A Hollywood story about settling scores, a feisty neighbor who wants to knock down doors, an accountant who winds up at a club where everybody's on all fours, a wounded man finds himself in the Arctic and explores... and a football comedy that stars George Clooney, who - by the way - has an Oscar, just like Al Gore's.
Sex and the City: The Movie
"Sex and the City: The Movie"
is the feature film adaptation of the hit HBO television series and
follows the continuing adventures of the four main characters - Carrie,
Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda - as they live their lives in Manhattan
four years after the series ended. Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall,
Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon all reprise their roles, along with
Chris Noth, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and Jason Lewis as their love
interests. Jennifer Hudson plays Carrie Bradshaw's assistant, a new
character introduced in the film.
George Clooney and Renee Zellweger match wits in the period sports comedy, "Leatherheads,"
set against the stranger-than-fiction backdrop of the beginnings of
pro-football. Clooney plays a swaggering, aging football hero who is
determined to lead his team from bar brawls to packed stadiums. When a
golden-boy war hero (John Krasinski) joins the team, a cub reporter
(Zellweger) playing in the big leagues suspects the "hero" may not be
all he claims. Soon, the two teammates become off-field rivals for her
attention, filling the screen with what is intended to be quick-witted
banter and wisecracking screwball antics (but which, for the most part,
simply fall flat).
Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria star in "Run, Fatboy, Run,"
a new comedy directed by actor David Schwimmer. Out of shape and out of
luck, Dennis Doyle (Pegg) runs the London marathon to gain the respect
(and hopefully, the love) of Libby (Newton), the girl he left pregnant
and heartbroken at the altar five years earlier. And running at his
side is Libby's handsome, successful self confident and very fit new
boyfriend (Azaria).
"Deception"
follows a naïve accountant named Wyatt (Ewan McGregor) who is lured
into an elite but very naughty after hours club known as "The List" by
his slick lawyer friend, played by Hugh Jackman. He becomes enthralled
with this new lifestyle, but soon becomes the prime suspect in a
woman's disappearance and a multimillion-dollar heist. "Deception" also features performances by Michelle Williams and Maggie Q.
More
than three decades after they won the Academy Award for Best Picture,
director Francis Ford Coppola's films "The Godfather" and "The
Godfather, Part II" can once again be enjoyed as they originally were
meant to be seen, thanks to a meticulous restoration by Paramount
Pictures, overseen by Coppola himself. Both fully restored films are
out this week on DVD and Blu-ray, along with a newly remastered version
of "The Godfather Part III," all included as part of "The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Collection."
Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, "L.A. Confidential"
won two Oscars (Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for
Kim Basinger). The evocative and sordid tale of Hollywood back in the
day, about three cops, a call girl, a mysterious millionaire and a
tabloid journalist, is rife with mystery, ambition, romance and humor.
In addition to Basinger, the film stars Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe,
Guy Pearce and Danny DeVito and is based on on James Ellroy's "L.A.
Quartet" series of novels.
In "The Neighbor,"
Jeff (Matthew Modine), a hip downtown businessman and artist, watches
as his life begins to unravel after learning that his beautiful ex-wife
is going to marry his best friend and dentist. To add to his distress,
Christine (Michele Laroque), a feisty real estate developer, who lives
in the apartment above, is determined to acquire his apartment for
renovations and expansions of her own. The animosity brewing between
them erupts into passionate arguments. Despite the hostility, fate
drives Jeff and Christine together.
Michelle Yeoh, Sean Bean and Michelle Krusiec star in "Far North,"
an epic thriller about the battle for survival, unexpected passion and
the temptation of revenge. Haunted by a violent past, Saiva (Yeoh) and
Anja (Krusiec) share an isolated, brutal existence in the desolate
Arctic tundra. When Loki (Bean), a wounded stranger, enters their
lives, a romance quickly develops, and the betrayal that follows leads
to consequences as shocking as they are bloody.
"Pathology"
follows a group of medical students working in a Washington, D.C.
morgue who start a sinister game to see which one of them can commit
the
perfect murder. When newcomer Dr. Ted Grey (Milo Ventimiglia)
tries to get out of the game, the sociopath mastermind (Michael Weston)
has other plans in mind and will do anything to win. Ted quickly
realizes that what he doesn't know... could kill him. Also starring
Alyssa Milano.
Rediscover
the infectious music, witty lyrics and colorful animation from the
Emmy-winning animated series that rocked America for more than a decade
in "Schoolhouse Rock: The Election Collection."
As all eyes turn to the presidential election, it couldn't be a better
time for this collection of classic election-themed tunes including
"I'm Just a Bill," "Shot Heard 'Round the World" and "I'm Gonna Send
Your Vote to College," the timeless songs that taught a generation of
Americans that learning can be fun.
The widely popular, award-winning Chicago Public Radio show "This American Life"
became a Showtime series last season and the series is now on DVD.
Drawing on a different theme each week, viewers hear compelling stories
from everyday folks culled from six months on the road. Host Ira Glass
and company create a captivating look at the American Life in a series
that's not quite documentary, not much of a news magazine and
definitely not a reality show - it's simply unlike anything else. Winner - just last week - of two 2008 Emmy Awards, including Best Nonfiction Series.
Charlie
Brown, Peppermint Patty, Linus, Snoopy, Woodstock and the rest of the
Peanuts gang are back to celebrate your favorite holidays in the "Peanuts Holiday Collection,"
a 3 DVD collector's set which includes all-new deluxe editions of "A
Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "It's The
Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." In addition to new packaging and the
remastered deluxe editions, the collection also includes a CD with
songs from the original soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi.
Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan star in the romantic comedy "Made of Honor,"
which follows the story of Tom (Dempsey), who suddenly realizes he has
fallen in love with his best friend Hannah (Monaghan), while she is
away on a business trip in Scotland. Upon her return, Hannah announces
her engagement to a dashing Scotsman and asks Tom to be her "maid" of
honor, giving him the opportunity to win her for himself.
"Speed Racer,"
a live action cartoon based on the animated television series, attempts
to combine family humor with stunning visual effects, but succeeds only
marginally. Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) may be a champ behind the wheel,
but his Mach 5 upstages him every step of the way. John Goodman and
Susan Sarandon, Christina Ricci, Paulie Litt and Matthew Fox deliver
fine supporting performances. In the film, Speed takes on fierce
competitors to save his family's business and protect the sport he
loves. He should, however, make a pit stop to explain the story, which
is impossible to follow.
In the action-packed thriller "88 Minutes,"
Al Pacino stars as a forensic psychiatrist and college professor who
receives a phone call telling him he has exactly 88 minutes to live.
With the clock ticking, he sets out to solve his own intended murder
and, in this deadly game of survival, no one is to be trusted. Pacino
is good, but "88 Minutes" - which actually runs 107 minutes - is an intricately plotted film filled with many unexpected twists and turns, not all of which make much sense.
The Home Ministry in Malaysia says sales of "The Love Guru" should be banned because it is "offensive to the religious sentiments of Hindus." Perhaps. But
we have a better reason: it's a very bad film. Mike Myers stars as
"Guru Pitka," an American raised in India by gurus, who then returns to
the U.S. in order to break into the self-help business. The DVD
versions of the "The Love Guru" include many compelling extras, put there, presumably, to distract us from watching film itself.
A story of love lost and found in a small town, "Snow Angels"
is a heartrending portrayal of three couples in various stages of life
orbiting around each other in search of connection and meaning. An
unexpected act of violence disrupts the lives of these intertwined
couples revealing the profound moments in which they each realize how
precarious and remarkable life can be. The film stars stars Kate
Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Michael Angarano, Jeannetta Arnette, Griffin
Dunne, Nicky Katt, Tom Noonan, Connor Paolo, Amy Sedaris and Olivia
Thirlby.
Tim Robbins stars as a New York City husband and father so unhinged by the "Noise"
outside his window that he declares a one-man war on car alarms. But
when he goes over the edge and becomes a citywide noise-vigilante known
as "The Rectifier," he incurs the wrath of New York's sleazy blowhard
Mayor (William Hurt), who vows to stop him. Bridget Moynahan and
William Baldwin co-star in this black comedy, easily the best film this
week that you've never heard of.
For "Speed and Angels,"
director Peyton Wilson entered the world of U.S. Navy fighter pilots
and created perhaps the most intimate film ever made about them. Epic
high definition aerial footage and stunning cockpit photography provide
a dramatic backdrop for a larger story of fighting for your dreams.
It's a journey through dogfights in the Nevada desert, night landings
on aircraft carriers off the Atlantic coast, and the biggest challenge
young officers face: wartime deployment to Iraq.
Charlie Chan is back on the case in seven new globe-trotting adventures in "The Charlie Chan Collection: Volume Five."
A stalwart presence in the 30s and 40s, Charlie Chan's mysteries
transcend generations and establish the Chinese policeman as a
cinematic icon. Starring Sidney Toler as the sage detective and filled
with the clever crime-solver's signature fortune cookie wisdom, each
case is packed with a blend of dangerous intrigue, criminal mischief
and insightful aphorisms
Over
a million viewers tune in each week to "The Dog Whisperer" to see Cesar
Millan address the problematic behaviors of both humans and their
dogs. In his new 3-Disc set, "Cesar Millan: Mastering Leadership,"
he has created a video guide that extends the lessons and methods
introduced on TV and his best-selling books. With humor, compassion and
an uncanny grasp on the roots of canine behavior, Millan educates dog
owners on how to develop a happy, healthy relationship with their dogs.
Upending assumptions about old age, love, sex and death, the "Young@Heart"
Chorus is comprised of two dozen convention-defying senior citizens
from New England. Winner of the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival's
Audience Award for Best International Feature, this documentary follows
the group over a seven-week rehearsal schedule as they rigorously
practice such aptly named songs as The Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive," The
Ramones' "I Want To Be Sedated" and Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" in
preparation for a sold-out concert.
Out on DVD this week is the Eighth and Final Season of "Will and Grace," as well all eight seasons of the show
in collectible packaging that includes an episode booklet and bonus
disc with extra features, newly recorded commentaries with cast and
crew, a photo gallery, themed featurettes and a quiz. The collection
features 33 discs with almost 70 hours of programming.
Chuck
Bartowski, ace computer geek, is not in his right mind. That s a good
thing. Ever since he unwittingly downloaded stolen government secrets
into his brain, action, excitement and a cool secret- agent girlfriend
have entered his life. But it's a bad thing, too. Because now Chuck is
in danger 24/7. Season One of "Chuck"
somehow merges gadgetry, martial-arts smackdowns, narrow escapes and
beautiful spies in short shorts into an action comedy about a
millennium Everyguy... think James Bond in a subcompact.
The First Season of the quirky "Pushing Daisies"
is out this week. It's the story of Ned, a lonely pie maker whose touch
can reanimate the dead. But there's a hitch. If Ned touches the person
again, the miracle is reversed. If he doesn't, a bystander goes toes
up. What to do? Easy: Team with a private eye, bring murder victims
back just long enough to discover whodunit, and collect the rewards.
Things go well until Ned's boyhood sweetie is the next dear departed,
and he can't resist bringing her back for keeps.
Three classics with scary men, a chain gang from Frank Pierson's pen, Betty does it again and a stuntman who befriends his neighbor and then... well, you'll just have to buy or rent the DVD to find out what happens next... we're taking ten.
Baby Mama
The GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin, er, I mean, Tina Fey stars in "Baby Mama,"
a story about the consequences of putting your eggs in someone else's
basket. Successful and single businesswoman Kate Holbrook (Fey) has
long put her career ahead of a personal life. Now 37, she's finally
determined to have a kid on her own. But her plan is thrown a curve
ball after she discovers she has only a million-to-one chance of
getting pregnant. Undaunted, she allows South Philly working girl Angie
Ostrowiski (Amy Poehler) to become her unlikely surrogate and then
tries to turn her into the perfect expectant mom.
"The Forbidden Kingdom"
is a tale of two arch rivals who unite to challenge a warlord in an
epic battle of good versus evil. In modern-day Boston, Jason (Michael
Angarano), a teenage Kung Fu movie enthusiast, purchases a bootleg DVD
from his favorite shopkeeper, Old Hop. When a local bully forces Jason
to help rob Old Hop, Jason escapes with a golden staff that magically
transports him to ancient China. It is there that he meets Jackie Chan
and Jet Li - this marks the first time the two martial arts masters
have appeared in the same film - and the plot becomes far too
complicated to explain in a short blurb such as this. But if you're a
fan of this sort of adventure fantasy flick, you'll have no problem
following along.
The newest installment in the popular Barbie DVD franchise, "Barbie & The Diamond Castle"
arrives with Barbie and Teresa starring together in their first
"best-friends" movie. Through the power of song and with the
companionship of two adorable puppies, the girls face challenges
together and learn that friendship is the true treasure. Also
available this week is "The Barbie Princess Collection," with "3 classic Princess movies together for the first time, in a collectable purse, for entertainment on the go!" (The italics are mine; the exclamation point, however, is all theirs.)
The quirky comedy "The Big Lebowski" is back in a new commemorative 10th Anniversary Edition.
This deliciously twisted comedy-thriller stars Jeff Bridges, John
Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore, and now includes exclusive
bonus features: retrospective documentaries, an interactive map and an
in-depth look at the phenomenon known as the Lebowski Fest. The film is
also available in an individually numbered, limited edition, 2-Disc set
encased in a specially designed "bowling ball." (What? They couldn't
stuff this into a purse?)
"Cool Hand Luke,"
the searing prison drama starring Paul Newman as a defiant chain-gang
convict suffering a "failure to communicate," is out this week in a
Deluxe Edition in both standard definition and on Blu-ray Disc.
Newly remastered, the film boasts an all-new featurette, "The Making of
Cool Hand Luke." The film was written by Frank Pierson and Donn Pearce
(from Pearce's novel) and nominated for four Academy Awards, with
co-star George Kennedy winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his
performance as Luke's hillbilly sidekick, Dragline.
The visually sumptuous epic, "The Fall,"
is a surreal fantasy of love and revenge. Roy Walker (Lee Pace), an
injured Hollywood stuntman recovering at a Los Angeles hospital in
1915, befriends his 5-year-old young neighbor and creates a fantasy
world that changes life in the infirmary. An Official Selection at the
2006 Toronto Film Festival and winner of Best Film at the Catalonian
International Film Festival (2007), the film was shot on location in 18
countries around the world.
The western historical saga "How the West Was Won"
arrives this week in three new restored and remastered editions. The
film is a stunning epic, following four generations of a courageous New
England farm family as they travel to the fertile Ohio Valley during
America's early westward expansion. Choose the 2-Disc standard
definition "Special Edition," the 2-Disc standard definition "Ultimate Collector's Edition" or the Blu-ray Disc version with a special Digi-book packaging featuring 32-pages of rare press materials and behind-the-scenes photos.
Unearthed from the vaults, three of Hollywood's scariest movies are released for the first time on DVD in "Fox Horror Classics: Volume 2."
Featuring performances from Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price and Gene
Tierney, this new boxed set includes three films: "Chandu The
Magician," "Dr. Renault's Secret" and "Dragonwyck." Each of these
horror classics has been restored and remastered and features in-depth
bonus materials including behind-the-scenes featurettes, restoration
comparisons, trailers and more.
Betty Suarez is back and "Bettyer" than ever in Season Two of "Ugly Betty."
Sunny, sweet-tempered and terminally style challenged, Betty navigates
the ego-infested, high fashion halls of Mode magazine for a second
season in this 5-Disc boxed set, tastefully accessorized with bonus
features including featurettes, deleted scenes and bloopers.
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.
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.
Academy
Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese and The Rolling Stones unite to
bring you the year's most extraordinary concert film: "Shine A Light."
The film features special appearances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White
and Buddy Guy, and the DVD includes four Rolling Stones performances
not seen in theaters.
"Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay"
brings back John Cho and Kal Penn as two stoners who can't seem to get
a break. This time, the boys get themselves in trouble trying to sneak
a bong onboard a flight to Amsterdam. Now, being suspected of
terrorism, they are forced to run from the law and try to find a way to
prove their innocence.
The
long-awaited and highly-anticipated next chapter of the comedy-horror
cult phenomenon "The Lost Boys" is out this week. The direct-to-DVD
sequel "Lost Boys: The Tribe"
stars Tad Hilgenbrinck, Angus Sutherland, Autumn Reeser and Corey
Feldman as Edgar Frog, the original vampire hunter, with appearances by
Jamison Newlander and Corey Haim from the first film.
in "Doomsday,"
in order to save humanity from an epidemic, an elite fighting unit must
battle to find a cure in a post-apocalyptic zone controlled by a
society of murderous renegades. Extras on the DVD include a behind the
scenes featurette with writer/director Neil Marshall and commentary
from Marshall and cast members Sean Pertwee, Darren Morfitt, Rick
Warden and Les Simpson.
Set against the action-packed world of Mixed Martial Arts, "Never Back Down"
stars Sean Faris as Jake, a troubled teen who's off to a bad start at
his new high school, Amber Heard, as a beautiful girl who befriends
him, Cam Gigandet as the school bully who taunts and nearly pounds Jake
into submission and Djimon Hounsou the mixed martial arts instructor
who teaches Jake how to fight... and how to walk away.
"WarGames: The Dead Code" is a direct-to-DVD sequel to the 1983 box-office smash, which is being re-released this week in a 25th Anniversary Edition.
In the new film, the government is keeping a watchful eye on Will
Farmer, a computer hacker who engages a super-computer in an online
terrorist-attack simulation game that is designed specifically to
profile potential threats to the United States. When Homeland Security
becomes convinced that Farmer is indeed a potential threat, he must do
all in his power to clear his name and end the game.
"WarGames"
is back, 25 years on, in a 2-Disc anniversary edition loaded with all
new bonus material including director and writer commentaries and
all-new featurettes. Starring Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman and
Ally Sheedy, "WarGames"
was nominated for three Oscars - including Best Screenplay - for its
story of a young computer whiz (Broderick) who accidentally starts a
countdown to World War III.
Tyrone
Power, one of Hollywood's most popular stars from the late 1930s
through the 1940s, is back in a second collection of favorites as the "Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection" debuts on DVD. In this collection, he plays the role of a newspaper reporter in the romantic comedy, "Luck of the Irish," a cynical solider in the wartime romance, "This Above All" and co-stars with actress Loretta Young in the comedy, "Love Is News." Additionally, this boxed set showcases "Johnny Apollo," "Girl's Dormitory," "Day-time Wife," "I'll Never Forget You," "Second Honeymoon," "Cafe Metropole" and "That Wonderful Urge."
As for the rest of the new releases, well, in these dog days of July, things are looking mighty thin (much to our chagrin).
21
"21"
is a high stakes thriller inspired by the true story of MIT students
who mastered the art of card counting and took Vegas casinos for
millions. The cast includes Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence
Fishburne and Kevin Spacey. Bonus features Include a making-of
documentary, a featurette on blackjack and card counting, audio
commentary with director Robert Luketic and producers Dana Brunetti and
Michael De Luca and also - on the Blu-ray Disc - a "21" Virtual Blackjack Game.
Ashley Tisdale stars in "Picture This,"
a new teen comedy. Tisdale plays an unpopular high school senior who
lands a date to the biggest party of the year with the school's hottest
guy. Only problem... she's grounded. With the help of her friends and
her new, must-have video phone, she'll have to outsmart her
overprotective dad and the hot guy's ex-girlfriend, who's determined to
keep her away from the big bash.
"Two Tickets to Paradise"
an indie flick premiering in theatres and on DVD this week, stars John
McGinley, Ed Harris, Moira Kelly, Paul Hipp and D.B. Sweeney (who also
directed). Mark, McGriff and Jason are three life-long buddies, who
manage to stay afloat in their small Pennsylvania hometown. Mark, whose
fleeting college football glory has morphed into a dangerous obsession
with gambling, is becoming more estranged each day from his wife and
son. McGriff, who has never let go of his rock-and-roll aspirations,
realizes that he is not the man he used to be. And then there's Jason,
who still lives with his parents and allows them to dictate his life.
When
you were a kid cartoons were on Saturday mornings, TV show hosts were
beloved and puppets were friendly caring and kind. What's that you
say... you're not a kid anymore? Well, fortunately, "Comedy Central's TV Funhouse"
features host Doug and his Anipals and is packed with enough twisted
cartoons, crass puppets live animals and guest stars to send you to bed
weeping over your lost youth.
The "Robot Chicken: Star Wars"
special (from Cartoon Network's Adult Swim) incorporates tons of
plastic action figures, stop-motion animation and even a touch of "The
Force." This show cleverly intertwines that far far away galaxy with
"yo' momma" battles, spoofs on George Dubya and besotted fanboys and
features the voices of "Star Wars" creator George Lucas and guests
Conan O'Brien, Seth MacFarlane, Malcolm McDowell, Hulk Hogan, James Van
Der Beek, Robert Smigel and Donald Faison.
"Spaced"
is the clever and edgy BBC comedy series that started it all for the
award-winning team behind "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz." From
creator-stars Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson), this 3-disc
set makes its North American debut this week and features all 14
surreal episodes of the award-winning show, described by Pegg as "a
cross between 'The Simpsons,' 'The X-Files' and 'Northern Exposure.'"
A heist goes downhill, missing parents in Brazil, a photo sends a chill, and a young girl who's glad to be headed to college until... her Dad decides to go along and be a pill.
Also:
Dancing in the streets for a thrill, a young woman overcomes obstacles through sheer force of will, a pail of water is fetched by Jill and Jill... and we meet Bill, a man who discovers that life is not a fire drill.
The Bank Job
Terry
(Jason Statham), a car dealer with a dodgy past and new family, has
always avoided major-league scams. But when Martine (Saffron Burrows),
a beautiful model from his old neighborhood, offers him a lead on "The Bank Job,"
Terry recognizes it as the opportunity of a lifetime. What he doesn't
know is that the safe deposit boxes he's broken into contain a treasure
trove of dirty secrets - secrets that will thrust them into a deadly
web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal
underworld, the highest echelons of the British government and the
Royal family itself.
"Meet Bill"
(Aaron Eckhart), a man reduced to a mere accessory to his family by
working a dead end job at his father-in-law's bank and arguing about
his overindulgent love for chocolate with his wife Jess (Elizabeth
Banks) who loathes explaining her "friendship" with the local news
anchorman (Timothy Olyphant). But Bill's fate begins to change when he
becomes a mentor to a self-assured boy (Logan Lerman) who engineers
Bill's recovery with the help of a cute lingerie sales girl named Lucy
(Jessica Alba). Together, the trio confronts Bill's hapless life with
humor and energy while forcing him to capture his dream of being
financially independent and self-confident.
"Penelope"
is a modern day fairytale in which the title character (Christina
Ricci) is a beautiful young girl with an extraordinary curse... she has
the nose a pig. Hidden away from the world in her family's majestic
home, she dreams of one day breaking free. Then she meets Max (James
McAvoy), a down-on-his-luck musician and Annie (Reese Witherspoon), a
free-spirited rock chick, who encourage her to come out of hiding and
find her true self.
When
a street savvy girl with untrained talent (Briana Evigan) teams up with
a virtuoso modern dancer (Robert Hoffman) to compete in an underground
dance-off, sparks fly both on and off the dance floor in "Step Up 2 the Streets,"
a follow-up to the original 2006 movie. The soundtrack features music
from artists including Flo Rida, Missy Elliot, T-Pain, Cassie, Kevin
Michael (with Wyclef Jean) and more plus explosive dance moves from
three of hip-hop's cutting-edge choreographers.
"College Road Trip"
tells the story of a no-holds-barred battle for independence between a
loving but protective father and his teenage daughter. Raven-Symone
stars as Melanie Porter, an overachieving high school student with her
heart set on attending Washington D.C.'s Georgetown University. Martin
Lawrence is the overbearing dad who wants her to stay close to their
Chicago home - and will do whatever it takes to keep her there.
A picture-perfect honeymoon develops into a snapshot of terror in "Shutter,"
a bone-chilling shocker from executive producers of "The Grudge" and
"The Ring." Soon after New York newlyweds Ben (Joshua Jackson) and Jane
(Rachael Taylor) arrive in Japan for Ben's latest photography
assignment, they discover disturbing, ghostly reflections of a young
woman in their own photos. This inexplicable "spirit image" may be
connected to Ben's past, but she's determined to provide the couple
with a horrifying future of relentless vengeance from which there is no
escape.
Opposites attract in "Love My Life,"
a sweet and tender Japanese lesbian romance. Ichiko is a happy go lucky
girl who falls in love with serious Eri, a fellow student at the
university. Ichiko wants to tell the world about their love - beginning
with her father. But gay romance is not quite as easy as Ichiko
envisions. When she comes out, she learns surprising family secrets,
while Eri's studies will soon keep them apart. "Love My Life" stars Japanese supermodel Asami Imajuku.
"The Year My Parents Went On Vacation"
is a poignant and humorous coming of age story set in Brazil in 1970.
When his left-wing militant parents are forced to go underground,
twelve year-old Mauro (Michel Joelsas) is left in the care of his
Jewish grandfather's neighbor in Sao Paulo. Suddenly finding himself an
exile in his own country, he is forced to create an ersatz family from
the religiously diverse and colorful population of his new neighborhood.
A young soldier and the Army disagree, a mother abandons her daughter to flee, a high school student goes on a masked crime fighting spree and Ellen Page rides a bus naked without any I.D.
Also debuting on DVD this week:
An animated "Batman" potpourri, something nasty is uncovered in Mexican debris, two best friends fulfill a Sapphic fantasy... and we learn that most of this week's best selling titles come from TV.
Stop-Loss
In "Stop-Loss,"
decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) makes a
celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of
duty. He tries to resume the life he left behind, but then the Army
orders him back to duty in Iraq, which upends his world. The conflict
tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of
friendship, the limits of love and the value of honor.
After
being bitten by a genetically altered dragonfly and gaining superhero
abilities, high school student Rick Riker uses his incredible strength
and armored skin to become the masked crime fighter known as "The
Dragonfly." "Superhero Movie"
spoofs, satirizes and skewers the conventions of fanboy cinema, taking
time along the way to poke fun at some of the juggernauts of the genre
- from the "X-Men" and "Batman" to "Spider-Man" and the "Fantastic
Four."
"Sleepwalking"
is an acclaimed film that asks if family can prove to be the most
desperate bond of all in a past plagued by dark secrets. Jolene Reedy
(Charlize Theron) is a disillusioned single mother prone to bad men and
reckless behavior. Her younger brother James (Nick Stahl) is a
weak-willed underachiever who can't hold a job. But when Jolene
abandons her 12-year-old daughter (AnnaSophia Robb), uncle and niece
make a fateful decision to flee to the farm of James and Jolene's
abusive father (Dennis Hopper).
Based on screenwriter Maureen Medved's novel of the same name, "The Tracey Fragments"
uses highly inventive and dynamic Mondrian-like split screens to tell
the story of why 15-year-old Tracey Berkowitz (Ellen Page) is riding
out a blizzard in the back of a city bus, naked except for the tattered
curtain she's wrapped in, and looking for her missing brother (whom she
fears she has hypnotized). On screen for nearly every frame of the
film, Page ("Juno") delivers a tour-de-force performance.
Based on the best-seller by Scott Smith, "The Ruins"
follows a group of friends who become entangled in a brutal struggle
for survival after visiting a remote archaeological dig in the Mexican
jungle where they discover something deadly living among the ruins. The
film stars Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey
and Joe Anderson.
"This Kiss,"
a romance, follows what happens when two best friends from childhood
reconnect after a decade, only to discover how different their lives
have become. Juliet is a successful businesswoman, Lucy a happily
married stay-at-home mom. But when Juliet knocks on Lucy's door during
reunion weekend, it doesn't take long for their assured facades to
crack. Tempers fly, tears fall, closet doors swing open and skeletons
fall out.
In advance of the big screen release of "Batman: Dark Knight" on July 18th, Warner releases a Limited Edition Gift Set of "Batman Begins" this week, as well as "Batman: Gotham Knight," an all-new, original animated movie. Six interlocking stories reveal Bruce Wayne's journey to "Dark Knight," each with stylish art from some of the world's most revered animation visionaries.
In a week when most of the top selling DVD pre-orders are for TV shows, the Sixth Season of "Monk" is just one of the new releases worthy of your consideration. Don't miss the Fourth Season of "Stargate: Atlantis," the Second Season of "Psych," the Fifth Season of "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Wire In The Blood" and the Final Season of "Soul Food."
Owen Wilson proves he's a uniter, not a divider, Angela Bassett becomes a small town outsider, the folks from "Get Smart" cast their web a little wider and something old and something new from Winona Ryder.
Also this week:
"Batman" from way back when, a President ventures too far into an assassin's den and the First Season of "Mad Men."
And now we've come to the end of this week's rhyming spiel. Amen.
Vantage Point
Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Sigourney Weaver, Forest Whitaker and William Hurt star in "Vantage Point," a nail-biting story of eight witnesses to an assassination attempt on the President of the United States and the shocking motivation behind it. During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see?
"Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" is a charming story about the joys of family and the possibility of second chances. Brenda (Angela Bassett), a single mother living in inner city Chicago, has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. When a letter arrives announcing the death of her father, whom she's never met, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. Nothing could prepare her for her father's fun-loving crass Southern clan. Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed... and finds unexpected romance.
"Drillbit Taylor" - from the guys behind "Superbad" and "Knocked Up" - is about a group of kids who get fed up with being harassed by the school bully and decide to hire their own private bodyguard. The former soldier of fortune (Owen Wilson) isn't all that he seems, however, and the kids learn some offbeat lessons in both self-defense and self-respect. The film co-stars Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile and David Dorfman as the hapless kids taken under their budget bodyguard's wing.
Less than two weeks before his wedding, good-guy Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) receives a mysterious e-mail listing every girl he's ever had sex with... and the 70 plus names of everyone he ever will have sex with. But as Roderick begins enjoying all the strippers, porn stars, stewardesses and celebrity lesbians on the list, he discovers that his ultimate date with destiny may lay with the serial killer known as "Death Nell" (Winona Ryder). Leslie Bibb, Patton Oswalt, Neil Flynn, Julie Bowen, Sophie Monk and Mindy Cohn co-star in "Sex and Death 101," a sexy black comedy.
A new special edition of the cult classic, "Heathers" is out this week. The film stars Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty). Written by Daniel Waters (who also penned this week's "Sex and Death 101") and dubbed "the best high school black comedy ever made" by Entertainment Weekly, "Heathers" made Ryder and Slater overnight stars, shocked uncool film critics everywhere and became one of the biggest cult classics of the '80s. Now, 20 years later, the film remains an iconic black comedy about peer pressure... and malicious croquet.
"Batman: The Movie," the 1966 spin-off of the popular "Batman" television series, stars Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin) and features all four of the hero's most diabolical and cunning adversaries: the clown prince of crime, The Joker (Cesar Romero); the count of criminal conundrums, The Riddler (Frank Gorshin); the pompous waddling master of fowl play, The Penguin (Burgess Meredith); and the fiendish feline, The Catwoman (Lee Meriwether). This colorful and over-the-top film also features a groovy score by Nelson Riddle.
In an interesting direct-to-DVD twist, Warner Home Video is releasing "Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd: Out of Control" just ten days after "Get Smart" premiered in theaters. The film promises "extra spy-spoof hilarity when... bungling inventors Bruce (Masi Oka) and Lloyd (Nate Torrence) stumble into their own comedy adventure in a zany story paralleling 'Get Smart" (and including surprise star cameos from that 2008 movie)." Uh, OK, whatever.
One of the most talked about shows of the past year arrives on DVD this week. AMC's award-winning TV series "Mad Men" is a ground-breaking, daring series about the glamorous and ego-driven "Golden Age" of advertising, where everyone is selling something and nothing is ever what it seems. Since its debut last summer, the show has won two Golden Globes for Best Television Series (Drama) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series (Jon Hamm) and also the Peabody Award as the best in electronic media in 2007.
Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes click, a nine year old shows what makes Iraq tick, a young girl learns about her mom through her dad's clever trick... and a juke joint is rescued by a man with a guitar pick.
Also this week:
Interplanetary love with an animated kick, an old house known as "Spiderwick," Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates and Joan Allen star in the latest chick flick... and Roland Emmerich does his saber-toothed tiger schtick.
10,000 B.C.
Roland Emmerich directs "10,000 B.C.,"
the eye-filling tale of the very first hero. That hero is young hunter
D'Leh (Steven Strait), who sets out on a bold trek to rescue his
kidnapped beloved (Camilla Belle) and fulfill his destiny. He faces an
awesome saber-toothed tiger, crosses uncharted realms, forms an army
and uncovers an advanced but corrupt Lost Civilization. There, he leads
a fight for liberation - and becomes the champion of the time when
legend began.
"The Spiderwick Chronicles,"
based on the best-selling series of books, stars Freddie Highmore,
Sarah Bolger, David Strathairn, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte and
Martin Short. From the moment the Grace family moves into a secluded
old house, peculiar things start to happen. Unable to explain the
accidents and strange disappearances, the Grace children - Jared, Simon
and Mallory - start to investigate and find the unbelievable truth of
the Spiderwick Estate and the amazing creatures that inhabit it.
Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes star in "In Bruges,"
an edgy action-packed comedy filled with thrilling chases, spectacular
shoot-outs and an explosive ending. Hit men Ray (Farrell) and Ken
(Brendan Gleeson) have been ordered to cool their heels in the
storybook city of Bruges (in Belgium) after finishing a big job. But
since hit men make the worst tourists they soon find themselves in a
life & death struggle against one very angry crime boss (Fiennes).
When Will Hayes, a thritysomething Manhattan dad, decides to tell his 10-year-old daughter, Maya, the story of how he met her mother, she starts to question him about his life before marriage. As Will tells the story of his younger years, he weaves in anecdotes about his three most meaningful relationships, leaving Maya to guess which of the women became her mother. "Definitely, Maybe" stars Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Derek Luke, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz.
"Persepolis"
is the poignant animated story of a young girl coming-of-age in Iran
during the Islamic Revolution. It is through the eyes of precocious and
outspoken nine-year-old Marjane that we see a people's hopes dashed as
fundamentalists take power - forcing the veil on women and imprisoning
thousands. Clever and fearless, she outsmarts the "social guardians"
and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden. Yet when her uncle is
senselessly executed and as bombs fall around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq
war, the daily fear that permeates life in Iran is palpable.
Faced with the decision of a lifetime, Arvilla Holden (Jessica Lange) loads up her 1966 "Bonneville"
convertible and, with her friends (Joan Allen, Kathy Bates) in tow,
sets out from Pocatello, Idaho en route to Santa Barbara. As they
detour to locales like Bryce Canyon and Las Vegas, it doesnt take long
for the women to realize Arvilla has something unexpected in store. But
what none of them realize is that what began as a simple trip will
become a chance to rediscover themselves, their friendship, the
importance of promises and of letting go.
When Tyrone, owner of the "Honeydripper"
lounge, is faced with having to shut down his juke joint, his hopes
rest on one man - the famous Guitar Sam. It's a make or break weekend
for the "Honeydripper"
in this electrifying rock 'n' roll fable from director John Sayles.
With performances by Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Stacy Keach,
Mary Steenburgen and Sean Patrick Thomas - and featuring musicians Keb'
Mo' and Dr. Mable John - "Honeydripper" is a highly regarded award winning film, full of great music and plenty of soul.
"Futurama: The Beast With A Billion Backs"
is the second of four all-new feature-length adventures based on the
hit Fox TV show. In their latest extraterrestrial exploits, Bender,
Fry, Leela and crew encounter a repulsive, planet-sized creature with
billions of probing tentacles... and soon find themselves involved in a
disturbing - yet sensuous - interplanetary love story. The film
includes guest appearances by David Cross, Brittany Murphy, Dan
Castellaneta and physicist Stephen Hawking.
Dylan Walsh lacks motivation, Ryan Reynolds is rather fond of organization, Kevin Bacon faces his wife's deterioration, Colin Hanks has a mom who gives in to temptation... and Martin Lawrence returns home, much to his family's consternation.
Also coming to DVD this week:
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in a romantic confrontation, Jack Black and Mos Def look to video for their inspiration and David Duchovny stars in Season One of "Californication."
Fool's Gold
Matthew
McConaughey and Kate Hudson go for the gold (and the diamonds, emeralds
and rubies) as a just-divorced couple who bicker and banter their way
through "Fool's Gold,"
which tries very hard to be an action flick, a comedy and a romance
simultaneously. (What... no dessert topping?) He Who Shall Always Be
Shirtless plays Finn, in love with his ex (Hudson) and in deep with
gangster Bigg Bunny. After eight years of searching, Finn gets a clue
to the whereabouts of a fabulous fortune that mysteriously disappeared
in the Caribbean in 1715. All he has to do is get the gold, get the
girl and get going before Bigg Bunny gets him.
Two outcasts, Jack Black and Mos Def, attempt to save the local video store in "Be Kind Rewind,"
an offbeat comedy from acclaimed writer/director Michel Gondry. Amateur
film director Mike (Def) must find a way to save the business after his
magnetized friend, Jerry (Black), erases every VHS movie in the store.
Using an outdated video camera and their own special effects, the two
embark on an adventure to remake all of the movies, from "Ghostbusters"
to "Driving Miss Daisy," turning the two town misfits into local
celebrities.
In "My Mom's New Boyfriend,"
F.B.I. Agent Henry Durand (Colin Hanks) has a problem. His mother Marty
(Meg Ryan) has started dating again. Henry soon finds himself fending
off midnight serenades from lovelorn Italian chefs and watching
helplessly as Mary hops on the back of a college dropout's motorcycle.
But things get more serious when Marty begins dating Tommy (Antonio
Banderas), the F.B.I.'s number one suspect in an international art
theft ring. Now, Henry is forced to spy on his own mother to foil a sophisticated crime.
In "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,"
Martin Lawrence is talk-show sensation RJ Stevens, who left behind his
modest Southern upbringing and family name to transform himself into a
self-help guru. With his reality-TV-star fiancee and money to burn, he
returns to his small-town family and soon discovers that going home is
no vacation. His crazy, lovable relatives puts him through one
predicament after another before he finally learns a lesson about the
true meaning of family.
Kevin Bacon and Marcia Gay Harden give soaring performances in "Rails & Ties,"
director Alison Eastwood's moving tale of people in crisis and emotions
at the brink. Bacon plays Tom Stark, a train engineer unable to face
his wife's (Harden) illness. Then a terrifying railway collision leaves
a little boy orphaned. Tom takes the boy into his home and - step by
step, strength by strength - learns how to bond with the wife he adores
by opening his heart to a boy who needs the security of a devoted
family.
"Chaos Theory"
stars Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend, Sarah Chalke and
Mike Erwin. It's the story of a celebrated author of a bestseller, "The
Five Minute Efficiency Trainer," who has perfected the art of living
via a foolproof system of timetables and index cards. This guy's "To
Do" lists are legendary and he is not one to believe in spontaneity.
But life, as he soon learns, never adheres to the strict schedule he
would prefer.
"Just Add Water"
takes place in Trona, California... a dead-end desert town for people
with dead-end lives. And no one is going nowhere faster than Ray Tuckby
(Dylan Walsh), a mild-mannered underground parking lot attendant
saddled with a neurotic shut-in wife and an ill-mannered,
sexually-frustrated son (Jonah Hill). Then Ray's life totally
bottoms out. But with the help of a childhood sweetheart and a
concerned stranger (Danny DeVito), Ray takes back his life - and his
town - in this quirky comedy that proves it's never too late to grow,
even if you're all grown up.
Sophisticated and unique, the First Season of the hit Showtime series "Californication"
arrives on DVD this week. The comedy centers on novelist Hank Moody
(David Duchovny) who struggles to raise his 13-year-old daughter, while
still carrying a torch for his ex-girlfriend. His obsession with
truth-telling and self destructive behavior - drinks drugs and
relationships - are both destroying and enriching to his career.
You
only live once, so why not go out in style? That's what two cancer-ward
roommates, an irascible billionaire (Jack Nicholson) and a scholarly
mechanic (Morgan Freeman), decide when they get the bad news. They
compose a "Bucket List"
- things to do before you kick the bucket - and head off for the
around-the-world adventure of their lives. If it all sounds terribly
familiar, that's because it's very similar to the plot of an earlier
indie flick from Canada called "Things To Do" (minus the death and most of the despair). We liked that one better.
David Rice is a young man who knows no boundaries - a "Jumper,"
born with the uncanny ability to teleport instantly to any place on
Earth. When he discovers others like himself, David is thrust into the
midst of an ancient war while being hunted by a bloodthirsty band of
zealots sworn to destroy all Jumpers. Now, David's extraordinary gift
may be his only hope for survival. This sci-fi hit stars Samuel L.
Jackson, Rachel Bilson, Diane Lane and Michael Rooker.
Based on the best-selling novel, "The Other Boleyn Girl"
stars Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. Two sisters,
Anne (Portman) and Mary (Johansson), are driven by their ambitious
family to seduce the King of England (Bana) in order to advance their
position in court. What starts as an opportunity for the girls to
increase the family fortune becomes a deadly rivalry to capture the
heart of a king and stay alive.
Larry the Cable Guy returns as a small town sheriff who unwittingly gets involved in a high profile FBI case, in "Witless Protection."
During a routine day spent patrolling his small town, Larry witnesses a
beautiful, sophisticated woman, Madeleine (Ivana Milicevic), being held
against her will by four mysterious, black-suited men. Recognizing the
opportunity to save the day, Larry "kidnaps" her, only to learn that
Madeleine is actually a key witness in a high-stakes Chicago crime
case, and her captors are FBI agents assigned to protect her.
"John Adams"
is a sprawling HBO miniseries that depicts the life and times of one of
Americas least understood, and most underestimated, founding fathers
and the second President of the United States. Starring Paul Giamatti
in the title role and Laura Linney as his devoted wife Abigail, "John Adams" is at once a moving love story, a gripping narrative and a fascinating study of human nature.
"Army Wives,"
the most successful original series in the history of the Lifetime
Television network, comes to DVD this week. It's a patriotic and
thought-provoking drama about five military spouses who share
friendship, secrets, home and heartache. This new boxed set contains
all 13 original episodes and bonus features including an un-aired
storyline, deleted scenes, outtakes and cast interviews.
Will Ferrell stars in "Semi-Pro,"
a new comedy set in 1976 against the backdrop of the maverick "ABA" - a
fast-paced, wild and crazy basketball league that rivaled the NBA and
made a name for itself with innovations like the three-point shot and
slam dunk contest. Ferrell plays the owner of the worst team in the
league. After the ABA announces its plan to merge with the NBA, in
order to survive, his team must now do the seemingly impossible - win.
"Meet the Spartans,"
is a loving parody of "300" (and most of the hit films of the past few
years) from the writing and directing team behind the comedy hits "Date
Movie" and "Epic Movie." In the film, the heroic Leonidas (King of
Sparta) - armed with nothing but leather underwear and a flowing red
cape - leads a ragtag group of 13 warriors to defend their homeland
against the invading Persians, whose ranks include Ghost Rider, Rocky
Balboa, the Transformers, and a hunchbacked Paris Hilton.
"The Eye"
stars Jessica Alba as Sydney Wells, a woman who has been blind since a
childhood tragedy. After undergoing surgery to restore her sight, she
begins to see again. However, shortly thereafter, unexplainable shadowy
and frightening images start to haunt her. Not knowing if they are an
aftermath of surgery, her mind adjusting to sight, her imagination, or
something horrifyingly real, Sydney is soon convinced that her
anonymous eye donor has somehow opened the door to a terrifying world
only she can see.
Hop on board the bus with Vince Vaughn and four hand-picked comedians as they tour the country in "Vince Vaughn's Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland."
Take a backstage look at the comedians' lives on the road as they take
their LA-based comedy to regional audiences across the United States to
perform in 30 cities in 30 nights. The film features Justin Long, Peter
Billingsley and four of Vince Vaughn's favorite young comics: Ahmed
Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst and Sebastian Maniscalco.
Jon Heder Diane Keaton and Anna Faris star in "Mama's Boy,"
a new comedy about a 29-year-old man (Heder) who still lives with his
mother. He has no desire to leave until his mother's new boyfriend
(Jeff Daniels) moves into their precious little world and forces him to
grow up more quickly than he had planned.
"Flawless,"
a heist thriller set in swinging 1960s London stars Demi Moore as Laura
Quinn, a bright driven and beautiful executive at the London Diamond
Corporation who finds herself frustrated by a glass ceiling after years
of faithful employment. Michael Caine is Hobbs, the nighttime janitor
at the firm, who is virtually invisible to the executives that work
there but over the years has amassed a startling amount of knowledge
about how the company runs. Hobbs has his own bone to pick with London
Diamond. Observing Laura's frustration, he convinces her to help him
execute an ingenious plan to steal a hefty sum in diamonds... but
doesn't stop there.
Warner
Home Video "makes your day" this Tuesday as they pay homage to Clint
Eastwood and the "Dirty Harry" film franchise in the "The Dirty Harry Ultimate Collector's Edition."
The collection includes all five Dirty Harry movies - plus hours of
all-new enhanced content, unique memorabilia, a film-inspired map of
San Francisco and more - and will re-introduce the films that gave
birth to the modern action hero to a whole new generation of fans.
Tommy
Gavin and company face new challenges and old demons as they roll back
into action for a Fourth Season of Denis Leary and Peter Tolan's
series, "Rescue Me."
As the season begins, Tommy is in the fight of his life, defending
himself against arson and insurance fraud. He struggles to raise his
new baby while facing paternity questions and fighting to keep his
family together. Franco seems ready to settle into a steady
relationship, but is shaken when he loses custody of his daughter.
Alcoholism has taken a toll on Sean and Maggie's marriage, while Lou's
newfound love threatens to put him in the hospital.
America's favorite pot-dealing soccer mom returns in the third season of "Weeds,"
the acclaimed Showtime series starring Mary-Louise Parker as a single
mom who resorts to selling pot after her husband dies suddenly. The
boxed set includes all 15 episodes of Season Three, along with
featurettes, commentaries with cast and crew, a gag reel, and trivia
tracks.
The latest installment of the "Rambo"
series arrives on DVD this week. The new film, starring, co-written and
directed by Sylvester Stallone, finds our hero John Rambo on a mission
to save a group of Christian aid workers who have been kidnapped by
Burmese soldiers. The special effects are very good... in one scene
they almost make it seem as if Stallone is... acting. The film is available in a variety of editions and formats, including Blu-ray, along with a bunch of re-releases of the three earlier films. (See the complete list below.)
"Cleaner"
is a dark, gritty and confusing crime thriller that bypassed theaters
to come straight to DVD. It's about a single father and former cop
named Tom Carver (Samuel L. Jackson) who has an unusual job - he cleans
up crime scenes. But when he's called in to sterilize a wealthy
suburban residence after a brutal shooting, Carver is shocked to learn
he may have unknowingly erased crucial evidence, entangling himself in
a dirty criminal cover up. The film was directed by Renny Harlin and
co-stars Eva Mendes, Ed Harris, Keke Palmer and Luis Gusman.
"Grace is Gone"
is a little different than the other Iraq war films that have been
released recently. This one stars John Cusack as a man who, after his
wife is killed in Iraq, can't bear to tell his two daughters the news.
Instead, he sets off with them on a spontaneous road trip to an
amusement park. It's a deeply moving drama (with a score by Clint
Eastwood) that picked up two awards at The Sundance Film Festival: the
Audience Award and Best Screenplay (James C. Strouse).
Terry
(Colin Farrell) is a chronic gambler in debt over his head; his brother
Ian (Ewan McGregor) is a young man in love with a beautiful actress he
has recently met (Hayley Atwell). When their Uncle Howard (Tom
Wilkinson) arrives in London under mysterious circumstances, the
brothers' lives gradually become entangled in sinister situations with
intense and unfortunate results. In "Cassandra's Dream,"
his third consecutive film set in contemporary London, Woody Allen
shows just how far people will go to make their dreams come true.
In "The Take,"
Felix De La Pena (John Leguizamo) is an armored car driver struggling
to make ends meet for his wife Marina (Rosie Perez) and two kids in
East LA's Boyle Heights neighborhood. But their lives are thrown into
chaos after Felix miraculously survives a violent on-the-job hijacking
led by Adell Baldwin (Tyrese Gibson), a merciless criminal driven by
power and greed. Now facing a difficult recovery and struggling with a
nasty new temper, Felix becomes obsessed with tracking down his
attackers before they frame him for the crimes they committed.
"The Walker"
is a tale of moral redemption that takes the form of a
mystery-thriller. The film centers around Carter Page (Woody
Harrelson), a well-heeled and popular socialite who serves as
confidant, companion, and card partner to some of Washington, D.C.'s
leading ladies. These pampered women (including Lily Tomlin and Lauren
Bacall) are married to the most powerful men in America, and when their
husbands are too busy running the country to attend to their wives,
they turn to their "gay best friend," Carter, for warmth, wit, and
wisdom.
From
producer Morgan Spurlock and director Rob VanAlkemade comes a serious
"docu-comedy" about the commercialization of Christmas. "What Would Jesus Buy?"
follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as
they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the
Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and
the fires of eternal debt.
"Shelter,"
a gay surfing melodrama, was written and directed by Jonah Markowitz
and is the first in a series of independent scripted projects from
here! TV. The film centers on a young man named Zach who gives up on
his dream of art school in order to provide for his family. When his
best friend's brother returns to town, Zach becomes increasingly
attracted to him, their casual surfing relationship turns into much
more, which sets off a chain of events forcing him to reconcile his own
desires with the needs of his family.
"The Thief of Bagdad,"
one of the most spectacular fantasy films ever made, is out this week
in a new Criterion Collection Edition. When Prince Ahmad (John Justin)
is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar (Conrad
Veidt), he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu (Sabu) to win back
his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess (June
Duprez). With its luscious Technicolor, vivid sets, and eye-popping
visual effects, "The Thief of Bagdad" has charmed audiences of all ages
for decades. This new 2-Disc set includes a commentary track from
Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese.
For
six years, the PBS series "Frontline" has covered 9/11 and Al Qaeda,
Afghanistan and Iraq, WMD and the Insurgency, Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib,
Fallujah and the Surge. Now, on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq
invasion, the full saga unfolds in "Bush's War," a definitive documentary analysis of one of the most challenging periods in the nation's history.
Based on the best-selling novel by Candace Bushnell, "Lipstick Jungle"
is the new NBC drama series that follows three high-powered friends as
they weather the ups and downs of lives lived at the top of their game.
Movie exec Wendy (Brooke Shields) does everything she can to balance
career and family, Nico (Kim Raver), editor-in-chief of a hot fashion
magazine, has her eye on becoming CEO, and free-spirited designer
Victory (Lindsay Price) longs to make her dreams come true and maybe
find Mr. Right along the way.
It's a sleepy week in DVD Land with nary a big release to provide much pleasure, except - maybe - "National Treasure" and a TV version of a Broadway show beyond measure.
The missing pages of a diary hold a secret so explosive it could change the course of history in "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets."
Like the first film, it's a blend of historical fact and fiction and
stars Nicolas Cage as a treasure hunter. This time out, it's a search
to uncover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln that
provides the foundation for multiple stunts, awe-inspiring backdrops
and a lightning-paced international treasure hunt. Jon Voight, Ed
Harris, Harvey Keitel and Helen Mirren head up the extraordinary
supporting cast.
Set in modern upper-crust Manhattan and featuring a wise and witty Stephen Sondheim score, "Company,"
is a funny, sophisticated exploration of love and commitment as seen
through the eyes of a charming perpetual bachelor questioning his
single state and his enthusiastically married, slightly envious
friends. Directed by John Doyle and starring Raul Esparza, this
production won the 2007 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and
was recently shown on PBS.
"Che"
- out on DVD this week - is a biopic of the legendary Latin American
leftist leader starring Eduardo Noriega and Sonia Braga. Che Guevara
has inspired generation after generation as the young idealist and
revolutionary who fought for the poor and oppressed. Rebel. Hero.
Lover. Legend... this film tells the story of Che's fearless life,
helping to lead a bloody socialist revolt that would shock the world.
The Fifth Season of the Showtime series "Penn & Teller: Bullshit!"
features the master showmen in more aggressive, humorous exposes of
taboo topics, each of which use the duo's trademark humor and knowledge
of carnival tricks... as well as hidden cameras and blatant
confrontation. Nominated the last four years for the Emmy for
Outstanding Reality Program and Outstanding Writing for Non Fiction
Programming, the show continues its controversial muckraking throughout
Season Five by confronting many of the institutions society holds dear.
It's time to welcome back Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang with all 24 irreverent and witty episodes of the Third Season of "The Muppet Show."
Available on DVD for the first time, the complete Third Season of the
Emmy Award winning comedy series comes in a special four-disc set with
new behind the scenes bonus features and rare original skits.
Highlights include a duet between Gilda Radner and a giant carrot, as
well as guest appearances by Sylvester Stallone, Liberace, Raquel
Welch, Alice Cooper and Cheryl Ladd.
Denzel trains his students to keep their eyes on the prize, three women improvise while they rob a bank of considerable size and a predator's victim dies even as the FBI tries to separate the truth from the lies.
The Great Debaters
Inspired by a true story, "The Great Debaters"
chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson (Denzel Washington),
a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words
to shape a group of underdog students from a small African-American
college into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure,
Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under
constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as
well as his radical political views.
"Mad Money"
stars Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes as three women from
very different worlds who form an unlikely friendship and decide to rob
one of the most secure banks in the world. Smuggling millions of
dollars in worn-out currency headed for a Federal Reserve shredder
every day will be easy... getting away with it proves to be more
difficult. Ted Danson, Christopher McDonald, Roger Cross and Stephen
Root co-star in this comedy caper from director Callie Khouri.
An
internet predator is displaying his graphic murders on his own website
- and the fate of his tormented captives is left in the hands of the
public: the more hits the site gets, the faster his victims die. Diane
Lane and Colin Hanks star in the new cyber thriller "Untraceable,"
which tells the story of the F.B.I.'s special cyber crimes division and
the one agent determined to stop this tech-savvy serial killer before
he claims his next victim.
Director Francis Ford Coppola returns to filmmaking after an eight year hiatus with "Youth Without Youth."
When a bolt of lightning strikes Dominic Matei (Tim Roth), an aging
professor of linguistics, he begins to age backwards. He grows from 70
to 40 in a week, develops a highly evolved intellect and attracts the
attention of Nazi scientists. He's soon forced to choose between the
work he loves and the great love of his life.
Matthew Perry, Mary Steenburgen and Kevin Pollak star in the romantic comedy "Numb."
Perry plays a depressed screenwriter who is diagnosed with
"depersonalization disorder," a sense that everything around him is
unreal. Desperate to feel like himself again, he seeks out every
therapy imaginable, running the L.A. shrink circuit as he plummets
further into the depths of hopelessness and detachment. Things start to
change when he meets a woman whose relaxed ways and big-hearted spirit
make his race to recovery more likely.
Set in France, "Frontier(s)"
tells the story of four friends who are entrenched in the Paris riots.
They have stolen a large sum of money and are heading for the Danish
border. On their way, they check into a motel where things appear to
be too good to be true. They find that looks are deceiving as this
motel rapidly turns into a house of horrors run by a Neo-Nazi family.
The film, from director Xavier Gens, opened in theaters in select
cities last Friday.
"Steal a Pencil for Me"
is a Holocaust documentary with a twist. The film tells the true story
of the troubled marriage of Jaap and Manja Polak, who lived in German
occupied Amsterdam. During the war, Jaap met and fell in love with Ina
Soep. In the Westerbork transit camp they found themselves in the same
barrack, as well as later in Bergen Belsen. The husband, the wife and
the girlfriend: this is their remarkable story as told in Jaap and
Ina's memoir.
Last year, 17 year-old Jordin Sparks and 25 year-old Blake Lewis went head-to-head in the season finale for "American Idol"
Season 6. Sparks performed Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" and Martina
McBride's "A Broken Wing," while Blake performed Bon Jovi's "You Give
Love a Bad Name" and Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved." Both contestants
then individually performed "This Is My Now," the winning song from the
2007 "American Idol" songwriting contest. All six of these performances
are featured in the clumsily-titled "American idol: Season 6 Finale Performance Show - The Top 2," as well as a repeat performance of "Home" by returning Idol Chris Daughtry.
Out this week is "Indiana Jones: The Adventure Collection"
which Includes Special Editions of "Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of
The Lost Ark," "Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom" and Indiana Jones
And The Last Crusade." In the first and best film, archeologist and
university professor Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) must retrieve the
mythic Lost Ark of the Covenant before the it gets into the hands of
Adolf Hitler. In the second, he treks across Asia with a gold-digging
woman and a young child to rescue a village's missing children and find
a magic stone. In the third, he teams up with his father and sets out
to find the Holy Grail.
Warner
Home Video commemorates the 10th anniversary of the passing of "The
Chairman of the Board" by releasing a total of 22 of his films this
week in five new collections, with 11 titles brand new to DVD. The new
DVD collections include "Frank Sinatra: The Golden Years"
with Sinatra's Oscar-nominated performance in "The Man with the Golden
Arm," along with "None but the Brave," "Some Came Running," "The Tender
Trap" and "Marriage on the Rocks." "Frank Sinatra: The Early Years" features "Double Dynamite," "Higher and Higher," "Step Lively," "It Happened in Brooklyn" and "The Kissing Bandit."
"Autism: The Musical"
follows an acting coach, five children with autism and their parents as
they mount a full-length original stage production. Through trial and
error, tears and laughter these families learn to communicate their
feelings in song and performance finding solace and joy in the act of
creating. The documentary film, seen recently on HBO, offers a
full-throated celebration of kids living with an increasingly prevalent
disorder.
Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun"
- first seen onstage in 1959 - was the first play written by an African
American woman to be produced on Broadway. A family, living and
struggling on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s, anxiously awaits the
arrival of a $10,000 life insurance check made out to the family
matriarch from the estate of her late husband. Everyone in the family
has his or her own ideas about how to use the new-found wealth for a
fresh start. This new TV movie adaptation of the recent Broadway
revival of the play stars Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald,
Sanaa Lathan and John Stamos.
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