149.95. Extras:
29 Episode commentaries; multiple featurettes and documentaries
including "In the Beginning: A Look Back With Brian Henson," "Making of
a Space Opera" and "Inside Farscape: Save Farscape"; multiple video
profiles featuring archival clips and cast and crew discussing their
characters and roles; more than 90 minutes of deleted scenes; sideshows
and archival photo galleries, including character concepts and promo
photos; production design galleries featuring screenshots, rough drafts
and concept slide shows; behind-the-scenes interviews with Ben Browder,
Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Virginia Hey, Gigi Edgley, Paul Goddard,
Wayne Pygram; original TV promos and trailers. In addition to the
complete set, "Farscape" will also be available in four single season
sets, re-packaged as "Farscape: The Complete Seasons 1-4," with 22
episodes on six discs filled with hours of revealing bonus materials,
$44.95 each set. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Food Beware: The French Organic Revolution (2008)
For the first time ever, our children are growing up less healthy than
we are. As the rate of cancer, infertility and other illnesses linked
to environmental factors climbs ever upward each year, we must ask
ourselves: why is this happening? This documentary begins with a visit
to a small village in France, where the town's mayor has decided to
make the school lunch menu organic and locally grown. It then talks to
a wide variety of people with differing perspectives to find common
ground -- children, parents, teachers, health care workers, farmers,
elected officials, scientists, researchers and the victims of illnesses
themselves. Revealed in these moving and often surprising conversations
are the abuses of the food industry, the competing interests of
agribusiness and public health, the challenges and rewards of safe food
production, and the practical solutions that we all can take part in.
(First Run Features)
Gettysburg.
Three-disc set with 13 documentaries that examine The Battle of
Gettysburg and its lasting legacy. Uses rare photographs, stunning and
convincing reenactments and revealing interviews with experts to
separate fact from legend and put the event in the context of the war
and American history at large. $29.98. (MPI Home Video).
Gone With the Wind
(1939) Three 50th Anniversary editions: A two-disc standard DVD set, a
five-disc standard DVD Ultimate Collector's Edition (with 12 hours of
bonus features) and a two-disc Blu-ray Ultimate Collector's Edition
with 18 hours of bonus features. The Ultimate Collector's Editions will
also contain collectible memorabilia. Extras: Two Disc DVD: Commentary by historian Rudy Behlmer. DVD & Blu-ray Ultimate Collector's Editions: Disc 1 and 2: The movie with commentary by historian Rudy Behlmer. Disc 3:About The Movie:
The Making of a Legend documentary (1989 TV Special) (Narrated by Christopher Plummer) Restoring a Legend - Chronicles the film/video restoration process Dixie Hails Gone with the Wind -1939 Premiere newsreel
1940 MGM historical short - The Old South Atlanta Civil War Centennial 1961 premiere newsreel
International prologue Foreign language version sample scenes Theatrical Trailers Disc 4: About the Cast:
Melanie Remembers: Reflections by Olivia de Havilland - Exclusive 2004 Documentary Cast profile - Gable: The King Remembered Cast profile - Vivien Leigh: Scarlett and Beyond The Supporting Players - Cameo portraits of an unforgettable ensemble Disc 5: New Bonus Disc:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment presents 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year - New documentary about Hollywood's watershed year narrated by Kenneth Branagh
Gone with the Wind: The Legend Lives On -- Exploring the legacy of the
most beloved film through illuminating interviews, footage and visits
to historical sites, events and museums
Moviola: The Scarlett O'Hara Wars 1980 WBTV Special never before on home video
Trailers
(Blu-ray will have all discs above combined onto two discs) Also: 20-page reproduction of the original and complete 1939
Souvenir Program; 40-page Production History Book with photos and
production notes; eight Frameable 5x7 Art Prints; CD soundtrack sampler
featuring eight tracks (Main Title, Tara, The Barbecue, Escape From
Atlanta, I'll Never Be Hungry Again! Paddock Scene, Scarlett In The
Mist/Rhett Leaves, Flashback/Finale) Exclusive to Blu-ray: MGM: When The Lion Roars Documentary
Two-disc special edition: $24.98; Standard DVD: $69.92; Blu-ray: $84.99.
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
(2009) Jeremy Piven, Ed Helms, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn, Alan Thicke, James Brolin, Rob Riggle, Ving Rhames. (Paramount),
The Greatest Battles of the Civil Wa.r
Three-disc set with eight documentaries that give an in-depth look at
the hugely important clashes of the Civil War, from the Confederates'
surprise attack on Grant's troops at Shiloh in Tennessee, to
Chickamauga in Georgia, where the Union suffered one of its most
significant defeats, to the two horrible battles on Northern soil:
Antietam, in Maryland, and Gettysburg, in southern Pennsylvania.
$29.98. (MPI Home Video).
How to Be
(2008) Robert Pattinson, Rebecca Pidgeon, Jeremy Hardy. A struggling
young musician having an existential crisis convinces a Canadian
self-help guru to come to London and live with his parents as his
personal life coach. (IFC Films).
Intrepid Descent (2008)
Documentary captures the classic wilderness experience of skiing
Tuckerman Ravine, the legendary birthplace of backcountry skiing.
Nestled just below the summit of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in
New England (and home to some of the most extreme weather on Earth),
the Ravine, with its near-vertical slopes of rock, ice and snow, has
been home to triumph and tragedy since the early 1920's. Today, it
remains a mecca for skiers and adventurers from all over the world. Extras: Photo gallery, directors' notes, biographies, a visit to the New England Ski Museum. (First Run Features).
Is Anybody There?
(2009) Michael Caine, Bill Milner, Anne-Marie Duff, David Morrissey, Thelma Barlow, Linzey Cocker, Rosemary Harris. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Magnolia Home Entertainment)
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas
(2009) Christmas-themed special with the cast of the FX series. 'Tis
the season to be ill-suited as the most deviant, offensive and
unwholesome bar owners in "Philly" celebrate the holidays in the
raunchiest way possible. Extras: "Young Charlie & Young Mac: Deleted Scenes," behind the scenes featurette, "Sunny Sing-A-Long." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
The Limits of Control
(2009) Dir.: Jim Jarmusch; Stars: Isaach de Bankole, John Hurt, Tilda
Swinton, Gael Garcia Bernal, Bill Murray. Stylish and sexy thriller
about a mysterious loner (De Bankole) and hit man who arrives in Spain
with instructions to meet various strangers, each one a part of his
dangerous mission. (Universal).
Luxury Car(2006 --
Chinese) Tian Yuan. In this award-winning drama, an old schoolteacher
travels from his small village to the city of Wuhan in search of his
missing son, who his dying wife wants to see one last time. But instead
of finding their son, he discovers his daughter working as a karaoke
bar escort, and her mobster boyfriend might be linked to his son's
disappearance. (First Run Features).
Moonshot (2009) History
Channel documentary relives the breathtaking story of Apollo 11 and the
first manned landing on the Moon; takes viewers aboard the rocket and
on its eight-day round trip to outer space for a close-up look at one
of the most stunning and courageous personal and technological
achievements of humankind; $19.95. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (A&E Home Entertainment).
My Sister's Keeper.
(2009) Cameron Diaz, Alec Baldwin, Abigail Breslin, Jason Patric, Thomas Dekker, Sofia Vassilieva, Joan Cusack. Extras: Additional scenes, digital copy. Blu-ray Disc. adds "From Picoult to Screen" with the author of the book. (New Line).
The Open Road
(2009) Justin Timberlake, Jeff Bridges, Mary Steenburgen, Kate Mara.
The adult son of a baseball legend embarks on a road trip with his
girlfriend and his estranged father. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Michael Meredith and actor Jeff Bridges, "Behind the Scenes of The Open Road." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay).
Penance (aka The Devil's Dungeon)
(2008) Marieh Delfino, Graham McTavish, Eve Mauro, Tracy Coogan,
Garrett Jones, Jason Connery, Allison Lange, James Duval. A
single-mother-turned stripper falls into the hands of a sadistic
surgeon intent on purifying her -- as well as other women he has
incarcerated. (IMD Films and MVD Visual).
Prisoner( 2007) Julian
McMahon, Elias Koteas. An egotistical Hollywood director -- whose
take-no-prisoners philosophy of life and work has earned him countless
enemies in Hollywood -- picks a violent prison drama as his next
production. But while scouting locations at an abandoned prison, he's
taken captive by a mysterious jailer. (IFC Films).
Rome(2005-2007) Ten-disc
set of the HBO series that follows the lives of two soldiers during the
"fall of the Roman Empire," $99.98; Also available on Blu-ray Disc for $139.99. (HBO Home Entertainment).
Route 30
(2008) David DeLuise, Dana Delany. Three comedic stories intertwine on
Pennsylvania's Route 30. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
7th Heaven: The Ninth Season
(2004-05) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $34.99 (Paramount).
The Sopranos: The Complete Series.
Thirty-disk set with all 86 episodes, $299.95. Extras:
David Chase featurette, "Secrets From the Writers Room," featurette on
props stolen from the set, cast auditions, music featurette, lost
scenes, 16-page episode guide. A Collector's Edition adds two CD
soundtracks on three discs, more. (HBO Home Video).
The Spectacular Spider-Man: Volume 5 (2009)
Season 2 of the animated TV series that was recently re-launched on
Disney's XD network; pits the super hero against super villains Kraven,
Mysterio and The Sinister Six. $19.94. (Sony).
Star Trek
(2009) Dir.: J.J. Abrams; Stars: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood,
Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl
Urban, Anton Yelchin, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy, Marlene Forte, Jimmy
Bennett. Available as a three-disc Blu-ray set with digital copy,
two-disc DVD with digital copy and a single-disc DVD. Extras:
Commentary by director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex
Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk; "A
New Vision" behind-the-scenes featurette; Gag Reel; bloopers featuring
the entire principal cast; digital copy, deleted scenes with optional
commentary ("Spock Birth," "Klingons Take Over Narada," "Young Kirk,
Johnny and Uncle Frank," "Amanda and Sarek Argue After Spock Fights,"
"Prison Interrogation and Breakout," "Sarek Gets Amanda," "Dorm Room
and Kobayashi Maru (original version)," "Kirk Apologizes to the Green
Girl," "Sarek Sees Spock"); "To Boldly Go" featurette on the many
challenges re-imagining the "Star Trek" franchise; casting featurette;
"Aliens Designers" featurette; featurette on the score; "Starfleet
Vessel Simulator" that allows viewers to explore extensive data on the
U.S.S. Enterprise and the Romulan ship, the Narada, with 360-degree
views, close-ups and detailed tech information (by holding their disc
packaging up to a webcam, a Star Trek visual cue will morph into a 3D
holographic tour on the screen), more. The Blu-ray version adds "NASA
News," branching pods, a starship featurette, featurettes on the
locations and props, "Gene Roddenberry's Vision" featurette, more.
(Paramount).
Thirst (2009 -- South
Korea) Dir.: Chan-wook Park; Stars: Kang-ho Song, Ok-vin Kim, Hae-sook
Kim. From the acclaimed director of the global hit "Old Boy" comes this
original vampire story with a chilling, erotic style. A blood
transfusion saves the life of a priest, but also transforms him into a
vampire. He struggles to control his insatiable thirst for blood until
a love affair unleashes his darkest desires in deadly new ways.
(Universal).
Vampire Party (2008 -- France) Patrick
Mille, Frederique Bel, Julie Fournier, Tcheky Karyo. Three hardcore
partiers get more than they bargained for when they join a wild party
hosted by an elite race of lusty vampires. (Dark Sky Films).
WWE: Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series (2009)
Hulk Hogan is an enduring name in sports entertainment, crossing over
from the world of wrestling to pop culture. Hogan headlined the first
nine Wrestlemania events, becoming a global icon. Hulkmaniacs can add
to their collection this three-disc set featuring 27
never-before-released-to-DVD matches. $34.95. (WWE Entertainment).
A Wink and a Smile
(2009) Documentary follows 10 "ordinary" women -- among them a
homemaker, a doctor, an opera singer, a taxidermist, a college student
-- who do something extraordinary: They learn the art of burlesque
dancing and striptease. Features burlesque star Indigo Blue. Extras: Director interview, bonus scenes, burlesque photo gallery. (First Run Features).
The Witches Hammer
(2006) Claudia Coulter, Stephanie Beacham, Jason Tompkins. A secret
government agency brings a young woman back from the brink of death,
transforms her into a genetically engineered vampire and sends her on a
mission to stop the Souls of the Damned being unleashed into our
dimension. Extras: "Making of The Witches Hammer," sound and music documentaries, outtakes. (MTI Home Video).
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
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NEWS
OnVideo Update:
Paramount has moved back the release of "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard" -- for rental only -- to Nov. 17. No date has yet been set for the sell-through version. Thanks to eagle-eyed reader Darby Lynch.
We'll take this opportunity to alert you to some recently announced releases: December 22: Comedies "All About Steve" with Sandra Bullock, Thomas Haden Church and Bradley Cooper and "Extract" starring Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig and Ben Affleck.
December 29: Horrorfest "Jennifer's Body" starring Megan Fox January 5: Animated adventure "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" January 12: Sci-fi adventure "Moon" starring Sam Rockwell and "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself" starring Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige and Adam Rodriguez
And this last-minute news note: Fox Home Entertainment released today the delightful and well-acted comedy "My One And Only," a film loosely based on the true life events of Hollywood screen legend George Hamilton, exclusively at Target stores and target.com. The film stars Renee Zellweger, Eric McCormack, Steven Weber, Nick Stahl and Kevin Bacon.
For more
release info, check out our DVD calendar pages at
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@...
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free for the asking by sending an e-mail request to
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, November 10 -- Monday, November 16
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Don Ready (Jeremy Piven)
is a jack-of-all-trades who cares about one thing and one thing only
... selling cars. The ultimate hustler faces the greatest challenge of
his legendary, and notorious, career when he attempts to save a local
struggling car dealership from bankruptcy. In just one week Ready and
his crew need to move over 200 cars and prove that when it comes to
conning, conniving and all kinds of bad behavior, they've got the
goods. Vitals: Director: Neal
Brennan. Stars: Jeremy Piven, Ed Helms, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn,
Alan Thicke, James Brolin, Rob Riggle, Ving Rhames.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 89 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $15.102 million, Paramount.
The Ugly Truth Abby Richter (Katherine
Heigl) is a romantically challenged morning show producer whose search
for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She's in for a rude
awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a
hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what
makes men and women tick. She reluctantly gets embroiled in a series of
outrageous tests by the chauvinistic correspondent as he tries to prove
his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys,
however, lead to an unexpected result.
Vitals: Director:
Robert Luketic. Stars: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter,
John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly, Cheryl Hines.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 101 min., Romantic Comedy, Box office gross: $87.565 million, Sony.
Up Pixar animated feature
follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl
Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great
adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies
away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that
his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic
8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost
world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising
characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative
adventure. Vitals: Director: Pete
Docter. Stars: Voices of Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer,
Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, John Ratzenberger.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 96 min., Animated, Box office gross: $279,583 million, Walt Disney/Pixar.
DVD Collectibles: "The Three Stooges Collection Volume Seven: 1952-1954"
is a two-disc set with 22 digitally remastered shorts that continue the
Stooges legacy with the return of the original Stooge, Shemp. These
were made during a tumultuous time for The Three Stooges. In 1952 Curly
succumbed to the illness brought on by his stroke six years earlier; he
was only 48 when he died. Shemp had really hit his stride by this time
and he is at the top of his game in the new shorts from this period,
but budget cutbacks at Columbia forced director Jules White to recycle
some old footage. Included are such classics as the Stooges' 3D shorts:
"Spooks" and Pardon My Backfire," presented for the first time in both
3D and 2D, as well as "Shot in the Frontier," a parody of "High Noon."
This compilation also marks the first time many of the shorts will be
available in widescreen versions since their original theatrical
presentations. $24.96 from Sony.
"Mamma Mia! The Movie Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set"
(2008) is a two-disc Special Edition with the complete CD soundtrack
and an exclusive 32-page book (with photos and details about the making
of the film) in collectible packaging. Extras include "Sing-Along"
on-screen lyrics for 22 musical numbers; deleted musical number "The
Name of the Game"; commentary by director Phyllida Lloyd; "The Making
of Mamma Mia! The Movie"; "Anatomy of a Musical Number: 'Lay All Your
Love on Me'": "Becoming a Singer" featurette; "Behind the Scenes With
Amanda"; "On Location in Greece"; "A Look Inside Mamma Mia! The Movie";
"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Music Video; Bjorn Ulvaeus cameo; deleted scenes
and outtakes. From Universal.
From TV to Video: "Dawson's Creek: The Complete Series" (1998-2007) is a collectible book-style packaging with all 127 episodes, $119.95 from Sony ... "The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger"
(2009) stars Dean Cain, James Tupper, Allison Hossach in a Hallmark
Channel Western about two rivals -- co-owners of a ranch and feuding
over a local beauty -- team up to fend off a gang of bandits; from E1
Entertainment ... "Heartland: Season 1, Part 2" (2008) is a two-disc set with six episodes, $24.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "JAG: The Ninth Season" (2003-04) is a five-disc set with 23 episodes, $55.98 from Paramount ... "Nash Bridges: The Third Season"
(1997-98) is a five-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Natalee Holloway"
(2009) is a Lifetime movie based on the disappearance of Alabama high
school student Natalee Holloway during a graduation trip to Aruba;
stars Tracy Pollan, Grant Show and Catherine Dent; from Sony ... "Show Me Yours: The Complete Series"
(2004-05) is a two-disc set with all 16 episodes -- unedited and
uncensored -- of the racy Canadian dramedy about a reserved
psychologist turned sex expert; $24.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "The Untouchables: Season Three, Volume Two" (1961-62) is a three-disc set, $39.98 from Paramount ... "Would Be Kings"
(2008), starring Robert Forster, Patrick Lahane, Natasha Henstridge and
Jaimie Collins, is a Canadian TV miniseries about two drug-squad cops
who are both cousins and best friends whose relationships and families
are threatened by police corruption within their force; from E1
Entertainment.
Buzzin' the 'B's: In "Spread"
(2009), starring Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva, Sonia
Rockwell, Maria Conchita Alonso, Hart Bochner, Kutcher plays a sexual
grifter, a fun-loving, freeloading hipster who understands that his
greatest assets are his looks and sexual prowess, both of which he uses
to charm his way into the hearts of Los Angeles' richest women and
enjoy their lifestyle ... until one day he's forced to decide between
love and money in the hopes of finding something real. From Anchor Bay
... In "The Accidental Husband" (2009), a firefighter
finds his life turned upside-down when his fiancee suddenly calls off
their pending nuptials per the recommendation of a radio love guru.
Determined to get back at the "love doctor," Sullivan forges a fake
marriage license, "accidentally" marrying him to the radio doctor,
who's already engaged to someone else. Directed by Griffin Dunne and
starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Uma Thurman, Colin Firth, Sam Shepard,
Isabella Rossellini and Justina Machado; from Sony ...
A young woman gets involved with a hit man who hates himself and is bent on committing suicide in "The Merry Gentleman"
(2008), directed by and starring Michael Keaton; co-stars: Kelly
Macdonald and Tom Bastounes, from Genius Entertainment ... In "American Virgin"
(2009), starring Jenna Dewan, Rob Schneider and Brianne Davis, a
virginal college freshman on scholarship from an abstinence group
embarks on a cross-country trip after she ruins her squeaky-clean
reputation in front of the "Chicks Go Crazy" cameras; from Echo Bridge
Home Entertainment ... In "The Christmas Clause (aka The Mrs. Clause)"
(2008), starring Lea Thompson, Andrew Airlie and Laura Mennell, a
stressed-out lawyer and mother of three gets her yuletide wish when she
asks a department store Santa to see what her life would be like if she
were single; from MTI Home Video.
On the Indie Front: A young
girl seduced by a boy's affluent, seemingly idyllic family, goes to
extremes to gain acceptance and escape her poverty-stricken home life
in "Evergreen" (2009), starring Cara Seymour, Addie
Land, Mary Kay Place, Noah Fleiss, Gary Farmer, Lynn Cohen and Bruce
Davison, from IndiePix Films.
Foreign: In "A Woman in Berlin"
(2009 -- Germany), starring Nina Hoss, Yevgeni Sidikhin, Irm Hermann
and Rüdiger Vogler, a woman tries to survive the invasion of Berlin by
the Soviet troops during the last days of World War II; from Strand.
For the Family: "SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square"
(2009) features the Special Extended Director's Cut of the "Truth or
Square" TV Movie with celebrity appearances; from Paramount/Nickelodeon
... "Sesame Street: 40 Years Of Sunny Days" (2009) is
a two-disc set that spans the renowned show's four decades, including
never-before-seen archival footage and a limited-edition hard covered
commemorative book; $29.93 from Sesame Workshop/Genius Products ... "Justice League: The Complete Series" (2001-06) is a 15-disc set with 91 animated episodes, $99.98 from Warner.
Special Interest: "Doomsday 2012" (2008) is a History Channel
documentary that cuts through the myths and offers a fact-based
examination of the doomsday prophecy that the world will end December
21, 2012. Released to coincide with Roland Emmerich's mega-budget,
mega-disaster movie "2012" opening this Friday; $19.95 from A&E
Home Entertainment ... "The Official Major League Baseball World Series Film Collection"
(2009) is a 20-disc set that preserves more than six decades of iconic
moments, featuring 65 World Series films (covering the years 1943 to
2008) in 50 hours -- with a 58-page commemorative book spanning
baseball's 105 year history; $229.00 from MLB/A&E Home Video.
"MoveOn: The Movie"
(2009) is a documentary on MoveOn. org, the political group born out of
a single email that has spread through the Net to become one of the
most powerful progressive players in American politics. With no central
office and a small staff working from their homes, MoveOn.org has grown
to an organization with over 5 million members. Features
behind-the-scenes footage with MoveOn staff and members, home movies,
archival footage, and interviews with political figures and celebrities
both in support and opposition to the group; from The Disinformation
Company ... "Rethink Afghanistan" (2009) is a
hard-hitting, feature-length documentary about the United States'
escalating military involvement in Afghanistan; raises hard questions
about the war; $19.98 from The Disinformation Company.
There's a veritable ring full of World Wrestling Entertainment releases this week: "WWE: Breaking Point 2009" featuring the biggest stars in the WWE battling it out in a series of submission matches; $25.00 ... "WWE: Summerslam 2009"
featuring the 22nd consecutive year of SummerSlam with intense
rivalries Randy Orton vs. John Cena, Chris Jericho & Big Show vs.
Cryme Tyme, MVP vs. Jack Swagger, five more; $25.00 ... "WWE: Batista -- I Walk Alone," a three-disc set that takes a look at wrestling superstar Batista, nicknamed the Animal; $35.00 ...
"WWE: Hell in a Cell 2009" in which WWE champs face
off in a caged in ring; features United States Championship Triple
Threat Match Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger vs. The Miz, World
Heavyweight Championship Hell in a Cell Match CM Punk vs. Undertaker,
Triple H and Shawn Michaels vs. Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibias, five more.
$24.95 ... "WWE: Survivor Series Anthology, Vol. 1 -- 1987-1991" and "WWE: Survivor Series Anthology, Vol. 2 -- 1992-1996,"
in which the Superstars of Raw, SmackDown and ECW battle to be the
ultimate survivors each year in the Survivor events; the unique 5-on-5
elimination matches have always been favorites with WWE fans. Each
five-disc set features 30 matches; $59.95.
The Accidental Husband
(2009) Dir.: Griffin Dunne; Stars: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Uma Thurman,
Colin Firth, Sam Shepar, Isabella Rossellini, Justina Machado. Romantic
comedy about a firefighter, Patrick Sullivan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), who
finds his life turned upside-down when his fiancee suddenly calls off
their pending nuptials per the recommendation of radio love guru Dr.
Emma Lloyd (Uma Thurman). Determined to get back at the "love doctor,"
Sullivan forges a fake marriage license, "accidentally" marrying him to
Emma, who's already engaged to Richard (Colin Firth). Extras: "Matters of the Heart" making-of featurette. (Sony).
American Virgin
(2009) Jenna Dewan, Rob Schneider, Brianne Davis. A virginal college
freshman on scholarship from an abstinence group embarks on a
cross-country trip after she ruins her squeaky-clean reputation in
front of the "Chicks Go Crazy" cameras. (Echo Bridge Home
Entertainment).
The Christmas Clause (aka The Mrs. Clause) (2008)
Lea Thompson, Andrew Airlie, Laura Mennell. A stressed-out lawyer and
mother of three gets her yuletide wish when she asks a department store
Santa to see what her life would be like if she were single. (MTI Home
Video).
Christmas in Wonderland (2007)
Patrick Swayze, Carmen Electra, Tim Curry, Chris Kattan, Cameron
Bright. Two kids find a hoard of cash at the local mall and launch a
Yuletide shopping spree until the crooks who counterfeited the money
start chasing them down. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
Dawson's Creek: The Complete Series
(1998-2007) Collectible book-style packaging with all 127 episodes, $119.95. Extras:
"Creek Daze" interview with creator Kevin Williamson, "Final Exams"
trivia game, deleted scenes from pilot episode, CD with select songs
from the soundtrack, original DVD extras. (Sony).
Doomsday 2012(2008)
History Channel documentary that cuts through the myths and offers a
fact-based examination of the doomsday prophecy that the world will end
December 21, 2012. Released to coincide with Roland Emmerich's
mega-budget, mega-disaster movie "2012" opening November 13. $19.95. Extras: Bonus documentary: "Mayan Doomsday Prophecy." (A&E Home Entertainment).
Evergreen
(2009) Cara Seymour, Addie Land, Mary Kay Place, Noah Fleiss, Gary
Farmer, Lynn Cohen, Bruce Davison. A young girl seduced by a boy's
affluent, seemingly idyllic family, goes to extremes to gain acceptance
and escape her poverty-stricken homelife. (IndiePix Films).
The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger (2009)
Dean Cain, James Tupper, Allison Hossach. Hallmark Channel Western has
two rivals -- co-owners of a ranch and feuding over a local beauty --
team up to fend off a gang of bandits. Extras: Behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, photo gallery, (E1 Entertainment).
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
(2009) Jeremy Piven, Ed Helms, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn, Alan Thicke, James Brolin, Rob Riggle, Ving Rhames. (Paramount),
Heartland: Season 1, Part 2
(2008) Two-disc set with six episodes, $24.98. Extras: Cast and crew interviews. (E1 Entertainment).
JAG: The Ninth Season
(2003-04) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $55.98. (Paramount).
Justice League: The Complete Series
(2001-06) Fifteen-disc set with 91 animated episodes, $99.98. (Warner).
Mamma Mia! The Movie Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set
(2008) Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard,
Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper.
Includes two-disc Special Edition with the complete CD soundtrack and
an exclusive 32-page book (with photos and details about the making of
the film) in collectible packaging. Extras:
"Sing-Along" On-screen lyrics for 22 musical numbers; deleted musical
number "The Name of the Game"; commentary by director Phyllida Lloyd;
"The Making of Mamma Mia! The Movie"; "Anatomy of a Musical Number:
'Lay All Your Love on Me'": "Becoming a Singer" featurette; "Behind the
Scenes With Amanda"; "On Location in Greece"; "A Look Inside Mamma Mia!
The Movie"; "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Music Video; Bjorn Ulvaeus cameo;
deleted scenes and outtakes.
Blu-ray Disc. adds BD-Live (My Chat, My Scenes, My Commentary) and U-Control (Picture in Picture and Behind the Hits) functions. (Universal).
The Merry Gentleman(2008)
Dir.: Michael Keaton; Stars: Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Tom
Bastounes. A young woman gets involved with a hit man who hates himself
and is bent on committing suicide. (Genius Entertainment).
Michael Jackson: Life of a Superstar
(2009) A never-before-released documentary featuring candid
contributions from Janet, Jermaine and Katherine Jackson, Quincy Jones,
Diana Ross and more. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
MoveOn: The Movie (2009)
Documentary on MoveOn. org, the political group born out of a single
email that has spread through the Net to become one of the most
powerful progressive players in American politics. With no central
office and a small staff working from their homes, MoveOn.org has grown
to an organization with over 5 million members. This documentary was
created from years of intimate behind-the-scenes footage with MoveOn
staff and members, members' home movies, archival footage, and
interviews with political figures and celebrities both in support and
opposition to the group. Extras: Extended interviews with Senator John Kerry and vice president Al Gore. (The Disinformation Company).
Nash Bridges: The Third Season
(1997-98) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).
Natalee Holloway
(2009) Tracy Pollan, Grant Show, Catherine Dent. Lifetime movie based
on the disappearance of Alabama high school student Natalee Holloway
during a graduation trip to Aruba. Extras: "Remembering Natalee" featurette. (Sony).
The Official Major League Baseball World Series Film Collection
(2009) Preserving more than six decades of iconic moments, featuring 65
World Series films (covering the years 1943 to 2008) in 50 hours across
20 discs -- with a 58-page commemorative book spanning baseball's 105
year history. $229.00 (MLB/A&E Home Video).
Rethink Afghanistan (2009)
Hard-hitting, feature-length documentary about the United States'
escalating military involvement in Afghanistan; raises hard questions
about the war. Investigates the main issues surrounding Afghanistan --
Troops, Pakistan, Cost of War, Civilian Casualties, Women in
Afghanistan, and Terrorism -- through the eyes of experts and the
people of Afghanistan. $19.98. (The Disinformation Company).
Sesame Street: 40 Years Of Sunny Days (2009)
Two-disc set spans the renowned show's four decades, including
never-before-seen archival footage and a limited-edition hard covered
commemorative book. Features a wide selection of iconic segments of
past and present from Ernie's bath-time song "Rubber Duckie" (Season
One), which topped the Top-40 charts for seven weeks; to Kevin Clash's
first episode as Elmo (Season 17); to Maria and Luis' wedding (Season
19); to Abby Cadabby's arrival on Sesame Street (Season 37), and much
more. Extras:
Behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of several songs; archival footage
featuring incredible behind-the-scenes studio rehearsals with cast,
puppeteers and crew; interview with Kevin Clash about the origin of
Elmo; "Bert and Ernie String Tied" segment, voted the fan favorite on
Amazon; trivia on-screen pop-up's feature with fun facts about Sesame
Street; special peek into how everyone's favorite characters came to
life. $29.93. (Sesame Workshop/Genius Products).
Show Me Yours: The Complete Series (2004-05)
Two-disc set with all 16 episodes, unedited and uncensored, of the racy
Canadian dramedy about a reserved psychologist turned sex expert;
$24.98. (E1 Entertainment).
SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square
(2009) features the Special Extended Director's Cut of the "Truth or Square" TV Movie with celebrity appearances. Extras: Behind-the-scenes of the SpongeBob opening, karaoke music videos. (Paramount/Nickelodeon).
Spread (2009) Ashton
Kutcher, Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva, Sonia Rockwell, Maria Conchita
Alonso, Hart Bochner. Kutcher stars as a sexual grifter, a fun-loving,
freeloading hipster who understands that his greatest assets are his
looks and sexual prowess, both of which he uses to charm his way into
the hearts of Los Angeles' richest women and enjoy their lifestyle.
Nikki gets a free place to live, fantastic gifts, A-list access, and
plenty of sex ... until one day he's forced to decide between love and
money in the hopes of finding something real. Extras:
Commentary by Kutcher, Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva; "Living the
Dream: The Making of Spread"; "Behind the Scenes With Ashton Kutcher";
"The World According to Nikki." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay).
The Three Stooges Collection Volume Seven: 1952-1954
Two-disc set with 22 digitally remastered shorts that continue the
Stooges legacy with the return of the original Stooge, Shemp. Included
are such classics as the Stooges' 3D shorts: "Spooks" and Pardon My
Backfire," presented for the first time in both 3D and 2D, as well as
"Shot in the Frontier," a parody of "High Noon." This compilation also
marks the first time many of the shorts will be available in widescreen
versions since their original theatrical presentations. $24.96.
The Ugly Truth
(2009) Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler, Eric Winter, John Michael Higgins, Nick Searcy, Kevin Connolly, Cheryl Hines. Extras: Deleted scenes, alternate endings, gag reel, commentary, featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony)
The Untouchables: Season Three, Volume Two
(1961-62) Three-disc set, $39.98. (Paramount).
Up
(2009) Voices of Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, John Ratzenberger. Extras:
Commentary by director Pete Docter and co-director Bob Peterson; "Dug's
Special Mission" new original short film that follows the misadventures
of Dug as he attempts to complete his "special mission"; "The Many
Endings of Muntz" alternate endings"; "Partly Cloudy" short film;
"Adventure is Out There" documentary tells the story of the filmmakers'
own trek to the tepuis mountains of South America to research the
design and story of the film; DisneyFile digital copy. Available as a single-disc DVD, a two-disc DVD set, and a four-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. (Walt Disney/Pixar).
A Woman in Berlin
(2009 -- Germany) Nina Hoss, Yevgeni Sidikhin, Irm Hermann, Rudiger
Vogler. A woman tries to survive the invasion of Berlin by the Soviet
troops during the last days of World War II. (Strand).
Would Be Kings (2008)
Robert Forster, Patrick Lahane, Natasha Henstridge, Jaimie Collins.
Canadian TV miniseries about two drug-squad cops who are both cousins
and best friends whose relationships and families are threatened by
police corruption within their force. (E1 Entertainment).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, November 3 -- Monday, November 9
Aliens in the Attic Kids on a family vacation who must fight off an attack by knee-high
alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions -- while the youngsters'
parents remain clue less about the battle. It's summer vacation, but
the Pearson family kids are stuck at a boring lake house with their
nerdy parents. That is until feisty, little, green aliens crash-land on
the roof, with plans to conquer the house and Earth. Using only their
wits, courage and video game-playing skills, the youngsters must band
together to defeat the aliens and save the world -- but the toughest
part might be keeping the whole thing a secret from their parents. Vitals:
Director: John Schultz. Stars: Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman, Carter
Jenkins, Austin Butler, Ashley Boettcher, Henri Young, Regan Young, Tim
Meadows, Gillian Vigman, Kevin Nealon.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 86 min., Family Sci-Fi Comedy, Box office gross: $23.778 million, Fox.
Food, Inc. Documentary lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing how
our food supply is controlled by a handful of corporations that often
put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American
farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. Reveals
surprising -- and often shocking truths -- about what we eat, how it's
produced and who we have become as a nation.
Vitals: Director: Robert Kenner.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 94 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $4.361 million, Magnolia Home Entertainment.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of COBRA The G.I. JOE team travels the world from the Egyptian desert to the
polar ice caps and the streets of Paris in a high stakes pursuit of
COBRA, an evil international organization threatening to use a
technology that could bring the world to its knees. Armed with the
coolest hi-tech gadgets and weapons, including jaw-dropping accelerator
and camouflage suits, G.I. JOE is the last line of defense against
those intent on world domination. Based on the Hasbro action figure and
comic book/cartoon series. Vitals:
Director: Stephen Sommers. Stars: Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Sienna
Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Said
Taghmaoui, Marlon Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Arnold Vosloo,
Christopher Eccleston.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min., Action, Box office gross: $147.415 million, Paramount.
I Love You, Beth Cooper When a geeky high-school valedictorian (Paul Rust) throws caution to
the wind by expressing his love for a popular cheerleader (Hayden
Panettiere) during his graduation speech, life finally starts to get
interesting in this coming-of-age comedy adapted from the book by
journalist-author-screenwriter Larry Doyle. Vitals: Director: Chris Columbus. Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack Carpenter, Lauren Storm, Lauren London.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 102 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $14.772 million, Fox.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 A New York City subway dispatcher draws on his extensive knowledge of
the subway system in order to outsmart a dangerous criminal mastermind
who's hijacked a subway train in this remake of the 1974 thriller
inspired by John Godey's best-selling book. Walter Garber (Denzel
Washington) is drifting through his daily routine when he receives word
that a heavily armed gang of four has hijacked a subway train and are
holding the passengers hostage. Led by cunning master thief Ryder (John
Travolta), the gunmen will begin executing everyone aboard unless
authorities deliver a sizable ransom in just one hour. Walter races to
save the hostages before the shootings begin. But through it all,
there's one part of Ryder's plan that Walter can't quite comprehend:
Even if the thieves do succeed in getting their money, how could they
possibly get out of the tunnels undetected? Vitals: Director: Tony Scott. Stars: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli, James Gandolfini.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 201 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $64.970 million, Sony.
DVD Collectibles: It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas ... and Chanukah and Kwanza
... as the studios start releasing gift sets and special editions to
tickle buyers' fancies.
Up this week:
For its 50th anniversary, Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest"
(1959) has received a meticulous restoration and remastering with
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging scanning the original VistaVision
production elements in 8K resolution.
The film, which starred Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason,
Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll and Martin Landau, will be
available as a Special Edition DVD, retailing for $24.98, and in
premium Blu-ray
Book packaging, selling for $34.99. Extras include "The Master's Touch:
Hitchcock's Signature Style," a featurette that consists of interviews,
clips, and behind-the-scenes footage that examines the unmistakable
Hitchcock style; "North by Northwest: One for the Ages," featuring
Guillermo del Toro, William Friedkin, Curtis Hanson and Francis
Lawrence sharing their interpretations on the film's importance and its
influence on their own work. The Blu-ray Book also contains 44 pages
full of photos, film facts and "insider information."
"Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics Volume I" is a five-disc set of restored and digitally re-mastered Film Noir classics from the 1950s:
Edward Dmytryk's "The Sniper" (1952), one of the earliest studies of a murderous psychopath who kills randomly and without motive, filmed in San Francisco; "The Big Heat"" (1953),
Fritz Lang's policier that stars Glenn Ford as a loving husband and
father driven by grief to conduct a relentless vendetta against mobster
Alexander Scourby and his brutal henchman, Lee Marvin (featuring the
famous disfiguring of Gloria Grahame's face by a cup of hot coffee); "5 Against the House"
(1955), a thriller about a quartet of Korean war vets -- aided by a
sizzling Kim Novak -- who plan a "perfect" crime -- robbing a casino in
Reno, Nevada; "Murder by Contract" (1958), starring
Vince Edwards as a hired assassin whose latest "assignment" is about to
testify against the mob; and Don Siegel's"The Lineup"
(1958), a double narrative that follows two criminals involved in a
dope smuggling scheme and the police who follow their trail of violence
and death across San Francisco. Bonus features include authors Eddie
Muller and James Ellroy on "The Lineup," Muller on "The Sniper," Martin
Scorsese on "Murder by Contract," "The Sniper" and "The Big Heat,"
Michael Mann on "The Big Heat," and "The Influence of Noir With
Christopher Nolan" on "The Lineup." $59.95 from Sony.
Gift sets due this week include: "March of the Penguins Limited Edition Giftset"
featuring the 2005 Academy Award-winning documentary with "On the Wings
of a Penguin" new documentary revealing the lives and adventures of the
African penguin, featurettes, a plush African penguin toy and
collectible postcards; $39.92 from Warner ... "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Ultimate Collector's Edition"
with the 1989 comedy packed in a collectibles gift tin that includes a
replica of Clark Griswold's holiday Santa hat, a set of holiday themed
drink coasters with memorable quotes from the film, a box of faux snow,
and an "I survived a Griswold Family Christmas" button, from Warner ...
"It's a Wonderful Life DVD Gift Set," yet another version of the 1946 holiday season chestnut in a new two-disc DVD Shadow Box, from Paramount ... "Irving Berlin's White Christmas Anniversary Edition" (1954), in a two-disc set featuring new commentary and featurettes, from Paramount ... "Forrest Gump Box of Chocolates"
featuring a special edition of the 1994 film packaged in a "chocolate
box" with chocolate scent, a commemorative booklet and a replica
"Forrest Gump" feather bookmark, also from Paramount ... Four more sets
in the "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection":
Holiday Classics: "A Christmas Carol," "Christmas in Connecticut," "The
Shop Around the Corner" and "It Happened on 5th Avenue"; Comedy
Classics: "Arsenic and Old Lace," "A Night at the Opera," "The Long,
Long Trailer" and "Father of the Bride"; Family Classics: "National
Velvet," "Lassie Come Home," "Flipper" and "The Incredible Mr. Limpet";
Hitchcock Thrillers: "Suspicion," "Strangers on a Train," "I Confess"
and "The Wrong Man"; $27.92 per set from Warner.
Also out this week: "Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut,"
a five-disc set that weaves together the "Tales of the Black Freighter"
with the "Watchmen: Director's Cut" and including all 12 episodes of
"Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic," $43.87 from Warner ... "Say Anything 20th Anniversary Edition"
(1989), starring John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor,
Joan Cusack and Jeremy Piven, with such bonus features as "A
Conversation With Cameron Crowe" featurette, "I Love Say Anything ...!
featurette, intro and commentary by Cameron Crowe, John Cusack and Ione
Skye; alternate, deleted and extended scenes, and more; from Fox ...
and The Criterion Collection edition of Wim Wenders "Wings of Desire"
(1987), which we reported on two weeks ago.
From TV to Video: "Here's Lucy: Season Two" (1969-70) is a four-disc set with 24 episodes, $29.98 from MPI Home Video ... "The Rockford Files: Movie Collection -- Volume 1," a two-disc set with four Rockford TV movies, $26.98 from Universal ... "The Shield: The Complete Series Collection" (2002-08), a 28-disc set with 88 episodes presented in a collectible 34-page bound anthology book, $159.95 from Sony ... "Spin City: Season Three" (1998-99), a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $39.99 from Shout! Factory.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
In the futuristic thriller "Hardwired"
(2009), Cuba Gooding Jr. become the unwitting target of a dangerous
corporation hell-bent on controlling mankind through brain implants and
mind manipulation; co-stars Michael Ironside and Val Kilmer; from Sony
... A man and his wife must face their tortured pasts in order to save
their kidnapped daughter in a Texas border town hell of barrios and
bordellos in "Not Forgotten" (2009), starring Simon
Baker, Paz Vega, Michael DeLorenzo, Ken Davitian and Claire Forlani;
from (Anchor Bay Entertainment ...A group of friends at a dinner party
at an isolated mansion must fend off a hoard of contagiously infected
birds in "Beast Within (aka Virus Undead) (2008),
from Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate ... A company's plan to create
the most addictive food additive goes awry and the substance transforms
humans into savage, bloodthirsty creatures in "Mutants (2008), starring Michael Ironside and Steven Bauer; from North American Motion Pictures ... In "Dark Mirror"
(2007), staring Lisa Vidal, David Chisum and Joshua Pelegrin, a former
photographer turned stay-at-home mom discovers that the people she
photographs die and are reflected in the cut-glass windows and beveled
mirrors in her strange new house; from IFC Films.
On the Indie Front: "Who Is KK Downey?" (2008) is the feature-length debut
from Canada's Kidnapper Films comedy troupe, poking fun at recent
literary hoaxes in the media; two wannabes -- one a musician, the other
a writer -- hatch a plan to turn the writer's fictional book into an
autobiography by having the rocker dress up as the story's protagonist,
KK Downey, and claim all the events as having happened to him. All of a
sudden the book nobody wanted becomes an overnight literary sensation;
from IndiePix Films ... In "Where God Left His Shoes"
(2007) John Leguizamo stars as Gulf War veteran and washed-up
prizefighter -- evicted from his New York City home -- who tries to
find a job to get his family into an apartment in a housing project ...
on Christmas eve; from IFC films.
Foreign: "Lemon Tree"
(2008 -- Israel-Germany-France) offers a unique, personal look at the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict: It's the story of a Palestinian widow who
must defend her lemon tree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister
moves next to her and threatens to have the grove torn down for
security reasons; from IFC Films ... With just 72 hours left before the
Earth is destroyed by a giant meteorite, a Spanish villager must defend
his family against a notorious, brutal serial killer who has escaped
from prison in "Before the Fall" (2008 -- Spain); from IFC Films.
For the Family: "Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One" (2008) is a four-disc set with 22 episodes of the hit TV series for kids, $44.98 from Warner ... "Ruby-Spears Superman"
(2008) is a two-disc set with all 13 episodes of the Saturday morning
animated Superman episodes created by veteran writers Joe Ruby and Ken
Spears, $26.99 from Warner ...
In "Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House Of Mouse"
(2001), Mickey and friends get snowed in at the house of mouse and
learn about the true meaning of Christmas in this full-length
adventure, $26.99 from Disney ... "Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX: Zorro: The Complete First and Second Season"
(1957-59) are two six-disc sets housed in numbered, collectible black
tin cases with all 78 episodes of the 1950s action series, $59.99 each;
each limited edition, individually numbered volume includes a Zorro
pin, an authenticity certificate and exclusive lithograph; from Disney
... "Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol"
(2009) is an animated Christmas adventure that has Dora helping her
friend Swiper get back on Santa's nice list after being naughty; $19.99
from Nickelodeon/Paramount.
Special Interest: "Ancient Lives"
(2008) is a four-part documentary that reveals the daily lives of
ancient Egyptians, focusing on a village of royal tomb makers outside
Thebes, told through their 3,000-year-old manuscripts, artwork, and
other relics; $49.99 from Athena ... "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs"
(2007) uses sophisticated computer graphics and dramatic
reconstructions to tell the story of one of the greatest archaeological
finds: the late-19th century discovery of a cache of 40 mummies,
including 12 kings of Egypt, among them the legendary Rameses the
Great; narrated by Christopher Lee; $19.98 from Image Entertainment ...
"The Christians" is a five-disc set of the 13-part
documentary that examines Christianity not as a religious faith, but as
a historical and cultural force that has inspired benevolence and
conquest, sublime art and barbaric warfare through the centuries;
$99.99 from Athena ... Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of "On the
Origin of Species's" publication and the 200th anniversary of Darwin's
birth, the three-part series "The Genius of Charles Darwin"
(2009) examines evolution and its legacy; $49.99 from Athena ... "Earth 2100"
(2009) is a powerful documentary that addresses head-on what most of us
would prefer not to think about: that by the end of this century, life
as we know it could come to an end. Emmy-winning broadcast journalist
Bob Woodruff hosts this special that examines how, due to man-made
climate change and other factors, civilization could crumble, leaving
only faint traces of human existence behind; $14.98 from MPI Home Video
...
"The Botany of Desire" (2009), based on Michael
Pollan's best-selling book, shows how human desires are an essential,
intricate part of natural history. The documentary explores the natural
history of four plants -- the apple, the tulip, marijuana,and the
potato -- and the corresponding human desires -- "sweetness, beauty,
intoxication, and controlling nature" -- that link the plants'
destinies to our own; $24.99 from PBS ... In "Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush"
(2009), comedian-actor Will Ferrell takes viewers on a sentimental
journey through the life, legend, and legacy of the 43rd U.S President,
portraying George W. Bush in this live performance from Broadway's Cort
Theater; $19.97 from HBO Home Entertainment ... "G.I. Joe: Resolute" (2009) is an 11-part series
that features a more sophisticated animation style and story than prior
G.I. Joe outings; it's intended for the adult fan who grew up with the
brand in the 80s; from Paramount.
Aliens in the Attic
(2009) Ashley Tisdale, Robert Hoffman, Carter Jenkins, Austin Butler,
Ashley Boettcher, Henri Young, Regan Young, Tim Meadows, Gillian
Vigman, Kevin NealonExtras:
Introduction with Ashley Tisdale, "The Ashley Encounters," deleted
scenes, gag reel, "Behind the Zirkonians," "Meet the Zirkonians." Also available on Blu-ray Disc with a digital copy. (Fox).
Ancient Lives
(2008) Four-part documentary reveals the daily lives of ancient
Egyptians. Focusing on a village of royal tomb makers outside Thebes,
archaeologist John Romer introduces the memorable personalities of
scribes, high priests, and stonemasons through their 3,000-year-old
manuscripts, artwork, and other relics. Extras:
"Pharaohs' Liquid Gold," the quest to recreate ancient Egyptian beer
documentary; 16-page viewer's guide with maps, "The Life of a Scribe,"
a history of Egyptian script, "The Making of Ancient Lives" by John
Romer, more; Who's Who among Egyptian Deities; "Real-Life Indiana
Joneses: Archaeologists of Ancient Egypt." Two-disc set, $49.99.
(Athena).
Beast Within (aka Virus Undead) (2008
-- Germany) Philipp Danne, Birthe Wolter. A group of friends at a
dinner party at an isolated mansion must fend off a hoard of
contagiously infected birds. Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Before the Fall (2008 --
Spain) Victor Clavijo, Mariana Cordero, Eduard Fernandez, Juan Galvan.
With just 72 hours left before the Earth is destroyed by a giant
meteorite, the world's people erupt in chaos and despair. But one lone
Spanish villager, Alejandro, calmly decides to get drunk and listen to
music while awaiting the end. But all won't go so quietly for the
slacker handyman: A notorious, brutal serial killer has escaped from
prison and vowed revenge on Alejandro's family. With only three days
left until Armageddon, Alejandro must now get his mind back in focus to
protect the people he loves from a horrible fate even worse than
instant obliteration. (IFC Films).
The Botany of Desire (2009)
Based on Michael Pollan's best-selling book, showing how human desires
are an essential, intricate part of natural history. Explores the
natural history of four plants -- the apple, the tulip, marijuana,and
the potato -- and the corresponding human desires -- "sweetness,
beauty, intoxication, and controlling nature" -- that link the plants'
destinies to our own. One of the great conceits of human civilization
is to put ourselves outside nature-sovereign, constantly shaping and
reshaping the wild for our own purposes; people as subjects and plants
as objects. Taking these plants' perspectives of the world restores
human activity to its proper place in the matrix of nature. $24.99. Extras: Deleted scenes,panel discussion, additional interviews. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (PBS).
The Christians.
Five-disc set of the 13-part documentary that examines Christianity not
as a religious faith, but as a historical and cultural force that has
inspired benevolence and conquest, sublime art and barbaric warfare
through the centuries. Written and presented by noted author and
British TV host Bamber Gascoigne, the series was syndicated on PBS in
the 1980s. Extras:
New introductory segment by Gascoigne; 16-page viewer's guide includes
highlights, questions to consider, avenues for further learning,
timeline, and more; "The Cultures of the Cross and Christ in Art" photo
galleries; "Architects of the Faith" select bios of people influential
to Christianity. $99.99. (Athena).
Christmas Story
(2007 -- Finland) Hannu-Pekka Bjorkman. A charming family tale about how Nikolas became Santa Claus. $19.97. Extras: Making-of featurette. (Lightning Media/Anchor Bay Entertainment).
The Claudette Colbert CollectionSix-disc
set with "Three-Cornered Moon," "Maid of Salem," "I Met Him in Paris,"
"Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," "No Time for Love" and "The Egg and I";
$49.98. (Universal).
Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics Volume I. Five-disc
set of five restored and digitally re-mastered Film Noir classics. This
collection marks the fourth release under the partnership between Sony
Pictures Home Entertainment and Martin Scorsese's non-profit film
preservation organization, The Film Foundation. $59.95. (Sony).
The Sniper(1952)Filmed
in San Francisco, this Stanley Kramer production is one of the earliest
studies of a murderous psychopath who kills randomly and without
motive, making it almost impossible for the police to track him down.
This noir pits the rationalism of law and psychiatry against the
irrationality of post-traumatic stress and compulsive homicide. Adolphe
Menjou, Arthur Franz and Marie Windsor star under the taut direction of
Edward Dmytryk.
The Big Heat
(1953)Fritz Lang's policier stars Glenn Ford as a loving husband and
father driven by grief to conduct a relentless vendetta against mobster
Alexander Scourby and his brutal henchman, Lee Marvin. Once dedicated
to protect and serve, Ford sacrifices everything -- principles, career,
and even the woman who comes to him for protection -- in a rage to
destroy his gangland foes. With Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando and a
young Carolyn Jones.
5 Against the House(1955)
A quartet of Korean war vets -- aided by a sizzling Kim Novak -- plan a
"perfect" crime -- robbing a casino in Reno, Nevada. What starts out as
a prank becomes deadly serious, especially for the one vet with
psychopathic tendencies. Noir specialist Phil Karlson directs Novak,
Guy Madison, Brian Keith, Kerwin Matthews, Alvy Moore and William
Conrad.
Murder by Contract(1958)Vince
Edwards stars as a hired assassin whose latest "assignment" is about to
testify against the mob. But this particular target is not so easy to
get at. So he waits ... and waiting gives the assassin what he needs
least: time to think.
The Lineup(1958)
This double narrative follows two criminals involved in a dope
smuggling scheme and the police who follow their trail of violence and
death across the city of San Francisco. Making brilliant use of space
and architecture, the film features a wildly disorienting car chase
that culminates on the then-unfinished Embarcadero Freeway --
literally, a road going nowhere. Don Siegel directs Eli Wallach as the
cold-blooded hit man, with Warner Anderson and Emile Meyer as the cops
hunting him down. Richard Jaeckel and Robert Keith co-star.
Extras: Commentary by authors Eddie Muller and James
Ellroy on "The Lineup," commentary by author Eddie Muller on "The
Sniper," featurettes: "Martin Scorsese on Murder by Contract," "Martin
Scorsese on The Sniper," "Martin Scorsese on The Big Heat," "Michael
Mann on The Big Heat" and "The Influence of Noir With Christopher
Nolan" on "The Lineup."
Dark Mirror (2007) Lisa
Vidal, David Chisum, Joshua Pelegrin. A former photographer turned
stay-at-home mom moves her family into a strange house filled with
cut-glass windows and beveled mirrors that reflect to infinity. As she
attempts to restart her photography career, she discovers to her utter
horror that those she photographs die -- reflected in the chilling
visions she sees in the house's mirrors. (IFC Films).
Dora the Explorer: Dora's Christmas Carol
(2009) Animated Christmas adventure has Dora's friend Swiper getting on
Santa's naughty list when he tries to swipe the Christmas Star from
Dora's Nochebuena Party. To get back on the nice list, Dora must help
Swiper travel to the past, the present, and the future to discover the
true spirit of Christmas. $19.99. (Nickelodeon/Paramount).
Earth 2100
(2009) Powerful documentary that addresses head-on what most of us
would prefer not to think about: that by the end of this century, life
as we know it could come to an end. Emmy-winning broadcast journalist
Bob Woodruff hosts this special that examines how, due to man-made
climate change and other factors, civilization could crumble, leaving
only faint traces of human existence behind. Unlikely as that seems,
the film details the cutting-edge scientific research that makes our
disappearance a genuine possibility. Woodruff's report also examines
some of the strong preemptive measures that man must make now in order
to undo the damage to the planet and secure the future. $14.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (MPI Home Video).
Food, Inc.
(2009) Documentary lifts the veil on our nation's food industry,
exposing how our food supply is controlled by a handful of corporations
that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the
American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment.
(Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Forrest Gump Box of Chocolates
(1994) Dir.: Robert Zemeckis; Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, Gary
Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field. Special edition of the film
packaged in a "chocolate box" with chocolate scent, a commemorative
booklet and a replica "Forrest Gump" feather bookmark. Extras:
Commentary, "The Magic of Make-Up" featurette, "Through the Ears of
Forrest Gump" sound design featurette; "Building the World of Gump"
production design featurette; "Seeing Is Believing -- The Visual
Effects of Forrest Gump," screen tests.Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
(2009) Dir.: Stephen Sommers; Stars: Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum,
Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Said
Taghmaoui, Marlon Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Arnold Vosloo,
Christopher Eccleston.
Available as a two-disc DVD, single-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray.Extras:
Commentary by director Stephen Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay, digital
copy, "The Big Bang Theory: The Making of G.I. JOE," "Next-Gen Action:
The Amazing Visual FX and Design of G.I. JOE." The two-disc DVD and
Blu-ray packages will also feature augmented reality technology that
will allow viewers to participate in an exclusive 3D holographic G.I.
JOE combat experience, using their webcams and a special website. Fans
will be able to choose between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, two of the
most popular G.I. JOE and COBRA characters, and battle against their
enemies one-on-one in an immersive 3D video game. (Paramount).
G.I. Joe: Resolute
(2009) Eleven-part series features a more sophisticated animation style
and story than prior G.I. Joe outings and intended for the adult fan
that grew up with the brand in the 80s; it's an intense vision of the
raging battle between the G.I. Joe team and the menacing COBRA
organization. Extras: Interviews, "Joe Files", storyboards. (Paramount).
The Genius of Charles Darwin
(2009) Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of "On the Origin of
Species's" publication and the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth,
this three-part series examines evolution and its legacy. Extras:
Bonus disc with four hours of expert interviews, three "Tales from the
Galapagos Islands" bonus specials, a 16-page viewer's guide, more.
$49.99. (Athena).
Happiness 101 With Tal Ben-Shahar
(2009) Author and lecturer Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar brings one of Harvard
University's most popular classes to PBS. Grounded in the positive
psychology movement, Dr. Ben-Shahar combines scientific studies,
scholarly research, self-help advice, and spiritual enlightenment to
teach people how to become happier. Extras: Bonus video: Thirteen-minute Mindfulness
Meditation class, printable guided exploration of the program and bonus
video, including discussion questions and easy-to-follow exercises.
$24.99. (PBS Distribution).
Hardwired (2009) Cuba
Gooding Jr., Michael Ironside, Val Kilmer. Futuristic thriller has Cuba
Gooding Jr. become the unwitting target of a dangerous corporation
hell-bent on controlling mankind through brain implants and mind
manipulation. Extras: "Connecting the Circuits" making-of featurette. (Sony).
Here's Lucy: Season Two
(1969-70) Four-disc set with 24 episodes, $29.98. Extras:
New episode introductions by Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.; the
featurette "Here's Lucy: On Location"; "Let's Talk to Lucy," a lost
interview with Carol Burnett; "Treasures From Lucy's Vault," including
home movies, "Lucy the Model" and "Golfing With Gleason"; photo
gallery; production files; original CBS-TV promos. (MPI Home Video).
If I Die Tonight (2006) An
intense look at the criminal justice system today and the way it treats
blacks. The docu began in response to the shooting of Amadou Diallo by
four members of the N.Y. Police Department Street Crimes Unit.
Filmmaker Seyi quickly realized there are two sides to every story and
that the truth is often found where you least expect it. From Diallo's
sorrowful father lamenting that he is now the victim of police
brutality to Maureen King, the widow of slain N.Y.P.D. sergeant Patrick
King musing how life changes in a split second, the film tackles its
subject through the lives and stories of those who live on both sides
of an impenetrable divide. (Indican Pictures).
Irving Berlin's White Christmas Anniversary Edition (1954)
Dir.: Michael Curtiz' Stars: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney,
Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger, Mary Wickes. Two-disc set. Extras:
Commentary by Rosemary Clooney, "White Christmas: A Look Back With
Rosemary Clooney," original theatrical trailer, theatrical re-release
trailer, "Bing Crosby: Christmas Crooner" featurette, "Danny Kaye: Joy
to the World" tribute featurette, "Rosemary's Old Kentucky Home" tour
featurette, "Backstage Stories from White Christmas," "Irving Berlin's
White Christmas" featurette on the song itself, "White Christmas: From
Page to Stage" featurette. (Paramount).
I Love You, Beth Cooper
(2009) Dir.: Chris Columbus; Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack Carpenter, Lauren Storm, Lauren London. Extras:
Alternate ending, deleted scenes, "I Love You, Larry Doyle," "We Are
All Different But That's A Good Thing" behind the scenes with the cast,
"Peanut Butter Toast" improvised song by Paul Rust, "Fox Movie Channel
Presents in Character With Hayden Panettie, "Fox Movie Channel Presents
in Character With Paul Rust." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
It's a Wonderful Life DVD Gift Set
(1946) Dir.: Frank Capra; Stars: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel
Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen,
Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame, H.B. Warner. New two-disc DVD Shadow Box
Gift Set. Extras:
"The Making of It's a Wonderful Life" featurette hosted by Tom Bosley,
"A Personal Remembrance" special tribute to Frank Capra narrated by his
son Frank Capra Jr. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Lemon Tree
(2008 -- Israel-Germany-France) Hiam Abbass, Ali Suliman, Rona
Lipaz-Michael. The story of a Palestinian widow who must defend her
lemon tree field when a new Israeli Defense Minister moves next to her
and threatens to have her lemon grove torn down for security reasons. A
unique, personal look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (IFC Films).
March of the Penguins Limited Edition Giftset(2005)
Academy Award winning documentary. Narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Chronicles the lives of the emperor penguins and their remarkable
journey to find a mate and start a family. The film is an all-age,
true-life adventure touched with humor, with breathtaking photography
that puts you in the middle of the drama of devoted parent penguins
who, in the face of fierce polar winters, take turns guarding their
eggs and trekking to the ocean in search of food. Extras:
Boxed set includes "On the Wings of a Penguin" new documentary
revealing the lives and adventures of the African penguin, National
Geographic's "Crittercam: Emporer Penguins," "Of Penguins and Men"
behond-the-scenes featurette, "8 Ball Bunny" Looney Tunes classic
cartoon, a plush African penguin toy, collectible postcards; $39.92.
(Warner).
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In
at the House Of Mouse (2001)
Mickey and friends get snowed in at the house of mouse and learn about
the true meaning of Christmas in this full-length adventure. A huge
snowstorm leaves Mickey, Minnie and many other friends stranded,
leading Mickey and his guests at the House of Mouse to whip up an
impromptu party that includes instilling a "Humbug"-quacking Donald
Duck with the holiday spirit. Everyone shares their home movies and
even grumpy Donald starts to smile when they realize the "Best
Christmas of All" is the one you share with friends and
family. $26.99. Extras: Episode of animated series
"House of Mouse," "The Sounds of Christmas" movie sound effects
featurette, sing-along songs. (Disney).
Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs (2007)
Uses sophisticated computer graphics and dramatic reconstructions to
tell the story of one of the greatest archaeological finds: the
late-19th century discovery of a cache of 40 mummies, including 12
kings of Egypt, among them the legendary Rameses the Great. Narrated by
Christopher Lee. Created in the IMAX format and transferred at 8K.
$19.98. Extras: Making-of featurette, "Meet the Mummies" featurette, mummies quiz. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).
Mutants
(2008) Michael Ironside, Steven Bauer. A company's plan to create the
most addictive food additive goes awry and the substance transforms
humans into savage, bloodthirsty creatures. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (North American Motion Pictures).
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Ultimate Collector's Edition
(1989) Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid, Beverly D'Angelo, Julia Louis-Dreyfus,
Juliette Lewis, Doris Roberts, Johnny Galecki, Miriam Flynn. 20th
anniversary edition. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Collectibles gift tin include a replica of Clark Griswold's holiday
Santa hat, a set of holiday themed drink coasters with memorable quotes
from the film, a box of faux snow, and an "I survived a Griswold Family
Christmas" button. Exclusive to the Blu-Ray gift set is a collectible
Moose figurine. Extras: Commentary by Randy Quaid,
Beverly D'Angelo, Johnny Galecki, Miriam Flynn, director Jerimiah
Chechnik and producer Matty Simmons. (Warner).
North by Northwest 50th Anniversary Editions (1959)
Dir.: Alfred Hitchcock; Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason,
Jessie Royce Landis, Leo G. Carroll, Martin Landau. For its 50th
anniversary, the film has received a meticulous restoration and
remastering especially for this occasion with Warner Bros. Motion
Picture Imaging scanning the original VistaVision production elements
in 8K resolution.
Available for the first time in premium Blu-ray DigiBook packaging, selling for $34.99, and as a Special Edition DVD, retailing for $24.98. Extras:
"The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style" featurette consists
of interviews, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage to reveal what
defines the unmistakable Hitchcock style; "North by Northwest: One for
the Ages" features Guillermo del Toro, William Friedkin, Curtis Hanson
and Francis Lawrence sharing their interpretations on the film's
importance and its influence on their own work. The Blu-ray Book also
contains 44 pages full of photos, film facts and "insider information."
(Warner).
Not Forgotten
(2009) Simon Baker, Paz Vega, Michael DeLorenzo, Chlore Moretz, Ken
Davitian, Claire Forlani, Benito Martinez. A man and his wife must face
their tortured pasts in order to save their kidnapped daughter in a
Texas border town hell of barrios and bordellos controlled by the
mysterious religion of La Santa Muerte. Extras: Commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
The Rockford Files: Movie Collection -- Volume 1.
Two-disc set with four Rockford TV movies, $26.98. (Universal).
Ruby-Spears Superman
(2008) Two-disc set with all 13 episodes of the animated Superman
episodes created by veteran writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. In
addition to Superman's weekly adventures, each episode also includes a
mini-segment of a continuing series called Superman Family Album.
$26.99. Extras: "Corruption of the Corrupt: The Rise of LexCorp" featurette. (Warner).
Say Anything 20th Anniversary Edition
(1989) John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Joan Cusack, Jeremy Piven. DVD Extras:
"A Conversation With Cameron Crowe" featurette; "I Love Say Anything
...! featurette; intro and commentary by Cameron Crowe, John Cusack and
Ione Skye; alternate scenes; deleted scenes; extended scenes; vintage
featurette; TV spots; photo gallery. Blu-ray Disc. Extras:
All of the above plus "To Know Say Anything ... Is to Love It!" Trivia
Track (over 200 questions) and "Say Anything ... 20 Years Later"
retrospective featurette. (Fox).
The Shield: The Complete Series Collection
(2002-08)Twenty-eight disc set with 88 episodes presented in a collectible 34-page bound anthology book, $159.95. Extras:
Commentary, "Rampart" documentary about the Los Angeles Rampart
division police scandal that inspired the series, "The Barn"
behind-the-scenes set tour of "The Barn" where series was shot. (Sony).
Spin City: Season Three
(1998-99) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $39.99. (Shout! Factory).
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One
(2008) Four-disc set with 22 episodes. Extras:
Packaged with an exclusive 64 page production journal. Includes seven
extended director's cuts with companion featurettes for each episode.
$44.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc with "The Jedi
Temple Archives," an extensive database exploring test footage, early
concept art, 3-D character and object turnarounds and early animation.
(Warner).
TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection
Last four four-disc sets in the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection series: Holiday: A Christmas Carol, Christmas in Connecticut, The Shop Around the Corner, It Happened on 5th Avenue; Comedy: Arsenic and Old Lace, A Night at the Opera, The Long, Long Trailer, Father of the Bride; Family: National Velvet, Lassie Come Home, Flipper, The Incredible Mr. Limpet; Hitchcock Thrillers: Suspicion, Strangers on a Train, I Confess, The Wrong Man. $27.92 per set. (Warner).
Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, The (2009)
Dir.: Tony Scott; Stars: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John
Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli, James Gandolfini. Extras:
Commentary by director Tony Scott, writer Brian Helgeland and producer
Todd Black; "No Time to Lose: The making of Pelham 1 2 3"; "The Third
Rail: The NYC Subway System"; "Marketing Pelham"; "From the Top Down:
Stylizing Character." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Terminator Salvation The Machinima Series
(2009) All six episodes of the animated series, $12.97. (Warner).
Walt Disney Treasures Wave IX: Zorro: The Complete First and Second Season
(1957-59) Two six-disc sets housed in numbered, collectible black tin
cases with all 78 episodes, $59.99 each. Each limited edition,
individually numbered volume includes a Zorro pin, an authenticity
certificate and exclusive lithograph. Features an introduction by
Leonard Maltin. Extras:
Four one-hour features that continued the Zorro storyline, originally
airing in 1960-61 as part of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color."
(Disney).
Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut
(2009) Five-disc set. Weaves together the "Tales of the Black Freighter" with the "Watchmen: Director's Cut." Extras:
Commentary by director Zack Snyder and Dave Gibbons; "The Phenomenon:
The Comic That Changed Comics"; "Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes";
"Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World"; "Watchmen: Video
Journals"; "My Chemical Romance Desolation Row"; "Under the Hood";
"Story Within a Story: The Books of Watchmen"; digital copy; "Watchmen:
The Complete Motion Comic" (all 12 episodes). $43.87. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Where God Left His Shoes
(2007) John Leguizamo, Leonor Varela, David Castro, Samantha M. Rose.
Leguizamo stars as Gulf War veteran and washed-up prizefighter who
finds himself and his family evicted from their New York City home. But
after months spent working as a day laborer and living in a homeless
shelter, he finally receives good news on Christmas Eve: There's an
apartment available in a nearby housing project if he can prove he's
legally employed. As the rest of the city prepares for the holiday, he
hits the cold streets in a desperate search to find a job -- and some
hope -- by Christmas morning. (IFC Films).
Who Is KK Downey? (2008)
Darren Curtis, Matt Silver, Pat Kiely, Kristin Adams. Feature-length
debut from Canada's Kidnapper Films comedy troupe, poking fun at recent
literary hoaxes in the media. Follows the story of two wannabes who
decide they're sick and tired of trying to make a name for themselves
the old-fashioned way. Terrance is trying to make it as a rock star,
while Theo dreams of getting his first book published: "Truck Stop
Hustler." After a string of humiliations, the two hatch a plan to turn
Theo's fictional book into an autobiography by having Terrance dress up
as the story's protagonist, KK Downey, and claim all the events as
having happened to him. All of a sudden the book nobody wanted becomes
an overnight literary sensation, and the duo realize their dreams of
fame and fortune. But at what price? (IndiePix Films).
Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W Bush(2009)
In his first-ever HBO special, comedian-actor Will Ferrell takes
viewers on a sentimental journey through the life, legend, and legacy
of the 43rd U.S President, portraying George W. Bush in this live
performance from Broadway's Cort Theater; $19.97. (HBO Home
Entertainment).
Wings of Desire(1987)
Dir.: Wim Wenders; Bruno Ganz, Peter Falk, Solveig Dommartin, Otto
Sander, Curt Bois. New, restored high-definition digital transfer,
supervised and approved by director Wim Wenders. "Wings of Desire (Der
Himmel uber Berlin)" is one of cinema's loveliest city symphonies.
Bruno Ganz is Damiel, an angel perched atop buildings high over Berlin
who can hear the thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams of all the people
living below. But when he falls in love with a beautiful trapeze
artist, he is willing to give up his immortality to come back to earth
to be with her. Made not long before the fall of the Berlin Wall, this
stunning tapestry of sounds and images, shot in black and white and
color by the legendary Henri Alekan, is movie poetry. Extras:
Commentary by Wenders and Falk; "The Angels Among Us" (2003), a
documentary featuring interviews with Wenders, Falk, Ganz and Otto
Sander, writer Peter Handke, and composer Jurgen Knieper; excerpt from
"Wim Wenders Berlin Jan. 87," an episode of the French television
program Cinema cinemas, including on-set footage; interview with
director of photography Henri Alekan; deleted scenes and outtakes;
excerpts from the films "Alekan la lumiere" (1985) and "Remembrance:
Film for Curt Bois" (about the actor who plays Homer in "Wings of
Desire"); notes and photos by production designer Heidi Ludi and art
director Toni Ludi; booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael
Atkinson and writings by Wenders and Handke. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, October 27 -- Monday, November 2
Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs The loveable characters
from the two previous "Ice Age" adventures are back. Scrat is still
trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while maybe finding true love);
Manny (Ray Romano) and Ellie (Queen Latifah) await the birth of their
mini-mammoth, Sid (John Leguizamo) the sloth gets into trouble when he
creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs; and
Diego (Denis Leary), the saber-toothed tiger, wonders if he's growing
too "soft" hanging with his pals. On a mission to rescue the hapless
Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world where they
have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna that
have run amuck -- and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel
named Buck.
Vitals: Director: Carlos
Saldanha. Stars: Voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary,
Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Bill Hader, Kristen
Wiig, Jane Lynch, Simon Pegg.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 93 min., Animated, Box office gross: $192,388, million, Fox.
Orphan An outwardly angelic
little girl displays an unforeseen devilish streak when she moves into
the home of her new adoptive parents. In the aftermath of a
miscarriage, prospective parents Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter
Sarsgaard) find their lives turned upside down; their marriage is
falling apart, and the demons of Kate's past begin manifesting
themselves in a series of horrifying nightmares. Deciding that the best
means of achieving some semblance of normalcy is to simply adopt, the
dejected couple visits a local orphanage. There, they are drawn to a
9-year-old girl named Esther. But Esther isn't as sweet as first
impressions suggest, and almost immediately after welcoming the young
child into their home, Kate and John suspect that something is terribly
wrong. Kate can see right through Esther's seraphic charm, though her
attempts to convince everyone else of the truth go unheeded by her
skeptical family and friends. By the time anyone bothers to take Kate
seriously, it may be too late. Vitals: Director: Jaume Collet-Serra. Stars: Peter Sarsgaard, Vera Farmiga, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jimmy Bennett, Lorry Ayers.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 105 min., Horror, Box office gross: $41.038 million, Warner.
Whatever Works Woody Allen returns to his
native New York (after several films in Europe) for this offbeat comedy
about finding love in unexpected places. An eccentric, upper class New
Yorker (Larry David) abandons his comfortable lifestyle in favor of
leading a more Bohemian existence. After meeting a young Southern girl,
he discovers that life among the nonconformists isn't quite as carefree
as he'd envisioned it to be. And when the girl's uptight parents arrive
in New York to rescue her, they are quickly drawn into wildly
unexpected romantic entanglements. Vitals: Director: Woody Allen. Stars: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Henry Cavill, Michael McKean.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $5.183 million, Sony.
DVD Collectibles: There's a wealth of collectible DVDs hitting the shelves this week. First up is "The Collector's Choice: Samuel Fuller Collection," a
seven-disc set featuring two of acclaimed auteur Fuller's best films
making their DVD debuts: "The Crimson Kimono" (1959) and "Underworld
U.S.A." (1961), both directed by Fuller, in addition to five films
written by Fuller: "It Happened in Hollywood" (1937, directed by Harry
Lachman), "Adventure in Sahara" (1938, directed by D. Ross Lederman),
"Power of the Press" (1943, directed by Lew Landers), "Shockproof"
(1949, directed by Douglas Sirk) and "Scandal Sheet" (1952, directed by
Phil Karlson). All seven have been restored and remastered and are
being released on DVD for the first time. The set -- selling for $79.95
-- includes a host of extras; from Sony.
Director Costa-Gavras's "Z"
shook up the film establishment when it was released in 1969. In this
pulse-pounding political thriller, loosely based on the 1963
assassination of Greek left-wing activist Gregoris Lambrakis Yves
Montand stars as a prominent politician and doctor whose public murder
amid a violent demonstration is covered up by military and government
officials; Jean-Louis Trintignant is the tenacious magistrate who's
determined not to let them get away with it.
Featuring kinetic, rhythmic editing, Raoul Coutard's expressive verite
photography, and Mikis Theodorakis's unforgettable, propulsive score,
"Z" is a technically audacious and emotionally gripping masterpiece
that set the standard for political films. In a new, restored
high-definition digital transfer, approved by cinematographer Raoul
Coutard; from The Criterion Collection ... "Death in the Garden (La mort en ce jardin)"
(1956) is a long-unseen Luis Bunuel masterpiece, available for the
first time on DVD, in a new, restored print. Amid a revolution in a
South American mining outpost, a band of fugitives -- a roguish
adventurer (Georges Marchal), a local hooker (Simone Signoret), a
priest (Michel Piccoli), an aging diamond miner (Charles Vanel) and his
deaf-mute daughter -- are forced to flee for their lives into the
jungle. Starving, exhausted and stripped of their old identities, they
wander desperately, lured by one deceptive promise of salvation after
another. It's pure Bunuel at his Surrealist best; from Microcinema
International.
The Golden Age of Television's "The Barbara Stanwyck Show"
anthology series began 50 years ago on NBC, airing 36 episodes from
1960-61, and starred multi-talented actress Barbara Stanwyck, the
American Film Institute's "11th Greatest Female Star of All Time."
This three-DVD set features 15 of the series' most memorable half-hour
dramas, including "The Key to a Killer" with Vic Morrow, "Dear Charlie"
with Milton Berle and "Confession" with Lee Marvin. As a bonus, the set
also includes the never-before-seen pilot episode "Sponsor's Table."
$39.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "The Different Cinema Volume 3"
features nine films selected for the 10th anniversary of the Festival
des Cinemas Differents de Paris, all linked to the heritage of
experimental film and the eternal quest for renewal, causes espoused by
the festival. From the historical film "Cesaree" by Marguerite Duras to
more contemporary creations, this ensemble of films showcases a variety
of innovative work; from Microcinema International.
For more modern fare there's "Battlestar Galactica: The Plan"
(2009) is an uncensored 90-minute feature (reuniting the series'
original TV cast) that follows the evolution of the Cylons (built to
serve humanity) from metal robots to humanoids, their attempt (and
failure) to destroy the human race, and the flight of humanity to
survive; told from the Cylon point of view. From Universal ... He's
been called the Prince of Darkness, the Black Pope, the Fox, the Sphinx
and the Hunchback, but the nickname Il Divo -- the God -- perhaps best
fits the persona of Italy's seven-time prime minister and "senator for
life," Giulio Andreotti, a figure who held sway over the entire Italian
political landscape for decades. The scandals that plagued Andreotti's
career -- charges of Mafia ties, bribery and deadly violence -- would
seem too appalling to be true, but viewers can decide for themselves in
the award-winning documentary "Il Divo" (2009), from MPI Home Video.
From TV to Video: "Angel and the Badman"
(2009) stars Lou Diamond Phillips and Deborah Kara Unger in a remake of
the 1947 John Wayne-Gail Russell Western about a notorious gunfighter
who's transformed into a man of peace by a good woman, from Barnholtz
Entertainment/Lionsgate ... "Dr. G: Medical Examiner, Season 1" (2004-05) is a two-disc set with 12 episodes of the Discovery Health series, from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment ... "DogTown: Friends in Need"
(2009) is a three-disc set with 10 episodes from the National
Geographic series featuring the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and its
resilient canine wards, $29.98 from National Geographic Home
Entertainment) ... "The Fugitive: Season Three, Volume One" (1965) is a four-disc set, $39.98 from Paramount ...
"The Guardian: The First Season" (2001-02) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98 from CBS/Paramount ... "Life After People: The Complete Season One" (2008) is a three-disc set with 10 episodes, $34.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force: The Complete Season One" (2008-09) is a three-disc set with 18 episodes, $24.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Mannix: The Third Season" (1969-70) is a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Predators"
features three Animal Planet programs that chronicle the world's most
dangerous and deadly animals, $14.95 from Animal Planet and Genius
Products ... "Tales From the Darkside: The Second Season" (1985-86) is a three-disc set with 23 episodes, $36.98 from Paramount ... "Trial & Retribution Set 3"
(2005-07) is a three-disc set with three riveting crime dramas from the
hit British series created by "Prime Suspect" creator Lynda La Plante;
$59.99 from Acorn Media.
Buzzin' the 'B's: In "Pandemic"
(2009), starring Ray Wise, Graham McTavish, Peter Asle Holden and
Alesha Clarke, a veterinarian finds herself in the midst of a horrible
contagious disease that affects both humans and animals; from MTI Home
Video ... When three honest security guards learn that their favorite
artworks are being sent to another museum, they concoct a plan to
switch the real masterpieces with fakes in "The Maiden Heist"
(2009), starring Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy and Marcia Gay Harden; from Sony ...
In "Criminal Ways"(2003),
starring Nick Giannopoulos, Russell Dykstra, Isla Fisher, Michael
Carman and Lena Cruz, a no-talent teacher at a performing arts school
is hired to turn a clan of shady crooks into a children's theater group
in order to infiltrate a child's birthday party and steal a
multi-million dollar diamond necklace; from Barnholtz
Entertainment/Magnolia Home Entertainment ... Two indirect, distant
descendants of Edgar Allan Poe, exploring the famous author's past,
begin a romance, causing the dark and deadly secrets of Poe's legacy to
emerge in "Descendant" (2003), starring Katherine
Heigl, Jeremy London, Nick Stabile, Whitney Dylan, Matt Farnsworth,
Margot Hartman Tenny, Arie Verveen and William Katt; from Echo Bridge
Home Entertainment ... In "For Sale by Owner" (2009),
starring Scott Cooper, Skeet Ulrich, Tom Skerritt, Rachel Nichols and
Kris Kristofferson, a young preservation architect embarks on a project
that takes him from the hallways of the esteemed University of Virginia
to the banks of the Chesapeake Bay on a dark search for answers to one
of America's oldest and most lasting legends: the legend of the Lost
Colony; from Monarch Home Video.
Foreign: "Fear(s) of the Dark"
(2007) is a French anthology that brings together some of the world's
leading graphic artists and cartoonists -- Blutch (Christian Hincker),
Charles Burns, Marie Caillou, Richard McGuire, Pierre di Sciullo and
Lorenzo Mattotti -- to breathe life into nightmares, using stark light
and the pitch black of shadows. This is their stark and naked world of
phobias, nightmares and shadows, of strange noises, slimy bugs and dead
things. It s a creepy, kinky, sometimes funny and always scary ride
inside what makes our skin crawl and keeps us awake all night. From MPI
Home Video ... In "Sauna" (2008 -- Finland/Czech
Republic), two men, part of a detachment commissioned to map a new
border between after a 25-year struggle between Sweden and Russia that
ended in 1595 and wreaked devastation on Finland, mistreat a family in
the swampy terrain and pay the price when they seek relief in a
village's ominous sauna; from IFC Films.
For the Family: "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure"
(2009) is the second film in the continuing Disney Fairies Franchise.
Here Tinker Bell must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to
set things right after accidentally putting Pixie Hollow in jeopardy
during the Autumn Pixie Dust festival; $29.95 with such extras as
"Scenes You Never Saw" alternate scenes, "Magical Guide to Pixie
Hollow," deleted scenes, "Pixie Hollow Comes to Florida" showing how
the filmmakers helped transform Disney's Florida EPCOT into Pixie
Hollow; from Disney ...
"Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics"
assembles
some of the best-loved tales in children's literature in an
unprecedented collection of 100 classic, award-winning storybooks on 16
DVDs with nearly 20 hours of quality entertainment for kids and parents
alike. From the Maurice Sendak classic "Where the Wild Things Are" to
the beloved adventures of Curious George and Corduroy, the set features
works by some of the most acclaimed children's authors and illustrators
including: Ezra Jack Keats, H.A. Rey, Kevin Henkes, Doreen Cronin and
Robert McCloskey, just to name a few. $99.95 from Scholastic Storybook
Treasures ... "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Chicka Chicka 123"
is a two-disc set that includes the title stories as well as
"Blueberries for Sal" and "Emily's First 100 Days of School," stories
aimed at helping kids learn about letters and numbers; $19.95 from
Scholastic Storybook Treasures ... "Iron Man: Armored Adventures"
(2009) features six episodes from the Nicktoons Network series for boys
aged 6-11, $16.95 from Marvel Entertainment/Genius Products.
Special Interest:
Award-winning
journalist Charles Kuralt has been a household name for decades with
his Emmy-winning "On the Road" segments, first airing on the CBS
Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and, then as the first host of the
CBS News Sunday Morning. Beginning in 1967, he and his small CBS
television crew crisscrossed the nation in a motor home, avoiding the
interstates to meet the ordinary people on America's back roads. The
resulting vignettes became a beloved touchstone of American culture for
more than 20 years and remain deeply meaningful, touching, and
truthful. "On the Road With Charles Kuralt Set 1"
is a three-disc that includes 18 episodes, each featuring multiple
pieces, on DVD for the first time; $39.99 from Acorn media ... How many
Wegman weimaraners does it take to count the Twelve Days of Christmas?
Famed artist William Wegman brings together his famous family of
weimaraners to get ready for the holidays in a witty and delightful
festival of decorating, crafts, cooking, gift wrapping, fruitcake, and
more in
"William Wegman's Fay's Twelve Days of Christmas"
(2006). William Wegman's version of the holiday classic is a wonderland
dream come true for kids and fans alike; $14.99 from Microcinema
International ... "Adult Swim in a Box" is a seven-disc set with 20
hours of the best of Adult Swim: "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Volume 2,"
"Space Ghost Season 3," "Moral Oral Season 1," "Robot Chicken Season
2," "Metalocalypse Season 1" and "Sealab Season 2"; $69.98 from Warner
... "The Nostradamus Files" is a two-disc set with
two History Channel documentaries: "The Lost Book of Nostradamus" and
"Nostradamus 2012", $19.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "The Rise of Monty Python: The Other British Invasion"
celebrates the 40th anniversary of Monty Python. This two-disc set
features two never-aired documentaries: "Before the Flying Circus" with
rare vintage footage and interviews that trace the pre-Monty Python
influences that honed the wit of the future Pythons; and "Monty Python
Conquers America," the story of the other British invasion -- the funny
one; $19.95 from A&E Home Entertainment.
Adult Swim in a Box.
Seven-disc set with 20 hours of the best of Adult Swim: "Aqua Teen
Hunger Force Volume 2," "Space Ghost Season 3," "Moral Oral Season 1,"
"Robot Chicken Season 2," "Metalocalypse Season 1" and "Sealab Season
2"; $69.98. (Warner).
Angel and the Badman (2009
-- TV) Lou Diamond Phillips, Deborah Kara Unger. Remake of the 1947
John Wayne-Gail Russell Western about a notorious gunfighter who's
transformed into a man of peace by a good woman. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate).
The Barbara Stanwyck Show Volume 1
(1960) The NBC drama anthology series from the Golden Age of Television
originally aired 50 years ago, and starred multi-talented actress
Barbara Stanwyck, the American Film Institute's "11th Greatest Female
Star of All Time." The three-DVD set features 15 of the series' most
memorable half-hour dramas, including "The Key to a Killer" with Vic
Morrow, "Dear Charlie" with Milton Berle and "Confession" with Lee
Marvin. As a bonus, the set also includes the never-before-seen pilot
episode "Sponsor's Table." $39.98. (Archive of American Television/E1
Entertainment).
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009)
Uncensored 90-minute feature (reuniting the series' original TV
cast)follows the evolution of the Cylons (built to serve humanity) from
metal robots to humanoids, their attempt (and failure) to destroy the
human race, and the flight of humanity to survive; told from the Cylon
point of view. Tells the story of two powerful Cylon leaders, working
separately, and their determination to finish the task. Extras: Deleted scenes; "From Admiral to Director: Edward James Olmos and The Plan"; "The Cylons of The Plan" featurette; "The Cylon Attack" featurette; "Behind The Plan" featurette; filmmaker commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Chicka Chicka 123.
Two-disc set includes the title stories as well as "Blueberries for
Sal" and "Emily's First 100 Days of School," stories aimed at helping
kids learn about letters and numbers; $19.95. (Scholastic Storybook
Treasures).
The Collector's Choice: Samuel Fuller Collection.
The third release under the creative partnership between Sony and
Martin Scorsese's non-profit film preservation organization, The Film
Foundation. This seven-disc collection features two of acclaimed auteur
Samuel Fuller's notable films making their DVD debuts: "The Crimson
Kimono" (1959) and "Underworld U.S.A." (1961), both directed by Fuller,
in addition to five films written by Fuller: "It Happened in Hollywood"
(1937, directed by Harry Lachman), "Adventure in Sahara" (1938,
directed by D. Ross Lederman), "Power of the Press" (1943, directed by
Lew Landers), "Shockproof" (1949, directed by Douglas Sirk) and
"Scandal Sheet" (1952, directed by Phil Karlson). All seven films have
been restored and remastered and are being released on DVD for the
first time ever. Extras:
"Martin Scorsese on Underworld U.S.A," "Curtis Hanson: The Culture of
The Crimson Kimono," "Sam Fuller's Search for Truth With Tim Robbins,"
"Sam Fuller Storyteller" (which explores Fuller's life and filmmaking
through the eyes of his family -- wife Christa and daughter Samantha
Fuller, and filmmakers Scorsese, Wim Wenders, Robbins and Hanson).
$79.95. (Sony).
Criminal Ways (2003) Nick
Giannopoulos, Russell Dykstra, Isla Fisher, Michael Carman, Lena Cruz.
A no-talent teacher at a performing arts school is hired to turn a clan
of shady crooks into a children's theater group in order to infiltrate
a child's birthday party and steal a multi-million dollar diamond
necklace. (Barnholtz Entertainment/Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Dr. G: Medical Examiner, Season 1
(2004-05) Two-disc set with 12 episodes of the Discovery Health series. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
Death in the Garden (La mort en ce jardin) (1956)
A long-unseen Luis Bunuel masterpiece, available for the first time on
DVD, in a new, restored print. Amid a revolution in a South American
mining outpost, a band of fugitives -- a roguish adventurer (Georges
Marchal), a local hooker (Simone Signoret), a priest (Michel Piccoli),
an aging diamond miner (Charles Vanel) and his deaf-mute daughter --
are forced to flee for their lives into the jungle. Starving, exhausted
and stripped of their old identities, they wander desperately, lured by
one deceptive promise of salvation after another. Shot in brilliant
Eastmancolor and featuring a star-studded cast, "Death in the Garden"
is a pulsating film, alive with Surrealist gestures, making it classic
Luis Bunuel. In French with English subtitles.Extras:
Commentary by film scholar Ernesto R. Acevedo-Munoz, interviews with
actor Michael Piccoli and film scholar Victor Fuentes, booklet
featuring essays by Javier Espada, Juan-Luis Bunuel and Susan Hayward.
(Microcinema International).
Descendant
(2003) Katherine Heigl, Jeremy London, Nick Stabile, Whitney Dylan,
Matt Farnsworth, Margot Hartman Tenny, Arie Verveen, William Katt. Two
indirect, distant descendants of Edgar Allan Poe, exploring the famous
author's past, begin a romance, causing the dark and deadly secrets of
Poe's legacy to emerge. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
The Different Cinema Volume 3 (2009)
This DVD is witness to the inexhaustible range of possibilities of
contemporary filmmaking. The nine films selected for the 10th
anniversary of the Festival des Cinemas Differents de Paris are linked
to the heritage of experimental film and the eternal quest for renewal,
causes espoused by the festival. From the historical film "Cesaree" by
Marguerite Duras to more contemporary creations, this ensemble of films
showcases work using various formats (super 8, 16mm, digital video)
within the fields of traditional cinema and contemporary art from which
the filmmakers have emerged. (Microcinema International).
DogTown: Friends in Need
(2009) Three-disc set with 10 episodes from the National Geographic
series featuring the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and its resilient
canine wards; $29.98. Extras: "Where Are They Now?" recaps; bonus programs "Archie and Electra's New Run" and "Rescue Dogs"; primer on Best Friends Animal
Sanctuary. (National Geographic Home Entertainment).
Fear(s) of the Dark
(2007 -- French) Anthology brings together some of the world's leading
graphic artists and cartoonists -- Blutch (Christian Hincker), Charles
Burns, Marie Caillou, Richard McGuire, Pierre di Sciullo and Lorenzo
Mattotti -- to breathe life into nightmares, using stark light and the
pitch black of shadows. This is their stark and naked world of phobias,
nightmares and shadows, of strange noises, slimy bugs and dead things.
It's a creepy, kinky, sometimes funny and always scary ride inside what
makes our skin crawl and keeps us awake all night.Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (MPI Home Video).
For Sale by Owner
(2009) Scott Cooper, Skeet Ulrich, Tom Skerritt, Rachel Nichols, Kris
Kristofferson. A young preservation architect embarks on a project that
takes him from the hallways of the esteemed University of Virginia to
the banks of the Chesapeake Bay on a dark search for answers to one of
America's oldest and most lasting legends: the legend of the Lost
Colony. Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Monarch Home Video).
he Fugitive: Season Three, Volume One
(1965) Four-disc set, $39.98. (Paramount).
The Guardian -- The Complete First Season
(2001-02) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. (CBS/Paramount).
Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs
(2009) Voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen
Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Jane
Lynch, Simon Pegg. Available as a Three-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray, DVD
and a Digital Copy), a "Scrat Pack" Double DVD Pack, and a standard
single DVD. Three-Disc bonus features:
Disc One: Blu-ray Disc feature film, "Ice Age Story Maker," commentary,
"Evolution Expedition," "Buck ... Easel to Weasel," "Falling for
Scratte," "Unearthing the Lost World," two unfinished deleted scenes,
"Walk the Dinosaur" music video, two Scrat shorts, "The Sabre-Toothed
Squirrel: Natures Nutty Buddy," "Scrat: From Head To Toe" how to draw
Scrat tutorial, "Scrat: Breaking Story," "Scrat: News Report," Fox
Movie Channel Presents featurettes. Disc Two: Digital copy. Disc Three:
Standard DVD feature. "Scrat Pack" Double DVD bonus features:
Disc One: Commentary. Disc Two: Two Scrat shorts, "•The Sabre-Toothed
Squirrel: Natures Nutty Buddy," "Scrat: From Head To Toe" how to draw
Scrat tutorial, "Scrat: "Breaking Story," "Scrat: News Report," "Fox
Movie Channel Presents: Making a Scene," "Buck ... Easel to Weasel,"
"Falling for Scratte," "Unearthing the Lost World," "Walk the Dinosaur"
music video, activities. Standard DVD bonus features: Commentary. (Fox).
Il Divo
(2009 -- Italy) He has been called the Prince of Darkness, the Black
Pope, the Fox, the Sphinx and the Hunchback, but the nickname Il Divo
-- the God -- perhaps best fits the persona of Italy's seven-time prime
minister and "senator for life," Giulio Andreotti, a figure who held
sway over the entire Italian political landscape for decades. The
scandals that plagued Andreotti's career -- charges of Mafia ties,
bribery and deadly violence -- would seem too appalling to be true, but
viewers can decide for themselves in this award-winning documentary.Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (MPI Home Video).
Iron Man: Armored Adventures
(2009) Six episodes from the Nicktoons Network series for boys aged 6-11, $16.95. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Marvel Entertainment/Genius Products).
Life After People: The Complete Season One
(2008) Three-disc set with 10 episodes, $34.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
The Maiden Heist
(2009) Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, William H. Macy, Marcia Gay
Harden. When three honest security guards learn that their favorite
artworks are being sent to another museum, they concoct a plan to
switch the real masterpieces with fakes. All goes well until a mistake
forces the first-time thieves into a last-minute escapade. Extras: Commentary, "In the Presence of Art: Making The Maiden Heist" featurette, deleted scenes, bloopers reel. (Sony).
Manhunters: Fugitive Task Force: The Complete Season One
(2008-09) Three-disc set with 18 episodes, $24.95. Extras: Featurettes "Meet the Task Force" and "Fugitive Task Force: Additional Footage and Interviews." (A&E Home Entertainment).
Mannix: The Third Season
(1969-70) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).
Medicine for Melancholy
(2008) Wyatt Cenac, Tracey Heggins. Sex, race, bicycles and urban
demographics are the diverse elements that come together in this first
feature from writer-director Barry Jenkins that follows two young black
hipster San Franciscans on the day after their one-night stand. (IFC
Films).
Night of the Creeps(1986)
Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Steve Marshall, David Paymer, Jill Whitlow.
Director's cut of the camp classic about a small college town ravaged
by killer slugs from outer space, with the original ending. The feature
directorial debut of cult horror director Fred Dekker. A college couple
in 1959 see an object plummet to Earth and when they investigate it,
the boy accidentally swallows a space-slug that shoots into his mouth.
Seventeen years later, two freshmen roam the campus and stumble across
the frozen corpse of the boy; once thawed out, the corpse comes to
life, unleashing the killer slugs. Extras:
Cast commentary; commentary by writer-director Fred Dekker; deleted
scenes; alternate ending for the theatrical version; trivia track; six
behind-the-scenes featurettes: "Birth of the Creeps," "Cast of the
Creeps," "Creating the Creeps" effects, "Escape of the Creeps"
post-production; "Legend of the Creeps" cult popularity; and "Tom
Atkins: Man of Action; footage from the June 2009 cast reunion
screening at The Original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. (Sony).
The Nostradamus Files.
Two-disc set with two History Channel documentaries: "The Lost Book of Nostradamus" and "Nostradamus 2012", $19.95. Extras:
Feature-length documentary "Nostradamus: 500 Years Later", and
additional footage: "The Sun," "The Egyptians," "End of Time," "The
Hopi" and "The Masons." (A&E Home Entertainment).
On the Road With Charles Kuralt Set 1.
Award-winning journalist Charles Kuralt has been a household name for
decades with his Emmy-winning "On the Road" segments, first airing on
the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, and, then as the first host
of the CBS News Sunday Morning. Beginning in 1967, he and his small CBS
television crew crisscrossed the nation in a motor home, avoiding the
interstates to meet the ordinary people on America's back roads. The
resulting vignettes became a beloved touchstone of American culture for
more than 20 years and remain deeply meaningful, touching, and
truthful. This three-disc includes 18 episodes, each featuring multiple
pieces, on DVD for the first time; $39.99. (Acorn media).
Orphan
(2009) Peter Sarsgaard, Vera Farmiga, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jimmy Bennett, Lorry Ayers. Extras:
Deleted scenes, alternate ending. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Pandemic(2009) Ray Wise,
Graham McTavish, Peter Asle Holden, Alesha Clarke. A veterinarian finds
herself in the midst of a horrible contagious disease that affects both
humans and animals. Extras: Commentary. (MTI Home Video).
Predators.
Three Animal Planet programs chronicle the world's most dangerous and
deadly animals: "After the Attack," "Up Close and Dangerous" and
"Killer Crocs of Costa Rica"; $14.95. (Animal Planet and Genius
Products).
The Rise of Monty Python: The Other British Invasion. Celebrates
the 40th anniversary of Monty Python. Two-disc set featuring two
never-aired documentaries. "Before the Flying Circus" features rare
vintage footage and interviews that trace the pre-Monty Python
influences that honed the wit of the future Pythons and shaped their
destinies. "Monty Python Conquers America" is the story of the other
British invasion -- the funny one. Monty Python's astonishing American
success was due as much to the passion of well-placed fans as it was to
a string of absurdly lucky breaks. Featuring interviews with the
Pythons, Hank Azaria, Jimmy Fallon, David Hyde Pierce, and others.
$19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1960s Volume 2.
Two-disc with 34 episodes taken from various cartoon series. Disc 1
includes "Quick Draw McGraw" (with its full original Kellogg's opening
and closing title sequences, bumpers and bridges, seen for the first
time in over 40 years), "Space Kidettes," "Young Samson and Goliath,"
"The Bugs Bunny Show," "The Porky Pig Show," "The Adventures of
Gulliver," "The Wally Gator Show" (with Lippy the Lion and Touche
Turtle) and "The Jetsons." Disc 2 includes "Quick Draw McGraw," "The
Peter Potamus Show" (with Breezly and Sneezly and, Yippee, Yappee and
Yahooey), "The Road Runner Show," "The Atom Ant Show" (with Precious
Pupp and Hillbilly Bears), "The Tom and Jerry Show," "The Magilla
Gorilla Show"(with Punkin' Puss & Mush Mouse and Ricochet Rabbit
& Droop-A-Long). Also includes newly created enhanced content
featuring Magilla Gorilla. $26.99. (Warner).
Saturday Morning Cartoons: 1970s Volume 2. Two-disc
set with 21 episodes from various cartoons. Disc 1 features "Help! It's
the Hair Bear Bunch," "The New Adventures of Gilligan," "Sea Lab 2020,"
"Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan," "Shazzan and Yogi's Gang." Disc 2
features "The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour," "Valley of the Dinosaurs,"
"The Tom and Jerry/Grape Ape Show," "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour,"
"Inch High Private Eye" and "The New Adventures of Batman and Robin
"(featuring the voices of TV's original Batman and Robin, Adam West and
Burt Ward). Also includes newly created enhanced content featuring
Shazzan. $26.99. (Warner).
Sauna (2008 --
Finland/Czech Republic) Ville Virtanen, Tommi Eronen. Two men, part of
a detachment commissioned to map a new border between after a 25-year
struggle between Sweden and Russia that ended in 1595 and wreaked
devastation on Finland, mistreat a family in the swampy terrain and pay
the price when they seek relief in a village's ominous sauna. (IFC
Films).
Stan Helsing (2009) Steve
Howey, Kenan Thompson, Leslie Nielsen. Horror film spoof follows the
misadventures of hapless video store clerk Stan Helsing and his friends
who find themselves stranded in the mysterious residential development
of Stormy Night Estates, where they battle evil in the form of parodies
of movie monster icons "Freddy," "Jason," "Leatherface," "Pinhead,"
"Michael Myers," and "Chucky." Along the way, Stan learns of his true
destiny as a descendant of the legendary monster-hunter Van Helsing and
learns to battle evil with immeasurable courage, grim determination --
and a flair for karaoke. Extras:
Commentary by writer-producer-director Bo Zenga and actors Kenan
Thompson and Desi Lydic; "Killer Parody: The Making of Stan Helsing";
extended, alternate and deleted scenes; outtakes; still and storyboard
gallery. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Tales From the Darkside: The Second Season
(1985-86) Three-disc set with 23 episodes, $36.98. (Paramount).
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
(2009) Second film in the continuing Disney Fairies Franchise. Here
Tinker Bell must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set
things right after accidentally putting Pixie Hollow in jeopardy during
the Autumn Pixie Dust festival; $29.95. Extras:
"Scenes You Never Saw" alternate scenes, "Magical Guide to Pixie
Hollow," deleted scenes, "Pixie Hollow Comes To Florida" showing how
the filmmakers helped transform Disney's Florida EPCOT into Pixie
Hollow. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Disney).
Treasury of 100 Storybook Classics.
Some of the best-loved tales in children's literature are assembled in
this unprecedented collection of 100 classic, award-winning storybooks
on 16 DVDs with nearly 20 hours of quality entertainment for kids and
parents alike. From the Maurice Sendak classic "Where the Wild Things
Are" to the beloved adventures of Curious George and Corduroy, the set
features works by some of the most acclaimed children's authors and
illustrators including: Ezra Jack Keats, H.A. Rey, Kevin Henkes, Doreen
Cronin and Robert McCloskey, just to name a few. Celebrity narrators
include Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, Forest Whitaker, Cyndi
Lauper, and many more. Also includes a full-color activity book and 15
additional stories in Spanish and the French version of "Where the Wild
Things Are." $99.95. (Scholastic Storybook Treasures).
Trial & Retribution Set 3
(2005-07) Three more riveting crime dramas from the hit British series
created by "Prime Suspect" creator Lynda La Plante. Akin to "Law &
Order," these dramas follow a single case from crime to conclusion,
using innovative direction and unflinching narratives to heighten the
suspense and expose raw emotions. Three-disc set, $59.99. Extras: Behind-the-scenes documentary. (Acorn Media).
Whatever Works
(2009) Dir.: Woody Allen;Stars: Larry David, Evan Rachel Wood, Patricia Clarkson, Ed Begley Jr., Henry Cavill, Michael McKean. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
William Wegman's Fay's Twelve Days of Christmas
(2006) How many Wegman weimaraners does it take to count the Twelve
Days of Christmas? Famed artist William Wegman brings together his
famous family of weimaraners to get ready for the holidays in a witty
and delightful festival of decorating, crafts, cooking, gift wrapping,
fruitcake, and more. Watch as Batty, Crooky, Chundo and Fay celebrate
the season as only they can. Christmas stockings, popcorn chains, a
dream sequence, a guest appearance by a Boston terrier, cookies in
geometric shapes, Elves, Santa's workshop and those amazing dog
numbers! William Wegman's version of the holiday classic is a
wonderland dream come true for kids and fans alike. For ages 3 and up.
$14.99. (Microcinema International).
Z
(1969) Dir.: Costa-Gavras; Yves Montand, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Irene
Papas. New, restored high-definition digital transfer, approved by
cinematographer Raoul Coutard. A pulse-pounding political thriller,
Greek expatriate director Costa-Gavras's "Z" was one of the cinematic
sensations of the late 1960s, and remains among the most vital
dispatches from that hallowed era of filmmaking. This Academy Award
winner -- loosely based on the 1963 assassination of Greek left-wing
activist Gregoris Lambrakis -- stars Yves Montand as a prominent
politician and doctor whose public murder amid a violent demonstration
is covered up by military and government officials; Jean-Louis
Trintignant is the tenacious magistrate who's determined not to let
them get away with it. Featuring kinetic, rhythmic editing, Raoul
Coutard's expressive verite photography, and Mikis Theodorakis's
unforgettable, propulsive score, "Z" is a technically audacious and
emotionally gripping masterpiece. Extras:
Commentary by film historian Peter Cowie; interviews with Costa-Gavras
and Coutard; archival interviews with Costa-Gavras, producer-actor
Jacques Perrin, actors Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis
Trintignant and Vassilis Vassilikos, author of the book "Z"; booklet
featuring an essay by critic Armond White. (The Criterion Collection).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, October 20 -- Monday, October 26
Cheri An adaptation of Colette's
1920 novel that takes place in late 19th Century Paris -- La Belle
Epoque -- where numerous courtesans (or female companions of noblemen
who occupied the royal courts) have worked their ways up through the
ranks of high society. Two retired courtesans, Charlotte Peloux (Kathy
Bates) and Lea (Michelle Pfeiffer) meet for some routine gossip; Lea
then meets Charlotte's hedonistic, playboy son, nicknamed "Cheri"
(Rupert Friend) and a passionate, erotic affair blossoms for the next
six years between Lea and Cheri. Eventually, Charlotte makes an
aggressive attempt to interfere with the situation by setting up an
arranged marriage between Cheri and the virginal, 18-year-old Emee
(Felicity Jones), the daughter of another ex-courtesan, Marie-Laure
(Iben Hjejle). Lea feels irritated, and responds by seeking out young
male lovers during a vacation in Biarritz, but the attached Cheri is
not far behind, and in seemingly no time at all the two resume their
bedroom liaisons. Vitals: Director: Stephen Frears. Stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates, Rupert Friend, Iben Hjejle, Felicity Jones.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.864 million, Miramax.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen In this blockbuster
sequel, Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam
Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the
ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect
humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international
armies for a second epic battle. After returning to Cybertron,
Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to
return to Earth with force. The Autobots, believing that peace was
possible, find out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the
U.S. Military by Skorpinox. Now Megatron is back, seeking revenge and
with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the
Autobots -- with reinforcements of their own -- may have more to deal
with then meets the eye. Vitals: Director: Michael Bay. Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Isabel Lucas, Rainn Wilson.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 147 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $396.758 million, Paramount.
DVD Collectibles: William Castle, the master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie
horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks and
promotions (including wiring theater seats to vibrate in key scenes of
"The Tingler" and providing nurses who offered blood-pressure tests in
the lobby of theaters screening "Homicidal") will be remembered by Sony
with the "William Castle Film Collection,"
a five-disc set featuring eight of the legendary producer-director's
most notable films, including "The Tingler" (1959), "13 Ghosts" (1960),
"Homicidal" (1961), "Mr. Sardonicus" (1961) and "Strait-Jacket" (1964).
Also included in the collection are "Zotz!" (1962), "The Old Dark
House" (1963) and "13 Frightened Girls" (1963), each making their DVD
debuts. Among the extras are commentaries; original theatrical
openings; alternate sequences; vintage footage; original theatrical
trailers; "Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story" (2007), an
acclaimed documentary on Castle by director Jeffrey Schwarz; and six
featurettes; $80.95 from Sony.
There's a couple of terrific foreign classics due this week: Wim Wenders' "Wings of Desire"
(1987) is one of cinema's loveliest city symphonies. Bruno Ganz stars
as Damiel, an angel perched atop buildings high over Berlin who can
hear the thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams of all the people living
below. But when he falls in love with a beautiful trapeze artist, he is
willing to give up his immortality to come back to earth to be with
her. In a new, restored high-definition digital transfer , available on
standard DVD and Blu-ray; from The Criterion Collection ... "Moon in the Gutter"
(1983 -- French), making its U.S. DVD debut as part of the Jean-Jacques
Beineix Collection, is an atmospheric and vastly underrated adaptation
of David Goodis' noir classic. Gerard Depardieu stars as a raffish
longshoreman who mourns his dead sister -- who was raped before
committing suicide -- amongst the bars and sleazy dives of the seedy
Marseilles waterfront. When mystery girl Nastassja Kinski goes slumming
in his neighborhood, Depardieu is bewitched by her beauty and soon
learns she may know something about the identity of his sibling's
attacker. From Cinema Libre Studio.
Lastly, Warner Home Video has released "You Must Remember This -- The Warner Bros. Story"
(2008), film historian Richard Schickel's perceptive five-episode,
85th-anniversary salute to the studio that gained a four-footed hold
with an unlikely star (Rin Tin Tin), championed tough guys and dames
who gave the Depression and the Nazis the raspberry, countered the
boxoffice onslaught of TV and emerged as a 21st-century giant; narrated
by Clint Eastwood; $29.98.
From TV to Video: "Black Adder Remastered: The Ultimate Edition"
(1983) is a six-disc set of the BBC series starring Rowan Atkinson as
the comic villain Edmund Blackadder in the enormously popular comedy
series that follows Blackadder in send-ups of the Middle Ages, the
Elizabethan age, the Regency period, and World War I; $79.98 from
Warner ... "Blood +: Part 2"
(2007-08) is a five-disc set with 25 episodes, $119.95 from Sony ... "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Series" contains 42-discs with all 159 episodes and two feature-length movies, $149.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Fawlty Towers Remastered Special Edition"
(1975) is a three-disc set of the entire BBC series starring John
Cleese as Basil Fawlty, the much put-upon, hard-working hotel manager
whose life is plagued by dead guests, hotel inspectors, riff-raff and
his nagging wife; $49.09 from Warner ... "Hawaii Five-O: The Seventh Season"
(1974-75) is a six-disc set with 24 episodes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Homicide: Life on the Street: The Complete Series" is a 35-disc set with all 122 episodes, $149.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "It's Garry Shandling's Show: The Complete Series DVD Box Set"
(1986-90) is the anxiously awaited DVD box set with 16 DVDs featuring
the complete 72 episodes from the entire four seasons, a payload of
bonus content and much more -- all collected in a lavish package; from
Shout! Factory ... "The L Word: The Complete Final Season" (2009) is a four-disc set with eight episodes, $59.99 from Paramount ... "Numbers: The Fifth Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 23 episodes, $60.90 from Paramount ... "Route 66: Season Three, Volume Two"
(1963) is a four-disc set with 15 episodes, $29.98 from Infinity Entertainment ... "Saturday Night Live: The Best of Amy Poehler"
(2009) is a single-disc, $19.99 from Universal ... "Top Chef: New York: The Complete Season Five" (2008-09) is a four-disc set, $29.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Vega$: The First Season, Volume 1"
(1978) is a three-disc set with 11 episodes, $36.98 from Paramount.
Buzzin' the 'B's: The live-action "Blood: The Last Vampire"
(2009), based on the cult Japanese anime feature of the same name and
the hit "Blood +" television series, tells the story of Saya, a female
warrior on a centuries old quest to rid the world of blood sucking
vampires; from Sony ... "Last of the Living" (2008)
is a low-budget but enjoyable New Zealand post-apocalyptic zombie flick
about three slackers who spend their days drifting from one vacant
house to another, getting their kicks killing the undead, until they
meet a female scientist who may have a cure for the outbreak; from Echo
Bridge Home Entertainment ... "The Elephant King"
(2008) stars Ellen Burstyn as a domineering mother who dispatches her
young, introverted son Oliver off to Thailand to do anything he can to
lure his reckless, older brother Jake back home to face fraud charges.
But Oliver finds the intoxication of Thailand hard to resist, and the
two brothers find themselves adrift in an exotic world they don't fully
understand; co-stars Tate Oliver and Josef Sommer; from E1
Entertainment ... "Night of the Creeps" (1986) is a
camp cult film about a small college town ravaged by killer slugs from
outer space, directed by Fred Dekker; from Sony ... The direct-to-video
sequel "Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead" (2009) has Three
Finger and his mutant family overrun with trouble when some of the most
vicious killers in the country escape into the woods from a bus
transporting them to prison; from Fox.
For the Family: There's two compilations of episodes from "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre" series that ran on Showtime from 1982-1987: "Faerie Tale Theatre: Bedtime Tales"
features updated versions of "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Sleeping
Beauty," "Rip Van Winkle" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"; and
"Faerie Tale Theatre: Magical Tales" with updated versions of "Aladdin
and His Wonderful Lamp," "Beauty and the Beast," "Puss in Boots" and
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"; $14.98 each from E1 Entertainment
... "Peanuts 1970s Collection, Volume 1" is a
two-disc set with six "Peanuts" TV features: "You're Not Elected,
Charlie Brown," "There's No Time for Love, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie
Brown Thanksgiving," "It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown," "Play It Again,
Charlie Brown," "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown"; $29.98 from
Warner ... "Plastic Man: The Complete Collection"
(2008) is a four-disc set with 36 classic cartoons, $44.98 from Warner ... "The Transformers: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Edition Collector's Set"
(1983) is a 16-disc set with 98 restored episodes, a collectible
60-page book, Autobots and Decepticon Magnets, more; $140.00 from
Shout! Factory.
Special Interest: "Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary" (2009)
features interviews with 38 directors and 163 film clips from classics
such as "Grey Gardens" and "The Thin Blue Line," as well as recent work
like "Darwin's Nightmare" and "Touching the Void," to explore the
complex creative process that goes into making non-fiction films;
$29.99 from First Run Features ... "I Am Because We Are"
(2009), produced, written, and narrated by Madonna, profiles her
journey exploring the lives and suffering of children in Malawi,
Africa, who have been orphaned by AIDS; from Virgil Films &
Entertainment ... "That Was the GDR" (1993) is a
four-part DEFA documentary that chronicles the rise and fall of the
German Democratic Republic (or as we called it, East Germany),
featuring illuminating interviews complemented by rare archival
materials from film, photographs, posters, caricatures, popular songs
and speeches; two-disc set, $29.95 from First Run Features ... "One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur"
is a journey through the locations that inspired Jack Kerouac's
soul-searching memoir "Big Sur," including the Beat haunts of New
York's Greenwich Village, San Francisco's North Beach, and an isolated
cabin in a fog-banked Big Sur canyon. More than 30 musicians, actors,
writers, and poets tell the story of Big Sur and help unearth what made
the book a classic work. Featured are writer Sam Shepard, singer Patti
Smith, singer Tom Waits, actress Amber Tamblyn, actor Donal Logue,
actor John Ventimiglia, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet Aram Saroyan,
and many more. More information can be found at OneFastMove.com.)
"Blood, Sweat + Gears"
(2009) is the inspirational story of America's only ProTour cycling
team, a team devoted not only to cleaning up the sport of cycling but
to winning the Tour de France. The documentary takes viewers on an
incredible emotional journey, following the ups and downs of an
underdog cycling team as they try, against all odds, to ride
triumphantly into Paris; $29.95 from First Run Features ... "In Search of Santa Claus"
(2009) is a revealing pop history look at the amazing transformation of
a holy man into a treasured icon of Christmas joy, $9.98 from
Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group ... "They Killed Sister Dorothy"
(2008) is a documentary about Sister Dorothy Stang, a 73-year-old
Catholic nun from Dayton, Ohio, who was shot six times at point blank
range at the mouth of the Amazon River. The events that led to her
death, and the trials that follow, reveal the larger battle being
fought for the future of the rainforest. Narrated by Martin Sheen.
$24.95 from First Run Features ... "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live" (2009)
commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
with a comprehensive collection of performances compiled from a quarter
century of induction celebrations. The collection boasts 125 remarkable
performances by the most influential and significant figures in rock
music history, as well as the speeches, toasts and roasts by which
these members of rock royalty salute each others' accomplishments; from
Time Life.
'District 9' Takes Over Dec. 29 Looks like Sony will be capturing the end-of-the-year DVD market
with the announcement that it will release the smash hit "District 9"
on December 29 (so far, this is the only major post-Christmas
theatrical-to-DVD release). The filmmakers of the science fiction film,
using hand-held cameras and a cinema verite interview style, created an
involving story about an extraterrestrial race, refugees from their
planet, forced to live in slum-like conditions on Earth, facing racism
and exploitation. The movie went on to make $114 million in the U.S.
Sony will make the film available as a standard DVD, a two-disc special
edition DVD and on Blu-ray.
Black Adder Remastered: The Ultimate Edition
(1983) Six-disc set of the BBC series starring Rowan Atkinson as the
comic villain Edmund Blackadder in the enormously popular comedy series
that follows Blackadder in send-ups of the Middle Ages, the Elizabethan
age, the Regency period, and World War I. $79.98. Extras: Commentaries, interviews. (Warner).
Blood: The Last Vampire
(2009) Gianna Jun, Allison Miller, Koyuki, Michael Byrne, Colin Salmon.
Based on the cult Japanese anime feature of the same name and the hit
"Blood +" television series, this live-action version tells the story
of Saya, a female warrior on a centuries old quest to rid the world of
blood sucking vampires. Extras: "The Making of Blood: The Last Vampire" featurette, "Battling Demons: Behind the Stunts" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Blood +: Part 2
(2007-08) Five-disc set with 25 episodes, $119.95. Extras: "Inside Blood +" featurette. (Sony).
Blood, Sweat + Gears
(2009) Inspirational story of America's only ProTour cycling team, a
team devoted not only to cleaning up the sport of cycling but to
winning the Tour de France. Setting off from the frozen roads of a
Colorado winter, racing over the dangerous cobblestones of the Spring
classic Paris-Roubaix, and finally arriving to the Champs-Elysees, the
grand Parisian boulevard which marks the end of the Tour de France,
this documentary takes viewers on an incredible emotional journey,
following the ups and downs of an underdog cycling team as they try,
against all odds, to ride triumphantly into Paris. $29.95. (First Run
Features).
Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary (2009)
Featuring interviews with 38 directors and 163 film clips from classics
such as "Grey Gardens" and "The Thin Blue Line," as well as recent work
like "Darwin's Nightmare" and "Touching the Void," this documentary on
documentaries explores the complex creative process that goes into
making non-fiction films. Deftly charting the documentarian's journey,
it poses the question: can film capture reality? From cinema-verite
pioneers Albert Maysles and Joan Churchill to maverick moviemakers like
Errol Morris, Werner Herzog and Nick Broomfield, the world's best
documentarians reflect upon the unique power of their genre. Two-disc
set, $29.99. Extras: Additional interviews. (First Run Features).
Cheri
(2009) Dir.: Stephen Frears; Stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Bates, Rupert Friend, Iben Hjejle, Felicity Jones. Extras: "The Making of Cheri," deleted scenes. (Miramax).
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Series.
Forty-two discs with all 159 episodes and two feature-length movies, $149.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
The Elephant King
(2008) Ellen Burstyn, Tate Oliver, Josef Sommer. Provocative story of
two American brothers, Oliver and Jake Hunt, adrift in an exotic world
they don't fully understand. Ellen Burstyn stars as a domineering
mother who dispatches her young, introverted son Oliver off to Thailand
to do anything he can to lure his reckless, older brother Jake back
home to face fraud charges. But Oliver finds the intoxication of
Thailand hard to resist. (E1 Entertainment).
Faerie Tale Theatre: Bedtime Tales. Features
updated versions of the timeless tales "Jack and the Beanstalk,"
"Sleeping Beauty," "Rip Van Winkle" and "Goldilocks and the Three
Bears" from "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre" series which ran on
Showtime from 1982-1987. Highlights: Vanessa Redgrave portrays Sleeping
Beauty's evil stepmother, while her magical mirror is played by Vincent
Price and Francis Ford Coppola takes on the story of Rip Van Wrinkle.
$14.98. (E1 Entertainment).
Faerie Tale Theatre: Magical Tales. Features
updated versions of the timeless tales "Aladdin and His Wonderful
Lamp," "Beauty and the Beast," "Puss in Boots" and "Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs" from "Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre" series which
ran on Showtime from 1982-1987. Highlights: Susan Sarandon stars as
Beauty and Tim Burton directs James Earl Jones, Leonard Nimoy and
Valerie Bertinelli in "Alladin." $14.98. (E1 Entertainment).
Fawlty Towers Remastered Special Edition
(1975) Three-disc set of the entire BBC series starring
John Cleese as Basil Fawlty, the much put-upon, hard-working hotel
manager whose life is plagued by dead guests, hotel inspectors, and
riff-raff. With his nagging wife Sibyl, he runs their hotel, Fawlty
Towers, with a little help from the unflappable Polly and the trainee
waiter from Barcelona with marginally more intelligence than a monkey.
$49.09. Extras: Commentary by John Cleese, featurette, interviews, outtakes. (Warner).
Hawaii Five-O: The Seventh Season
(1974-75) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).
Homicide: Life on the Street: The Complete Series.
Thirty-five disc set with all 122 episodes, $149.95. Extras: Three "Law & Order" crossover episodes, "Homicide: The Movie," more. (A&E Home Entertainment).
I Am Because We Are
(2009) Produced, written, and narrated by Madonna. Profiles her journey
exploring the lives and suffering of children who have been orphaned by
AIDS. Set in Malawi, Africa, a country with more than 1 million
orphans, Madonna spotlights heart-wrenching stories that ultimately
remind us how interconnected we all are. Trying to find out as much as
possible about the children of one of the poorest countries on the
planet, Madonna highlights her own experiences and defines her own
personal discoveries. Features former President Bill Clinton,
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Dr. Paul Farmer. Extras: Deleted scenes, interviews, photo gallery. (Virgil Films & Entertainment).
In Search of Santa Claus
(2009) A revealing pop history look at the amazing transformation of a
holy man into a treasured icon of Christmas joy, $9.98. (Smithsonian
Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
It's Garry Shandling's Show: The Complete Series DVD Box Set (1986-90)
Anxiously awaited DVD box set will be comprised of 16-DVDs featuring
the complete 72 episodes from the entire four seasons, a payload of
bonus content and much more -- all collected in a lavish package. Garry
Shandling and Shout! Factory are currently developing a wide range of
in-depth bonus content, including extensive featurettes, commentaries,
outtakes and much more. (Shout! Factory).
The L Word: The Complete Final Season
(2009) Four-disc set with eight episodes, $59.99. (Paramount).
Last of the Living
(2008) Morgan Williams, Ashleigh Southam, Robert Faith, Emily
Paddon-Brown, Mark Hadlow, Carl Voss, Mark Hamilton. After a deadly
virus has turned humankind into flesh-eating zombies, three slackers
spend their days lounging in their skivvies, drifting from one vacant
house to another, until they meet a girl who may have a cure for the
outbreak. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
Moon in the Gutter (1983
-- French) First time on DVD in the U.S. as part of the Jean-Jacques
Beineix Collection. Atmospheric and vastly underrated adaptation of
David Goodis' noir classic stars Gerard Depardieu as a raffish
longshoreman who mourns his dead sister, who was raped before
committing suicide, amongst the bars and sleazy dives of the seedy
Marseilles waterfront. When mystery girl Nastassja Kinski goes slumming
in his neighborhood, Depardieu is bewitched by her beauty and soon
learns she may know something about the identity of his sibling's
attacker.Extras: Photo gallery, interview with Beineix. (Cinema Libre Studio).
Night of the Creeps
(1986) Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Steve Marshall, David Paymer, Jill
Whitlow. Director's cut of the camp classic about a small college town
ravaged by killer slugs from outer space, with the original ending. The
feature directorial debut of cult horror director Fred Dekker. A
college couple in 1959 see an object plummet to Earth and when they
investigate it, the boy accidentally swallows a space-slug that shoots
into his mouth. Seventeen years later, two freshmen roam the campus and
stumble across the frozen corpse of the boy; once thawed out, the
corpse comes to life, unleashing the killer slugs. Extras:
Cast commentary; commentary by writer-director Fred Dekker; deleted
scenes; alternate ending for the theatrical version; trivia track; six
behind-the-scenes featurettes: "Birth of the Creeps," "Cast of the
Creeps," "Creating the Creeps" effects, "Escape of the Creeps"
post-production; "Legend of the Creeps" cult popularity; and "Tom
Atkins: Man of Action; footage from the June 2009 cast reunion
screening at The Original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. (Sony).
Numbers: The Fifth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $60.90. (Paramount).
One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur.
A journey through the locations that inspired Jack Kerouac's
soul-searching memoir "Big Sur," including the Beat haunts of New
York's Greenwich Village, San Francisco's North Beach, and an isolated
cabin in a fog-banked Big Sur canyon. More than 30 musicians, actors,
writers, and poets tell the story of Big Sur and help unearth what made
the book a classic work. Featured are writer Sam Shepard, singer Patti
Smith, singer Tom Waits, actress Amber Tamblyn, actor Donal Logue,
actor John Ventimiglia, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet Aram Saroyan,
and many more. F-stop/Atlantic Records will release a limited edition
box set of the album and DVD of "One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's
Big Sur," a day before the anniversary of the legendary author's death.
Included will be the album, a DVD of the film, an excerpt of
unpublished manuscript from Kerouac, never before seen photos, a copy
of "Big Sur," and much more, for $49.99. A CD of the album will also be
available individually ($12.99) or as part of a package with a DVD of
the film ($19.99). The album will additionally be released on 180 gram
vinyl with the DVD included ($24.99).
Peanuts 1970s Collection, Volume 1.
Two-disc set with six "Peanuts" TV features: "You're Not Elected,
Charlie Brown," "There's No Time for Love, Charlie Brown," "A Charlie
Brown Thanksgiving," "It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown," "Play It Again,
Charlie Brown," "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown." $29.98. Extras: "Woodstock: Creating Snoopy's Sidekick," digital download of two songs. (Warner).
Planes, Trains and Automobiles Those Aren't Pillows Edition
(1987) Dir.: John Hughes' Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy. Extras:
"Getting There is Half the Fun: The Story of Planes, Trains and
Automobiles"; "John Hughes for Adults"; "A Tribute to John Candy";
deleted scene "Airplane Food." (Paramount).
Plastic Man: The Complete Collection (2008)
Four-disc set with 36 classic cartoons, $44.98. Produced by Ruby-Spears
Productions and Hanna-Barbera Productions, "The Plastic Man
Comedy/Adventure Show" first aired in 1979 Saturday mornings on ABC,
right after "Super Friends." (Warner).
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live (2009)
Time Life commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame with a comprehensive collection of performances compiled from a
quarter century of induction celebrations. The collection boasts 125
remarkable performances by the most influential and significant figures
in rock music history, as well as the speeches, toasts and roasts by
which these members of rock royalty salute each others'
accomplishments. History is made when legendary artists such as Mick
Jagger and Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen and Bono, Crosby, Stills
& Nash and Tom Petty, take the stage for once-in-a-lifetime
collaborations. The set includes nine DVDs, eight of them featuring an
assortment of performances spanning more than two decades of
ceremonies, as well as induction and acceptance speeches, and
never-before-seen backstage and rehearsal footage. A ninth DVD features
"The Concert for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," a star-studded
concert event which opened the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in
Cleveland in 1995. Available exclusively online for $119.96 via
www.RockHallDVDs.com or www.TimeLife.com. The deluxe collector's
package also includes nine essays from award winning music journalists
and historians Rob Bowman, Holly George-Warren, Michael Hill, Dave
Marsh, Charlie McCardell and Andy Schwartz. (Time Life).
Route 66: Season Three, Volume Two
(1963) Four-disc set with 15 episodes, $29.98. (Infinity Entertainment).
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Amy Poehler
(2009) Single-disc, $19.99. Extras: Dress Sketch 1, Dress Sketch 2, "Update" outtakes, photo gallery, commentary by Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers. (Universal).
That Was the GDR
(1993) A four-part DEFA documentary, this astonishing chronicle of the
German Democratic Republic (or as we called it, East Germany) features
illuminating interviews complemented by rare archival materials from
film, photographs, posters, caricatures, popular songs and speeches.
Former citizens both prominent and unknown reflect on cultural,
economic and political developments from the founding of the GDR in
1949 to German unification in 1990. This is the ultimate film history
of events such as the suppression of the Prague Spring in 1968, the
rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, economic stagnation, Stasi activity,
and the popular upheavals that finally brought down the state. Two-disc
set, $29.95. (First Run Features).
They Killed Sister Dorothy (2008)
Documentary. Sister Dorothy Stang, a 73-year-old Catholic nun from
Dayton, Ohio, was shot six times at point blank range at the mouth of
the Amazon River. The events that led to her death, and the trials that
follow, reveal the larger battle being fought for the future of the
rainforest. Narrated by Martin Sheen. $24.95. (First Run Features).
Top Chef: New York: The Complete Season Five
(2008-09) Four-disc set, $29.95. Extras:
Never-before-aired Stew Room footage, extended interviews, cooking
demonstrations, an exclusive mini cookbook and a free game demo.
(A&E Home Entertainment).
The Transformers: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Edition Collector's Set
(1983) Sixteen-disc set with 98 restored episodes, a collectible 60-page book, Autobots and Decepticon Magnets, more. Extras:
Retrospective featurettes, concept art, voice cast reunion, archival
Hasbro Toy commercials, printable scripts, rare PSAs, "From the Files
of Teletraan-2," Fan art gallery, animated fan film. $140.00. (Shout!
Factory).
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
(2009) Dir.: Michael Bay; Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel,
Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Isabel Lucas, Rainn Wilson. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras:
Commentary by Michael Bay, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman; "The Human
Factor: Exacting Revenge of the Fallen" featurette; "Seeds of Vengeance
-- Development and Design" featurette; "Domestic Destruction --
Production: United States" featurette; "Joint Operations -- Production:
Military" featurette; "Wonders of the World -- Production: Middle East"
featurette; "Start Making Sense -- Editing" featurette; "Under the Gun
-- Visual Effects" featurette; "Running the Gauntlet -- Post-Production
and Release" featurette; "A Day with Bay: Tokyo" featurette; "25 Years
of Transformers" Hasbro featurette; "NEST: Transformer Data-Hub"
conceptual artwork created by the production for 12 of the most popular
Autobots and Decepticons from the film; "Deconstructing Visual Bayhem"
multi-angle pre-visualization sequences; extended scenes; Linkin Park's
"New Divide" music video. The Blu-ray and two-disc DVD packages also
will feature augmented reality technology that will allow owners to
interact with a holographic image of Optimus Prime utilizing their
webcams and a special website. Fans will be asked to piece together the
Matrix of Leadership to bring Optimus Prime back to life, help repair
his armor and calibrate his weapons by actually controlling his aim
during target practice. (Paramount).
UFC 100: Making History (2009)
High-octane showcase of the biggest names in the world of mixed martial
arts: UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar defends his title against
Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir and UFC Welterweight champion
Georges "Rush" St-Pierre fights the number one contender Thiago
"Pitbull" Alves. $19.97. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Vega$: The First Season, Volume 1
(1978) Three-disc set with 11 episodes, $36.98. (Paramount).
William Castle Film Collection.
The master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his
outrageous audience participation gimmicks and promotions (including
wiring theater seats to vibrate in key scenes of "The Tingler" and
providing nurses offering blood-pressure tests in the lobby of theaters
screening "Homicidal") will be remembered by Sony with a five-disc set
featuring eight of the legendary producer-director's most notable
films, including "The Tingler" (1959), "13 Ghosts" (1960), "Homicidal"
(1961), "Mr. Sardonicus" (1961) and "Strait-Jacket" (1964). Also
included in the collection are "Zotz!" (1962), "The Old Dark House"
(1963) and "13 Frightened Girls" (1963), each making their DVD debuts. Extras:
Commentaries; original theatrical openings; alternate sequences;
vintage footage; original theatrical trailers; two episodes of the
television series "Ghost Story," produced by Castle; "Spine Tingler!
The William Castle Story" (2007), an acclaimed documentary on Castle by
director Jeffrey Schwarz that won the Audience Award for Best
Documentary at the 2007 AFI Film Festival; featurettes: "The Magic of
Illusion-O," "Psychette: William Castle and Homicidal," "Homicidal
Youngstown, Ohio Premiere," "Battleaxe: The Making of Strait-Jacket,"
"How to Plan a Movie Murder," "Scream For Your Lives: William Castle
and The Tingler," Joan Crawford wardrobe and axe tests for
"Strait-Jacket." $80.95. (Sony).
Wings of Desire
(1987) Dir.: Wim Wenders; Bruno Ganz, Peter Falk, Solveig Dommartin,
Otto Sander, Curt Bois. New, restored high-definition digital transfer,
supervised and approved by director Wim Wenders. "Wings of Desire (Der
Himmel uber Berlin)" is one of cinema's loveliest city symphonies.
Bruno Ganz is Damiel, an angel perched atop buildings high over Berlin
who can hear the thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams of all the people
living below. But when he falls in love with a beautiful trapeze
artist, he is willing to give up his immortality to come back to earth
to be with her. Made not long before the fall of the Berlin Wall, this
stunning tapestry of sounds and images, shot in black and white and
color by the legendary Henri Alekan, is movie poetry. Extras:
Commentary by Wenders and Falk; "The Angels Among Us" (2003), a
documentary featuring interviews with Wenders, Falk, Ganz and Otto
Sander, writer Peter Handke, and composer Jurgen Knieper; excerpt from
"Wim Wenders Berlin Jan. 87," an episode of the French television
program Cinema cinemas, including on-set footage; interview with
director of photography Henri Alekan; deleted scenes and outtakes;
excerpts from the films "Alekan la lumiere" (1985) and "Remembrance:
Film for Curt Bois" (about the actor who plays Homer in "Wings of
Desire"); notes and photos by production designer Heidi Ludi and art
director Toni Ludi; booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael
Atkinson and writings by Wenders and Handke. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead
(2009) Janet Montgomery, Tom Frederic, Tamer Hassan, Gil Kolirin.
Direct-to-video sequel has Three Finger and his mutant family overrun
with trouble when some of the most vicious killers in the country
escape into the woods from a bus transporting them to prison. Extras: "Action, Gore and Chaos!" featurette, "Brothers in Blood" featurette, "Three Finger's Fight Night" featurette, deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Wrong Turn Trilogy.
Three-disc set with "Wrong Turn," "Wrong Turn 2: Dead Ahead" and "Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead ," $39.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
You Must Remember This -- The Warner Bros. Story
(2008) Clint Eastwood narrates Richard Schickel's perceptive
five-episode, 85th-anniversary salute to the studio that gained a
four-footed hold with an unlikely star (Rin Tin Tin), championed tough
guys and dames who gave the Depression and the Nazis the raspberry,
countered the boxoffice onslaught of TV and emerged as a 21st-century
giant. $29.98. (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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, October 13 -- Monday, October 19
Adoration Atom Egoyan's "Adoration"
speaks to our connections -- with each other, with our family history,
with technology and with the modern world. A high school French teacher
gives her class a translation exercise based on a real news story about
a terrorist who plants a bomb in the airline luggage of his pregnant
girlfriend. The assignment has a profound effect on one student, Simon,
who lives with his uncle. In the course of translating the assignment,
Simon re-imagines that the news item is his own family's story, with
the terrorist standing in for his father. Years ago, Simon's father
crashed the family car, killing himself and his wife, making Simon an
orphan. Simon has always feared that the accident was intentional.
Simon reads his version to the class and then takes it to the Internet.
In essence he has created a false identity that allows him to probe his
family secret. As Simon uses his new persona to journey deeper into his
past, the public reaction is swift and strong. Then an exotic woman
revels her true identity and the truth about Simon's family emerges. Vitals: Director: Atom Egoyan. Stars: Arsinee Khanjian, Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard, Devon Bostick.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $.271 million, Sony.
Drag Me to Hell Christine Brown (Alison
Lohman) is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend and
a good life until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush arrives at the bank to beg
for an extension on her home loan. Instead of following her instincts
and giving the old woman a break, she denies the extension to impress
her boss and get a leg-up on a promotion. Bad decision. In retaliation,
the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine,
transforming her life into a living hell. Haunted by an evil spirit and
misunderstood by her skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer
Rham Jas to save her soul from eternal damnation. To help the shattered
Christine return her life to normal, the psychic sets her on a frantic
course to reverse the spell. As evil forces close in, Christine must
face the unthinkable: how far will she go to break free of the curse? Vitals:
Director: Sam Raimi. Stars: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Jessica Lucas,
Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza, Fernanda Romero, Reggie
Lee.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 99 min., Horror, Box office gross: $42.057 million, Universal.
Every Little Step Documentary captures the
magic of Broadway snash hit "A Chorus Line" by following auditions and
casting of the successful 2006 stage revival, while at the same time
exploring the history the musical, from late director-choreographer
Michael Bennett's ground-breaking concept of inviting Broadway chorus
performers to tell their real stories, to the show becoming an
international phenomenon from the 1970s through the 1990s. "Every
Little Step" not only compares and contrasts the original musical with
the 2006 revival, it also takes viewers behind the scenes for actual
auditions (including peeks at many of the show's beloved song and dance
numbers), as well as candid interviews with hopeful performers and
those who decide their fate.
Vitals: Director:Adam Del Deo
James D. Stern. 2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 93 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $1.689 million, Sony.
Land of the Lost On his latest expedition,
Dr. Rick Marshall (Will Ferrell) is sucked into a space-time vortex
alongside his research assistant and a redneck survivalist. In this
alternate universe, the trio make friends with a primate named Chaka,
their only ally in a world full of dinosaurs and other fantastic
creatures. Based on the classic television series created by Sid &
Marty Krofft. Vitals: Director: Brad Silberling. Stars: Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 93 min., Fantasy-Comedy, Box office gross: $49.392 million, Universal.
The Proposal Margaret Tate (Sandra
Bullock) terrorizes her publishing house co-workers with her abrasive,
take-no-prisoners management style, especially her overworked assistant
Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds). But when Margaret is threatened with
deportation to her native Canada because of an immigration
technicality, the quick-thinking exec announces that she and Andrew are
engaged to be married. Ambitious Andrew agrees to go along with her
scheme -- if there;s a long-awaited promotion in it for him.
Everything goes according to Margaret's plan, until an overzealous
immigration official makes it his business to prove that the couple's
engagement is bogus. To demonstrate her commitment to her new fiance,
Margaret agrees to celebrate the 90th birthday of his colorful
grandmother (Betty White) in Alaska. The editor's type-A ways put her
at odds with her eccentric future in-laws with hilarious consequences,
until the Paxtons teach Margaret a thing or two about family. Vitals: Director: Anne
Fletcher. Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman, Mary
Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Oscar Nunez, Betty White, Dennis O'Hare.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $154.751 million, Disney.
DVD Collectibles:
Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers"
caused quite a firestorm when it was released in 1994; the
ultra-violent film starred Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as
psychotic lovebirds who go on a killing spree (ala "Badlands"), with
Robert Downey Jr. as a newsman who documents their murders.
Prior to the theatrical release, Stone reworked the film, made more
than 150 cuts, and removed approximately four minutes in order to get
an R rating. This is his original unrated Director's Cut. For this 15th
anniversary edition, Warner Home Video has added such goodies as a new
introduction by Stone; a new featurette, "NBK Evolution: How Would It
All Go Down Now?" that illustrates how current communication technology
(blogs, Twitters) would impact the film if it were made today; and a
44-page booklet on the film's production. Also available on Blu-ray
Disc.
The science fiction horror thriller "Hardware"
(1990) -- the feature film debut of South African writer-director
Richard Stanley -- was slammed by critics as a "Terminator" ripoff but
the low-budget outing stood on its own. Originally rated X by the MPAA
and subsequently edited by distributor Miramax, this version will be
presented uncut and uncensored for the first time from a print supplied
by Stanley himself. Dylan McDermott stars as a post-apocalyptic
scavenger who brings home a battered cyborg skull for his
metal-sculptor girlfriend. Unfortunately, the steel scrap contains the
brain of the military's combat droid programmed to kill all humans and
the robot reassemble itself, going on the hunt for human flesh. A
thrilling, breathtaking cult tour-de-force. In a two-disc set DVD set
and on Blu-ray from Severin ... "Where the Day Takes You"
(1992) showcases a host of young actors before their careers really
took off: Will Smith, Sean Astin, Adam Baldwin, Lara Flynn Boyle,
Balthazar Getty, Robert Knepper, Ricki Lake, James Le Gros, Nancy
McKeon, Alyssa Milano, Dermot Mulroney and Christian Slater. The film
revolves around a group of teenage runaways who live each day lost in a
spiral of drugs, sex, crime and violence in the underbelly of
Hollywood. From Anchor Bay Entertainment. From TV to Video: "Futurama The Complete Collection 1999-2009"
is a 19-disc set with all 72 episodes from the animated cult series, as
well as the four feature length adventures: "Bender's Big Score," "The
Beast With a Billion Backs," "Bender's Game" and "Into the Wild Green
Yonder," $199.98 from Fox ... "Girlfriends: The Seventh Season" (2006-07) is a three-disc set with 22 episodes, $36.98 from Paramount ... "The Hunger: The Complete Second Season"
(2009) is a four-disc set with 22 uncut episodes, of the series that's
a mesmerizing cross between "The Twilight Zone" and "Tales from the
Crypt"; hosted by David Bowie and produced by Tony and Ridley Scott;
$39.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "Inspector Lewis 2" (2008) is the second season of the Masterpiece Mystery! series with seven thrillers, $49.99 from WGBH Boston Video ... "Jackass: The Lost Tapes"
(2009) features unaired and new-to-DVD footage from the MTV series;
includes "The Self-Defense test," "Stun Collar," "Unicycle Poo Barf,"
"Fast Food Football," "Roller Jump," more; $22.99 from MTV/Paramount
... "Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season" (2009) is a five-disc set with 22 episodes, $45.99 from Disney ... "Married ... With Children: The Complete Eleventh Season" (1996-97) is a three-disc set with 24 Episodes, $39.95 from Sony ... "The Mighty Boosh Special Edition"
(2003-07) is a seven-disc set with all 20 episodes of the cult
BBC/Adult Swim live-action series, plus bonus features, $79.98 from
Warner ... "Paranormal State: The Complete Season Three" (2009) is a three-disc set with 20 episodes, $29.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Pat Paulsen's Half a Comedy Hour"
(1970) is a two-disc set with all 13 episodes of the emmy winner's ABC
Show. After starring as a regular on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
and running for President in the 1968 election -- one of his slogans
was "If elected, I will win" -- the great Paulsen branched out with his
own ABC series, featuring the funnyman's famous deadpan delivery in a
variety of skits and settings; $24.98 from MPI Home Video ... "TV Western Treasures"
is a treasure trove of Western television classics with more than 60
hours (150 episodes) of tough-talkin' cowboys, pistols, petticoats and
miles of trails with the legends of the Old West, featuring such
classic stars as Roy Rogers, Edgar Buchanan, Jock Mahoney, Dickie
Jones, Scott Forbes, Duncan Renaldo, Bill Williams and many more.
Twelve-disc set, $29.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment.
Buzzin' the 'B's: In "Gnaw"
(2008), six twentysomething friends go on a weekend break to the
English countryside and find a seemingly perfect place to rest and
relax: a charming and idyllic farmhouse hosted by kindly Mrs. Obadiah,
who lovingly prepares mouth watering meals for her young visitors. But
trouble is brewing in the country kitchen and the carefree kids come to
the realization that a really big meal is planned -- and they're the
main course; from Dark Sky Films ... A young woman obsessed with her
dentist heads for a breakdown when he rejects her continued sexual
advances, and she sets out to make herself a part of his life by any
means necessary -- even if it means murder, in "Oral Fixation" (2009), starring Emily Parker, Kerry Aissa and Chris Keis; from Lifesize Entertainment ... "The Haunted Airman"
(2006), starring Robert Pattinson, Julian Sands and Rachael Stirling,
is a spine-tingling BBC WWII-era ghost story about a flight lieutenant,
confined to a wheelchair after being wounded in combat, who arrives at
a remote mansion in Wales to recuperate and suspects that he's become
the victim of an eerie paranormal haunting; from E1 Entertainment ... A
thousand years after he died while trying to discover a way to fly, a
monk's spirit enters the mind of Jack Brown, a modern-day inventor with
problems of his own, in the hopes of completing his winged machine so
his soul will be set free in "Jack Brown Genius"
(1994 -- New Zealand), starring Stuart Devenie, Timothy Balme, Nicola
Murphy, Marton Csokas; from Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate ... In "The Objective"
(2008), a U.S. Special Forces squad on a secret mission into
Afghanistan find themselves lost in a Middle Eastern "Bermuda Triangle"
of ancient evil, fighting an enemy they cannot decipher or comprehend;
from IFC Films.
On the Indie Front: In "Red Roses and Petrol"
(2003), starring Malcolm McDowell, Olivia Tracey, Heather Juergensen,
Max Beesley, Greg Ellis and Susan Lynch, is a darkly comedic drama that
offers a tour-de-force showcase for McDowell as Enda Doyle, a
university librarian, poet, and rascal who is the flawed patriarch of a
dysfunctional family struggling to come to terms with his death and
with one another during a haze of cigarette smoke and uneaten food as
Enda's family gathers in Dublin for his wake; from World Wide Motion
Pictures Corp. ... A heartless art critic retreats to his cottage on a
lake where, after a drunken outburst "that any idiot can make art," he
finds himself entered in the town's art festival competition in "Mr. Art Critic" (2007), starring Bronson Pinchot, Toni Trucks and John Lepard; from MTI Home Video ... "Jada"
(2009), starring Rockmond Dunbar, Clifton Powell, Jason Weaver and
Siena Goines, is a Gospel Music Channel feature about a woman whose
faith in God saves her family and herself during a tumultuous time;
from Vivendi Entertainment.
Foreign: A
high-school student in Copenhagen who dreams of becoming a mixed
martial arts champion defies her parents -- conservative immigrants
from Turkey -- and secretly joins a kung fu club, where she trains –
and falls in love – with a sympathetic instructor in "Fighter" (2007 -- Denmark); from IFC Films ... "Left Bank"
(2008 -- Belgium) is a horror thriller reminiscent of Roman Polanski's
"The Tenant," about a 22-year-old woman who moves into an apartment in
the Left Bank area of Antwerp with a young archer and soon discovers
that the neighbors are utterly weird, there's something strange and
dark going on in the basement, and a previous young female tenant has
mysteriously disappeared; from IFC Films.
For the Family: "Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases Volume 3"
features 14 cartoons directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera and
originally released between 1941 and 1956. Includes "The Two
Mousketeers," which was released in 1952 and won an Academy Award for
Best Short Subject; $14.97 from Warner ... "Little Spirit: Christmas in New York"
(2008) is a holiday special featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Lucy
Liu and Brenda Song, with music by Faith Hill and Duncan Sheik. A
magical spirit takes a young boy on the holiday journey of a lifetime
when his dog is accidently lost in Central Park and he goes after her;
$16.95 from Genius Products ... "Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island"
(2009) is a CGI animated DVD premiere that brings the characters and
sets from the Playmobil Pirates to life. The DVD will include a special
interactive feature that will allow viewers to participate in the
action by choosing from various options as the story progresses -- with
28 different possible story combinations; from Sony ... " My Little Pony Twinkle Wish Adventure"
(2009) features six sing-alongs, two new animated shorts, and four fun
activities featuring Pinkie Pie and all her pony friends as they go on
a journey to find the missing Wishing Star; $14.99 from Shout! Factory.
Special Interest: "Where's Amelia Earhart?"
(2009) is a History Channel National Geographic biography of the
aviator, timed for the Oct. 23 theatrical release of "Amelia," starring
Hilary Swank; $19.98 from Warner ... "Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times"
(2009)is a look at one of the City of the Angel's most influential
families, the Chandlers, who used their power and their newspaper, the
Los Angeles Times, to shape public opinion throughout the 20th century
and captain the city's economic, social and cultural growth; $24.99
from PBS ... "Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry" (2008) is a
documentary that explores the roots of American tattooing through the
life of its most iconoclastic figure, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins,
considered by many as the foremost tattoo artist of all time; $24.95
from IndiePix ... Mill Creek Entertainment has two military releases this week: "The American Soldier: The Complete History of U.S. Wars"
(2009), hosted by George Kennedy, is an ambitious four-volume
documentary series that explores every major conflict in America's
history; and "WWII Remembered -- A Complete History"
(2009), a 10-part documentary series that features compelling
interviews with veterans of WWII, capturing the heart and spirit of the
20th century's greatest conflict; both $14.98 ... "NASCAR: Greatest Dominators & Greatest Finishes"
(2009) is a single DVD with two documentaries: "Greatest Finishes"
features 10 of the most heart-pounding races throughout four decades of
NASCAR racing, and "Greatest Dominators" focuses on the drivers and
teams who have consistently ruled the NASCAR world including Dale
Earnhardt, Richard Petty, Bill Elliott and more; $14.98 from Mill Creek
Entertainment ... "The American Brew: The Rich and Surprising History of Beer"
(2009) is a documentary that explores the rich and surprising history
of beer making, from colonial settlers to the struggle of Prohibition,
through the rise of microbrews and the unending success of national
breweries; from PBS Distribution ... "New World Order"
(2009) is a documentary that offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes
look at a small, but very vocal movement seeking to expose "global
elitists" whom they claim are masterminding the breakdown of the
world's economy and society, conspiracy theorists who believe that the
attack on the World Trade Center was an "inside job," that the
military-industrial complex killed Kennedy, and that an international
cabal is plotting to enslave us all; $19.98 from The Disinformation
Company ... "Nick Swardson: Seriously, Who Farted?" (2009) is a Comedy Central stand-up special with the writer of "Grandma's Boy" and "Benchwarmers"; $16.99 from Paramount.
Adoration
(2009) Dir.: Atom Egoyan; Stars: Arsinee Khanjian, Scott Speedman, Rachel Blanchard, Devon Bostick. Extras: Deleted scenes, interview with Atom Egoyan, featurettes: "Making Of," "The Violin Shop," "Take Three" and "Passengers." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
The American Brew: The Rich and Surprising History of Beer
(2009) Documentary explores the rich and surprising history of beer
making, from colonial settlers to the struggle of Prohibition, through
the rise of microbrews and the unending success of national breweries. Extras:
"Cheese Wars," a battle between wine and beer to determine cheese's
perfect match; conversations with restaurateur Danny Meyer, premier
beer critic Michael Jackson, and the editors of "All About Beer"; a
look inside the hidden cellar of New York City's Prohibition-era 21
Club; Paul Brady's breweriana collection. (PBS Distribution).
The American Soldier: The Complete History of U.S. Wars
(2009) George Kennedy hosts an ambitious four-volume documentary series
that explores every major conflict in America's history. $14.98. (Mill
Creek Entertainment).
Drag Me to Hell
(2009) Dir.: Sam Raimi; Stars: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Jessica
Lucas, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Adriana Barraza, Fernanda Romero,
Reggie Lee.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Every Little Step (2009)
Documentary captures the magic of Broadway snash hit "A Chorus Line" by
following auditions and casting of the successful 2006 stage revival,
while at the same time exploring the history the musical, from late
director-choreographer Michael Bennett's ground-breaking concept of
inviting Broadway chorus performers to tell their real stories, to the
show becoming an international phenomenon from the 1970s through the
1990s. Extras:
Commentary by directors Adam Del Deo & James D. Stern, and composer
Marvin Hamlisch; deleted scenes; "Donna McKechnie: In Conversation";
"An Interview with John Breglio, Bob Avian and Baayork Lee." (Sony).
Fighter
(2007 -- Denmark) Semra Turan, Cyron Melville. A high-school student in
Copenhagen who dreams of becoming a mixed martial arts champion defies
her parents -- conservative immigrants from Turkey -- and secretly
joins a kung fu club, where she trains – and falls in love – with a
sympathetic instructor. (IFC Films).
Futurama The Complete Collection 1999-2009. Nineteen-disc
set with all 72 episodes from the animated cult series, as well as the
four feature length adventures: "Bender's Big Score," "The Beast With a
Billion Backs," "Bender's Game" and "Into the Wild Green Yonder,"
$199.98. Extras: Featurettes, commentary, deleted scenes, interactive still gallery, blooper reels, more. (Fox).
Girlfriends: The Seventh Season
(2006-07) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $36.98. (Paramount).
Gnaw
(2008) Sara Dylan, Gary Faulkner, Rachel Mitchem, Hiram Bleetman, Nigel
Croft-Adams, Oliver Squires, Julian Vandoorne, Jennifer Wren, Carrie
Cohen. Six twentysomething friends go on a weekend break to the English
countryside and find a seemingly perfect place to rest and relax: a
charming and idyllic farmhouse hosted by kindly Mrs. Obadiah, who
lovingly prepares mouth watering meals for her young visitors. But
trouble is brewing in the country kitchen and the carefree kids come to
the realization that a really big meal is planned -- and they're the
main course. (Dark Sky Films).
Hardware
(1990) Dylan McDermott, Stacey Travis, John Lynch, William Hootkins,
Iggy Pop. This cult classic was the infamous feature film debut of
music video visionary turned writer-director Richard Stanley.
Originally rated X by the MPAA and subsequently edited by distributor
Miramax, this version will be presented uncut and uncensored for the
first time from a print supplied by Stanley himself. Dylan McDermott
stars as a post-apocalyptic scavenger who brings home a battered cyborg
skull for his metal-sculptor girlfriend. But this steel scrap contains
the brain of the M.A.R.K. 13, the military's most ferocious
bio-mechanical combat droid programmed to kill all humans. It's
cunning, cruel and knows how to reassemble itself and when it does, no
human flesh will be spared. A thrilling, breathtaking tour-de-force of
science fiction horror. Two-disc set. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, and Stanley's never-before-seen hour-long Super 8 version of the film. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Severin Films).
The Haunted Airman
(2006) Robert Pattinson, Julian Sands, Rachael Stirling. Spine-tingling
BBC WWII-era ghost story based on the 1948 novel "The Haunting of Toby
Jugg" by Dennis Wheatley. Flight Lieutenant Toby Jugg, confined to a
wheelchair after being wounded in combat, arrives at a remote mansion
in Wales to recuperate. Suffering terrible nightmares and visions, he
suspects the methods of his psychiatrist, trusting only his beautiful
aunt, But circumstances arise that cause him to doubt even her
intentions. Is the lieutenant the victim of an eerie paranormal
haunting or a cruel conspiracy tied to his past? (E1 Entertainment).
Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry (2008)
Documentary explores the roots of American tattooing through the life
of its most iconoclastic figure, Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins.
Considered by many as the foremost tattoo artist of all time, Collins'
uncompromising lifestyle and larger-than-life persona made him an
American legend. Collins' work would come to symbolize a new style of
American folk art: tattoos that blended traditional elements of
continental motifs with the finesse, shading, and artistic nuance of
the Japanese tattoo masters, known as horis. $24.95. Extras: Deleted scenes, outtakes, director's commentary. (IndiePix).
The Hunger: The Complete Second Season
(2009) Four-disc set with 22 uncut episodes, $39.98. Demons, vampires,
and fantasy run wild in a mesmerizing cross between "The Twilight Zone"
and "Tales from the Crypt" in this half-hour series hosted by music and
film icon David Bowie and produced by Tony and Ridley Scott. (E1
Entertainment).
Inspector Lewis 2
(2008) Second season of the Masterpiece Mystery! series with seven thrillers, $49.99. (WGBH Boston Video).
Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times (2009)
While Boston had the Kennedys, Los Angeles was ruled by the Chandlers.
One of the City of the Angel's most influential families, the Chandlers
used their power and their newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, to shape
public opinion throughout the 20th century and captain the city's
economic, social and cultural growth. Their reign ended when a longtime
family feud brought down one of the country's great newspaper
dynasties. A fascinating, in-depth historical portrait of this
legendary reign. $24.99. (PBS).
Jack Brown Genius
(1994 -- New Zealand) Stuart Devenie, Timothy Balme, Nicola Murphy,
Marton Csokas. A thousand years after he died while trying to discover
a way to fly, a monk's spirit enters the mind of Jack Brown, a
modern-day inventor with problems of his own, in the hopes of
completing his winged machine so his soul will be set free. (Barnholtz
Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Jackass: The Lost Tapes (2009)
Unaired and new-to-DVD footage from the MTV series. Includes "The
Self-Defense test," "Stun Collar," "Unicycle Poo Barf," "Fast Food
Football," "Roller Jump," more. $22.99. Extras: "Hi, I'm Johnny Knoxville" show opening montage, credit montages, more. (MTV/Paramount).
Jada
(2009) Rockmond Dunbar, Clifton Powell, Jason Weaver, Siena Goines.
Gospel Music Channel feature about a woman whose faith in God saves her
family and herself during a tumultuous time. Jada (Siena Goines) is a
young, single mother struggling to raise her two children in a time of
personal difficulty when she receives help from a local pastor (Clifton
Powell) who hears her struggles. (Vivendi Entertainment).
Land of the Lost
(2009) Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Land of the Lost: Seasons 1, 2 and 3 (1974-1977)
Season 1: Three-disc set with 17 episodes, Season 2: Two-disc set with
13 episodes and Season 3: Two-disc sets with 13 episodes, $26.98 each.
(Universal).
Left Bank (2008 --
Belgium) Eline Kuppens, Matthias Schoenaerts. Horror thriller has a
22-year-old world-class runner who's training for a major European race
drop out because of exhaustion and a weakened immune system, which
eventually leads to a grotesque knee infection. She impulsively moves
into an apartment in the Left Bank area of Antwerp, Belgium, with a
young archer she met, and soon discovers that the neighbors are utterly
weird, there's something strange and dark going on in the basement, and
a previous young female tenant has mysteriously disappeared. (IFC
Films).
Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season
(2009) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $45.99. Extras: Behind-the-scenes interviews, "Forging the Sword: Crafting a Legend," deleted scenes, commentaries.. (Disney).
Little Spirit: Christmas in New York (2008)
Holiday special featuring the voices of Danny DeVito, Lucy Liu and
Brenda Song, with music by Faith Hill and Duncan Sheik. A young boy
embarks on the holiday journey of a lifetime in the city that never
sleeps in this animated feature. Moving to a new house in a new city is
never easy, but when Leo's dog (and best friend) Romona is accidently
lost in Central Park, Leo is determined to find his furry little friend
in time for Christmas. Feeling lost and alone, a magical spirit takes
him on an incredible adventure and Leo soon learns that this new city
isn't as scary as it seemed -- and that the true meaning of Christmas
may just be found in the people he meets along the way. $16.95. (Genius
Products).
Lovejoy: The Complete Season 6 (1994)
Three-disc set with 10 episodes of the British TV series about the
crime-solving antiques dealer, starring Ian McShane; $49.98. (Warner).
Mr. Art Critic (2007)
Bronson Pinchot, Toni Trucks, John Lepard. A heartless art critic
retreats to his cottage on a lake where, after a drunken outburst "that
any idiot can make art," he finds himself entered in the town's art
festival competition. Extras: Behind the scenes footage. (MTI Home Video).
Married ... With Children: The Complete Eleventh Season
(1996-97) Three-disc set with 24 Episodes, $39.95. (Sony).
The Mighty Boosh Special Edition
(2003-07) Seven-disc set with all 20 episodes of the cult BBC/Adult
Swim live-action series, plus bonus features, $79.98. (Warner).
My Little Pony Twinkle Wish Adventure (2009)
Features six sing-alongs, two new animated shorts, and four fun
activities. Pinkie Pie and all her pony friends can't wait for the
Winter Wishes festival where the Wishing Star grants each pony one
special wish. But when the Wishing Star disappears, they go on a
journey to find it. Will they make it back in time for the festival?
$14.99. (Shout! Factory).
NASCAR: Greatest Dominators & Greatest Finishes (2009)
Single DVD with two documentaries: "Greatest Finishes" features 10 of
the most heart-pounding races throughout four decades of NASCAR racing;
"Greatest Dominators" focuses on the drivers and teams who have
consistently ruled the NASCAR world including Dale Earnhardt, Richard
Petty, Bill Elliott and more. $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Natural Born Killers Director's Cut (1994)
Dir.: Oliver Stone; Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr.,
Tommy Lee Jones. The original unrated version. Prior to the theatrical
release, Oliver Stone reworked the film, made more than 150 cuts, and
removed approximately four minutes in order to get an R rating. Extras:
New introduction by Stone; commentary by Stone; "NBK Evolution: How
Would It All Go Down Now?" a new featurette from six-time Emmy
Award-nominated producer Woody Thompson illustrating how current
communication technology would impact the film if it were made today,
examining the issues and changes in the context of current media and
even creating a timeline of the killers' activities in cell phone
videos, blogs, tweets and Facebook updates (How would Stone portray
today's instantaneous user-generated media society and its reaction to
the exploits of Mickey and Mallory? How would the social networks and
the blogs cover, discuss and rate each of their killing sprees? How
many views and comments would their home-made videos generate on
YouTube?); "Chaos Rising: The Storm Around Natural Born Killers"
making-of documentary about the storm of controversy surrounding the
film; deleted scenes; alternate ending; Charlie Rose interview; 44-page
booklet on the film's production. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner)
New World Order
(2009) Documentary offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a
small, but very vocal movement seeking to expose "global elitists" whom
they claim are masterminding the breakdown of the world's economy and
society. These conspiracy theorists believe that the attack on the
World Trade Center was an "inside job," that the military-industrial
complex killed Kennedy, and that an international cabal is plotting to
enslave us all. While elaborating on many of the underground movement's
views, the film doesn't attempt to prove or disprove any of their
theories. And, though the film may compel viewers to question their
beliefs about the world at large, at its core it's about the power of
ideas, and how that power can affect one's life and define one's
actions. $19.98. (The Disinformation Company).
Nick Swardson: Seriously, Who Farted?
(2009) Comedy Central stand-up special with the writer of "Grandma's Boy" and "Benchwarmers"; $16.99. Extras:
"Beardo & Dirt Nasty Performance," "8 Drinks Later Trailer,"
"Timeless Comedian," "A Very Terry Christmas. (Comedy
Central/Paramount).
The Objective
(2008) Jonas Ball, Matthew R. Anderson, Jon Huertas. A CIA operative
and a U.S. Special Forces squad on a secret mission in Afghanistan find
themselves lost in a Middle Eastern "Bermuda Triangle" of ancient evil,
fighting an enemy they cannot decipher or comprehend. (IFC Films).
An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (2008
-- TV) Helene Joy, Jacqueline Bisset, Tatiana Maslany. Hallmark Channel
melodrama. Recently widowed Mary Bassett (Helene Joy) and her three
children have hit difficult times on their farm -- they can't even
afford a turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner. Suddenly, Mary's wealthy
and estranged mother Isabella (Jacqueline Bisset) has come to visit.
Mary resents her mother's attempts to help them out of their financial
difficulties and, in the end, more than money will be needed to heal
the emotional wounds that exist between mother and daughter. (Sony).
Oral Fixation (2009) Emily
Parker, Kerry Aissa, Chris Keis. A young woman obsessed with her
dentist heads for a breakdown when he rejects her continued sexual
advances, and she sets out to make herself a part of his life by any
means necessary -- even if it means murder. (Lifesize Entertainment ).
Paranormal State: The Complete Season Three
(2009) Three-disc set with 20 episodes, $29.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Pat Paulsen's Half a Comedy Hour (1970)
Two-disc set with all 13 episodes of Paulsen's ABC Show. After winning
an Emmy and running for President in the 1968 election -- the first of
six unserious attempts to gain the White House (one of his slogans was
"If elected, I will win") -- the great Pat Paulsen branched out with
his own ABC series, featuring the funnyman's famous deadpan delivery in
a variety of skits and settings, co-starring a stellar roster of guests
such as Don Rickles, Angie Dickinson, Tom Smothers, Debbie Reynolds,
Andy Williams, Don Adams, Henry Fonda, Mike Connors, Wilt Chamberlain
and JoAnn Worley. $24.98. (MPI Home Video).
Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island (2009)
CGI animated DVD premiere brings the characters and sets from the
Playmobil Pirate playsets to life. The DVD will include a special
interactive feature that will allow viewers to participate in the
action by choosing from various options as the story progresses -- with
28 different possible story combinations. Seven-year-old Jack and his
big sister Amelia stow away on a pirate ship headed for the mysterious
Skull Island -- a place filled with treasure and curious creatures. Can
Jack and Amelia stay one step ahead of a bunch of wacky skeletons and
get to the treasure before the pirates do?
Extras: "Captain Gruff's Favorite Movie," "Pirate Sing-Along." (Sony).
Proposal, The (2009)
Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Malin Akerman, Mary Steenburgen, Craig
T. Nelson, Oscar Nunez, Betty White, Dennis O'Hare. Available in
two-disc Blu-ray and DVD editions as well as single-disc DVD and
Blu-ray editions. Extras:
Outtakes, bloopers, deleted scenes, commentary by director Anne
Fletcher and writer Peter Chiarelli, alternate ending. (Disney).
Red Roses and Petrol (2003)
Malcolm McDowell, Olivia Tracey, Heather Juergensen, Max Beesley, Greg
Ellis, Susan Lynch. Based on the Irish play by acclaimed writer Joseph
O'Connor, the darkly comedic drama offers a tour-de-force showcase for
Malcolm McDowell as Enda Doyle, a university librarian, poet, and
rascal who is the flawed patriarch of a dysfunctional family struggling
to come to terms with his death and with one another. Unfolding during
a haze of cigarette smoke and uneaten food as Enda's family gathers in
Dublin for his wake, the story explores the emotional dynamics of
familial relationships with sharp humor and surprising turns. A
"Collector's Edition" set of authentic 35mm film frames cut directly
from an official theatrical release print of "Red Roses and Petrol"
will be included as an exclusive gift with each online order of the
film (at www.redrosesandpetrol.com) prior to September 8, 2009, while
supplies last. The film's soundtrack features music from Irish American
band Flogging Molly and Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles. Selected music
from the film, including bonus tracks by the Rainmakers, Joe Puerta of
Ambrosia, and the Elders, is also being released on CD, iTunes and
other outlets. (World Wide Motion Pictures Corp.)
TV Western Treasures (2009)
Strike gold with this treasure trove of Western Television classics"
More than 60 hours (150 episodes) of tough-talkin' cowboys, pistols,
petticoats and miles of trails with the legends of the Old West,
featuring such classic stars as Roy Rogers, Edgar Buchanan, Jock
Mahoney, Dickie Jones, Scott Forbes, Duncan Renaldo, Bill Williams and
many more. Twelve-disc set, $29.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases Volume 3. Fourteen
cartoons directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera and originally
released between 1941 and 1956. Includes "The Two Mousketeers," which
was released in 1952 and won an Academy Award for Best Short Subject:
Cartoons, "Touche Pussycat" (1954), "Smitten Kitten" (952), "In Designs
on Jerry" (1952), "The Pecos Pest" (1955), "The Flying Sorceress"
(1956), "Blue Cat Blues" (1956), "Puttin' on the Dog" (1944), "Fine
Feathered Friend" (1942), "The Bowling Alley Cat" (1942), "The Night
Before Christmas" (1941), "Cat Napping (1951)," "The Flying Cat" (1952)
and "Baby Butch" (1954). $14.97. (Warner).
WWII Remembered -- A Complete History
(2009) Ten-part documentary series features compelling interviews with
veterans of WWII, capturing the heart and spirit of the 20th century's
greatest conflict. Two-disc set, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Where the Day Takes You (1992)
Will Smith, Sean Astin, Adam Baldwin, Lara Flynn Boyle, Balthazar
Getty, Robert Knepper, Ricki Lake, James Le Gros, Nancy McKeon, Alyssa
Milano, Dermot Mulroney, Christian Slater. Groundbreaking teen drama
about the dark side of Tinseltown, boasting a stellar ensemble cast in
some of the most startling performances of their young careers,
including superstar Will Smith (Seven Pounds) in his film debut. Shot
as if a documentary in the now popular reality style, the film captures
the grim, unpleasant underbelly of Hollywood's runaway teens living on
the street: A group of teenage runaways live each day lost in a spiral
of drugs, sex, crime and violence. Led by King (Mulroney), the tribe
includes tweaker Greg (Astin), legless Manny (Smith), unstable Little J
(Getty), prostitute Kimmy (Milano) and just-off-the-bus Heather
(Boyle). (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Where's Amelia Earhart? (2009)
History Channel National Geographic biography of the aviator, timed for
the Oct. 23 theatrical release of "Amelia," starring Hilary Swank.
$19.98. (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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, October 6 -- Monday, October 12
Imagine That Eddie Murphy comedy about
a powerful financial executive, whose career was sent spiraling down
the drain due to sudden lack of confidence, finds the answers to his
inexplicable setback in an imaginary world dreamt up by his young
daughter.
Vitals: Director: Karey
Kirkpatrick. Stars: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari
Parker, James Patrick Stuart, Vanessa Williams, Larramie Doc Shaw, Robb
Derringer.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 107 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $15.972 million, Paramount.
My Life in Ruins
Nia Vardalos ("My Big Fat
Greek Wedding") stars as Georgia, a discouraged single woman looking
for a way to reconnect with her soul and find her kefi -- Greek for
"mojo." Working as a tour guide in her native country, she leads a
motley group of eccentric and crass tourists on a dilapidated tour bus
through Ancient Greece, while waiting to land her dream job as a
history professor. Georgia is fed up and ready to give up -- until her
new confidant Irv (Richard Dreyfuss) opens her eyes and heart to a
simple fact: There's no finer way for a woman to find her kefi than to
lose herself in the arms of the "Greek god" (Alexis Georgoulis) who's
been hiding right under her nose. Vitals: Director:
Donald Petrie. Stars: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis
Georgoulis, Rachel Dratch, Harland Williams, Maria Adanez, Maria Botto,
Alistair McGowan.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 95 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $8.631 million, Fox.
Year One Zed (Jack Black) and Oh
(Michael Cera) are lazy hunter-gatherer cavemen banished from their
tribe who stumble out of the mountains into an epic journey of biblical
proportions. One's a bumbling hunter, the other's a gentle gatherer;
together, they become unlikely participants in history's most pivotal
moments. Vitals:
Director: Harold Ramis. Stars: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Hank Azaria,
David Cross, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Oliver Platt, Paul Rudd.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 90 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $41.880 million, Sony.
"Julie" Cooks Dec. 8; "JOE" Attacks Nov. 3 Sony has just announced a December 8 release date for the delightful "Julie & Julia,"
starring Amy Smart and Meryl Streep in an engaging romp about two women
-- from different eras -- who "come together" through their own true
stories of culinary exploration when dissatisfied writer Julie Powell
(Adams) decides to cook and blog her way through Julia Child's (Streep)
book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," which launched Child's
career. Director Nora Ephron seamlessly melds the two remarkable
stories into a comedy that proves that if you have the right
combination of passion, obsession and butter, you can change your life.
The Blu-ray version of the film includes recipes and cooking lessons.
Meanwhile, Paramount has scheduled a November 3 release for the
Hasbro-action-figure-come-to-life "G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra,"
which, in addition to regular extras, features an augmented reality
technology that will allow viewers to participate in an exclusive 3D
holographic G.I. JOE combat experience, using their webcams and a
special website.
DVD Collectibles:
Highlight of the week is Shout! Factory's release of 1999's "Audition,"
a very scary Japanese thriller. When director Takashi Miike released
this creepy (and acclaimed) film 10 years ago, Miike created a stir
around the world that he will forever be associated with. Recently
snaring the No. 1 slot on EW.com's 20 Top Horror Films of the Past 20
Years, "Audition" is a cautionary tale of romance gone awry, making men
worldwide squirm at its horrific climax. Deceptively innocent at first,
Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi), a middle-aged widower of many years,
is urged by his teenage son and his film producer friend Yasuhisa
Yoshikawa (Jun Kunimura) to get out and start dating again. To help
Aoyama meet women, Yoshikawa devises a plan to hold a fake audition for
a leading lady. Reluctantly agreeing, Aoyama auditions 30 young
hopefuls and falls for the silent beauty of Asami (Eihi Shiina), a
former ballerina with a dark past. Their courtship veers from quiet
romance to psycho nightmare. Available as a two-disc Collector's
Edition Blu-ray edition featuring a 1080P high definition transfer from
the inter-negative, with a new 5.0 digital soundtack mixed from the
original audio elements. A two-disc Collector's Edition DVD is also
available to own on the same day. The discs include 75 minutes of new
interviews with the cast and filmmaker along with a new commentary by
director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan. Blu-ray:
$29.99; DVD: $24.99.
Don't forget "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition"
(1937), a high definition debut of the most acclaimed animated movie
ever made. Walt Disney's original classic "Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs," which made history in 1937 as the first full-length animated
feature, is the premiere entry in Disney's new Diamond Collection. The
release will make its bow on Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (two
Blu-ray discs + DVD) a full seven weeks before the Deluxe Two-Disc
Classic standard definition DVD becomes available on November 24. The
package is loaded with extras, including "Snow White Returns," a which
newly discovered storyboards suggest a brand new "Snow White"
featurette that never got made; "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall": Through
BD-Live, the mirror can find the secret princess inside each viewer,
then create for them a personal message from their favorite princess
who will call them on the telephone; "Hyperion Studios": Audiences are
digitally transported to 1937 to discover first-hand the Hyperion
Studios, the original studio Walt Disney built where "Snow White" was
conceived and developed; "The One That Started It All" featurette;
$39.99.
Warner Home Video has two nice compilations this week: "Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics,"
with four frightfully fun horror classics in one collection and on DVD
for the first time. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, iconic horror actors
best known for creating the screen's original Frankenstein and Dracula
characters, star here in other roles that take the horror genre to new
camp heights. Two-disc set with "The Walking Dead" (1936) (directed by
Michael Curtiz), "Frankenstein-1970" (1958), "You'll Find Out" (1940)
and "Zombies on Broadway" (1945); $26.98 ... TCM/Warner salutes the
ravishing beauty who pioneered a new genre of moviemaking -- "Aqua
Musicals" -- with "TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2."
Williams was one of the biggest movie stars of the era and during the
30s and 40s captivated audiences in some 20 films. As her popularity
soared -- she was among the Top 10 boxoffice stars of 1949 and 1950 --
MGM made her swimming sequences more complex and elaborate with each
new picture, adding everything from trapezes to fiery hoops. This set
features six new-to-DVD MGM outings from America's favorite mermaid:
"Million Dollar Mermaid" (1952), "Thrill of a Romance" (1945), "Easy to
Love" (1953), "This Time for Keeps (1947) "Fiesta" (1947) and "Pagan
Love Song" (1950); $59.92.
In "From the East"
(1993), noted French filmmaker Chantal Akerman (1975's "Jeanne Dielman,
23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles") retraces a journey from the end
of summer to deepest winter, from East Germany, across Poland and the
Baltics, to Moscow in this stunning documentary. It is a voyage Akerman
wanted to make shortly after the collapse of the Soviet bloc "before it
was too late," reconstructing her impressions in the manner of a
documentary on the border of fiction. Without dialogue or commentary,
the film is a cinematographic elegy. $29.98 from Icarus Home Video.
From TV to Video: "Ally McBeal Season One" (1997-98) is a six-disc set with 23 episodes, $39.98 from Fox (for the completist, Fox also has available "Ally McBeal: The Complete Series" [1997-2002] in a 32-disc set for $199.98 ... "Bones Season Four" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98 from Fox ... "Get Smart: Season 4" (1968-69) is a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $24.98 from HBO Home Entertainment ... "The Hills: Season Five -- Part One" (2009) is a two-disc set, $26.98 from Paramount ... "Mr. Ed: Season One" (1961) is a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $34.99 from Shout! Factory ... "The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season Five" (1974-75) is a three-disc set with 24 episodes, $29.98 from Fox ... "Medium: The Fifth Season" (2009) is a four-disc set with 18 episodes, $60.90 from Paramount ... "Nip/Tuck: Season Five Part Two" (2008-09) is a three-disc set with eight episodes, $39.98 from Warner ... "Scare Tactics: Season Three Part One" (2008) is a two-disc set with 13 uncensored episodes, $29.98 from Warner.
Buzzin' the 'B's: Two
honeymooners rescue a mysterious car crash survivor in the Las Vegas
desert but they come to regret that decision when the man makes their
ride a hellish one in "Dark Country" (2009), directed by and starring Thomas Jane and co-starring Lauren German and Ron Perlman; from Sony ... "Assassination of a High School President"
(2008), starring Mischa Barton, Reece Thompson, Aaron Himelstein, Luke
Grimes and Bruce Willis, is definitely a dark high school comedy.
Sophomore newspaper reporter Bobby Funke is assigned to write a cover
story on the popular class president and top athlete. After a stack of
SAT tests is stolen, Funke publishes an expose that names the jock as
the prime suspect and suddenly, Bobby is BMOC. But when the jock's
girlfriend makes a move on him and even his former bullies play nice,
Bobby begins to doubt the boy's guilt, mounting an investigation that
uncovers a campus-wide conspiracy that threatens to take down students
and teachers alike; from Sony ... "Trick 'r Treat"
(2009) features four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An
everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a
college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of
teenagers pull a mean prank; a woman who loathes the night has to
contend with her holiday-obsessed husband. Stars Quinn Lord, Brian Cox,
Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, Tahmoh Penikett,
Lauren Lee Smith, Britt Mckillip and Jean-Luc Bilodeau; from Warner ...
When a group of hikers take off for a weekend of fun and adventure in a
remote mountain region, they unwittingly stumble across the Staunton
family and find themselves at the mercy of a depraved, diabolical brood
that will stop at nothing to rid their property of "trespassers" in "Staunton Hill"
(2009), starring Kathy Lamkin, Cristen Coppen, Kiko Ellsworth and
Cooper Huckabee, and directed by Cameron Romero, son of cult filmmaker
George A. Romero. From Anchor Bay Entertainment ... An ancient curse
returns with a vengeance when "The Seamstress"
(2009), a local legend who terrorizes the community after her brutal
death at the hands of bloodthirsty locals years before. attacks a group
of kids. Her favorite weapon: sharp sewing needles.From Image
Entertainment.
For the Family: "HIT Favorites: Frosty Friends"
features five winter episodes for the pre-school set: Thomas and
Friends' "Percy's New Whistle," Barney's "Gift of the Dinos," Bob the
Builder's "Snowman Scoop," Pingu's "Pingu and the Hose" and Kipper's
"The Big Freeze"; $14.98 from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate ... "Chop Socky Chooks Volume One"
(2008) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes of the Cartoon Network series
about a crack team of kung-fu chickens who battle their evil
arch-nemesis, Dr. Wasabi -- a mutant piranha -- and attempt to foil his
diabolical plots to become a one-man global superpower; $19.98 from Fox
... "A Miser Brothers' Christmas" (2008) is an
original holiday animated musical movie that features the bickering
Miser brothers as they get in Santa's way at Christmas; $19.98 from
Warner ... "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown"
(2003) is an animated Peanuts feature centering on Rerun, Linus and
Lucy's lovable and wise-beyond-his-years little brother who wants a dog
for Christmas after he sees what a great relationship Charlie Brown and
Snoopy share; $19.98 ... In "Elmo's Animal Adventures"
(2009), Sesame Street's Elmo and his friends embark on three new
fun-filled adventures featuring animal antics and games; includes
special appearances by Cameron Diaz and Patricia Arquette; $14.93 from
Sesame Workshop/Genius Products.
Special Interest: "Dinosaurs Alive!"
(2007) is a documentary created in IMAX 2D and 3D that follows
preeminent paleontologists as they uncover some of history's most
astonishing dinosaur finds, from the exotic dunes of the Gobi Desert to
the sandstone buttes of New Mexico. Here scientists make new
discoveries about dinosaur behavior, their environments and find what
could be the oldest dinosaur ever unearthed in North America. Narrated
by Michael Douglas. $19.98 from Image Entertainment ...
Each year, thousands of new species are discovered and classified --
but there are some creatures that science still refuses to recognize.
Inspired by the myths and lore that make blood curdle, the "Lost Tapes"
(2008) docu-fiction television series depicts traumatic stories
featuring a diversity of cryptozoological oddities such as Bigfoot,
Megaconda and Chupacabra. Fourteen episodes, $19.99 from Animal
Planet/Genius Products ... "The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter"
(2009) is a documentary that takes a look at the "Manson Family"
murders in August, 1969, using original Manson Family music recordings,
rare vintage photos and never-before-seen autopsy reports; from Echo
Bridge Home Entertainment ... "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Power Squad Bod!"
(2009) features three workout DVDs based on the Cheerleaders' CMT
series: "Calorie Blasting Dance," "Hard Body Boot Camp" and "Body
Slimming Yoga," $16.99 each from CMT/Paramount.
Ally McBeal: The Complete Series
(1997-2002) Thirty-two disc set, $199.98. Extras:
"Bygone Days an Ally McBeal Retrospective" with cast and creators
including Calista Flockhart, Jane Krakowski, Lucy Liu, Peter MacNicol,
Gil Bellows, Greg Germann, and David E. Kelley; "The Best of Ally
McBeal" soundtrack with never before released songs; Season 2 TV
special "Life and Trials of Ally McBeal"; Season 5 "Goodbye, Ally";
behind-the-scenes featurette; more. (Fox).
Ally McBeal Season One
(1997-98) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $39.98. (Fox).
Assassination of a High School President (2008)
Mischa Barton, Reece Thompson, Aaron Himelstein, Luke Grimes, Bruce
Willis. Dark high school comedy. Sophomore newspaper reporter Bobby
Funke is assigned to write a cover story on the popular class president
and top athlete. After a stack of SAT tests is stolen, Funke publishes
an expose that names the jock as the prime suspect and suddenly, Bobby
is BMOC. But when the jock's girlfriend makes a move on him and even
his former bullies play nice, Bobby begins to doubt the boy's guilt,
mounting an investigation that uncovers a campus-wide conspiracy that
threatens to take down students and teachers alike. Extras: Commentary, alternate opening sequences, extended and alternate scenes, deleted scenes. (Sony).
Audition
(1999) When director Takashi Miike released this creepy (and acclaimed)
film 10 years ago, Miike created a stir around the world that he will
forever be associated with. Recently snaring the No. 1 slot on EW.com's
20 Top Horror Films of the Past 20 Years, "Audition" is a cautionary
tale of romance gone awry, making men worldwide squirm at its horrific
climax. Deceptively innocent at first, Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo
Ishibashi), a middle-aged widower of many years, is urged by his
teenage son and his film producer friend Yasuhisa Yoshikawa (Jun
Kunimura) to get out and start dating again. To help Aoyama meet women,
Yoshikawa devises a plan to hold a fake audition for a leading lady.
Reluctantly agreeing, Aoyama auditions 30 young hopefuls and falls for
the silent beauty of Asami (Eihi Shiina), a former ballerina with a
dark past. Their courtship veers from quiet romance to psycho
nightmare. Available as a two-disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray edition
featuring a 1080P high definition transfer from the inter-negative,
with a new 5.0 digital soundtack mixed from the original audio
elements. A two-disc Collector's Edition DVD is also available to own
on the same day. The discs include 75 minutes of new interviews with
the cast and filmmaker along with a new commentary by director Takashi
Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan. Blu-ray: $29.99; DVD: $24.99. Extras:
Introduction with director Takashi Miike and star Eihi Shiina;
commentary by Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan; new interviews
with cast members Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi and En
Osugi; international trailers; booklet essay by Tom Mes (author of
"Agitator: The Cinema Of Takashi Miike"). (Shout! Factory).
Bones Season Four
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Three extended episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, featurettes: "Androgeny: Playing Haru Tanaka" and "Squints In Training." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Chop Socky Chooks Volume One
(2008) Two-disc set with 13 episodes of the Cartoon Network series
about a crack team of kung-fu chickens who battle their evil
arch-nemesis, Dr. Wasabi -- a mutant piranha -- and attempt to foil his
diabolical plots to become a one-man global superpower. $19.98. (Fox).
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Power Squad Bod! (2009)
Three workout DVDs based on the Cheerleaders' CMT series: "Calorie
Blasting Dance," "Hard Body Boot Camp" and "Body Slimming Yoga," $16.99
each. (CMT/Paramount).
Dark Country (2009)
Directed by and starring Thomas Jane; co-stars Lauren German, Ron
Perlman. Two honeymooners rescue a mysterious car crash survivor in the
Las Vegas desert but they come to regret that decision when the man
makes their ride a hellish one. Extras: Commentary, making-of featurette. (Sony).
Dinosaurs Alive!
(2007) Documentary created in IMAX 2D and 3D follows preeminent
paleontologists as they uncover some of history's most astonishing
dinosaur finds. Travel across the exotic dunes of the Gobi Desert and
along the sandstone buttes of New Mexico as scientists make brand-new
discoveries about dinosaur behavior, their environments and find what
could be the oldest dinosaur ever unearthed in North America. Features
stunningly realistic and scientifically accurate CGI mixed with
intriguing 1920s documentary footage. Narrated by Michael Douglas.
$19.98. Extras: Making-of featurette, "Meet the Creatures" educational series, dinosaur quiz. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).
Elmo's Animal Adventures
(2009) Sesame Street's Elmo and his friends embark on three new
fun-filled adventures for pre-schoolers. Kids can help Elmo and Telly
find Little Bo Peep's missing cow by following clues and working
together as a team; use animal facts to help Elmo and Abby succeed in
the "Find The Amphibian Game" and join Elmo in a camping adventure as
he learns that sharing is fun and discovers the different types of food
that animals eat. Includes special appearances by Cameron Diaz and
Patricia Arquette. $14.93. (Sesame Workshop/Genius Products).
From the East (D'est) (1993)
Noted Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman ("Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du
Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles"; "Je, tu, il, elle"; "From the Other Side")
retraces a journey from the end of summer to deepest winter, from East
Germany, across Poland and the Baltics, to Moscow. It's a voyage
Akerman wanted to make shortly after the collapse of the Soviet bloc
"before it was too late," reconstructing her impressions in the manner
of a documentary on the border of fiction. By filming "everything that
touched me," Akerman sifts through and fixes upon sounds and images as
she follows the thread of this subjective crossing. Without dialogue or
commentary, but with a soundtrack rich in the tones, noises and voices
of these lands, the film is a cinematographic elegy. Extras: Booklet with an essay by Chantal Akerman. (Icarus Home Video).
Get Smart: Season 4
(1968-69) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $24.98. (HBO Home Entertainment).
The Hills: Season Five -- Part One
(2009) Two-disc set, $26.98. Features Lauren Conrad's final episodes as
well as the surprise return of "Laguna Beach's" Kristin Cavallari on
MTV's pop culture sensation. Extras: "Speidi'Wedding Unveiled," "Lauren's Last After Show," deleted scenes, photo shoot, interviews, more. (MTV/Paramount).
HIT Favorites: Frosty Friends
(2009) Five winter episodes for the pre-school set: Thomas and Friends'
"Percy's New Whistle," Barney's "Gift of the Dinos," Bob the Builder's
"Snowman Scoop," Pingu's "Pingu and the Hose" and Kipper's "The Big
Freeze"; $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (2003)
Animated Peanuts feature centering on Rerun, Linus and Lucy's lovable
and wise-beyond-his-years little brother who wants a dog for Christmas
after he sees what a great relationship Charlie Brown and Snoopy share;
$19.98. Extras: Bonus episode: "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown." (Warner).
Imagine That
(2009) Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, James
Patrick Stuart, Vanessa Williams, Larramie Doc Shaw, Robb Derringer. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics,
Four frightfully fun horror classics in one collection and on DVD for
the first time. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, iconic horror actors
best known for creating the screen's original Frankenstein and Dracula
characters, star here in other roles that take the horror genre to new
camp heights. Two-disc set with "The Walking Dead" (1936) (directed by
Michael Curtiz), "Frankenstein-1970" (1958), "You'll Find Out" (1940)
and "Zombies on Broadway" (1945); $26.98. Extras: Commentary. (Warner).
Lost Tapes
(2008) Each year, thousands of new species are discovered and
classified -- but there are some creatures that science still refuses
to recognize. Inspired by the myths and lore that make blood curdle,
this thrilling docu-fiction television series depicts traumatic stories
featuring a diversity of cryptozoological oddities such as Bigfoot,
Megaconda and Chupacabra. Fourteen episodes, $19.99. (Animal
Planet/Genius Products).
Mr. Ed: Season One
(1961) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $34.99. Extras: Interview with Alan Young and Connie Hines. (Shout! Factory).
The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season Five
(1974-75) Three-disc set with 24 episodes, $29.98. (Fox).
Medium: The Fifth Season
(2009) Four-disc set with 18 episodes, $60.90. (Paramount).
A Miser Brothers' Christmas (2008)
Original holiday animated musical movie features the bickering Miser
brothers as they get in Santa's way at Christmas; $19.98. Originally
aired as part of ABC Family's "25 Days of Christmas." Extras: "What Makes Stop Motion Go" featurette. (Warner).
My Life in Ruins
(2009) Dir.: Donald Petrie; Stars: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss,
Alexis Georgoulis, Rachel Dratch, Harland Williams, Maria Adanez, Maria
Botto, Alistair McGowan. Extras:
Deleted Scenes, Alternate ending, "Everybody Loves Poupi" featurette
about Greek star Alexis Georgoulis, commentary by Nia Vardalos,
director Donald Petrie and writer Mike Reiss. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Nip/Tuck: Season Five Part Two
(2008-09) Three-disc set with eight episodes, $39.98. Extras: "Skin Deep? The Science of Beauty" featurette. (Warner).
Scare Tactics: Season Three Part One
(2008) Two-disc set with 13 uncensored episodes, $29.98. Extras: Host Tracy Morgan blooper reel, outtakes, uncensored "too hot for TV" deleted scenes. (Warner).
The Seamstress
(2009) Allie Platt, Lance Henriksen, Kailin See, Lara Gilchrist, David
Kopp. An ancient curse returns with a vengeance when the Seamstress, a
local legend who terrorizes the community after her brutal death at the
hands of bloodthirsty locals years before, attacks a group of kids. Her
favorite weapon: sharp sewing needles. (Image Entertainment).
The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter (2009)
Documentary takes a look at the "Manson Family" murders in August,
1969, using original Manson Family music recordings, rare vintage
photos and never-before-seen autopsy reports. (Echo Bridge Home
Entertainment).
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition (1937)
High definition debut of the most acclaimed animated movie ever made.
Walt Disney's original classic "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," which
made history in 1937 as the first full-length animated feature, is the
premiere entry in Disney's new Diamond Collection. The release will
make its bow on Disney Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (two Blu-ray discs +
DVD) a full seven weeks before the Deluxe Two-Disc Classic standard
definition DVD becomes available on November 24.
Blu-ray Bonus Features: "Magic Mirror": Using the
latest in Blu-ray technology, the iconic magic Mirror guides the
audience through the "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition"
features; "DisneyView": Disney's animated feature is brought to the
modern era of widescreen high definition viewing by allowing the user
to expand their viewing experience beyond the original aspect ratio of
the film. Disney artist Toby Bluth was able to draw beyond the borders
of the classic full frame cinema and fill the otherwise dark edges of
the screen with beautiful custom imagery, giving audiences a new view
of the film; "About Toby Bluth"; commentary with Walt Disney, hosted by
John Canemaker; 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio; Backstage Disney: Diamond Edition:
"Snow White Returns": Newly discovered storyboards suggest a brand new
"Snow White" featurette that never got made; "Mirror, Mirror on the
Wall": Through BD-Live, the mirror can find the secret princess inside
each viewer, then create for them a personal message from their
favorite princess who will call them on the telephone; "Hyperion
Studios": Audiences are digitally transported to 1937 to discover
first-hand the Hyperion Studios, the original studio Walt Disney built
where "Snow White" was conceived and developed; "The One That Started
It All" featurette; Music & More: "Someday My Prince Will Come" music video by Tiffany Thornton; Family Play (Games & Activities) "What Do You See?" and "Jewel Jumble" games.
DVD Bonus Features: Commentary with Walt Disney, hosted by John
Canemaker; "Snow White Returns" storyboards; "The One That Started It
All" featurette; "Someday My Prince Will Come" music video by Tiffany
Thornton; "Dopey's Wild Mine Ride" interactive set-top game; animation
voice talent; "Disney Through the Decades" video segments with
celebrity hosts; "Heigh-Ho" Karaoke Sing-Along; "Learn How to Take Your
Favorite Movies on the Go." $39.99. (Disney).
Staunton Hill
(2009) Kathy Lamkin, Cristen Coppen, Kiko Ellsworth, Cooper Huckabee.
When a group of hikers take off for a weekend of fun and adventure in a
remote mountain region, they unwittingly stumble across the Staunton
family and find themselves at the mercy of a depraved, diabolical brood
that will stop at nothing to rid their property of "trespassers."
Directed by Cameron Romero, son of cult filmmaker George A. Romero.
(Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2. Six
new-to-DVD "Aqua-Musicals" from America's favorite mermaid: "Million
Dollar Mermaid" (1952), "Thrill of a Romance" (1945), "Easy to Love"
(1953), "This Time for Keeps (1947) "Fiesta" (1947) and "Pagan Love
Song" (1950); $59.92. (Warner).
Trick 'r Treat (2009)
Quinn Lord, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, Leslie Bibb, Rochelle Aytes, Anna
Paquin, Tahmoh Penikett, Lauren Lee Smith, Britt Mckillip, Jean-Luc
Bilodeau. Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday
high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college
virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers
pull a mean prank; a woman who loathes the night has to contend with
her holiday-obsessed husband. Extras: "Trick 'R Treat: Season's Greetings" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Year One
(2009) Dir.: Harold Ramis; Stars: Jack Black, Michael Cera, Hank
Azaria, David Cross, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Oliver Platt, Paul Rudd.
Available as a theatrical DVD, unrated DVD and unrated Blu-ray Disc.Extras:
All versions: Two deleted scenes; commentary by director Harold Ramis,
Jack Black and Michael Cera; extended and alternate scenes;
"Line-o-Rama"; gag reel; "Year One: The Journey Begins" featurette.
Unrated versions add "Alternate Ending: Sodom's Destruction"; "Sodom's
Got'em" featurette; "Leeroy Jenkins: The Gates of Sodom" featurette.
Blu-ray adds "Year One Cutting Room" to create your own video and share
it via BD-Live; "cinechat" on-screen instant messages to friends around
the world while watching the movie together; "movieIQ" real-time
in-movie information about the cast, crew, music and production via
BD-Live; digital copy of the film. (Sony).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, September 29 -- Monday, October 5
Away We Go Funny and heartfelt film
follows the journey of an expectant couple (John Krasinski and Maya
Rudolph) as they travel the U.S. in search of the perfect place to put
down roots and raise their family. Along the way they have
misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of
relatives and old friends who just might help them discover "home" on
their own terms for the first time. Vitals:
Director: Sam Mendes. Stars: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Maggie
Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels, Catherine O'Hara, Jim
Gaffigan, Carmen Ejogo, Josh Hamilton, Chris Messina, Melanie Lynskey,
Paul Schneider. 2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $8.9 million, Universal.
Monsters vs. Aliens
When California girl Susan
Murphy is unexpectedly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk,
she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall and is instantly
labeled a "monster" named Ginormica. The military jumps into action,
and she is captured and held in a secret government compound. The world
learns that the military has been quietly rounding up other monsters
over the years. This ragtag group consists of the brilliant but
insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The
Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the
350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement time is cut short
however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins
storming the country. As a last resort, under the guidance of General
W.R. Monger (on a desperate order from the President), the motley crew
of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the
world from imminent destruction. Vitals:
Director: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon. Stars: Voices of Reese
Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson,
Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 94 min., Animated, Box office gross: $196.564 million, DreamWorks Animation.
DVD Collectibles:
The highlight of the week is Warner Home Video's remastering of "The Wizard of Oz"
(1939) in a 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition, available
for a limited time only for $69.92 (DVD) and $84.99 (Blu-ray). Includes
16 Hours of enhanced content, four of which are brand new; includes new
documentaries, featurettes, a sing-along track and collectibles. Also
available as a Special Edition two-disc set for $21.95. The film has
been entirely remastered, with each of the original Technicolor camera
negatives scanned using 8K resolution. From this scan, a final
"capture" master was created in 4K, yielding twice the resolution seen
in the master utilized for the film's previous DVD release. See "This Week's DVD Releases" below for more information ... Another remastered gem is Acorn Media's "Traffik 20th Anniversary Edition"
(1989), the universally acclaimed six-part British miniseries that
inspired Steven Soderbergh's Oscar-winning film "Traffic." Seen on
PBS's Masterpiece Theatre in 1990, the miniseries stars Bill Paterson,
Lindsay Duncan and Julia Ormond. In a two-volume set, $39.99.
From TV to Video: "Ax Men: The Complete Season Two" (2009) is a four-disc set, $39.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Cagney & Lacey: The Menopause Years"
is a distastefully named four-disc compilation of Cagney & Lacey TV
movies that followed the TV series' conclusion: "Cagney & Lacey:
The Return" (November 1994), "Cagney & Lacey: Together Again" (May
2, 1995), "Cagney & Lacey: The View Through the Glass Ceiling"
(October 25, 1995) and "Cagney & Lacey: True Convictions" (January
29, 1996); $39.95 from S'More Entertainment ... "CSI: NY: The Fifth Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41 from Paramount ... "Cobra: The Complete Series" (1993-94) is a four-disc set with all 22 of the Stephen J. Cannell series episodes, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "Daybreak: The Complete Series" (2006-07) is a two-disc set with all 13 episodes, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "Foyle's War From Dunkirk to VE Day (Sets 1-5)" is a 19-disc set of the acclaimed WWII British detective series starring Michael Kitchen, $149.99 from Acorn Media ... "Haunted Histories Megaset"
is a 20-disc set featuring in-depth profiles of the world's scariest
stories and locales; $79.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "How I Met Your Mother Season Four"
(2008) is a three-disc set with 24 episodes, $49.99. from Fox ... "Life on Mars: The Complete Series" (2006-07) is a four-disc set with 16 episodes of the U.S. series, $39.99 from Disney ... "Man Stroke Woman: The Complete Series"
(2005-07) is a two-disc set with all 12 episodes from Seasons 1 and 2
of the BBC sketch comedy series, $29.98 from MPI Home Video ... "Midsomer Murders, Set 13"
(2006-07) is a four-disc set with four feature-length mysteries that
combine quirky characters and surprising mysteries with
postcard-perfect English village settings and the ever-charming John
Nettles as the steady, unfailingly decent Detective Chief Inspector Tom
Barnaby; 49.99. from Acorn Media ... "The Real Story Part 1"
(2009) is a revealing look at the country's most notorious and
malevolent locations, $14.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment ... "The Unit Season Four" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $69.99 from Fox ... "The Unit Complete Giftset" is a 19-disc set, $199.98. from Fox.
Buzzin' the 'B's: Blood, torture, and suspense abound in "The Hills Run Red"
(2009), a thriller about young fright fans who search for the secret
location where a mythical cult movie -- starring a killer in a babydoll
mask -- was shot, hoping to find the film. What they find is that the
mysterious slasher flick is more than a movie: It's real and they're
its newest stars. Stars Sophie Monk, Tad Hilgenbrink, Janet Montgomery
and William Sadler; from Warner Premiere ... In "Farmhouse"
(2008), a young couple leaves their old life and horrifying secrets
behind in search of a fresh start. But when a near-fatal car accident
leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, they turn to a
mysterious farm couple for shelter. And that's when the real trouble
starts. Stars Jamie Anne Allman, William Lee Scott, Steven Webber and
Kelly Hu; from Monarch Home Video.
On the Indie Front: Three
disparate and increasingly desperate roommates in a London flat
struggle to make ends meet while also trying to achieve their dreams in
"Filth and Wisdom" (2008), directed by Madonna and starring Eugene Hutz of the acclaimed Gypsy punk group Gogol Bordello; from IFC Films ... In "Nightmare"
(2005), a film student and an aspiring actress awake after a one-night
stand to find a video camera pointed at their bed; the camera contains
a brutal snuff movie -- starring the pair as the killers.
But they have no memory of any murder and there's no indication in
their room of any gruesome killings. Was there a murder or are the they
going mad? Stars Jason Scott Campbell and Nicole Roderick; from IFC
Films ... In "Shrink" (2009), starring Kevin Spacey,
Saffron Burrows, Dallas Roberts, Mark Webber and Keke Palmer, a top
celebrity psychiatrist in Los Angeles with an A-list clientele,
including a famous actress, a wildly insecure young writer and an
obsessive-compulsive super-agent must come to grips with his own
demons, eventually taking on a "pro bono" case, a beautiful but
troubled teenage girl; from Lionsgate ... After his wife dies, a young
man journeys to his aunt's house to build her a porch, meeting up with
a bawdy, wise-cracking group of elderly women who guide him through the
lessons he needs to grieve and find peace in "Uncross the Stars" (2008), starring Daniel Gillies, Barbara Hershey, Ron Perlman and Bitsie Tulloch; from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment.
Foreign: In "Fermat's Room"
(2007 -- Spain), four famed mathematicians, all strangers, are invited
to the remote home of a mysterious man known only as Fermat. Once at
the house, they're locked in a room and given a series of logic puzzles
that must each be solved within one minute. For each late answer,
hydraulic presses push the walls closer together, forcing the quartet
to race the clock before they're crushed to death; from IFC Films.
For the Family: Evergreens: Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other Disney favorite characters come together in "Disney Animation Collection Volume 7: Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983), a delightfully charming adaptation of the classic holiday tale; $24.99 from Disney ... In "Winnie The Pooh: Seasons of Giving 10th Anniversary Edition"
(1999), Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Rabbit go on a brave quest to find a
favorite season they have seemed to miss -- winter -- searching for the
perfect ingredients to creative a festive Thanksgiving feast and share
in the warm glow of Christmas; $29.99 from Disney ... "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" is an extended edtion of the 2008 made-for-television holiday special; $19.99 from Disney ... "A Very Brave Witch ... and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids"
(2009) is the latest anthology from Scholastic Storybook Treasures. In
the title story, narrated by Elle Fanning, a little witch decides she'd
finally like to see what Halloween is all about, even though she's
deathly afraid of humans. As soon as she makes a new friend, she
discovers how much fun trick-or-treating with humans can be. Includes
seven other beautifully narrated and animated tales; $14.95.
Heroes and villains: "Superman/Batman: Public Enemies"
(2009) is the sixth entry in the popular series of DC Universe Animated
Original PG-13 Movies, pitting United States President Lex Luthor
against Superman and Batman. Available as a single-disc DVD, a two-disc
DVD special edition and Blu-ray Disc; from Warner ... "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Origins" (2002) includes the first 10 episodes from the series, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Complete Series" (2002-04) is a fgour-disc set with 39 episodes, $24.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "Ultraman: The Complete Series" (1966-67) is a four-disc set with all 39 episodes, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment.
For the little ones: In "The Wiggles Big Big Show!"
(2009), the Wiggles (currently the No. 1 program in its time slot on
the Disney Channel) sing 25 new songs from their hometown of Sydney,
Australia; $14.98 from Warner ... In "Baby Einstein: World Animal Adventure"
(2009), parents and their babies can explore lush jungles, frozen
tundras and golden plains to discover the joys of animals through
real-world images, art and iconography from cultures around the world;
$19.99 from Disney.
It's real: "The World According to Miley Cyrus: An Unauthorized Story"
(2009) is a biography of the television and movie teen idol, $14.98
from Infinity Entertainment ... Spanning the African continent from
barren plains to lush jungles, "Lions"" features four
kid-friendly programs from Animal Planet: "A Lion Called Christian,"
"The Lion's Share," "White Lions" and "Rogue Lions." $14.95 from Animal
Planet/Genius Products
Special Interest:
All things political: "Secrecy"
(2009) is a searing exploration into the dark, unseen world of
government secrecy. Through revealing interviews with characters
ranging from former CIA agents to everyday citizens who've been
affected by the government's most closely guarded programs, "Secrecy"
attempts to understand what degree of openness and transparency a
democracy demands; $26.95 from Docurama ... "If I Die Tonight"
(2006) is an intense look at the criminal justice system today and the
way it treats blacks. The docu began in response to the shooting of
Amadou Diallo by four members of the N.Y. Police Department Street
Crimes Unit; from Indican Pictures.
Real life: "Manson 40 Years Later"
(2008) is a feature-length History Channel docudrama that takes viewers
deep inside the Aug. 9 and 10, 1969, Tate-Labianca Murders and Charles
Manson's twisted world of hate, fear and mind control to tell the story
of how one man transformed a group of hippies into a gang of brutal
murderers; $19.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Outlaws & Gunslingers"
is a five-part documentary that takes a look at the Old West, stripping
away myth and legend and revealing the truth behind Billy the Kid,
Jesse James, The Sundance Kid and many more; from Mill Creek
Entertainment ... "Baseball's Greatest Legends: Diamond Memories"
is a documentary series that highlights the most beloved players and
moments of America's favorite pastime, featuring such legends as Mickey
Mantle, Tommy Lasorda, Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra and many more; $14.98
from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "In a Dream,"
(2008) is a documentary about Isaiah Zagar, a locally-known muralist
based in Philadelphia, whose work chronicle his love for his wife,
Julia but subtly hint at the darker corners of an extraordinary
imagination: Isaiah confesses to an affair with his assistant, is
kicked out of the house, and spirals into a debilitating, suicidal
depression. Filmed by Isaiah's son, Jeremiah. $24.95 from $24.95
IndiePix.
Entertainment: "Secret Policeman's Balls: The Secret Policeman Rocks!"
(2009) commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the first Amnesty
International Secret Policeman's benefit concert. Amnesty asked Secret
Policeman's Ball co-creator/producer Martin Lewis to compile an
anniversary special with some of the finest rock performances given for
Amnesty over the years; $14.98 from Shout! Factory ... "Guns on the Clackamas"
(1995) is cartoonist Bill Plympton's second live-action feature, about
a documentary filmmaker trying to make a behind-the-scenes movie about
the making of the Western "Guns on the Clackamas." But everything is
going wrong and when cast members start dropping like flies due to
accidents on the set and some really bad catering, the filmmakers must
resort to solutions that are startling and hilarious; from Microcinema
International ... "Rock of Ages: An Unauthorized Story on the Rolling Stones" (2009) is a documentary that charts the band's nearly 50-year history, $14.98 from Infinity Entertainment ... "Sam Kinison: Wild Child" is a two-disc set with four Sam Kinison cable TV specials, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment.
Away We Go
(2009) Dir.: Sam Mendes; Stars: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Maggie
Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels, Catherine O'Hara, Jim
Gaffigan, Carmen Ejogo, Josh Hamilton, Chris Messina, Melanie Lynskey,
Paul Schneider. Extras:
Commentary by director Sam Mendes and writers Dave Eggers and Vendela
Vida, "The Making of Away We Go," "Green Filmmaking" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Ax Men: The Complete Season Two
(2009) Four-disc set, $39.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Baby Einstein: World Animal Adventure
(2009) Parents and their babies can explore lush jungles, frozen
tundras and golden plains to discover the joys of animals through
real-world images, art and iconography from cultures around the world.
Features two customized ways to experience the DVD: a "Grow With Me"
feature offers a second viewing mode with additional words for parents
to use with their babies; a "Select-a-Segment" option gives parents the
choice of viewing shorter segements of the DVD. $19.99. (Disney).
Baseball's Greatest Legends: Diamond Memories.
Documentary series highlights the most beloved players and moments of
America's favorite pastime, featuring such legends as Mickey Mantle,
Tommy Lasorda, Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra and many more. Narrated by
Warren Schaefer. $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Cagney & Lacey: The Menopause Years. Four-disc
compilation of Cagney & Lacey TV movies that followed the TV
series' conclusion: "Cagney & Lacey: The Return" (November 1994),
"Cagney & Lacey: Together Again" (May 2, 1995), "Cagney &
Lacey: The View Through the Glass Ceiling" (October 25, 1995) and
"Cagney & Lacey: True Convictions" (January 29, 1996). Extras:
Interviews with Sharon Gless, Tyne Daly, producer Barney Rosenzweig and
writer Barbara Corday. $39.95 for the set, "Cagney & Lacey: The
Return" is available separately for $12.95. (S'More Entertainment).
Cobra: The Complete Series
(1993-94) Four-disc set with all 22 of the Stephen J. Cannell series episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
CSI: NY: The Fifth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41. (Paramount).
Daybreak: The Complete Series
(2006-07) Two-disc set with all 13 episodes, $14.98. Extras: Final, unaired episode. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Disney Animation Collection Volume 7:
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other Disney favorite characters come
together in this delightfully charming adaptation of the classic
holiday tale. Bonus shorts: "Pluto's Christmas Tree," "The Small One,"
"Santa's Workshop." $24.99. (Disney).
Farmhouse
(2008) Jamie Anne Allman, William Lee Scott, Steven Webber, Kelly Hu. A
young couple leave their old life and horrifying secrets behind in
search of a fresh start. But when a near-fatal car accident leaves them
stranded in the middle of nowhere, they turn to a mysterious farm
couple for shelter. And that's when the real trouble starts. (Monarch
Home Video).
Fermat's Room (2007 --
Spain) Lluis Homar, Alejo Sauras, Elena Ballesteros, Santi Millan,
Federico Luppi. Four famed mathematicians, all strangers, are invited
to the remote home of a mysterious man known only as Fermat. Once at
the house, they're locked in a room and given a series of logic puzzles
that must each be solved within one minute. For each late answer,
hydraulic presses push the walls closer together, forcing the quartet
to race the clock before they're crushed to death. (IFC Films).
Filth and Wisdom (2008)
Three disparate and increasingly desperate roommates in a London flat
struggle to make ends meet while also trying to achieve their dreams.
Directed by Madonna and starring Eugene Hutz of the acclaimed Gypsy
punk group Gogol Bordello. (IFC Films).
Foyle's War From Dunkirk to VE Day (Sets 1-5).
Nineteen-disc set of the acclaimed WWII British detective series starring Michael Kitchen; aired on PBS. $149.99. (Acorn Media).
Guns on the Clackamas (1995)
Cartoonist Bill Plympton's second live-action feature, a
behind-the-scenes look at an imaginary disastrous Western. A notable
documentary filmmaker is trying to make a behind-the-scenes movie about
the making of the Western "Guns on the Clackamas." But everything is
going wrong and when cast members start dropping like flies due to
accidents on the set and some really bad catering, the filmmakers must
resort to solutions that are startling and hilarious. Plympton said the
idea came from the 1937 movie "Saratoga," in which star Jean Harlow
died during the filming and a stand-in was used to finish: Every time
Harlow was in a scene, a box or something blocked the view.
(Microcinema International).
Haunted Histories Megaset.
Twenty-disc set featuring in-depth profiles of the world's scariest stories and locales; $79.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: The Complete Series
(2002-04) Four-disc set with 39 episodes, $24.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Origins
(2002) First 10 episodes from the series, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Hills Run Red
(2009) Sophie Monk, Tad Hilgenbrink, Janet Montgomery, William Sadler.
Blood, torture, and suspense abound in this thriller about young fright
fans who search for the secret location where a mythical cult movie --
starring a killer in a babydoll mask -- was shot, hoping to find the
film. What they find is that the mysterious slasher flick is more than
a movie: It's real and they're its newest stars. Extras:
Commentary by director Dave Parker, writer David J. Schow and producer
Robert Meyer Burnett, "It's Not Real Until You Shoot It: The Making of
The Hills Run Red" featurette. (Warner Premiere).
How I Met Your Mother Season Four
(2008) Three-disc set with 24 episodes, $49.99. Extras: Commentaries, gag reel, "Barney Stinson: That Guy's Awesome" music video, "Eriksen's Fight Club." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
If I Die Tonight (2006) An
intense look at the criminal justice system today and the way it treats
blacks. The docu began in response to the shooting of Amadou Diallo by
four members of the N.Y. Police Department Street Crimes Unit.
Filmmaker Seyi quickly realized there are two sides to every story and
that the truth is often found where you least expect it. From Diallo's
sorrowful father lamenting that he is now the victim of police
brutality to Maureen King, the widow of slain N.Y.P.D. sergeant Patrick
King musing how life changes in a split second, the film tackles its
subject through the lives and stories of those who live on both sides
of an impenetrable divide. (Indican Pictures).
In a Dream (2008)
Documentary about Isaiah Zagar, a locally-known muralist based in
Philadelphia, by his son, Jeremiah. In the vibrant, bohemian
neighborhood of South Philadelphia, 50,000-square feet of concrete are
covered with tile and mirrors -- mosaics that were created by Isaiah
Zagar, an eccentric, tormented artist. The murals chronicle his love
for his wife, Julia, and subtly hint at the darker corners of an
extraordinary imagination. But suddenly the family is torn apart at the
seams; a few hours before picking up his oldest son from rehab, Isaiah
confesses to an affair with his assistant, is kicked out of the house,
and spirals into a debilitating, suicidal depression. $24.95. Extras: Commentaries, deleted scenes. (IndiePix).
Life on Mars: The Complete Series
(2006-07) Four-disc set with 16 episodes, $39.99. Extras:
"To Mars and Back" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Sunrise to Sunset
With Jason O'Mara," "Flashback: Lee Majors Goes to Mars," bloopers,
deleteed scenes. (Disney).
Lions. Spanning the African
continent from barren plains to lush jungles, "Lions" features four
kid-friendly programs from Animal Planet: "A Lion Called Christian,"
"The Lion's Share," "White Lions" and "Rogue Lions." $14.95. (Animal
Planet/Genius Products).
Man Stroke Woman: The Complete Series
(2005-07) Two-disc set with all 12 episodes from Seasons 1 and 2 of the BBC sketch comedy series, $29.98. Extras: Commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette. (MPI Home Video).
Manson 40 Years Later (2008)
Feature-length History Channel docudrama takes viewers deep inside the
Aug. 9 and 10, 1969, Tate-Labianca Murders and Charles Manson's twisted
world of hate, fear and mind control to tell the story of how one man
transformed a harmless group of hippies into a gang of brutal
murderers; $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Midsomer Murders, Set 13 (2006-07)
Four-disc set with four feature-length mysteries that combine quirky
characters and surprising mysteries with postcard-perfect English
village settings and the ever-charming John Nettles as the steady,
unfailingly decent Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby. These
episodes have yet to be broadcast in the U.S. $49.99. (Acorn Media).
Monsters vs. Aliens (2008)
Voices of Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen,
Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd. Available
as The Ginormous Double DVD Pack and Blu-ray two-disc sets with the
debut of "B.O.B.'s Big Break," an new 3-D adventure starring everyone's
favorite gelatinous hero and featuring the voice talents of Seth Rogen,
Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett and Kiefer Sutherland. Each Ginormous set
comes with four 3-D glasses. Extras:
"Modern Monster Movie Making," three deleted scenes, DWA Music Video
Juke Box, filmmaker commentary, "The Tech of Monsters vs. Aliens," "Top
Secret Sneak Peek Files" (How To Train Your Dragon, Shrek The Musical,
Kung Fu Panda World, The Penguins of Madagascar, Shrek The Halls,
Secrets of the Furious Five), Monsters vs. Aliens Activision game
trailer, Karaoke Music Party, Paddle Ball game in Monster 3D, DVD-ROM
extras. (DreamWorks Animation).
A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (2008)
Extended edtion includes never-before-seen footage of this
made-for-television holiday special. Guest stars include Whoopi
Goldberg, Uma Thurman, Jane Krakowski, Petra Nemcova. $19.99. Extras: "Glad All Over " music video, "The Muppets Stocking Stuffer Smorgasbord," deleted scenes. (Disney).
Outlaws & Gunslingers.
Five-part documentary takes a look at the Old West, stripping away myth
and legend and revealing the truth behind Billy the Kid, Jesse James,
The Sundance Kid and many more. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Real Story Part 1 (2009)
A revealing look at the country's most notorious and malevolent
locations, breaking myths and challenging conventional wisdom: Episodes
include "Escape From Alcatraz" and "The Amityville Horror"; $14.98.
(Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment).
Rock of Ages: An Unauthorized Story on the Rolling Stones
(2009) Documentary charts the band's nearly 50-year history, $14.98. Extras: Bill Wyman exhibition, talking tour, "Mick Jagger Goes Solo," "Shine a Light" documentary, more. (Infinity Entertainment).
Sam Kinison: Wild Child.
Two-disc set with four Sam Kinison cable TV specials, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Secrecy
(2009) A searing exploration into the dark, unseen world of government
secrecy. Through revealing interviews with characters ranging from
former CIA agents to everyday citizens who've been affected by the
government's most closely guarded programs, "Secrecy" attempts to
understand what degree of openness and transparency a democracy
demands. Combining animation, installations, a mesmerizing score, and
riveting interviews, this acclaimed film sheds light through the dark
corridors of government classification. $26.95. Extras: Commentary by the Filmmakers, interview outtakes, extended sequences, extracted stories, filmmaker biographies. (Docurama).
Secret Policeman's Balls: The Secret Policeman Rocks!
(2009) Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the first Amnesty
International Secret Policeman's benefit concert. Amnesty asked Secret
Policeman's Ball co-creator/producer Martin Lewis to compile an
anniversary special with some of the finest rock performances given for
Amnesty over the years. Included here are performances by Sting, Eric
Clapton & Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Phil Collins, Kate Bush, Mark
Knopfler & Chet Atkins, David Gilmour, Dave Stewart, Bob Geldof,
Peter Gabriel, and The Secret Police. Extras:
"The Secret Policeman's Private Files," a new, specially-created
80-minute bonus feature that includes rare archival. $14.98. (Shout!
Factory).
Sense and Sensibility (1971)
Sheila Ballantine, Joanna David, Michael Aldridge, Patricia Routledge.
Classic BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's immensely popular novel. New to
DVD. (Warner).
Shrink (2009) Kevin
Spacey, Saffron Burrows, Dallas Roberts, Mark Webber, Keke Palmer. A
top celebrity psychiatrist in Los Angeles with an A-list clientele,
including a famous actress, a wildly insecure young writer and an
obsessive-compulsive super-agent must come to grips with his own
demons, eventually taking on a "pro bono" case, a beautiful but
troubled teenage girl. Extras:
Deleted scenes, commentary by director Jonas Pate and producer Braxton
Pope, interviews with Pate and Pope, Jackson Browne music video "Here."
(Lionsgate).
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)
Sixth entry in the popular series of DC Universe Animated Original
PG-13 Movies. United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming
trajectory of a Kryptonite asteroid to frame Superman and declare a $1
billion bounty on the heads of the Man of Steel and his "partner in
crime," Batman. Heroes and villains alike launch a relentless pursuit
of Superman and Batman, who must unite -- and recruit help -- to stop
the asteroid and foil Luthor's plan. Available as a single-disc DVD, a
two-disc DVD special edition and Blu-ray Disc.
Extras: "The Blackest Night" DC Comics event
featurette, "A Test of Minds" Superman and Batman featurette, "Dinner
With DC" featurette, extended sneak peak at next DCU film, digital copy
download. (Warner).
Traffik Remastered 20th Anniversary Edition (1989)
Remastered edition of the universally acclaimed six-part British
miniseries that inspired Steven Soderbergh's Oscar-winning film
"Traffic." Seen on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre in 1990, the miniseries
stars Bill Paterson, Lindsay Duncan and Julia Ormond. Two-volume set,
$39.99. (Acorn Media).
Ultraman: The Complete Series
(1966-67) Four-disc set with all 39 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Uncross the Stars (2008)
Daniel Gillies, Barbara Hershey, Ron Perlman, Bitsie Tulloch. After his
wife dies, a young man journeys to his aunt's house to build her a
porch, meeting up with a bawdy, wise-cracking group of elderly women
who guide him through the lessons he needs to grieve and find peace.
(Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
The Unit Season Four
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $69.99. Extras:
"Into Hell: A Brotherhood Divided" featurette, "Shadow Riders: A
Western Come Undone" featurette, "Snake Doctor: A Leader Among Us"
featurette, deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
The Unit Complete Giftset.Nineteen-disc set, $199.98. Extras: Featurettes, commentary, deleted scenes. (Fox).
A Very Brave Witch ... and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids
(2009) In the title story, narrated by Elle Fanning, a little witch
decides she'd finally like to see what Halloween is all about, even
though she's deathly afraid of humans. As soon as she makes a new
friend, she discovers how much fun trick-or-treating with humans can
be. Includes seven other beautifully narrated and animated tales: "By
the Light of the Halloween Moon," "A Dark, Dark Tale," "Georgie," "The
Witch in the Cherry Tree," "The Three-Legged Cat," "The Three Robbers"
and "Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain." $14.95. (Scholastic
Storybook Treasures).
The Wiggles Big Big Show! (2009)
The Wiggles (currently the No. 1 program in its time slot on the Disney
Channel) sing 25 new songs from their hometown of Sydney, Australia for
the pre-school bunch, $14.98. (Warner).
Winnie The Pooh: Seasons of Giving
10th Anniversary Edition
(1999) Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Rabbit go on a brave quest to find a
favorite season they have seemed to miss -- winter -- searching for the
perfect ingredients to creative a festive Thanksgiving feast and share
in the warm glow of Christmas. $29.99. Extras: Two "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" episodes. (Disney).
The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition
(1939) Directed by Victor Fleming, produced by Mervyn LeRoy, and scored
by Herbert Stothart, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y.
Harburg. Ray Bolger appeared as the Scarecrow; Bert Lahr as the
Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman, Frank Morgan was seen in
six different roles, including that of the "wonderful Wizard" himself.
Dorothy was portrayed by a 4-foot 11-inch 16-year-old girl who quickly
earned her reputation as "the world's greatest entertainer" -- the
incomparable Judy Garland. And don't forget the witches: Billie Burke
and Margaret Hamilton. Housed in numbered collectible packaging;
available for a limited time only for $69.92 (DVD) and $84.99
(Blu-ray). Includes 16 Hours of enhanced content, four of which are
brand new; includes new documentaries, featurettes, a sing-along track
and collectibles. Also available as a Special Edition two-disc set for
$21.95. The film has been entirely remastered, with each of the
original Technicolor camera negatives scanned using 8K resolution. From
this scan, a final "capture" master was created in 4K, yielding twice
the resolution seen in the master utilized for the film's previous DVD
release.
Special Edition extras: Commentary by John Fricke with
Barbara Freed-Saltzman (daughter of Arthur Freed), Margaret Hamilton,
Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, John Lahr (son of Bert Lahr), Jane Lahr
(daughter of Bert Lahr), Hamilton Meserve (son of Margaret Hamilton),
Dona Massin (MGM choreographer), William Tuttle (make-up artist), Buddy
Ebsen, Mervyn LeRoy, and Jerry Maren; "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Storybook"; "Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz"; "We Haven't
Really Met Properly"; music and effects track; original mono track; The
Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic (1990 TV
special); "Memories of Oz" (2001 TCM documentary); "The Art of
Imagination: A Tribute to Oz"; "Because of the Wonderful Things it
Does: The Legacy of Oz"; Harold Arlen's home movies; outtakes and
deleted scenes; "It's a Twister! It's a Twister!" the tornado tests;
"Off to See the Wizard"; three vault shorts; audio jukebox selection:
"Leo Is on the Air" radio promo, "Good News of 1939" radio show;
2/25/1950 Lux Radio Theater broadcast; still galleries; six theatrical
trailers.
70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition extras add:
"The Dreamer of Oz" makes its long-awaited home video debut (also
remastered). This full-length motion picture was an NBC-TV special in
1990, telling the back story of author L. Frank Baum, "the Royal
Historian of Oz." Stars John Ritter, Annette O'Toole and Rue
McClanahan; "Victor Fleming, Master Craftsman" new feature-length
documentary produced specifically for this release; "Hollywood
Celebrates It's Biggest Little Stars" new featurette stars seven of the
original "Munchkins of Oz" and tells the saga of the long journey,
culminating in them receiving their own 2007 Star on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame; "The Magic Cloak of Oz": The first release of the complete
1914 silent film, including lost footage never before included in a
home video presentation of this feature (produced by Baum himself);
"The Patchwork Girl of Oz": Another 1914 Baum-produced, feature-length
silent film, new to Warner Home Video; "The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along
Track"; "L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain"; "The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz" (1910); "The Wizard of Oz" (1933); "The Wizard of Oz"
(1925 feature); "His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz"; digital copy.
In addition, the Ultimate sets include: Reproductions of Archival
Material: Renderings of the original 1939 Oz campaign, exploitation,
and press books. These materials constitute a Hollywood "holy grail"
for Oz, Garland, and motion picture fans alike and, for decades, have
been among the most sought-after and impossible-to-find collectibles;
"Behind the Curtain," a 52-page miniature coffee-table book, assembled
by pre-eminent Oz historian John Fricke. Encompassing much previously
unpublished material, the deluxe volume includes behind-the-scenes Oz
photographs, studio memos, and script pages for abandoned scenes and
musical numbers; exclusive "Wizard of Oz Watch," a collectible and
numbered 70th Anniversary watch, incorporating art from the film and
enhanced with genuine crystals. (Warner).
The World According to Miley Cyrus: An Unauthorized Story
(2009) Biography of the television and movie teen idol, $14.98. (Infinity Entertainment).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, September 22 -- Monday, September 28
Battle for Terra When the peaceful
inhabitants of the beautiful planet Terra come under attack from the
last surviving members of humanity adrift in an aging spaceship, the
stage is set for an all-out war between the two species for control of
the planet. During the upheaval, an unlikely friendship develops
between a rebellious young Terrian (voiced by Evan Rachel Wood) and an
injured human pilot (Luke Wilson). Each learns the two races are not so
different from one another and together they must face the terrifying
realization that in a world of limited resources, only one of their
races is likely to survive. Vitals: Director:
Aristomenis Tsirbas. Stars: Voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, Luke
Wilson, David Cross, Justin Long, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid, Chris
Evans, James Garner, Rosanna Arquette, Chad Allen, Danny Glover.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 100 min., Animated Science Fiction, Box office gross: $1.642 million, Lionsgate.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Celebrity photographer
Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women ... in that order. A committed
bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a
conference call, Connor's mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill
for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of
Paul's wedding. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin
the wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted
girlfriends, who take him on a revealing Odyssey through his failed
relationships -- past, present and future. Together they attempt to
find out what turned Connor into such an insensitive jerk and whether
there is still hope for him to find true love ... or if he really is
the lost cause everyone thinks he is. Vitals: Director: Mark
S. Waters. Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Breckin Meyer,
Lacey Chabert, Anne Archer, Amanda Walsh, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas,
Robert Forster, Noureen DeWulf, Christa B. Allen.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $54.782 million, Warner.
Observe and Report A darker version of "Paul
Blart: Mall Cop," with Seth Rogen as bipolar mall security guard Ronnie
Barnhardt called into action to stop a flasher from turning a shopper's
paradise into his personal peep show. But when Barnhardt can't bring
the culprit to justice, a surly police detective is recruited to close
the case. Vitals: Director: Jody Hill. Stars: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Jesse Plemons.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 106 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $23.993 million, Warner.
DVD Collectibles:
This week's highlight: "The Paul Newman Tribute Collection,"
a seventeen-disc set with 13 of Newman's films including two-disc
Special Collector's Editions of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
(celebrating its 40th anniversary), The "Hustler," "The Verdict" and
"The Towering Inferno,"
as well as nine other films ranging throughout Newman's historic career
("The Long, Hot Summer," "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!" "From the
Terrace," "Exodus," "Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man," "What a
Way to Go!" "Hombre," "Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's
History Lesson" and "Quintet". The set includes an exclusive 136 page
soft-bound book filled with a stunning array of photos, some of which
have never been seen before, of the Hollywood icon on the set with his
fellow cast and crew, excerpts from each film, and personal quotes from
Newman himself. $89.98 from Fox.
Though
J.J. Abrams' rethinking of "Star Trek" won't be released until November
17, the folks at Paramount are seeding Trek fever with three new sets
this week: "Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection DVD," a
seven-disc collection with "Star Trek," "Star Trek II: The Wrath of
Khan," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage
Home," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," "Star Trek VI: The
Undiscovered Country." Also includes a bonus disc entitled "Star Trek:
The Captains' Summit" that features a 70-minute round table discussion
hosted by Whoopi Goldberg in which William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy,
Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes share candid moments and intimate
details about life on the set; $59.99 ... "Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection Blu-ray & DVD,"
a five-disc set with "Star Trek: Generations," "Star Trek: First
Contact," "Star Trek: Insurrection," "Star Trek: Nemesis" and a "Star
Trek Evolutions" bonus disc with "The Evolution of the Enterprise,"
"Villains of Star Trek," "I Love the Star Trek Movies," "Farewell to
Star Trek: The Experience," "Klingon Encounter," "Borg Invasion 4D" and
"Charting the Final Frontier." $39.99 DVD and $69.99 Blu-ray. ... and "Star Trek: The Original Series Season Two Blu-ray," a seven-disc set with 27 episodes, $79.99. Extras:
New seamless branching that allows fans to toggle between newly
remastered versions with enhanced special effects or the episodes as
they were originally broadcast. The Blu-ray collection also includes
hours of featurettes, interactive bonus features and new clips via
BD-Live.
From TV to Video: "Brotherhood: The Final Season" (2008), a two-disc set with eight episodes, $42.99 from Paramount ..."Castle: The Complete First Season" (2009), a three-disc set with 10 episodes, $39.99 from Disney ... "Ghost Whisperer: The Fourth Season" (2008-09), a five-disc set with 23 episodes, $63.98 from Paramount ... "Gigantor: The Collection -- Volume 2" (1967), a four-disc set with the final 26 episodes of the animated series, $39.98 from E1 Entertainment ...
"Kings: The Complete Series" (2009), a three-disc set, $59.98 from Universal ... "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- The Tenth Year" (2008-09), a five-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98 from Universal ... "Mail Order Bride"
(2009), a Hallmark Channel original movie about a con-woman who flees
her big-city trouble by making a run out west, starring Daphne Zuniga,
Greg Eviga and Cameron Bancroft, from E1 Entertainment ... "The Mentalist: The Complete First Season" (2008-09), a six-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ... "Taxi: The Fourth Season" (1981-82), a three-disc set with 24 episodes, $39.98 from Paramount ... "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles –The Complete Second Season" (2008-09), a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ... "30 Rock: Season 3"
(2008-09), a three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98 from Universal ... "Ugly Betty: The Complete Third Season" (2008-09), a six-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99 from Disney.
Buzzin' the 'B's: n "Mercy Streets"
(2000), starring Eric Roberts, Lawrence Taylor, Cynthia Watros and
David A. R. White, two brothers -- one a criminal, one a man of faith
-- face a deadly double-cross that forces them to live each other's
lives; from Sony ... "Six: The Mark Unleashed" (2004) is a
sci-fi thriller about the last days on Earth before Armageddon,
starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eric Roberts and Stephen Baldwin; from
Sony ... Four college students have a run-in with in-bred misfits while
exploring an Ozark Mountain town in "Albino Farm"(2008),
starring Chris Jericho, Tammin Sursok and Richard Christy; from MTI
Home Video ... A father and his daughter get more than they bargained
for when they buy an old house seemingly haunted by the ghost of a cat
in "Ghost Cat" (2003), starring Ellen Page, Shirley Knight and Michael Ontkean; from North American Motion Pictures ...
A former TV action hero runs afoul of drug dealers and a covered-up
murder while in a small Nevada town, inspiring him to round up his old
co-stars to save the terrorized townspeople in "Play Dead" (2009), starring Chris Klein, Fred Durst, Jake Busey and Sasha Alexander; from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment ... "The Haunted World of El Superbeasto"
(2008) is the first full-length animated feature from director-writer
Rob Zombie; it's the twisted tale of El Superbeasto, a former world
class masked wrestler with super human strength, who now finds himself
as the very ordinary producer-director-star of BeastoWorld Enterprises
but still finds the time to fight evil along with his super-sexy
sister, Suzi X, in the spooky Monsterland. Features the voices of Tom
Papa, Sheri Moon Zombie, Rosario Dawson, Paul Giamatti, Bill Moseley,
Sid Haig, Daniel Roebuck, Harland Williams, Cassandra Peterson, Clint
Howard, Dee Wallace, Rob Paulsen, Tura Satana and Danny Trejo; from
Anchor Bay Entertainment.
On the Indie Front: "Silk Hope"
(2000), starring Farrah Fawcett and Brad Johnson, follows a headstrong,
wild, irresponsible middle-aged woman (Farrah Fawcett) who returns to
her home town of Silk Hope to save the remnants of her family life;
from Vanguard Cinema ... "O'Horten" (2008) is a quirky indie
outing about a train engineer forced to retire after 40 years on the
job, turning his orderly, solitary existence into a future of unlikely
adventures and puzzling dilemmas; from Sony ... "Road to Victory"
(2008) stars Mike Reilly and Julia Anderson star in an unconventional
love story about a college football player dealing with injuries who
falls for a stripper; from Vanguard Cinema.
Foreign: Jean-Jacques Beineix's "Mortal Transfer"
(2001 -- French) has been released for the first time in the U.S. as
part of Cinema Libre Studio's Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection.
Overwhelmed psychoanalyst Michel (Jean-Hugues Anglade) falls asleep
while listening to sado-masochist kleptomaniac patient Olga (Helene de
Fourgerolles) and awakens to find her strangled. Panicking, he decides
to get rid of her body himself so that he won't be saddled with her
murder. Complications erupt when Olga's rich husband (Yves Renier)
comes looking for stolen money and Michel's other neurotic patients
clamor for attention. Director Beineix keeps a mesmerizing balance on a
tightrope between poisonously dark comedy and psychological thriller.
For the Family: "Tall Tales & Legends"
(1985-87) is a three-disc set with all the episodes of the children's
television anthology conceived by actress-producer Shelley Duvall;
$24.98 from E1 Entertainment. Find out about all the episodes in the "Tall Tales & Legends" set. "Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins"
(2009) is the untold story of how Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and
Velma joined forces for the first time in this all-new live-action/CGI
movie; from Warner ... "SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes"
is a fourteen-disc set, housed in a limited edition etched Plexiglas
case, and loaded with extras, $99.99 from Nick/Paramount ... "Mr. Men: Mr. Tickle Presents: Tickle Time Around! and Mr. Men: Little Miss Sunshine Presents: Fun in the Sun!"
are two DVDs each with six humorous shows, grouped by similar themes
plus toe-tapping songs and bonus features designed to give kids
interactive experiences with their favorite characters from the Cartoon
Network series "The Mr. Men Show," $16.97 from Sony ... "Jonas: Rockin' the House" (2009) includes five episodes from the latest hit Disney Channel Original Series; from Disney ... In "Wizards on Deck With Hannah Montana"
(2009), the casts of Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place," "The
Suite Life on Deck" and "Hannah Montana" come together for one zany
teen cruise on the S.S. Tipton; from Disney
Special Interest: "Beer Wars"
(2009) is an expose that sheds light on corporate America and the
mammoth beer corporations Anheuser-Bush and MillerCoors. Filmmaker Anat
Baron was the former general manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade, where she
brought the little entrepreneurial company up to $200 million dollars
in annual sales. She leveraged her experience to expose the inner
workings of the male-dominated beer industry in her smart and thought
provoking documentary film. Read more about "Beer Wars" from Ducks in a Row Entertainment Corp. ... "Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup?"
(2009) is a documentary that looks at some of the conspiracy theories
surrounding the tragic events of the destruction of the World Trade
Center on 9/11/2001; $17.99 from Microcinema DVD ... "Soundstage Presents: Ringo Starr and the Roundheads"
(2005) features a 14-song set recorded in High-Definition with pristine
5.1 Surround Sound for the acclaimed PBS music series "Soundstage";
$19.98 from E1 Entertainment ... Comedian Brett Butler is back and
she's bringing four southern, sexy, strong-minded and simply
irresistible performers to the stage in "The Southern Belles of Comedy"
(2008); from Vanguard Cinema ... "Mitch Fatel Is Magical" (2009) is a Comedy Central one-hour special, $16.99 from Paramount.
Albino Farm
(2008) Chris Jericho, Tammin Sursok, Richard Christy. Four college
students have a run-in with in-bred misfits while exploring an Ozark
Mountain town. Extras: Commentary, behind-the-scenes footage. (MTI Home Video).
Battle for Terra
(2009) Voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, Luke Wilson, David Cross,
Justin Long, Amanda Peet, Dennis Quaid, Chris Evans, James Garner,
Rosanna Arquette, Chad Allen, Danny Glover. Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Beer Wars
(2009) An expose that sheds light on corporate America and the mammoth
beer corporations Anheuser-Bush and MillerCoors. Filmmaker Anat Baron
was the former general manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade, where she
brought the little entrepreneurial company up to $200 million dollars
in annual sales. She's an expert and industry insider who had
continually seen independent brewers being swallowed up and silenced by
corporate beer giants, Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors. Baron leveraged
her experience to expose the inner workings of the male-dominated beer
industry in her smart and thought provoking documentary film. More information. (Ducks in a Row Entertainment Corp.).
Brotherhood: The Final Season
(2008) Two-disc set with 8 episodes, $42.99. (Paramount).
Castle: The Complete First Season
(2009) Three-disc set with 10 episodes, $39.99. (Disney).
Ghost Cat
(2003 -- TV) Ellen Page, Shirley Knight, Michael Ontkean. A father and
his daughter get more than they bargained for when they buy an old
house that was formerly inhabited by the nice old Mrs. Ashboro and her
pet cat, Margaret. When strange things start happening in the house,
all fingers point to the presence of Margaret, who died the same day as
Mrs. Ashboro. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (North American Motion Pictures).
Ghost Whisperer: The Fourth Season
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 23 episodes, $63.98. (Paramount).
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
(2009) Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Breckin Meyer, Lacey
Chabert, Anne Archer, Amanda Walsh, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas, Robert
Forster, Noureen DeWulf, Christa B. Allen. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Blu-ray Extras:
"Recreating the Past, Imagining the Future" featurette, "It's All About
Connor" featurette, "The Legends, the Lessons and the Ladies"
featurette, additional scenes. (Warner).
Gigantor: The Collection -- Volume 2
(1967) Four-disc set with the final 26 episodes of the animated series, $39.98. Extras:
Commentaries on select episodes with director-producer-writer Fred
Ladd; featurette about creator Mitsuteru Yokoyama; digital issues 7-12
of the Gigantor comic book series from Ben Dunn and Antarctic Press,
published in 2000; 16-page collectible booklet with a brief history of
the series, episode summaries as well as rare archival press materials
and photos. (E1 Entertainment).
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (2008)
Voices of Tom Papa, Sheri Moon Zombie, Rosario Dawson, Paul Giamatti,
Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Daniel Roebuck, Harland Williams, Cassandra
Peterson, Clint Howard, Dee Wallace, Rob Paulsen, Tura Satana, Danny
Trejo. First full-length animated feature from director/writer Rob
Zombie; features undead Nazis, horny robots and strippers; for adults
only. Twisted tale of El Superbeasto, a former world class masked
wrestler with super human strength, who now finds himself as the very
ordinary producer/director/star of BeastoWorld Enterprises. But when he
can, Beasto spends time fighting evil along with his with his
super-sexy sister, Suzi X, in the spooky Monsterland. Beasto faces his
biggest battle when he struggles to stop the unholy marriage of
foul-mouthed stripper Velvet Von Black and the diabolical Dr. Satan.
$19.97. Extras: Animatics, deleted scenes and shots, alternate scenes. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Jonas: Rockin' the House
(2009) Five episodes from the latest hit Disney Channel Original Series. Extras: Two bonus episodes, "You've Been Jo Bro'd -- Surprising Chelsea Staub" featurette. (Disney).
Kings: The Complete Series
(2009) Three-disc set, $59.98. (Universal).
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -- The Tenth Year
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. (Universal).
Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup?
(2009) Documentary looks at some of the conspiracy theories surrounding
the tragic events of the destruction of the World Trade Center on
9/11/2001. Narrated by Daniel Sunjata of FX's "Rescue Me," the film
first examines mysterious and infamous events that reshaped world
history, from the Reichstag Fire in 1933 that catapulted Hitler to
dictatorship to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964 that led to the
Vietnam War, then taking viewers into the most significant catastrophe
in recent memory, 9/11. $17.99. Extras: Extra interviews, 12-page booklet. (Microcinema DVD).
Mail Order Bride
(2009) Daphne Zuniga, Greg Eviga, Cameron Bancroft. The West gets a
little wilder when beautiful con-woman Daphne Zuniga flees her big-city
trouble by making a run out west, impersonating a mail order bride in
this Hallmark Channel original movie. (E1 Entertainment).
The Mentalist: The Complete First Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"Evidence of a Hit Series" interviews with the creators, directors and
cast; "Cracking the Crystal Ball: Mentalist vs. Psychic"; "Persons of
Interest: The Cast of The Mentalist"; "Surveillance Video: Gag Reel."
(Warner).
Mercy Streets (2000) Eric
Roberts, Lawrence Taylor, Cynthia Watros, David A. R. White. In the
midst of deception, crime and immorality, two brothers must learn the
power of faith and the freedom of forgiveness: John chose a path of
crime, Jeremiah chose the way of faith, but now a deadly double-cross
forces the two brothers to live each other's lives. Extras:
Commentary with director Jon Gunn and producer-actor David A.R. White,
"The Making of Mercy Streets" featurette, deleted scenes. (Sony).
Mr. Men: Mr. Tickle Presents: Tickle Time Around! and Mr. Men: Little Miss Sunshine Presents: Fun in the Sun! Two
DVDs each with six humorous shows, grouped by similar themes plus
toe-tapping songs and bonus features designed to give kids interactive
experiences with their favorite characters from the Cartoon Network
series "The Mr. Men Show," $16.97 each. (Sony).
Mitch Fatel Is Magical
(2009) Comedy Central one-hour special, $16.99. (Paramount).
Mortal Transfer (2001 --
French) Released for the first time in the U.S. as part of the
Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection. Overwhelmed psychoanalyst Michel
(Jean-Hugues Anglade) falls asleep while listening to sado-masochist
kleptomaniac patient Olga (Helene de Fourgerolles) and awakens to find
her strangled. Panicking, he decides to get rid of her body himself so
that he won't be saddled with her murder. Complications erupt when
Olga's rich husband (Yves Renier) comes looking for stolen money and
Michel's other neurotic patients clamor for attention. Director Beineix
keeps a mesmerizing balance on a tightrope between poisonously dark
comedy and psychological thriller. Extras: Photo gallery, interview with Beineix. (Cinema Libre Studio).
Observe and Report
(2009) Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Jesse Plemons.
Extras: "Basically Training" with Seth Rogan, "Seth
Rogan Wants You" goofy mall cop recruitment video, commentary,
outtakes, additional scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
O'Horten
(2008) Bard Owe. Quirky indie outing about a train engineer forced to
retire after 40 years on the job. Odd Horton's orderly, solitary
existence is about to give way to a future of unlikely adventures and
puzzling dilemmas: will Horten ever travel by plane? Will he finally
sell his prized boat? How does Horten end up in a pair of women's red
high-heeled shoes? Extras: Interview with director Bent Hamer and composer John Erik Kaada. (Sony).
The Paul Newman Tribute Collection.
Seventeen-disc set with 13 of Newman's films including two-disc Special
Collector's Editions of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
(celebrating its 40th anniversary), The "Hustler," "The Verdict" and
"The Towering Inferno," as well as nine other films ranging throughout
Newman's historic career ("The Long, Hot Summer," "Rally 'Round the
Flag, Boys!" "From the Terrace," "Exodus," "Hemingway's Adventures of a
Young Man," "What a Way to Go!" "Hombre," "Buffalo Bill and the Indians
Or Sitting Bull's History Lesson" and "Quintet"). Extras: Exclusive 136 page soft-bound book filled
with a stunning array of photos, some of which have never been seen
before, of the Hollywood icon on the set with his fellow cast and crew,
excerpts from each film, and personal quotes from Newman himself.
$89.98. (Fox).
Play Dead (2009) Chris
Klein, Fred Durst, Jake Busey, Sasha Alexander. A former TV action hero
runs afoul of drug dealers and a covered-up murder while in a small
Nevada town, inspiring him to round up his old co-stars to save the
terrorized townspeople. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
Road to Victory (2008)
Mike Reilly, Julia Anderson. An unconventional love story that looks
behind the sensationalized media headlines over steroid abuse sports,
examining the human elements that drive athletes to succeed, and the
price they may pay for their choices. A college football player dealing
with injuries falls for a stripper, and when he's unable to perform
sexually, the relationship is derailed, oscillating between the tender
and the cruel. When his on-field performance also begins to decline,
his draft status is at stake. (Vanguard Cinema).
Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009)
The untold story of how Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma
joined forces for the first time in an all-new live-action/CGI movie.
Directed by Brian Levant, the film follows the Mystery Inc. gang, a
mismatched quartet of unlikely teenage pals, uniting for the first time
to solve the haunting of their high school. The live-action cast
features Robbie Amell, Kate Melton, Hayley Kiyoko, Nick Palatas, and
Frank Welker as the voice of Scooby-Doo. Extras:
"Coolsville Yearbook," "Velma, Daphne, Fred or Shaggy? Personality
Quiz," "Character Pop-Up Factoid Track," behind-the-scenes, shout-outs
and out-takes. Available on DVD and Blu-Ray Hi-Def Combo Pack (with the DVD and a digital copy). (Warner).
Silk Hope
(2000) Farrah Fawcett, Brad Johnson. A headstrong, wild, irresponsible
middle-aged woman (Farrah Fawcett) returns to her home town of Silk
Hope, only to find that her mother has recently died and that her
sister has decided to sell the family house and divide the profits.
This cold dose of reality sets her on a new course: Her goal is to save
the remnants of her family life, but surprisingly, her quest leads to
love and the unlocking of a family secret. A CBS TV movie. (Vanguard
Cinema).
Six: The Mark Unleashed
(2004)Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eric Roberts, Stephen Baldwin. Sci-fi thriller about the last days on Earth before Armageddon. Extras:
Commentary with director Kevin Downes, "The Making of Six: The Mark
Unleashed" featurette, deleted scenes, blooper reel. (Sony).
Soundstage Presents: Ringo Starr and the Roundheads
(2005) Fourteen-song set recorded in High-Definition with pristine 5.1
Surround Sound for the acclaimed PBS music series "Soundstage"; $19.98.
(E1 Entertainment).
The Southern Belles of Comedy
(2008) Comedian Brett Butler is back and she's bringing The Southern
Belles of Comedy with her. Since her show "Grace Under Fire" ended,
Butler has been all over the country performing and now has a different
and ever more hilarious perspective to share with her fans. Butler is
also setting the stage for up-and-coming comedians, bringing on the
road four southern, sexy, strong-minded and simply irresistible
performers: Trish Suhr, Lisa Landry, Pat Brown and Sarah Tiana.
(Vanguard Cinema).
SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes. Fourteen-disc set, $99.99. Extras:
Limited edition etched Plexiglas case, limited edition 3D lenticular,
"Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants." commentary, "Life
Lessons from Bikini Bottom," "Help Wanted: The Seven Seas Edition,"
"Kick-Wham-Pow-Bob" music video. (Nick/Paramount).
Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection DVD.
Seven-disc collection with "Star Trek," "Star Trek II: The Wrath of
Khan," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage
Home," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," "Star Trek VI: The
Undiscovered Country." Also includes a bonus disc entitled "Star Trek:
The Captains' Summit" that features a 70-minute round table discussion
hosted by Whoopi Goldberg in which William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy,
Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes share candid moments and intimate
details about life on the set. $59.99. (Paramount).
Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection Blu-ray & DVD. Five-disc
set with "Star Trek: Generations," "Star Trek: First Contact," "Star
Trek: Insurrection," "Star Trek: Nemesis" and "Star Trek Evolutions"
bonus disc with "The Evolution of the Enterprise," "Villains of Star
Trek," "I Love the Star Trek Movies," "Farewell to Star Trek: The
Experience," "Klingon Encounter," "Borg Invasion 4D" and "Charting the
Final Frontier." $39.99 DVD and $69.99 Blu-ray. (Paramount).
Star Trek: The Original Series Season Two Blu-ray.
Seven-disc set with 27 episodes, $79.99. Extras:
New seamless branching that allows fans to toggle between newly
remastered versions with enhanced special effects or the episodes as
they were originally broadcast. The Blu-ray collection also includes
hours of featurettes, interactive bonus features and new clips via
BD-Live. (Paramount).
Tall Tales & Legends (1985-87)
Three-disc set with all the episodes of the children's television
anthology conceived by actress-producer Shelley Duvall; $24.98.
Episodes: "Annie Oakley" starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Brian Dennehy and
Cliff DeYoung; "Davy Crockett" with Mac Davis, McLean Stevenson and
Michael McKean; "My Darlin' Clementine" starring Shelley Duvall, Ed
Asner, David Dukes and Michael Richards; "Casey at the Bat" with Elliot
Gould and Carol Kane; "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" starring Ed Begley
Jr., Beverly D'Angelo and Charles Durning; "Pecos Bill" Steve
Guttenberg, Rebecca De Mornay and Martin Mull; "Johnny Appleseed" with
Martin Short, Molly Ringwald, Rob Reiner and Michael McKean; "Ponce de
Leon and the Search for the Fountain of Youth" starring Michael York,
Paul Rodriguez and Sally Kellerman; and "John Henry" with Danny Glover,
Lynn Whitfield and Tom Hulce. (E1 Entertainment).
Taxi: The Fourth Season
(1981-82) Three-disc set with 24 episodes, $39.98. (Paramount).
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles –The Complete Second Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"The Continuing Chronicles featurette, "Write the Future" featurette,
visual effects featurette, "Blood and Metal" makeup effects featurette,
"Designing Destruction" production design featurette, "Choreographing
Chaos" stunt featurette, "War Stories" behind-the-scenes featurette,
"Setting the Tempo" music featurette, "Motivations" featurette,
"Terminated Scenes," "Cameron vs. Rosie: Fight Rehearsal," "The
Storyboard Process: Cameron Goes Bad," commentary by Lena Headey,
Thomas Dekker, Summer Glau and Shirley Manson and executive producers
Josh Friedman, James Middleton and John Wirth, gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
30 Rock: Season 3
(2008-09) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. (Universal).
Ugly Betty: The Complete Third Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99. (Disney).
Wizards on Deck With Hannah Montana
(2009) The casts of Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place," "The
Suite Life on Deck" and "Hannah Montana" come together for one zany
teen cruise on the S.S. Tipton. Extras:
"Justin's Award-Winning Essay," "It's A Suite Life Having Fun With
Hannah & The Wizards" bloopers and backstage interviews. (Disney).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, September 15 -- Monday, September 21
Easy Virtue Noel Coward's play "Easy Virtue" was
written in 1924 and had only been filmed once, as a silent production
directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1928. In adapting Coward's witty comedy
of manners for modern audiences, director Stephen Elliot wanted to make
a modern film for modern audiences so he tried to give it a
contemporary voice by scoring the film with period songs from the likes
of Cole Porter and then added contemporary songs that were re-recorded
with a 1920's flavor, several of which are sung by cast members Jessica
Biel and Ben Barnes. When British playboy John brings his new wife
Larita -- a race car-driving feminist from Detroit -- home to meet the
family at their country estate, pretty much everyone's expectations are
disappointed. His snooty mother is offended by Larita's carefree
American ways, while Larita does everything she can to get her
mother-in-law to loosen up, which only annoys her even more. John's
sisters have diametrically opposed feelings about their new
sister-in-law, but his father is intrigued to have finally found
another who sees through the family's façade -- and takes great
perverse pleasure in watching his wife meet her match. An intelligent,
well-acted, well-directed and thoroughly absorbing (and fun) film. Vitals: Director:
Stephan Elliot . Stars: Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin
Firth, Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $2.393 million, Sony.
Next Day Air
Smalltime hoods Brody (Mike Epps) and Guch
(Wood Harris) have seen better days. But when a wacked-out courier
accidentally brings them a box containing 10 kilos of high-quality
cocaine meant for their next-door neighbors, it sets in motion a chain
of events that could cost all of them their lives. Brody and Guch
immediately arrange to sell the coke to Brody's drug dealer cousin and
his tightlipped bodyguard. But when the intended recipients of the
package, wannabe gangster Jesus and his feisty girlfriend, realize the
box hasn't arrived, they set out on a desperate search to find it
before ruthless drug kingpin Bodega Diablo notices it's missing.
Furious over the loss of his shipment, Bodega will stop at nothing to
get the drugs back. With Brody and Guch's drug deal about to go down,
all parties are on an urban comedy collision course. Vitals:
Director: Benny Boom. Stars: Mike Epps, Wood Harris, Donald Faison,
Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Yasmin
Deliz, Mos Def, Debbie Allen .
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 84 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $10.017 million, Summit Entertainment.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Spanning over 150 years,
"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" chronicles young James Logan and his
tortured past ... from boy, to man, to mutant. From conflicts with his
half brother Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth), his membership in Team X,
his infamous adamantium rebirth and the total memory loss that
ultimately fuels his angry quest, the film paints the vivid and
difficult journey of the legendary superhero. Along the way, Wolverine
encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise
appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances
in the film have long been anticipated. For diehard fans only. Vitals: Director: Gavin
Hood. Stars: Hugh Jackman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Liev Schreiber, Danny
Huston, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, will.i.am, Dominic
Monaghan, Daniel Henney.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min., Action, Box office gross: $179.464 million, Fox.
DVD Collectibles:
The Criterion Collection has put together an impressive collection of classic films for the fourth in their art house series: "Essential Art House: Volume Four"
includes three DVD debuts: Marcel Carne's dark masterwork "Le jour se
leve" (1939), starring Jean Gabin; Rene Clement's "Emile Zola"
adaptation "Gervaise" (1956); and Anatole Litvak's tragic romance
"Mayerling" (1936), starring Charles Boyer; plus Alfred Hitchcock's
"The 39 Steps" (1935); Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's "The
Tales of Hoffmann" (1951) and Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood"
(1957). Each title features a beautiful digital transfer and
informative liner notes. Available individually at $19.95 each or in a
boxed set for $99.95.
John Ford fanatics will appreciate three outings from Warner Home Video: The
"John Wayne -- John Film Ford Collection" is a
seven-disc set with "The Searchers" two-Disc Special Edition, "She Wore
a Yellow Ribbon," "Fort Apache," "Wings of Eagles," "3 Godfathers" and
"They Were Expendable," plus the new-to-DVD documentary "Directed by
John Ford," Peter Bogdanovich's updated 1971 documentary. $59.92 ...
Ford's "Wagon Master"
(1950) is one of the legendary filmmaker's personal favorites, a
visually stirring celebration of Western will and cooperation set to
the soundtrack crooning of The Sons of the Pioneers. Ben Johnson, Harry
Carey Jr. and Ward Bond (who would later lead TV's Wagon Train) and
other familiar Ford stock company players take the reins in this paean
to the pioneer spirit in which outlaws are using a Mormon wagon train
as a hideout from a pursuing posse. Extras include commentary by Harry
Carey Jr. and Peter Bogdanovich with John Ford ... In 1971 Peter
Bogdanovich made "Directed by John Ford," a
fascinating documentary in which Henry Fonda, James Stewart and John
Wayne revealed first-hand tales about the man often cited as America's
greatest, most influential filmmaker. Thirty-five years later there
were more stories to tell -- by, among others, Clint Eastwood, Martin
Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Katharine Hepburn. Bogdanovich wove
these new interviews into a re-edited, restructured documentary
offering a more personal vision of the man and his work. Packed with
clips, anecdotes and insights. $19.97.
Modern Times: "Triangle"
(2007 -- Hong Kong) is a wonderful example of the Hong Kong
crime-thriller genre at its best. The unique film is comprised of three
independently filmed and produced sections, created by Hong Kong cinema
masters Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, each famous for his
distinctive style. Hark begins the film with his signature frenetic
energy, in which three friends are offered the chance of a lifetime by
a mysterious stranger -- to steal an ancient treasure buried beneath a
heavily-guarded government building in the heart of Hong Kong; Lam
takes over with his emotional, slick camerawork to explore the
characters' motivations and adds in adulterous affairs, traitorous
alliances and crooked cops; To's section produces a suspenseful and at
times slapstick conclusion when the heist goes wrong and the three
friends must choose between their ill-gotten treasure and loyalty to
each other. Despite the differing styles, the film flows seamlessly and
effortlessly. From Magnolia Home Entertainment ... "Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death "
(2008) is the first half hour Wallace & Gromit adventure since
2005. The hilarious duo is back, brought to life through seamless
stop-motion animation and brilliant storytelling from Oscar-winner Nick
Park. Wallace and Gromit have opened a new bakery business -- Top Bun
-- but a deadly murderer is targeting all the bakers in town. Can
Gromit discover the identity of the Cereal Killer before Wallace
becomes the next victim? From HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate. ... "Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection"
is a boxed set with all four Wallace & Gromit outings: "The Wrong
Trousers," "A Close Shave," "A Grand Day Out" and their latest title,
"A Matter of Loaf and Death." Also from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.
Classic reissues: "The Wolf Man Special Edition"
(1941), starring Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph
Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi and Maria Ouspenskaya, arrives in
a new two-disc set from Universal Legacy Series ... "Sherlock Holmes Double Features"
include two double feature DVDs: "The Hound of the Baskervilles"
(1939)/"Pursuit to Algiers" (1945) and "The Adventures of Sherlock
Holmes" (1939)/"The Scarlet Claw" (1944); $19.98 each from MPI Home
Video.
Other reissues: "Fame: Deluxe Musical Edition"
(1980), from New Line ... "The Getaway Double Feature" with "The Getaway" (1972) and "The Getaway"(1994), from Warner ... "Hairspray: Deluxe Music Edition" (2007), from New Line ..."An American Werewolf in London Full Moon Edition"
(1981), from Universal ... "Army of Darkness Screwhead Edition"
(1992), from Universal ... "Phantasm II "
(1988), from Universal.
From TV to Video: "Affairs of the Heart, Series Two"
features six episodes in two volumes of the classic British Henry James
anthology series, including such favorites as "An International
Episode" and "Daisy Miller," featuring such stars as Derek Jacobi,
Eileen Atkins, Sinead Cusack, Edward Hardwicke, Cheryl Campbell and
Christopher Cazenove; $39.99 from Acorn Media ... "The Beiderbecke Tapes"
is the second outing of the tongue-in-cheek British mystery series
about a pair of sleuthing schoolteachers -- one a jazz fan -- set to a
soundtrack in the style of 1920s jazz great Bix Beiderbecke; two
episodes of the 1990s series, $39.99 from Acorn Media ... "The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 23 episodes, $44.98 from Warner ... "Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume One" and "Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume Two " (1959) are each four-disc sets, $39.98 from Paramount ... "CSI: Miami: The Seventh Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41 from Paramount ... "Crash: The Complete First Season" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.97 from Anchor Bay Entertainment ... "Dark Shadows: The Vampire Curse" and "Dark Shadows: The Haunting of Collinwood" include select episodes from the 1966-71 TV series, $19.98 each from MPI Home Video ... "Fame Seasons One and Two" (1982-83) is a nine-disc set with 38 episodes, $39.98, from MGM ... "Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season" (2008-09) is a seven-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.99 from Disney ... "Heartland: Season 1, Part 1"
(2007) is a two-disc set with the first seven episodes of the sprawling
Canadian television series that follows two sisters and their
grandfather through the highs and lows of life on a horse ranch; $24.98
from E1 Entertainment ... "The It Crowd: The Complete Season Three"
is a single-disc with six episodes of the series about the
misadventures of Britain's geekiest, most inept information technology
department support team, $24.98 from MPI Home Video ... "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season Four"
(2008) is a three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95 from Fox ... "My Name Is Earl Season Four" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 27 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "One Step Beyond: The Official First Season" (1959) is a three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Primeval: Volume 2" (2008) is a three-disc set of the BBC TV series, $39.98 from Warner) ... "Private Practice: The Complete Second Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.99 from Disney ... "Sanctuary" (2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $44.98 from E1 Entertainment.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "Camille"
(2007) stars James Franco, Sienna Miller, David Carradine, Ed Lauter
and Scott Glenn in a fantasy about Camille, the sweetest girl in all of
Kentucky, who has just married Silas, a bad boy with a sordid past.
Silas could care less about Camille and is hoping to use their
"fantasy" honeymoon as a way to escape parole and flee to Canada. But
an accident along the way changes everything -- Camille pulls herself
from the wreckage and seems unscathed, but soon Silas discovers that
perhaps she didn't survive the accident after all. Something magical is
happening, and Camille won't let anything stand in the way of their
life together ... not even her own mortality. Though the film has
flashes of ingenuity (and offers fine acting turns by Miller and
Franco), the at-times sentimental (and sluggish) script and buffoonish
characterizations drags it down into the mundane. From National
Entertainment Media ... "Deadgirl"
(2008) is a teen horror thriller that was thought to be too
controversial to release but nevertheless went on to shock audiences at
the Toronto International Film Festival and at midnight screenings.
High school misfits Rickie and JT cut school and go wandering in the
decaying remains of a nearby abandoned mental hospital, where they make
a gruesome discovery: a young woman stripped naked and chained to a
table, a plastic bag over her head. She seems dead, until one of the
boys touches her and she moves. Rickie wants to call the police, but JT
stops him -- he has more demented plans in mind for the helpless girl.
Available in two versions: the original R-rated cut and the unrated
Director's Cut. From Dark Sky Films ... In "Nightmare"
(2005), starring Jason Scott Campbell and Nicole Roderick, a film
student and an aspiring actress awake after a one-night stand to find a
video camera pointed at their bed; the camera contains a brutal snuff
movie -- starring the pair as the killers. But they have no memory of
any murder and there's no indication in their room of any gruesome
killings. Was there a murder or are the they going mad? From IFC Films
... "Blood and Bone" (2009), starring Michael Jai
White, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Ron Yuan and
Dante Basco, is a post-modern Samurai movie that has ex-con Isaiah Bone
(Michael Jai White) fighting for justice and his life in the dangerous
underground world of gangster-controlled Mixed Martial Arts combats;
from Sony ... Miramax has reissued "Hero (Ying xiong)"
(2002 -- Hong Kong), starring Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie
Cheung, Ziyi Zhang, Daoming Chen and Donnie Yen, with such extras as
"Close-Up of a Fight Scene," "Hero Defined," storyboards, "Inside the
Action: A Conversation With Quentin Tarantino & Jet Li"; also
available on Blu-ray Disc.
On the Indie Front: "Nightwatching" (2007) is the latest effort from
director Peter Greenaway. The film, starring Martin Freeman, Emily
Holmes, Jodhi May and Toby Jones, is an extravagant, exotic and moving
look at Rembrandt's romantic and professional life, and the controversy
he created by the identification of a murderer in the painting "The
Night Watch." From E1 Entertainment.
Foreign: Shot in real time, "PVC-1"
(2007 -- Columbia) is based on the true story of a woman who is turned
into a human time bomb in a bizarre act of terrorism. Director Spiros
Stathoulopoulos tells the story -- in real time and in one take -- of a
poor family in rural Colombia whose world is suddenly, horribly turned
upside down. A group of masked men invade the family's home and lock
PVC-1 tubing filled with explosives around the wife's neck, demanding a
ransom. The largely nonprofessional cast adds to the film's authentic
this-is-really-happening effect; from IFC Films ... In "The Adventures of Werner Holt"
(1965 -- Germany), two 17 year-olds, Werner and his best friend
Gilbert, are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. While Gilbert
becomes a fanatical soldier, Werner begins to understand the
senselessness of war. A political and artistic masterpiece, the film
was voted one of the 100 most important German films of all time.
$24.95 from First Run Features ..."The Axe of Wandsbek"
(1951 -- Germany) takes place in Germany 1934. The Nazis need a hangman
to put a group of political prisoners to death. Teetjen, the town
butcher, makes the biggest mistake of his life: facing bankruptcy, he
agrees to do the dirty deed. Adapted from the novel by German-Jewish
author Arnold Zweig, this important classic was directed by Falk
Harnack, a former anti-Nazi resistance fighter. $24.95 from First Run
Features ... Latin dance and black comedy make strange bedfellows in "Rumba"
(2009 -- Belgium/France), an old-fashioned silent film comedy re-worked
into a modern day fairy tale filled with visual gags. Set in a rural
Belgian community, Rumba opens with mild-mannered, provincial
schoolteachers Dom and Fiona who share a common passion -- Latin Dance.
After rehearsing for weeks to win a dance contest, they capture the
trophy; however, their joy is short-lived when they crash their car on
the way home. But, although Fiona loses her leg and Dom loses his
memory, there's nothing that can keep them off the dance floor -- not
even a clumsy wooden leg or a burned-down house. From Koch Lorber ... "White Night Wedding"
(2008 -- Iceland) is an adaptation of Anton Chekhov's drama of marital
discord, "Ivanov." The story follows a middle-aged professor who is
preparing to marry an ex-student half his age and the past and present
problems he must confront: Not everyone thinks this "blessed union" is
a good idea, his first wife committed suicide and he remains racked
with guilt, and he owes his future mother-in-law money. From IFC Films.
For the Family: "Astro Boy: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5,"
based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu Tezuka, known as
the Japanese Walt Disney, is now available in five separate volumes
just in time for the new feature film due October 23. Inspired by the
anime series that originally aired in Japan in 1960, "Astro Boy: The
Anime Series" was updated and modernized in 2003 with state-of-the-art
animation and visuals that kept the same classic style as the original
"Astro Boy" manga and anime, and debuted on the Kids WB Network in
2004. Each volume, sold separately, contains 10 episodes; $14.94 from
Sony ... "Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2: Clone Commandos" (2009) includes four episodes from the animated TV series, $14.98 from Warner ... "Marvel X-Men: Volume 3" and "Marvel X-Men: Volume 4" are two-disc sets with 15 and 14 episodes respectively, $23.99 each from Disney ... "Monster Force: Volume One" (1994) is a single-disc with seven animated episodes, $19.98 from Universal ... "The Transformers: Season Two Volume, One 25th Anniversary Edition " is a four-disc set with 28 episodes, $29.99 from Shout! Factory ... "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Vol. 1"
(2008) contains five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for boys 6 to 14, $14.97 from Warner ... "The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit"
(2009) is a new, CGI feature-length movie that has Strawberry Shortcake
and her friends trying to safely remove a huge boulder that a terrible
storm dropped into their town, threatening everything they hold dear.
$19.98 from Fox ... In the animated "Barbie and the Three Musketeers"
(2009), Barbie plays Corinne, a young country girl headed to Paris to
pursue her big dream -- to become a female musketeer, from Universal
... "Barney: Jungle Friends"
(2009) features Rain forest discoveries and animal fun with Barney and
friends. Includes a free music CD. From HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.
Special Interest:
With the aid of cutting
edge research, the latest scientific theories, and CGI technology,
prehistoric animals are brought back to life in "Animal Armageddon, Target: Earth"
(2009), an intriguing mini-series that provides an intimate look at
some of the most horrific disasters ever to rock the planet. Deadly
cosmic gamma rays, volcanic explosions, tsunamis, earthquakes and a
gigantic asteroid that killed off the dinosaurs are just a few of the
natural events that caused unparalleled devastation. $14.95 from Animal
Planet/Genius Products ... In "The Modern Con Man Collection"
(2009), America's #1 Con Man, Todd Robbins, shares his catalog of cons
and playful scams. The three-DVD set shows viewers how easy it is to
scam, bet, and trick one's way to a free drink, a few extra bucks at
the poker table, and laughs at the expense of co-workers. $29.95 from
First Run Features ... "Mysteries of the Freemasons"
(2008) is a History documentary that reveals the untold story of The
Freemasons, a nearly 400-year-old organization whose influence is the
subject of intense debate and a favorite subject of conspiracy
theorists worldwide and whose members included George Washington, Paul
Revere, Ben Franklin, Mozart and Duke Ellington. $19.95 from A&E
Home Entertainment ... "Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037"
(2009) is a fascinating documentary that follows the creation of one
Steinway concert grand, #L1037, from forest floor to concert hall;
$26.95 from Docurama ... "The Wonder of It All"
(2009) commemorates the 40th anniversary of humankind's first step on
the moon. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Eugene Cernan, Charlie
Duke, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt and John Young reflect on their
lives, with NASA footage and rarely seen private family photos.From
Indican Pictures ... "The Least of These"
(2009) is a documentary that takes a penetrating look at the T. Don
Hutto Residential Center, a former medium-security prison in Texas that
re-opened in 2006 as a prototype family detention center that housed
immigrant children and their parents from all over the world who were
awaiting asylum hearings or deportation proceedings ... until
investigations into troubling conditions at the facility caused
President Obama to recently announce that immigration officials would
immediately stop sending families to the facility. $24.95 from IndiePix.
WWE Home Video has three rough and tumble releases this week: "The Rise and Fall of WCW"
(2009), which tells the complete story of World Championship Wrestling,
from Ted Turner's purchase and entry into the world of professional
wrestling, through the Monday night wars, and the company's eventual
collapse. Three-disc set, $34.95 ... "WWE: The Best of Smackdown -- 10th Anniversary 1999-2009 "
(2009) features the top 100 moments in the history of WWE"s Smackdown,
offering nine hours of drama and entertainment; $34.95 ... "WWE: Night of Champions 2009"
(2009) is a collection of Raw, SmackDown and ECW matches for the WWE
Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship,
Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Women's
Championship, World Tag Team Championship and WWE Tag Team
Championship; $24.95.
The Adventures of Werner Holt
(1965 -- Germany) Two 17 year-olds, Werner and his best friend Gilbert,
are pulled out of school and into Hitler's army. While Gilbert becomes
a fanatical soldier, Werner begins to understand the senselessness of
war. A political and artistic masterpiece, the film was voted one of
the 100 most important German films of all time. $24.95. (First Run
Features).
Affairs of the Heart, Series Two (1975)
Classic British Henry James anthology series, including such favorites
as "An International Episode" and "Daisy Miller," featuring such stars
as Derek Jacobi, Eileen Atkins, Sinead Cusack, Edward Hardwicke, Cheryl
Campbell and Christopher Cazenove; six episodes in two volumes, $39.99.
(Acorn Media).
An American Werewolf in London Full Moon Edition
(1981) Dir.: John Landis; David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter. Extras:
Featurettes: "I Walked With a Werewolf," "Beware the Moon," "Making An
American Werewolf in London"; interview with John Landis; make-up
artist Rick Baker on "An American Werewolf in London"; "Casting of the
Hand" featurette; outtakes; storyboards; photo montage; commentary with
cast members David Naughton and Griffin Dunne. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Animal Armageddon, Target: Earth
(2009) With the aid of cutting edge research, the latest scientific
theories, and CGI technology, prehistoric animals are brought back to
life in this intriguing mini-series that provides an intimate look at
some of the most horrific disasters ever to rock the planet. These
disasters forced species to either evolve or die out, eventually
bringing human life to where it is today. Deadly cosmic gamma rays,
volcanic explosions, tsunamis, earthquakes and a gigantic asteroid that
killed off the dinosaurs are just a few of the natural events that
caused unparalleled devastation. Throughout the 600-million-year
history of animal existence, most of all animal life that has ever
lived is now extinct. Four episodes, $14.95. (Animal Planet/Genius
Products).
Army of Darkness Screwhead Edition
(1992) Dir.: Sam Raimi; Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie. Extras: "Creating the Deadites," alternate ending. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Astro Boy: The Anime Series, Volumes 1-5. The
anime series based on the legendary Japanese comic series by Osamu
Tezuka, known as the Japanese Walt Disney, is now available in five
separate volumes just in time for the new feature film due October 23.
"Astro Boy" follows an atomic-powered robot who is a reluctant
superhero possessing super strength, jet-rocket feet and the ability to
fly. Inspired by the anime series that originally aired in Japan in
1960, "Astro Boy: The Anime Series" was updated and modernized in 2003
with state-of-the-art animation and visuals that kept the same classic
style as the original "Astro Boy" manga and anime, and debuted on the
Kids WB Network in 2004. Each volume, sold separately, contains 10
episodes; $14.94. (Sony).
The Axe of Wandsbek (1951
-- Germany) Germany 1934: the Nazis need a hangman to put a group of
political prisoners to death. Teetjen, the town butcher, makes the
biggest mistake of his life: facing bankruptcy, he agrees to do the
dirty deed. Adapted from the novel by German-Jewish author Arnold
Zweig, this important classic was directed by Falk Harnack, a former
anti-Nazi resistance fighter. $24.95. (First Run Features).
Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009)
Barbie plays Corinne, a young country girl headed to Paris to pursue
her big dream -- to become a female musketeer. Animated feature. Extras: Bloopers, music videos. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
The Beiderbecke Tapes.
Second outing of tongue-in-cheek British mystery series about a pair of
sleauthing schoolteachers -- one a jazz fan -- set to a soundtrack in
the style of 1920s jazz great Bix Beiderbecke. Two episodes of the
1990s series, $39.99. (Acorn Media).
The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Second Season
(2008=09) Four-disc set with 23 episodes, $44.98. Extras:
"Physicist to the Stars": Real-life physicist/UCLA professor David
Saltzberg's consulting relationship to the show; "Testing the Infinite
Hilarity Hypothesis in Relation to the Big Bang Theory: Season Two's
Unique Characters and Characteristics"; gag reel. (Warner).
Bionicle: The Legend Reborn
(2009) Bionicle heroes come to life in this direct-to-video feature. Extras: Deleted and extended scenes. (Universal).
Blood and Bone (2009)
Michael Jai White, Michelle Belegrin, Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Ron
Yuan, Dante Basco. Post-modern Samurai movie has ex-con Isaiah Bone
(Michael Jai White) fighting for justice and his life in the dangerous
underground world of gangster-controlled Mixed Martial Arts combats. Extras:
"Breaking the Mold" Behind-the-Scenes Featurette, commentary by
director Ben Ramsey, DP Roy Wagner, and actors Michael Jai White,
Michelle Belegrin and Dante Basco. (Sony).
Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume One
(1959) Four-disc set, $39.98.(Paramount).
Bonanza: The Official First Season, Volume Two
(1959) Four-disc set, $39.98.(Paramount).
Camille (2007) James
Franco, Sienna Miller, David Carradine, Ed Lauter, Scott Glenn.
Camille, the sweetest girl in all of Kentucky, just married the only
man she has ever loved, Silas, a bad boy with a sordid past -- but
Silas could care less about Camille and is hoping to use their
"fantasy" honeymoon as a way to escape parole and flee to Canada. But
an accident along the way changes everything -- Camille pulls herself
from the wreckage and seems unscathed, but soon Silas discovers that
perhaps she didn't survive the accident after all. Something magical is
happening, and Camille won't let anything stand in the way of their
life together ... not even her own mortality. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (National Entertainment Media).
Crash: The Complete First Season
(2008=09) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.97. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras:"
Behind the Scenes of Crash" featurette, Episode 13 alternate ending,
character bios, Season 2 promo; Blu-ray adds "Character Track," a
feature that allows viewers to pick from selected characters and watch
that particular story arc exclusively. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
CSI: Miami: The Seventh Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $71.41. (Paramount).
Deadgirl (2008) Shiloh
Fernandez, Noah Segan. Teen horror thriller thought to be too
controversial to release but nevertheless went on to shock audiences at
the Toronto International Film Festival and at midnight screenings.
Available in two versions: the original R-rated cut and the unrated
Director's Cut. High school misfits Rickie and JT cut school and go
wandering in the decaying remains of a nearby abandoned mental
hospital, where they make a gruesome discovery: a young woman stripped
naked and chained to a table, a plastic bag over her head. She seems
dead, until one of the boys touches her and she moves. Rickie wants to
call the police, but JT stops him -- he has more demented plans in mind
for the helpless girl. Director's Cut Extras: "Making Of" documentary, cast and crew commentary, make-up effects featurette, stills gallery. (Dark Sky Films).
Directed by John Ford
(2009) In 1971 Peter Bogdanovich made a fascinating documentary about
legendary John Ford in which Henry Fonda, James Stewart and John Wayne
revealed first-hand tales about the man often cited as America's
greatest, most influential filmmaker. Thirty-five years later there
were more stories to tell -- by, among others, Clint Eastwood, Martin
Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Katharine Hepburn. Bogdanovich wove
these new interviews into a re-edited, restructured documentary
offering a more personal vision of the man and his work. Packed with
clips, anecdotes and insights. $19.97. (Warner).
Easy Virtue (2009) Dir.:
Stephan Elliot; Stars: Jessica Biel, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth,
Ben Barnes, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson.
Extras: Deleted scenes, blooper reel, commentary by director Stephen Elliot and writer Sheridan Jobbins. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Essential Art House: Volume Four. Three
DVD debuts: Marcel Carne's dark masterwork "Le jour se leve" (1939),
starring Jean Gabin; Rene Clement's "Emile Zola" adaptation "Gervaise"
(1956); and Anatole Litvak's tragic romance "Mayerling" (1936),
starring Charles Boyer; plus Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" (1935);
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's "The Tales of Hoffmann" (1951)
and Akira Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" (1957). Each title features a
beautiful digital transfer and informative liner notes. Available
individually at $19.95 each or in a boxed set for $99.95. (The
Criterion Collection).
Fame: Deluxe Musical Edition
(1980) Dir.: Alan Parker; Debbie Allen, Eddie Barth, Irene Cara, Lee
Curreri, Laura Dean, Antonia Franceschi. Two-disc set with the full CD
soundtrack. Extras:
"Class Reunion" commentary featuring director Alan Parker and co-stars
Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy; vintage
featurette: "On Location With Fame," "Fame Field Trip" visits the
school that inspired the movie. (New Line).
Fame Seasons One and Two
(1982-83) Nine-disc set with 38 episodes, $39.98. Timed for the Sept. 25 theatrical release of MGM's remake of "Fame." Extras: "Fame: Then and Now" featurette. (MGM).
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood Deluxe Edition
(1988) Kane Hodder, Lar Park-Lincoln, Susan Jennifer Sullivan. Extras:
Killer commentary by director John Carl Buechler, actors Lar Park
Lincoln and Kane Hodder; "Jason's Destroyer: The Making of Friday the
13th Part VII: The New Blood"; "Mind Over Matter: The Truth About
Telekinesis"; "Makeover by Maddy: Need a Little Touch-Up Work, My Ass";
"Slashed Scenes." (Paramount).
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan Deluxe Edition
(1989) Todd Caldecott, Tiffany Paulsen, Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett, Kane Hodder. Extras:
Killer commentary by actors Scott Reeves, Jensen Daggett and Kane
Hodder; "New York Has a Problem: The Making of Friday the 13th Part
VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan"; gag reel; slashed scenes. (Paramount).
Full Battle Rattle (2008)
A revelatory look at the soul of the American war machine -- an
astonishing journey inside a once top-secret military base where U.S.
soldiers train to confront a new kind of enemy. In California's Mojave
Desert, the U.S. Army has built a billion dollar urban warfare
simulation -- a cluster of towns and villages modeled on counterparts
in the Middle East, complete with full-time residents played by
Iraqi-Americans. With un-restricted access, the filmmakers follow an
Army Battalion through the simulation as they attempt to bring peace
and prosperity to one village perched on the brink of civil war. As the
mood in the village shifts from friendly banter to violent clashes, the
Battalion struggles to win the respect of the townsfolk and defeat an
insurgency played, ironically, by American soldiers. $24.95. (First Run
Features).
The Getaway Double Feature."The Getaway" (1972), directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring
Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw, Ben Johnson, Sally Struthers, Al Lettieri,
Slim Pickens. Extras: Commentary by Sam Peckinpah
biographers/documentarians Nick Redman, Paul Seydor, Garner Simmons and
David Weddle; "Virtual" commentary by Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw and
Sam Peckinpah. "The Getaway"(1994)Directed by Roger Donaldson
and starring Alec Baldwin, Kim Basinger, Michael Madsen, James Woods,
David Morse, Jennifer Tilly. (Warner).
Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 23 episodes, $59.99. Extras:
"In Stitches: Season Five Outtakes," "Dissecting Grey's Anatomy:
Unaired Scenes," "Heaven Sent," "100th Episode: Tales from the O.R."
(Disney).
Hairspray: Deluxe Music Edition (2007)
John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken,
Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Elijah Kelley, Nikki Blonsky, Brittney Snow.
Two-disc set with the full CD soundtrack.Extras: Commentaries, five featurettes. (New Line).
Heartland: Season 1, Part 1
(2007) Two-disc set with the first seven episodes of the sprawling
Canadian television series that follows two sisters and their
grandfather through the highs and lows of life on a horse ranch;
$24.98. (E1 Entertainment).
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season Four
(2008) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. Extras: "The Nightman Cometh Live!" performance, "Dennis Reynolds: An Erotic Life," blooper reel. (Fox)/
John Wayne -- John Film Ford Collection. Seven-disc
set with "The Searchers" two-Disc Special Edition, "She Wore a Yellow
Ribbon," "Fort Apache," "Wings of Eagles," "3 Godfathers" and "They
Were Expendable," plus the new-to-DVD documentary "Directed by John
Ford," Peter Bogdanovich's updated 1971 documentary. $59.92. (Warner).
The Lost and Found Family (2009)
Lucas Till, Ellen Bry, Jessica Luza. Family drama. When her husband
dies, Mrs. Ester Hobbes (Bry) learns that his wealth was just an
illusion. Her only real inheritance is a run-down Southern home
occupied by a foster family. She moves in with the intention of selling
the house, but slowly she finds herself making unexpected connections
with the family, including rebellious teen Justin (Till) and the rest
of the unwanted kids. (Sony).
Marvel X-Men: Volume 3. Two-disc
set with 15 episodes, $23.99. The X-Men are back for more nonstop
thrills and excitement in Volume 3 of the definitive animated series.
(Disney).
Marvel X-Men: Volume 4. Two-disc
set with 14 episodes, $23.99. The X-Men are back for more nonstop
thrills and excitement in Volume 4 of the definitive animated series.
(Disney).
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Vol. 1
(2008) Five episodes of the Cartoon Network series for boys 6 to 14, $14.97. Extras: "Adventures in Voice Acting," "Adventures in Animation," "Misadventures in Song," more. (Warner).
The Modern Con Man Collection (2009)
America's #1 Con Man, Todd Robbins, shares his catalog of cons and
playful scams. This three DVD set shows viewers how easy it is to scam,
bet, and trick one's way to a free drink, a few extra bucks at the
poker table, and laughs at the expense of co-workers. Everyone loves a
good con and now, thanks to Robbins, everyone can get in on the action.
$29.95. (First Run Features).
Monster Force: Volume One
(1994) Single-disc with seven animated episodes, $19.98. (Universal).
My Name Is Earl Season Four
(2008-09) Four-disc set with 27 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, "Earl's Fan Mail" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Mysteries of the Freemasons (2008)
History documentary reveals the untold story of the world's oldest
secret society. George Washington, Paul Revere and Ben Franklin were
all members. So were Mozart and Duke Ellington. The Freemasons are the
world's most famous secret society, a nearly 400-year-old organization
whose influence is the subject of intense debate and a favorite subject
of conspiracy theorists worldwide. Extras:
Bonus program "Secret Societies" that uncovers more about the
Freemasons, as well as other secret societies such as the Illumniati
and Skull and Bones. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Next Day Air (2009) Mike
Epps, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius
McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Yasmin Deliz, Mos Def, Debbie Allen .
Extras: Commentary by the director and producer, outtakes. (Summit Entertainment).
Nightwatching
(2007) Dir.: Peter Greenaway; Martin Freeman, Emily Holmes, Jodhi May,
Toby Jones. An extravagant, exotic and moving look at Rembrandt's
romantic and professional life, and the controversy he created by the
identification of a murderer in the painting "The Night Watch." The
bold and courageous painting, exceptional in aesthetics and content, is
Rembrandt's most celebrated, consolidating his reputation as a
master-painter but also destroying him socially and financially. (E1
Entertainment).
Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037
(2009) Follows the creation of one Steinway concert
grand, #L1037, from forest floor to concert hall. Each piano's journey
is complex, spanning 12 months, 12,000 parts, 450 craftsmen, and
countless hours of fine-tuned labor. Filmed in key Steinway locations
-- the factory in Queens, Steinway's reserved "Bank" and the rooms of
private auditions -- this documentary is a loving celebration not just
of craftsmanship, but of a dying breed of person who is deeply
connected to working by hand. Features pianists Pierre-Laurent Aimard,
Kenny Barron, Bill Charlap, Harry Connick Jr., Helene Grimaud, Hank
Jones, Lang Lang and Marcus Roberts. Extras: Performances by featured pianists, interviews with featured pianists and Henry Z. Steinway, deleted scenes. $26.95. (Docurama).
One Step Beyond: The Official First Season
(1959) Three-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).
PVC-1
(2007 -- Columbia) Shot in real time, "PVC-1" is based on the true
story of a woman who is turned into a human time bomb in a bizarre act
of terrorism. Director Spiros Stathoulopoulos tells the story -- in
real time and in one take -- of a poor family in rural Colombia whose
world is suddenly, horribly turned upside down. A group of masked men
invade the family's home and lock PVC-1 tubing filled with explosives
around the wife's neck, demanding a ransom. The largely nonprofessional
cast adds to the film's authentic this-is-really-happening effect. (IFC
Films).
Phantasm II
(1988) Dir.: Don Coscarelli; James LeGros, Reggie Bannister, Angus Scrimm, Paula Irvine, Samantha Phillips.(Universal).
Primeval: Volume 2(2008)
BBC TV series. When strange anomalies in time start to appear all over
England, Professor Cutter and his team have to help track down and
capture all sorts of dangerous prehistoric creatures from Earth's
distant past. $49.98. Extras: Commentary, behind-the-scenes featurette,
"Monster Competition" featurette. (Warner).
Private Practice: The Complete Second Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.99. Extras:
"Patient Confidentiality" discussion with creator-executive producer
Shonda Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers and actors Paul Adelstein
and Amy Brenneman about the controversial issues encountered on Season
2; "Life Through the Lens: The Pictures of Chris Lowell"; extended
episodes; deleted scenes; bloopers. (Disney).
The Rise and Fall of WCW (2009)
WCW grew out of a southern promotion, into a giant that battled World
Wrestling Entertainment every Monday night. For the first time, the
complete story of World Championship Wrestling, from Ted Turner's
purchase and entry into the world of professional wrestling, through
the Monday night wars, and the company's eventual collapse. Documentary
plus 20 classic WCW matches including nWo, Sting, Goldberg, Ric Flair,
more. Three-disc set, $34.95. (WWE Home Video).
Rumba (2009 --
Belgium/France) Latin dance and black comedy make strange bedfellows.
From the Belgian directorial/performing trio of husband-and-wife
Dominique Abel (L'iceberg) and Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy comes an
old-fashioned silent film comedy re-worked into a modern day fairy tale
and filled with memorable visual gags. Set in a rural Belgian
community, Rumba opens with mild-mannered, provincial schoolteachers
Dom (Abel) and Fiona (Gordon) who share a common passion -- Latin
Dance. After rehearsing for weeks to win a dance contest, they capture
the trophy; however, their joy is short-lived when they crash their car
on the way home. But, although Fiona loses her leg and Dom loses his
memory, there's nothing that can keep them off the dance floor -- not
even a clumsy wooden leg or a burned-down house. Extras: Deleted scenes, outtakes. (Koch Lorber).
Sanctuary
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $44.98. Extras:
Commentaries by cast and crew including Amanda Tapping, creator Damian
Kindler, director Martin Wood and more; three making-of featurettes
("Welcome to the Sanctuary," "Sanctuary Residents" and "Sanctuary
Visual Effects"); the original Sanctuary webisodes (which provided the
inspiration for the television series); bloopers reel;
behind-the-scenes photo gallery; sneak peek at Season 2.
(E1 Entertainment).
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Volume 2: Clone Commandos
(2009) Four episodes from the animated TV series, $14.98. (Warner).
The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: Sky's the Limit (2009)
New, CGI feature-length movie has Strawberry Shortcake and her friends
trying to safely remove a huge boulder that a terrible storm dropped
into their town, threatening everything they hold dear. $19.98. Extras: Sing-along. (Fox).
The Transformers: Season Two Volume, One 25th Anniversary Edition.
Four-disc set with 28 episodes, $29.99. (Shout! Factory).
Triangle
(2007 -- Hong Kong) A group of tight-knit friends, down on their luck
and desperate for cash, embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this
tense and comedic crime caper. The unique film is comprised of three
independently filmed and produced sections, created by Hong Kong cinema
masters Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, each famous for his
distinctive style. When the men are offered the chance of a lifetime by
a mysterious stranger -- to steal an ancient treasure buried beneath a
heavily-guarded government building in the heart of Hong Kong -- they
jump at the chance to solve their money troubles. Adulterous affairs,
traitorous alliances and crooked cops complicate the dangerous heist,
and when it all goes wrong the three friends must choose between their
ill-gotten treasure and loyalty to each other as their lives are laid
on the line. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
WWE: The Best of Smackdown -- 10th Anniversary 1999-2009
(2009) Features the top 100 moments in the history of WWE"s Smackdown.
Offers nine hours of the best drama, and entertainment from a network
television staple of the last 10 years. Includes some of the biggest
names in wrestling entertainment history, such as Undertaker, Triple H,
the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy,
Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Chris Jericho, and many more. Three-disc set,
$34.95. (WWE Home Video).
WWE: Night of Champions 2009 (2009)
A collection of Raw, SmackDown and ECW matches for the WWE
Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, ECW Championship,
Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, Women's
Championship, World Tag Team Championship and WWE Tag Team
Championship; features Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena; CM Punk
vs. Jeff Hardy; Michelle McColl vs. Melina, more. Single-disc set,
$24.95. (WWE Home Video).
Wagon Master (2009) John
Ford's "Wagon Master" is one of the legendary filmmaker's personal
favorites, a visually stirring celebration of Western will and
cooperation set to the soundtrack crooning of The Sons of the Pioneers.
Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond (who would later lead TV's
Wagon Train) and other familiar Ford stock company players take the
reins in this paean to the pioneer spirit in which outlaws are using a
Mormon wagon train as a hideout from a pursuing posse. Extras: Commentary by Harry Carey Jr. and Peter Bogdanovich with John Ford. (Warner).
Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death
(2008) First half hour Wallace & Gromit adventure since 2005. The
hilarious duo is back, brought to life through seamless stop-motion
animation and brilliant storytelling from Oscar-winner Nick Park.
Wallace and Gromit have opened a new bakery business -- Top Bun -- but
a deadly murderer is targeting all the bakers in town. Wallace couldn't
care -- he's found true love in the shape of Piella Bakewell, former
star of the Bake-O-Lite bread commercials. Can Gromit discover the
identity of the Cereal Killer before Wallace becomes the next victim? Extras:
"How They Donut" making-of featurette, commentary by director Nick Park
and editor David McCormick, "Wallace & Gromit Grand Adventure"
video game demo. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Collection.
All four Wallace & Gromit outings: "The Wrong Trousers," "A Close
Shave," "A Grand Day Out" and their latest title, "A Matter of Loaf and
Death." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
White Night Wedding
(2008 -- Iceland) Hilmir Snaer Gudnasson, Laufey Eliasdottir.
Adaptation of Anton Chekhov's drama of marital discord, "Ivanov."
Iceland's official entry for 2009 best foreign-language film. A
middle-aged professor, Jon, is preparing to marry an ex-student half
his age. But not everyone thinks this "blessed union" is a good idea,
among them the parents of his future wife, Thora. For one thing, Jon's
first wife committed suicide and he remains racked with guilt. For
another, Thora's parents run the only store, hotel and bar on the
island of Flatey where the wedding is to take place, and Jon owes his
future mother-in-law money. Even the reverend who is to conduct the
ceremony thinks the marriage is doomed. As the guests flock to Flatey,
the groom begins to get cold feet. Can love survive one final night
under the midnight sun? (IFC Films).
The Wolf Man Special Edition (1941)
Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric
Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya. Two-disc set. Extras: "Monster by Moonlight,: commentary, "The Wolf Man Archives," production notes, cast and filmmakers. (Universal Legacy Series)
The Wonder of It All
(2009) Documentary commemorates the 40th anniversary of humankind's
first step on the moon. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Eugene
Cernan, Charlie Duke, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt and John Young
reflect on their lives with NASA footage and rarely seen private family
photos. Film looks at their childhoods, their training, the tragedies,
the camaraderie and the extraordinary accomplishment of setting foot on
another world. (Indican Pictures).
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Hugh Jackman, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan
Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan,
Daniel Henney. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc Special Edition DVD and two-disc Blu-ray Disc.Extras:
Commentary by director Gavin Hood; commentary by producers Lauren
Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter; "The Roots of Wolverine: A Conversation
with X-Men Creators Stan Lee and Len Wein"; "Wolverine Unleashed: The
Complete Origins" featurette; deleted and alternate scenes; digital
copy; more. (Fox).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, September 8 -- Monday, September 14
Crank 2: High Voltage The indestructible hopped-up
hitman Chev Chelios, played to the hilt once again by Jason Statham,
returns in Crank
2: High Voltage, picking up where the first film left off -- except
this time, Chelios is chasing a Chinese gangster who hijacked his heart
and substituted it with a mechanical one that needs to be jolted with
an electric charge to stay pumping.
Vitals: Director: Mark
Neveldine, Brian Taylor. Stars: Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Corey Haim,
Bai Ling, Dwight Yoakam, Efren Ramirez, Clifton Collins Jr., Reno
Wilson, Simone Bargetze, Danna Hansen.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 85 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $13.293 million, Lionsgate.
Dance Flick A young street dancer from the wrong side
of the tracks and a beautiful young woman are brought together by their
passion for dancing and put to the test in the mother of all dance
battles in this send-up of the dance movie genre. Pokes fun at such
hits as "Step Up" and "You Got Served" as well as the classic
"Flashdance." Vitals: Director: Damien Dante Wayans. Stars: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 83 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $25.615 million, Paramount.
Valentino: The Last Emperor Intimate and engaging
fly-on-the-wall exploration of the singular world of one of Italy's
most famous men, fashion designer and trend-setter Valentino. The film
documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino's
celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life, and
explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. At the
heart of the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his
business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti. In
production from June 2005 to July 2007, the filmmakers shot over 250
hours of footage with exclusive, unprecedented access to Valentino and
his entourage. Vitals: Director: Matt Tyrnauer.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 96 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $1.612 million, Phase 4 Films.
DVD Collectibles:
Topping the releases this week is David Mamet's "Homicide"
(1991), starring Joe Mantegna, William H. Macy, Rebecca Pidgeon and
Ving Rhames, in a new, restored high-definition digital transfer,
supervised by editor Barbara Tulliver and approved by the director. In
David Mamet's cinema, nothing is as it seems, so you better know what
you're looking for. Unfortunately, the protagonist of Mamet's
nightmarish urban Odyssey "Homicide," inner-city police detective Bobby
Gold (Joe Mantegna), is as bewildered about who he is as who (or what)
he's after. Gold's investigation, following the murder of an elderly
Jewish candy-shop owner, leads him down a path of obscure encounters
and clues, as well as profound reckoning with his own self and
identity. Filled with Mamet's trademark verbal play and featuring
standout supporting performances. From The Criterion Collection.
Also from Criterion this week: Alexander Korda's "That Hamilton Woman"
(1941), starring Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, in a new, restored
high-definition digital transfer; and director Masaki Kobayashi's "The Human Condition"
(1959-61), a mammoth humanist drama in a four-disc special edition with
a new, restored high-definition digital transfer. Originally filmed and
released in three parts, the nine-and-a-half-hour "Ningen no joken,"
adapted from Junpei Gomikawa's six-volume novel, tells of the journey
of the well-intentioned yet naive Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor
camp supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly
trying to rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his
morals an impediment rather than an advantage. A raw indictment of his
nation's wartime mentality as well as a personal existential tragedy,
Kobayashi's riveting, gorgeously filmed epic is novelistic cinema at
its best.
Disney is releasing "Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition"
(1971) in a fully restored and remastered edition. The tale follows an
apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury), three kids and a cynical con man
(David Tomlinson) and their search for the missing component to a magic
spell useful to the defense of Britain during World War II. Bonus
features include "The Wizards of Special Effects" featurette, "Music
Magic: The Sherman Brothers" featurette takes a look behind the scenes
from a musical point of view, Deleted song "A Step in the Right
Direction," "Portobello Road Recording Session" rare clip of David
Tomlinson's recording of the song "Portobello Road."
Sony continues its homage
to 1960s and 1970s cinema -- an era of free-love, anti-conformity and
counter-culture politics -- with "Martini Movies: Wave 3,"
five newly-restored and remastered films never-before-available on DVD:
"Model Shop" (1969), "The Buttercup Chain" (1970), "The Pursuit of
Happiness" (1971), "Summertree" (1971) and "Love and Pain and the Whole
Damn Thing" (1973). $19.94 each. Jump to Martini Movies for more information on Wave 3 releases ... New Line, meanwhile, is releasing director's cuts of three urban outings: "Friday Director's Cut" (1995), starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker and Nia Long; "Menace II Society Director's Cut" (1993), starring Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Samuel L. Jackson and Jada Pinkett; and "Set It Off Director's Cut"
(1996), starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and
Kimberly Elise; all three also will be available on Blu-ray Disc.
From TV to Video: "Criminal Minds: The Fourth Season" (2008-09) is a seven-disc set with 25 episodes, $55.98 from Paramount ... "Fringe: The Complete First Season" (2008-09) is a single disc with 20 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ...
"Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story"
(2009) stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Kimberly Elise, Aunjanue Ellis, Gus
Hoffman, Jaishon Fisher and Maestro Harrel in a TNT Original Movie
based on Dr. Ben Carson's amazing journey from a rough childhood to a
world-renowned neurosurgeon, from Sony ... "Important Things With Demetri Martin: Season One"
(2009) is a single disc with seven episodes of the
stream-of-consciousness sketch and variety show from comedian Demetri
Martin; $19.99 Paramount ... "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency: The Complete First Season" (2008), is a three-disc set with seven episodes, $59.99 from HBO Home Entertainment ... "The Office: Season Five"
(2008), is a five-disc set with 26 episodes, 59.98 from Universal ... "Parks and Recreation: Season 1" (2009) is a single disc with six episodes, $29.98 from Universal ... "Worst Week: The Complete Series" (2008) is a two-disc set with 16 episodes, $29.98 from Universal.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "Live Animal" (2008) is a torture film that has a
group of college students imprisoned and tormented by a crazed horse
trainer in an isolated barn before he auctions them on the white
slavery market; from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment ... In "The Nail"
(2009), starring William Forsythe, Tony Danza, Dayanara Torres, Tony
Luke Jr. and Billy Gallo, an out-of-shape boxer, let out of prison
after serving eight years for an unfortunate accident, gets a shot at
redemption by fighting for a young boy's future; from MTI Home Video
... "Night Stalker"
(2009) is a dramatization of the murder and assault spree of "The Night
Stalker" -- Richard Munoz Ramirez -- who terrified Los Angeles in
1984/1985; from Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion Pictures.
For the Family: "Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams"
(2007) is a two-disc special edition of the direct-to-video release
featuring two animated stories and music with Jasmine from "Aladdin"
and Aurora from" Sleeping Beauty"; $29.99 from Disney ... "Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies: Star Wreck"
(2009) is a feature-length cartoon spoof in which Alvin stars as
Captain Dirk, commander of the S.S. Boobyprize; Simon is Mr. Speck, and
Brittany is Uhaha. Together, they must rescue fellow crewmember Dr.
McRoy (Theodore) after he gets abducted by a weird extraterrestrial
family; $16.99 from Paramount ... "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Very First Alvin Show"
(1961) is the very first broadcast show of the classic Chipmunk series
from 1961 that started it all; $16.99 from Paramount ... In "Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Rocket's Blastoff"
(2009), the Little Einsteins set out on four rescue missions that take
place in all corners of the world: In "Fire Truck Rocket," the
Einsteins rush to rescue an adorable monkey from an erupting volcano on
the tropical island of Java; in "Melody the Music Pet" the Little
Einsteins are in France, helping a cuddly creature find a lost train
ticket; in "Carmine's Big Race," the Little Einsteins are in Monaco at
a grand prix to cheer for Quincy's friend Carmine the music car; the
team explores the Patagonia region of South America in "Mr. Penguin's
Ice Cream Adventure." $19.99 from Disney ...
"If the World Were a Village" (2009) is an animated
story that delivers an important message using a magical metaphor: what
if the world with six billion people were a village of just 100 people?
In this village 22 people speak a Chinese dialect (and nine speak
English), 20 earn less than a dollar a day, 32 are of Christian faith,
39 are under 19 years old. By exploring the lives of these 100
villagers, children discover that life in other nations is often very
different from their own. $29.95 from Master Communications ... In "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland"
(2009), Mickey, Donald and the Clubhouse gang enter Alice's Wonderland
in a new animated tale featuring the characters from the Disney Channel
pre-school series; $26.99 from Disney ... "Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails The Movie"
(2009) is Thomas' first-ever CGI-animated movie. Thomas discovers an
abandoned and broken down engine from a far away land and enlists help
from his friends to save the engine before he's relegated to the scrap
heap; $14.98 from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.
Special Interest: "Edward Said"
(2009) is the first in a series of DVD releases of major films on the
great thinkers of the modern era. This two-disc special edition
contains two critically acclaimed feature documentaries on Edward Said
(1935-2003), one of the leading literary critics and political and
cultural commentators of the latter part of the 20th century. Borrowing
its title from the author's 2000 memoir, "Out of Place: Memories of
Edward Said" is a biography of Said filmed in Palestine, Israel,
Lebanon, Egypt, and the U.S., tracing Said's childhood influences and
celebrating his intellectual legacy. "Edward Said: The Last Interview"
is an extended and wide-ranging discussion with Said himself, filmed
less than a year before his death from leukemia, in which he speaks at
length about his illness, his work, Palestine and politics, his life
and education, and his continuing cultural and political
preoccupations. $34.98 from Icarus Films Home Video.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Go to the Movies: Star Wreck
(2009) Alvin stars as Captain Dirk, commander of the S.S. Boobyprize;
Simon is Mr. Speck, and Brittany is Uhaha. Together, they must rescue
fellow crewmember Dr. McRoy (Theodore) after he gets abducted by a
weird extraterrestrial family in this animated spoof, $16.99.
(Paramount).
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Very First Alvin Show
(1961) The very first broadcast show of the classic Chipmunk series from 1961 that started it all, $16.99. (Paramount).
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition (1971)
Fully restored and remastered tale about an apprentice witch (Angela
Lansbury), three kids and a cynical con man (David Tomlinson) and their
search for the missing component to a magic spell useful to the defense
of Britain during World War II. Extras:
"The Wizards of Special Effects" featurette, "Music Magic: The Sherman
Brothers" featurette takes a look behind the scenes from a musical
point of view, Deleted song "A Step in the Right Direction,"
"Portobello Road Recording Session" rare clip of David Tomlinson's
recording of the song "Portobello Road." (Disney).
Crank 2: High Voltage (2009)
Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Corey Haim, Bai Ling, Dwight Yoakam, Efren
Ramirez, Clifton Collins Jr., Reno Wilson, Simone Bargetze, Danna
Hansen.
Available as a standard DVD, two-disc special edition, and Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).
Criminal Minds: The Fourth Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 25 episodes, $55.98. (Paramount).
Dance Flick
(2009) Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount)
Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams (2007)
Two-disc special edition of the direct-to-video release featuring two
animated stories and music with Jasmine from "Aladdin" and Aurora from"
Sleeping Beauty." Extras:
Exclusive footage of Disney's newest princess from "Princess and the
Frog," two music videos featuring Cinderella and Mulan, "Aurora
Dress-Up" game, "Find Sahara" game, "You'll Never Lose This Love" music
video featuring Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." ($29.99). (Disney).
Edward Said (2009) First
in a series of DVD releases of major films on the great thinkers of the
modern era. This two-disc special edition contains two critically
acclaimed feature documentaries on Edward Said (1935-2003), one of the
leading literary critics and political and cultural commentators of the
latter part of the 20th century. Borrowing its title from the author's
2000 memoir, "Out of Place: Memories of Edward Said" is a biography of
Said filmed in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and the U.S., tracing
Said's childhood influences and celebrating his intellectual legacy.
"Edward Said: The Last Interview" is an extended and wide-ranging
discussion with Said himself, filmed less than a year before his death
from leukemia, in which he speaks at length about his illness, his
work, Palestine and politics, his life and education, and his
continuing cultural and political preoccupations. $34.98. Extras: 16-page booklet. (Icarus Films Home Video).
Friday Director's Cut
(1995) Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long. Extras: Featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (New Line).
Fringe: The Complete First Season
(2008-09) Single disc with 20 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"Deciphering the Scenes: Behind-the-Episodes Moments," "Evolution: The
Genesis of Fringe," casting featurette, gag reel, unaired scenes,
special effects featurette, science featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
(2009) Cuba Gooding Jr., Kimberly Elise, Aunjanue Ellis, Gus Hoffman,
Jaishon Fisher, Maestro Harrel. TNT Original Movie is an inspirational
story based on Dr. Ben Carson's amazing journey from a rough childhood
to a world-renowned neurosurgeon. Extras: "Behind the Scenes of Gifted Hands" featurette, "Triumph and Inspiration: The Journey of Dr. Ben Carson" featurette. (Sony).
Homicide
(1991) Dir.: David Mamet; Joe Mantegna, William H. Macy, Rebecca
Pidgeon, Ving Rhames. New, restored high-definition digital transfer,
supervised by editor Barbara Tulliver and approved by the director. In
David Mamet's cinema, nothing is as it seems, so you better know what
you're looking for. Unfortunately, the protagonist of Mamet's
nightmarish urban odyssey "Homicide," inner-city police detective Bobby
Gold (Joe Mantegna), is as bewildered about who he is as who (or what)
he's after. Gold's investigation, following the murder of an elderly
Jewish candy-shop owner, leads him down a path of obscure encounters
and clues, as well as profound reckoning with his own self and
identity. Filled with Mamet's trademark verbal play and featuring
standout supporting performances from William H. Macy, Ving Rhames and
Rebecca Pidgeon, "Homicide" is a taut, rich work from a true American
original. Extras:
Commentary by writer-director David Mamet and actor William H. Macy;
video program featuring interviews with recurring Mamet actors Steven
Goldstein, Ricky Jay, J. J. Johnston, Joe Mantegna and Jack Wallace;
gag reel and TV spots; booklet featuring an essay by critic Stuart
Klawans. (The Criterion Collection).
The Human Condition
(1959-61 )Dir.: Masaki Kobayashi; Tatsuya Nakadai. Four-disc special
edition with a new, restored high-definition digital transfer. Masaki
Kobayashi's mammoth humanist drama is one of the most staggering
achievements of Japanese cinema. Originally filmed and released in
three parts, the nine-and-a-half-hour "Ningen no joken," adapted from
Junpei Gomikawa's six-volume novel, tells of the journey of the
well-intentioned yet naive Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp
supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly trying to
rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his morals an
impediment rather than an advantage. A raw indictment of his nation's
wartime mentality as well as a personal existential tragedy,
Kobayashi's riveting, gorgeously filmed epic is novelistic cinema at
its best. Extras:
Excerpt from a rare Directors Guild of Japan video interview with
director Masaki Kobayashi, conducted by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda
("Double Suicide"); video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai; video
appreciation of Kobayashi and "The Human Condition" featuring Shinoda;
booklet featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp. (The Criterion
Collection).
If the World Were a Village (2009)
Based on the best-selling and award-winning book, this animated story
delivers an important message using a magical metaphor: what if the
world with six billion people were a village of just 100 people? In
this village 22 people speak a Chinese dialect (and nine speak
English), 20 earn less than a dollar a day, 32 are of Christian faith,
39 are under 19 years old.
By exploring the lives of these 100 villagers, children discover that
life in other nations is often very different from their own. $29.95.
(Master Communications).
Important Things With Demetri Martin: Season One (2009)
Single disc with seven episodes of the stream-of-consciousness sketch
and variety show from comedian Demetri Martin; $19.99. Extras:
Commentary, "Brain Injuries," "Parking Wars Outtakes," "Basketball 1
& Basketball 2," "Cult Leader in Love," "Killing Someone With
Kindness," "Killing Time in the Studio," "Dinner With Heroes Outtakes,"
"A Tiny Guy Helps Find a Contact Lens," "A Yellow Belt Breaks an
Awkward Silence," "Safety Dummy." (Paramount).
Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Rocket's Blastoff (2009)
The Little Einsteins set out on four rescue missions that take place in
all corners of the world. Originally created as a television series
specifically for preschoolers in 2005, Disney's "Little Einsteins" was
developed with child development experts and musicians to educate
pre-schoolers. In "Fire Truck Rocket," the Einsteins rush to rescue an
adorable monkey from an erupting volcano on the tropical island of
Java; in "Melody the Music Pet" the Little Einsteins are in France,
helping a cuddly creature find a lost train ticket; in "Carmine's Big
Race," the Little Einsteins are in Monaco at a grand prix to
cheer for Quincy's friend Carmine the music car; the team explores the
Patagonia
region of South America in "Mr. Penguin's Ice Cream Adventure." $19.99.
(Disney).
Live Animals (2008) John
Still, Christian Walker, Jeanette Comans. Torture film has a group of
college students imprisoned and tormented by a crazed horse trainer in
an isolated barn before he auctions them on the white slavery market. Extras: "The View From the Crate: The Making of Live Animals," deleted scenes. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).
Martini Movies: Wave 3.
Five newly-restored and remastered films incorporating the themes of
the late 60s and early 70s, an era of free-love, anti-conformity and
counter-culture politics. Never-before-available on DVD, the films
include: "Model Shop" (1969), "The Buttercup Chain" (1970), "The
Pursuit of Happiness" (1971), "Summertree" (1971) and "Love and Pain
and the Whole Damn Thing" (1973). $19.94 each. For more information on these Wave 3 releases, click here. (Sony).
Menace II Society Director's Cut
(1993) Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Samuel L. Jackson, Jada Pinkett. Extras: Featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (New Line).
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland
(2009) Mickey, Donald and the Clubhouse gang enter Alice's Wonderland
in this new animated tale featuring characters from the Disney Channel
pre-school series; $26.99. Extras: Bonus episode: "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Goofy Goes Goofy." (Disney).
The Nail
(2009) William Forsythe, Tony Danza, Dayanara Torres, Tony Luke Jr.,
Billy Gallo. An out-of-shape boxer, let out of prison after serving
eight years for an unfortunate accident, gets a shot at redemption by
fighting for a young boy's future. Extras: Tony Luke's cheesecake promo, "And We Call Them Coach" slideshow. (MTI Home Video).
Night Stalker
(2009) Adolph Cortez, Elissa Dowling, Jeff Dylan Graham. Dramatization
of the murder and assault spree of "The Night Stalker" -- Richard Munoz
Ramirez -- who terrified Los Angeles in 1984/1985. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion Pictures).
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency: The Complete First Season
(2008) Three-disc set with seven episodes, $59.99. Extras: Featurettes, interviews. (HBO Home Entertainment).
The Office: Season Five
(2008) Five-disc set with 26 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Commentary with cast and crew, deleted scenes, gag reel, four webisodes, "Office" promos. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Parks and Recreation: Season 1
(2009) Single disc with six episodes, $29.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, commentary. (Universal).
Set It Off Director's Cut
(1996) Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise. Extras: Featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (New Line).
That Hamilton Woman
(1941) Dir: Alexander Korda; Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
Commentary by film historian Ian Christie; video interview with author
and editor Michael Korda, Alexander's nephew, who discusses growing up
in the Korda family and the making of "That Hamilton Woman"; "Alexander
Korda Presents," a 1942 promotional radio piece for the film; booklet
featuring an essay by film critic Molly Haskell. (The Criterion
Collection).
Thomas & Friends: Hero of the Rails The Movie (2009)
Thomas' first-ever CGI-animated movie. Thomas discovers an abandoned
and broken down engine from a far away land and enlists help from his
friends to save the engine before he's relegated to the scrap heap. Extras:
Thomas and Spencer racing game, "Guess Which Train" game, "Thomas and
Friends Bedroom makeover." $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Valentino: The Last Emperor
(2009) Documentary on fashion kingpin Valentino. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Phase 4 Films).
Worst Week: The Complete Series
(2008) Two-disc set with 16 episodes, $29.98. Extras: Pilot commentary. (Universal).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, September 1 -- Monday, September 7
Earth Award-winning filmmakers Alastair Fothergill
("The Blue Planet") and Mark Linfield ("Planet Earth") employ the
latest innovations in film techniques to bring "Earth's" stunning
visuals to the screen. Narrated by James Earl Jones, the three-part
documentary is the inaugural release from Disneynature. In the Arctic,
a mother polar bear trailed by her two cubs searches for food as their
icy hunting grounds melt away. A herd of African elephants slowly
traverses the arid Kalahari Desert toward the water-rich Okavango
Delta. A humpback whale and her calf make a 4,000-mile journey in an
epic migration that takes them from tropical waters all the way to
Antarctica. Remarkable high-definition footage follows these creatures
and more to places human beings rarely see, capturing unique worlds
populated by Mandarin ducks and birds of paradise, as well as a pride
of lions and a vast caribou herd. Filled with surprising facts and
extraordinary images, "Earth" is a dazzling portrait of life on our
planet. Vitals: Director: Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield. Narrated by James Earl Jones.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: G, 96 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $32.001 million, Disney.
State of Play Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a
thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist
embroiled in a case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays
D.C. reporter Cal McAffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a
mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation's most
promising political and corporate figures. Handsome, unflappable U.S.
Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is the future of his
political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a
committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising
star to be his party's contender for the upcoming presidential race.
Until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried
secrets come tumbling out. McAffrey has the dubious fortune of both an
old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron (Helen
Mirren), who has assigned him to investigate. As he and partner Della
(Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer's identity, McAffrey steps
into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation's power structures.
And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he will discover
one truth: when billions are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life
is ever safe. Vitals: Director: Kevin
Macdonald. Stars: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin
Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 132 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $37.083 million, Universal.
Sugar Coming-of-age tale that follows Miguel Santos,
a.k.a. "Azucar" (Sugar), a pitcher from the Dominican Republic town of
San Pedro de Macoris, who grew up poor but talented, always believing
baseball was his ticket out of poverty. Playing professionally at the
Kansas City Knights baseball academy, Miguel finally gets his break at
age 19 when he advances to the United States' minor league system.
Miguel travels to a small town in Iowa corn country, where he and other
Latin American teammates are the only Spanish-speaking people. Despite
the welcoming efforts of his host family, Miguel is faced with an
isolation he never before experienced. When his performance on the
mound falters, he begins examining more closely the world around him,
his place within it, and ultimately questions his life's singular
ambition.
Vitals: Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck. Stars: Algenis Perez Soto, Rayniel Rufino, Andre Holland.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 114 min., Drama, Box office gross: $1.063 million, Sony.
DVD Collectibles: Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video have teamed again for three new low-priced collections of classic films: "TCM Greatest Classic Films: Sci-Fi," a two-disc set with "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Soylent Green," "Forbidden Planet" and "The Time Machine" (1960); "TCM Greatest Classic Films: Murder Mysteries," a two-disc set with "The Maltese Falcon," "The Big Sleep," "Dial M for Murder" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice"; and "TCM Greatest Classic Films: Horror Films,"
a two-disc set with "House of Wax," "The Haunting" (1963), "Freaks" and
"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1941); $27.92 each ... Paramount's Sapphire
Blu-ray Disc series kicks off this week with the release of two-disc
sets of "Braveheart" and "Gladiator."
Bonus features for "Braveheart" include interactive timelines, a
retrospective feature, a featurette on the "Smithfield Medieval Killing
Fields," and "Battlefields of the Scottish Rebellion. Extras on
"Gladiator," which will be presented in theatrical and extended
versions, include commentary, trivia tracks, "Visions From Elysium:
Topic Marker" that allows viewers to tag moments of interest throughout
either version of the film, allowing them to create "shopping lists" of
topics to learn more about when they insert the second features disc,
making-of specials, and more.
From TV to Video: "Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Third Season"
(2008-09), a six-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99 from Disney ... "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: The Ninth Season" (2008-09), a six-disc set with 24 episodes, $98.18 from Paramount ... "Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season" (2008-09), a seven-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99 from Disney ... Three "Dr. Who" episodes: "Doctor Who: Ep. 88 -- The Deadly Assassin,""Doctor Who: Ep. 94 -- Image of the Fendahl" and "Doctor Who: Ep.150 -- Delta and the Bannermen," $24.98 each from BBC/Warner ... "The Game: The First Season" (2006-07), a three-disc set with 21 episodes, $39.99 from Paramount ...
"Heroes: Season 3" (2008-09), a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $59.98 from Universal ... "Nitro Circus: Season One"
(2009), a two-disc set with 12 episodes of the MTV show that highlights
stunt-fueled craziness and poor judgment, $26.99 from Paramount ... "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Complete Series Two"
(2005), a second helping of the original U.K. series that launched
Britain's most celebrated and colorful chef to international notoriety;
the three-volume set includes 10 episodes; $29.99 from Acorn Media ... "Rescue Me: Season Five, Volume One" (2009), a three-disc set with first 11 episodes of the fifth season, $49.95 from Sony ... "Rob Byrdek's Fantasy Factory: Season One" (2009), a two-disc set with 10 episodes of the MTV extreme sports series, $26.99 from MTV/Paramount ... "Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season" (2008-09), a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ... "Two and a Half Men: The Complete Sixth Season"
(2008-09), a four-disc set with 24 episodes, $44.96 from Warner.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "Impact" (2009) stars David James Elliott, Natasha
Henstridge, James Cromwell and Steven Culp in a thrilling ABC
miniseries about a rogue asteroid that collides with the moon, causing
a huge explosion and sending moon fragments catapulting to the Earth.
Within days, disastrous abnormalities start happening on Earth. What
started as the most beautiful and the largest meteor shower in 10,000
years unexpectedly becomes the catalyst for a potential collision
between the moon and Earth. The world's leading scientists, Alex
Kittner (Elliott) and Maddie Rhodes (Natasha Henstridge) have 39 days
to stop the moon's course or the Earth -- and all of humankind -- will
perish. From Sony ... "Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas"
(2009) stars Antonio Sabato Jr., John Diehl, Kostas Sommer and Kelly
Curran in a dramatization of the murder spree of serial killer Henry
Lee Lucas, who confessed to more than 350 murders, from Barnholtz
Entertainment/Lionsgate.
For the Family: Home video gears up for Halloween: "Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie Limited Edition DVD Gift Set" (2005) is a boxed set with the sequel to
the theatrical "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" packed with a Beanz plush toy of Pooh dressed as Tigger; $29.99 from Disney ... "Barney: Halloween Party" (2009) is a feature-length Barney Halloween special that has yet to air on TV; $14.98 from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate ... "HIT Favorites: Trick or Treat Tales"
contains five Halloween-themed episodes from "Thomas & Friends,"
"Barney & Friends," "Bob the Builder," "Fifi and the Flowertots"
and "Angelina Ballerina"; $14.98 from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate ... "Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors"
features six animated adventures that mix the spooky, the kooky and the
funny: "Little Sheep of Horrors," "Abracadabra," "Things That Go Bump,"
"Heavy Metal Shaun," "Troublesome Tractor" and "Sheepwalking"; $14.98
from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.
Animated fare: "Ben 10 Alien Force V4" (2009) contains five episodes of the popular Cartoon Network series; $14.98 from Warner ... "Scooby-Doo Where Are You!: Volume 3"
is a single-disc with four episodes, No. 9-12: "The Backstage Rage,"
"Bedlam in the Bigtop," "A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts" and "Scooby-Doo
and a Mummy, Too"; $14.97 from Warner.
Live: "America"
(2009) stars Rosie O'Donnell, Philip Johnson and Ruby Dee in the story
of a young biracial boy helped through the emotional roller-coaster of
the foster care system by a caring therapist; from Sony ... "Bring It On: Fight to the Finish"
(2008) is the latest installment in the "Bring It On" franchise: East
Los Angeles high school cheer squad captain Lina Cruz (Christina
Milian) has high hopes of winning the Spirit Championships with her
team's fiery fusion of Latin and hip-hop moves. Instead, her world is
turned upside down when her mother remarries and her family relocates
to Malibu, where she is forced to adjust to a new home, a new
stepsister and a new school with a less-than-stellar cheer squad. From
Universal.
Special Interest:
Sherlock Holmes was not the only detective in Victorian London and the classic British mystery series "The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, Set 1"features
top-notch adaptations of detective stories from Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle's contemporaries. Seen on public television in the 1970s.
Four-disc set with 13 mysteries, $59.99 from Acorn Media ... "Devotion: An Unauthorized Tribute to Michael Jackson"
(2009) is a biography featuring interviews with family, friends,
celebrities and music industry insiders; extras include four
featurettes: "The Memorial," "Media" (a look at the life-long
bombardment of press coverage), "Global Phenomenon" and "Charity"
(which explores Jackson's philanthropic work and donations to 39
charities).$19.98 from Infinity Entertainment.
America
(2009) Rosie O'Donnell, Philip Johnson, Ruby Dee. Story of a young
biracial boy helped through the emotional roller-coaster of the foster
care system by a caring therapist. A Lifetime Original Movie. Extras: "Rosie O'Donnell's Vision: The Making of America." (Sony).
Barney: Halloween Party
(2009) Feature-length Barney Halloween special; not aired on TV; $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Ben 10 Alien Force V4
(2009) Five episodes of the popular Cartoon Network series, $14.98. (Warner).
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
(2008) Christina Milian, Rachele Brooke Smith, Cody Longo, Holland
Roden, Nikki SooHoo, Meagan Holder, Vanessa Born, Gabrielle Dennis. In
this latest installment in the franchise, East Los Angeles high school
cheer squad captain Lina Cruz (Christina Milian) and her best friends
Gloria (Vanessa Born) and Treyvonetta (Gabrielle Dennis) have high
hopes of winning the Spirit Championships with the team's fiery fusion
of Latin and hip-hop moves. Instead, Lina's world is turned upside down
when her mother remarries and her family relocates to Malibu where she
is forced to adjust to a new home, a new stepsister (Holland Roden) and
a new school with a less-than-stellar cheer squad. Extras:
Deleted scenes; "Practice Round" choreography featurette; "Back Stage
Pass" behind-the-scenes featurette; "On Set With Christina Milian"
interactive video diary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Third Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99. (Disney).
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: The Ninth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 24 episodes, $98.18. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.99. (Disney).
Devotion: An Unauthorized Tribute to Michael Jackson
(2009) Biography featuring interviews with family, friends, celebrities and music industry insiders, $19.98. Extras:
Four featurettes: "The Memorial," "Media" (a look at the life-long
bombardment of press coverage), "Global Phenomenon" and "Charity"
(which explores Jackson's philanthropic work and donations to 39
charities). (Infinity Entertainment).
Doctor Who: Ep. 88 -- The Deadly Assassin/Font.
The Doctor and the Master match wits and wills in the ultimate showdown on their home planet; four episodes, $24.98. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, interviews, photo gallery, production notes. (BBC/Warner).
Doctor Who: Ep. 94 -- Image of the Fendahl. The
Doctor and Leela discover a horrible truth behind the Fendahl, a
legendary creature the Doctor knows only from Gallifreyan fairy tales.
$24.98. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, interviews, photo gallery, production notes. (BBC/Warner).
Doctor Who: Ep.150 -- Delta and the Bannermen.
With high hopes, the Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie
Langford) embark on an intergalactic tour bus for a prize trip to
Disneyland, 1959. Their luck begins to change when the ship collides
with an early satellite and everyone winds up in a Welsh holiday camp.
Includes guest cameos by veteran variety performers such as England's
Ken Dodd and$24.98. Extras: Commentary, interviews, photo gallery, production notes. (BBC/Warner)
Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas
(2009) Antonio Sabato Jr., John Diehl, Kostas Sommer, Kelly Curran.
Dramatization of the murder spree of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, who
confessed to more than 350 murders. Extras: Commentary, stills gallery. (Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Earth
(2009) Three-part documentary narrated by James Earl Jones is the
inaugural release from Disneynature. In the Arctic, a mother polar bear
trailed by her two cubs searches for food as their icy hunting grounds
melt away. A herd of African elephants slowly traverses the arid
Kalahari Desert toward the water-rich Okavango Delta. A humpback whale
and her calf make a 4,000-mile journey in an epic migration that takes
them from tropical waters all the way to Antarctica. Available in a single-disc DVD or two-disc Blu-ray Hi-Def/DVD Combo Pack.Extras: "Earth Diaries," "Filmmaker's Annotations" in-movie experience with pop up facts. (Disneynature).
The Game: The First Season
(2006-07) Three-disc set with 21 episodes, $39.99. Extras:
Pilot: "The Game, which was shown as "Girlfriends Episode #137,"
commentary, "The Offseason: Interview With Mara Brock Akil."
(Paramount).
Heroes: Season 3
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $59.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras:
Deleted scenes; alternate stories: Heroes: Going Postal and Nowhere
Man, Pinehearst Commercial; "The Superpowers of Heroes" stunt
featurette; "Completing the Scene" visual style featurette; "The Prop
Box" introduction to the "Gold Room" where all the props used for
"Heroes" are stored, showing relics from the first season to the
present; Tim Sale Gallery of Screen Art"; Genetics of a Scene"
production featurette; "Exploring Clarie's Mind"; "Speedster Steals the
Formula"; "Throwing Thoughts," a quick look at the shooting style used
to create a specific scene from Episode 322; "Lights, Camera, Beeman"
featurette; "The Writers' Forum"; commentaries. Blu-ray extras add:
Picture-in-Picture commentaries; alternate stories: Heroes: The
Recruit; "Heroes Connections" bios & character profiles;
"U-Control" feature that allows viewers to delve into the making of the
film with the click of the remote without leaving the movie; BD-Live;
"Building Coyote Sands" segment revealing the complete building and
shooting of the Coyote Sands Internment camp featured in Episode 321
"1961." (Universal).
HIT Favorites: Trick or Treat Tales. Five
Halloween themed episodes from "Thomas & Friends," "Barney &
Friends," "Bob the Builder," "Fifi and the Flowertots" and "Angelina
Ballerina," $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Impact (2009) David James
Elliott, Natasha Henstridge, James Cromwell, Steven Culp. ABC
miniseries about a rogue asteroid that collides with the moon, causing
a huge explosion and sending moon fragments catapulting to the Earth. Extras: "Making of Impact" behind-the-scenes featurette, "Creating Zero Gravity" featurette, deleted scenes. (Sony).
Nitro Circus: Season One
(2009) Two-disc set with 12 episodes of the MTV show that highlights stunt-fueled craziness and poor judgment, $26.99. Extras: Bonus footage, interviews, outtakes, more. (Paramount).
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie Limited
Edition DVD Gift Set
(2005) Sequel to the theatrical movie "Pooh's Heffalump Movie." Boxed set includes a Beanz plush toy: Pooh dressed as Tigger. Extras: Games, "Heffalump Halloween Party Planner" with printable party invitations,
Halloween-themed recipes, and a "Decorate Your Own Jaggedy Lantern" featurette; $29.99. (Disney).
Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Complete Series Two
(2005) A second helping of the original U.K. series that launched
Britain's most celebrated and colorful chef to international notoriety.
Three-volume set includes 10 episodes: the eight episodes that comprise
the second U.K. series and the two related "Kitchen Nightmares
Revisited" episodes. $29.99. (Acorn Media).
Rescue Me: Season Five, Volume One
(2009) Three-disc set with first 11 episodes of the fifth season, $49.95. Extras:
Blooper reel, deleted scenes, featurettes: "Walking Through Fire:
Surviving Season Five" and "Danny Does Danger: The Stunts of Rescue
Me." (Sony).
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, Set 1.
Sherlock Holmes was not the only detective in Victorian London and this
classic British mystery series features top-notch adaptations of
detective stories from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's contemporaries. Seen on
public television in the 1970s. Four-disc set with 13 mysteries,
$59.99. (Acorn Media).
Rob Byrdek's Fantasy Factory: Season One
(2009) Two-disc set with 10 episodes of the MTV extreme sports series, $26.99. Extras:
Scooby-Doo Where Are You!: Volume 3.
Single-disc with four episodes, No. 9-12: "The Backstage Rage," "Bedlam
in the Bigtop," "A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts" and "Scooby-Doo and a
Mummy, Too." $14.97. (Warner).
Shaun the Sheep: Little Sheep of Horrors.
Six animated adventures that mix the spooky, the kooky and the funny:
"Little Sheep of Horrors," "Abracadabra," "Things That Go Bump," "Heavy
Metal Shaun," "Troublesome Tractor" and "Sheepwalking," $14.98. (HIT
Entertainment/Lionsgate).
State of Play
(2009) Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Sugar
(2009) Algenis Perez Soto, Rayniel Rufino, Andre Holland. Extras:
Making Sugar: Run the Bases "Play Beisbol! The Dominican Dream"
including interviews with MLB players David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez and
Sammy Sosa; "Casting Sugar: Interview With Algenis Perez Soto," deleted
scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Supernatural: The Complete Fourth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"The Mythologies of Supernatural: From Heaven to Hell" featurette,
commentary on three key episodes by executive producers and writers,
Extended/unaired scenes, gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
TCM Greatest Classic Films: Sci-Fi.
Two-disc set with "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Soylent Green," "Forbidden Planet" and "The Time Machine" (1960); $27.92. (Warner).
TCM Greatest Classic Films: Murder Mysteries.
Two-disc set with "The Maltese Falcon," "The Big Sleep," "Dial M for
Murder" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice," $27.92. (Warner).
TCM Greatest Classic Films: Horror Films.
Two-disc set with "House of Wax," "The Haunting" (1963), "Freaks" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1941), $27.92. (Warner).
Two and a Half Men: The Complete Sixth Season
(2008-09) Four-disc set with 24 episodes, $44.96. Extras: "Growing Up Harper" featurette, "The Women of Two and a Half Men" featurette, gag reel. (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
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And don't forget to bookmark our major OnVideo Web site located
at http://www.onvideo.org
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, August 25 -- Monday, August 31
Adventureland It's the summer of 1987, and James
Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), an uptight college grad, can't wait to
embark on his dream tour of Europe. But when his parents (Wendie
Malick, Jack Gilpin) announce they can no longer subsidize his trip,
James has little choice but to take a lowly job at a local amusement
park. Forget about German beer, world-famous museums and cute French
girls -- James' summer will now be populated by belligerent dads,
stuffed pandas, and screaming kids high on cotton candy. Lucky for
James, what should have been his worst summer ever turns into quite an
adventure as he discovers love in the most unlikely place with his
captivating co-worker Em (Kristen Stewart), and learns to loosen up.
Features a
vintage soundtrack with great '80s pop songs by iconic music acts of
the era, including The Cure, David Bowie, Crowded House, INXS, Lou Reed
and more. Vitals: Director: Greg
Mottola. Stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Wendie Malick, Jack
Gilpin, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Reynolds.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 107 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $16.025 million, Miramax.
Duplicity Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star as
spies-turned-corporate operatives who are having a clandestine love
affair. When they find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes espionage
game, they discover the toughest part of the job is deciding how much
to trust the one you love. CIA officer Claire Stenwick (Roberts) and
MI6 agent Ray Koval (Owen) have left the world of government
intelligence to cash in on the highly profitable cold war raging
between two rival multinational corporations. Their mission? Secure the
formula for a product that will bring a fortune to the company that
patents it first. For their employers -- industry Titan Howard Tully
(Tom Wilkinson) and buccaneer CEO Dick Garsik (Paul Giamatti) --
nothing is out of bounds. But as the stakes rise, the mystery deepens
and the tactics get dirtier, the trickiest secret for Claire and Ray is
their growing attraction. And as they each try to stay one double-cross
ahead, two career loners find their schemes endangered by the only
thing they can't cheat their way out of: love. Ultimately uninvolving
outing despite (or because of) plot twists and turns and weak acting;
not nearly up to director Tony Gilroy's 2007 "Michael Clayton." Vitals: Director: Tony Gilroy. Stars: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 125 min., Romantic Thriller, Box office gross: $40.559 million, Universal.
Fighting Gritty story of a small town boy who becomes a
street fighting star in New York City's underground circuit. Shawn
MacArthur (Channing Tatum) knows firsthand that every day in New York
City is a struggle to survive. So when scam artist Harvey Boarden
(Terrence Howard) gives him a chance to be something more in the brutal
underground world of bare-knuckle street-fighting, Shawn decides that
he has something worth fighting for and puts everything on the line to
win. Every knockout brings him closer to the life he's always wanted,
but also traps him in a dangerous web he can't escape. Vitals: Director: Dito Montiel. Stars: Channing Tatum, Terrance Howard, Zulay Henao, Luis Guzman.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 105 min., Action, Box office gross: $23.036 million, Universal.
Sunshine Cleaning A single mom and her slacker sister
find an unexpected way to turn their lives around in the off-beat
dramatic comedy "Sunshine Cleaning." Once the high school cheerleading
captain who dated the quarterback, Rose Lorkowski (Amy Adams) now finds
herself a thirtysomething single mother working as a maid. Her sister
Norah (Emily Blunt) is still living at home with their dad Joe (Alan
Arkin), a salesman with a lifelong history of ill-fated get rich quick
schemes. Desperate to get her son into a better school, Rose persuades
Norah to go into the crime scene clean-up business with her to make
some quick cash. In no time, the girls are up to their elbows in
murders, suicides and other ... specialized situations. As they climb
the ranks in a very dirty job, the sisters find a true respect for one
another and the closeness they have always craved finally blossoms. By
building their own improbable business, Rose and Norah open the door to
the joys and challenges of being there for one another -- no matter
what -- while creating a brighter future for the entire Lorkowski
family. Vitals: Director:
Christine Jeffs. Stars: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn,
Mary Lynn Rajskub, Clifton Collins Jr., Jason Spevack.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 102 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $12.055 million, Overture Films/Anchor Bay Entertainment.
DVD Collectibles:
The Criterion Collection has three powerful offerings this week, headlined by the groundbreaking Chantal Akerman masterpiece "Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles"
(1975), a singular work in film history that brilliantly evokes, with
meticulous detail and a sense of impending doom, the daily domestic
routine of a middle-aged widow (Delphine Seyrig) -- whose chores
include making the beds, cooking dinner for her grown son, and turning
the occasional trick -- just as it begins to break down. In its
enormous spareness, Akerman's film seems simple, but it encompasses an
entire world. Whether seen as an exacting character portrait or one of
cinema's most hypnotic and complete depictions of space and time,
"Jeanne Dielman" is an astonishing, compelling movie experiment, one
that has been analyzed and argued over for decades, and is finally
making its long-awaited DVD debut. This restored digital transfer,
approved by Akerman, includes "Autour de Jeanne Dielman," a 70-minute
documentary shot by actor Sami Frey and edited by Agnes Ravez, made
during the filming of "Jeanne Dielman"; interviews with Akerman and
cinematographer Babette Mangolte; excerpt from "Chantal Akerman par
Chantal Akerman," a 1997 episode of the French television program
"Cinema de notre temps"; a booklet featuring essays by film scholars
Ivone Margulies and Janet Bergstrom; and more.
"The Last Days of Disco"
(1998), starring Chloe Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale and Chris Eigeman, is a
clever, comic return to the nighttime party scene in early 1980s
Manhattan from director Whit Stillman ("Metropolitan"). At the center
of the film's roundelay of revelers are the icy Charlotte (Kate
Beckinsale) and the demure Alice (Chloe Sevigny), by day toiling as
publishing house assistants and by night looking for romance and
entertainment at a premier, Studio 54–like club. "The Last Days of
Disco" is an affectionate yet unsentimental look at the end of an era,
brimming with Stillman's trademark dry humor. In a new, restored
high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by Stillman,
featuring commentary by Stillman and actors Sevigny and Eigeman;
deleted scenes; more ... "Eclipse Series 17: Nikkatsu Noir"
is a no-frills set featuring five action potboilers from the heyday of
the Japanese film studio: "I Am Waiting" (1957), "Rusty Knife" (1958),
"Take Aim at the Police Van" (1960), "Cruel Gun Story" (1964) and "A
Colt Is My Passport" (1967); $69.95.
From TV to Video: "The Adventures of Robin Hood: The Complete Series" (1955-60), an 11-disc set, $29.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "The Adventures of Robin Hood: 4th Season" (1959-60), a two-disc set with 26 episodes, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ..."Booker: Collector's Edition" (1989-90) was a "21 Jump Street" spinoff series starring Richard Grieco, from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "Californication: The Second Season" (2008) is a two-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99 from Paramount ... "Dungeons & Dragons: The Animated Series"
is a three-disc set with 27 episodes of the role-playing game that came
to life as a 1980s Saturday morning cartoon adventure series; $24.98
from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "Dungeons & Dragons: The Beginnings" is a single disc with first nine episodes of the series, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment.
"Gangland: The Complete Season Four"
(2009) is a four-disc set with unprecedented access to the inner
workings of 12 of the country's most feared gangs, $34.95 from A&E
Home Entertainment ... "House: Season Five" (2008-09) is a five-disc set with 24 episodes, from Universal ... "Lie to Me Season One"
(2009) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "Life: Season Two" (2008-09) is a five-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.98 from Universal ... "Life With Derek: The Complete Second Season"
(2006-07) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes, $24.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "Mistral's Daughter"
(1984) is a three-disc set of the CBS 6-1/2 hour production of Judith
Krantz's No. 1 New York Times best-seller, starring Stacy Keach,
Stefanie Powers, Lee Remick, Robert Urich, Timothy Dalton and Joanna
Lumley; from E1 Entertainment.
"NCIS: The Sixth Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 25 episodes, $55.98 from Paramount ... "One Tree Hill: The Complete Sixth Season" (2008-09) is a seven-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ... "Samantha Who? The Complete Second Season" (2008-09) is a three-disc set with 18 episodes, $39.99 from Disney ... "Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season" (2008) is a three-disc set with 19 episodes, $39.99 from Disney ... "Smallville: The Complete Eighth Season"
(2008-09) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ... "thirtysomething: The Complete First Season"
(1987-88) is the first release of episodes from the long-awaited
series, in six-disc set with 21 episodes. Extras include featurettes
with "thirtysomething" creators, cast and crew; "From thirtysomething
to Forever" making-of featurette; commentaries by creators, cast and
crew; a special commemorative booklet with an introduction written by
the show's creators; more; $59.99 from Shout! Factory.
"TV Sets: Crime and Punishment" includes first episodes of "Streets of San Francisco," "Hawaii Five-O," "CSI NY" and "Dexter," $14.98 from Paramount ... "TV Sets: Beyond the Ordinary" features first episodes of "Star Trek," "The 4400," "Joan of Arcadia" and "Medium," $14.98 from Paramount ... "The Untouchables: Season Three, Volume One"
(1961) is a four-disc set, $39.98 from Paramount ... "Wiseguy: The Complete First Season" (1987-88) is a four-disc set with 22 episodes, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "Monster Beach Party"
(2009) is a retro action-thriller-comedy set in 1966 featuring an
all-girl rock band, the legend of the Skunk Ape (the Florida Everglades
version of Bigfoot) and a beach party. The action starts when The
Violas' tour van breaks down in a small mysterious southern beach town,
where they're stuck with no money until a local mechanic offers to fix
their van if they'll play at his annual beach party; unknown to the
girls there's a monster on the loose; from Indican Pictures ... "Ghost Image"
(2007) is a thriller starring Elisabeth Rohm, Stacey Dash, Waylon
Payne, Roma Maffia and Matthew Del Negro. When a young video editor
loses her boyfriend in a car crash, she finds solace in watching video
of him taken the night before he died. But when he starts to
communicate with her through the video, she must decide if he has
broken through the barrier between this world and the next or if she's
slipped off into madness; from MTI Home Video ... In "The Sunchaser"
(1996), directed by Michael Cimino and starring Woody Harrelson, Jon
Seda and Anne Bancroft, an oncologist in the professional fast lane
hits a detour when a desperately ill patient kidnaps him at gun point,
forcing him on a trip to find a fabled Navajo healing place while a
manhunt closes in on them; from Warner.
"American Son"
(2008) is the story of a young Marine, fresh from Camp Pendleton, who
is forced to confront the complexities of adulthood and a volatile home
life during a four-day Thanksgiving leave, starring Nick Cannon,
Melonie Diaz, Matt O'Leary, Jay Hernandez, April Grace, Chi McBride and
Tom Sizemore; from Disney ... "The Informers" (2009)
is a "Crash"-like melodrama with interweaving tales of 1980s Los
Angeles' lost generation, drifting through a world of lust, greed and
addiction, starring Amber Heard, Jon Foster, Billy Bob Thornton, Kim
Basinger, Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke, Chris Isaak and Brad Renfro;
from Sony ... "Boot Camp" (2007), based on true
events, follows a group of troubled teens sent to a boot camp facility
on the tropical island of Fiji. Trapped on an island with no rules, no
walls and no way out, the teens endure unimaginable physical and
emotional abuse that leaves them brainwashed, isolated and close to
death. Stars Gregory Smith, Mila Kunis and Peter Stormare; unrated from
MGM.
The sequel "Green Street Hooligans 2: Stand Your Ground"
(2009) has the members of the Green Street Elite and their rivals, the
Millwall club, sent to the same prison, where the bitter enemies must
face each other in a final football match where the winners are freed
and the losers face imminent death; from Vivendi Entertainment ... "Merlin and the Book of Beasts"
(2009) stars James Callis and Laura Harris in a Sci Fi Channel
adventure that puts a new spin on the saga of Excalibur, Mordred, and
the ultimate battle between Merlin and the Book of Beasts; from Anchor
Bay Entertainment ... In "Behind the Wall" (2008),
starring Lindy Booth, Lawrence Dane and James Thomas, a young woman
returns to her family's lighthouse home 20 years after her mother was
murdered there and her father was convicted for the killing. Developers
have bought the building but workers have begun to vanish, and the
woman soon finds that an evil force has been lurking inside the walls;
from Monarch Home Video.
On the Indie Front:
In the coming-of-age romantic comedy "Love and Debate (AKA Thanks to Gravity)"
(2009), starring Gina Philips, Sean Astin, Adam Rodriguez, Sendhil
Ramamurthy, Austin Nichols, Rachel Miner and Joaquim De Almeida, a
teenager from Miami struggles with tragedy and love while dealing with
the pressures of school and family life. With her Hispanic father and
Jewish mother, the young girl feels the clash of both cultures and
rarely feels comfortable anywhere but at the podium during a debate. In
the end, she must choose between love or debates. From Virgil Films And
Entertainment.
For the Family: "The Berenstain Bears: Halloween Treats"
features seven ghoulishly great tales filled with the Bears' trademark
charm and valuable life lessons: "The Great Batcave," "The Spookiest
Pumpkin," "Wicked Weasel Spell," "Missing Pumpkin," "Bust a Ghost,"
"Spooky Old Mansion" and "The Trojan Pumpkin," $12.99 from Sony ... "The Zula Patrol: Moons Mayhem"
contains six new-to-DVD lunar-based episodes from the Parents Choice
Award-winning television series, "The Zula Patrol," which airs Saturday
mornings on NBC as part of the qubo programming block, weekdays and
weekends on public television stations, and in Spanish on Telemundo;
$12.98 from Well Go USA (available at Amazon.com).
"Sonny With a Chance: Sonny's Big Break" and "The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!" each contain four episodes of the Disney Channel Original Series, $19.99 ... "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" (2008) includes four episodes from the new animated Cartoon Network TV series, $14.98 from Warner ... "Fireman Sam: Help Is Here!" is the first CGI
adventure for "Fireman Sam," with five episodes based on the PBS KIDS
Sprout series. Fireman Sam saves the supermarket, helps rescue dogs
find missing people, shares important safety tips, more; $14.98 from
HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate ... In "Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew!"
Bob and his Can-Do machine team work together to get the job done in
five new animated episodes: "Massive Muck," "Roley's Moleys," "Scoop
Slips Up," "Scrambler's Seaweed Delivery" and "Muck's Convoy," $14.98
with a collectible toy vehicle from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.
Special Interest: "Cartune Xprez 2008"
(2008) is a collection of contemporary animated videos by Bruce
Bickford, Shana Moulton, Blu, Hooliganship, Jim Trainor, E Rock, Josh
Mannis, Lief Hall, Adrian Freeman, Ola Vasiljeva, Eric Dyer, Taras
Hrabowsky, Timo Katz, Peter Burr, and Christopher Doulgeris. From
around the world, this compilation showcases a generation of artists'
mind-melting cartoons bound by a strong Do-It- Yourself sensibility;
from Microcinema International ... "Battle BC: The Complete Season One"
(2009) uses computer graphics and live-action stunts to bring to life
the battle strategies, tactics, and weapons of past military leaders,
from Hannibal and the Romans to Moses, the Athenians, and David, in a
two-disc set with eight historic battles; $19.95 from A&E Home
Entertainment ... "Smithsonian Channel's War Stories"
features three revealing and moving documentaries about the
life-altering effects of war: "Carrier at War: USS Enterprise," "The
Men Who Brought the Dawn" (about the atomic bomb missions over
Hiroshima and Nagasaki), and "Arlington: Call to Honor" about America's
National Cemetery; $14.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group ... "How the Earth Was Made: The Complete Season One"
(2007) is a four-disc set of the History series that shows how the
violent forces of geology have formed our planet; $39.95 from A&E
Home Entertainment.
Every August 500,000 bikers invade the sleepy hamlet of Sturgis, South
Dakota for the craziest bikers festival in the world. Go behind the
scenes with "America Wild and Wacky: Sturgis"
(2007) to take a look at the outlaw culture, the police, store owners
and everyday citizens getting ready for cold beer, babes, custom bikes,
midget wrestling, thrill rides, tattooing and rock concerts; $9.98 from
Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group ... "How Bruce Lee Changed the World" (2009) is an
intimate, feature-length History Channel documentary portrait of the
man who popularized martial arts around the world; $19.95 from A&E
Home Entertainment ... In "The Da Vinci Detective"
(2006), forensic scientist Dr. Maurizio Seracini uses cutting-edge
medical and military technology while on the trail of fascinating
unsolved mysteries involving his hero, Leonardo da Vinci: For 30 years
he has searched for a lost da Vinci mural unseen since the 1540s, along
the way uncovering a series of magnificent da Vinci drawings hidden for
years; $9.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group.
Poet and hero of the American counter-culture Jonas Mekas, born in Lithuania in 1922, invented the diary form of filmmaking. "Walden -- Diaries, Notes and Sketches by Jonas Mekas"
(1969), his first completed diary film, is an epic portrait of the New
York avant-garde art scene of the 60s and a groundbreaking work of
personal cinema, featuring P. Adams Sitney, Stan Brakhage, Carl Th.
Dreyer, Timothy Leary, Baba Ram Dass, Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol,
Barbet Schroeder, Edie Sedgwick, Nico, Velvet Underground, Shirley
Clarke, Michael Snow, Richard Foreman, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and
others. Includes two DVDs, a poster, and a 150-page book with
unpublished texts by 60 authors including many who appeared in the
film; from Microcinema International ... "Martin Lawrence Presents First Amendment Stand-Up: Season 3"
features five hours of the best and brightest talents in comedy today
with performances by Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley, Lavell Crawford, Don
'D.C' Curry, Roz G., Joey Medina and many more headliners from the top
comedy clubs around the country; $19.97 from Anchor Bay Entertainment
... "Gospel Comedy All Stars 2" (2009) is a comedy
concert that features four of the biggest names in gospel and black
family comedy filmed in front of a sold-out audience in San Diego:
hosted by Joe Clair (formerly of BET's "Rap City") and featuring Barry
Brewer of "Who's Got Jokes" and father and son comedy team Gerald Kelly
and Isiah Kelly; from Rising Entertainment/Vivendi Entertainment.
Adventureland
(2009) Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Wendie Malick, Jack Gilpin,
Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Reynolds. Available as a
single-disc DVD, two-disc DVD set and two-disc Blu-ray set. Extras:
Two-disc DVD: Deleted scenes; commentary by writer-director Mottola and
Jesse Eisenberg; "Just My Life: The Making Of Adventureland"; picture
music selection; Blu-ray adds "Frigo's Ball Tap"; "Lisa P's Guide to
Style"; "Welcome to Adventureland" commercials, employee orientation
kit and a peek at the official drug policy. (Miramax).
The Adventures of Robin Hood: The Complete Series
(1955-60) Eleven-disc set, $29.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Adventures of Robin Hood: 4th Season
(1959-60) Two-disc set with 26 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
America Wild and Wacky: Sturgis (2007)
Every August 500,000 bikers invade the sleepy hamlet of Sturgis, South
Dakota for the craziest bikers festival in the world. Go behind the
scenes with the outlaw culture, police, store owners and everyday
citizens. There's cold beer, babes, custom bikes, midget wrestling,
thrill rides, tattooing and rock concerts. $9.98. (Smithsonian
Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
American Son (2008) Nick
Cannon, Melonie Diaz, Matt O'Leary, Jay Hernandez, April Grace, Chi
McBride, Tom Sizemore. The story of a young Marine, fresh from Camp
Pendleton, who is forced to confront the complexities of adulthood and
a volatile home life during a four-day Thanksgiving leave.Extras: "Leave in Bakersfield: Behind the Scenes of American Son," commentary, deleted scenes. (Disney).
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
(2008) Four episodes from the new animated Cartoon Network TV series, $14.98. (Warner).
Battle BC: The Complete Season One
(2009) Uses computer graphics and live-action stunts to bring to life
the battle strategies, tactics, and weapons of past military leaders,
from Hannibal and the Romans to Moses, the Athenians, and David.
Two-disc set with eight historic battles: "Moses: Death Chase,"
"Joshua: Epic Slaughter," "David: Giant Slayer," "Hannibal: The
Annihilator," "Alexander: Lord of War," "Judgment Day at Marathon,"
"Ramses: Raging Chariots" and "Caesar: Super Siege." $19.95. (A&E
Home Entertainment).
Behind the Wall (2008)
Lindy Booth, Lawrence Dane, James Thomas. A young woman returns to her
family's lighthouse home 20 years after her mother was murdered there
and her father was convicted for the killing. Developers have bought
the building but workers have begun to vanish, and the woman soon finds
that an evil force has been lurking inside the walls. (Monarch Home
Video).
The Berenstain Bears: Halloween Treats (2009)
Seven ghoulishly great tales filled with the Bears' trademark charm and
valuable life lessons: "The Great Batcave," "The Spookiest Pumpkin,"
"Wicked Weasel Spell," "Missing Pumpkin," "Bust a Ghost," "Spooky Old
Mansion" and "The Trojan Pumpkin," $12.99. (Sony).
Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew! (2009)
Bob and his Can-Do machine team work together to get the job done in
five new animated episodes: "Massive Muck," "Roley's Moleys," "Scoop
Slips Up," "Scrambler's Seaweed Delivery" and "Muck's Convoy," $14.98.
Games, collectible toy vehicle. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Booker: Collector's Edition
(1989-90) Richard Grieco stars as Dennis Booker, a rebellious ex-cop
who leaves the beat to work for a private investigation agency owned by
a large corporate conglomerate in this "21 Jump Street" spinoff series.
(Mill Creek Entertainment).
Boot Camp (2007) Gregory
Smith, Mila Kunis, Peter Stormare. Unrated. Based on true events.
Follows a group of troubled teens sent to a boot camp facility on the
tropical island of Fiji. Trapped on an island with no rules, no walls
and no way out, the teens endure unimaginable physical and emotional
abuse that leaves them brainwashed, isolated and close to death. (MGM).
Californication: The Second Season
(2008) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Cartune Xprez 2008 (2008)
Collection of contemporary animated videos by Bruce Bickford, Shana
Moulton, Blu, Hooliganship, Jim Trainor, E Rock, Josh Mannis, Lief
Hall, Adrian Freeman, Ola Vasiljeva, Eric Dyer, Taras Hrabowsky, Timo
Katz, Peter Burr, and Christopher Doulgeris. From around the world,
this compilation showcases a generation of artists' mind-melting
cartoons bound by a strong Do-It- Yourself sensibility. (Microcinema
International).
The Da Vinci Detective (2006)
Forensic scientist Dr. Maurizio Seracini uses cutting-edge medical and
military technology while on the trail of fascinating unsolved
mysteries involving his hero, Leonardo da Vinci. For 30 years he has
searched for a lost da Vinci mural unseen since the 1540s. Along the
way he has uncovered a series of magnificent da Vinci drawings hidden
for years. $9.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
Dungeons & Dragons: The Animated Series. Three-disc
set with 27 episodes of the world's most popular role-playing game that
came to life as a 1980s Saturday morning cartoon adventure series;
$24.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Dungeons & Dragons: The Beginnings.
Single disc with first nine episodes of the series, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
Duplicity
(2009) Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti.
Extras: Commentary by writer-director Tony Gilroy and editor/co-producer John Gilroy. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Eclipse Series 17: Nikkatsu Noir. Five
action potboilers from the heyday of the Japanese film studio: "I Am
Waiting" (1957), "Rusty Knife" (1958), "Take Aim at the Police Van"
(1960), "Cruel Gun Story" (1964) and "A Colt Is My Passport" (1967);
$69.95. (The Criterion Collection).
Fighting
(2008) Channing Tatum, Terrance Howard, Zulay Henao, Luis Guzman. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras:Blu-ray extras: Digital copy, BD-Live, D-Box Motion Control. (Universal). Deleted scenes.
Fireman Sam: Help Is Here!
(2009) First CGI adventure for "Fireman Sam," with five adventures
based on the PBS KIDS Sprout series. Fireman Sam saves the supermarket,
helps rescue dogs find missing people, shares important safety tips,
more; $14.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Gangland: The Complete Season Four
(2009) Four-disc set with unprecedented access to the inner workings of
12 of the country's most feared gangs, $34.95. (A&E Home
Entertainment).
Ghost Image (2007)
Elisabeth Rohm, Stacey Dash, Waylon Payne, Roma Maffia, Matthew Del
Negro. When a young video editor loses her boyfriend in a car crash,
she finds solace in watching video of him taken the night before he
died. But when he starts to communicate with her through the video, she
must decide if he has broken through the barrier between this world and
the next or if she's slipped off into madness. Extras:
Commentary, "Ghost in the Machine: The Making of Ghost Image,"
"Shattered" music video, deleted scenes, outtakes. (MTI Home Video).
Gospel Comedy All Stars 2 (2009)
Comedy concert features four of the biggest names in gospel and black
family comedy filmed in front of a sold-out audience in San Diego.
Hosted by Joe Clair (formerly of BET's "Rap City" and featuring Barry
Brewer of "Who's Got Jokes," and father and son comedy team Gerald
Kelly and Isiah Kelly. (Rising Entertainment/Vivendi Entertainment).
Green Street Hooligans 2: Stand Your Ground (2009)
Ross McCall, Marina Sirtis, Graham McTavish, Treva Etienne, Luke Massy.
Following the deadly climax of the original "Green Street Hooligans,"
members of the Green Street Elite and their rivals the Millwall club
are sent to the same prison, where the bitter enemies must face each
other in a final football match where the winners are freed and the
losers face imminent death. (Vivendi Entertainment).
House: Season Five
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 24 episodes, Extras:
"House Meets a Milestone: The 100th Episode," commentary, "Keeping It
Real: Accuracy in Writing," "Dr. Mom: Cuddy's Storyline," "Anatomy of a
Teaser," "House Guests: Casting the Show." (Universal).
How Bruce Lee Changed the World (2009)
Intimate, feature-length portrait of the man who popularized martial
arts around the world. History Channel documentary travels from the
sets of his classic Kung Fu films to the confines of his Dojo and
features rare home movies and in-depth interviews with martial artists
such as Chuck Norris, filmmakers such as John Woo, Ang Lee and Quentin
Tarantino and co-stars, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who faced Lee in
the memorable blockbuster Enter the Dragon. $19.95. (A&E Home
Entertainment).
How the Earth Was Made: The Complete Season One (2007)
Four-disc set of the History series that shows how the violent forces
of geology have formed our planet, $39.95. (A&E Home
Entertainment).
The Informers (2009) Amber
Heard, Jon Foster, Billy Bob Thornton, Kim Basinger, Winona Ryder,
Mickey Rourke, Chris Isaak, Brad Renfro. Interweaving tales of 1980s
Los Angeles' lost generation, drifting through a world of lust, greed
and addiction.Extras: Director and cast commentary, "Human Intersections: Making The Informers" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Jeanne Dielman
(1975) A singular work in film history, Chantal Akerman's "Jeanne
Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles" brilliantly evokes, with
meticulous detail and a sense of impending doom, the daily domestic
routine of a middle-aged widow -- whose chores include making the beds,
cooking dinner for her grown son, and turning the occasional trick --
just as it begins to break down. In its enormous spareness, Akerman's
film seems simple, but it encompasses an entire world. Whether seen as
an exacting character portrait or one of cinema's most hypnotic and
complete depictions of space and time, "Jeanne Dielman" is an
astonishing, compelling movie experiment, one that has been analyzed
and argued over for decades, and is finally making its long-awaited DVD
debut. Restored digital transfer, approved by director Chantal Akerman.
Extras:
"Autour de Jeanne Dielman," a 70-minute documentary, shot by actor Sami
Frey and edited by Agnes Ravez, made during the filming of "Jeanne
Dielman"; interviews with Akerman and cinematographer Babette Mangolte;
excerpt from "Chantal Akerman par Chantal Akerman," a 1997 episode of
the French television program "Cinema de notre temps"; interview with
Akerman's mother, Natalia; archival television interview excerpt
featuring Akerman and star Delphine Seyrig; "Saute ma ville" (1968),
Akerman's first film, with an introduction by the director; booklet
featuring essays by film scholars Ivone Margulies and Janet Bergstrom.
(The Criterion Collection).
The Last Days of Disco (1998)
Chloe Sevigny, Kate Beckinsale, Chris Eigeman. Clever, comic return to
the nighttime party scene in early 80s Manhattan from director Whit
Stillman ("Metropolitan"). At the center of the film's roundelay of
revelers are the icy Charlotte (Kate Beckinsale) and the demure Alice
(Chloe Sevigny), by day toiling as publishing house assistants and by
night looking for romance and entertainment at a premier, Studio
54-like club. "The Last Days of Disco" is an affectionate yet
unsentimental look at the end of an era, brimming with Stillman's
trademark dry humor. New, restored high-definition digital transfer,
supervised and approved by Stillman. Extras:
Commentary featuring Stillman and actors Sevigny and Eigeman; deleted
scenes; stills gallery with production notes by Stillman; Stillman
reading a chapter from "The Last Days of Disco, With Cocktails at
Petrossian Afterwards," his novelization of the movie;
behind-the-scenes featurette; essay by novelist David Schickler. (The
Criterion Collection).
Lie to Me Season One
(2009) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98. Extras: "The Truth About Lies" featurette, deleted scenes, "The Lightman Group Lie Detection Tutorials." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Life: Season Two
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, commentaries, gag reel. (Universal).
Life With Derek: The Complete Second Season
(2006-07) Two-disc set with 13 episodes, $24.98. Extras: Interviews, behind-the-scenes b-roll footage, more. (E1 Entertainment).
Love and Debate (AKA Thanks to Gravity) (2009)
Gina Philips, Sean Astin, Adam Rodriguez, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Austin
Nichols, Rachel Miner, Joaquim De Almeida. In this coming-of-age
romantic comedy, a teenager from Miami struggles with tragedy and love
while dealing with the pressures of school and family life. With her
Hispanic father and Jewish mother, the young girl feels the clash of
both cultures and rarely feels comfortable anywhere but at the podium
during a debate. In the end, she must choose between love or debates. Extras: Deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurett, alternate ending. (Virgil Films And Entertainment).
Martin Lawrence Presents First Amendment Stand-Up: Season 3.
Five hours of the best and brightest talents in comedy today with
performances by Bruce Bruce, Rickey Smiley, Lavell Crawford, Don 'D.C'
Curry, Roz G., Joey Medina and many more headliners from the top comedy
clubs around the country; $19.97. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Merlin and the Book of Beasts (2009)
James Callis, Laura Harris. Sci Fi Channel adventure puts a new spin on
the saga of Excalibur, Mordred, and the ultimate battle between Merlin
and the Book of Beasts: King Arthur is gone, The Round Table is in
ruins, and a rogue sorcerer has unleashed a reign of monstrous terror
upon the land. Only a bitter and broken wizard Merlin can defeat the
legion of nasty creatures. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Mistral's Daughter
(1984) Three-disc set of the CBS 6-1/2 hour production of Judith
Krantz's No. 1 New York Times best-seller. Stacy Keach, Stefanie
Powers, Lee Remick, Robert Urich, Timothy Dalton, Joanna Lumley. From
the '20s Paris of Chanel and Matisse to New York's sizzling modeling
agencies of the '50s to the model wars of the '70s, this mini-series
captures the scandal, passion and explosive glamor of life in the
worlds of art and high fashion, revolving around Julien Mistral
(Keach), the painter, the genius and the lover whose passions seared
all around him. (E1 Entertainment).
Monster Beach Party (2009)
Claire Bronson, Cynthia Evans, Jonathan Michael Green. Retro action set
in 1966 featuring an all-girl rock band, the legend of the Skunk Ape
(the Florida Everglades version of Bigfoot) and a beach party. The
action starts when The Violas' tour van breaks down in a small
mysterious southern beach town, where they're stuck with no money until
a local mechanic offers them a deal -- play his annual beach party and
he'll fix their van for free. Unknown to the girls there's a monster on
the loose. (Indican Pictures).
NCIS: The Sixth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 25 episodes, $55.98. (Paramount).
One Tree Hill: The Complete Sixth Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 24 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
Unaired scenes; "One Tree Hill Goes Back in Time": Recreating the 1940s
in Episode 11; "Slammin' With One Tree Hill": The new sport of
SlamBall, a cross between basketball, hockey and gymnastics; "One Tree
Hill Celebrity Soundtrack"; "One Tree Hill -- The Director's Debut":
with first-time helmers Chad Michael Murray, Bethany Joy Galeotti and
James Lafferty; commentary on two episodes by series creator Mark
Schwahn and key cast and crew; gag reel. (Warner).
Samantha Who? The Complete Second Season
(2008-09) Three-disc set with 18 episodes, $39.99. (Disney).
Screwballs
(1983) Peter Keleghan, Kent Deuters, Linda Speciale, Raven DeLaCroix.
Infamous 'T&A' comedy released for the first time in America. This
totally unhinged and generally unclothed "Canucksploitation" film has
languished in a snowbound Alberta vault for decades. Raunchy teen
comedy takes place at Taft & Adams High and features campus virgin
Purity Busch, chronic masturbator Melvin Jerkovski, blonde bombshell
Bootsie Goodhead and an incomparable curriculum of freshman breast
exams and bikini cheerleader practice. Extras: Cast and crew commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Severin Films).
Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season
(2008) Three-disc set with 19 episodes, $39.99. (Disney).
Smallville: The Complete Eighth Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"In the Director's Chair: Behind the Lens and Calling the Shots with
Allison Mack" featurette;, "Smallville's Doomsday: The Making of a
Monster" featurette, cast and creator Commentaries, unaired scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Smithsonian Channel's War Stories
(2009) From the battlefields of today and yesteryear come three
revealing and moving documentaries about the life-altering effects of
war: "Carrier at War: USS Enterprise," in which the brave men and women
of a wartime aircraft carrier provide a riveting inside look at life
aboard "the most dangerous place on the planet"; "The Men Who Brought
the Dawn" in which the surviving crewmen of the Enola Gay and Bockscar
-- the atomic bomb missions over Hiroshima and Nagasaki -- recall the
dramatic end of World War II; and "Arlington: Call to Honor" about
America's National Cemetery; $14.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group).
Sonny With a Chance: Sonny's Big Break
(2009) Four episodes of the Disney Channel Original Series, $19.99. Extras: "Backstage Disney": Demi Lovato audition tape. (Disney).
Spirited Killer Trilogy.
Single disc with all three of the Thai martial arts adventures, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!
(2009) Four episodes of the Disney Channel Original Series, $19.99. Extras: "Debby On Deck": The guys interview Debby, the newest member of the cast; "The Floating Premiere." (Disney).
The Sunchaser (1996) Dir.:
Michael Cimino; Woody Harrelson, Jon Seda, Anne Bancroft. Woody
Harrelson plays an oncologist in the professional fast lane who hits a
detour when a desperately ill patient (Jon Seda) kidnaps him at gun
point. Across highways and back roads, kidnapper and hostage seek a
fabled Navajo healing place while a manhunt closes in on them.
(Warner).
Sunshine Cleaning (2009)
Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn, Mary Lynn Rajskub,
Clifton Collins Jr., Jason Spevack. (Overture Films/Anchor Bay
Entertainment)
thirtysomething: The Complete First Season
(1987-88) Six-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.99. Extras:
Featurettes with "thirtysomething" creators, cast and crew; "From
thirtysomething to Forever" making-of featurette; "A Conversation
Between Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick"; commentaries by
creators, cast and crew; special commemorative booklet with an
introduction written by the show's creators. (Shout! Factory).
TV Sets: Crime and Punishment.
First episodes of "Streets of San Francisco," "Hawaii Five-O," "CSI NY" and "Dexter," $14.98. (Paramount).
TV Sets: Beyond the Ordinary.
First episodes of "Star Trek," "The 4400," "Joan of Arcadia" and "Medium," $14.98. (Paramount).
The Untouchables: Season Three, Volume One
(1961) Four-disc set, $39.98. (Paramount).
Walden -- Diaries, Notes and Sketches by
Jonas Mekas (1969)
Poet and hero of the American counter-culture, Jonas Mekas, born in
Lithuania in 1922, invented the diary form of filmmaking. "Walden," his
first completed diary film, an epic portrait of the New York
avant-garde art scene of the 60s, is also a groundbreaking work of
personal cinema. With Jonas Mekas, P. Adams Sitney, Tony Conrad, Stan
Brakhage, Carl Th. Dreyer, Timothy Leary, Baba Ram Dass, Gregory
Markopoulos, Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, Jerome Hill, Barbet
Schroeder, Jack Smith, Edie Sedgwick, Nico, Velvet Underground, Ken
Jacobs, Hans Richter, Standish D. Lawder, Adolfas Mekas, Shirley
Clarke, Jud Yalkut, Peter Kubelka, Michael Snow, Richard Foreman, John
Lennon, Yoko Ono. Includes two DVDs, a poster, and a 150-page book with
unpublished texts by 60 authors including many who appeared in the
film. (Microcinema International).
Wiseguy: The Complete First Season
(1987-88) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Zula Patrol: Moons Mayhem(2009)
Contains six new-to-DVD lunar-based episodes from the Parents Choice
Award-winning television series, "The Zula Patrol," which airs Saturday
mornings on NBC as part of the qubo programming block, weekdays and
weekends on public television stations, and in Spanish on Telemundo. Extras:
Sneak peek at ZulaWorld.com, including a tour of the site and a look at
how to create one's own personal alien avatar. As a special added
bonus, purchasers of the DVD will also receive 200 Zlinkles (value:
$10.00) to spend on virtual items in ZulaWorld.com. $12.98. (Well Go
USA).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, August 18 -- Monday, August 24
Hannah Montana the Movie Teen superstar Miley Cyrus
brings her popular Disney Channel character to the big screen. Being a
superstar as well as a normal teenager is getting even more complicated
for Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus). Her crazy double life as pop sensation
Hannah Montana is taking its toll on the teen and her family. So
Miley's dad, Robby Ray Stewart (Miley's real-life father, Billy Ray
Cyrus) decides a visit to the family farm in Tennessee to celebrate
Grandma Ruby's (Margo Martindale) birthday will bring his little girl
back down to earth. Far away from the bright lights and the big city,
Miley reconnects with childhood friend Travis (Lucas Till). Their
budding romance, along with the love of her family and friends, gives
Miley some much-needed perspective on life. But when her pushy
publicist (Vanessa Williams) comes calling and a smarmy reporter tries
to dig up the dirt on Hannah, Miley is forced to make the hardest
decision of her life.
Vitals: Director:.
Stars: Miley Cyrus, Lucas Till, Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel
Musso, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Earles, Vanessa Williams.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: G, 102 min., Family, Box office gross: $78.158 million, Disney.
Last House on the Left, The Legendary masters of horror
Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham (here as producers) revisit the landmark
film that launched Craven's directing career and influenced decades of
horror films to follow. Bringing one of the most notorious thrillers of
all time to a new generation, they've re-imagined the story that
explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the
sociopaths who harmed their child. After kidnapping and ruthlessly
assaulting two teen girls, a sadistic killer and his gang unknowingly
find shelter from a storm at the home of one of the victim's parents --
two ordinary people who will go to increasingly gruesome extremes to
get revenge. Watch the clip here.Vitals: Director: Dennis Iliadis. Stars: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Horror, Box office gross: $32.721 million, Universal.
DVD Collectibles: Billed as "A Comedy About Life, Death, and Freedom," independent cinema pioneer John Cassavetes' "Husbands"
(1970) was originally released to preview audiences at a length of 139
minutes but subsequently cut by 11 minutes. Sony's release of the film
this week presents it in its full-length, original version, largely
unseen by audiences since 1969. "Husbands" follows three middle-aged
friends (Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk and Cassavetes),
with wives and houses in the New York suburbs, who go on a wild spree
after a close friend dies of a heart attack. Ending up in London, the
three must confront their own mortality and decide how to spend the
rest of their lives. From Sony ... "Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection"
is a three-disc set with "H-Man" (1958), "Battle in Outer Space" (1959)
and "Mothra" (1961); each film has been digitally re-mastered, and
includes the original Japanese versions and the U.S. versions, and
commentaries; $24.96 from Sony ... "IP5: The Island of Pachyderms "
(1992 -- French) is the latest DVD release in Cinema Libre Studio's The
Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection. In this film by Beineix (the director
of the international hits "Diva" and "Betty Blue") two Parisian street
kids embark upon a strange journey to Grenoble in the back of a
delivery truck. Once there, the two steal a car and discover an old man
sleeping in the back, but they discover that he's not a man at all but
an enigmatic forest spirit who teaches them important lessons about
nature and life. This was the last film of Yves Montand, who died of
heart failure (as did his character in the film) during the shooting in
1991. From TV to Video: "The Beast: Season 1" (2009) is a three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95 from Sony ... "Dexter: The Complete Third Season"
(2008) is a four-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99 from Paramount ... "Everybody Hates Chris: The Final Season" (2008-09) features all 22 episodes, $39.98 from Paramount ... "Everybody Hates Chris: The Complete Series" is a 16-disc set, $119.98 from Paramount ... "Gossip Girl: The Complete Second Season" (2008-09) is a seven-disc set with 25 episodes, $59.98 from Warner ...
"The Helen West Casebook" (2002) is a three-disc set
of the British crime dramas based on Frances Fyfield's bestselling
thrillers about a workaholic prosecutor with a messy personal life;
aired on A&E Network; $49.99 from Acorn Media ... "Greek: Chapter Three" (2009) is a three-disc set, $39.99, from Disney ... "iCarly Season 2, Vol. 1" (2008) is a two-disc set, $26.98 from Paramount ... "Simon & Simon: Season Three" (1983-84) is a six-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.99 from Shout! Factory ... "The Simpsons: The Complete Twelfth Season" (2000-01) is a four-disc set with 21 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "Sons of Anarchy Season One" (2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "Total Drama Island: The Complete Season" (2008) is a four-disc set with 28 episodes of the Cartoon Network animated "reality show," $34.99 from Warner.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
In "Surveillance"
(2009), directed by Jennifer Lynch and starring Julia Ormond, Bill
Pullman, Pell James, Ryan Simpkins, French Stewart, Kent Harper and
Michael Ironside, two FBI agents are summoned to a police station in
the Santa Fe desert to interview three witnesses to a series of
blood-curdling murders and they find three sets of stories to figure
out. As the witnesses tell their stories one by one, each concealing
some details, the gruesome, murderous events unravel and the Feds soon
discover that uncovering "the truth" can come at a very big cost. From
Magnolia Home Entertainment ... In "Wyvern" (2009),
starring Barry Corbin, Nick Chinlund and Erin Karpluk, global warming
melts a prehistoric winged creature's icy tomb and the beast -- the
wyvern --turns a small community into its new feeding ground; 15th
installment in the "Maneater" series; from RHI Entertainment/Genius
Products ... In "Julia" (2008), starring Tilda
Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate del Castillo, Aidan Gould and Jude
Ciccolella, a 40-year-old alcoholic woman on the edge of
self-destruction gets involved in a kidnapping plot to try to turn her
life around with a big score ... but the plan backfires; from Magnolia
Home Entertainment.
On the Indie Front:
In "Kissing Cousins"
(2008), a "relationship termination specialist" who provides "dumping
services" for disgruntled daters has become hard-hearted and the last
bachelor in his social circle. He travels to Britain for a short
vacation and returns to the States with his charming and beautiful
cousin, who pretends to be his "girlfriend" to prove that he's capable
of having a relationship. Stars Samrat Chakrabarti, Rebecca Hazlewood,
Gerry Bednob, David Alan Grier and Jaleel White. From Cinema Libre
Studio.
Foreign Films:
There's two foreign outings from First Run features this week: "Absurdistan"
(2008 -- Russia) is a small village in the high desert mountains, just
on the outskirts of reality, where magical visions and bizarre events
fuse together. Home to only 14 families, the village is facing a water
shortage but the men are too lazy to fix a rickety pipeline. The women
are soon fed up with their good-for-nothing husbands and they make a
simple vow: "No water, no sex." Shot in northwest Azerbaijan ... In "The Fish Fall in Love"
(2006 -- Iran), Atieh's passion is food, and her small but popular
restaurant on the sleepy Caspian coast of Iran is her pride and joy.
Unfortunately the owner of the building -- who also happens to be an
ex-boyfriend -- returns after a 20-year absence and, fearing he's going
to sell the building, Atieh takes a page from the Persian fable of
Shahrazad and "A Thousand and One Nights," cooking him a new and
sinfully delicious dish every day.
For the Family:
Animation and live-action combine to bring the magical friendship between a young orphan and his unusual best friend to life in "Pete's Dragon: High Flying Edition"
(1977), starring Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Jeff
Conaway, Shelley Winters, Jim Dale, Red Buttons and Charlie Callas ... "The Smurfs: Smurfy Tales" features five uncut episodes of the hugely popular 1980's television series; $14.97 from Warner ... "The Swan Princess 2: The Secret of the Castle"
(2009) is a direct-to-DVD animated adventure that re-unites Princess
Odette and Prince Derek with their old friends Jean-Bob, the fabulously
French Frog; Speed, the patient Turtle; and Puffin, the eccentric bird,
as they attempt to recover the Magic Orb from the evil Clavius; $14.94
from Sony.
Special Interest: "Tyson"
(2008) is a no-holds-barred documentary portrait of legendary and
controversial former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Directed by James
Toback and narrated by Tyson; from Sony ... "Albert Schweitzer: Called to Africa"
(2006) is a docu-drama about the Nobel Laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer,
a humanitarian healer and jungle doctor, pastor, philosopher, and
musician who believed in a "Reverence for Life" ... from First Run
Features ... "The Shadow Effect: A Journey From Your Darkest Thought to Your Greatest Dream"
(2009) is a documentary by N.Y. Times best-selling author Debbie Ford
that exposes the opposing forces of light and dark that compete for
attention within every human being and presents the hidden power of the
"Shadow," leading to behavior that continually unseats politicians,
destroys celebrity careers, destabilizes the economy and affects the
lives of millions each year; $29.95. from Hay House.
Disney Makes a Fine "Proposal"
Disney has announced an October 13 release date for the Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds comedy "The Proposal,"
about a hard-nosed executive who talks her overworked assistant into a
marriage of convenience. The smash $154 million comedy will be
available in two-disc Blu-ray and DVD editions as well as single-disc
DVD and Blu-ray editions. Bonus features will include filmmaker
commentary, bloopers and an alternate ending. Both two-Disc DVD and
Blu-ray versions will include a Digital Copy of the movie that can be
viewed on an array of electronic devices. October 13 will also see the
release of the "remake" of "Land of the Lost," starring Will Ferrell,
from Universal, and Atom Egoyan's "Adoration," from Sony. Meanwhile,
Sony will release the Denzel Washington-John Travolta redo of "The
Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," directed by Tony Scott, on November 3.
Absurdistan
(2008 -- Russia) Kristyna Malerova, Maximilian Mauff. Welcome to
Absurdistan, a small village in the high desert mountains, just on the
outskirts of reality, where magical visions and bizarre events fuse
together. Home to only 14 families, the village is facing a water
shortage but the men are too lazy to fix a rickety pipeline. The women
are soon fed up with their good-for-nothing husbands and they make a
simple vow: "No water, no sex." Shot in northwest Azerbaijan. (First
Run Features).
Albert Schweitzer: Called to Africa (2006)
Docu-drama of the Nobel Laureate Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a humanitarian
healer and jungle doctor, pastor, philosopher, and musician who
believed in a "Reverence for Life." Filmed in West Africa, where the
hospital Schweitzer founded continues to treat people today, and in
Strasbourg, France, where the young Schweitzer gave organ recitals and
preached. (First Run Features).
The Beast: Season 1
(2009) Three-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. Extras: Thirteen behind-the-scenes featurettes. (Sony).
Dexter: The Complete Third Season
(2008) Four-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Everybody Hates Chris: The Final Season
(2008-09) 22 episodes, $39.98. (Paramount).
Everybody Hates Chris: The Complete Series.
Sixteen-disc set, $119.98. (Paramount).
The Fish Fall in Love (2006
-- Iran) Atieh's passion is food, and her small but popular restaurant
on the sleepy Caspian coast of Iran is her pride and joy. Unfortunately
the owner of the building -- who also happens to be an ex-boyfriend --
returns after a 20-year absence and, fearing he's going to sell the
building, Atieh takes a page from the Persian fable of Shahrazad and "A
Thousand and One Nights," cooking him a new and sinfully delicious dish
every day.(Global Lens Collection/First Run Features).
Gossip Girl: The Complete Second Season
(2008-09) Seven-disc set with 25 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"5th Ave. Meets Gossip Girl" interactive graphic map of the Gossip Girl
crowd's favorite haunts; "Faces Behind the Design"; "Chasing Dorota"
webisodes; gag reel; downloadable audio book of the bestselling novel
"Gossip Girl: You Know You Love Me" by Cecily von Ziegesar, read by
Christina Ricci; unaired scenes. (Warner).
Greek: Chapter Three
(2009) Three-disc set, $39.99. Extras: "20 Questions With the Cast," bloopers, commentaries. (Disney).
Hannah Montana the Movie (2009)
Miley Cyrus, Lucas Till, Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel Musso,
Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Earles, Vanessa Williams. Available as a
three-disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack, two-disc DVD set and single-disc DVD. Extras:
New music video, "Find Your Way Back Home" featurette, "Production 101:
Jackson Style," bloopers, deleted scenes. The Blu-ray Disc adds "The
HoeDown ThrowDown Home Experience"; "The Hannah Montana Store"
interactive experience that allows viewers to create a wish list of
items displayed in the film, move the items onto the internet via
BD-Live capabilities, obtain information and purchase the merchandise;
seven music videos. (Disney).
The Helen West Casebook (2002)
British crime dramas based on Frances Fyfield's bestselling thrillers
about a workaholic prosecutor with a messy personal life. Aired on
A&E Network. Three-disc set, $49.99. (Acorn Media).
High Noon
(2009) Emilie de Ravin, Ivan Sergei, Cybill Sheperd. Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. (Sony).
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Deluxe Edition
(2003) Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Klein, Kathryn Hahn, Annie Parisse, Adam Goldberg. Extras:
Commentary by director Donald Petrie, "How to Make a Movie in Two
Years," deleted scenes with director commentary, "Why the Sexes
Battle," "Girl;s Night Out," Keith Urban "Somebody Like You" music
video. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Husbands
(1970) Dir.: John Cassavetes; John Cassavetes, Peter Falk, Ben Gazzara.
Billed as "A Comedy About Life, Death, and Freedom," independent cinema
pioneer John Cassavetes' "Husbands" was originally released to preview
audiences at a length of 139 minutes but subsequently cut by 11
minutes. This DVD presents the film in its full-length, original
version, largely unseen by audiences since 1969. Follows three
middle-aged friends (Gazzara, Falk and Cassavetes), with wives and
houses in the New York suburbs, who go on a wild spree after a close
friend dies of a heart attack. Ending up in London, the three must
confront their own mortality and decide how to spend the rest of their
lives. (Sony).
iCarly Season 2, Vol. 1
(2008) Two-disc set, $26.98. (Paramount).
Icons of Sci-Fi: Toho Collection. Three-disc
set with "H-Man" (1958), "Battle in Outer Space" (1959) and "Mothra"
(1961). Each film has been digitally re-mastered, and includes the
original Japanese versions and the U.S. versions, and two commentaries.
$24.96. (Sony).
The Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection: IP5: The Island of Pachyderms (1992
-- French) From the director of the international hits "Diva" and
"Betty Blue." Two Parisian street kids embark upon a strange journey to
Grenoble in the back of a delivery truck. One of the lads is an
adolescent Spanish graffiti artist while the other is an 11-year-old
black rapper. Once there, the two steal a car and discover an old man
sleeping in the back. But the boys discover that he's not a man at all
but an enigmatic forest spirit who teaches them important lessons about
nature and life. This was the last film of Yves Montand, who died of
heart failure (as did his character in the film) during the shooting in
1991. Also stars Olivier Martinez. Extras: Interview with Beineix.(Cinema Libre Studio).
Julia
(2008) Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate del Castillo, Aidan Gould,
Jude Ciccolella. A 40-year-old alcoholic woman, on the edge of
self-destruction, gets involved in a kidnapping plot to try to turn her
life around with a big score ... but the plan backfires. (Magnolia Home
Entertainment).
Kissing Cousins (2008)
Samrat Chakrabarti, Rebecca Hazlewood, Gerry Bednob,, David Alan Grier,
Jaleel White. As a "relationship termination specialist," providing
"dumping services" for disgruntled daters, Amir spends his days
delivering bad news to unsuspecting lovers across Los Angeles -- a job
that has made him hard-hearted and the last bachelor in his social
circle. Disgruntled and alone, Amir returns to Britain for a short
vacation, and returns to the States with his charming and beautiful
cousin, who pretends to be his "girlfriend" to prove that Amir is
capable of having a relationship. Extras: Interviews with the cast, behind-the-scenes featurette. (Cinema Libre Studio).
The Last House on the Left
(2009) Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt,
Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome. Unrated cut and R-rated theatrical
version. Two-disc set. Extras: Deleted scenes, "A Look Inside" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
The Last Starfighter 25th Anniversary Edition
(1984) Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Dan O'Herlihy, Catherine Mary Stewart. Extras:
"Heroes of the Screen," "Crossing the Frontier: Making The Last
Starfighter," commentary by director Nick Castle and production
designer Ron Cobb, image gallery.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Midnight Bayou
(2009) Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Stamile, Faye Dunaway.
Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora
Roberts. (Sony).
Northern Lights
(2009) LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian, Rosanna Arquette.
Lifetime TV movie based on the novel by best-selling author Nora
Roberts. (Sony).
Pete's Dragon: High Flying Edition (1977)
Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Jeff Conaway, Shelley
Winters, Jim Dale, Red Buttons, Charlie Callas. Animation and
live-action combine to bring the magical friendship between a young
orphan and his unusual best friend to life. Extras:
"Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Disney's Movie Magic" featurette, deleted
storyboard sequence: "Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliot," original song
concept: "Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)," original demo
recordings (audio only) with early demo versions of "Brazzle Dazzle
Day" and "Every Little Piece," "Where's Elliot?" disappearing dragon
game, "Pete's Dragon" art galleries, publicity, "About Pete's Dragon,"
Disney Family Album, "The Plausible Impossible," "Lighthouse Keeping."
(Disney).
The Shadow Effect: A Journey From Your Darkest Thought to Your Greatest Dream (2009)
A married governor is caught with a mistress in Latin America, a teen
idol and role model pleads guilty to beating his girlfriend, corporate
executives use government bailout money to fund luxurious vacations, a
conservative radio host checks into rehab for a prescription drug abuse
-- these are just a few examples of what N.Y. Times best-selling author
Debbie Ford calls "The Shadow Effect." This documentary exposes the
opposing forces of light and dark that compete for attention within
every human being and presents the hidden power of the "Shadow,"
leading to behavior that continually unseats politicians, destroys
celebrity careers, destabilizes the economy and affects the lives of
millions each year. $29.95. (Hay House).
Simon & Simon: Season Three
(1983-84) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $49.99. (Shout! Factory).
The Simpsons: The Complete Twelfth Season
(2000-01) Four-disc set with 21 episodes, $49.98. Extras:
Introduction by Matt Groening; commentaries on every episode with
Groening and executive producers,writers, actors and directors; deleted
scenes; animation showcases; original sketches; special language
feature; and more. (Fox).
The Smurfs: Smurfy Tales.
Five uncut episodes of the hugely popular 1980's television series; $14.97. (Warner).
Sons of Anarchy Season One
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Behind-the-scenes making-of featurettes, cast and crew commentary on select episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Surveillance (2009) Dir.:
Jennifer Lynch; Julia Ormond, Bill Pullman, Pell James, Ryan Simpkins,
French Stewart, Kent Harper, Michael Ironside. Somewhere deep inside
the Santa Fe desert there's been a number of blood-curdling murders.
The local police station apprehends three witnesses: Officer Jack
Bennet, one of their own, tough, but affected by recent events; Bobby,
high as a kite on cocaine; and Stephanie, an eight-years-old who has
just witnessed her family being brutally murdered by two figures
dressed in jumpsuits, gloves, boots, and horrifyingly disfiguring blue
latex masks. FBI agents Elizabeth Anderson (Julia Ormond) and Sam
Hallaway (Bill Pullman) arrive at the police station, and have three
sets of stories to figure out. As the witnesses tell their stories one
by one, the gruesome, murderous events unravel. But as the Feds begin
to expose the fragile little details each witness conceals so carefully
with a well practiced lie, they soon discover that uncovering "the
truth" can come at a very big cost. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
The Swan Princess 2:
The Secret of the Castle (2009)
Direct-to-DVD animated adventure re-unites Princess Odette and Prince
Derek with their old friends Jean-Bob, the fabulously French Frog;
Speed, the patient Turtle; and Puffin, the eccentric bird, as they
attempt to recover the Magic Orb from the evil Clavius; $14.94. (Sony).
Total Drama Island: The Complete Season
(2008) Four-disc set with 28 episodes of the Cartoon Network animated "reality show," $34.99.(Warner).
Tribute (2009) Brittany
Murphy, Jason Lewis, Tippi Hedren, Diana Scarwid. Lifetime TV movie
based on the novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. (Sony).
Tyson (2008)
No-holds-barred documentary portrait of legendary and controversial
former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Directed by James Toback and
narrated by Tyson.Extras: "A Day in the Life" featurette with Toback, red carpet premiere footage, commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony),
Wedding Bros (Aka The Marconi Bros.)
(2008) Direct-to-video comedy. Anthony and Carmine Marconi have been
dutifully serving out life sentences in the family carpet business, but
a chance run-in with the king of the Long Island wedding video business
leads the brothers to unexpectedly join the outrageously zany world of
wedding videography. Extras: Commentary, extended scene. (Universal).
Wyvern
(2009) Barry Corbin, Nick Chinlund, Erin Karpluk. When global warming
melts a prehistoric winged creature's icy tomb -- the wyvern -- no one
in the town of Beaver Mills, Alaska is prepared for the nightmare to
follow. Turning the small community into its new feeding ground, the
wyvern unleashes a bloody killing spree forcing the helpless residents
into a fight for their lives. Desperate to end the town's destruction,
one resident sees only one option left -- steal the creature's egg from
its nest and use it as bait. 15th installment in the "Maneater" series.
(RHI Entertainment/Genius Products).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, August 11 -- Monday, August 17
Class, The Remarkable docu-drama that focuses on a
multi-ethnic, inner city middle school in Paris and tackles universal
themes such as race, truth, individual relations and social problems.
"The Class" follows the year in the life of a French schoolteacher
(Francois Begaudeau, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Laurent
Cantet from Begaudeau's best-selling novel) working at a high school in
a tough neighborhood in Paris. Cultures and attitudes often clash in
the classroom. As amusing and inspiring as the teenage students can be,
their difficult behavior can still jeopardize any teacher's enthusiasm
for the low-paying job, although Francois insists on an atmosphere of
respect and diligence. Neither stuffy nor severe, his frankness often
takes the students by surprise. But his classroom ethics are put to the
test when his students begin to challenge his methods. Vitals: Director: Laurent Cantet. Stars: Francois Begaudeau, Nassim Amrabt, Laura Baquela, Cherif Bounaïdja Rachedi.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 128 min., Drama, Box office gross: $3.758 million, Sony.
I Love You, Man Successful real estate agent Peter
(Paul Rudd), upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, Zooey
(Rashida Jones), discovers, to his dismay that he has no male friend
close enough to serve as his best man. He immediately sets out to
rectify the situation, embarking on a series of bizarre and awkward
"man-dates," before meeting Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), a charming,
opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two
men get, the more Peter's relationship with Zooey suffers, ultimately
forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found "bro" Vitals: Director: John Hamburg. Stars: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $71.347 million, Paramount.
Paris 36 One of the best films of the year -- a
romantic, intelligent gem of an outing. And it sings and dances!!! Set
in a suburb of northeast Paris between December 1935 and July 1936
during the "revolutionary" period of the Popular Front (which
introduced the first paid holidays and a shorter working week), "Paris
36" follows three unemployed performers -- Pigoil the veteran stage
hand (Gerard Jugnot), Milou the hot-tempered electrician (Clovis
Cornillac) and Jacky the man of many talents (Kad Merad) -- who decide
to reestablish their beloved music hall to its former glory. Business
is slow until they hire a beautiful young singer with a remarkable
voice named Douce (Nora Arnezeder) who holds the key to their success.
Inspired by Busby Berekeley musicals, vaudevilles and cabarets, "Paris
36" is a true musical treat. In French with English subtitles. Vitals: Director: Christophe Barratier. Stars: Gerard Jugnot, Nora Arnezeder, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 120 min., Musical, Box office gross: $xx.xx million, Sony.
17 Again What would you do if you got a second shot at
life? Mike O'Donnell, class of 1989, is a star on his high school
basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future
in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his
life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are
expecting. Almost 20 years later, Mike's glory days are decidedly
behind him. His marriage to Scarlett has fallen apart, he's been passed
over for a promotion at work, his teenage kids think he's a loser, and
he's been reduced to crashing with his high school
nerd-turned-techno-billionaire best friend Ned. But Mike is given
another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of
17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething
outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. High school presents a
lot of new challenges for him, such as dressing cool, keeping up with
the latest gadgets and making new friends. But nothing compares to
being in high school with his own children. He discovers that his
daughter is not nearly as innocent as he thought she was and his son is
the brunt of the star athlete's jokes. Through his experiences, Mike
realizes that he had chosen the perfect life -- he just never
appreciated it. Now, he must figure out a way to transform back into
his older self and won back his wife and kids. Vitals:
Director: Burr Steers. Stars: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann,
Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 102 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $61.605 million, New Line.
From TV to Video: "Adam-12: Season Three" (1970-71) is a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $34.99 from Shout! Factory ... "Californication: The Second Season" (2008) is a two-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99 from Paramount ... "Designing Women: The Complete Second Season"
(1987-88) is a four-disc set with 22 episodes, $44.99 from Shout! Factory ... "Here's Lucy: Season One" (1968-69) is Four-disc set with 24 episodes of Lucille Ball's third sitcom, $29.98 from MPI Home Video ... "The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle"
(2008) features six episodes of the British series about a frank
talk-show host (Jennifer Saunders) who chews up her guests and spits
them out -- all in the name of therapy. Also stars Miranda Richardson.
$24.98 from BBC/Warner ... "Life With Derek: The Complete Second Season" (2006-07) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes, $24.98 from E1 Entertainment ... "90210: The First Season" (2008-09) is a six-disc set with 24 epiosdes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Lockup: Raw Season One" (2008) is a two-disc set with 10 episodes, $19.95 New Video ... "Pulling: The Complete Second Season"
(2008) is an "anti-'Sex In the City'" series from England with
one-night stands gone wrong, binge drinking, unplanned pregnancy, sex
under the influence and shoplifting; $24.98 from MPI Home Video.
Buzzin' the Bees: "Dark Rising"
(2007) is a horror flick that takes a broken heart, a camping trip, a
battle axe, a bikini-clad demon and a lesbian ex-fiancee on a spin
through a campy comedy in the wilds, starring WWE wrestling star Jason
"Christian Cage" Reso, Landy Cannon, Vanessa James, Haley Shannon,
Julia Schneider; from E1 Entertainment ... An agent on a covert mission
to stop North Korean terrorists from obtaining a nuclear bomb tries to
save a beautiful facilitator and ends up framed for murder in "The Art of War III: Retribution"
(2009), starring Naughty by Nature's Treach and Playboy model Sung Hi Lee; from Sony ...
A bounty hunter, searching for money to pay back a debt (or face the
noose), discovers that an imprisoned outlaw, the Sparkle-Eyed Kid, has
a bounty on her head, and he to decides to break her out of jail to
save his life in "Bounty" (2009), starring Jarrett LeMaster and Michelle Acuna; from Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion Pictures ... In "The Tiger's Tail"
(2006), directed by John Boorman and starring Brendan Gleeson, Kim
Cattrall, Ciaran Hinds, Sinead Cusack and Sean McGinley, a wealthy
Irish capitalist is stalked by a menacing look-alike, intent on
stealing away everything he has: his job, his wife and his sanity; from
MGM ... In the hard-hitting British thriller "London to Brighton"
(2008), starring Lorraine Stanley, Johnny Harris and Claudie Blakley, a
desperate prostitute is bullied by her pimp into finding an underage
girl for a mobster but when things turns nasty she intervenes and
everything goes horribly wrong; from E1 Entertainment ... In "Road Trip -- Beer Pong" (2009), three college
roommates join a bus full of models to compete in the ultimate sport
competition: the National Beer Pong Tournament, along the way meeting
up with a hitchhiking, gun toting beauty; a grandmother-mother-daughter
stripper squad; and the members of Chastity Until Marriage; from
Paramount ... In "Safehouse" (2008), a former FBI
agent comes out of retirement to avenge the death of his ex-partner at
the hands of a diabolical madmen who's after a mysterious thumb drive;
from MTI Home Video.
On the Indie Front: "Gigantic" (2008) is a surreal love story about the
anxiety that comes when two people with crazy families unexpectedly
collide. Mattress salesman Brian (Paul Dano) gets swept up in a romance
with the lovely but misguided Harriet Lolly (Zooey Deschanel) when she
comes in to his store one day and falls asleep on one of the beds. To
win her over, he must compete with her bear of a father (John Goodman),
an art-collecting loudmouth with a bad back and deep pockets; from
Vivendi Entertainment ... In "Almost Heaven"
(2006), starring Donal Logue, Tom Conti, Lynda Boyd, Julie Cox, Joely
Collins and Kirsty Mitchell, a charismatic but alcohol-fueled TV
director gets a second chance when handed an opportunity to film a
fishing show in Scotland ... but he has to work with the show's
volatile star, who just happens to be his ex-wife. Things turns from
bad to worse when he meets a feisty local fishing guide and begins to
have feelings for her; from E1 Entertainment.
Foreign Films: "Katyn" (2009 -- Polish) is an epic and sweeping drama
that exposes an oft-overlooked moment in WWII history, directed by 83
year-old Andrzej Wajda, Poland's most celebrated filmmaker. The film is
based on the novel by Andrzej Mularcyk detailing Joseph Stalin's
horrific 1940 liquidation of the Polish officer corps in Katyn Forest.
After the Nazis stormed into Poland, Stalin ordered Russian soldiers
into the country in order to oversee the imprisonment of all Polish
officers -- and their eventual "liquidation." For decades the truth
about the slaughter in the woods was obfuscated due to post-war
Poland's dependence on Russia, with the Nazis often blamed for the
atrocity. From Koch Lorber Films.
For the Family: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 25th Anniversary Collection"
is a four-disc set with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie"
(1990), "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Secret of the Ooze" (1991),
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Turtles in Time" (1993) and "TMNT"
(2007).
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. The DVD collection ($32.92) comes in a
cool tin travel case with four Turtle masks and temporary tattoos; the
Blu-ray set comes in a retro pizza box package with an exclusive
reproduction of "TMNT: The Movie" comic book, an exclusive original
sketch with creator Peter Laird's autograph, collectible character
cards and a TMNT beanie hat ($84.99); from Warner ... "The Batman Double Feature"
includes two feature-length animated adventures: "The Batman/Superman
Movie" (1998) and "The Batman vs. Dracula" (2005); $14.97 from Warner
... "Scooby-Doo Double Feature" includes "Scooby-Do Meets Batman" and "Scooby-Doo Meets the Harlem Globetrotters," $14.97 from Warner ... "Super Friends: The Lost Episodes" is a two-disc set with 24 lost DC Super Heroes episodes, $26.99 from Warner ... In "Barney: Sharing Is Caring"
(2009), pre-schoolers can celebrate a day of giving with Barney as a
toy drive inspires the purple dinosaur and his friends to donate their
toys; $14.98 from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate.
Special Interest: "Breaking the Bank" (2009) is a "Frontline"
documentary that tells the inside story of how some billion-dollar
banks faltered in the midst of the housing market crisis, with many
crumbling and others teetering on the brink of collapse even today;
$24.99 from PBS Distribution ... "The Trial and Triumph of the King of Pop"
is a documentary that explains some of the complexities in the life of
musical icon Michael Jackson, with appearances by Kanye West, Jermaine
Jackson, Tom Mesereau, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Jon Voight, Fantasia,
Mo'Nique, Aphrodite Jones and Linda Deutsch; from Rock City
Entertainment/Elbow Grease Productions/MVD Visual ... "James Dean: The Fast Lane"
(2008) is a two-disc set marks the 54th anniversary of Dean's death,
covering the meager 1,734 days from his first on-screen performance to
his death; includes rare footage of his on-air debut at 19 years old, a
1950 commercial for Pepsi, as well as his final work, ironically a 1955
highway safety PSA filmed just 13 days before he died in his Porsche
550 Spyder; $14.98 from Infinity Entertainment Group ... "Chris Isaak Greatest Hits -- Live"
(2005) is a high-definition, 5.1 surround sound recording of 15 of the
musician's greatest hits, filmed for the acclaimed PBS music series
Soundstage in 2005; $19.99 from E1 Entertainment ... "WWE: Summerslam -- The Complete Anthology, Vol. 3 1998-2002" and "WWE: Summerslam -- The Complete Anthology, Vol. 3 2003-2007"
dish up 10 years of World Wrestling Entertainment's signature event of
the summer, offering a number of memorable championship bouts and
grudge matches. Volume 3 includes such superstars of the "Attitude Era"
as Edge, Christian, the Dudley Boyz, The Rock, Booker T and others.
Younger stars rise to prominence in Volume 4, with "youngster" Randy
Orton, the Undertaker, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair as well as a dream match
up between Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels; $59.95 each from WWE Home
Video.
Ultimate "Gone With the Wind" Due Nov. 17
Warner Home Video is pulling out all the stops for its 70th anniversary
re-release of what is perhaps the greatest movie of all time (and, as
adjusted for 2009 U.S. dollars, the boxoffice champ of all time with
$1.5 billion): "Gone with the Wind."
On November 17, the studio will honor the romantic epic with a
stunningly restored and remastered version, available on standard DVD
and for the first time on Blu-ray. According to Warner, the highlight
of the new Blu-ray version "is how it looks and sounds ... (the studio)
continues to maximize what the Blu-ray format can do in terms of
picture and sound.
With six times higher resolution than standard DVD along with the sonic
excellence of Dolby TruHD, the film will be at its absolute pristine
best." The 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition, limited and
numbered, will also include nostalgic premiums -- a 40-page hardcover
book with photos, production notes and more; a reproduction of the 1939
original program; eight 5" x 7" frameable art prints, and a CD
soundtrack sampler. The Blu-ray edition (a two-disc set with 18 hours
of bonus features) will sell for $84.99 and the DVD (a five-disc set
with 12 hours of bonus features) for $69.92. A Two Disc Special Edition
will also be offered with the film and commentary for $24.98. Jump to November DVDs for a complete list of bonus features. Read Warner's press release.
Adam-12: Season Three
(1970-71) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $34.99. (Shout! Factory).
Almost Heaven
(2006) Donal Logue, Tom Conti, Lynda Boyd, Julie Cox, Joely Collins,
Kirsty Mitchell. Charismatic, but alcohol-fueled TV director Mark Brady
(Logue) gets a second chance when handed an opportunity to film a
fishing show in Scotland. Staying sober proves even more difficult
while working with the show's volatile star Taya Honeywell (Collins),
who just happens to be his ex-wife. The trip turns from bad to worse
when he meets a feisty local fishing guide and begins to have feelings
for her. (E1 Entertainment).
The Art of War III: Retribution (2009)
Treach, Sung Hi Lee. Agent Neil Shaw,(Naughty By Nature's Treach) is on
a covert mission to stop North Korean terrorists from obtaining a
nuclear bomb. But when the deal turns deadly, Shaw is drawn into the
crossfire to save a beautiful facilitator (Playboy model Sung Hi Lee)
and ends up framed for murder. (Sony).
Barney: Sharing Is Caring (2009)
Pre-schoolers can celebrate a day of giving with Barney as a toy drive
inspires the purple dinosaur and his friends to donate their toys and,
through magical storytelling, songs and surpises, the gang discovers
that generousity brings a smile to everyone's face; $14.98. (HIT
Entertainment/Lionsgate).
The Batman Double Feature.
Two feature-length animated adventures: "The Batman/Superman Movie" (1998) and "The Batman vs. Dracula" (2005); $14.97. Extras: Games, featurettes. (Warner).
Bounty (2009) Jarrett
LeMaster, Michelle Acuna. A bounty hunter, searching for money to pay
back a debt (or face the noose), discovers an imprisoned outlaw, the
Sparkle-Eyed Kid, has a bounty on her head, and he must break her out
of jail to save his life. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion Pictures).
Breaking the Bank
(2009) "Frontline" documentary tells the inside story of how some
billion-dollar banks faltered in the midst of the housing market
crisis, with many crumbling and others teetering on the brink of
collapse even today. $24.99. (PBS Distribution).
Californication: The Second Season
(2008) Two-disc set with 12 episodes, $42.99. (Paramount).
Chris Isaak Greatest Hits -- Live (2005)
High-definition, 5.1 surround sound recording of 15 of the musician's
greatest hits, filmed for the acclaimed PBS music series Soundstage in
2005.$19.99. (E1 Entertainment).
The Class
(2008 -- French) Francois Begaudeau, Nassim Amrabt, Laura Baquela, Cherif Bounaidja Rachedi.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc.Extras: DVD: "Making-of" featurette, commentary on
select scenes; Blu-ray adds "Actors' Workshop -- Rehearsal Sessions"
and "Actors' Self-Portraits." (Sony).
Dark Rising (2007) WWE
wrestling star Jason "Christian Cage" Reso, Landy Cannon, Vanessa
James, Haley Shannon, Julia Schneider. Horror flick that takes a broken
heart, a camping trip, a battle axe, a bikini-clad demon and a lesbian
ex-fiancee on a spin through a campy comedy. Jason Parks' life goes
from bad to worse as a series of supernatural events turn his dream of
reconciliation with ex-fiancee Jasmine into a portal seeking, demon
hunting nightmare. With a desperate attempt to save his fizzled-out
relationship, Jason orchestrates a camping trip with his best friends
and his ex. Unbeknownst to the group, one of the women has been having
reoccurring nightmares of Summer Vale, a little girl that disappeared
20 years before, and decides to use the getaway to contact her spirit.
The fun and games quickly turn to life and death when a "hocus pocus"
ritual works and the little lost girl bursts onto the scene -- all
grown up, armed with a battle axe and not alone. Extras:
Behind-the-scenes featurette, commentary with writer/director Andrew
Cymek and the cast, a wrestling match between "Christian Cage" and
Rhino, deleted scenes, photo gallery. (E1 Entertainment).
Designing Women: The Complete Second Season
(1987-88) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $44.99. (Shout! Factory).
Gigantic
(2008) Zooey Deschanel, Paul Dano, John Goodman, Ed Asner, Zach
Galafiniakis. The funny, surreal love story about the anxiety that
comes when two people with crazy families unexpectedly collide.
Mattress salesman Brian (Paul Dano) gets swept up in a romance with the
lovely but misguided Harriet Lolly (Zooey Deschanel) when she comes in
to his store one day and falls asleep on one of the beds. To win her
over, he must compete with her bear of a father, Al Lolly, (John
Goodman), an art-collecting loudmouth with a bad back and deep pockets.
Extras:
Behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew, alternate ending,
deleted scenes, commentary by director Matt Aselton. (Vivendi
Entertainment).
Here's Lucy: Season One
(1968-69) Four-disc set with 24 episodes of Lucille Ball's third sitcom, $29.98.Extras:
New videotaped episode introductions with Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr.,
guest stars and production staff; new featurette, "Meet the Carters";
home movies and behind-the scenes footage; bloopers and outtakes;
episode promos; rare materials from the Lucy vault; production files
and slide show; a lost "Let's Talk to Lucy" radio show; screen tests
for Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.; featurette about the making of the
series' distinctive main title sequence. (MPI Home Video).
I Love You, Man
(2009) Paul Rudd, Jason Segel. Extras:
"The Making of I Love You, Man," outtakes, extended scenes, deleted
scenes, gag reel, commentary by director John Hamburg and actors Paul
Rudd and Jason Segel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount)
James Dean: The Fast Lane
(2008) Two-disc set marks the 54th anniversary of Dean's death,
covering the meager 1,734 days from his first on-screen performance to
his death. Documentary includes rare footage of his on-air debut at 19
years old, a 1950 commercial for Pepsi, as well as his final work,
ironically a 1955 highway safety PSA filmed just 13 days before he died
in his Porsche 550 Spyder. Also includes 10 other TV appearances.
$14.98. (Infinity Entertainment Group.)
Katyn (2009 -- Polish)
Epic and sweeping drama that exposes an oft-overlooked moment in WWII
history, directed by 83 year-old Andrzej Wajda, Poland's most
celebrated filmmaker. The film is based on the novel by Andrzej
Mularcyk detailing Joseph Stalin's horrific 1940 liquidation of the
Polish officer corps in Katyn Forest. After the Nazis stormed into
Poland, Stalin ordered Russian soldiers into the country in order to
oversee the imprisonment of all Polish officers -- and their eventual
"liquidation." For decades the truth about the slaughter in the woods
was obfuscated due to post-war Poland's dependence on Russia, with the
Nazis often blamed for the atrocity. Yet, half a century later, in
1990, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev admitted his nation's
responsibility and, in this powerful and unforgettable film, Wajda
impressively recreates war-torn Poland and the compelling stories of
both the perpetrators and their victims -- one of whom happened to be
Wajda's cavalry officer father.
Extras: Interview with Wajda, interviews and reactions from the Polish premiere, photo gallery. (Koch Lorber Films).
The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle (2008)
Six episodes of the British series about a frank talk-show host
(Jennifer Saunders) who chews up her guests and spits them out -- all
in the name of therapy. Also stars Miranda Richardson. $24.98.
(BBC/Warner).
Lockup: Raw Season One
(2008) Two-disc set with 10 episodes, $19.95. (New Video).
London to Brighton (2008)
Lorraine Stanley, Johnny Harris, Claudie Blakley. Hard-hitting British
thriller. Kelly, a desperate prostitute, is bullied by her pimp into
finding an underage girl for a sadistic mobster. She discovers Joanne,
an 11-year-old runaway, who naively complies. But when the pedophile
turns violent, Kelly intervenes and everything goes horribly wrong. Extras: Deleted scenes, alternate ending, behind-the-scenes footage, commentary. (E1 Entertainment).
90210: The First Season
(2008-09) Six-disc set with 24 epiosdes, $49.99. (Paramount).
Paris 36
(2009 -- French) Gerard Jugnot, Nora Arnezeder, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad.
Extras: Commentary with writer-director Christophe
Barratier and actress Nora Arnezeder; "Nora Arnezeder: The Young
Revelation's Beautiful Adventure"; "Paris 36": Interviews with the
actors; "The Film Locations: Thomas Lautners's Making-of." (Sony).
Pulling: The Complete Second Season (2008)
One-night stands gone wrong, binge drinking, unplanned pregnancy, sex
under the influence, shoplifting -- these are just a few of the female
misadventures in a hilariously rude sitcom that has taken Britain by
storm and been called "the anti-'Sex In the City'." Soon to be adapted
for U.S. network TV. $24.98. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, more. (MPI Home Video).
Road Trip -- Beer Pong
(2009) Preston Jones, Michael Trotter, Daniel Newman. Three college
roommates join a bus full of models to compete in the ultimate sport
competition: the National Beer Pong Tournament, along the way meeting
up with a hitchhiking, gun toting beauty; a grandmother-mother-daughter
stripper squad; and the members of Chastity Until Marriage.
Direct-to-video. (Paramount).
Safehouse (2008) Thomas
Calabro, Robert Miano, Johnny Alonso. A former FBI agent comes out of
retirement to avenge the death of his ex-partner at the hands of a
diabolical madmen who's after a mysterious thumb drive. (MTI Home
Video).
Scooby-Doo Double Feature.
"Scooby-Do Meets Batman" and "Scooby-Doo Meets the Harlem Globetrotters," $14.97. (Warner).
17 Again
(2009) Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin. Extras:
"Zac Goes Back" featurette, "Going Back to 17" featurette, "Way Cool"
Tell All Trivia Track, "Breakin' Character" outtakes, "Zac's Dance
Flashback," deleted scenes, "Zac Attacks," "Tom Lennon & Melora
Hardin -- Unfiltered," digital copy. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (New Line).
Super Friends: The Lost Episodes.
Two-disc set with 24 lost DC Super Heroes episodes, $26.99. (Warner).
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 25th Anniversary Collection.
Four-disc set with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie" (1990),
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Secret of the Ooze" (1991), "Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Turtles in Time" (1993) and "TMNT" (2007). Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
The DVD collection ($32.92) comes in a cool tin travel case with four
Turtle masks and temporary tattoos; the Blu-ray set comes in a retro
pizza box package with an exclusive reproduction of "TMNT: The Movie"
comic book, an exclusive original sketch with creator Peter Laird's
autograph, collectible character cards and a TMNT beanie hat ($84.99).
(Warner).
The Tiger's Tail (2006)
Dir.: John Boorman; Brendan Gleeson, Kim Cattrall, Ciaran Hinds, Sinead
Cusack, Sean McGinley. In a society divided by "haves" and "have nots,"
wealthy Irish capitalist Liam O'Leary (Brendan Gleeson) has it all. But
now, Liam is being stalked by a menacing look-alike, intent on stealing
away everything he has: his job, his wife (Kim Cattrall), and his
sanity. As his perfect world comes crashing down, Liam must fight to
stay alive and uncover the shocking secret of his shadowy past before
it destroys him. (MGM).
The Trial and Triumph of the King of Pop. Documentary
explains some of the complexities in the life of musical icon Michael
Jackson. Examines (and goes behind the scenes of) the singer's trial on
child molestation charges and the subsequent not-guilty verdict.
Features appearances Kanye West, Jermaine Jackson, Tom Mesereau, Billy
Gibbons (ZZ Top), Jon Voight, Fantasia, Mo'Nique, Aphrodite Jones and
Linda Deutsch. (Rock City Entertainment/Elbow Grease Productions/MVD
Visual.
WWE: Summerslam -- The Complete Anthology, Vol. 3 1998-2002 and WWE: Summerslam -- The Complete Anthology, Vol. 3 2003-2007. For
20 years, World Wrestling Entertainment's signature event of the summer
has seen a number of memorable championship bouts and grudge matches.
Volume 3 includes such superstars of the "Attitude Era" as Edge,
Christian, the Dudley Boyz, The Rock, Booker T and others. Younger
stars rise to prominence in Volume 4, with "youngster" Randy Orton, the
Undertaker, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair as well as a dream match up between
Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels. $59.95. (WWE Home Video).
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@onvideo,org
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, August 4 -- Monday, August 10
Obsessed Derek Charles (Idris Elba), a successful asset
manager who has just received a huge promotion, is blissfully happy in
his career and in his marriage to the beautiful Sharon (Beyonce
Knowles). But when Lisa (Ali Larter), a temp worker, starts stalking
Derek, all the things he's worked so hard for are placed in jeopardy. Vitals: Director: Steve Shill. Stars: Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell, Christine Lahti.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 91 min., Drama, Box office gross: $67.637 million, Sony.
Race to Witch Mountain Walt Disney Pictures resurrects
one of their time-honored franchises with "Race to Witch Mountain," a
family film that tells the story of two children with psychic abilities
just trying to get back home. When a Las Vegas cab driver (Dwayne
Johnson) finds two teens (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) in his
cab, he doesn't believe their claim that they're aliens from another
planet ... until they use their fantastic powers. They need to get back
to their crashed spaceship at Witch Mountain to save the world from an
alien invasion. So the race begins, as the government, mobsters and
extraterrestrials try to stop them. The original 1975 "Escape to Witch
Mountain" was followed by the sequel "Return From Witch Mountain" as
well as a 1995 made-for-TV remake. Vitals:
Director: Andy Fickman. Stars: Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, Carla
Gugino, Ciaran Hinds, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott, Christopher
Marquette, Cheech Marin and Garry Marshall.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 99 min., Action, Box office gross: $65.814 million, Disney.
Soloist, The The true story of musical prodigy
Nathaniel Ayers, who developed schizophrenia in his second year at
Juilliard and ended up homeless on the streets of downtown L.A. Based
on the best-selling book by Los Angeles Times journalist Steve Lopez,
the film is a moving and emotional story of the transformative power of
friendship. When Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) discovers former classical
music prodigy Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie Foxx) playing his violin
on the streets of L.A., he endeavors to help the troubled genius find
his way back. The film revolves around the unique bond that forms
between the two men.
Vitals:Director: Joe Wright. Stars: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 116 min., Drama, Box office gross: $31.294 million, Paramount.
DVD Collectibles: "Icons of Screwball Comedy: Volume 1" from Sony are
two two-disc set with four classic screwball comedies each from the
'30s and '40s. The screwball comedy was virtually invented at Columbia
Studios during the height of the depression. Following the huge success
of Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night" (1934), Columbia would make
more of these madcap romantic comedies than any other studio. Typical
"screwballs" featured marital mix-ups and plenty of opportunities to
poke fun at the wealthy, while allowing audiences to dwell in the
luxury of the upper class. These films also offered some of the best
roles for actresses in this period, often playing working-girls in a
man's world (Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday") or socially liberal
gals battling restrictive upper-crust society (Katherine Hepburn in
"Holiday"). A breezy approach to male and female roles was a hallmark
of the screwball comedy. Volume 1 includes "If You Could Only Cook,"
"Too Many Husbands," "My Sister Eileen" and "She Wouldn't Say Yes";
Volume 2 includes "Theodora Goes Wild," "Together Again," "A Night to
Remember" and "The Doctor Takes a Wife"; $16.25 each set. More info on the titles.
Glowing Blu-ray:
Due this week: Cult film "Big Trouble in Little China," directed by
John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall, from Fox;
"Sling Blade Director's Cut," directed by and starring Billy Bob
Thornton, from Miramax; "The Waterboy" starring Adam Sandler, from
Disney; and "Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice," from MGM.
From TV to Video: "Agatha Christie's Marple, Series 4" (2008-09) is a
four-disc set with four gripping new adaptations of Christie mysteries,
starring Julia McKenzie, $59.99 from Acorn Media ... "Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season" is a two-disc set with 10 episodes, $29.98 from HBO Home Entertainment ... "Project Runway Season Five" (2008) is a four-disc set with eight extended episodes, $27.95 The Weinstein Co./Genius Products.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "Delgo" (2009) features the voices of Freddie Prinze
Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Chris Kattan, Kelly Ripa, Anne
Bancroft, Lou Gossett Jr. and Burt Reynolds in a direct-to-video
animated adventure about an unlikely hero and a spirited princess in
whose hands rest the fate of an ancient world; from Fox ... In "Demon Warriors"
(2008 -- Thailand), a police investigator learns of a group of
invincible warriors who must die and be resurrected to achieve
superpowers; he decides to infiltrate the group but becomes seduced by
his new powers and immortality; from Magnolia Home Entertainment ... "The 5 Deadly Venoms"
(1978 -- Hong Kong) is a martial arts masterpiece that inspired
generations of action films, rap music, and pop culture. The dying
master of the notorious Poison Clan assigns his final martial arts
student one last, epic quest -- find his five most mysterious and
dangerous disciples, each trained in a different fighting style, each
hiding under an assumed identity, and bring them together ... or bring
them to justice; from The Weinstein Co. Dragon Dynasty label/Genius
Products ... The survivors of a gruesome restaurant murder are left to
ponder their own mortality and how it relates to their connection to
society in "Fragments (Winged Creatures)"
(2008), starring Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Jeanne
Tripplehorn, Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson; from Sony ... Four
Hollywood kids get involved with an insane director as "stars/victims"
in his new breed of filmmaking, "Horror Reality," in "Hollywood Kills"
(2006), starring Dominic Keating, Happy Mahaney, Angela DiMarco, Mathew
Scollon, Gillian Shure and Zack Ward, from Osiris Entertainment ...
Set in the year 2707, "Mutant Chronicles"
(2009) revolves around the constant warfare on Earth between four super
corporations seeking to control the planet's dwindling resources. When
an ancient buried seal is destroyed during the battles, a horrific
mutant army is released, threatening human extinction. Stars Thomas
Jane, Ron Perlman, Devon Aoki, Sean Pertwee, Benno Furmann, Anna
Walton, Tom Wu, Steve Toussaint, Luis Echegaray and John Malkovich;
from Magnolia Home Entertainment ... In "Nature's Grave"
(2008), starring James Caviezel and Claudia Karvan, a couple take a
camping trip in the hopes putting the spark back into their
relationship but it quickly turns into a horrific battle for their
lives: They unknowingly stumble onto an untouched beach that doesn't
take kindly to human intruders; from Screen Media Films ... In "Wolfhound"
(2007 -- Russian), the last surviving member of a slaughtered tribe --
enslaved, left for dead, destined to become the world's most feared
warrior -- is consumed by a lifelong quest to avenge his family's
murder and is drawn into an all-out war to destroy a vicious monster
and save a nation; from The Weinstein Co./Genius Products.
For the Family: "The Tigger Movie 10th Anniversary" (2000) is a
two-disc set with digital copy of the animated adventure with such
extras as "King of the Beasties" and "Tigger's Houseguest" new-to-DVD
episodes from the TV series
"The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh"; "Your Heart Will Lead You
Home" Kenny Loggins music video; "Round My Family Tree" sing-along
song; "Tigger Movie" trivia game; "Thingamajigger" matching game;
"Round Your Family Tree"; and "Tigger Movie" DVD storybook; from Disney
... "VeggieTales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Noah's Umbrella"
(2009) is the latest adventure in the VeggieTales franchise. Minnesota
Cuke is on the search for Noah's famous ark when he learns of a
mysterious and powerful umbrella -- and a clever villain who wants it
for his own schemes. Will Minnesota have the confidence to face the
challenges and keep searching -- or will all hopes of finding the ark
be washed away for good? $14.99 from Big Idea ... "Dive Olly Dive! Ship Shape Sub,"
(2009) includes five episodes of the 3D-animated underwater adventure
series for preschoolers that airs daily on PBS Sprout; $12.99 from
NCircle Entertainment ... "Hippos and Rhinos"
features four kid-friendly programs -- "Jessica the Hippo," "There's a
Rhino In My House," "Saba and the Rhino's Secret" and "That's My Baby:
Cleo the Hippo" -- from Animal Planet; $14.95 from Genius Products ... "Kidwinks"
(2009) is a new speech-development series for children just learning to
speak or facing delayed speech and language development. The
live-action series is designed to stimulate children's interest and
increase their awareness of words and language by teaching through
short phrases, repetition, sign language, music and simple movements
Three 20-minute DVDs are now available: "Kidwinks: Farm," "Kidwinks:
Play" and "Kidwinks: Things That Go"; $14.95 each from KidwinksUSA.com
... "Looney Tunes Movie Collection: Daffy Duck's Quackbusters"
is a single disc with the 1988 feature-length "Daffy Duck's
Quackbusters" as well as shorts "Night of the Living Duck," "Daffy
Dilly," "The Prize Pest," "Water, Water Every Hare," "Hide and Go
Tweet," "Claws for Alarm," "The Duxorcist," "Transylvania 6-5000," "The
Abominable Snow Rabbit," "Punch Trunk" and "Jumpin' Jupiter"; $14.98
from Warner ... "Sid the Science Kid: The Bug Club" and "Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens"
(2009) each feature four episodes from the Parents Choice-recommended
PBS KIDS series that is co-produced by The Jim Henson Company and KCET
Los Angeles. Developed to inspire a lifelong curiosity and love for
learning in young children, "Sid the Science Kid" is designed to appeal
to preschoolers' instinctive quest to figure out how things work, using
humor and music as key teaching tools; $12.98 from NCircle
Entertainment.
Special Interest:
Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances
"Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances"
showcases Elvis' unforgettable first three performances on the Ed
Sullivan Show. Appearing on the show Sept. 9, 1956, Elvis sent shock
waves through a repressed nation with his soulful singing, wild hip
gyrations and raw energy, attracting a record-breaking TV audience of
more than 60 million. Presley returned on Oct. 28, 1956, continuing to
provoke ecstatic screams with hits such as "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me
Tender" and "Hound Dog." In fact, these exhilarating performances were
so explosive that Elvis was filmed above the waist during his final
Sullivan show appearance on January 6, 1957; from Image Entertainment.
Agatha Christie's Marple, Series 4
(2008-09) Four-disc set with four gripping new adaptations of Christie
mysteries, starring Julia McKenzie, $59.99. (Acorn Media).
Delgo (2009) Voices of
Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Val Kilmer, Chris Kattan,
Kelly Ripa, Anne Bancroft, Lou Gossett Jr., Burt Reynolds.
Direct-to-video animated adventure. The land of Jhamora is torn apart
by the mutual prejudice of two peoples -- the winged Nohrin, masters of
the skies, and the terrestrial Lockni, who harness the mystical powers
of the land. When Delgo (Prinze Jr.), a reckless Lockni teenager, forms
a forbidden friendship with the spunky Nohrin Princess Kyla (Hewitt),
hostilities between the two peoples escalate, setting the stage for an
exiled Empress (Bancroft) to exact her revenge and reclaim her rule. Extras: Commentary by the directors, featurettes, behind-the-scenes documentary, "Sounds of Delgo,"
"Meet the Characters," "See the Creatures," award-winning animated short: "Chroma Chameleon," deleted scenes. (Fox).
Demon Warriors
(2008 -- Thailand) A police investigator learns of a group of
invincible warriors who must die and be resurrected to achieve
superpowers; he decides to infiltrate the group but becomes seduced by
his new powers and immortality. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Dive Olly Dive! Ship Shape Sub (2009)
Five episodes of the 3D-animated underwater adventure series for
preschoolers that airs daily on PBS Sprout; $12.99. (NCircle
Entertainment).
Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Performances. Elvis'
unforgettable first three performances on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Appearing on the show Sept. 9, 1956, Elvis sent shock waves through a
repressed nation with his soulful singing, wild hip gyrations and raw
energy, attracting a record-breaking TV audience of more than 60
million. Presley returned on Oct. 28, 1956, continuing to provoke
ecstatic screams with hits such as "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender"
and "Hound Dog." In fact, these exhilarating performances were so
explosive that Elvis was filmed above the waist during his final
Sullivan show appearance on January 6, 1957. Extras:
A rare home movie capturing a very early Elvis performance, shot on
August 7, 1955, at Magnolia Gardens near Houston, Texas; "Elvis and Ed
remembered, Elvis Is on His Way!" Ed Sullivan Show clips; home movies
of Elvis and Priscilla, Elvis and his friends cutting up on a film set
and some of the first shots of daughter Lisa Marie; collectible booklet
featuring liner notes by Griel Marcus. (Image Entertainment).
The 5 Deadly Venoms (1978
-- Hong Kong) Philip Kwok. Martial arts masterpiece that inspired
generations of action films, rap music, and pop culture. The dying
master of the notorious Poison Clan assigns his final martial arts
student one last, epic quest -- find his five most mysterious and
dangerous disciples, each trained in a different fighting style, each
hiding under an assumed identity, and bring them together ... or bring
them to justice. Extras: Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema expert Bey Logan. (The Weinstein Co. Dragon Dynasty label/Genius Products).
Fragments (Winged Creatures)
(2008) Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Fanning, Guy Pearce, Jeanne Tripplehorn,
Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson. In the aftermath of a gruesome
restaurant murder, the survivors of the attack are left to ponder their
own mortality and how it relates to their connection to society. Extras: Commentary. (Sony).
Flight of the Conchords: The Complete Second Season.
Two-disc set with 10 episodes, $29.98. Extras: Deleted scenes, featurette. (HBO Home Entertainment).
Hippos and Rhinos.
Four kid-friendly programs -- "Jessica the Hippo," "There's a Rhino In
My House," "Saba and the Rhino's Secret" and "That's My Baby: Cleo the
Hippo" -- from Animal Planet; $14.95.(Genius Products).
Hollywood Kills (2006)
Dominic Keating, Happy Mahaney, Angela DiMarco, Mathew Scollon, Gillian
Shure, Zack Ward. Four Hollywood kids get involved with an insane
director as "stars/victims" in his new breed of filmmaking, "Horror
Reality." (Osiris Entertainment).
Icons of Screwball Comedy: Volume 1.
Two-disc set with four classic screwball comedies from the '30s and
'40s: "If You Could Only Cook," "Too Many Husbands," "My Sister Eileen"
and "She Wouldn't Say Yes"; $16.25. Extras: "Ain't Love Cuckoo?" (1946) short screwball comedy. More info on the titles. (Sony).
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@onvideo,org
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
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, July 28 -- Monday, August 4
Fast & Furious
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for
the ultimate chapter of the blockbuster street racing franchise.
Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle
Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, blasting through Los Angeles and into
the Mexican desert in muscle, tuner and exotic cars.
When tragedy returns fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Diesel) to Los
Angeles, his long dormant feud with FBI agent Brian O'Conner (Walker)
threatens to reignite -- until they discover a common enemy: a heroin
drug lord moving goods through the Southland. Dom and Brian declare a
precarious truce as they try to outmaneuver their adversary and exact
revenge. From convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across
international lines, the two men push the limits of what is possible
behind the wheel as they live for speed, drive for the rush and break
all the rules.
Vitals: Director: Justin
Lin. Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle
Rodriguez, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso, Sung Kang, Tego Calderon, Don Omar. 2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 107 min. Action, Box office gross: $154.882 million, Universal.
Dragonball Evolution: Z Edition
Adapted from the manga
created by Akira Toriyama. Based on one of the most popular Japanese
manga series of all time, "Dragonball: Evolution" follows a young
warrior on an epic adventure to discover his destiny ... and save the
world from the forces of darkness. For his 18th birthday, mild-mannered
humanoid alien Goku is given a mystical Dragonball, one of only seven
in existence, which combine to grant a perfect wish to whoever
possesses them. But an ancient warlord named Piccolo has escaped
eternal imprisonment and is on his own quest to gather the Dragonballs.
Goku must enlist the help of his friends -- and the power of his
evolving martial arts skills -- to defeat Piccolo before it's too late.
Vitals: Director: James
Wong. Stars: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum,
Eriko Tamura, Joon Park, Chow Yun-Fat, Texas Battle, Ernie Hudson.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 84 min., Fantasy Action, Box office gross: $9.313 million, Fox.
Miss March
Seeking to end their virginity, Eugene and
his girlfriend Cindi plan to have sex on prom night, but Eugene falls
down a flight of stairs and lands in the hospital in a coma. He wakes
up four years later to discover that his once innocent high school
sweetheart has become a Playboy Playmate. Together with his best friend
Tucker, the hapless virgin embarks on a cross-country road trip to win
back his ex by crashing a party at the legendary Playboy Mansion.
Vitals: Director: Zach
Cregger, Trevor Moore. Stars: Zach Cregger, Trevor Moore, Raquel
Alessi, Molly Stanton, Holly Hindman, Craig Robinson, Alexis Raben,
Tanjareen Martin2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 89 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $4.542 million, Fox.
DVD Collectibles:
The Criterion Collection brings to DVD and Blu-ray this week one of the benchmarks of 1960s cinema, "Repulsion"
(1965). Director Roman Polanski followed up his international
breakthrough "Knife in the Water" with this controversial, chilling
tale of psychosis, starring Catherine Deneuve as Carole, a fragile,
frigid young beauty cracking up over the course of a terrifying
weekend. Left alone by her vacationing sister in their London flat,
Carole is haunted by specters real and imagined, and her insanity grows
to a violent pitch. Thanks to its unforgettable attention to disturbing
detail and Polanski's unparalleled adeptness at turning claustrophobic
space into an emotional minefield, "Repulsion" remains one of cinema's
most shocking psychological thrillers. In a new, restored
high-definition digital transfer with commentary by Polanski and
Deneuve; "A British Horror Film" (2003), a documentary on the making of
"Repulsion"; a 1964 television documentary filmed on the set of
"Repulsion," featuring rare footage of Polanski and Deneuve at work;
and a booklet featuring an essay by film scholar and curator Bill
Horrigan.
"Inglorious Bastards" (1978) is the
film that inspired Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds," starring
Brad Pitt, due this August. A gang of condemned criminals escape from
an Allied prison convoy with a plan to blast their way to the Swiss
border, only to find themselves "volunteering" for a suicide mission
deep inside Nazi-occupied France. Stars Bo Svenson, Fred Williamson and
Ian Bannen. Extras include "A Conversation With Quentin Tarantino &
(the original's director) Enzo Castellari." From Severin Films ... "Battlestar Galactica Season 4.5
(2009) is a four-disc set with the last 10 episodes of the spectacular
science fiction series that proved that intelligent writing could
co-exist with special effects; extras include three extended episodes
of the series finale; "What the Frak is Going On With Battlestar
Galactica?" recap of "Battlestar Galactica's" first three seasons -- in
only eight minutes; "And They Have a Plan": What do they mean every
episode when the opening sequence on the Cylons states "And They Have a
Plan?"; "The Journey Ends: The Arrival" featurette; and much more. DVD:
$49.98, Blu-ray Disc: $69.98, from Universal. And then there's the
ultimate: "Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series," a 25-disc set for the completest; DVD: $279.98; Blu-ray Disc: $349.98; from Universal.
Glowing Blu-ray:
Blu-ray highlight of the week is "A River Runs Through It" (1992), the
beautiful and moving family drama set against a background of fly
fishing and the Montana wilderness, directed by Robert Redford and
starring Craig Sheffer, Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, Brenda Blethyn and
Emily Lloyd, from Sony.
From TV to Video: "Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead" (2009) is the latest
Doctor Who outing: When a London bus travels through a worm-hole to an
alien world, the Doctor (David Tennant) must join forces with the
extraordinary Lady Christina to help the unfortunate passengers, and
themselves, get back home; $14.98 from BBC Video/Warner ...
"Dollhouse Season One" (2009) is a three-disc set with all 12 episodes of the series; $49.98 from Fox ... "The Donna Reed Show: Season Two" (1959-60) is a four-disc set with 38 episodes; $39.95 from Virgil Films Entertainment ... "Knight Rider (2008): Season One" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 17 episodes; $59.98 from Universal ... "The Middleman: The Complete Series "
(2008) is a four-disc set with 12 episodes; $34.99 from Shout! Factory ... Monty Python star Terry Jones presents "The Terry Jones Collection"
(2008), an award-winning documentary series featuring ancient
inventions, the surprising history of sex and love, and the hidden
histories of Egypt and Rome, in a two-disc set from Microcinema ... "Torchwood: Children of Earth" (2009) is an all-new five-part series, $29.98 from BBC Video/Warner.
Buzzin' the 'B's: "Angel of Death" (2009) stars Zoe Bell, Lucy Lawless,
Doug Jones and Ted Raimi in the uncut feature-length movie of
Crackle.com's dark and gritty internet series about a cold-blooded
assassin, employed by a ruthless crime family, who suffers severe head
trauma on the job, begins to hallucinate, and becomes haunted by her
victims; from Sony ... In "The Fifth Commandment"
(2008), starring Rick Yune, Keith David, Bokeem Woodbine and Dania
Ramirez, an elite assassin is contracted to eliminate a gorgeous pop
star, whom his long-lost brother is assigned to protect. Refusing the
job, the assassin joins forces with his sibling to battle a ferocious
cartel that will use any means necessary to destroy them; from Sony ...
In "Streets of Blood" (2009), starring Val Kilmer,
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Sharon Stone and Michael Biehn, the
devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina sparks an investigation into
the criminal underworld in New Orleans, where crime and corruption are
about to go to all new levels of depravity; from Anchor Bay
Entertainment ... "Dragon Hunter" (2008) is a sci-fi
fantasy adventure in which two orphaned brothers leave their ravaged
village to seek the land of Ocard to train to become dragon hunters,
starring Isaac Singleton Jr., Orlando Seale, Kelly Stable, Maclain
Nelson; from Monarch Home Video ... In "Bart Got a Room"
(2008), starring William H. Macy, Cheryl Hines, Jennifer Tilly, Alia
Shawkat and Steven Kaplan, a high school student goes on a desperate
quest to find a prom date and becomes progressively more pathetic once
he learns that Bart, the school's biggest dweeb, has not only secured a
date for the prom, but has a hotel room as well; from Anchor Bay
Entertainment.
On the Indie Front: "Guns on the Clackamas" (1995) is
cartoonist Bill Plympton's second live-action feature, a
behind-the-scenes look at an imaginary disastrous Western. A notable
documentary filmmaker is trying to make a behind-the-scenes movie about
the making of the Western "Guns on the Clackamas." But everything is
going wrong and when cast members start dropping like flies due to
accidents on the set and some really bad catering, the filmmakers must
resort to solutions that are startling and hilarious. Plympton said the
idea came from the 1937 movie "Saratoga," in which star Jean Harlow
died during the filming and a stand-in was used to finish: Every time
Harlow was in a scene, a box or something blocked the view. Available
from Plymptoons.com.
For the Family:
Just in time to help kids sharpen their brainpower for school in the fall, Scholastic Storybook Treasures presents "Chicka Chicka 123 ... And More Counting Fun"
(2009), a unique DVD exploring the magical world of numbers in a
colorful, animated and engaging production; $14.95 from Scholastic
Storybook Treasures ... "Super Why! Jack and the Beanstalk & Other Fairytale Adventures"
(2008) includes four episodes of the PBS KIDS superhero series that
helps children ages 3-6 learn to read through interactive storybook
adventures. Explores classic fairytales "Jack and the Beanstalk,"
"Princess and the Pea," "The Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding
Hood" with a modern twist; $14.99 from PBS KIDS/Paramount ... "Robby the Blue Koala Rides the Discovery Express"
(2008) is an animated adventure for ages 2 to 5 in which Robby the blue
koala guides kids on a train ride of discovery to Shapetown,
Colorville, and the Animal City, along the way learning about colors,
shapes, animal sounds, body parts, healthy eating, exercise, counting
to 10, saying please, and opposites; available for $12.99 from Gift of Happiness.com.
... "The Spectacular Spider-Man: The Complete First Season"
(2008) is a two-disc set with 13 episodes; $28.96 from Sony ... "Green Lantern: First Flight"
(2008) features the voices of Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, Tricia
Helfer and Michael Madsen in an animated feature of the DC Comics hero;
from Warner.
Special Interest: All things British:"Touch of Frost: Season 14"
(2009) is a two-disc set with three episodes of British television's
Detective Inspector William "Jack" Frost, a moody, rule-breaking
"street copper": "Mind Games," "Dead End" and "In the Public Interest";
$34.98 from MPI Home Video ... "Armchair Thriller, Set 1"
features four multi-episode psychological thrillers from the classic
1980s suspense series with top-notch British actors including Ian
McKellen, John Shrapnel and James Bolam; $59.99 from Acorn Media ... "Doc Martin, Series 2"
(2006) is a three-disc set with nine episodes of the British series
about a hotshot London surgeon who develops a crippling fear of blood
and is forced to give up surgery and relocate to the sleepy,
picturesque seaside village of his youth; $49.99 from Acorn Media ... "Agatha Christie: Poirot & Marple" is a 17-disc set with 21 spine-tingling murder mysteries, $134.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Life on Mars, Series 1"
is the award-winning, original U.K. police drama with a twist: Hot on a
killer's trail in modern-day Manchester, police detective Sam Tyler
gets struck by a passing car and wakes up in 1973. Is he mad, in a
coma, or back in time? Whatever the answers, he still has crimes to
solve, albeit with low-tech, highly aggressive 1970s methods. He finds
himself working on a homicide squad where hard drinking replaces hard
thinking; forensics takes weeks to analyze; and his boss, DCI Gene Hunt
has no qualms about roughing up suspects -- or Sam himself. The
original U.K. series aired on BBC One for two series (2006-2007); ABC
remade it for the 2008-2009 season starring Jason O'Mara and Harvey
Keitel; four-disc set with eight episodes, $59.99 from Acorn Media.
Laugh tracks:"Jim Breuer: Let's Clear The Air" (2009) is a Comedy Central stand up concert with Breuer; from Paramount ... In the four-disc set "Comic Legends"
(2008) five American comedy giants are seen in their prime as well as
in their formative years: "Dick Van Dyke: In Rare Form," "Phyllis
Diller: Not Just a Pretty Face," "Tim Conway: Timeless Comedy" and
"Redd Foxx & Groucho Marx"; $19.98 from MPI Home Video ... From
2004-2008, cartoonist Bill Plympton had an unparalleled string of hit
films. Featured in "Bill Plympton's Dog Days" are the
best of this golden age, including the celebrated dog trilogy ("Guard
Dog", "Guide Dog" and "Hot Dog") and a number of rare and seldom seen
films, such as "The Fan and the Flower," "Shuteye Hotel," "Santa, The
Fascist Years" and a controversial experimental film "Spiral." $24.95
from Plymptoons.com.
On the fringe: Is it possible that
intelligent life forms visited Earth thousands of years ago, bringing
with them technology that drastically affected the course of history
and man's own development? The top-rated History Channel special "Ancient Aliens"
(2009) explores evidence of super-human influences on ancient man and
embarks on a round-the-world search for answers; $19.95 from A&E
Home Entertainment ... Aleister Crowley, self proclaimed "The Great
Beast" and known by the press as "The Wickedest Man in the World" was
perhaps the most controversial and notorious individual in British
history -- if not the entire 20th century. "In Search of the Great Beast 666"
(2009) dramatically documents the chilling life, impulses and journey
of Crowley (1875-1947), unearthing the barely believable and shocking
facts surrounding this infamous occultist, spy, poet, dark magician,
hedonist, writer and accomplished mountaineer; $19.95 from The
Disinformation Company.
Crooks:"The Mafia"
(2009) is a four-disc set of the History Channel series that takes a
comprehensive, cold-blooded look at organized crime in the 20th
century, from prohibition to WWII and the Cold War, to JFK's presidency
and John Gotti; $34.95 from A&E Home Entertainment ... "Ripped Off: Madoff and the Scamming of America"
(2009) is a History Channel documentary that looks at the monetary
chaos brought about by Bernie Madoff, a popular and trusted investor
from middle-class Queens, New York -- and alleged Ponzi schemer -- and
his $65 billion scam, from its humble beginnings to its stunning
downfall; $19.95 from A&E Home Entertainment.
Misc:"Liberace: Greatest Songs" (2009) is a two-disc set of performances from the 1950s "The Liberace Show"; $24.98 from MPI Home Video ... "Star-ving: The Complete First Season"
(2009) is the Raunchy online "reality" series from Crackle.com that
stars Corin Nemec and David Faustino in an ANTI-"Entourage" outing;
$19.94 from Sony.
First Look at Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland": We got an advance copy of the teaser trailer for Tim Burton's "Alice in
Wonderland," a visonary voyage into Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures
in Wonderland" (1865) and "Through the Looking-Glass" (1871), starring
Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt
Lucas, Marton Csokas, Tim Pigott-Smith, Lindsay Duncan, Geraldine
James, Leo Bill, Jemma Powell, Mairi Ella Challen and Mia Wasikowska as
Alice. Due March 5, 2010, in digital 3-D, from Walt Disney. See it here.
Agatha Christie: Poirot & Marple.
Seventeen-disc set with 21 spine-tingling murder mysteries, $134.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Ancient Aliens
(2009) Is it possible that intelligent life forms visited Earth
thousands of years ago, bringing with them technology that drastically
affected the course of history and man's own development? This
top-rated History Channel special explores evidence of super-human
influences on ancient man and embarks on a round-the-world search for
answers. $19.95. (A&E Home Entertainment).
Angel of Death (2009) Zoe
Bell, Lucy Lawless, Doug Jones, Ted Raimi. Uncut feature-length movie
of Crackle.com's dark and gritty internet series about a cold-blooded
assassin, employed by a ruthless crime family, who suffers severe head
trauma on the job, begins to hallucinate, and becomes haunted by her
victims. She's driven to seek revenge on those who originally ordered
the hits -- her mob employers. The film makes its broadcast debut on
Spike TV July 25. Extras:
Commentary by creator Ed Brubaker and star Zoe Bell, making-of
featurette, "Casting an Angel: Zoe Bell as Eve," "Writing, Ed Brubaker
Style," "Behind the Stunts," Zoe Bell's screen test, "Eve's Tips for
Killing." (Sony).
Armchair Thriller, Set 1
. Classic 1980s suspense series with top-notch British actors including
Ian McKellen, John Shrapnel and James Bolam. Featuring sophisticated
suspense, strong writing, and dramatic cliffhangers, these four
multi-episode psychological thrillers are cult classics. Four-disc set,
$59.99. (Acorn Media).
Bart Got a Room (2008)
William H. Macy, Cheryl Hines, Jennifer Tilly, Alia Shawkat, Steven
Kaplan. A high school student goes on a desperate quest to find a prom
date and becomes progressively more pathetic once he learns that Bart,
the school's biggest dweeb, has not only secured a date for the prom,
but has a hotel room as well. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Battlestar Galactica Season 4.5 (2009) Four-disc set with the last 10 episodes, Extras:
Three extended episodes of the series finale; "Evolution Of A Cue":
Composer Bear McCreary goes step-by-step through his process of
creating the music of "Battlestar Galactica"; "What the Frak is Going
On With Battlestar Galactica?" recap of "Battlestar Galactica's" first
three thrilling seasons -- in only eight minutes; "And They Have a
Plan": What do they mean every episode when the opening sequence on the
Cylons states "And They Have a Plan?"; "The Journey Ends: The Arrival"
featurette; "A Look Back" six-part retrospective with filmmakers, cast
and crew; commentaries by Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, And Edward James
Olmos; Ronald d. Moore's podcast commentaries; David Eick's video
blogs; deleted scenes. DVD: $49.98, Blu-ray Disc: $69.98. (Universal).
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series.
Twenty-five disc set for the completist. DVD: $279.98; Blu-ray Disc: $349.98. (Universal).
Bill Plympton's Dog Days.
From 2004-2008, cartoonist Bill Plympton had an unparalleled string of
hit films. Featured here are the best of this golden age, including the
celebrated dog trilogy ("Guard Dog", "Guide Dog" and "Hot Dog") and a
number of rare and seldom seen films, such as "The Fan and the Flower,"
"Shuteye Hotel," "Santa, The Fascist Years" and a controversial
experimental film "Spiral." $24.95 from Plymptoons.com.
Chicka Chicka 123 ... And More Counting Fun
(2009) Just in time to help kids sharpen their brainpower for school,
Scholastic Storybook Treasures presents this unique DVD exploring the
magical world of numbers in a colorful, animated and engaging
production. The lead story, "Chicka Chicka 123," has been adapted from
Bill Martin Jr.'s award-winning and best-selling book. When 101 numbers
race each other up the apple tree, bad bumblebees come buzzing. Which
number will save the day? The DVD also features three other stories
celebrating the fun of numbers: "Emily's First 100 Days of School,"
"How Much is a Million?" and "If You Made a Million." $14.95.
(Scholastic Storybook Treasures).
Comic Legends (2008) Five
American comedy giants are seen in their prime as well as in their
formative years in this four-disc set: "Dick Van Dyke: In Rare Form,"
"Phyllis Diller: Not Just a Pretty Face," "Tim Conway: Timeless Comedy"
and "Redd Foxx & Groucho Marx," $19.98. (MPI Home Video).
Doc Martin, Series 2 (2006)
Three-disc set with nine episodes of the British series about a hotshot
London surgeon who develops a crippling fear of blood and is forced to
give up surgery and relocate to the sleepy, picturesque seaside village
of his youth; $49.99. (Acorn Media).
Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead (2009)
When a London bus travels through a worm-hole to an alien world, the
Doctor (David Tennant) must join forces with the extraordinary Lady
Christina to help the unfortunate passengers, and themselves, get back
home. But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets. $14.98. Extras: "Dr. Who Confidential." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (BBC Video/Warner).
Dollhouse Season One
(2009) Three-disc set with all 12 episodes, $49.98. Extras:
Never-before-seen standalone episode "Epitaph One," the original
unaired pilot "Echo," deleted scenes, seven making-of featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
The Donna Reed Show: Season Two
(1959-60) Four-disc set with 38 episodes, $39.95. (Virgil Films Entertainment).
Dragonball Evolution Z Edition
(2009) Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Eriko
Tamura, Joon Park, Chow Yun-Fat, Texas Battle, Ernie Hudson Extras: Digital copy, eight deleted scenes, featurettes, gag reels, scavenger hunt game, music video, more. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Dragon Hunter
(2008) Isaac Singleton Jr., Orlando Seale, Kelly Stable, Maclain
Nelson. Sci-fi fantasy adventure in which two orphaned brothers leave
their ravaged village to seek the land of Ocard to train to become
dragon hunters. (Monarch Home Video).
Green Lantern: First Flight
(2008) Voices of Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, Tricia Helfer, Michael Madsen. Animated feature of the DC Comics hero. Available as a single-disc DVD, two-disc special edition, and Blu-ray Disc.Extras: Bonus features, digital copy. (Warner)
Fast & Furious (2009)
Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, John
Ortiz, Laz Alonso, Sung Kang, Tego Calderon, Don Omar. Available as a two-disc Blu-ray set, a two-disc Special Edition DVD, a single-disc DVD and as a download-to-own. Extras: DVD: Filmmaker commentary, gag reel and outtakes. Extras: Special Edition:
"Los Bandoleros" original short film that provides character backstory;
"Under the Hood: Muscle Cars" featurette looks at some of the muscle
cars in the film including the return of Vin Diesel's iconic Charger;
"Under the Hood: Imports"; "Getting the Gang Back Together" featurette;
"Driving School With Vin Diesel"; "Shooting the Big Rig Heist"; "Races
and Chases"; "High Octane Action: The Stunts"; "South of the Border:
Filming in Mexico"; trailers from all four "Fast and Furious" films;
"Blanco" music video by Pitbull featuring Pharrell; gag reel and
outtakes; filmmaker commentary; digital copy. Extras: Blu-ray:
All of the above plus: "U-Control" feature that lets viewers access
bonus materials without leaving the movie; "Take Control": Paul Walker
and Justin Lin take control of the viewing experience in this unique
feature, offering a personal visual commentary by engaging with select
scenes of the film to reveal details of the filmmaking process;
"Virtual Car Garage and Tech Specs" allows viewers to view specs on a
particular car, go to the garage where they can browse the vehicles up
close, and even build their own custom-made car to share with the
BD-Live community; BD-LIVE interactive features including "Fast &
Furious Video Mash-Up," "My Scenes Sharing," "My Chat" and "My Fast
& Furious" Commentary. (Universal).
The Fifth Commandment
(2008) Rick Yune, Keith David, Bokeem Woodbine, Dania Ramirez. An elite
assassin is contracted to eliminate a gorgeous pop star, whom his
long-lost brother is assigned to protect. Refusing the job, the
assassin joins forces with his sibling to battle a ferocious cartel
that will use any means necessary to destroy them. Extras: "Creating The Fifth Commandment" featurette, "The Stunts of The Fifth Commandment" featurette. (Sony).
Guns on the Clackamas
(1995) Cartoonist Bill Plympton's second live-action feature, a
behind-the-scenes look at an imaginary disastrous Western. A notable
documentary filmmaker is trying to make a behind-the-scenes movie about
the making of the Western "Guns on the Clackamas." But everything is
going wrong and when cast members start dropping like flies due to
accidents on the set and some really bad catering, the filmmakers must
resort to solutions that are startling and hilarious. Plympton said the
idea came from the 1937 movie "Saratoga," in which star Jean Harlow
died during the filming and a stand-in was used to finish: Every time
Harlow was in a scene, a box or something blocked the view. Available
from Plymptoons.com.
In Search of the Great Beast 666
(2009) Aleister Crowley, self proclaimed "The Great Beast" and known by
the press as "The Wickedest Man in the World" was perhaps the most
controversial and notorious individual in British history -- if not the
entire 20th century. This film dramatically documents the chilling
life, impulses and journey of Crowley (1875-1947), a man who was voted
in a BBC poll to be one of the most influential Britons of all time.
This documentary unearths the barely believable and shocking facts
surrounding this infamous occultist, spy, poet, dark magician,
hedonist, writer and accomplished mountaineer. Under various guises and
camouflaged by pseudonyms, Crowley travelled the world in his quest for
supreme knowledge and ultimate power through the occult. He reveled in
what some describe as acts of sexual decadence yet recognized by others
as extreme depravity. And his influence on modern culture is evident
yet his reputation remains shrouded in a veil of infamy. Was he related
to U.S. President George Bush? And how was he connected to Scientology,
Jack the Ripper, Winston Churchill, Hitler and Ian Fleming (creator of
James Bond)? $19.95 (The Disinformation Company).
Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Inglorious Bastards (1978)
The original film that inspired Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious
Basterds," starring Brad Pitt, due this August. Bo Svenson, Fred
Williamson, Ian Bannen. A gang of condemned criminals escape from an
Allied prison convoy with a plan to blast their way to the Swiss
border, only to find themselves 'volunteering' for a suicide mission
deep inside Nazi-occupied France. Extras: "A Conversation With Quentin Tarantino & (the original's director) Enzo Castellari." Also available on Blu-ray Disc,
with such extras as "Inglorious Reunion At The New Beverly," "Enzo's
70th Birthday Party in L.A.," making-of documentary "Train Kept
A-Rollin," commentary, more. (Severin Films).
Jim Breuer: Let's Clear The Air (2009)
Comedy Central stand up concert with Jim Breuer. Breuer joined NBC's
"Saturday Night Live" in 1995; since then he went on to star in several
movies, toured the country with his "Heavy Metal Man" and "Family Man"
comedy tours, and hosts a daily radio show. Extras: "Photo Shoot" and "Fireside Chat With Dad." (Paramount).
Knight Rider (2008): Season One
(2008-09) Four-disc set with 17 episodes, $59.98. Extras:
"The Icon Reborn," "K.I.T.T. -- From 2000 to 3000," "Knight Rider --
Legacy," commentary by executive producer David Bartis and stars Justin
Bruening and Deanna Russo. (Universal).
Liberace: Greatest Songs
(2009) Two-disc set of performances from the 1950s "The Liberace Show," $24.98. (MPI Home Video).
Life on Mars, Series 1. Award-winning,
original U.K. police drama with a twist. Hot on a killer's trail in
modern-day Manchester, police detective Sam Tyler gets struck by a
passing car and wakes up in 1973. Is he mad, in a coma, or back in
time? Whatever the answers, he still has crimes to solve, albeit with
low-tech, highly aggressive 1970s methods. He finds himself working on
a homicide squad where hard drinking replaces hard thinking; forensics
takes weeks to analyze; and his boss, DCI Gene Hunt has no qualms about
roughing up suspects -- or Sam himself. The original U.K. series aired
on BBC One for two series (2006-2007); ABC remade it for the 2008-2009
season starring Jason O'Mara and Harvey Keitel. Extras:
Commentaries; "Take a Look at the Lawman," an hour-long documentary
with cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage; interview
clip with director Bharat Nalluri; "The Music of Life on Mars"
featurette; "Get Sykes" featurette with the series' production designer
Brian Sykes; outtakes reel. Four-disc set with eight episodes, $59.99.
(Acorn Media).
The Mafia (2009) Four-disc
set of the History Channel series that takes a cold-blooded look at
organized crime in the 20th century, from prohibition to WWII and the
Cold War, to JFK's presidency and John Gotti. $34.95. (A&E Home
Entertainment).
The Middleman: The Complete Series
(2008) Four-disc set with 12 episodes, $34.99. Extras:
Commentaries by the cast and crew, alternate scenes, Web featurettes,
gag reel, audition footage, The complete "The Palindrome Reversal
Palindrome" table read, gallery of photography by Ralph King, more.
(Shout! Factory).
Miss March (2009) Zach
Cregger, Trevor Moore, Raquel Alessi, Molly Stanton, Holly Hindman,
Craig Robinson, Alexis Raben, Tanjareen Martin. Theatrical and unrated
version of the film. Extras: Viral videos, auditions, "Down & Dirty" music featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Repulsion
(1965) Dir.: Roman Polanski; Catherine Deneuve. Roman Polanski followed
up his international breakthrough "Knife in the Water" with this
controversial, chilling tale of psychosis, starring Catherine Deneuve
as Carole, a fragile, frigid young beauty cracking up over the course
of a terrifying weekend. Left alone by her vacationing sister in their
London flat, Carole is haunted by specters real and imagined, and her
insanity grows to a violent pitch. Thanks to its unforgettable
attention to disturbing detail and Polanski's unparalleled adeptness at
turning claustrophobic space into an emotional minefield, "Repulsion"
remains one of cinema's most shocking psychological thrillers. New,
restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
Commentary by Polanski and Deneuve; "A British Horror Film" (2003), a
documentary on the making of "Repulsion," featuring interviews with
Polanski, producer Gene Gutowski, and cinematographer Gil Taylor; a
1964 television documentary filmed on the set of "Repulsion," featuring
rare footage of Polanski and Deneuve at work; booklet featuring an
essay by film scholar and curator Bill Horrigan.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
Ripped Off: Madoff and the Scamming of America (2009)
History Channel documentary looks at the monetary chaos brought about
by Bernie Madoff, a popular and trusted investor from middle-class
Queens, New York -- and alleged Ponzi schemer -- and his $65 billion
scam, from its humble beginnings to its stunning downfall; $19.95.
(A&E Home Entertainment).
Robby the Blue Koala Rides the Discovery Express (2008)
Animated adventure for ages 2 to 5. Robby the blue koala guides kids on
a train ride of discovery to Shapetown, Colorville, and the Animal
City, along the way learning about colors, shapes, animal sounds, body
parts, healthy eating, exercise, counting to 10, saying please, and
opposites. Available for $12.99 from Gift of Happiness.com.
The Spectacular Spider-Man: The Complete First Season
(2008) Two-disc set with 13 episodes, $28.96. Extras: Two behind-the-scenes featurette. (Sony).
Star-ving: The Complete First Season
(2009) Raunchy online "reality" series from Crackle.com stars Corin
Nemec and David Faustino in an ANTI-"Entourage" outing, $19.94.
Released July 23. (Sony).
Streets of Blood (2009)
Val Kilmer, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Sharon Stone, Michael Biehn. The
devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina sparks an investigation into
the criminal underworld in New Orleans, where crime and corruption are
about to go to all new levels of depravity. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Super Why! Jack and the Beanstalk & Other Fairytale Adventures (2008)
Four episodes of the PBS KIDS superhero series that helps children ages
3-6 learn to read through interactive storybook adventures. Explores
classic fairytales "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Princess and the Pea,"
"The Three Little Pigs" and "Little Red Riding Hood" with a modern
twist. $14.99. Extras: Interactive games, music videos, printable activities and coloring pages, resources for parents. (PBS KIDS/Paramount).
The Terry Jones Collection
(2008) Monty Python star Terry Jones presents this award-winning
documentary series, featuring ancient inventions, the surprising
history of sex and love and the hidden histories of Egypt and Rome.
Two-disc set. (Microcinema).
Torchwood: Children of Earth
(2009) All-new five-part series, $29.98. (BBC Video/Warner).
Touch of Frost: Season 14 (2009)
Two-disc set with three episodes of British television's Detective
Inspector William "Jack" Frost, a moody, rule-breaking "street copper":
"Mind Games," "Dead End" and "In the Public Interest"; $34.98. (MPI
Home Video).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, July 21 -- Monday, July 27
Coraline Based on Neil Gaiman's international
best-selling book, "Coraline" is the story of a young girl (voiced by
Dakota Fanning) who unlocks a mysterious door in her new home, and
enters into an adventure in a parallel reality. On the surface, this
other world eerily mimics her own life -- though much more fantastical.
In it, Coraline encounters such off-kilter inhabitants as the morbidly
funny Miss Forcible and Miss Spink. But when the adventure turns
dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother) try to
keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness,
determination, and bravery to get back home. First stop-motion animated
feature originally produced in stereoscopic 3-D.
Vitals: Director: Henry Selick. Voices: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, Robert
Bailey Jr., Ian McShane.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 100 min., Animated, Box office gross: $75.195 million, Universal.
Watchmen Director's Cut A complex, multi-layered
mystery adventure, "Watchmen" is set in an alternate 1985 America in
which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society,
and the "Doomsday Clock" -- which charts the U.S.A.'s tension with the
Soviet Union -- is permanently set at five minutes to midnight.
When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no
less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot
to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he
reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion -- a ragtag group of
retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers -- Rorschach
glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their
shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission
is to watch over humanity ... but who is watching the watchmen? Based
on the 12-part DC Comics series written by Alan Moore and featuring art
by Dave Gibbons. Vitals:
Director: Zack Snyder. Stars: Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley,
Matthew Goode, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla
Gugino, Stephen McHattie, Matt Frewer.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 161 min., Action, Box office gross: $107.061 million, Warner.
DVD Collectibles:
It's a Breathless week in home video as the folks at The Criterion Collection are releasing two of Jean-Luc Godard's late
1960s masterpieces: "Made in U.S.A." and "2 or 3 Things I Know About
Her." With its giddily complex noir plot and widescreen, color-drenched
images, "Made in U.S.A." (1966) was a final burst of
exuberance from Godard's early-sixties barrage of delirious
movie-movies. Yet this chaotic crime thriller and acidly funny critique
of consumerism featuring Anna Karina as the most brightly dressed
private investigator in film history, rummaging through an intricate
plot for a former lover who might have been assassinated, also points
toward the more political cinema that would come to define Godard.
Featuring characters with names such as Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara,
David Goodis, and Doris Mizoguchi, and appearances by a slapstick
Jean-Pierre Leaud and a sweetly singing Marianne Faithfull, this piece
of pop art is like a Looney Tunes rendition of "The Big Sleep" gone New Wave. In a new, restored high-definition digital transfer ... In "2 or 3 Things I Know About Her"
(2 ou 3 choses que je sais d'elle) (1967) Godard beckons us ever
closer, literally whispering in our ears as narrator. About what?
Money, sex, fashion, the city, love, language, war: in a word,
everything. Considered by many to be among the legendary French
filmmaker's finest achievements, the film takes as its ostensible
subject the daily life of Juliette Janson, a housewife from the Paris
suburbs who prostitutes herself for extra money. Yet this is only a
template for Godard to spin off into provocative philosophical tangents
and gorgeous images. A revelatory look at consumer culture, shot in
ravishing widescreen color by Raoul Coutard. New, restored
high-definition digital transfer. As is standard with Criterion
editions, each disc is loaded with extras.\
From TV to Video: "Charlie's Angels: The Complete Fourth Season" (1979-80) is a six-disc set with 26 episodes; $39.95 from Sony ... "Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht Season 4, Volume 2: The Big Move" (2008-09) is a two-disc set with 17 episodes; $19.95 from TLC/Genius Products ... "Monk: Season Seven" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 16 episodes; $59.98 from Universal ... "Prison Break: The Final Break"
(2009) is a two-hour feature that picks up some time after the series finale; in a two-disc set from Fox ... "Psych: The Complete Third Season" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 16 episodes; $59.98 from Universal ... "Pushing Daisies: The Complete Second Season"
(2007) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes; $39.98 from Warner ... "Robot Chicken: Star Wars: Episode II" (2008) includes the 22-minute broadcast version as well as the 38-minute extended edition; $19.97 from Warner ... "Wire in the Blood: The Complete Sixth Season<"
(2008) is a four-disc set with the final four mysteries from the BBC America series; $59.98 from E1 Entertainment.
Buzzin' the 'B's: The "Echelon Conspiracy"
(2009), starring Shane West, Edward Burns, Ving Rhames and Martin
Sheen, is a high-tech action-thriller that weaves together greed,
intrigue and national security. Mysterious cell phone messages promise
a young American engineer untold wealth, then make him the target of a
deadly international plot when dangerous security operatives chase the
engineer across the globe, while a powerful government official pursues
a mysterious agenda that threatens the stability of the entire world;
from Paramount ... "Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods" (1997) is the
feature-length pilot of television's longest running Sci-Fi series,
re-mastered, re-cut and re-imagined. Includes an entirely original
score and features a more self-contained story line; from MGM ... In "Super Capers"
(2009), starring Christine Lakin, Steve Braun, Ray Griggs, Clint
Howard, Doug Jones, Tommy "Tiny" Lister, June Lockhart, Jon Polito,
Michael Rooker, Tom Sizemore and Adam West, would-be superhero Ed
Gruberman, who possesses no super powers, joins a team of misfit
heroes-in-training known as the Super Capers. Having only faith,
Gruberman must travel through time to uncover an evil plot involving
some gold bullion, a fiery femme fatale and a criminal mastermind with
a dark secret about his past; from Lionsgate ... "Bundy: A Legacy of Evil"
(2008), starring Corin Nemec and Kane Hodder, details the dark psyche
of Ted Bundy, a handsome, charming all-American guy who was actually
one of the most notorious serial killers of all time. He eventually
confessed to more than 30 murders, though the actual total of victims
is estimated to be more than 100; from Barnholtz
Entertainment/Lionsgate ... In "Ghost Month" (2007),
starring Marina Resa, Shirley To and Akiko Shima, a young housekeeper
disrupts ancient customs and awakens the vengeful spirits of the dead
during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar -- Ghost Month, when
restless spirits break free from Hell to mix among the mortals and the
living cannot whistle, for it will invite them into your house, nor
disturb ashes on the ground, as it will anger the spirits, of a host of
other rituals; from Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion
Pictures ... "Messengers 2: The Scarecrow" (2009),
starring Norman Reedus and Richard Riehle, is a prequel to the box
office hit "The Messengers," going back to the farm to finally learn
the story of John Rollins -- the simple North Dakota farmer who,
struggling to save his farm and hold his family together, places a
mysterious scarecrow in his field; his luck changes for the better, but
at what cost? From Sony.
On the Indie Front: "Dakota Skye" (2008), stars Eileen Boylan and Ian
Nelson in a coming-of-age drama about Dakota Skye (Boylan), who has
been cursed with a super power: she has the ability to see the truth in
any lie she hears, from small, harmless white lies, to the more devious
kind, from the people that she should trust the most; her family,
friends and teachers. Now 17, cynical and aloof, she finds little joy
in life, until her boyfriend's best friend Jonah (Nelson) comes to
town. Unlike everyone else, Jonah doesn't lie. But is he really that
squeaky-clean, or is he Dakota's arch-nemesis, a villain who has found
a way to conceal his deceit from her? From E1 Entertainment ...
Vanguard Cinema has three releases due this week: "Common Senses"
(2005), in which the burgeoning friendship between a kleptomaniac and a
hustler is strained when a child goes missing; told through five
chapters by five award-winning Chicago filmmakers; "Cupid's Mistake"
(2001), a humorous take on dating in Los Angeles that follows the lives
of four of the city's inhabitants as they fall in and out of love; and "The Northern Kingdom"
(2007), in which a meteor shower lights up the winter sky over a rural
Vermont community, illuminating the lives of three disparate families.
For the Family: "SpongeBob SquarePants: To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants"
(2009) features eight sponge-tacular episodes; $16.99 from Nick/Paramount ...
"The Mystical Adventures of Billy Owens" (2008) is a
family fantasy about a young boy who stumbles upon William Thurgood's
Treasure Trove & Pawn Shop and finds a magical wand that allows him
to enter a world of adventure with mythical creatures, haunted caves
... and unsuspected evil; from MTL Home Video ... E1 Entertainment will release two DVDs of episodes from Shelley Duvall's famous Faerie Tale Theatre: "Faerie Tale Theatre: Princess Tales", with "Cinderella," "The Little Mermaid," "The Dancing Princesses" and "The Princess and the Pea"; and "Faerie Tale Theatre: Tales From Hans Christian Andersen,"
with "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Nightingale," "The Snow Queen"
and "Thumbelina." $14.98 each ... Just in time to help kids sharpen
their brainpower for school, Scholastic Storybook Treasures presents "Chicka Chicka 123 ... And More Counting Fun"
(2009), a unique DVD exploring the magical world of numbers in a
colorful, animated and engaging production. The lead story, "Chicka
Chicka 123," has been adapted from Bill Martin Jr.'s award-winning and
best-selling book. When 101 numbers race each other up the apple tree,
bad bumblebees come buzzing. Which number will save the day? The DVD
also features three other stories celebrating the fun of numbers:
"Emily's First 100 Days of School," "How Much is a Million?" and "If
You Made a Million." $14.95 from Scholastic Storybook Treasures ... "G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1" (1985) is a four-disc set with 22 episodes; $29.99 from Shout! Factory.
Special Interest: Animal behavior: "A Life Among Whales"
(2005) is a documentary that delves deeply into the unique relationship
between humans and whales as told by renowned, pioneering whale
biologist Dr. Roger Payne; from IndiePix ... In "Wanted: Anaconda,"
a crew of wildlife photographers and biologists travel to Guyana to
photograph one of the world's most legendary creatures, the Anaconda,
which can grow as big as a man; $9.98 from Smithsonian
Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group ... "The Big Blue"
is a documentary about the world's largest creature, the Blue Whale,
which inhabits a unique spot in the ocean off the coast of Southern
Australis. The Big Blue can grow to 100-feet long, weigh up to 180
tons, with a heart the size of a Volkswagen and a tongue that weighs
more than an elephant; $9.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group ... "Pandas in the Wild" is a
close-up look at the secret lives of pandas, capturing the warmth
between a mother panda and her newborn, the competition among male
pandas fighting for females, and the struggles pandas endure during the
snow-bound winter in China; $9.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group.
People and their world: In "The Madoff Affair"
(2009), "Frontline" examines Bernard Madoff, one of the most shocking
financial criminals of our time, who used the trust of the Jewish
community to hide millions of dollars for his own uses. He then set his
sights on Europe and Latin America. This is the story behind the
world's first truly global Ponzi scheme -- a deception that lasted
longer, reached wider and cut deeper than any other business scandal in
history; from PBS Home Video ... "Children of God"
(2008 -- Korea/Nepal) is a documentary that explores the life of the
children who live beside the Baghmati River in Nepal -- on the sacred
grounds of a Hindu temple in Katmandu -- an area forgotten and ignored
by the world, but considered the holiest and most sacred to the
Nepalese people. The children are undeterred by the cries and wailing
from the daily funeral ceremonies; instead they rob the corpses for
food and dive into the river to grab coins used as funeral offerings by
the mourners; from Vanguard Cinema ... "Sky View" offer a birds-eye view of Europe, using
cutting-edge, high-definition camera mount technology, journeying over
majestic castles, historic landmarks, city views, mystical sites and
ruins. Episodes: Emerald Isle, French Riviera, Heart of Italy, Southern
Britain; $14.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group
... In "American Outrage"
(2008), two feisty, elderly Western Shoshone Indian sisters put up a
heroic fight for their land rights -- and their human rights. Carrie
and Mary Dann endure terrifying roundups by armed federal marshals in
which thousands of their horses and cattle are confiscated, for the
crime of grazing them on the open range outside their private ranch --
even though that range is part of 60 million acres recognized as
Western Shoshone land by the U.S. After the government sued them for
trespassing, their dispute went to the Supreme Court, and eventually
the United Nations. $24.95 from First Run Features.
Performance: "Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer"
(2008) is a documentary that chronicles the extraordinary life of Anita
O'Day, one of the most legendary female jazz vocalists of all time. The
DVD is an intimate portrait of the maverick jazz vocalist -- a
self-professed "song-stylist" --
documenting her wild ride from her early days singing alongside Gene
Krupa, Roy Eldridge, Stan Kenton, Louis Armstrong and Hoagy Carmichael
through her many great adversities she fought to overcome; a 20-year
heroin and alcohol addiction, several failed marriages, abortions and
arrests and finally, her last-hurrah album, completed just before the
singer's 2006 death at age 87; $69.99 from RED ... In "Global Metal Two Disc Special Edition"
(2008), directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn discover how the West's
most maligned musical genre has impacted world culture as they go on a
raucous journey through Asia, South America, and the Middle East with
platinum-selling-artists including Metallica, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Deep
Purple, Slayer, X-Japan, Tang Dynasty, Sepultura, Lamb of God, Orphaned
Land, and Inflames. $24.98 from Warner ... In the grand tradition of
the Ballets Russes comes "Ballerina"
(2008), a portrait of five Russian ballerinas from the Mariinsky
Theatre (also known as the Kirov), a new generation of rising stars:
Alina Somova, Svetlana Zakharova, Diana Vishneva, Ulyana Lopatkina and
Evgenia Obraztsova -- tough, insightful and exceptionally talented
women, each with her own personal hopes, dreams and career-changing
challenges; from First Run Features ... "Carmen & Geoffrey"
(2005) is a documentary about Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder,
two living legends in the world of American dance. De Lavallade
achieved notoriety in the early 1950s as a lead dancer of incomparable
beauty and grace with Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater; Holder,
large in life and an elemental force on stage, found fame not only as a
dancer but also as an actor ("Live and Let Die"), soda spokesman
("7-UP, the Un-Colaaaaa ...") and theater director ("The Wiz"). The
pair met in 1954 and married a year later. $24.95 from First Run
Features.
Finally, there's "The Human Rights Watch DVD Collection,"
a seven-disc boxed set of films that promote awareness of human rights
abuses taking place around the world, endorsed by the Human Rights
Watch: "S21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine" (a documentary about the
nearly two million Cambodians who lost their lives when the Khmer Rouge
forced the urban population into the countryside in 1975-79), "The
Devil's Miner" (a documentary portrait of two brothers, ages 14 and 12,
who work deep inside the silver mines of Cerro Rico, Bolivia),
"Dreaming Lhasa" (a drama about a young Tibetan woman from New York who
travels to Dharamsala in northern India only to find herself
unwittingly falling in love with an enigmatic ex-monk), "Silent Waters"
(a drama in which a Pakastani Muslim widow who teaches young girls the
Koran watches helplessly as her beloved son falls in with a group of
Islamic fundamentalists), "Dangerous Living" (a documentary that
explores the lives of gay and lesbian people in non-Western cultures,
from Egypt to Honduras to Kenya, Thailand and more), "The Camden 28" (a
documentary about the infiltration of a group of anti-war activists by
the FBI in 1971), and "Roses in December" (a documentary about lay
missioner Jean Donovan and three American nuns who were brutally
murdered by El Salvador's security force in 1980). $89.95 from First
Run Features.
American Outrage
(2008) Two feisty, elderly Western Shoshone Indian sisters put up a
heroic fight
for their land rights -- and their human rights. Carrie and Mary Dann
endure terrifying roundups by armed federal marshals in which thousands
of their horses and cattle are confiscated, for the crime of grazing
them on the open range outside their private ranch -- even though that
range is part of 60 million acres recognized as Western Shoshone land
by the U.S. After the government sued them for trespassing, their
dispute went to the Supreme Court, and eventually the United Nations.
$24.95. (First Run features).
Anita O'day: The Life of a Jazz Singer
(2008) Documentary chronicles the extraordinary life of Anita O'Day,
one of the most legendary female jazz vocalists of all time. The DVD is
an intimate portrait of the maverick jazz vocalist -- a self-professed
"song-stylist" -- documenting her wild ride from her early days singing
alongside Gene Krupa, Roy Eldridge, Stan Kenton, Louis Armstrong and
Hoagy Carmichael through her many great adversities she fought to
overcome; a 20-year heroin and alcohol addiction, several failed
marriages, abortions and arrests and finally, her last-hurrah album,
completed just before the singer's 2006 death at age 87. In addition,
there's incredible footage from O'Day's incomparable career, starting
as far back as the 1940's through the recording of her last album.
There's more than 30 songs, including "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley
Square," "Let Me Off Uptown," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Tea for Two," "Let's
Fall in Love" and from her legendary performance at the 1958 Newport
Jazz Festival, "Sweet Georgia Brown." Available in two editions: A
two-disc set with director's commentary, 45 minutes of uninterrupted
musical performances from the film, 45 minutes of outtake interviews of
Anita, and a 32-page full-color booklet including essays by jazz
novelist Jim Gavin and jazz critic-author Will Friedwald, a selected
chapter from Anita's autobiography, "High Times Hard Times" and 16
pages reproduced from Anita's personal scrapbooks; $29.98. A deluxe
limited edition is a 9 x 9-inch black burnished fabric covered hard
bound book containing over 160 full color pages including Anita's
complete scrapbooks as well as all the material included in the basic
release; $69.99. (RED).
Ballerina
(2008) In the grand tradition of the Ballets Russes comes this portrait
of five Russian ballerinas from the Mariinsky Theatre (also known as
the Kirov), a new generation of rising stars: Alina Somova, Svetlana
Zakharova, Diana Vishneva, Ulyana Lopatkina and Evgenia Obraztsova --
tough, insightful and exceptionally talented women, each with her own
personal hopes, dreams and career-changing challenges. In Russian,
English and French with English subtitles. $24.95. Extras: Photo gallery, filmmaker biography, dance film gallery. (First Run Features).
The Big Blue.
Documentary about the world's largest creature, the Blue Whale, which
inhabits a unique spot in the ocean off the coast of Southern
Australis. The Big Blue can grow to 100-feet long, weigh up to 180
tons, with a heart the size of a Volkswagen and a tongue that weighs
more than an elephant. $9.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group).
Bundy: A Legacy of Evil (2008)
Corin Nemec, Kane Hodder. Details the dark psyche of Ted Bundy, a
handsome, charming all_America guy who was actually one of the most
notorious serial killers of all time. He eventually confessed to more
than 30 murders, though the actual total of victims is estimated to be
more than 100. (Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Carmen & Geoffrey (2005)
Documentary about Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder, two living
legends in the world of American dance. de Lavallade achieved notoriety
in the early 1950s as a lead dancer of incomparable beauty and grace
with Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater; Holder, large in life and an
elemental force on stage, found fame not only as a dancer but also as
an actor ("Live and Let Die"), soda spokesman ("7-UP, the Un-Colaaaaa
...") and theater director ("The Wiz"). The pair met in 1954 and
married a year later. $24.95. (First Run Features). Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Charlie's Angels: The Complete Fourth Season
(1979-80) Six-disc set with 26 episodes, $39.95. (Sony).
Children of God
(2008 -- Korea/Nepal) Documentary explores the life of the children who
live beside the Baghmati River in Nepal -- on the sacred grounds of a
Hindu temple in Katmandu -- an area forgotten and ignored by the world,
but considered the holiest and most sacred to the Nepalese people. The
children are undeterred by the daily cries and wailing from the daily
funeral ceremonies; instead they rob the corpses for food and dive into
the river to grab coins used as funeral offerings by the mourners.
(Vanguard Cinema).
Common Senses (2005) Holly
Montgomery-Webb, Luis A. Perez. The burgeoning friendship between a
kleptomaniac and a hustler is strained when a child goes missing. Told
through five chapters by five award-winning Chicago filmmakers.
(Vanguard Cinema).
Coraline (2009) Dir.:
Henry Selick; voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman,
Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, Robert Bailey Jr., Ian
McShane,.
Available in Blu-ray combo pack, two-disc collector's edition DVD and
single-disc DVD. All editions contain the 2-D and 3-D versions of the
film and four pairs of 3-D glasses. Extras:
Single DVD: Commentary by director Henry Selick and composer Bruno
Coulais. Two-disc set adds deleted scenes; "The Making of Coraline";
"Voicing the Characters"; digital copy. Blu-ray adds "Creepy Coraline"
featurette with director and screenwriter Henry Selick and "Coraline"
author Neil Gaiman; "The World According to Henry." (Universal).
Cupid's Mistake (2001)
Everado Gil, Susan Petry, Toya Cho, Ken Yasuda. A humorous take on
dating in Los Angeles follows the lives of four of the city's
inhabitants as they fall in and out of love. (Vanguard Cinema).
Dakota Skye (2008) Eileen
Boylan, Ian Nelson. For as long as she could remember, Dakota Skye
(Boylan) has been cursed with a super power; she has the ability to see
the truth in any lie she hears, from small, harmless white lies, to the
more devious kind, from the people that she should trust the most; her
family, friends and teachers. Now 17, cynical and aloof, she finds
little joy in life, until her boyfriend's best friend Jonah (Nelson)
comes to town. Unlike everyone else, Jonah doesn't lie. But is he
really that squeaky-clean, or is he Dakota's arch-nemesis, a villain
who has found a way to conceal his deceit from her? Extras: Commentary, making-of documentary, outtakes, bloopers. (E1 Entertainment).
Echelon Conspiracy
(2009) Shane West, Edward Burns, Ving Rhames, Martin Sheen. High-tech
action-thriller weaves together greed, intrigue and national security.
Mysterious cell phone messages promise a young American engineer untold
wealth, then make him the target of a deadly international plot when
dangerous security operatives chase the engineer across the globe,
while a powerful government official pursues a mysterious agenda that
threatens the stability of the entire world. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Paramount).
Faerie Tale Theatre: Princess Tales.
Four tales from Shelley Duvall's famous Faerie Tale Theatre:
"Cinderella," "The Little Mermaid," "The Dancing Princesses" and "The
Princess and the Pea." $14.98. (E1 Entertainment).
Faerie Tale Theatre: Tales From Hans Christian Andersen. Four
tales from Shelley Duvall's famous Faerie Tale Theatre: "The Emperor's
New Clothes," "The Nightingale," "The Snow Queen" and "Thumbelina."
$14.98. (E1 Entertainment).
G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1
(1985) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $29.99. Extras:"Knowing
is Half the Battle" PSAs, "Looking Back With Writer Ron Friedman,"
archival Hasbro toy commercials, G.I. Joe's original 1963 Toy Fair
presentation, printable script for "Jungle Trap." (Shout! Factory).
G.I. Joe Collector's Set. A
limited edition footlocker with all 95 episodes of the 1980s series on
17 discs, $145.00. Includes a collectible 60-page book featuring
special introduction by actor Seth Green; a 1-GB "Dog Tag" Flash Drive
(USB 2.0); two G.I. Joe "Silent" Comics; Arashikage and Cobra rub-on
tattoos. Extras:
Eight new retrospective featurettes including two that appear only on
this set: a conversation with Larry Hama and a voice cast reunion; 25
archival Hasbro toy commercials; G.I. Joe's original 1963 Toy Fair
presentation; "Knowing Is Half the Battle" PSAs"; printable script for
"Jungle Trap"; live-action fan film "Battle for the Serpent Stone."
(Shout! Factory).
Ghost Month (2007) Marina
Resa, Shirley To, Akiko Shima. A young housekeeper disrupts ancient
customs and awakens the vengeful spirits of the dead during the seventh
month of the Chinese calendar -- Ghost Month, when restless spirits
break free from Hell to mix among the mortals and the living cannot
whistle, for it will invite them into your house, nor disturb ashes on
the ground, as it will anger the spirits, of a host of other rituals.
(Barnholtz Entertainment/North American Motion Pictures).
Global Metal Two Disc Special Edition (2008)
Directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn discover how the West's most
maligned musical genre has impacted world culture as they go on a
raucous journey through Asia, South America, and the Middle East with
platinum-selling-artists including Metallica, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Deep
Purple, Slayer, X-Japan, Tang Dynasty, Sepultura, Lamb of God, Orphaned
Land, and Inflames. $24.98. Extras:
Commentary by directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn, "Heavy Metal
Baraka" music montage, outtakes, extended interviews. (Warner).
The Human Rights Watch DVD Collection. Seven-disc
boxed set of films that promote awareness of human rights abuses taking
place around the world, endorsed by the Human Rights Watch: "S21: The
Khmer Rouge Killing Machine" (a documentary about the nearly two
million Cambodians who lost their lives when the Khmer Rouge forced the
urban population into the countryside in 1975-79), "The Devil's Miner"
(a documentary portrait of two brothers, ages 14 and 12, who work deep
inside the silver mines of Cerro Rico, Bolivia), "Dreaming Lhasa" (a
drama about a young Tibetan woman from New York who travels to
Dharamsala in northern India only to find herself unwittingly falling
in love with an enigmatic ex-monk), "Silent Waters" (a drama in which a
Pakastani Muslim widow who teaches young girls the Koran watches
helplessly as her beloved son falls in with a group of Islamic
fundamentalists), "Dangerous Living" (a documentary that explores the
lives of gay and lesbian people in non-Western cultures, from Egypt to
Honduras to Kenya, Thailand and more), "The Camden 28" (a documentary
about the infiltration of a group of anti-war activists by the FBI in
1971), and "Roses in December" (a documentary about lay missioner Jean
Donovan and three American nuns who were brutally murdered by El
Salvador's security force in 1980). $89.95. Extras: Film notes, bonus films, filmmaker interviews, extra footage. (First Run Features).
Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht Season 4, Volume 2: The Big Move
(2008-09) Two-disc set with 17 episodes, $19.95. (TLC/Genius Products).
A Life Among Whales
(2005) Documentary delves deeply into the unique relationship between
humans and whales as told by renowned, pioneering whale biologist Dr.
Roger Payne. For four decades the charismatic and passionate Payne has
advanced the boundaries of science and activism -- beginning with his
pioneering work on whale songs in the 1970s to his study of ocean
pollution today. $19.95.
Extras: Additional interviews with Roger Payne and director Bill Haney. (IndiePix).
Made in U.S.A (1966)
Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard; Anna Karina, Laszlo Szabo
With its giddily complex noir plot and widescreen, color-drenched
images, "Made in U.S.A" was a final burst of exuberance from Godard's
early-sixties barrage of delirious movie-movies. Yet this chaotic crime
thriller and acidly funny critique of consumerism featuring Anna Karina
as the most brightly dressed private investigator in film history,
rummaging through an intricate plot for a former lover who might have
been assassinated, also points toward the more political cinema that
would come to define Godard. Featuring characters with names such as
Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara, David Goodis, and Doris Mizoguchi, and
appearances by a slapstick Jean-Pierre Leaud and a sweetly singing
Marianne Faithfull, this piece of pop art is like a Looney Tunes
rendition of "The Big Sleep" gone New Wave. New, restored
high-definition digital transfer. Extras: Interviews with stars Anna Karina and Laszlo
Szabo; video piece on the personal and the political in "Made in U.S.A"
and "2 or 3 Things I Know About Her," featuring Godard biographers
Richard Brody and Colin MacCabe; visual essay cataloguing the multiple
references in the film; new essay by film critic J. Hoberman. (The
Criterion Collection).
The Madoff Affair (2009)
"Frontline" examines Bernard Madoff, one of the most shocking financial
criminals of our time, who used the trust of the Jewish community to
hide millions of dollars for his own uses. He then set his sights on
Europe and Latin America. This is the story behind the world's first
truly global Ponzi scheme -- a deception that lasted longer, reached
wider and cut deeper than any other business scandal in history. (PBS
Home Video).
Messengers 2: The Scarecrow (2009)
Norman Reedus, Richard Riehle. Prequel to the box office hit "The
Messengers" goes back to the farm to finally learn the story of John
Rollins -- the simple North Dakota farmer who, struggling to save his
farm and hold his family together, places a mysterious scarecrow in his
field; his luck changes for the better ... but at what cost? Extras: Commentary. (Sony).
Monk: Season Seven
(2008-09) Four-disc set with 16 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Commentaries. (Universal).
The Mystical Adventures of Billy Owens
(2008) Dalton Mugridge, Ciara O'Hanlon, Christopher Fazio, and WWE
superstar Roddy Piper. Family fantasy about a young boy who stumbles
upon William Thurgood's Treasure Trove & Pawn Shop and finds a
magical wand that allows him to enter a world of adventure with
mythical creatures, haunted caves ... and unsuspected evil. (MTL Home
Video),
The Northern Kingdom (2007)
Heidi Armbruster, Richard Bekins, Ed Blunt. A meteor shower lights up
the winter sky over a rural Vermont community, illuminating the lives
of three disparate families. (Vanguard Cinema).
Pandas in the Wild. Close-up
look at the secret lives of pandas, captures the warmth between a
mother panda and her newborn, the competition among male pandas
fighting for females, and the struggles pandas endure during the
snow-bound winter in China. $9.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group).
Prison Break: The Final Break (2009)
Wentworth Miller, Sarah Wayne Callies, Dominic Purcell, Amaury Nolasco,
Robert Knepper, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, William Fichtner. Two-hour feature
picks up some time after the series finale; this time Michael must
rescue Sara from prison. Two-disc set. Extras: Deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Psych: The Complete Third Season
(2008-09) Four-disc set with 16 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Gag reel, deleted scenes, commentaries. (Universal).
Pushing Daisies: The Complete Second Season
(2007) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.98.Extras:
"The Master Pie Maker" and "From Oven to Table" behind-the-scenes
featurettes, "Secret Sweet Ingredients" music featurette, "Add a Little
Magic" visual effects featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
Robot Chicken: Star Wars: Episode II
(2008) Includes the 22-minute broadcast version as well as the 38-minute extended edition, $19.97. (Warner).
Sky View.
Four episodes offer a birds-eye view of Europe, using cutting-edge,
high-definition camera mount technology, journeying over majestic
castles, historic landmarks, city views, mystical sites and ruins.
Episodes: Emerald Isle, French Riviera, Heart of Italy, Southern
Britain. $14.98. (Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
SpongeBob SquarePants: To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants
(2009) Eight sponge-tacular episodes, $16.99. Extras: Animation art gallery with storyboard panels and character art. (Nick/Paramount).
Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods (1997)
The feature-length pilot of television's longest running Sci-Fi series
debuts on DVD as a re-mastered, re-cut and re-imagined Final Cut.
Includes an entirely original score and features a more self-contained
story line. Extras:
Commentary by co-writer and executive producer Brad Wright and Richard
Dean Anderson; "Back to the Beginning" featurette. (MGM).
Super Capers (2009)
Christine Lakin, Steve Braun, Ray Griggs, Clint Howard, Doug Jones,
Tommy "Tiny" Lister, June Lockhart, Jon Polito, Michael Rooker, Tom
Sizemore, Adam West. Would-be superhero Ed Gruberman, who possesses no
super powers, joins a team of misfit heroes-in-training known as the
Super Capers. Having only faith, Gruberman must travel through time to
uncover an evil plot involving some gold bullion, a fiery femme fatale
and a criminal mastermind with a dark secret about Ed's past.
(Lionsgate).
2 or 3 Things I Know About Her (1967)
Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard; Marina Vlady. "In 2 or 3 Things I Know About
Her" (2 ou 3 choses que je sais d'elle) Godard beckons us ever closer,
literally whispering in our ears as narrator. About what? Money, sex,
fashion, the city, love, language, war: in a word, everything.
Considered by many to be among the legendary French filmmaker's finest
achievements, the film takes as its ostensible subject the daily life
of Juliette Janson, a housewife from the Paris suburbs who prostitutes
herself for extra money. Yet this is only a template for Godard to spin
off into provocative philosophical tangents and gorgeous images. A
revelatory look at consumer culture, shot in ravishing widescreen color
by Raoul Coutard. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
Archival television interviews: the first featuring Vlady on the set of
the film, the second with Godard engaged in debate with a government
official on the subject of prostitution; new video interview with
Godard friend Antoine Bourseiller; visual essay cataloguing the
multiple references in the film; new essay by Sasha Frere-Jones. (The
Criterion Collection).
Wanted: Anaconda. A crew of
wildlife photographers and biologists travel to Guyana to photograph
one of the world's most legendary creatures, the Anaconda, which can
grow as big as a man. The Anaconda kills its prey by coiling their
powerful bodies around their victims, squeezing until they're
suffocated or crushed, then swallowing the victim whole. $9.98.
(Smithsonian Networks/Infinity Entertainment Group).
Watchmen Director's Cut (2009)
Dir.: Zack Snyder; Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode,
Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla Gugino, Stephen
McHattie, Matt Frewer.
Extras: Director's Cut (with 25 minutes of extra
footage) will be available in two editions: on Blu-ray for $35.99 and
as a two-disc special edition DVD for $34.99. The standard two-disc DVD
will include a featurette ("The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed
Comics," webisodes, a My Chemical Romance "Desolation Row" music video
and a digital copy; the Blu-ray disc will introduce a new interactive
technology, "Maximum Movie Mode," which, according to Warner, "is a
first-of-its-kind bonus feature that showcases a seamless multi-story
presentation of the Director's Cut. Hosted by Zack Snyder, the feature
will offer in-depth scene analysis, picture-in-picture videos from the
cast and crew, side-by-side comparisons of the graphic novel and the
film, photo galleries and more." Three featurettes ("The Phenomenon:
The Comic That Changed Comics," "Real Superheroes, Real Vigilantes" and
"Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World"), a My Chemical Romance
"Desolation Row" music video, BD Live and digital copy round out the
bonus features. A single disc theatrical version DVD will also be
available, for $28.98. (Warner).
Wire in the Blood: The Complete Sixth Season (2008) Four-disc set with the final four mysteries from the BBC America series, $59.98 Extras:Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, July 14 -- Monday, July 20
Haunting in Connecticut, The Based on a chilling true
story, "The Haunting in Connecticut" charts one family's terrifying,
real-life encounter with the dark forces of the supernatural. When the
Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that
their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: Not only was
the house a transformed funeral parlor where inconceivable acts
occurred, but the owner's clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic
messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Now
unspeakable terror awaits when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the
powerful dark forces of the supernatural, returns to unleash a new kind
of horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family.Vitals: Director: Peter Cornwell. Stars: Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan, Elias Koteas, Amanda Crew.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 92 min., Horror, Box office gross: $55.030 million, Lionsgate.
DVD Collectibles: "Grey Gardens" (2009), starring Drew Barrymore and
Jessica Lange, is the acclaimed HBO drama based on the life story of
the eccentric Beales, a mother and daughter, both named Edith Bouvier
Beale, aka "Big and Little Edie," who were aunt and first cousin of
Jackie Kennedy, respectively. The women were raised as Park Avenue
debutantes but withdrew from New York society, taking shelter at their
Grey Gardens, a crumbling mansion in East Hampton, New York. As their
wealth and contact with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp
on reality. They were reintroduced to the world when international
tabloids learned of a health department raid on their home, and Jackie
swooped in to save her relatives; from HBO Home Entertainment. The
Maysles brothers filmed a classic documentary on the pair in 1975,
"Grey Gardens," available from The Criterion Collection.
"Ménage" (1986), directed by
Bertrand Blier and starring Gerard Depardieu, Michel Blanc and
Miou-Miou, is an extraordinarily dark, comedic thriller. When a crude,
charismatic thief (Depardieu) encounters a bored and dissatisfied
couple, Antoine (Blanc) and Monique (Miou-Miou), at a bar, he offers to
help the young, impoverished lovers get over their recent run of bad
luck by enlisting them to help him rob wealthy homes. Turned on by the
illicit thrills of thievery, the couple soon abandons their world of
middle-class predictability and falls under the influence of their
raffish savior. But Bob also has an ulterior motive: as he works his
seductive wiles on the couple, a bizarre love triangle develops between
the trio; from Koch Lorber.
"The Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection: Roselyne and the Lions"
(1989) Cinema in the 1980s saw a new wave of French auteurs explode
onto the scene, redefining modernity in film. With "Diva" (1982) and
"Betty Blu" (1986), director Jean-Jacques Beineix created two of the
most provocative films of the era that were dark, memorable, filled
with voluptuous imagery and generous dollops of sex and/or violence.
Both films were international hits. This summer, film lovers nationwide
will get the chance to view Beineix's work in theaters and on DVD, with
several titles released for the first time in the U.S. The second
release in the series is the drama "Roselyn and the Lions," about a
young man (Gerard Sandoz) who drops out of school to apprentice as a
circus lion tamer where he falls in love with Roselyne (Isabelle
Pasco). Landing in Germany, they both fall under the tutelage of an
aging big cat trainer. From Cinema Libre Studio. For more information: see "The Return of Jean-Jacques Beineix."
From TV to Video: "American Gladiators The Original Series: The Battle Begins"
(1989) is a three-disc set with 26 episodes, $29.99 from Shout! Factory ... "Bewitched: The Complete Eighth and Final Season" (1971-72), is a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $39.95 from Sony ... "ER: The Complete Eleventh Season" (2004-5) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98 from Warner ... "Leverage: The First Season" (2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.99 from Paramount ... "Mad Men: Season Two" (2008), a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98 from Lionsgate ... "Peyton Place: Part Two" is a five-disc set with 31 episodes, $39.99 from Shout! Factory ... "The State: The Complete Series" is a five-disc set with all 24 episodes of the MTV cult comedy sketch show, $69.99; from Paramount.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
In "The Butcher" (2007), starring Eric
Roberts, Robert Davi, Keith David and Bokeem Woodbine, Merle "The
Butcher" Hench (Roberts) is a hit man with 20 years of bad luck and
gambling debts he can't repay; when he's setup as a fall guy by those
he trusts, he decides to start making his own luck and sets out for
revenge; from Vivendi Entertainment ... "One Way"
(2006), starring Til Schweiger, Lauren Lee Smith, Michael Clarke
Duncan, Eric Roberts, Sebastien Roberts and Stefanie von Pfetten, is a
blackmail and revenge thriller about a star advertising executive
(Schweiger) who has the seemingly perfect life until he provides a
false alibi for an accused rapist and winds up with more than he
bargained for; from Vivendi Entertainment ... "[Rec]"
(2007) is the Spanish horror-thriller that inspired 2008's
"Quarantined," about a TV crew that covers an apartment fire and gets
stuck in the building to fight off a lethal terror; from Sony ... "Van Wilder: Freshman Year" (2009) is the third
installment in the series of popular and rude college humor comedies,
this one about the young Van who follows in his wealthy father's
footsteps by enrolling at prestigious Coolidge College, mounting a
personal crusade to free the school from the shackles of sexual
oppression; from Paramount ... A former college basketball star has one
last shot at greatness: the professional beach volleyball tour in "Beach Kings" (2008), starring David Charvet, Torrey DeVitto and Kristin Cavallari; from MGM ... "Break"
(2009) is a comic book-style thriller about a terminally ill crime
boss, known only as The Man, who hires a hit man named Frank to carry
out his own assassination as well as the assassination of The Woman he
loves; it goes awry when The Woman turns out to be Frank's long lost
lover and he turns against The Man; stars Frank Krueger, Sarah
Thompson, Chad Everett, Michael Madsen, Charles Durning, James Russo,
Xin Sarith Wuku and David Carradine; from Cinema Epoch.
On the Indie Front: "The Edge of Love" (2009), starring
Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy and Matthew Rhys, is set
in the Bohemian underground of World War II London and follows the
stirring love story between legendary poet Dylan Thomas (Rhys) and the
two extraordinary women who inspired him; from Image Entertainment ...
In "El Camino" (2008), starring Elisabeth Moss, Chris
Denham and Leo Fitzpatrick, three friends travel from Virginia to
Mexico to fulfill a mutual friend's last request to deposit his
cremated ashes there, along the way confronting their unrealized selves
and their grief with surprising results; from LifeSize
Entertainment/Koch Entertainment ... "Karl Rove, I Love You"
(2007) is a comedy-documentary that follows Dan Butler as he prepares
for the role of a lifetime: playing Bush administration architect Karl
Rove in an election-year documentary. Butler sets out to discover the
"Karl Rove" inside us all, but the more Butler sees the world through
Rove's eyes, the more he finds himself falling in love with him; from
Ariztical Entertainment.
Foreign Films:
There's two films this week from acclaimed Italian director Marco Ferreri ("La Grande Bouffe"): "Bye Bye Monkey"
(1978 -- French) is Ferreri's first English-language film and it's a
typically off-the-wall satire on capitalism, sexual politics and modern
society. Lafayette (Gerard Depardieu), a youngish Frenchman, and
Nocello (Marcello Mastroianni), an older Italian, are a pair of misfit
friends living in a run-down section of New York City. Lafayette works
for a women's lib group, which one day decides to "rape" him to see how
the shoe fits on the other foot. Rather than being much bothered,
Lafayette starts a liaison with the woman who had sex with him. And
while walking along the beach, Nocello discovers the corpse of King
Kong -- and his alive infant son! -- and brings him to Lafayette, who
decides to raise baby Kong as his own. Also stars Geraldine Fitzgerald.
"Don't Touch the White Woman"
(1974 -- French) stars Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli and
Catherine Deneuve in a satirical comedy in which Ferreri transplants
the Battle of Little Big Horn to the site of a demolished Parisian
Mall. Mastroianni plays a preening, primping General Custer, Piccoli is
an effeminate Buffalo Bill who performs at a Parisian nightclub, and
Deneuve is the seemingly demure frontier gal who literally picks up
Custer and throws him into bed where she ravishes him before the
Indians do. Both from Koch Lorber ... "12"
(2007 -- Russian), directed by Nikita Mikhalkov (often referred to as
the "Russian Steven Spielberg"), is a modern Russian adaptation of
Sidney Lumet's "12 Angry Men," the movie classic starring Henry Fonda;
from Sony.
For the Family:
There's three releases from HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate for the pre-school set: "Barney: Book Fair DVD + Book Collection"
(2009), in which Barney's friends hold a book drive in the park and
every time they open a new book, a new tale begins. The package
includes a DVD inside a custom-sized reprint of the 20-page hardcover
Barney storybook "Count to 10" ... "Thomas & Friends: Percy and the Bandstand"
(2009) features four Thomas & Friends episodes on the island of
Sodor involving a hot-air balloon ride, a top-secret birthday party, a
special surprise at the bandstand and more ... "Bob the Builder: Built for Fun"
(2009) has Bob the Builder and the Can-Do crew building a radio
station, designing greenhouses and more; five episodes; $14.98.
Includes a collectible toy vehicle. Each release sells for $14.98 ...
In "The Wiggles Go Bananas!" (2009)the musical
darlings of the pre-school set offer 24 new songs and special
appearances by Kylie Minogue and Wiggles fan favorite Captain
Feathersword; $14.98 from Warner ... "The Transformers: 25th Anniversary 'Matrix of Leadership' Edition Collector's Set"
(1983) is a sixteen-disc set with 98 restored episodes, a collectible
60-page book, Autobots and Decepticon Magnets, and more. $140.00 direct
from Shout! Factory.
Special Interest: "The Beatles Rare and Unseen: Unofficial Account of the Biggest Band in the World"
(2008) is a documentary that tells the story of The Beatles from their
humble beginnings in Liverpool to their break-up in London, using
original rare film and video of the band, including home-movies,
concert footage, newsreels and photographs from private collections;
$19.95 from MVD Entertainment Group ... "The Doors From the Outside"
(2008) is a new documentary that tells the story of The Doors, not from
the perspective of the surviving members but from the recollections,
memories, stories and anecdotes of those who knew the group; $19.99
from MVD Entertainment Group ..."Shark Week: Great Bites Collection" (2009) is a two-disc set of Discovery Channel programming about the world of Sharks, $24.98 from Image Entertainment ... "Wild Pacific" (2009) is a two-disc set of the BBC series that explores the world's mightiest ocean, $29.98 from Warner ... "The Unwinking Gaze"
(2008) is a documentary that follows Tibet's Dalai Lama as he tries to
lead his people to a peaceful resolution with China; $24.95 from
IndiePix ... "Journey to the Moon: The 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11" (2008) is a documentary on the July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing; $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ... "Vegas: The City the Mob Made"
(2009) is a series that chronicles the untold history of this most
American of cities, Las Vegas; $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment ...
"WWE: Allied Powers -- The World's Greatest Tag Teams"
(2009) is a three-disc set chronicles the greatest tag teams in World
Wrestling Entertainment; $24.99 from World Wrestling Entertainment ... "1,001 Classic Commercial Collection" is a compilation of 1,001 commercials from the early days of television, $14.98 from Mill Creek Entertainment.
American Gladiators The Original Series: The Battle Begins
(1989) Three-disc set with 26 episodes, $29.99. Extras:
Special booklet on the gladiators; commentaries with Dan "Nitro" Clark,
Ray "Zap" Hollitt and Jim "Laser" Starr; interview with contestant and
actor Billy Wirth. (Shout! Factory).
Barney: Book Fair DVD + Book Collection (2009)
Barney's friends are holding a book drive in the park and every time
they open a new book, a new tale begins. Package includes a DVD inside
a custom-sized reprint of the 20-page hardcover Barney storybook "Count
to 10." $14.98. (HIT/Lionsgate).
Beach Kings (2008) David
Charvet, Torrey DeVitto, Kristin Cavallari. A former college basketball
star has one last shot at greatness: the professional beach volleyball
tour. (MGM).
The Beatles Rare and Unseen: Unofficial Account of the Biggest Band in the World (2008)
All new documentary tells the story of The Beatles from their humble
beginnings in Liverpool to their break-up in London. Told for the first
time using original rare film and video of the band, including
home-movies, concert footage, newsreels and photographs from private
collections. There are also interviews with those who surrounded the
band, and those who were there from the very start. Features earliest
known footage of the Beatles on stage in Liverpool in February 1962;
the only existing film on tour in Scotland, from Caird Hall, Dundee,
October 1964; footage from the Bahamas, February 1965, during the
filming of "Help!" September 1967 footage in Newquay while filming
"Magical Mystery Tour"; home movie footage from Paris Olympia Theatre,
January 1964; highlights of an interview with John Lennon recorded in
New York for French TV. $19.95. (MVD Entertainment Group).
Bewitched: The Complete Eighth and Final Season
(1971-72) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $39.95. (Sony).
Bob the Builder: Built for Fun
(2009) Bob the Builder and the Can-Do crew build a radio station,
design greenhouses and more; five episodes; $14.98. Includes a
collectible toy vehicle. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Break (2009) Frank
Krueger, Sarah Thompson, Chad Everett, Michael Madsen, Charles Durning,
James Russo, Xin Sarith Wuku, David Carradine. Comic book-style
thriller about a terminally ill crime boss, known only as The Man, who
hires a hit man named Frank to carry out his own assassination as well
as the assassination of The Woman he loves. When The Woman turns out to
be Frank's long lost lover, he turns against The Man, becoming the
target himself. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, interviews, still gallery. (Cinema Epoch).
The Butcher
(2007) Eric Roberts, Robert Davi, Keith David, Bokeem Woodbine. Merle
"The Butcher" Hench (Roberts), a hit man with 20 years of bad luck and
gambling debts he can't repay, is an ageing loser with nothing to show
for himself but a lifetime of bad decisions. So when he's setup as a
fall guy by those he trusts, he decides to start making his own luck:
Merle will set them straight and The Butcher will have his revenge. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (Vivendi Entertainment).
Bye Bye Monkey
(1978 -- French) Gerard Depardieu, Marcello Mastroianni, Geraldine
Fitzgerald. The first English-language film from acclaimed Italian
director Marco Ferreri ("La Grande Bouffe") is a typically off-the-wall
satire on capitalism, sexual politics and modern society. Lafayette
(Depardieu), a young-ish Frenchman and Nocello (Mastroianni), an older
Italian, are a pair of misfit friends living in a run-down section of
New York City. Lafayette works for a women's lib group, which one day
decides to "rape" him to see how the shoe fits on the other foot.
Rather than being much bothered, Lafayette starts a liaison with the
woman who had sex with him. And while walking along the beach, Nocello
discovers the corpse of King Kong -- and his alive infant son! -- and
brings him to Lafayette, who decides to raise baby Kong as his own.
(Koch Lorber).
The Doors From the Outside (2008)
New documentary tells the story of The Doors, not from the perspective
of the surviving members -- as has been told so many time before -- but
from the recollections, memories, stories and anecdotes of those who
knew the group and its members best; $19.99. Extras:
"Conversation with The Lizard Queen" featurette, in which Patricia
Morrison reveals her own views about Jim Morrison as an artist, a poet
and a visionary. (MVD Entertainment Group).
Don't Touch the White Woman (1974
-- French) Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli, Catherine Deneuve.
Satirical comedy by acclaimed Italian director Marco Ferreri ("La
Grande Bouffe") transplants the Battle of Little Big Horn to the site
of a demolished Parisian Mall. Mastroianni plays a preening, primping
General Custer, Piccoli is an effeminate Buffalo Bill who performs at a
Parisian nightclub, and Deneuve is the seemingly demure frontier gal
who literally picks up Custer and throws him into bed where she
ravishes him before the Indians do. A wry look at many of the political
and social issues that shaped America. (Koch Lorber).
ER: The Complete Eleventh Season
(2004-5) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Outpatient outtakes: Unaired Scenes. (Warner).
El Camino (2008)
Elisabeth Moss, Chris Denham, Leo Fitzpatrick. A film about friendship,
family and identity in today's America. Three friends travel from
Virginia to Mexico to fulfill their mutual friend's last request to
deposit his cremated ashes there. As the young adults journey through a
culture traumatized by war and economic collapse, they confront their
unrealized selves and their grief with surprising results. (LifeSize
Entertainment/Koch Entertainment).
The Edge of Love
(2009) Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys. In
the Bohemian underground of World War II London, a stirring love story
ignites among legendary poet Dylan Thomas (Rhys) and the two
extraordinary women who inspire him. Caitlin (Miller) is Thomas'
free-spirited wife, while Vera (Knightley) is the long-lost teenage
sweetheart who later reconnects with Thomas. Despite their romantic
rivalry, the two women form a surprisingly close bond. The trio is
unusually blissful until Vera's husband, a handsome soldier (Murphy),
sends their uninhibited lives spiraling out of control. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).
For All Mankind
(2008) In July 1969, the space race ended when Apollo 11 fulfilled
President Kennedy's challenge of "landing a man on the Moon and
returning him safely to the Earth." No one who witnessed the lunar
landing will ever forget it. Al Reinert's documentary is the story of
the twenty-four men who traveled to the Moon, told in their words, in
their voices, using the images of their experiences. Original Music by
Brian Eno. New, restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised
and approved by producer-director Al Reinert. Extras:
Commentary by Reinert and Apollo 17 commander Eugene A. Cernan, the
last man to set foot on the Moon; "An Accidental Gift: The Making of
For All Mankind" documentary; "On Camera," a collection of excerpted,
on-screen interviews with fifteen of the Apollo astronauts; NASA audio
highlights and liftoff footage; booklet featuring essays by film critic
Terrence Rafferty and Reinert. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
Grey Gardens
(2009) Drew Barrymore, Jessica Lange. Based on the life stories of the
eccentric aunt and first cousin of Jackie Kennedy, this HBO drama tells
the tender, intimate story of an eccentric mother and daughter (both
named Edith Bouvier Beale, aka "Big and Little Edie"). They were raised
as Park Avenue debutantes but withdrew from New York society, taking
shelter at their Long Island summer home. As their wealth and contact
with the outside world dwindled, so did their grasp on reality. They
were reintroduced to the world when international tabloids learned of a
health department raid on their home, and Jackie swooped in to save her
relatives. Based on the lives that inspired the Maysles Brothers'
classic documentary.(HBO Home Entertainment).
The Haunting in Connecticut
(2009) Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan, Elias Koteas, Amanda Crew. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).
The Human Condition (1959-61)
Tatsuya Nakadai. Masaki Kobayashi's mammoth humanist drama is one of
the most staggering achievements of Japanese cinema. Originally filmed
and released in three parts, the nine-and-a-half-hour, adapted from
Junpei Gomikawa's six-volume novel, tells of the journey of the
well-intentioned yet naive Kaji (Tatsuya Nakadai) from labor camp
supervisor to Imperial Army soldier to Soviet POW. Constantly trying to
rise above a corrupt system, Kaji time and again finds his morals an
impediment rather than an advantage. Four-disc set with new, restored
high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
Excerpt from a rare Directors Guild of Japan video interview with
director Masaki Kobayashi, conducted by filmmaker Masahiro Shinoda; new
video interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai; video appreciation of
Kobayashi and "The Human Condition" featuring Shinoda; booklet
featuring an essay by critic Philip Kemp. (The Criterion Collection).
The Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection: Roselyne and the Lions (1989)
Cinema in the 1980s saw a new wave of French auteurs explode onto the
scene, redefining modernity in film. With "Diva" (1982) and "Betty Blu"
(1986), director Jean-Jacques Beineix created two of the most
provocative films of the era that were dark, memorable, filled with
voluptuous imagery and generous dollops of sex and/or violence. Both
films were international hits. In the 90s, Beineix turned towards more
socially conscious subjects, directing two documentaries as well as
taking up the paintbrush. He returned to feature filmmaking in 1992
with "IP5: The Island of the Pachyderms," which was the last film for
renowned actor Yves Montand. This summer, film lovers nationwide will
get the chance to view Beineix's work in theaters and on DVD, with
several titles released for the first time in the U.S. The second
release is the drama "Roselyn and the Lions," about a young man (Gerard
Sandoz) who drops out of school to apprentice as a circus lion tamer
where he falls in love with Roselyne (Isabelle Pasco). Landing in
Germany, they both fall under the tutelage of an aging big cat trainer.
Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette "The Grand Circus." (Cinema Libre Studio). For more information see "The Return of Jean-Jacques Beineix."
Journey to the Moon: The 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11
(2008) Documentary on the July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing,
including reflections by Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz
Aldrin. Also contains six classic documentaries from the NASA archive
along with two spectacular NASA photograph slideshows. $14.98. (Mill
Creek Entertainment).
Karl Rove, I Love You (2007)
Dan Butler, featuring Phil Leirness, Julia Miranda, John Hoffman, Kira
Tirimacco, Richard Waterhouse, Alex Cruz and with special appearances
by Alec Baldwin and Peter Paige. Comedy documentary follows Dan Butler
as he prepares for the role of a lifetime: playing Bush administration
architect Karl Rove in an election-year documentary. Butler sets out to
discover the "Karl Rove" inside us all, but the more Butler sees the
world through Rove's eyes, the more Butler's friends and associates
find themselves worried about his well-being. And when Butler finds
himself falling in love with Rove, truly scary events begin to occur. Extras: Commentary by cast and crew, deleted scenes. (Ariztical Entertainment)
Leverage: The First Season
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.99. Extras:
Commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes: "Leverage: Behind the Scenes,"
"Anatomy of a Stunt Fight," "The Cameras of Leverage," "Leverage Gets
Renewed" and "Beth Riesgraf's Crazy Actress Spoof." (Paramount).
Mad Men: Season Two
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).
Ménage
(1986 -- French) Dir.: Bertrand Blier; Gerard Depardieu, Michel Blanc,
Miou-Miou When a crude, charismatic thief (Depardieu) encounters a
bored and dissatisfied couple, Antoine (Blanc) and Monique (Miou-Miou),
at a bar, he offers to help the young, impoverished lovers get over
their recent run of bad luck by enlisting them to help him rob wealthy
homes. Turned on by the illicit thrills of thievery, the couple soon
abandons their world of middle-class predictability and falls under the
influence of their raffish savior. But Bob also has an ulterior motive:
as he works his seductive wiles on the couple, a bizarre love triangle
develops between the trio. (Koch Lorber).
1,001 Classic Commercial Collection
(2009) Twelve plus hours with 1,001 commercials from the early days of television, $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
One Way
(2006) Til Schweiger, Lauren Lee Smith, Michael Clarke Duncan, Eric
Roberts, Sebastien Roberts, Stefanie von Pfetten. Blackmail and revenge
thriller. Star advertising executive Eddie (Schweiger) has the
seemingly perfect life. He just landed a huge account, he earned a
promotion and he's about to marry the boss' daughter. But when he
provides a false alibi for an accused rapist in order to protect his
career and upcoming marriage, Eddie winds up in over his head with more
than he bargained for. (Vivendi Entertainment).
Peyton Place: Part Two.
Five-disc set with 31 episodes, $39.99. (Shout! Factory).
[Rec] (2007 -- Spain)
Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge Serrano, Pablo Rosso. The
Spanish horror-thriller that inspired 2008's "Quarantined," about a TV
crew that covers an apartment fire and gets stuck in the building to
fight off a lethal terror. (Sony).
Shark Week: Great Bites Collection
(2009) Two-disc set of the Discovery Channel programming about the world of Sharks, $24.98. Extras:
Featurettes: "MythBusters: Jaws," "Shark Attack Files IV," "Dirty Jobs:
Jobs That Bite" and "Dirty Jobs: Jobs That Bite Harder." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Image Entertainment).
The State: The Complete Series.
Five-disc set with all 24 episodes of the MTV cult comedy sketch show, $69.99. Extras: Commentary, outtakes, interviews, show pilot, unaired sketches, more. (Paramount).
Thomas & Friends: Percy and the Bandstand
(2009) Four Thomas & Friends episodes on the island of Sodor
involving a hot-air balloon ride, a top-secret birthday party, a
special surprise at the bandstand and more; $14.98. Extras: Songs and read-alongs. (HIT/Lionsgate).
The Transformers: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Edition Collector's Set
(1983) Sixteen-disc set with 98 restored episodes, a collectible 60-page book, Autobots and Decepticon Magnets, more. Extras:
Retrospective featurettes, concept art, voice cast reunion, archival
Hasbro Toy commercials, printable scripts, rare PSAs, "From the Files
of Teletraan-2," Fan art gallery, animated fan film. $140.00 direct
from Shout! Factory.
12
(2007 -- Russian) Directed by Nikita Mikhalkov (often referred to as
the Russian "Steven Spielberg"), "12" is a modern Russian adaptation of
Sidney Lumet's "12 Angry Men," the movie classic starring Henry Fonda.
(Sony).
The Unwinking Gaze (2008)
Documentary takes viewers inside the titanic struggle of one of the
great spiritual and political figures of our time -- the Dalai Lama --
as he tries to lead his people to a peaceful resolution with China.
$24.95. Extras: Footage of the Dalai Lama's recent trip to Canada, extended interviews. (IndiePix).
Van Wilder: Freshman Year
(2009) Jonathan Bennett, Kristin Cavallari, Steve Talley, Kurt Fuller,
Linden Ashby. A young Van follows in his wealthy father's footsteps by
enrolling at prestigious Coolidge College. Much to the easygoing
slacker's dismay, however, Coolidge is hardly the party school he
envisioned. Instead, it's a strict institution led by an uptight
dean-and to make matters worse, all the girls have taken a vow of
chastity! Determined to rectify this intolerable situation, the
civic-minded Van launches a personal crusade to free his school from
the shackles of sexual oppression and party dysfunction. Third
installment in the series of popular and rude college humor comedies.
In rated and unrated editions. Extras:
Commentary by director Harv Glazer and cast, "Creating the Legend: The
Making of Van Wilder: Freshman Year," "Going Balls Out: Colossus,"
"Coolidge College: Orientation Video," "Previously on Decatur,"
"Teacher's Pets," bloopers, more. (Paramount).
Vegas: The City the Mob Made
(2009) Series chronicles the untold history of this most American of cities, Las Vegas; $14.98. (Mill Creek Entertainment).
The Wiggles Go Bananas! (2009)
The musical darlings of the pre-school set offer 24 new songs and
special appearances by Kylie Minogue and Wiggles fan favorite Captain
Feathersword. Released just in time for their U.S. concert tour kicking
off on July 15. $14.98. Extras: "Safety Around Dogs," two bonus "Wiggle and Learn" episodes, photo gallery. (Warner).
Wild Pacific
(2009) Two-disc set of the BBC series that explores the world's mightiest ocean, $29.98. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
WWE: Allied Powers -- The World's Greatest Tag Teams
(2009) Fans can enjoy the greatest tag teams in WWE history in this
three-disc set hosted by The Miz and John Morrison, who are the current
World Tag Team champions and the longest-running WWE Tag Team Champions
in recent history. Featured are New Age Outlaws vs. Rock 'N' Sock
Connection, Tully Blanchard & Leg Luger vs. Nikita Koloff and Dusty
Rhodes, more. $24.99. (World Wrestling Entertainment).
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@onvideo,org
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.
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, July 7 -- Monday, July 13
Knowing Nicolas Cage stars in this sci-fi outing about
a professor who stumbles on terrifying predictions about the future --
and sets out to prevent them from coming true. In 1958, as part of the
dedication ceremony for a new elementary school, a group of students is
asked to draw pictures to be stored in a time capsule. But one
mysterious girl fills her sheet of paper with rows of apparently random
numbers instead. Fifty years later, a new generation of students
examines the capsule's contents and the girl's cryptic message ends up
in the hands of young Caleb Koestler. But it is Caleb's father,
professor John Koestler (Cage), who makes the startling discovery that
the encoded message predicts with pinpoint accuracy the dates, death
tolls and coordinates of every major disaster of the past 50 years. As
John further unravels the document's chilling secrets, he realizes the
document foretells three additional events -- the last of which hints
at destruction on a global scale and seems to somehow involve John and
his son. When John's attempts to alert the authorities fall on deaf
ears, he takes it upon himself to try to prevent more destruction from
taking place. With the reluctant help of Diana Wayland (Rose Byrne) and
Abby Wayland, the daughter and granddaughter of the now-deceased author
of the prophecies, John's increasingly desperate efforts take him on a
heart-pounding race against time until he finds himself facing the
ultimate disaster -- and the ultimate sacrifice. Vitals: Director: Alex Proyas. Stars: Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 115 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $79.395 million, Summit Entertainment.
Push Sci-fi action-thriller about the world of psychic
espionage where artificially enhanced paranormal operatives have the
ability to move objects with their minds, see the future, create new
realities and kill without ever touching their victims. Against this
setting, a young man and a teenage girl take on a clandestine agency in
a race against time that will determine the future of civilization. The
Division, a shadowy government agency, is genetically transforming
citizens into an army of psychic warriors -- and brutally disposing of
those unwilling to participate. Nick Gant (Chris Evans), a
second-generation telekinetic or "mover," has been in hiding since the
Division murdered his father more than a decade earlier. But he's
forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning), a 13-year-old
clairvoyant or "watcher," seeks his help in finding Kira, (Camilla
Belle), an escaped "pusher" who may hold the key to ending the
Division's program. Pushers possess the most dangerous of all psychic
powers: the ability to influence others' actions by implanting thoughts
in their minds. But Cassie's presence soon attracts the attention of
the Division's human bloodhounds, forcing Nick and Cassie to flee for
their lives. Vitals:
Director: Paul McGuigan. Stars: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla
Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Maggie Siff, Scott Michael Campbell.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 111 min., Science Fiction, Box office gross: $31.730 million, Summit Entertainment.
Unborn, The Sometimes the soul of a dead person has
been so tainted with evil that it is denied entrance to heaven. It must
endlessly wander the borderlands between worlds, desperately searching
for a new body to inhabit. And sometimes it actually succeeds. Casey
Beldon hated her mother for leaving her as a child. But when
inexplicable things start to happen, Casey begins to understand why she
left. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her
waking hours, she must turn to the only spiritual advisor, Sendak, who
can make it stop. With Sendak's help, Casey uncovers the source of a
family curse dating back to Nazi Germany -- a creature with the ability
to inhabit anyone or anything that is getting stronger with each
possession. With the curse unleashed, her only chance at survival is to
shut a doorway from beyond our world that has been pried open by
someone who was never born.
Vitals: Director: David Goyer. Stars: Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Meagan Good, Cam Gigandet, James Remar, Atticus Shaffer, Jane
Alexander, Idris Elba.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 83 min., Horror, Box office gross: 42.638 million, Universal.
"Monsters vs. Aliens" Invade Roswell on Way to DVD
It's been famous for more than 60 years as the preferred destination
for extraterrestrials, but on July 3 the town of Roswell was invaded by
monsters. B.O.B., the breakout star of DreamWorks Animations' hit
"Monsters vs. Aliens," patrolled the Roswell UFO Festival to protect
the planet and keep an eye out for invading aliens. The "Monsters vs.
Aliens" DVD and Blu-ray will arrive on Earth September 29, and will
include the world premiere of the brand new 3-D adventure "B.O.B.'s Big
Break." More to follow.
From TV to Video:
Due this week: "Kath & Kim: Season 1" (2008-09), a two-disc set with 17 episodes, $29.98 from Universal ... "Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Tenth Season" (1984-85), a five-disc set with 21 episodes, $49.98 from Universal ... "Reno 911! The Complete Sixth Season -- Uncensored" (2008), a two-disc set with 11 episodes, $26.99 from Paramount ... "Third Watch: The Complete Second Season" (2000-01), a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98 from Warner.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
Three strangers find themselves on a collision course with destiny when they discover a dead body onboard a "Night Train"
(2009), starring Danny Glover, Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn, Matthias
Schweighoefer, Geoff Bell and Richard O'Brien. Among the dead man's
possessions: a mysterious box with a treasure so valuable that the
three conspire to hide the body and split the fortune themselves; from
National Entertainment Media ... "Coco Chanel"
(2008), starring Shirley MacLaine, is the critically acclaimed film
that charts the rise of one of the most influential designers of the
20th century, pioneering fashion icon Coco Chanel; from Universal.
On the Indie Front:
In "Flying By"
(2009), starring Billy Ray Cyrus, Heather Locklear, Olesya Rulin, David
Zayas and Patricia Neal, a real estate developer goes to his 25th high
school reunion without his wife and teams up with his old band for a
reunion tour; from MTI Home Video.
For the Family: "Bedtime With Elmo" (2009) is a Sesame Workshop
feature that combines clever and familiar bedtime situations with
engaging stories, lullabies and humor to illustrate to children how
important it is to get a good night's sleep; $14.93 from Warner ... "Power Rangers RPM: Start Your Engines Vol. 1" (2009) is the latest episode from the new Power Rangers series; $19.99 from Disney.
Special Interest:
Just in time for the 40th anniversary of man's first walk on the moon comes "Moon Machines"
(2008), a critically-acclaimed six-part documentary focusing on the
efforts of the 400,000 people who created the equipment used to achieve
the lunar landings; $24.98 from Image Entertainment ... "Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes"
(2008) is a PBS American Masters' documentary that follows humorist and
commentator Garrison Keillor as he takes his skits and monologues
across the country in America's most popular radio show, "A Prairie
Home Companion." Filmed during the course of more than a year, this
intimate portrait captures Keillor, his actors and musicians as they
mingle fact and fiction to create America's collective hometown, Lake
Wobegon, on the radio program. $26.95 from Docurama ... "The Released"
(2008) is a PBS Frontline documentary that looks at the lives of
mentally ill public offenders and the obstacles they face once released
from prison.; $24.99 from PBS Distribution ... "Nursery University"
(2009) is a documentary that takes a wry look at the intense
competition for admission into the best preschools schools around the
country, revealing with humor and humanity the surprisingly elaborate
process of applications, anxious parent-toddler interviews, placement
lotteries and pricey consultants. $26.95 from Docurama ... "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XV"
is a four-disc set with four "misunderstood masterpieces" that get the
MST commentary treatment: "The Robot Vs. The Aztec Mummy," "The Girl in
Lovers Lane," "Zombie Nightmare" and "Racket Girls"; $59.99 from Shout!
Factory ... "Young & Handsome: A Night With Jeff Garlin" (2009) is a Comedy Central standup act filmed at the historic Second City Theatre in Chicago; from Shout! Factory.
Bedtime With Elmo
(2009) Sesame Workshop feature combines clever and familiar bedtime
situations with engaging stories, lullabies and humor to illustrate to
children how important it is to get a good night's sleep; $14.93.
(Warner).
Coco Chanel (2008) Shirley
MacLaine Critically acclaimed film that charts the rise of one of the
most influential designers of the 20th century. From her humble
childhood and early days as a young dressmaker's assistant, to her
passionate love affair with a dashing Englishman and ultimate success
as a pioneering fashion icon, Coco Chanel is the story of a glamorous
woman who was hard to love and harder to ignore. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (Universal).
Flying By
(2009) Billy Ray Cyrus, Heather Locklear, Olesya Rulin, David Zayas,
Patricia Neal. A real estate developer goes to his 25th high school
reunion without his wife and teams up with his old band for a reunion
tour. Faced with a world where dreams collide with life, he has to
consider the effects on his marriage, his daughter and his business. Extras: Alternate ending performance and montage, "A Film Conversation" with the director, DP and editor. (MTI Home Video).
Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes
(2008) PBS American Masters' documentary follows humorist and
commentator Garrison Keillor as he takes his skits and monologues
across the country in America's most popular radio show, "A Prairie
Home Companion." Filmed during the course of more than a year, this
intimate portrait captures Keillor, his actors and musicians as they
mingle fact and fiction to create America's collective hometown, Lake
Wobegon, on the radio program. The weekly show, celebrating its 35th
anniversary this July, has more than 4 million listeners and is
broadcast on 590 stations. $26.95. Extras:
Outtakes, "Garrison Keillor Talks to Students," interview with Robert
Altman (who directed the big-screen feature "A Prairie Home Companion")
and Keillor, filmmaker biography. (Docurama).
Kath & Kim: Season 1
(2008-09) Two-disc set with 17 episodes, $29.98. Extras: Gag reel, deleted scenes, commentaries. (Universal).
Knowing
(2009) Nicolas Cage, Rose Byrne, Chandler Canterbury. Extras: Commentary, "Visions of the Apocalypse" and "The Making of a Futuristic Thriller" featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Summit Entertainment).
Moon Machines (2008) Just
in time for the 40th anniversary of man's first walk on the moon comes
this critically-acclaimed six-part documentary focusing on the efforts
of the 400,000 people who created the equipment used to achieve the
lunar landings. Originally debuted on "The Science Channel" during
Space Week. The episodes: "Saturn V," "Command Module," "Navigation,"
"Lunar Module," "Suits" and "Lunar Rover/" $24.98. (Image
Entertainment).
Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Tenth Season
(1984-85) Five-disc set with 21 episodes, $49.98. (Universal).
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Volume XV. Four-disc
set with four "misunderstood masterpieces" that get the MST commentary
treatment: "The Robot Vs. The Aztec Mummy," "The Girl in Lovers Lane,"
"Zombie Nightmare" and "Racket Girls"; $59.99. Extras:
Four limited-edition mini-posters, new interviews with the stars from
"Zombie Nightmare"; Frank Dietz and Jon Mikl Thor in "Zombie Nightmare
= MST3K Dream" featurette; "Glimpses of KTMA: MST3K Scrapbook Scraps I"
(original wrap-around segments from the KTMA season in Minneapolis);
"Behind-the-Scenes: MST3K Scrapbook Scraps II"; Kevin Murphy and Trace
Beaulieu in a sneak peak from the upcoming "Hamlet A.D.D."; promos.
(Shout! Factory).
Night Train (2009) Danny
Glover, Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn, Matthias Schweighoefer, Geoff
Bell, Richard O'Brien. Three strangers find themselves on a collision
course with destiny when they discover a dead body onboard a night
train. Among his possessions: a mysterious box with a treasure so
valuable that the three conspire to hide the body and split the fortune
themselves. Extras: "Making-of" featurette, interviews with the cast and crew, photo gallery. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (National Entertainment Media).
Nursery University
(2009) In communities across the country, competition for admission
into the best schools is starting very early ... as in preschool. This
documentary takes a wry look at this cultural phenomenon, revealing
with humor and humanity the surprisingly elaborate process of
applications, anxious parent-toddler interviews, placement lotteries
and pricey consultants. Cue the tears, hysterics and breakdowns and
that's just the parents. $26.95. Extras:
"Tips from the Experts: Advice for Getting Into Nursery School";
commentary by the filmmakers; Q&As with the parents, admissions
officers, and filmmakers; deleted scenes. (Docurama)
Peanuts 1960s Collection
(Two-disc set with six Peanuts TV specials: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
(1965), "Charlie Brown's All-Stars" (1966), "It's the Great Pumpkin,
Charlie Brown" (1966), "You're in Love, Charlie Brown" (1967), "He's
Your Dog, Charlie Brown" (1968) and "It was a Short Summer, Charlie
Brown" (1969); $29.98. (Warner).
Power Rangers RPM: Start Your Engines Vol. 1
(2009) The latest episode from the new Power Rangers series; $19.99. (Disney).
Push
(2009) Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou, Maggie Siff, Scott Michael Campbell. Extras: Commentaries, deleted scenes, "The Science Behind the Fiction" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Summit Entertainment).
The Released (2008) PBS
Frontline documentary looks at the lives of mentally ill public
offenders and the obstacles they face once released from prison. This
year, hundreds of thousands of prisoners with serious mental illnesses
will be released into communities across America, the largest exodus in
the nation's history. Typically, mentally ill offenders leave prison
with a bus ticket, $75 and two weeks worth of medication. Within 18
months, nearly two-thirds are re-arrested. Frontline examines what
happens to the mentally ill when they leave prison and why they return
at such alarming rates. $24.99. (PBS Distribution).
Reno 911! The Complete Sixth Season -- Uncensored
(2008) Two-disc set with 11 episodes, $26.99. Extras:
Reno Department Presents: Office Policies and Workplace Etiquette"
eight-part featurette, "Reno Officers at Mardi Gras." (Paramount).
Third Watch: The Complete Second Season
(2000-01) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. (Warner).
The Unborn
(2009) Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Meagan Good, Cam Gigandet, James Remar, Atticus Shaffer, Jane Alexander, Idris Elba.
Extras: Deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Young & Handsome: A Night With Jeff Garlin
(2009) Comedy Central standup act filmed at the historic Second City Theatre in Chicago. (Shout! Factory).
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@onvideo,org
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
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, June 30 -- Monday, July 6
Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience -- Deluxe Extended Movie A 3-D concert film of the 2008 Jonas Brothers "Burning Up" concert
tour, as well as documentary footage on the lives of the three
brothers.
Vitals: Director:. Stars:.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: G, 76 min., Music, Box office gross: $19.161 million, Disney. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Based on the
wildly popular Street Fighter video game series. In this classic story
of good vs. evil, Chun-Li must stand strong against the Shadaloo
syndicate who is determined to take over Bangkok slums already teeming
with a dangerous criminal element. Previously adapted for the screen in
the 1994 Jean-Claude Van Damme film of the same name. Vitals:
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak. Stars: Kristin Kreuk, Michael Clarke
Duncan, Neal McDonough, Taboo, Chris Klein, Moon Bloodgood, Edmund
Chen, Cheng Pei Pei, Josie Ho, Robin Shou.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Action, Box office gross: $8.737 million, Fox.
12 Rounds When New Orleans Police Detective Danny
Fisher (WWE's John Cena) stops a brilliant thief from getting away with
a multi-million dollar heist, the thief's girlfriend is accidentally
killed. After escaping from prison, the criminal mastermind enacts his
revenge, taunting the cop with a series of near-impossible puzzles and
tasks -- 12 Rounds of dangerous games -- that Fisher must complete to
save the life of his own fiancee. Vitals: Director: Renny Harlin. Stars: John Cena, Steve Harris, Aidan Gillen, Brian White, Gonzalo Menendez.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 108 min., Action Thriller, Box office gross: $11.812 million, Fox. Two Lovers Set in the insular world of Brighton Beach,
Brooklyn. A charismatic but troubled young man (Joaquin Phoenix) moves
back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. While
recovering under the watchful eye of his parents (Isabella Rossellini
and Moni Monoshov), Leonard meets two women in quick succession:
Michelle (Gwyneth Paltrow), a mysterious and beautiful neighbor who is
exotic and out-of-place in Leonard's staid world, and Sandra (Vinessa
Shaw), the lovely and caring daughter of a businessman who is buying
out his family's dry-cleaning business. Leonard becomes deeply
infatuated by Michelle, who seems poised to fall for him, but is having
a self-destructive affair with a married man. At the same time,
mounting pressure from his family pushes him towards committing to
Sandra. Leonard is forced to make an impossible decision -- between the
impetuousness of desire and the comfort of love -- or risk falling back
into the darkness that nearly killed him. Vitals: Director: James Gray. Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, Moni Moshonov.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Drama, Box office gross: $3.109 million, Magnolia Pictures.
DVD Collectibles:
Director Hal Ashby, who died an untimely death in 1988 after fighting
internal demons that led him to drug and booze abuse, left behind a
brilliant, maverick career that included winning an Oscar for editing
"In the Heat of the Night" (1967) and directing such unusual films as
"The Landlord" (1970), "Harold and Maude" (1971) "The Last Detail"
(1973), "Shampoo" (1975), "Bound for Glory" (1976), "Coming Home"
(1978) and Being There (1979). His "Lookin' to Get Out"
(1982), starring Jon Voight, Burt Young and Ann-Margret, will debut in
a never-before-seen cut that represents the director's original vision.
The new version was recently uncovered with the help of its star, Jon
Voight, Ashby-biographer Nick Dawson and Ashby's daughter, Leigh
MacManus, who found that, unbeknownst to anyone, the director had
re-edited the film after its release, then donated it to the UCLA
archives prior to his death. The comedy follows the trials and
tribulations of a pair of New York City losers who flee to Las Vegas to
escape a loan shark hot on their trail. The DVD was originally
scheduled for a May 26 release but was delayed. From Warner.
Universal has put together a special edition of Spike Lee's ground-breaking "Do the Right Thing" (1989) on the film's 20th anniversary.
The controversial and joyous film centers around one scorching
inner-city day when racial tensions reach the boiling point in a tough
Brooklyn neighborhood. Stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee,
Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Spike Lee, Bill Nunn, John Turturro,
Paul Benjamin and Frankie Faison. Extras include "Do the Right Thing:
20 Years Later"; deleted and extended scenes; commentary by Spike Lee;
commentary by Lee, director of photography Ernest Dickerson, production
designer Wynn Thomas and actor Joie Lee; behind-the-scenes featurette;
more ... ... In "Tokyo!"
(2008), directors Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind"), Leos Carax ("The Lovers on the Bridge") and Bong Joon-Ho ("The
Host") use their unique brand of storytelling to weave a thematic tale
(about Transformation, Anarchy, and Rebirth respectively) set in and
about the ultra-modern metropolis of Tokyo in this three-part anthology
film. From Liberation Entertainment.
From TV to Video: "Blue Murder, Set 4 " (2009) is a
two-disc set with six episodes of the hit U.K. crime drama about DCI
Janine Lewis of the Manchester police, a woman valiantly struggling to
balance a dangerous, high-profile career with the demands of being a
single mother of four; $39.99 from Acorn Media ... "Dog the Bounty Hunter: Best of Season 5" (2008) is a single disc, $19.95 from A&E Home Video ... "Eastbound & Down"
(2009) is a two-disc set with six episodes of the new HBO comedy series
about a washed-up former Major League Baseball star forced to return to
his hometown, $29.98 from HBO Home Entertainment ... "Entourage: The Complete Fifth Season" (2008) is a three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.98. from HBO Home Entertainment ... "Eureka: Season 3.0" (2008-09) is a two-disc set, $29.98 from Universal ... "The IT Crowd: The Complete Second Season" (2008) features six episodes of the IFC comedy series, $24.98 from MPI Media Group ... "Jockeys"
(2009) is a two-disc set with 14 episodes of the series that follows
the trials and tribulations of horse racing's diminutive heroes, $19.95
from Animal Planet/Genius Products ... "The Lucille Ball Specials"
features two 1975 TV specials: "Lucy Gets Lucky" starring Dean Martin
and "Three for Two" starring Jackie Gleason, $19.98 from MPI Media
Group ... "Monsterquest: Season 3, Set 1"
is a two-disc set of episodes from the series that explores strange and
unknown creatures that have been spotted in various parts of the world,
$24.95 from A&E Home Video ... "Parker Lewis Can't Lose: The Complete First Season" (1990-91) is a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $49.99 Shout! Factory ... "Reba: The Complete Sixth Season" (2006-07) is a single disc with 13 episodes, $24.98 from Fox ... "Stargate: Atlantis Season 5" (2008-09) is a five-disc set with 20 episodes, $49.98 from MGM.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
In "The Betrayed" (2008), starring
Melissa George, Oded Fehr and Christian Campbell, a young woman is
kidnapped and told that if she is to see her son again, she has to kill
her husband, whom the captors say is a brutal killer who has stole
millions from their mysterious crime syndicate; from MGM ... In "Hide"
(2008), starring Rachel Miner, Christian Kane, Polly Shannon and Beth
Grant, a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde terrorize the South; from MTI Home
Video ... When sea creatures surface in search of something more
substantial to devour than marine life, a captain and a sea biologist
must wage a battle against them in order to save mankind from total
extinction in "Sea Beast" (aka Troglodyte) (2008),
starring Corin Nemec, Miriam McDonald, Daniel Wisler and Brandon Jay
McLaren; from RHI Entertainment/Genius Products ... In "Tunnel Rats"
(2008), directed by Uwe Boll and starring Michael Pare, a special U.S.
combat unit is sent out to hunt and kill Viet Cong soldiers in
man-to-man combat in the endless tunnels underneath the jungle of
Vietnam in 1967; from Vivendi Entertainment ... "The Human Contract" (2008), starring Joanna
Cassidy, Caleeb Pinkett, Steven Brand, Anne Ramsay, Tava Smiley and
T.J. Thyne, is a sensual tale of an uptight businessman who becomes
entangled with a seductive stranger who encourages him to live life
with reckless passion; directed and written by Jada Pinkett Smith; from
Sony.
On the Indie Front: "Change Your Life!" (2009) is a
mockumentary about Ponzi schemes, multi-level marketing scams, and the
get-rich-quick mindset that nearly bankrupted America; from
www.GetRichQuickFlick.com (just in time for Bernie Madoff's 150-year
sentence) ... "The Education of Charlie Banks"
(2007), starring Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, Eva Amurri, Christopher
Marquette, Sebastian Stan and Gloria Votsis, is a coming of age story
about students at an elite upstate New York College in the 1980s; from
Anchor Bay Entertainment.
For the Family: "Princess Protection Program" (2009) is a Disney
Channel Original Movie about two very different girls -- a princess
from a small kingdom who's whisked to the States in the Princess
Protection Program when her small country is invaded; and the small
town Wisconsin girl who helps the princess pass as a normal teen; from
Disney.
Special Interest: "Apollo 11: A Night to Remember"
(2009) features rare, recently recovered archival footage from the BBC
that follows the Apollo 11 astronauts from their preflight breakfast on
July 16, 1969, through Neil Armstrong's "one giant leap for mankind,"
to the splashdown in the Pacific eight days later; $24.99 from Acorn
Media ... "Muhammad Ali: In His Own Words" (2009) is a documentary on "The Greatest"; $9.98 from MPI Media Group ... "The Queens of Country"
is a three-disc set with "Dolly & Friends," "Loretta Lynn: Songs of
Inspiration" and "Patsy Cline: Sweet Dreams Still," $24.98 from MPI
Media Group ... "RiP! A Remix Manifesto" (2009) is an
innovative, surprisingly raucous and energetic documentary exploring
the complexities of intellectual property in the era of peer-to-peer
file sharing as Web activist and filmmaker Brett Gaylor invites
audiences to remix his raw footage (at opensourcecinema.org), allowing
them to become part of the film itself; $24.95 from Disinformation
Company ... "Nostradamus: 2012" (2009) is a History
Channel documentary that takes a look at the predictions of the prophet
(credited with foreseeing some of the world's most shocking events
hundreds of years before they ever took place), connecting his End of
Days prophecy with those of the Hopi and Mayan shamans; $19.95 from
A&E Home Entertainment ... World Wrestling Entertainment has two
all-out wrestling DVDs this week: "WWE: Backlash 2009"
(2009), featuring Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Triple H, a six-man tag team match and more; and "WWE: Judgment Day 2009" (2009); each $24.95 from World Wrestling Entertainment.
Uni Plays It "Fast & Furious"
Universal has just announced a July 28 release date for "Fast &
Furious," the fiery, turbo-charged actioner reuniting the stars from
the first vehicle in the franchise, "The Fast and the Furious." Vin
Diesel and Paul Walker head back to the streets where it all began,
rejoining Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster, blasting through Los
Angeles and into the Mexican desert to track down a heroin drug lord.
The film screeches home on a two-disc Blu-ray set, a two-disc Special
Edition DVD, a single-disc DVD and as download-to-own. Both the Blu-ray
and Special Edition DVD sets are packed with bonus features and contain
a digital copy of the film that can be played on an array of electronic
devices.
Apollo 11: A Night to Remember
(2009) Rare, recently recovered archival footage from the BBC follows
the Apollo 11 astronauts from their preflight breakfast on July 16,
1969, to their splashdown in the Pacific eight days later. Includes the
suspense of countdown, the thunder of blastoff, the epic 218,096-mile
flight and, of course, Neil Armstrong's "one giant leap for mankind."
$24.99. (Acorn Media).
The Betrayed (2008)
Melissa George, Oded Fehr, Christian Campbell. A young woman is
kidnapped and told that if she is to see her son again, she has to kill
her husband, whom the captors say is a brutal killer who has stole
millions from their mysterious crime syndicate. (MGM).
Blue Murder, Set 4 (2009)
Two-disc set with six episodes of the hit U.K. crime drama about DCI
Janine Lewis of the Manchester police, a woman valiantly struggling to
balance a dangerous, high-profile career with the demands of being a
single mother of four; $39.99. (Acorn Media).
Change Your Life! (2009)
Tony Plana, Ada Maris, Taylor Negron. Mockumentary about Ponzi schemes,
multi-level marketing scams, and the get-rich-quick mindset that nearly
bankrupted America. Release (June 29) coincides with the sentencing of
financial evildoer Bernie Madoff. (www.GetRichQuickFlick.com).
Do the Right Thing 20th Anniversary Edition (1989)
Dir.: Spike Lee; Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson,
Giancarlo Esposito, Spike Lee, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Paul Benjamin,
Frankie Faison. Extras:
"Do the Right Thing: 20 Years Later"; deleted and extended scenes;
commentary by Spike Lee; commentary by Lee, drector of photography
Ernest Dickerson, production designer Wynn Thomas and actor Joie Lee;
behind-the-scenes featurette; "Making Do The Right Thing"; "The Riot
Sequence"; "Cannes, 1989." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).
Dog the Bounty Hunter: Best of Season 5
(2008) Single disc, $19.95. (A&E Home Video).
Eastbound & Down
(2009) Two-disc set with six episodes of the new HBO comedy series
about a washed-up former Major League Baseball star forced to return to
his hometown to teach P.E. at his old middle school; $29.98. (HBO Home
Entertainment).
The Education of Charlie Banks (2007)
Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, Eva Amurri, Christopher Marquette,
Sebastian Stan, Gloria Votsis. Limp Bizkit front man Fred Durst's
directorial debut. Coming of age story about students at an elite
upstate New York College in the 1980s. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).
Entourage: The Complete Fifth Season
(2008) Three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.98. (HBO Home Entertainment).
Hide
(2008) Rachel Miner, Christian Kane, Polly Shannon, Beth Grant. A modern-day Bonnie and Clyde terrorize the South. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (MTI Home Video).
The Human Contract (2008)
Joanna Cassidy, Caleeb Pinkett, Steven Brand, Anne Ramsay, Tava Smiley,
T.J. Thyne. Sensual tale of an uptight businessman who becomes
entangled with a seductive stranger who encourages him to live life
with reckless passion; directed and written by Jada Pinkett Smith. Extras:
Commentary by Jada Pinkett Smith and cinematographer Darren Genet, "The
Human Experience" making of featurette, "The Roll of Film" featurette.
(Sony).
The IT Crowd: The Complete Second Season
(2008) Six episodes of the IFC comedy series, $24.98. Extras: Outtakes, commentary. (MPI Media Group).
Jockeys (2009) Two-disc
set with 14 episodes of the series that follows the trials and
tribulations of horse racing's diminutive heroes, $19.95. (Animal
Planet/Genius Products).
Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience -- Deluxe Extended Movie (2009)
A 3-D concert film of the 2008 Jonas Brothers "Burning Up" concert
tour, as well as documentary footage on the lives of the three
brothers. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Lookin' to Get Out
(1982) Dir.: Hal Ashby; Jon Voight, Burt Young, Ann-Margret. Hal
Ashby's ("Being There," "Coming Home," "In the Heat of the Night")
comedy will debut in a never-before-seen cut that represents the
director's original vision. The new version was recently uncovered with
the help of its star, Jon Voight, Ashby-biographer Nick Dawson and
Ashby's daughter, Leigh MacManus, who found that, unbeknownst to
anyone, the director had re-edited the film after its release, then
donated it to the UCLA archives prior to his death. Part of Warner's
Director's Showcase: Take Four. Extras:
"Lookin' to Get Out: The Cast Looks Back" with all new interview with
Jon Voight, Burt Young and Ann-Margret. Originally scheduled for May 26
but delayed. (Warner).
The Lucille Ball Specials.
Two 1975 TV specials: "Lucy Gets Lucky" starring Dean Martin, "Three for Two" starring Jackie Gleason, $19.98. Extras:
"Let's Talk to Lucy," long-lost radio interviews with Dean Martin,
bloopers, featurette with guest actor Gino Conforti, rare Lucy footage.
(MPI Media Group).
Monsterquest: Season 3, Set 1. Two-disc
set of episodes from the series that explores strange and unknown
creatures that have been spotted in various parts of the world, $24.95.
(A&E Home Video).
Muhammad Ali: In His Own Words
(2009) "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee..." Documentary on "The Greatest." $9.98. (MPI Media Group).
Nostradamus: 2012 (2009)
History Channel documentary takes a look at the predictions of the
prophet (credited with foreseeing some of the world's most shocking
events hundreds of years before they ever took place), connecting his
End of Days prophecy with those of the Hopi and Mayan shamans. $19.95.
(A&E Home Entertainment).
Parker Lewis Can't Lose: The Complete First Season
(1990-91) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $49.99. Extras:
Commentaries, "A Look Back at Parker Lewis Can't Lose With the Cast and
Creators" featurette, booklet with an introduction by creator Clyde
Phillips, (Shout! Factory).
Princess Protection Program (2009)
Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato. Disney Channel Original Movie about two very
different girls -- a princess from a small kingdom who's whisked to the
States in the Princess Protection Program when her small country is
invaded and the small town Wisconsin girl who helps the princess pass
as a normal teen. (Disney).
The Queens of Country. Three-disc
set with "Dolly & Friends," "Loretta Lynn: Songs of Inspiration"
and "Patsy Cline: Sweet Dreams Still," $24.98. (MPI Media Group).
Reba: The Complete Sixth Season
(2006-07) Single disc with 13 episodes, $24.98, (Fox).
RiP! A Remix Manifesto (2009)
Innovative, surprisingly raucous and energetic documentary exploring
the complexities of intellectual property in the era of peer-to-peer
file sharing. An audience favorite at film festivals worldwide, this
movie-as-mash-up shatters the wall between users and producers, as Web
activist and filmmaker Brett Gaylor invites audiences to remix his raw
footage (at opensourcecinema.org), allowing them to become part of the
film itself. Extras: Deleted scenes, mash-up favorites from OpenSourceCinema.org. $24.95. (Disinformation Company).
Sea Beast (aka Troglodyte)
(2008) Corin Nemec, Miriam McDonald, Daniel Wisler, Brandon Jay
McLaren. Fourteenth installment in the Maneater series. When sea
creatures surface in search of something more substantial to devour
than marine life, a captain and a sea biologist must wage a battle
against them in order to save mankind from total extinction. (RHI
Entertainment/Genius Products).
Stargate: Atlantis Season 5
(2008-09) Five-disc set with 20 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Extended episodes "Vegas" and "Enemy at the Gate," behind-the-scenes cast and crew interviews, commentaries. (MGM).
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
Kristin Kreuk, Michael Clarke Duncan, Neal McDonough, Taboo, Chris
Klein, Moon Bloodgood, Edmund Chen, Cheng Pei Pei, Josie Ho, Robin
Shou. Available as an "Unleashed & Unrated" three-disc Blu-ray and
two-disc DVD. Extras:
Theatrical and unrated feature; commentary by Patrick Aiello, Ashok
Amritraj, Neal McDonough and Chris Klein; Deleted Scenes; "Marvel vs.
Capcom 2: Sneak Peek"; "Becoming a Street Fighter"; "Chun Li: Bringing
the Legend to Life"; "Fox Movie Channel Presents Making a Scene";
"Recreating the Game": arcade to film comparisons; "The Fight in Black
and White": storyboard gallery; "Behind the Fight" production gallery;
" Street Fighter Round One: FIGHT!" animated comic movie. (Fox).
Tokyo! (2008) Directors
Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"), Leos Carax
("The Lovers on the Bridge") and Bong Joon-Ho ("The Host") use their
unique brand of storytelling to weave a thematic tale (Transformation,
Anarchy, and Rebirth respectively) set in the ultra-modern metropolis
of Tokyo in this three-part anthology film. Extras: Three making-of featurettes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Liberation Entertainment).
Tunnel Rats
(2008) Dir.: Uwe Boll; Michael Pare. The year is 1967. American troops
are making their way through the jungle of the Cu Chi District of
Vietnam. A special U.S. combat unit is sent out to hunt and kill the
Viet Cong soldiers in a man-to-man combat in the endless tunnels
underneath the jungle of Vietnam. Extras: Deleted scenes, behind the scenes, interview with director Uwe Boll. (Vivendi Entertainment).
12 Rounds
(2008) Dir.: Renny Harlin; John Cena, Steve Harris, Aidan Gillen, Brian White, Gonzalo Menendez.
Available as a standard DVD and unrated Blu-ray Disc. Blu-ray extras: Commentary by director Renny Harlin, alternate endings, featurettes, digital copy. (Fox).
Two Lovers
(2009) Joaquin Phoenix, Gwyneth Paltrow, Vinessa Shaw, Isabella Rossellini, Elias Koteas, Moni Moshonov. (Magnolia Pictures).
WWE: Backlash 2009
(2009) WWE rivalries intensify after the 25th anniversary of
WrestleMania, featuring Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Triple H, a six-man
tag team match and more. $24.95. (World Wrestling Entertainment).
WWE: Judgment Day 2009
(2009) Wrestling battles pick up where WrestleMania left off. $24.95. (World Wrestling Entertainment).
For more
DVD info, check out our DVD calendar pages at <http://www.onvideo.org/calendar/cal_dvd.htm>
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, June 23 -- Monday, June 29
Confessions of a Shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood is a
sweet and charming New York City girl who has a tiny, little problem
that is rapidly turning into a big problem: she's hopelessly addicted
to shopping and drowning in a sea of debt. While Rebecca has dreams of
working for a top fashion magazine, she can't quite get her foot in the
door -- that is, until she snags a job as an advice columnist for a new
financial magazine published by the same company. Overnight, her column
becomes hugely popular, turning her into a celebrity. But when her
compulsive shopping and growing debt issues threaten to destroy her
love life and derail her career, she struggles to keep it all from
spiraling out of control ... and is ultimately forced to reevaluate
what's really important in life.Vitals:
Director: P.J. Hogan. Stars: Isla Fisher, Joan Cusack, John Goodman,
Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie
Bibb, Lynn Redgrave, Julie Hagerty, Fred Armisen, Robert Stanton,
Christine Ebersole, Clea Lewis, Wendie Malick, Stephanie March.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 112 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $43.997 million, Disney.
Inkheart Based on the book by Cornelia Funke,
"Inkheart" is an adventure tale of imagination that centers on Meggie,
a young girl whose father has a secret ability to bring characters from
books to life when he reads them aloud. But when a power-hungry villain
from a rare children's fable kidnaps Meggie's father to bring others
out of the boundaries of fiction, she and a disparate group of friends
-- both real and magic -- embark on the kind of adventure she has only
read about in books to save him and set things right. Vitals:
Director: Iain Softley. Stars: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Jim
Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis, Eliza Bennett, Rafi Gavron,
Sienna Guillory.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 105 min., Family, Box office gross: $17.281 million, Warner.
Pink Panther 2, The Steve Martin reprises the role of
intrepid-if-bumbling French police detective Inspector Jacques
Clouseau. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen,
including the priceless Pink Panther diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus
(John Cleese) is forced to assign Clouseau to a team of international
detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving
the stolen artifacts.
Vitals: Director: Harald
Zwart. Stars: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia,
John Cleese, Alfred Molina, Molly Sims, Aishwarya Rai, Yuki Matsuzaki,
Lily Tomlin.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 92 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $35.922 million, MGM.
Waltz With Bashir Based on actual events, "Waltz With
Bashir" is a powerful and ground breaking animated feature that follows
one man's personal experience with the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. In
addition to its Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe win for Best
Foreign-Language film, "Waltz With Bashir" was nominated for the Palme
D'Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival and was a 2008 official selection
at the New York Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival and the
Telluride Film Festival. Inspired by actual events, "Waltz with Bashir"
chronicles one man's descent into his own half-forgotten past.
Filmmaker Ari Folman, an Israeli veteran of the First Lebanon War,
encounters an old friend suffering from nightmares of the conflict. Ari
begins to wonder why his own memories are full of gaps. In an effort to
uncover the truth, he reconnects with old friends and dares to confront
the horrors of war. Vitals: Director: Ari Folman. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 87 min., Animated, Box office gross: $2.273 million, Sony.
DVD Collectibles:
There's two fascinating releases this week from The Criterion Collection. At the top of the list is Alain Resnais' "Last Year At Marienbad"
(1961), starring Giorgio Albertazzi and the gorgeous Delphine Seyrig.
Not just a defining work of the French New Wave but one of the great,
lasting mysteries of modern art, Alain Resnais' epochal visual poem has
been puzzling appreciative viewers for decades. A surreal fever dream,
or perhaps a nightmare, "Last Year at Marienbad" (L'annee derniere a
Marienbad), written by the radical master of the New Novel, Alain
Robbe-Grillet, gorgeously fuses the past with the present in telling
its ambiguous tale of a man and a woman who may or may not have met a
year ago, perhaps at the very same cathedral-like, mirror-bedecked
chateau they now find themselves wandering. Unforgettable in both its
confounding details (gilded ceilings, diabolical parlor games, a loaded
gun) and haunting scope, Resnais' investigation into the nature of
memory is disturbing, romantic, and maybe even a ghost story. In a new,
restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by
Resnais. Extras include an audio interview with Resnais; a new
documentary on the making of "Last Year at Marienbad," featuring
interviews with many of Resnais' collaborators; new video interview
with film scholar Ginette Vincendeau on the history of the film and its
many mysteries; two short documentaries by Resnais: "Toute la memoire
du monde" (1956) and "Le chant du styrene" (1958); and a booklet
featuring essays by critic Mark Polizzotti and film scholar Francois
Thomas, and Alain Robbe-Grillet's introduction to the published
screenplay and comments on the film.
Next up is Louis Malle's captivating and philosophical "My Dinner With Andre"
(1981), in which actor and playwright Wallace Shawn sits down with
friend and theater director Andre Gregory at a Manhattan restaurant,
and the two proceed into an alternately whimsical and despairing
confessional on love, death, money, and all the superstition in
between. In a new, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras
include new video interviews with Gregory and Shawn by filmmaker and
friend Noah Baumbach; "My Dinner with Louis," an episode from the BBC
program "Arena," in which Shawn interviews director Louis Malle; a
booklet featuring an essay by critic Amy Taubin and the prefaces
written for the printed screenplay by Gregory and Shawn.
Cinema in the 1980s saw a new wave of French auteurs
explode onto the scene, redefining modernity in film. With "Diva"
(1982) and "Betty Blu" (1986), director Jean-Jacques Beineix created
two of the most provocative films of the era that were dark, memorable,
filled with voluptuous imagery and generous dollops of sex and/or
violence. Both films were international hits. In the 90s, Beineix
turned towards more socially conscious subjects, directing two
documentaries as well as taking up the paintbrush. He returned to
feature filmmaking in 1992 with "IP5: The Island of the Pachyderms,"
which was the last film for renowned actor Yves Montand. This summer,
film lovers nationwide will get the chance to view Beineix's work in
theaters and on DVD, with several titles released for the first time in
the U.S. in "The Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection. The
first release is the heart-wrenching documentary "Locked in Syndrome"
(1997) about editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was paralyzed by a stroke
in 1995 and learned how to communicate by blinking his left eye as he
dictated his memoir (The story was made into 2007's "The Diving Bell
and the Butterfly" by Julian Schnabel). Extras: Two Beineix shorts: "Otaku" and "Mr. Michel's Dog." (Cinema Libre Studio). For more information, see "The Return of Jean-Jacques Beineix."
From TV to Video:
Due this week: "Girls Next Door Season Five" (2008-09), a three-disc set with 15 episodes, $29.98 from Fox.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
Stay out of the woods this week: Maniacal lunatics threaten a group of
office workers on a survival/paint-ball company retreat in the
wilderness in "Backwoods"
(2008), starring Haylie Duff, Ryan Merriman, Danny Nucci and Jonathan
Chase; from RHI Entertainment/Genius Products ... A spring break
camping trip turns into a splatterfest when five teens meet up with
homicidal twins who knock them off one by one in "Simon Says" (2006), starring Blake Lively, Crispin Glover and Margo Harshman; from Barnholtz Entertainment/Lionsgate ... In "War Wolves"
(2009), starring John Saxon, Michael Worth, Tim Thomerson, Adrienne
Barbeau and Natasha Alam, a special-forces unit returns to the United
States from the Middle East to hunt down a soldier who has been
infected with a werewolf virus. Little do they know that three of the
female soldiers serving in the unit have also been infected and have
already transformed into she-wolves. The she-wolf forces of evil and
the special op forces of good are pitted against each other in a race
to save humankind from turning into wolves. From Monarch Home Video ...
A nurse finds herself embroiled in a tense and potentially deadly
family affair when she falls for the son of her ruthless new husband in
"Love, Murder and Deceit (AKA My Stepson, My Lover)"
(1997), starring Rachel Ward, Joshua Morrow and Terry O'Quinn; from Vanguard Cinema.
On the Indie Front:
In 2001 unemployed actor Garth Petridis was imprisoned for one of the
most unusual crimes in Australian history: Desperate for success he
kidnapped members of the public and forced them to perform in a bizarre
movie intended to make "Garth" a household name. "The Garth Method" (2004), starring Gregory Pakis, is his story; from Vanguard Cinema ... In
"He's On My Mind" (2009), starring Sherial Mckinney,
an elementary school teacher falls in love and gets married only to
find out that her husband's a bigamist. Devastated, she vows to figure
out "Why Men Do What They Do", and is spontaneously imbued with the
ability to intercept men's thoughts; from Vanguard Cinema ... "Phoebe in Wonderland"
(2008), starring Felicity Huffman, Elle Fanning, Patricia Clarkson,
Bill Pullman and Campbell Scot, is a heartfelt, fantastical story about
a troubled, imaginative girl (Elle Fanning) devoted to "Alice in
Wonderland." Phoebe longs to be in the school production of "Alice in
Wonderland" and after her peculiar drama teacher (Patricia Clarkson)
casts her, Phoebe struggles to control her behavior, but begins
retreating to an imaginary fantasy world peopled by characters from
"Alice"; from Image Entertainment ...
"Bob Funk/Font> (2009), starring Rachael Leigh
Cook, Grace Zabriskie, Amy Ryan, Eddie Jemison, Stephen Root, Michael
Leydon Campbell, Lucy Davis and Khleo Thomas, is in a major funk. He's
outspoken and crass, has serious family issues, heavy baggage from a
bitter divorce, seemingly no professional ambitions, and uses alcohol
to help the cause. He works for his disapproving mother Mrs. Funk
(Grace Zabriskie) at the family business "Funk Foam and Futon," Bob's
life takes a turn however, when the attractive, yet charmingly clumsy,
young executive Miss Thorne (Rachael Leigh Cook) joins the family-run
futon business and becomes the object of his affection. And then mom
fires him. From Magnolia Home Entertainment.
Foreign: "Alice's House" (2007 -- Brazil), starring Carla
Ribas, Berta Zemel and Vinicius Zinn, is an intimate look into the life
of Alice, a working class, middle-aged woman living amongst a
sexually-charged household of adolescent boys and a cheating husband.
Alice has a chance meeting with an old flame and is forced to
re-examine her life and address her romantic dreams. Feeling her youth
and sexuality slipping away, she flirts with a rapturous affair to
escape her repressive family life and avoid the fate of her aging
mother, who drags out her remaining years as the house-maid. From
IndiePix.
For the Family:
In "Mr. Troop Mom"
(2009), George Lopez stars as a widower trying to be both dad and mom
for his 9-year-old daughter. Desperate to connect with her, he
volunteers to chaperone her troop at the Go Girls Jamboree at Running
Pines Camp -- unaware he'll be the only guy in a world of girls; from
Warner ... "Tom & Jerry; The Chuck Jones Collection" is a two-disc set with all 34 shorts produced by Chuck Jones, remastered; $26.99 from Warner.
Special Interest: "Our City Dreams" (2008) is a lyrical documentary
about the intersection of location and imagination. Filmmaker Chiara
Clemente shines a light on five women artists whose inspiration is
fueled by living in the "cauldron of creativity" -- New York City.
Although these artists are at different stages of life and have diverse
cultural backgrounds, distinctive passion, character, motivation and
style, they all have one thing in common: the city that they now call
home and find inspiration within. The artists: Nancy Spero, Marina
Abramovic, Kiki Smith, Ghada Amer and Swoon. $24.95 from First Run
Features ... "FEMA City"
(2007) is a documentary on the trailer park city set up in Charlotte
County, Florida after Hurricane Charley destroyed buildings and homes.
Nearly 1,500 people moved into the more than 1,000 trailers and it took
on the nickname FEMA City. $19.95 from Vanguard Cinema ...
The Bible is both a religious and historical work, but how much is myth
and how much is history? "The Bible Unearthed"
(2006) is an investigation into the origins of the Bible visits
archaeological digs in Egypt, Jordan and Israel –- including Megiddo,
the cradle of biblical archaeology. Rare archival footage, ancient
maps, biblical illustrations and computer simulations are put into
context by world-famous archaeologists and biblical scholars, including
experts from the Louvre, the museums of Cairo and Jerusalem, and the
British Museum. $29.95 from First Run Features ...The Koran is one of
the most ideologically influential texts in the world, with over a
billion Muslims following its precepts. Yet within this singular
religious community there are profound differences in attitudes about
peace, violence, punishment, forgiveness, and the status of women. "Inside The Koran"
(2008) goes deep into the heart of the Muslim world to explore the
history and current state of Islam. $24.95 from First Run Features.
"Gladiator," "Braveheart," "Gump" Part of New Paramount Blu-ray Jewell Collection
Paramount Home Entertainment announced today that it will release some
of the studio's highest grossing contemporary films for the first time
in high definition as part of an exclusive new "Sapphire Series."
According to the studio, the Sapphire Series will capitalize on the
Blu-ray format "to present each cinematic gem in the highest quality
for the first time in two-disc, high definition sets." The series will kick off September 1 with "Braveheart" and "Gladiator" followed on November 3 with "Forrest Gump."
Each release will include extensive, never-before-seen special features
for the ultimate presentation. bonus features for "Braveheart" include
interactive timelines, a retrospective feature, a featurette on the
"Smithfield Medieval Killing Fields," and "Battlefields of the Scottish
Rebellion. Extras on "Gladiator," which will be presented in
theatrical and extended versions, include commentary, trivia tracks,
"Visions From Elysium: Topic Marker" that allows viewers to tag moments
of interest throughout either version of the film, allowing them to
create "shopping lists" of topics to learn more about when they insert
the second features disc, making-of specials, and more. Celebrating its
15th anniversary in 2009, "Forrest Gump" will feature new material
including a roundtable discussion. More details will follow later in
the year.
Alice's House
(2007 -- Brazil) Carla Ribas, Berta Zemel, Vinicius Zinn. Intimate look
into the life of Alice, a working class, middle-aged woman living
amongst a sexually-charged household of adolescent boys and a cheating
husband. Alice has a chance meeting with an old flame and is forced to
re-examine her life and address her romantic dreams. Feeling her youth
and sexuality slipping away, she flirts with a rapturous affair to
escape her repressive family life and avoid the fate of her aging
mother, who drags out her remaining years as the house-maid. Extras: Interviews with actress Carla Ribas, director Chico Teixeira and the producers; behind-the-scenes footage. (IndiePix).
Backwoods
(2008) Haylie Duff, Ryan Merriman, Danny Nucci, Jonathan Chase.
Maniacal lunatics threaten a group of office workers on a
survival/paint-ball company retreat in the wilderness. (RHI
Entertainment/Genius Products).
The Bible Unearthed (2006)
The Bible is both a religious and historical work, but how much is myth
and how much is history? This investigation into the origins of the
Bible visits archaeological digs in Egypt, Jordan and Israel –-
including Megiddo, the cradle of biblical archaeology. Rare archival
footage, ancient maps, biblical illustrations and computer simulations
are put into context by world-famous archaeologists and biblical
scholars, including experts from the Louvre, the museums of Cairo and
Jerusalem, and the British Museum. $29.95. (First Run Features).
Bob Funk (2009) Rachael
Leigh Cook, Grace Zabriskie, Amy Ryan, Eddie Jemison, Stephen Root,
Michael Leydon Campbell, Lucy Davis, Khleo Thomas. Bob Funk (Michael
Leydon Campbell) is in a major funk. He's outspoken and crass, has
serious family issues, heavy baggage from a bitter divorce, seemingly
no professional ambitions, and uses alcohol to help the cause. He works
for his disapproving mother Mrs. Funk (Grace Zabriskie) at the family
business "Funk Foam and Futon," Bob's life takes a turn however, when
the attractive, yet charmingly clumsy, young executive Miss Thorne
(Rachael Leigh Cook) joins the family-run futon business and becomes
the object of his affection. And then mom fires him. (Magnolia Home
Entertainment).
Catlow
(1971) Dir.: Sam Wanamaker; Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna, Leonard Nimoy, Daliah Lavi, Jo Ann Pflug, Jeff Corey. (Warner).
Confessions of a Shopaholic
(2009) Isla Fisher, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, Hugh Dancy, Krysten
Ritter, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb, Lynn Redgrave,
Julie Hagerty, Fred Armisen, Robert Stanton, Christine Ebersole, Clea
Lewis, Wendie Malick, Stephanie March. Available in single-disc DVD, two-disc DVD and Blu-ray editions.Extras: Bloopers, deleted scenes, music video, digital copy. (Disney).
FEMA City
(2007) Documentary on the trailer park city set up in Charlotte County,
Florida after Hurricane Charley destroyed buildings and homes. Nearly
1,500 people moved into the more than 1,000 trailers and it took on the
nickname FEMA City. $19.95. (Vanguard Cinema).
The Garth Method (2004)
Gregory Pakis. In 2001 unemployed actor Garth Petridis was imprisoned
for one of the most unusual crimes in Australian history: Desperate for
success he kidnapped members of the public and forced them to perform
in a bizarre movie intended to make "Garth" a household name. This is
his story. (Vanguard Cinema).
Girls Next Door Season Five
(2008-09) Three-disc set with 15 episodes, $29.98. (Fox).
He's On My Mind (2009)
Sherial Mckinney. An elementary school teacher falls in love and gets
married only to find out that her husband's a bigamist. Devastated, she
vows to figure out "Why Men Do What They Do", and is spontaneously
imbued with the ability to intercept men's thoughts. (Vanguard Cinema).
Inkheart (2009) Brendan
Fraser, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis, Eliza
Bennett, Rafi Gavron, Sienna Guillory. Combo release with both standard
DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Extras:
DVD: "Eliza Reads to Us" in which Eliza Bennett shares one of her
favorite passages from the book that didn't end up in the film; Blu-ray
adds "A Story From the Cast and Crew" game, "From Imagination to the
Page: How Writers Write" featurette, additional scenes, BD-Live,
digital copy. (Warner).
Inside The Koran (2008)
The Koran is one of the most ideologically influential texts in the
world, with over a billion Muslims following its precepts. Yet within
this singular religious community there are profound differences in
attitudes about peace, violence, punishment, forgiveness, and the
status of women. This eye-opening film goes deep into the heart of the
Muslim world to explore the history and current state of Islam. $24.95.
(First Run Features).
The Jean-Jacques Beineix Collection: Locked in Syndrome
(1997) Cinema in the 1980s saw a new wave of French auteurs explode
onto the scene, redefining modernity in film. With "Diva" (1982) and
"Betty Blu" (1986), director Jean-Jacques Beineix created two of the
most provocative films of the era that were dark, memorable, filled
with voluptuous imagery and generous dollops of sex and/or violence.
Both films were international hits. In the 90s, Beineix turned towards
more socially conscious subjects, directing two documentaries as well
as taking up the paintbrush. He returned to feature filmmaking in 1992
with "IP5: The Island of the Pachyderms," which was the last film for
renowned actor Yves Montand. This summer, film lovers nationwide will
get the chance to view Beineix's work in theaters and on DVD, with
several titles released for the first time in the U.S. The first
release is the heart-wrenching documentary "Locked in Syndrome," about
editor Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was paralyzed by a stroke in 1995 and
learned how to communicate by blinking his left eye as he dictated his
memoir (The story was made into 2007's "The Diving Bell and the
Butterfly" by Julian Schnabel). Extras: Two Beineix shorts: "Otaku" and "Mr. Michel's Dog." (Cinema Libre Studio).
Last Year At Marienbad
(1961) Dir.: Alain Resnais; Giorgio Albertazzi, Delphine Seyrig. Not
just a defining work of the French New Wave but one of the great,
lasting mysteries of modern art, Alain Resnais' epochal visual poem has
been puzzling appreciative viewers for decades. A surreal fever dream,
or perhaps a nightmare, "Last Year at Marienbad" (L'année dernière à
Marienbad), written by the radical master of the New Novel, Alain
Robbe-Grillet, gorgeously fuses the past with the present in telling
its ambiguous tale of a man and a woman who may or may not have met a
year ago, perhaps at the very same cathedral-like, mirror-bedecked
chateau they now find themselves wandering. Unforgettable in both its
confounding details (gilded ceilings, diabolical parlor games, a loaded
gun) and haunting scope, Resnais' investigation into the nature of
memory is disturbing, romantic, and maybe even a ghost story. New,
restored high-definition digital transfer, supervised and approved by
Resnais. Extras:
Audio interview with Resnais; new documentary on the making of "Last
Year at Marienbad," featuring interviews with many of Resnais'
collaborators; new video interview with film scholar Ginette Vincendeau
on the history of the film and its many mysteries; two short
documentaries by Resnais: "Toute la memoire du monde" (1956) and "Le
chant du styrene" (1958); booklet featuring essays by critic Mark
Polizzotti and film scholar François Thomas, and Alain Robbe-Grillet's
introduction to the published screenplay and comments on the film. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
Love, Murder and Deceit (AKA My Stepson, My Lover)
(1997) Rachel Ward, Joshua Morrow, Terry O'Quinn. A nurse finds herself
embroiled in a tense and potentially deadly family affair when she
falls for the son of her ruthless new husband. (Vanguard Cinema).
Mr. Troop Mom (2009)
George Lopez, Daniela Bobadilla, Jane Lynch, Julia Anderson, Elizabeth
Thai. George Lopez stars as a widower trying to be both dad and mom for
his 9-year-old daughter. Desperate to connect with her, he volunteers
to chaperone her troop at the Go Girls Jamboree at Running Pines Camp
-- unaware he'll be the only guy in a world of girls. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
My Dinner With Andre
(1981) Dir.: Louis Malle; Wallace Shawn, Andre Gregory. In Louis
Malle's captivating and philosophical "My Dinner with Andre," actor and
playwright Wallace Shawn sits down with friend and theater director
Andre Gregory at a Manhattan restaurant, and the two proceed into an
alternately whimsical and despairing confessional on love, death,
money, and all the superstition in between. New, restored
high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
New video interviews with Gregory and Shawn by filmmaker and friend
Noah Baumbach; "My Dinner with Louis," an episode from the BBC program
"Arena," in which Shawn interviews director Louis Malle; booklet
featuring an essay by critic Amy Taubin and the prefaces written for
the printed screenplay by Gregory and Shawn. (The Criterion
Collection).
Our City Dreams (2008)
Lyrical documentary about the intersection of location and imagination.
Filmmaker Chiara Clemente shines a light on five women artists whose
inspiration is fueled by living in the "cauldron of creativity" -- New
York City. Although these artists are at different stages of life and
have diverse cultural backgrounds, distinctive passion, character,
motivation and style, they all have one thing in common: the city that
they now call home and find inspiration within. The artists: Nancy
Spero, Marina Abramovic, Kiki Smith, Ghada Amer and Swoon. $24.95.
(First Run Features).
Phoebe in Wonderland (2008)
Felicity Huffman, Elle Fanning, Patricia Clarkson, Bill Pullman,
Campbell Scot. Heartfelt, fantastical story of a troubled, imaginative
girl (Elle Fanning) devoted to "Alice in Wonderland" explores the
agonies of growing up as an outsider and the complexities of parenting.
Phoebe longs to be in the school production of "Alice in Wonderland"
and after her peculiar drama teacher (Patricia Clarkson) casts her,
Phoebe struggles to control her behavior. But as Phoebe's stress
mounts, her behavior grows worse, creating intense pressure on her
parents (Felicity Huffman and Bill Pullman), especially when Phoebe
begins retreating to an imaginary fantasy world peopled by characters
from "Alice." (Image Entertainment).
The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, John Cleese,
Alfred Molina, Molly Sims, Aishwarya Rai, Yuki Matsuzaki. Available as
a three-disc Blu-ray set and two-disc standard DVD set. Standard extras: 27 Pink Panther cartoons; Blu-ray extras: Gag reel, three featurettes, digital copy, 27 Pink Panther cartoons. (MGM)
Simon Says
(2006) Blake Lively, Crispin Glover, Margo Harshman. A spring break
camping trip turns into a splatterfest when five teens meet up with
homicidal twins who knock them off one by one. (Barnholtz
Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Tom & Jerry; The Chuck Jones Collection.
Two-disc set with all 34 shorts produced by Chuck Jones, remastered; $26.99. (Warner).
Waltz With Bashir
(2008) Animated film that follows one man's personal experience with the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Extras: Making-of featurette, "Animatics: Building the Scenes," Q & A with director Ari Folman, commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
War Wolves(2009) John
Saxon, Michael Worth, Tim Thomerson, Adrienne Barbeau, Natasha Alam. A
special-forces unit returns to the United States from the Middle East
to hunt down a soldier who has been infected with a werewolf virus.
Little do they know that three of the female soldiers serving in the
unit have also been infected and have already transformed into
she-wolves. The she-wolf forces of evil and the special op forces of
good are pitted against each other in a race to save humankind from
turning into wolves. (Monarch Home Video).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, June 16 -- Monday, June 22
Friday the 13th Searching for his missing sister, a
young man, Clay, heads up to the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake
where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins that lie
in wait behind moss-covered trees. And that's not the only thing hiding
under the brush. Against the advice of police and cautions from the
locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has with the help of a young
woman he meets among a group of college kids up for an all-thrills
weekend. But they are about to find much more than they bargained for.
Little do they know they've entered the domain of one of the most
terrifying specters in American film history -- the infamous killer who
haunts Crystal Lake armed with a razor-sharp machete ... Jason
Voorhees. Vitals:
Director: Marcus Nispel. Stars: Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Amanda
Righetti, Danielle Panabaker, Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo, Adam
Finberg, Nick Mennell, Jonathan Sadowski, Nana Visitor, Arlen
Escarpeta, Ryan Hansen, Richard Burgi, Julianna Guill, Willa Ford.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 98 min., Horror, Box office gross: $64.997 million, Warner.
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail Tyler Perry's Madea
returns to the big screen and this time America's favorite irreverent,
pistol-packin' grandmomma is raising hell behind bars. After a
high-speed freeway chase puts Madea (Tyler Perry) in front of the
judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the
best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe (Tyler Perry) couldn't
be happier at Madea's misfortune. But Madea's eccentric family members
the Browns (David and Tamala Mann) rally behind her, lending their
special "country" brand of support. Meanwhile, Assistant District
Attorney Joshua Hardaway (Derek Luke) is on the fast track to career
success. But Hardaway lands a case too personal to handle -- defending
young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington (Keshia
Knight Pulliam) -- and asks his fiancee´ and fellow ADA Linda Holmes
(Ion Overman) to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail,
Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a "motherly" way as
only Madea can.
Vitals: Director: Tyler
Perry. Stars: Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke, Tamela
Mann, David Mann, Salli Richardson, Viola Davis, Judge Mablean, Sofia
Vergara, Aisha Hinds, Ion Overman, Ronreaco Lee, Vanessa Ferlito.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 103 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $90.485 million, Lionsgate.
Glowing Blu-ray: "Lost: The Complete First Season" and "Lost: The Complete Second Season"
are now available on Blu-ray with 1080p high definition picture and 5.1
uncompressed sound from the folks at Disney. Each seven-disc set has a
suggested list price of $69.98. The Season One bonus features include
"The Genesis of Lost," "Designing a Disaster," "Before They Were Lost"
cast auditions, "Welcome to Oahu: The Making of the Pilot," "Lost @
Comicon," "Lost: On Location," "Lost Revealed" flashbacks and deleted
scenes, bloopers, spoofs and commentaries. Season 2 features include commentaries, "Fire &
Water: Anatomy of an Episode," "The World According to Sawyer," "Canine
Castaway," "Flashbacks," deleted scenes, bloopers, "Mysteries, Theories
and Conspiracies " and "Secrets From the Hatch."
DVD Collectibles: "The Diary of Anne Frank 50th Anniversary Edition"
(1959), directed by George Stevens and starring Millie Perkins, Joseph
Schildkraut, Shelley Winters, Richard Beymer and Diane Baker, arrives
this week (also coinciding with what would be Anne Frank's 70th
birthday) in standard DVD and on Blu-ray Disc. Extras include
commentary by George Stevens Jr. and Millie Perkins, "The Making of The
Diary of Anne Frank: A Son's Memories," "The Diary of Anne Frank:
Memories from Millie Perkins and Diane Baker," "Shelley Winters and The
Diary of Anne Frank," "The Score of The Diary of Anne Frank," "The
Diary of Anne Frank: Correspondence," more, from Fox ... From The
Criterion Collection comes Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal"
(1957), starring Max von Sydow and Bibi Andersson, in a new, restored
high-definition digital transfer. Few films have had as large a
cultural impact as Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" (Det sjunde inseglet).
Disillusioned and exhausted after a decade of battling in the Crusades,
a knight (von Sydow) encounters Death on a desolate beach and
challenges him to a fateful game of chess. Much studied, imitated, even
parodied, but never outdone, Bergman's stunning allegory of man's
search for meaning was one of the benchmark foreign imports of
America's 1950s art house heyday, pushing cinema's boundaries and
ushering in a new era of moviegoing. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
"The Strange One" (1957) stars Ben
Gazzara, George Peppard, Pat Hingle and Peter Mark Richman in a strong
drama about a cadet leader who uses his malevolent charm to manipulate
the other cadets and officers at a Southern military academy for his
own amusement. When the other cadets realize they are pawns in his plan
to oust a commanding officer, they decide to take matters into their
own hands. Controversial in 1957 because of several scenes suggesting
homosexuality; these scenes were cut over the objections of the
director prior to the film's original release. This DVD presents the
fully-restored, uncensored version; from Sony ... "Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases Volume 2" is a single-disc featuring 14 classic theatrical cartoons originally released between 1943 and 1951; from Warner ... "The Three Stooges Collection Volume Six: 1949–1951" is a two-disc set with 24 episodes, digitally remastered and chronologically organized; $24.96 form Sony ... And, finally, timed to the DVD release of the remake of "Friday the 13th," Paramount has released Deluxe Editions of "Friday the 13th The Final Chapter" (1984), "Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning" (1985), and "Friday the 13th Part Six: Jason Lives" (1986).
From TV to Video: "Burn Notice Season Two" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 16 episodes, $49.98 from Fox ... "Everwood: The Complete Second Season" (2006-7) is a six-disc set with 22 episodes, $39.98 from Warner ... "Family Guy Volume Seven" (2008) is a three-disc set with 13 episodes from the sixth and seventh seasons, $39.98 from Fox ... "The Hunger: The Complete First Season"
(1997-98) is a four-disc set with 22 episodes of the horror anthology
series from Ridley and Tony Scott, hosted by Terence Stamp; $39.98 from
E1 Entertainment ... "Murdoch Mysteries, Season One"
(2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes of this Canadian series in
which cutting-edge Victorian science meets cunningly plotted mysteries
in the 1890s; $59.99 from Acorn Media ... "Saving Grace Season Two" (2008-09) is a four-disc set with 14 episodes; $49.98 from Fox ... "The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two"
(2009) is a three-disc set, $39.99 from Disney ... "Sergeant Preston of the Yukon: Complete Season 2"
(1956-57) is a four-disc set with 23 episodes of the family adventure
series that ran Thursday nights between 1955 and 1958, following the
adventures of Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman Sergeant Preston, his
sled dog Yukon King and trusted horse Rex as they thwarted evildoers in
the northern wilderness during the 1890s Gold Rush. $39.98 from
Infinity Entertainment Group.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
A female demon haunts a young man and no matter how many times he kills her, she comes back for more in "Killing Ariel" (2008), starring Michael Brainard and Axelle Cummings; from MTI Home Video ... In David Kaplan's underground cult classic "Little Red Riding Hood"
(1997), Christina Ricci plays the not-so-innocent "Little Red Riding
Hood" in a twisted take on the children's story. Narrated by Quentin
Crisp, the short film (30 minutes) is provocative and eerie, combining
childhood fiction with mature fantasy. $19.99 from Malaprop Productions
... A responsible, straight-laced young woman investigates the
disappearance of her best friend, who was using the Internet to meet
men in "Elsewhere"
(2009), starring Anna Kendrick, Jon Gries and Tania Raymonde; from E1 Entertainment ... "StagKnight"
(2007), starring Martin Bayfield, Simon Cathcart and Paul Coskun, is a
British comedy thriller about a bachelor party that takes an eerie
wrong turn into the world of a satanic cult; from Osiris Entertainment
... When a group of teenage social misfits befriend a jaded journalist
who's on assignment in their small New Hampshire town, they find
themselves searching for meaning and truth in their crazy, mixed-up
lives in "What Goes Up" (2009), starring Hilary Duff, Steve Coogan, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby and Molly Shannon; from Sony ... "The Cell 2"
(2009) stars Tessie Santiago, Chris Bruno, Frank Whaley, Bart Johnson
in this sequel about an FBI agent who has to enter a killer's head to
solve his crimes; the catch: if she dies in the killer's brain, she
dies in real life; from Warner ... In "Dough Boys"
(2009), starring Lorenzo Eduardo, Arlen Escarpeta, Sticky Fingaz,
Reagan Gomez-Preston, Cory Hardrict and Richard Brooks, four determined
young men struggle to escape the pull of the streets but with their
dreams always just out of reach, "The Dough Boys" go for one big score
that will change their lives -- if they risk everything; from
BET/Paramount ... In "Jesse Stone: Thin Ice" (2009),
Tom Selleck returns for another adventure in the highly-rated TV movie
franchise about a former Los Angeles homicide detective who, after
being fired from the LAPD, has left his wife and come to Paradise,
Massachusetts to start over as the New England town's police chief;
from Sony ... In "The Perfect Sleep" (2009), starring
Anton Pardoe, Roselyn Sanchez and Patrick Bauchau, a man with no name
returns to a timeless city to battle the forces of ruthlessness and
torment to save his lifelong love; from Magnolia Home Entertainment.
For the Family: "Garfield's Pet Force" (2009) is a new
feature-length animated Garfield adventure that has superhero versions
of Garfield, Odie, Nermal and Arlene existing in a parallel world where
their crime fighting powers are the stuff of legend. But when they find
themselves in trouble with the evil Vetix, the fearless foursome have
to recruit their earthly counterparts to help save the universe. $19.98
from Fox ... "Barney: Sing & Dance With Barney"
(2009) features an hour of singing and dancing to 20 favorite melodies with Barney and friends; $14.98 from HIT/Lionsgate ... "Thomas & Friends: Hop on Board Songs and Stories"
(2009) features two classic "Thomas & Friends" stories ("Peter Sam
and the Refreshment Lady" and "Bulldog"), seven sing-along songs and a
bonus CD with five songs; $14.98 from HIT/Lionsgate "The Transformers: The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition"
(1984) is a three-disc set with 16 episodes, with remastered audio, a
collectible Autobots magnet and special bonus content; $29.99 from
Shout! Factory.
Special Interest: "His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th"
(2008) is a tribute documentary about one of horror cinema's most
enduring icons, hosted by legendary special effects make-up artist Tom
Savini. Originally released in February in a two-disc set, here
released as a single disc for $14.98 from Anchor Bay ... In 2006 the
stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 reteamed to bring their cult
commentary online at RiffTrax.com, where they wisecracked on MP3 files
that could be downloaded and synched to the soundtracks of a host of
cult films. Now they've released 10 DVDs featuring their commentary:
"Night of the Living Dead," "The Little Shop of Horrors," "Reefer
Madness," " Carnival of Souls," "House on Haunted Hill," "Missile to
the Moon," "Plan 9 From Outer Space," "Swing Parade," and two volumes
of "The Best of RiffTrax Shorts"; $9.95 each from Legend Films ... "Dominick Dunne: After the Party"
(2008) is a documentary on the Hollywood outcast, best-selling author
and chronicler of the rich and famous; $24.95 from IndiePix ... "Morning Light"
(2008) is a documentary on the selection and training of a crew of
young adults for the oldest and most prestigious open sea race in the
world, the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu; from
Disney ... "My Breakfast With Blassie" (1983)
features wacky comic Andy Kaufman and wrestling legend Fred Blassie,
self-proclaimed King of Men and coiner of the phrase "pencil-necked
geek," as they meet for breakfast and discuss wrestling, hygiene,
stardom and whether to eat bacon or sausage; $19.95 from Video Service
Corp and MVD Visual ... "Poisoned Waters" (2008) is a
PBS Frontline documentary that explores how the polluted waterways of
Puget Sound and the Chesapeake Bay are causing major heath issues for
humans and animals; $24.95 from PBS Distribution... "Extreme Ice"
(2009) is a NOVA/National Geographic Television special that follows
the progress of acclaimed photojournalist James Balog's Extreme Ice
Survey, the largest photographic study ever attempted of the
cryosphere, the mantle of ice that covers large portions of the Earth
and that plays a critical role in weather; $24.99 from PBS Home Video
... "Black Money" (2009) is a "Frontline"
investigation into international bribery schemes and how the U.S.
Department of Justice is working to protect American businesses; $24.99
from PBS Home Video.
Barney: Sing & Dance With Barney
(2009) An hour of singing and dancing to 20 favorite melodies with Barney and friends, $14.98.Extras: Interactive game, "Catch Up With the Barney Reunion Cast," Barney "Boogie" music video. (HIT/Lionsgate).
Black Money
(2009) "Frontline" investigation into international bribery schemes and
how the U.S. Department of Justice is working to protect American
businesses; $24.99. (PBS Home Video).
Burn Notice Season Two
(2008) Four-disc set with 16 episodes, $49.98. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, "NIXin' It Up on Burn Notice featurette, gag reel.
Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
The Cell 2 (2009) Tessie
Santiago, Chris Bruno, Frank Whaley, Bart Johnson. Sequel, about an FBI
agent who has to enter a killer's head to solve his crimes; the catch:
if she dies in the killer's brain, she dies in real life. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).
The Diary of Anne Frank 50th Anniversary Edition
(1959) Dir.: George Stevens; Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, Shelley Winters, Richard Beymer, Diane Baker. Extras:
Commentary by George Stevens Jr. and Millie Perkins, "Introduction":
George Stevens Jr. and World War II, "The Making of The Diary of Anne
Frank: A Son's Memories," "The Diary of Anne Frank: Memories from
Millie Perkins and Diane Baker," "Shelley Winters and The Diary of Anne
Frank," "The Score of The Diary of Anne Frank," "The Diary of Anne
Frank: Correspondence." Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Dominick Dunne: After the Party
(2008) Hollywood outcast, best-selling author and chronicler of the
rich and famous, Dominick Dunne is one of the world's leading
journalists and society commentators. As a Vanity Fair special
correspondent, Dunne is known the world over for his vociferous
championing of the rights of the victim in high-profile murder cases.
Directors Kirsty de Garis and Timothy Jolley turn the cameras back
around to Dunne, and are taken on an honest and repentant journey
filled with satirical wit and an arsenal of stories, proving Dunne's
own life frequently more interesting than those of his subjects.
$24.95. (IndiePix).
Dough Boys (2009) Lorenzo
Eduardo, Arlen Escarpeta, Sticky Fingaz, Reagan Gomez-Preston, Cory
Hardrict, Richard Brooks. Four determined young men struggle to escape
the pull of the streets but with their dreams always just out of reach,
"The Dough Boys" go for one big score that will change their lives --
if they risk everything. (BET/Paramount).
Elsewhere (2009) Anna
Kendrick, Jon Gries, Tania Raymonde. A responsible, straight-laced
young woman investigates the disappearance of her best friend, who was
using the Internet to meet men. With the aid of a computer nerd friend,
she travels into the heart of the town's dark secrets, where she
discover's that nobody wants Jillian found. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (E1 Entertainment).
Everwood: The Complete Second Season
(2006-7) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $39.98. (Warner).
Extreme Ice
(2009) NOVA/National Geographic Television special that follows the
progress of acclaimed photojournalist James Balog's Extreme Ice Survey,
the largest photographic study ever attempted of the cryosphere, the
mantle of ice that covers large portions of the Earth and that plays a
critical role in weather. $24.99. (PBS Home Video).
Family Guy Volume Seven
(2008) Three-disc set with 13 episodes from the sixth and seventh seasons, $39.98. Extras:
Commentary, 29 deleted scenes, "Take Me Out to pLace Tonight"
featurette, "Family Guy CRIBZ" featurette, "Comic Con 2008," "Family
Guy Art Show." (Fox).
Friday the 13th (2009)
Jared Padalecki, Derek Mears, Amanda Righetti, Danielle Panabaker,
Travis Van Winkle, Aaron Yoo, Adam Finberg, Nick Mennell, Jonathan
Sadowski, Nana Visitor, Arlen Escarpeta, Ryan Hansen, Richard Burgi,
Julianna Guill, Willa Ford. Available
as a single-disc DVD with the theatrical cut, as a single-disc DVD with
the "Killer" cut (extended cut) and on Blu-ray Disc with the "Killer"
cut.Extras: Killer Cut: "Rebirth of Jason
Vorhees" featurette, additional scenes; Blu-ray adds: PIP with trivia
track, "Hacking Back/Slashing Forward" featurette, "The 7 Best Kills"
featurette, BD Live. (Warner).
Friday the 13th The Final Chapter Deluxe Edition
(1984) Extras: Retrospective featurette, lost ending, slashed scenes, multiple commentaries, more. (Paramount).
Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning Deluxe Edition
(1985) Extras: Making-of featurette, commentary by the director and cast and crewmembers, "Lost Tales from Camp Blood," more. (Paramount).
Friday the 13th Part Six: Jason Lives Deluxe Edition
(1986) Extras:
Making-of featurette, "Meeting Mr. Voorhees," slashed scenes,
commentary by the director and cast and crewmembers, more. (Paramount).
Garfield's Pet Force (2009)
New feature-length animated Garfield adventure has superhero versions
of Garfield, Odie, Nermal and Arlene existing in a parallel world where
their crime fighting powers are the stuff of legend. But when they find
themselves in trouble with the evil Vetix, the fearless foursome have
to recruit their earthly counterparts to help save the universe.
$19.98. Extras: "Professor Wally's Moscrambulator" game. (Fox).
His Name Was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th
(2008) Tribute documentary about one of horror cinema's most enduring
icons, hosted by legendary special effects make-up artist Tom Savini.
Originally released in February in a two-disc set, here released as a
single disc for $14.98. Extras:
"The Men Behind The Mask" featurette with extended interviews with all
seven actors who portrayed Jason Voorhees throughout the series.
(Anchor Bay).
The Hunger: The Complete First Season (1997-98)
Four-disc set with 22 episodes of the horror anthology series from
Ridley and Tony Scott, hosted by Terence Stamp; $39.98. (E1
Entertainment).
Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)
Tom Selleck is back for another adventure in the fifth installment of
the highly-rated TV movie franchise about a former Los Angeles homicide
detective who, after being fired from the LAPD, has left his wife and
come to Paradise, Massachusetts to start over as the New England town's
police chief. In this installment, Stone finds himself in trouble with
the town council when he inadvertently becomes involved in a Boston
street shootout during which a fellow cop is seriously wounded. (Sony).
Killing Ariel (2008)
Michael Brainard, Axelle Cummings. A female demon haunts a young man
and no matter how many times he kills her, she comes back for more. Extras: Behind-the-scenes featurette. (MTI Home Video).
Little Red Riding Hood
(1997) In David Kaplan's underground cult classic, Christina Ricci
plays the not-so-innocent "Little Red Riding Hood" in a twisted take on
the children's story. Narrated by Quentin Crisp, the short film (30
minutes) is provocative and eerie, combining childhood fiction with
mature fantasy. $19.99. (Malaprop Productions)
Morning Light
(2008) Documentary on the selection and training of a crew of young
adults for the oldest and most prestigious open sea race in the world,
the Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Disney).
Murdoch Mysteries, Season One
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.99. New series combining the
period appeal of Sherlock Holmes with the forensic fascination of "CSI"
in this Canadian series in which cutting-edge Victorian science meets
cunningly plotted mysteries in the 1890s. Extras: Commentaries. (Acorn Media).
My Breakfast With Blassie
(1983) Features wacky comic Andy Kaufman and wrestling legend Fred
Blassie, self-proclaimed King of Men and coiner of the phrase
"pencil-necked geek," as they meet for breakfast and discuss wrestling,
hygiene, stardom and whether to eat bacon or sausage. Classic piece of
performance art from one of our greatest comedians. $19.95. Extras: Lost footage of Kaufman, bonus footage, a making-of featurette, more. (Video Service Corp and MVD Visual).
The Perfect Sleep
(2009) Anton Pardoe, Roselyn Sanchez, Patrick Bauchau. A man with no
name returns to a timeless city to battle the forces of ruthlessness
and torment to save his lifelong love. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Poisoned Waters (2008) PBS
Frontline documentary explores how the polluted waterways of Puget
Sound and the Chesapeake Bay are causing major heath issues for humans
and animals: More than three decades after the Clean Water Act, these
two iconic waterways are in perilous condition. With polluted runoff
still flowing in from industry, agriculture and massive suburban
development, scientists fear contamination to the food chain and
drinking water for millions of people. $24.95. (PBS Distribution).
RiffTrax. In 2006 the stars
of Mystery Science Theater 3000 reteamed to bring their cult commentary
online at RiffTrax.com, where they wisecracked on MP3 files that could
be downloaded and synched to the soundtracks of a host of cult films.
Now they've released 10 DVDs featuring their commentary: "Night of the
Living Dead," "The Little Shop of Horrors," "Reefer Madness," "
Carnival of Souls," "House on Haunted Hill," "Missile to the Moon,"
"Plan 9 From Outer Space," "Swing Parade," and two volumes of "The Best
of RiffTrax Shorts"; $9.95 each. (Legend Films).
Saving Grace Season Two
(2008-09) Four-disc set with 14 episodes, $49.98. Extras:
"Have a Little Faith: The Successes of 'Saving Grace'" and "The Wrap
Party Red Carpet, Hosted by Dylan Minnette" featurettes. (Fox).
The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two
(2009) Three-disc set, $39.99. Extras: "Character Secrets: The Cast Reveals All" featurette, cast close-ups, music video. (Disney).
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon: Complete Season 2 (1956-57)
Four-disc set with 23 episodes of the family adventure series that ran
Thursday nights between 1955 and 1958, following the adventures of
Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman Sergeant Preston, his sled dog Yukon
King and trusted horse Rex as they thwarted evildoers in the northern
wilderness during the 1890s Gold Rush. $39.98. (Infinity Entertainment
Group).
The Seventh Seal (1957)
Dir.: Ingmar Bergman; Max von Sydow, Bibi Andersson. Few films have had
as large a cultural impact as Ingmar Bergman's "The Seventh Seal" (Det
sjunde inseglet). Disillusioned and exhausted after a decade of
battling in the Crusades, a knight (Max von Sydow) encounters Death on
a desolate beach and challenges him to a fateful game of chess. Much
studied, imitated, even parodied, but never outdone, Bergman's stunning
allegory of man's search for meaning was one of the benchmark foreign
imports of America's 1950s art house heyday, pushing cinema's
boundaries and ushering in a new era of moviegoing. New, restored
high-definition digital transfer. Extras:
Introduction by Ingmar Bergman, recorded in 2003; commentary by Bergman
expert Peter Cowie; new afterword to the commentary by Cowie; "Bergman
Island" (2006), an 83-minute documentary on Bergman by Marie Nyrerod,
featuring in-depth interviews with the director; archival audio
interview with von Sydow; a 1998 tribute to Bergman by filmmaker Woody
Allen; "Bergman 101," a selected filmography tracing Bergman's career,
narrated by Cowie; booklet featuring an essay by critic Gary Giddins. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (The Criterion Collection).
Spaceballs
(1987) Dir.: Mel Brooks; John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, Mel Brooks. Extras:
Commentary by Mel Brooks, "Spaceballs: The Documentary" featurette, "In
Conversation: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan" featurette, "John Candy:
Comic Spirit" featurette, "Watch the Movie in Ludicrous Speed"
featurette, still galleries, film flubs, storyboards. Also available as a standard DVD/Blu-ray Disc combo. (MGM).
Spaceballs: The Totally-Warped Adventures
(2008) Collection of all-new satiric adventures directed by Mel Brooks.
Originally airing on G4, the series of shorts reunites the original
"Spaceballs" characters in animated form while mocking even more
popular films and television series, including "The Lord of the Rings,"
"Spider-Man," "The Pirates of the Caribbean," "American Idol" and more.
$19.98. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
StagKnight
(2007) Martin Bayfield, Simon Cathcart, Paul Coskun. British comedy
thriller about a bachelor party that takes an eerie wrong turn into the
world of a satanic cult. The stag night turns into a nightmare for a
quirky group of lovable losers who plan a bachelor party getaway deep
in the English woods and get a bit more than they bargained for. The
fright-fest begins when the friends are greeted by a witch-like
groundskeeper and her mute giant brother. Wandering into the woods,
they become witnesses to a satanic ritual performed by mysterious monks
who have raised a dark knight from his 1,500-year slumber. The clueless
bachelors soon find themselves trading in their paintball guns to
battle the grumpy knight. Extras: Deleted scenes. (Osiris Entertainment).
The Strange One
(1957) Ben Gazzara, George Peppard, Pat Hingle, Peter Mark Richman. A
cadet leader uses his malevolent charm to manipulate the other cadets
and officers at a Southern military academy for his own amusement. When
the other cadets realize they are pawns in his plan to oust a
commanding officer, they decide to take matters into their own hands.
Controversial in 1957 because of several scenes suggesting
homosexuality; these scenes were cut over the objections of the
director prior to the film's original release. This DVD presents the
fully-restored, uncensored version. Extras: Interview with Ben Gazzara. (Sony).
Thomas & Friends: Hop on Board Songs and Stories
(2009) Two classic "Thomas & Friends" stories ("Peter Sam and the
Refreshment Lady" and "Bulldog"), seven sing-along songs and a bonus CD
with five songs, $14.98. (HIT/Lionsgate).
The Three Stooges Collection Volume Six: 1949–1951.
Two-disc set with 24 episodes, digitally remastered and chronologically organized; $24.96. (Sony)
Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases Volume 2. Single-disc
features 14 classic theatrical cartoons originally released between
1943 and 1951: "Mouse Trouble," "Quiet Please!" "Sufferin' Cats!" "Baby
Puss," "The Million Dollar Cat," "The Bodyguard," "Flirty Birdy," "Cat
Fishin'," "The Invisible Mouse," "Heavenly Puss," "Jerry and the
Goldfish," "Cue Ball Cat," "Slicked-up Pup" and "Jerry's Cousin."
(Warner).
The Transformers: The Complete First Season: 25th Anniversary Edition (1984)
Three-disc set with 16 episodes. Shout! Factory in collaboration with
Hasbro unleashes the original animated TV series that started it all. A
must-have for kids and kids-at-heart, the set features all season one
episodes in the order they were intended, with remastered audio, a
collectible Autobots magnet and special bonus content. $29.99. (Shout!
Factory).
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (2009)
Tyler Perry, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke, Tamela Mann, David
Mann, Salli Richardson, Viola Davis, Judge Mablean, Sofia Vergara,
Aisha Hinds, Ion Overman, Ronreaco Lee, Vanessa Ferlito. (Lionsgate).
What Goes Up (2009) Hilary
Duff, Steve Coogan, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby, Molly Shannon. Family
comedy. When a group of teenage social misfits befriend jaded
journalist Campbell Babbitt (Steve Coogan), who's on assignment in
their small New Hampshire town, they each find themselves searching for
meaning and truth in their crazy, mixed-up lives. But as Babbitt gets
to know these eccentric kids better -- Lucy (Hilary Duff) in particular
-- their hidden secrets begin to rise to the surface, changing each
other's lives forever. (Sony).
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
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ONVIDEO'S
WEEKLY GUIDE TO HOME VIDEO RELEASES
For Tuesday, June 9 -- Monday, June 15
Crossing Over Immigrants from around the world enter
Los Angeles every day, with hopeful visions of a better life, but
little notion of what that life may cost. Their desperate scenarios
test the humanity of immigration enforcement officers. Harrison Ford
stars as a Los Angeles Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer
charged with enforcing the United States border laws. Multiple
storylines, including document fraud, naturalization, and
counter-terrorism, all intersect through a shattering missing person
investigation he undertakes. Film explores the allure of the American
dream, and the reality that immigrants find -- and create -- in 21st
century L.A. Vitals:
Director: Wayne Kramer. Stars: Harrison Ford, Cliff Curtis, Ashley
Judd, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta, Alicia Braga, Alice Eve, Jim Sturgess.
2009, CC, MPAA rating: R, 113 min., Drama, Box office gross: $.454 million, The Weinstein Company.
Fired Up Ford High's star football players Shawn Colfax
and Nick Brady scheme to ditch football camp so they can spend the
summer surrounded by beautiful girls…at cheer camp. The guys are having
the time of their lives as they use their new reputation as "sensitive
guys" to talk the hotties into skinny dipping, cheering naked, and
hooking up. But when Shawn falls for the gorgeous head cheerleader, the
players must change their game to prove Shawn's intentions before the
thrilling cheer competition finals. Vitals: Director: Will Gluck. Stars: Nicholas D'Agosto, Eric Christian Olsen, Sarah Roemer, AnnaLynne McCord.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 90 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $17.231 million, Sony.
Gran Torino
Another superb outing by director-actor
Clint Eastwood. Walt Kowalski (Eastwood) is a widower, a grumpy,
tough-minded, borderline-hateful, unhappy old man who can't get along
with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize
possession is a 1973 Gran Torino he keeps in cherry condition. When his
neighbor Tao, a young Hmong teenager, tries to steal the Gran Torino,
Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the
life of Tao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them
from the gangs that foul their neighborhood. A straight-ahead,
no-frills actioner with a big heart.
Vitals: Director: Clint Eastwood. Stars: Clint Eastwood, Cory Hardrict, Brian Haley, Brian Howe, Dreama Walker, Christopher Carley.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 116 min., Drama, Box office gross: $145.095 million, Warner.
International, The Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive
Owen) is determined to expose an arms dealing ring responsible for
facilitating acts of terrorism around the globe.
Salinger and his partner, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor
Whitman (Naomi Watts), follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New
York to Istanbul. As they probe deeper into the secret world of greed,
corruption and murder they uncover the organization behind it all --
one of the world's most powerful banks. Their relentless tenacity puts
their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing to
continue financing terror and war, and they soon find the only people
left to trust ... are each other.Vitals: Director: Tom Tykwer. Stars: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Ulrich Thomsen, Brían F. O'Byrne.
2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 118 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $61.810 million, Sony.
Coming Soon:
On July 21 Universal will release "Coraline"
(2009), director Henry Selick's quirky 3-D animated gem based on the
book by Neil Gaiman. The film will be available in a Blu-ray combo
pack, two-disc collector's edition DVD and single-disc DVD. All
editions contain the 2-D and 3-D versions of the film and four pairs of
3-D glasses as well as various and sundry bonus features ... On August
4 Sony will release "Obsessed"
(2009), starring Idris Elba, Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter, Bruce McGill,
Jerry O'Connell and Christine Lahti, with such bonus features as "Girl
Fight," a look at the fight sequence between Beyonce Knowles and Ali
Larter, and other behind-the-scenes featurettes, on DVD and Blu-ray
Disc.
DVD Collectibles:
The highlight of the week is Warner Home Video's "Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music: The Director's Cut,"
a four-hour director's cut of the 1970 Oscar-winning documentary about
the landmark music event that featured some of the greatest rock 'n'
roll performers in history in a new limited, numbered Blu-ray and DVD
Ultimate Collector's Edition. Includes two extra hours of rare
performance footage --
some of it newly-discovered, some only seen in part and some never seen
at all. The two extra hours of rare footage features 18 new
performances from 13 groups, including Joan Baez, Country Joe McDonald,
Santana, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, Joe Cocker and five
(Paul Butterfield, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead,
Johnny Winter and Mountain) who played at Woodstock but never appeared
in any film version. A third hour of bonus material includes a
featurette gallery showcasing interviews with Martin Scorsese, producer
Michael Lang, director Michael Wadleigh, Hugh Hefner, Eddie Kramer (the
concert's original chief on-site engineer and producer-engineer for
Jimi Hendrix) and others who chronicle the making of the festival and
the film. Packaged in a unique giftbox, numbered as part of a limited
run with an array of collectibles that include a 60+ page reprint of a
Life magazine commemorative issue, a lucite lenticular display of
vintage festival photos, festival memorabilia and an iron-on patch with
the classic dove and guitar Woodstock emblem. Remastered from original
elements and scanned at 2K with an audio 5.1 mix. The Ultimate
Collector's Edition will be available in Blu-ray ($69.99) as well as
DVD ($59.98). A Two-Disc Special Edition will be available for $24.98.
Sony has two interesting collections due this week: "The Jack Lemmon Film Collection,"
a six-disc set with "Phffft!" (1954), "Operation Mad Ball" (1957), "The
Notorius Landlady" (1962), "Under The Yum Yum Tree" (1963) and "Good
Neighbor Sam" (1964); $59.95; and "The Norman Lear Collection,"
a 19-disc set with the complete first seasons of "All in the Family,"
"Sanford and Son," "Maude," "The Jeffersons," "Good Times," "One Day at
a Time" and "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman"; $159.95.
From TV to Video: "The Best of Whose Line Is It Anyway?" is a two-disc set with the 10 best episodes from Seasons 2-6; $24.98 from Warner ... "The Cleaner: The First Season" (2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.99 from Paramount ... "Get Smart Season 3"
(1967-68) is a four-disc set with 26 episodes, $24.98.from HBO Home Entertainment ... "My Family Season 3" (2002) and "My Family Season 4" (2003) are two-disc sets with 14 episodes, $29.98 each from Warner ... "The Shield: Season Seven: The Final Season" (2008) is a four-disc set with 13 episodes, $59.95 from Sony ... "Z Rock: Season One"
(2008) contains 10 episodes of the IFC series about a heavy metal band
that makes money during the day playing at kiddie birthday parties;
$19.97 from Anchor Bay.
Buzzin' the 'B's:
In "Nobel Son"
(2008), starring Alan Rickman, Bryan Greenberg, Mary Steenburgen, Shawn
Hatosy, Bill Pullman, Ted Danson, Danny DeVito and Eliza Dushku, a
young man is kidnapped on the eve of his father receiving the Nobel
Prize; when the father refuses to pay the ransom, a venomous tale of
familial dysfunction, lust, betrayal and ultimately revenge ensues;
from Fox ... Five college students set out to document ghosts in the
infamously haunted town of Goldfield, Nevada, and get more than they
bargained for in "Ghosts of Goldfield" (2007),
starring Kellan Lutz, Marnette Patterson, Richie Chance, Scott Whyte
and Mandy Amano; from North American Motion Pictures.
On the Indie Front:
Life for a successful power couple gets thrown for a loop when the wife finds out she's pregnant in "Baby on Board"
(2009), starring Heather Graham, Jerry O'Connell, John Corbett, Lara
Flynn Boyle and Katie Finneran; from National Entertainment Media ... "Sisterhood"
(2008). starring Isabelle Defaut and Emily Corcoran, is a comedy about
two diametrically dissimilar long-lost half-sisters: one a
cosmopolitan, cultivated socialite with an impeccable wardrobe living
in London's Chelsea, the other a sheep-shearing farm girl plucked from
Down Under and dropped into the big city; $22.95 from Cinevolve Studios.
For the Family: "Shaun the Sheep: Sheep on the Loose" (2007) is a
compilation of six complete episodes of the international hit for kids
from 2 to 60; from the creators of "Wallace and Gromit"; $14.98 from
HIT/Lionsgate ... "Bob the Builder: Truck Teamwork"
(2009) features five episodes of Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew;
$14.98 (includes a collectible toy truck); from HIT/Lionsgate.
Special Interest: "Ladies or Gentlemen" (2008) is a "Starz Inside"
documentary that's a sly peek at the art of playing dress up on film,
and how it's always anything but a drag: Features wild moments from
such ground breaking movies as"Some Like it Hot," "Hairspray," "Mrs.
Doubtfire," "Rocky Horror Picture Show," "White Chicks," "Ed Wood,"
"Pink Flamingos" and more; $19.95 from Anchor Bay ... "Tomb Detectives"
is a six-part documentary that investigates some of history's most
gruesome deaths, unraveling ancient mysteries that have defied
explanation for centuries; $19.98 from Smithsonian Networks/Infinity
Entertainment Group ... And from WWE Entertainment comes tow big
wrestling titles: "WWE: Macho Madness -- The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection"
(2009). "Macho Man" Randy Savage was one of the most controversial
superstars in professional wrestling. His dramatic WWE championship
tournament run at WrestleMania IV, the formation and explosive breakup
of the MegaPowers with Hulk Hogan, his reign as the Macho King, and his
jump to WCW all made him a legend in the business. This three-disc set
spans two decades of exciting and intense matchups, $34.95 ... "Wrestlemania 25th Anniversary"
(2009) is a three-disc set with the complete 25th anniversary event on
April 6, 2009, with a host of WWE champions battling each other; and
the complete WWE Hall of Fame Induction ceremony; $39.95.
Baby on Board
(2009) Heather Graham, Jerry O'Connell, John Corbett, Lara Flynn Boyle,
Katie Finneran. Life for a successful power couple get thrown for a
loop when the wife finds out she's pregnant. Extras: Commentary. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (National Entertainment Media).
The Best of Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Two-disc set with the 10 best episodes from Seasons 2-6; $24.98. Extras: Hour-long special clip show that contains highlights from the 1999-2000 season. (Warner).
Bob the Builder: Truck Teamwork
(2009) Five episodes of Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew; $14.98 (includes a collectible toy truck). Extras: "We Can Do It" read-along, "If You Were on Bob's Team" game. (HIT/Lionsgate).
The Cleaner: The First Season
(2008) Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $49.99. (Paramount).
Crossing Over
(2009) Harrison Ford, Cliff Curtis, Ashley Judd, Sean Penn, Ray Liotta,
Alicia Braga, Alice Eve, Jim Sturgess. The Weinstein Company/Genius
Products).
Fired Up
(2009) Nicholas D'Agosto, Eric Christian Olsen, Sarah Roemer, AnnaLynne McCord. In theatrical and unrated versions. Extras:
Commentary by director Will Gluck and stars Nick D'Agosto and Eric
Christian Olsen; two featurettes: "The is Not a Cheerleading Movie: The
Making-of Fired Up!" and "Double Duty"; gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
Get Smart Season 3
(1967-68) Four-disc set with 26 episodes, $24.98. (HBO Home Entertainment).
Ghosts of Goldfield
(2007) Kellan Lutz, Marnette Patterson, Richie Chance, Scott Whyte,
Mandy Amano. Five college students set out to document ghosts in the
infamously haunted town of Goldfield, Nevada, and get more than they
bargained for. (North American Motion Pictures).
Gran Torino
(2008) Dir.: Clint Eastwood; Clint Eastwood, Cory Hardrict, Brian Haley, Brian Howe, Dreama Walker, Christopher Carley. Extras: "Manning the Wheel: American Car Culture and Manhood," "Gran Torino: More Than a Car," digital copy. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
The International
(2008) Dir.: Tom Tykwer; Armin Mueller-Stahl, Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Ulrich Thomsen, Brían F. O'Byrne. Extras:
Deleted scenes; director and screenwriter commentary; four
behind-the-scenes featurettes: "The Making of The International,"
"Shooting at the Guggenheim" (detailing the making of the film's action
sequence), "The Autostadt" (about filming at the famous German
automotive museum) and "The Architecture of The International," which
explores the film's use of interiors and exteriors from around the
world. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
The Jack Lemmon Film Collection.
Six-disc set with "Phffft!" (1954), "Operation Mad Ba