Heroes on their second crusade, an entourage on parade, a martial arts master who makes the grade, the formative years of a Disney mermaid... and we learn that what happens in Vegas, stays in the shade.
"Redbelt"
is the story of Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a Jiu-Jitsu teacher who
has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing instead to pursue an
honorable life by operating a self-defense studio with a samurai's
code. An accident on a dark, rainy night between an off-duty officer
(Max Martini) and a distraught lawyer (Emily Mortimer) puts in motion a
series of events that will change Terry's life dramatically,
introducing him to a world of promoters (Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna) and
movie star Chet Frank (Tim Allen). In order to pay off his debts and
regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in
his life.
Two strangers looking for a night to remember get a morning after they'll never forget in "What Happens In Vegas."
Cameron Diaz stars as a highly-strung stockbroker who is dumped by her
boyfriend; Ashton Kutcher plays a slacker carpenter fired by his father
from his job. In desperate need of a sabbatical, both immediately go to
Sin City, where they meet and, after a night of drunken debauchery, get
married. With plans to divorce after returning home, things come to a
screeching halt when he hits a huge jackpot with her money.
Dive deep into the secrets of the early years of one of Disney's most beloved princesses with "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning," a new full-length "prequel" out this week. Imagine a time long before Ariel met Prince Eric and walked on land, a
time when music was banned from the underwater kingdom of Atlantica.
Torn between family duty and her love of music, Ariel must make the
most difficult choice of her life. With the help of her friends,
Sebastian and Flounder and her six amusing sisters, will the young
mermaid be able to restore music, friendship and love to the kingdom?
In "Purple Violets,"
four college friends meet up again years later and reconnect in ways
that will change their lives forever. The film stars Selma Blair, Debra
Messing, Patrick Wilson and writer/director Edward Burns. "Purple Violets,"
which received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival,
holds the distinction of being the first film to be made available as a
download exclusively on iTunes, prior to distribution through other outlets.
"Postal,"
another feature-length film based on a popular video game, arrives on
DVD this week. After a clueless slacker named the Postal Dude (Zack
Ward) loses his job, he joins his shady Uncle Dave (Dave Foley) and a
bevy of big-breasted, scantily clad female cult followers in a scheme
to steal a shipment of hot new toys. But first they must foil a band of
ruthless terrorists led by none other than Osama Bin Laden and save the
world from destruction. "Postal" is a "comedy" that threatens the very limits of common decency.
An off-beat romantic comedy, "My Sassy Girl,"
is yet another direct-to-home-video release this week. The film is
based on the graphic novel series, turned best-selling novel, by Kim
Ho-sik that detailed his relationship with his off-the-wall college
girlfriend. The book was then adapted for the screen and became the
highest grossing Korean comedy ever. This American remake stars Jesse
Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert.
At
the 1968 Democratic Convention, protestors, denied permits for
demonstrations, repeatedly clashed with the Chicago Police Department,
who waged a week-long terror campaign that resulted in riots witnessed
live by a television audience of over 50 million. The events had a
polarizing effect on the country. Written and directed by Brett Morgen,
"Chicago 10"
is a new documentary that - through a mix of archival footage and new
animation - explores the build-up to and unraveling of the Chicago
Conspiracy Trial. Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo,
Roy Scheider, Liev Schreiber and Jeffrey Wright provide the voices.
Just in time to refresh your memory before the new season begins, the Emmy-nominated NBC hit "Heroes" is back on DVD with a 4-Disc boxed set of Season 2
that includes every episode from the show's Second Season. Plus, see
what could have been with exclusive bonus features that reveal the
untold stories that never aired and an alternate ending to the season
finale where the fate of humanity takes an ominous turn.
Also timed to coincide with the debut of its new season on HBO, the Fourth Season of "Entourage"
hits the street this week. Sure it would be great to have it all, but
at what price? For Vince, Eric, Drama and Turtle, life in Hollywood's
fast lane can be an intoxicating ride. In Season Four, Eric and Vince
have taken on new roles as producers. Will their film be hailed as a
critical masterpiece, or will it end up on the trash heap of broken
Tinseltown dreams?
A secretary adrift amidst the social elite, a Hannah Montana musical treat, a ringside seat for teen brothers with a good beat... and two kings: one hails from the street, while the other's a repeat.
Also arriving on DVD this week:
We learn of a school shooting through flashbacks (at least, that's the conceit), "Daily Show" correspondent John Oliver goes on a standup retreat, students at a prom become sausage meat... and an election that ends in a dead heat, with a candidate who goes down in defeat (or perhaps because of deceit).
Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds
Miley
Cyrus performs as herself and her pop star alter ego Hannah Montana for
the first time ever in this film. First, Hannah Montana rules the stage
like the "Rock Star" she is, then she turns over the mike to Miley so
she can "Start All Over." The sold-out concert event - "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds"
was recorded live and in 3-D... this 2-Disc Extended Edition comes
complete with 3-D glasses and a special performance by the Jonas
Brothers.
The Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock"
also comes to DVD this week. This music and dance-filled hit stars
platinum selling recording artists Jonas Brothers and tells the story
of a girl who reaches for the stars. Demi Lovato, Meaghan Martin and
Alyson Stoner join the Brothers for new music and the new dance moves
from urban hip-hop and pop to rock and reggaeton.
Gripping performances by Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker power "Street Kings,"
an explosive urban crime thriller, in which a veteran cop finds himself
ensnared in a deadly web of conspiracy and betrayal. Reeves stars as
Tom Ludlow, a hard-nosed detective still reeling from the death of his
wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow
officer, Ludlow realizes his own life is in danger and he can trust no
one.
See how the legend of "The Scorpion King" began in the direct-to-home-video prequel "Scorpion King 2: Rise of A Warrior."
When a young Mathayus witnesses his father's death at the hands of the
king (UFC Champion Randy Couture), his quest for vengeance transforms
him into the most feared warrior of the ancient world. The cast also
features Michael Copon, Karen David and Natalie Becker. Advance press
materials promise that this will be "a heroic adventure filled with
heart-stopping action and thrilling visual effects!"
Amy Adams and Frances McDormand star in "Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day,"
a charming and heartfelt comedy about finding a new life and a new
love, all in one day. When Miss Pettigrew (McDormand) stumbles upon the
chance to become the new "social secretary" to glamorous high-society
singer and actress Delysia Lafosse (Adams), she seizes the opportunity
despite being totally out of her element. Swept up into the glamorous
whirl of high society, it's all Miss Pettigrew can do to keep up with
Delysia as she juggles her love life and career.
Based on the novel by Laura Kasischke, "The Life Before Her Eyes"
stars Uma Thurman and unfolds in out-of-sequence flashbacks. Recklessly
hedonistic teenager Diana (Evan Rachel Wood) and her best friend, a
Christian virgin (Eva Amuri), come face to face with a
machine-gun-wielding classmate one morning at school in a situation
reminiscent of Columbine. Thurman plays the grown-up version of Diana
who has a perfect life in the same small town 15 years after the
tragedy, yet is still haunted by this traumatic event in her past.
"Recount," a "fair and balanced" HBO original movie, chronicles the turbulent
weeks in Florida following the 2000 U.S. presidential election. The film
explores one of the most dramatic and controversial events in recent
U.S. election history, an event that shook a nation's faith in the ability to
stage a fair and open election. "Recount" takes a look at the ordinary
people caught up in the extraordinary events that would ultimately
decide the leadership of the country.
In "Prom Night,"
Donna's (Brittany Snow) senior prom is supposed to be the best night of
her life. After surviving a horrible tragedy, she has finally moved on
and is enjoying her last year of high school. Surrounded by her best
friends, she should be safe from the horrors of her past. But when the
night turns deadly, there is only one person who could be
responsible... a man she thought was gone forever (Johnathon Schaech).
Now, Donna and her friends must find a way to escape the sadistic
rampage of an obsessed killer, and survive a night "to die for."
The very smart and very funny "John Oliver: Terrifying Times"
arrives this week in an "Extended & Uncensored" Edition, recorded
live at New York's Symphony Space Theatre. Oliver (correspondent for
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") is extremely entertaining in his
first Comedy Central original stand-up special. This disc is packed
with his humorous political perspective, an interview with Professor
Andy Saltzman and "Daily Show" segments.
"Smart People"
is a witty comedy about a smart, yet lovable dysfunctional family with
lots to learn. Dennis Quaid stars as Professor Lawrence Wetherhold,
Sarah Jessica Parker as Wetherhold's former student and love interest,
Ellen Page as Wetherhold's acid-tongued teenaged daughter and Thomas
Haden Church as his amusing under achieving brother. "Smart People" was directed by first-time feature filmmaker Noam Murro and written by novelist Mark Poirier.
In "The Secret,"
Hannah and Benjamin (Lili Taylor and David Duchovny) are a happily
married couple whose love is tested in ways they never could have
imagined in this touching supernatural drama. But when Hannah is killed
in a car accident, the couple's strong bond may be responsible for an
unusual twist of fate that keeps their love alive - at the expense of
their daughter (Olivia Thirlby).
Living on the outer boundaries of society "The Orange Thief"
and some other country-wise ruffians steal fruit for sustenance, sale
and the sheer excitement of courting danger. After the thief ends up in
a Sicilian jail his life takes an unexpected turn when his bunkmate
promises him a deal. This highly acclaimed film is presented in
Italian, with English subtitles.
In "Watching The Detectives," Neil (Cillian Murphy) works in a vintage video store and wishes his
life could be as exciting as the movies he watches night and day. Enter
Violet (Lucy Liu), a real-life femme fatale who brings enough adventure
into Neil's world to make him think he has suddenly stepped into one of
his favorite movies. Being with Violet might just turn out to be a lot
of fun - if he lives through it.
Stephen Chow, the acclaimed writer/director and star of "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer," is back with a "CJ7,"
a family-friendly adventure. Featuring Chow's signature comedy style,
the film is about a struggling father (Chow), his young son (Xu Jiao)
and their mysterious pet. Special features include cast and crew
commentary, behind the scenes featurettes and both an English and
Chinese version of the film.
"The American Mall" arrives on DVD just one day after it made its debut on the MTV cable channel. This movie musical tells the story of Ally, a hardworking young woman whose mother has owned a music shop that's been the soul of the local mall ever since it opened when Ally was a kid. Ally's singer/songwriter dreams seem to come closer to fruition when she meets Joey, a musician who's moonlighting as a janitor at the mall in order to support his own rock star ambitions. But everything changes when the mall owner's spoiled daughter gets involved.
The high-action prison drama "Felon"
stars Stephen Dorff, Val Kilmer, Harold Perrineau and Sam Shepard, with
a cameo appearance by Anne Archer. When a family man is convicted and
sentenced to a maximum-security prison, he must learn to survive the
violent penal system. "Felon" is a riveting drama that depicts a no-holds-barred account of life on the "inside."
In
the projects. On the docks. In City Hall. In the schools. And now in
the media. In the Fifth (and Final) Season of the HBO series "The Wire,"
the places and faces have changed but the game remains the same. The
drug trade still rules the corners... and all you have to do is read
between the lines.
An island on which kids cleave, a detective who offers no reprieve, a plus-sized girl in whom you can believe... and a summer camp friends of Dorothy won't want to leave.
Nim's Island
"Nim's Island"
is a fun-filled adventure comedy and heartwarming story of
self-discovery and friendship starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster
and Gerard Butler. Based on the children's novel by Wendy Orr and
directed by the husband and wife team of Mark Levin and Jennifer
Flackett, the film is an inspirational tale about becoming the hero of
your own story. Bonus materials include multiple behind-the-scenes
featurettes with
Breslin, over 25 minutes of deleted scenes and commentary with Breslin
and Foster together.
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, "The Counterfeiters"
tells the true story of Salomon Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics), a swindler
who made a name for himself as Berlin's "King of the Counterfeiters."
When he's arrested and placed in a Nazi concentration camp, Sorowitsch
makes a deal with his captors: in exchange for a comfortable bed, good
food and fair treatment, Sorowitsch, along with the other hand-picked
specialists, must counterfeit bank notes to fund the Nazi war effort.
In "Miss Conception,"
Georgina Scott (Heather Graham) is a broody 33 year-old who sends her
boyfriend packing when it becomes apparent that he doesn't share her
desire for a baby. Learning that her baby-making days are numbered, and
her next cycle will be her last, she draws up a battle plan, but her
escapades become increasingly frantic and elaborate as she explores
internet sperm donors, night clubbers, builders and funeral-goers in
her desperate attempts to beat the biological clock.
Mark
David Chapman, a 25 year old security guard in Hawaii, bought a plane
ticket to New York with the intention of killing the world's greatest
musician and dreamer. Camping outside John Lennon's apartment building
in New York waiting for an autograph, Chapman's childlike obsession
with this "celebrity phony" descends into madness. Both gritty and
dreamy, "The Killing Of John Lennon" is a stunning examination of a stalker's mind just before the kill.
"Camp Out"
follows ten Midwestern teenagers as they attend the first overnight
Bible Camp for gay Christian youths. For these six boys and four girls,
it's just as hard to come out as Christian as it is to come out as gay.
Caught in the battle between religion, politics and sexuality, these
kids are outsiders - their straight classmates ostracize them and their
churches reject them. But like all teens, they yearn to feel at home, somewhere.
Eddie
Kaye Thomas, Kip Pardue and Josh Cooke star as twenty-something pals
who revisit their small-town roots to attend the funeral of a high
school friend. The guys spend a wild weekend reminiscing over football,
booze and babes while struggling with one buddy's self-destructive
lifestyle, another's seemingly perfect life and the other's humiliating
insecurities. "Wasted" is a funny yet thought-provoking film that demonstrates how sometimes the hardest part of growing up is letting go.
In the Lifetime television movie, "Queen Sized,"
Nikki Blonsky stars as overweight high school senior Maggie Baker who
knows she'll never be as pretty, skinny or wealthy as the popular
girls. But when a cruel prank nominates her for election as Homecoming
Queen, Maggie decides to go ahead with her campaign against the advice
of the school administration, her widowed mom, and the mean girls who
will do anything to keep her feeling like a loser.
"Foyle's War,"
the hit British series that combines mystery and real history, is one
of the most highly acclaimed and popular programs on PBS. Set 5
offers three feature-length, stand-alone episodes of the show, with
Michael Kitchen starring as police detective Christopher Foyle,
investigating civilian crimes in a small English coastal town during
World War II.
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