DVD Releases

“Tuesday's DVD releases: March 15” plus 1 more

2011-03-12T15:09:00.001-08:00

“Tuesday's DVD releases: March 15” plus 1 more

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 12:33 PM PST

3 burn-on-demand titles among new DVD releases

Posted: 12 Mar 2011 02:14 PM PST

Published: Saturday, March 12, 2011 3:00 p.m. MST

These new-to-DVD movies are led by three burn-on-demand titles, two starring Humphrey Bogart. (They can be found at www.wbshop.com; click on "Warner Archive.")

"The Two Mrs. Carrolls" (Warner Archive, 1947, b/w, $19.95). Bogie and Barbara Stanwyck are terrific together in this chiller, though the script could have used another polish. He's a crazed artist whose first wife dies soon after he paints her as the angel of death. Then he marries Stanwyck, who uncovers the suspicious circumstances of the first wife's death. So when Bogart decides to paint Stanwyck as another angel of death, she has reason to worry. The stars make the picture worthwhile, along with fine support from Alexis Smith and Nigel Bruce.

Extras: full frame, trailer

"The Wagons Roll at Night" (Warner Archive, 1941, b/w, $19.95). Here, Bogart plays a carnival owner who hires a rube (Eddie Albert) as a lion tamer, but begins to go a little nuts when both his girlfriend (Sylvia Sidney) and his innocent young sister (Joan Leslie) fall for the guy. If you saw "Kid Galahad" with Edward G. Robinson (and Bogie in support), you'll recognize the plot machinations, but a terrific cast keeps it afloat. (This was made between Bogie's star-boosting hits "High Sierra" and "The Maltese Falcon.")

Extras: full frame, trailer

"Whiplash" (Warner Archive, 1948, b/w, $19.95). The two titles above were released on VHS years ago but this one is making its home-video debut. Typical of the post-war B-film noirs churned out by the studios, this one cribs from such other films as "Golden Boy" and "Body and Soul." Dane Clark stars as an artist-turned-boxer who falls hard for the bad-girl wife (Alexis Smith) of a nasty fight promoter (Zachery Scott). Eve Arden, S.Z. Sakall and Alan Hale help out this one a boost.

Extras: full frame, trailer

"Fernando Di Leo Crime Collection" (Raro, 1972-76, four discs, $39.98). Fans of Italian mob movies know that De Leo had a distinctive filmmaking style and his 1970s pictures were tough, bloody, down-and-dirty exploitation efforts that had a great influence on, among others, Quentin Tarantino's gangster flicks.

Included in this restored set is Di Leo's so-called "Trilogy of the Milieu": "Caliber 9" (1972), "The Italian Connection" (1972, with Henry Silva and Woody Strode) and "The Boss" (1973, with Silva and Richard Conte). Also here is "Rulers of the City" (1976, starring Jack Palance).

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“DVD releases: 'The Walking Dead: Season One,' ' Jackass 3' and more” plus 1 more

2011-03-08T15:04:00.001-08:00

“DVD releases: 'The Walking Dead: Season One,' ' Jackass 3' and more” plus 1 more

DVD releases: 'The Walking Dead: Season One,' ' Jackass 3' and more

Posted: 08 Mar 2011 05:37 AM PST

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DVD The Walking Dead: Season One: Zombies used to roam only in literature and on the big screen, but the cable hit The Walking Dead brought them lurching into our living rooms on a weekly basis. The saga of a ragtag group of survivors of a zombie apocalypse being hounded by brain-eaters across the Georgia countryside may have some logic flaws (which have been debated endlessly online), but it ...

New DVD Releases: The Next Three Days, Jackass 3, Morning Glory

Posted: 08 Mar 2011 11:11 AM PST

Literally something for all tastes on DVD this week as we're getting a new thriller (The Next Three Days), rom-com (Morning Glory), indie comedy (Four Lions) and this year's Best Documentary Feature winner (Inside Job). Hard to argue with that selection it fits all moods. And if you're a horror fan, you even have this year's buzziest TV series, The Walking Dead, unleashing its zombie-filled first season on DVD.

Oh. Yeah. There's also this little movie called Jackass 3 coming to DVD today as well. I'm not sure what exactly to call that fanbase, but I imagine they'll be enjoying the film at home with about a crate of Mountain Dew.

Check it out below…

Feature Films

The Next Three Days

Picture this moving coming out in 2006:

Paul Haggis, fresh off winning (roughly) 457,000 Oscars for traffic. Russell Crowe, still hot off residual love for his three-straight nominations to start the decade and the (weirdly) rave reviews for Cinderella Man and Master and Commander.

They probably grab somebody like Charlize Theron (another Oscar winner) to fill the Elizabeth Banks role since they have a lot more clout. The rest remains the exact same. The exact same movie, just at a different time for buzz and the corresponding clout to get a more award-worthy actress.

With that movie and that team at that time – this is an Oscar contender. With 10 nominees, it probably gets Best Picture – because critics would instantly have Haggis and Crowe penciled into the "good" category and grade them on enough of a curve that a pretty flat thriller instantly moves into "Oscar-worthy" status on their reviews simply because they've been told they must think that anything Crowe and/or Haggis does is exceptional.

Don't believe me? A Good Year nearly got Crowe a nomination in 2006 for a movie that absolutely nobody remembers. Paul Haggis' In The Valley of Elah (which co-starred Theron) earned its lead, Tommy Lee Jones, an Oscar nomination and almost got Paul Haggis another triple crown of Picture, Director and Screenplay for a very run-of-the-mill murder mystery that came out in 2007. If there were ten nominees that year, it definitely would have been nominated for Best Picture.

Now, Crowe and Haggis make a film together that gets completely ignored because their stars have tarnished a bit and critics are now able to think about them rationally again.

The point? Know-nothing critics who write their reviews based on conventional wisdom rather than any sort of insight have an alarming amount of power with regards to the Oscars. No, they don't vote, but their reviews, opinions and the buzz they create often dictate which movies the voters see and fuel campaigns.

And if those critics had gotten a hold of this film in 2006, it likely would have ridden their wave of cloyingness all the way to the Kodak.

But, hey, you might've liked it. In that case, you can buy The Next Three Days on DVD.

Also:

TV on DVD

"The Walking Dead": Season 1

Can you name Frank Darabont's last film?

That would be The Mist, the unevenly received Steven King adaptation that smacked of studio interference and last minute changes. It came out 4 years ago.

Before that, there was a six-year gap between his films as his very personal The Majestic bombed and undoubtedly erased the goodwill he'd built up with The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption before that.

We've only gotten four films from Darabont, and now he's relegated himself to working for television. And y'know what? That's an upgrade.

For creative forces behind-the-scenes such as Darabont, there isn't a better playground for their minds to frolic than on the small screen. Budgetary pressure is normally gone, turnaround time is so fast that the studio doesn't have time to meddle, and networks have now begun encouraging show-runners and creators take the auteur path of creative control that defined film's renaissance in the 70s.

After all, AMC is the network that reportedly told Vince Gilligan that Breaking Bad was the worst idea they'd ever heard and then immediately told him to go make it.

This is why television has surpassed film in terms of quality in recent years. Advances in filming technology has allowed it to achieve the quality of the big screen, allowing creative visionaries to head to television and tell their stories without anyone hanging over their shoulders. This gives us shows like Lost, The Wire, The Sopranos and Arrested Development – all better than any movie I can remember coming out in a long while.

Now we have The Walking Dead maybe the best example of a cinematic superstar moving to television and jumping in full-stop. Not as an executive producer or simply lending his name, but running the whole show.

If this continues, studios may lose all their best minds to television in short order.

And if you prefer Darabont's work on the small screen, you can buy Season One of The Walking Dead on DVD.

And Just So You Know, This DVD Exists…

Lick Library Releases Jam With Dream Theater Double DVD

2011-03-07T15:11:00.001-08:00

Lick Library Releases Jam With Dream Theater Double DVD

Posted: 07 Mar 2011 03:40 AM PST

03/07/2011
.

(PR) Lick Library has just released the ultimate shredding guitar tuition DVD with the launch of Jam With Dream Theater. This is a double DVD guitar tuition set, with Andy James taking you through the intricacies of some of the world's most skilled guitar playing, all in the style of John Petrucci and Dream Theater, the award winning progressive rock band.

Dream Theater's guitarist John Petrucci is well known for his fast riffs, technical wizardry, and precise execution. John was named one of the 'Top 10 Greatest Guitar Shredders Of All Time' by GuitarOne magazine, and in 2009 he was the number two best metal guitarist by Joel McIVer in his book 'The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists'.

Jam with Dream Theater ( RRP £27.99) Double DVD set shows you how to play seven tracks that span more that a decade (1992 TO 2009) of Dream Theater music. From the classic Images and Words album, this new DVD features a guitar lesson on Pull Me Under, widely considered to be Dream Theater's most well known song and also Under A Glass Moon.

The DVD then takes a look at the only instrumental, from the third album Awake, Erotomania followed the tracks Fatal Tragedy ( Metropolis Pt 2: Scenes From A Memory ), As I Am (Train Of Thought )and Wither (Black Clouds & Silver Linings ). Finally the DVD features a guitar lesson on Constant Motion from the Systematic Chaos album which is well known for its various complex time changes.

Andy James, a well respected guitarist and teacher is well placed to take you through these challenging guitar parts, as he explores the demanding rhythms and solos of John Petrucci. Techniques that are explored include alternate picking, sweeping and legato. Andy takes you through the solo's melodic structures step by step, breaking them down into easy to understand and replicate sections.

In addition to the two DVD's there is a CD with the seven backing tracks for you to play along to. This CD has a real live band feel to it with renowned drum teacher Pete Reilly on drums and the astonishing bass player Andy Staples.

To find out more about this ultimate shredders DVD guitar tuition set and other products visit www.licklibrary.com

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Updated Listing of Planned WWE DVD Releases for 2011

2011-03-06T15:34:00.001-08:00

Updated Listing of Planned WWE DVD Releases for 2011

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 04:10 AM PST

- According to WWEDVDNews, below is the updated listing of planned WWE DVD releases for the rest of 2011. Titles that have been removed include a Triple H DVD, the Best of RAW: Seasons 3 & 4 as well as the WWE Studios movie Bending the Rules, starring Edge and actor Jamie Kennedy. No word yet on why Edge's WWE Studios movie is no longer on the list but at last word it was still planned for release.

As noted before, titles under consideration for the "TBD" slot in November include an Edge documentary DVD, a feature on Brock Lesnar and a feature on WCW's War Games.

* The Chaperone with Triple H - March 8th
* The True Story of WrestleMania - March 15th
* Elimination Chamber 2011 - March 22nd
* DX: One Last Stand - April 5th
* WrestleMania 27 - May 10th
* That's What I Am with Randy Orton - May 17th
* Extreme Rules 2011 - May 31st
* The Very Best of WCW Nitro - June 7th
* Over the Limit 2011 - June 21st
* Best of WWE Cage Matches - June 28th
* Rey Mysterio - July 12th
* Fatal 4 Way 2011 - July 19th
* Greatest Stars of the New Millenium - July 26th
* Money in the Bank 2011 - August 16th
* 50 Biggest Matches in WWE History - August 23rd
* Randy Orton - September 6th
* SummerSlam 2011 - September 13th
* Inside Out with Triple H - September 27th
* SmackDown: The Best of 2010/11 - October 11th
* Night of Champions 2011 - October 18th
* Steve Austin vs. The Rock: The Rivalry - October 25th
* Hell in a Cell 2011 - November 1st
* Blood Brothers with John Cena - November sometime
* Bragging Rights 2011 - November 22nd
* TBD - November 29th
* Ted DiBiase: The Million Dollar Man - December 13th
* Survivor Series 2011 (New Name/Concept TBD) - December 20th
* Best PPV Matches of 2011 - December 27th

DIRECT LINK: Sexy New Shoot with The Bella Twins Taking Pics of Each Other!

“Tuesday's DVD releases: March 8” plus 2 more

2011-03-05T15:33:00.001-08:00

“Tuesday's DVD releases: March 8” plus 2 more

Tuesday's DVD releases: March 8
New on DVD on March 8: 'The Walking Dead'
DVD releases: 'The Walking Dead: Season One,'

Tuesday's DVD releases: March 8

Posted: 05 Mar 2011 12:21 PM PST

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Tuesday's DVD releases: March 8

New on DVD on March 8: 'The Walking Dead'

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 07:17 PM PST

“Updated Listing of Planned WWE DVD Releases for 2011” plus 2 more

2011-03-03T15:18:00.001-08:00

“Updated Listing of Planned WWE DVD Releases for 2011” plus 2 more

Updated Listing of Planned WWE DVD Releases for 2011
This week's DVD releases
Local connections galore on new DVD releases

Updated Listing of Planned WWE DVD Releases for 2011

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 04:10 AM PST

As noted before, titles under consideration for the "TBD" slot in November include an Edge documentary DVD, a feature on Brock Lesnar and a feature on WCW's War Games.

DIRECT LINK: Sexy New Shoot with The Bella Twins Taking Pics of Each Other!

This week's DVD releases

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 05:52 AM PST

"127 Hours"

(Blu-ray & DVD). Fox Home Entertainment ($39.99 Blu-ray; $29.98 DVD).

The lowdown: James Franco earned a best actor Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of outdoorsman Aron Ralston and his triumphant tale of survival. Part of the film is definitely not for the squeamish. Critics adored the movie, giving it a 93-percent positive rating at Rottentomatoes.com, where Bob Bloom of the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Ind., called it, "one of the best films of the year, a gritty and triumphant inspirational story of one man's indomitable will to live despite the slimmest of odds."

Don't miss: Extras include a look at the making of the movie, a commentary track, a featurette on the events that aided in the search and rescue of Ralston, deleted scenes and a short film by Luke Matheny.

Rated: R, language, disturbing images

Score: ´´´´ (of 4)

"Love & Other Drugs"

(Blu-ray & DVD). Fox Home Entertainment ($39.99 Blu-ray; $29.98 DVD).

The lowdown: Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, both appealing leads, star in this romance about a drug salesman and a free-spirited young woman afflicted with Parkinson's disease. Critics were nearly divided on the film, giving it a 49-percent positive rating at Rottentomatoes. Gannett Chief Film Critic Bill Goodykoontz wrote, "Gyllenhaal and Hathaway, who played a couple in 'Brokeback Mountain,' have a natural, likable chemistry. At least when it's allowed to shine."

Don't miss: Extras include a digital copy of the movie, deleted scenes, a featurette with the two leads discussing their relationship, featurettes in which Gyllenhaal and Hathaway discuss their characters and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.

Rated: R, nudity, sexual situations, language, drug use

Score: ´´´ (of 4)

"Faster"

(Blu-ray & DVD). Sony Pictures Home Entertainment ($34.95 Blu-ray; $24.96 DVD).

Rated: R, graphic violence, strong language, drug use

The lowdown: Dwayne Johnson stars in this revenge thriller about a man released from prison after 10 years who goes after those responsible for killing his brother. Critics were slow to appreciate the movie, giving it a 46 percent positive rating on the tomatometer, where Goodykoontz, bucking the majority, wrote, "There is nothing subtle about 'Faster,' and that's the best thing about it." This action flick is basically a high-octane B-movie potboiler.

Don't miss: Bonus features include an alternate ending and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray also offers a look at the movie's cast, its weapons, cars and stunts.

Score: ´´ 1/2 (of 4)

Local connections galore on new DVD releases

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 05:37 PM PST

March is month filled with releases of DVDs with local connections. Check out five DVDs featuring area-affiliated actors, animators and a singer/songwriter forever associated with the Lehigh Valley.

After a series of family films, Freedom High School grad Dwayne Johnson makes a welcome return to the action genre with "Faster" (2010, Sony, R, $25), a stripped-down pulse-pounder meant to put you in mind of '70s thrillers like "The Driver" and "Bullitt."

Johnson is in his element as the Driver, an ex-con with one goal in mind: to lower the boom on the bad guys responsible for his brother's death. There's no probing the Driver's inner emotional life; just one car chase, fistfight and shoot-out after another. You won't be bored, especially since the always-entertaining Billy Bob Thornton is the heroin-addict cop tasked with running the Driver off the road.

With "Season Two, Volume One" (2010, Fox, unrated, $40), "Glee" avoids the sophomore slump thanks to theme shows built around the music of Britney Spears and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

In one of the most intriguing plot lines, the openly gay Kurt (Chris Colfer) attracts the attention of a beefy bully named Dave Karofsky (Max Adler). The story arc, which had plenty of twists and turns, includes a memorable episode in which Bethlehem's Daniel Roebuck ("Lost") pops up as Karofsky's father. He delivers a performance so soaked in sadness that you wish Karofsky and his dad got more screen time.

"Weeds: Season Six" (2010, Lionsgate, unrated, $40) finds the Botwins (Mary-Louise Parker, Justin Kirk, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould) hitting the road in hopes of staying one step ahead of the Feds and the Mexican mob following a nasty scene South of the Border.

A lot of guest stars pop up, including Richard Dreyfuss and Alanis Morissette, but one of the most memorable is Nazareth's Kate Micucci, who's hilarious as a clueless waitress who serves the Botwins and a very hungry Kevin Nealon as they're being held hostage by Mexican thugs.

Available on Tuesday is "Billy Joel: Live At Shea Stadium" (2011, Sony, unrated, $14), a terrific document of the Piano Man's 2008 concerts at the now-bulldozed baseball arena. Joel does a killer version of "Allentown," proving, once and for all, that the song has a permanent place in his repertoire.

There are plenty of guest stars, including Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Steven Tyler, John Mellencamp (whose soon-to-be-ex-wife Elaine Irwin hails from Gilbertsville) and Paul McCartney who famously played Shea back in '65 with the Beatles.

Finally, there's "Megamind" (2010, DreamWorks, PG, $30), a cartoon comedy that boasts genuinely funny jokes, eye-popping visuals and a great turn by Will Ferrell as the titular misunderstood super villain. Two former Valley residents worked on the film as paint fix artists — Emmaus' Matthew Beightol and Allentown's Kevin Coyle.

Amy Longsdorf is a freelance writer.

“'127 Hours' among DVD releases for the week of Feb. 27-March 5” plus 2 more

2011-03-01T15:39:00.001-08:00

“'127 Hours' among DVD releases for the week of Feb. 27-March 5” plus 2 more

'127 Hours' among DVD releases for the week of Feb. 27-March 5
New DVD Releases: 127 Hours, Love and Other Drugs, Burlesque
New on DVD

'127 Hours' among DVD releases for the week of Feb. 27-March 5

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:04 AM PST

A look at some DVDs scheduled to be released in the weeks ahead.

For the week of Feb. 27-March 5

Bambi (Diamond Edition)

Burlesque

Cake Boss: Season 3

Elmo's World: Penguins and Animal Friends

Faster

Kennedy: Robert Kennedy and His Times

Love & Other Drugs

Les Miserables (25th Anniversary)

Murder Investigation Team: Series One

My Girlfriend's Back

127 Hours

ReBoot: Seasons 1 & 2

Scooby-Doo!: Curse of the Lake Monster

S.W.A.T.: Firefight

Walking on Water

WWE: Royal Rumble 2011

For the week of March 6-12

Alien From the Deep

The Backyardigans: We Arrrr Pirates

Billy Joel: Live at Shea Stadium

Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Two Man Group

Desperate Housewives: Season Six

Every Day

Hannah Montana Forever: Final Season

Inside Job

Jackass 3

Judge John Deed: Season Three

Lemmy

The Man From Nowhere

McMillan & Wife: Season Three

Morning Glory

The Next Three Days

The Reef

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Great Patty Caper

Super Bowl XLV Champions

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season

Zoey 101: Season Three

The Zombie Farm

New DVD Releases: 127 Hours, Love and Other Drugs, Burlesque

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 11:10 AM PST

Just in time for the Oscar host fallout, come Anne Hathaway's and James Franco's big movies this year. That's gotta make us think of them as movie stars again and anything they did on Oscar night will now fade into oblivion? Right. Okay, maybe not – but you can still check out 127 Hours and Love & Other Drugs this week.

But that's not all. No, not even close. That's because we have the inimitable Burlesque hitting the shelves. Inimitable because nobody would ever want to make a movie like that again. Plus, The Rock in Faster. And somehow, neither of those are the worst DVD this week.

Don't believe me? Check it all out below…

Feature Films

127 Hours and Love & Other Drugs

By now it's essentially conventional wisdom to bemoan this Sunday's Oscar telecast. Wherever you look around the web, you'll see claims of its either being "the worst of all time" or "the worst in recent memory".

Those reviews are just about spot on. Vividly remembering every Oscarcast since 1996, I definitely can't remember being as bored or dissatisfied at a telecast's conclusion. The problem with most of the reviews is where they direct their ire: The hosts.

It's commonplace to accuse James Franco of being vacant or bored while Anne Hathaway was far too over-the-top. Everyone's saying that the hosts murdered the show. That they were the worst ever – an assault to Oscar shows.

But it's not their fault. Not their fault at all. What would you expect them to do with material that included pointing out their grandparents, cross-dressing and a song about a moment with Hugh Jackman that nobody cares about or remembers. Johnny Carson in his prime couldn't have done anything with that material.

Don't blame the hosts. Blame the material. Maybe Franco checked out because he knew what was coming. Maybe Hathaway over-compensated a bit just so we'd have something that seemed the least bit amusing. Either way, I don't think there was a problem with the hosts' performances at all.

Leave the hosts alone. They were fine. The show, however, was a massive embarrassment.

If you'd like to see Hathaway and Franco work with better material, you can…

Buy 127 Hours on DVD

Buy Love & Other Drugs on DVD

Also:

And Just So You Know, This DVD Exists…

New on DVD

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 10:05 PM PST

New on DVD

February 18

This week's DVD releases are topped by tales of two heroes.

"Unstoppable," Grade B: Two railroad employees (Chris Pine, Denzel Washington) must stop a runaway train, ready to wreak havoc on a Pennsylvania town.

"Dr. Who: A Christmas Carol," Grade B-plus: It took Matt Smith only a few episodes to prove he's the right actor to take over this iconic science-fiction role. He brings youthful enthusiasm to the role that allows him to put his own spin on a character played by 10 other actors.

Also new on DVD this week:

"Waiting for Superman:" The documentary looks at efforts to fix the educational system.

"Hoodwinked!:" The quirky animated version of Little Red Riding Hood is available as a Blu-ray/DVD combo.

Send Question/Comment to the Publisher

'America, America' among latest DVD releases

2011-02-28T15:10:00.001-08:00

'America, America' among latest DVD releases

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 03:18 PM PST

Published: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 4:00 p.m. MST

Film review

Leading these movies that are new to DVD is Elia Kazan's 1963 black-and-white epic "America America," which is well worth checking out, as is the new Blu-ray edition of "Thelma & Louise." The newer films here? Not so much.

"America America" (Warner, 1963, b/w, $19.97).

Based on the life of Kazan's uncle, this is a straightforward, character-driven story of a young man's burning desire to leave his oppressive Turkish homeland for the land of the free, America.

The nearly three-hour film begins in the late 19th century as young Stavros (wonderfully played by Stathis Giallelis in his only movie role) is given the meager family fortune to travel to Constantinople, where he will work for his uncle. But along the way, he loses the money, which displeases his uncle, and he soon finds himself on the streets. Eventually, a near-tragedy forces him to return in shame to his uncle's home, and he is given the opportunity to marry a young woman from a wealthy family. But all Stavros wants is to try and find a way to go to America.

To say his goal is foiled repeatedly is to understate, and it's all too complicated to detail here, but suffice to say, the film is completely engrossing, entrancing filmmaking of the first order. And the conclusion is wonderfully realized.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, trailers

"Thelma

& Louise" (MGM/Blu-ray, 1991; R for violence, language, sex, brief nudity, drugs; $19.99). Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are an inspired team in this still terrific feminist yarn, which also boosted the career of Brad Pitt, who stands out in a small role. And the stunning scenery of southern Utah has never looked more vibrant than in this Blu-ray transfer. The film is set in four other states, but it's all Utah, folks.

Extras: widescreen, deleted/extended scenes, audio commentaries, featurette, storyboards, music video, trailers

"You Again" (Touchstone/Blu-ray, 2010, PG, two discs, $39.99).

A fine cast is squandered in this shrill, unfunny comedy, which, sadly, marks yet another big-screen failure for the talented Kristen Bell, who has the lead role as a successful young woman heading home for her brother's wedding. On the flight, she discovers he is marrying the prom queen who terrorized her during high school. Worse, the girl's mother (Sigourney Weaver) did the same thing to Bell's mother (Jamie Lee Curtis). Also here are Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber and Betty White.

Extras: widescreen, Blu-ray and DVD versions, deleted scenes, featurettes, webisode of "Funny or Die," trailers (also on single-disc DVD, $29.99)

NEW ON DVD

2011-02-25T15:24:00.001-08:00

NEW ON DVD

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 10:11 PM PST

NEW ON DVD

Posted: February 25
Updated: Today at 12:30 AM

This week's DVD releases include a super hit and a super miss.

"Megamind," Grade B: A super-villain discovers the worst thing he can do is defeat his chief nemesis. There are plenty of action sequences, but the script by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons also is filled with reflection and revelation by the characters. This movie has so much more character development than what is usually associated with the animation world.

"Due Date," Grade F: A man (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to get home to be with his pregnant wife. If given the choice between seeing the film or taking a cross-country car trip with a screaming baby, a Great Dane with irritable bowels and a swarm of killer bees — while sitting on a pillow made of porcupine quills — take the car ride.

Also new on DVD this week:

"Get Low:" A hermit wants to preside over his own funeral. Robert Duvall stars.

"Clover:" A 10-year-old (Zelda Harris) lives with her widowed father (Ernie Hudson) on the family peach orchard.

"The Last Unicorn:" A Blu-ray combo pack of the 1982 film with the voices of Jeff Bridges and Alan Arkin.

Send Question/Comment to the Publisher

New DVD releases

2011-02-24T15:28:00.001-08:00

New DVD releases

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 04:32 AM PST

"Megamind"

(Blu-ray + DVD). DreamWorks Home Entertainment ($24.99)

The lowdown: A fun animated feature that suffers in comparison to "Despicable Me" as both center on villains who are really nice guys. The premise of "Megamind" is simple: What does a super-villain do after he has defeated his super heroic counterpart? He alleviates the boredom by creating a new super opponent. The movie, which is being released on Friday, will keep the youngsters occupied. It features a talented vocal cast led by Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill.

Don't miss: A new Megamind adventure, "The Button of Doom," leads the set's extras. Other bonus offerings include interactive activities, picture-to-picture storyboards, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, a meet the cast featurette, a trivia track, a visit to Megamind's lair, a lost scene, a lesson on how to draw Megamind, a commentary track and a video comic book.

Rated: PG, language, action

Score: ´´´ (of 4)

"Due Date"

(Blu-ray + DVD + digital copy). Warner Home Video ($35.99)

The lowdown: Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis star in this uneven road movie about an expectant father, an inspiring actor and the journey from hell. The movie tries to capture the spark of "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" but falls short.

Don't miss: Supplemental materials include a gag reel, additional scenes, an action mashup and a too many questions mashup.

Rated: R, language, drug use, sexual content

Score: ´´ (of 4)

"Sweet Smell of Success"

The Criterion Collection ($39.95)

The lowdown: This cynical drama stars Burt Lancaster as a Walter Winchell-type columnist and Tony Curtis as the fawning press agent willing to do his dirty work to get ahead. The film's dialogue, written by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman, crackles. The movie was released in 1957. At Rottentomatoes, it garnered a 100 percent positive rating; all 41 reviews praised the film. Former Reno Gazette-Journal film critic Forrest Hartman called it in a 2003 review an "excellent drama containing one of Tony Curtis' greatest performances." The two-disc set features a very strong digital restoration; the noirlike black-and-white photography jumps off the screen.

Don't miss: Bonus offerings include a commentary track, a documentary about director Alexander Mackendrick, another about famed cinematographer James Wong Howe, an interview with film critic-historian-author Neal Gabler and a booklet with essays and other writings about the film.

Rated: Not rated

Score: ´´´´ (of 4)

New on DVD:

2011-02-23T15:27:00.001-08:00

New on DVD:

Posted: 23 Feb 2011 09:20 AM PST

This week's DVD releases include a super hit and a super miss.

Megamind,Grade B: A super-villain discovers the worst thing he can do is defeat his chief nemesis.

There are plenty of action sequences, but the script by Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons is also filled with reflection and revelation by the characters. This movie has so much more character development than what is usually associated with the animation world.

Director Tom McGrath offers a clever take on the Superman-Lex Luthor storyline that's been copied and parodied in loads of TV and film projects. His film looks at what would happen if Superman's girlfriend, Lois Lane, had more in common with his arch nemesis, Lex Luther.

That twist makes for a film with more pow, zap and thump than most animated offerings.

Due Date, Grade F: A man (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to get home to be with his pregnant wife.

If given the choice between seeing the film or taking a cross-country car trip with a screaming baby, a Great Dane with irritable bowels and a swarm of killer bees—while sitting on a pillow made of porcupine quills—take the car ride.

Due Date is a brutally boring film that incoherently switches between silliness and sentimentality—leaving it little more than a road trip from hell.

Also new on DVD this week:

Huge: The Complete Series: The cable series looks at teenage obesity and self-image through camp residents. Nikki Blonsky stars.

Eddie Griffin: You Can Tell 'Em I Said It: Uncensored version of the comic's cable special.

Get Low: A hermit wants to preside over his own funeral. Robert Duvall stars.

Nurse Jackie: Season: Edie Falco stars in this quirky cable comedy.

Clover: A 10-year-old (Zelda Harris) lives with her widowed father (Ernie Hudson) on the family peach orchard.

Weeds: Season Six: Mary-Louise Parker stars in one of the best comedies on cable.

Luke And Lucy: The Texas Rangers: Animated film based on the Dutch comic book Suske en Wiske.

Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season Four: Drivers must deal with some of the worst road conditions on the planet.

Invader Zim: Operation Doom: Episodes of the Nickelodeon show about Zim, Gir, Dib and Gaz.

New Tricks, Season 3: British series features retired cops solving cold cases.

Fresh Fields: Empty-nester comedy starring Julia McKenzie.

Have Gun Will Travel: Season 5, Vol 2: Richard Boone plays the TV gunslinger.

Dora the Explorer: Dora's Ballet Adventures: Dora is part of a big recital and parade.

The Last Unicorn: A Blu-ray combo pack of the 1982 film featuring the voices of Jeff Bridges and Alan Arkin is being released.

All-Star Superman: The latest entry in the series of DC Universe animated original movies.

“New DVD Releases: Due Date, Megamind, Get Low” plus 2 more

2011-02-22T15:36:00.001-08:00

“New DVD Releases: Due Date, Megamind, Get Low” plus 2 more

New DVD Releases: Due Date, Megamind, Get Low
'Megamind' among DVD releases for the week of Feb. 20-26
New DVDs | 'Due Date,' 'Get Low,' 'Mesrine: Killer Instinct,' 'Fish Tank' on Tuesday; 'Megamind' on Friday

New DVD Releases: Due Date, Megamind, Get Low

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 07:40 AM PST

It's Golden Globe nominees a-go-go on DVD this week with honorees Emma Stone and Michael Douglas' nominated performances hitting shelves with the releases of Easy A and Wall Street Money Never Sleeps, as well as surprise nominee Angelina Jolie's much bigger hit, Salt, also available on DVD.

All that, plus that M. Night Shyamalan's elevator movie that wasn't directed by M. Night Shyamalan. How exciting?! Check it out below…

Feature Films

Due Date

There's something very surprising about this film. Not any of the plot twists, not the fact that Jamie Foxx served as human wallpaper in the film, not the fact that the screenplay managed to have zero likable characters. No, it's the fact that the movie was not called Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

I'm not trying to say that this movie ripped off the Steve Martin classic – its premise was certainly different. But it was in the same mold. A road trip film with two totally mis-matched companions forced to bunk in various motels and deal with a never ending parade of rubes.

Now those are similar films and nowadays if a movie has any semblance to a classic, it's tweaked a bit and slapped with the same title, because I suppose that makes executives sleep easier at night – knowing that they have any sort of a built-in audience.

Witness Robin Hood without the Robin Hood, King Arthur without a round table and the upcoming Arthur that appears to be a spec script re-worked slightly due to its similarities to that classic comedy. (I have no proof of this, but doesn't it just seem that way?)

And that's what's so surprising. A studio had a chance to make people say, "I loved that movie – can't wait to see how they updated it!" and didn't take it.

Who knows? Maybe it wouldn't have been such a box office disappointment if it hadn't.

If you don't care that it's not a remake, you can buy Due Date on DVD.

Megamind

Think about this fact: This film featured Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Ben Stiller, David Cross and Johan Hill in its cast. If that's a live action comedy, it's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World embarrassment of riches. One that would certainly have any comedy nerd quivering with anticipation. A comedy that would make the The Hangover look like an independent quirkfest and have a good chance at opening to at least half of Megamind's $148 million gross.

Instead, this film barely makes its massive production budget back with that aforementioned gross. A budget that certainly saw much of its total consumed in assembling that all-star voice lineup.

My point? It doesn't matter if you have big movie stars doing voices in your film. They're voices! We can't even see them. If you didn't tell us who they were, we'd spend half the movie saying, "Who is that? He sounds so familiar! Is he on "NCIS"?" And with a glut of voiceover talent in Hollywood, there's no need to cast them. The animated films can be just as good when you move away from the big stars. Because nobody goes to see a movie based on the voiceover talent anyway.

Pixar understands this. It led two of its most acclaimed films (Ratatouille and Wall-E) with the likes of Patton Oswalt and Jeff Garlin, respectively. Fine comic voices, but certainly not on the star wattage level of the team voicing Megamind. Meanwhile, these two films made in about five seconds what Megamind made in five months.

So what matters? The quality of the film, not the Q-rating of the talent. That's how you make big bucks with an animated movie – and saves you some coin at the same time.

But if you do fall for the voiceover starpower – you can buy Megamind on DVD.

Also:

TV on DVD

Showtime Female Comedies

There's some sort of conventional wisdom amongst TV writers that Showtime is now the network of strong powerful women.

Let's examine that statement for a second.

There are three of these Showtime comedies that star women – barely 25% of the network's original programming.

Each of these women has a problem. Nancy Botwin of "Weeds" is a drug dealer. Jackie of "Nurse Jackie" is a drug addict. Finally, Tara from "The United States of Tara" has multiple personalities.

These aren't exactly the strong, independent women of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" or even "30 Rock". If anything, these shows do nothing but show the only way to get a series made with a female lead is to give her some horrible character flaw that suddenly makes her "interesting".

Ah, the latent sexism of Hollywood never fails.

Of course, if you enjoy these flawed women you can buy these freshly released series:

Also:

"Celebrity Rehab": Season 4 – Buy Now
"Huge": Complete Series – Buy Now

And Just So You Know, This DVD Exists…

Yes, it's called 'Alien vs. Ninja'.

'Megamind' among DVD releases for the week of Feb. 20-26

Posted: 22 Feb 2011 09:01 AM PST

A look at some DVDs scheduled to be released in the weeks ahead.

For the week of Feb. 20-26

Across the Line

Armless

Beauty and the Briefcase

Black Lightning

Celtic Thunder Heritage

Clover

DC Universe: All-star Superman

Due Date

Fish Tank

Get Low

The Guild: Season Four

Have Gun Will Travel: Season Five, Volume 2

Huge: The Complete Series

Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season Four

Last Train Home

Megamind

Memento (10th Anniversary Edition)

Mesrine: Killer Instinct, Part 1

Midsummer Madness

Midsummer Murders, Set 17

New Tricks: Season Three

Nurse Jackie: Season Two

The 7th Hunt

Sunny & Share Love You

Total Recall 2070: The Complete Series

Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls

UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck

Weeds: Season Six

For the week of Feb. 27-March 5

Bambi (Diamond Edition)

Burlesque

Cake Boss: Season 3

Elmo's World: Penguins and Animal Friends

Faster

Kennedy: Robert Kennedy and His Times

Love & Other Drugs

Les Miserables (25th Anniversary)

Murder Investigation Team: Series One

My Girlfriend's Back

127 Hours

ReBoot: Seasons 1 & 2

Scooby-Doo!: Curse of the Lake Monster

S.W.A.T.: Firefight

Walking on Water

WWE: Royal Rumble 2011

New DVDs | 'Due Date,' 'Get Low,' 'Mesrine: Killer Instinct,' 'Fish Tank' on Tuesday; 'Megamind' on Friday

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 07:07 PM PST

New DVDs |

The bad guys — both real ("Mesrine") and animated ("Megamind") — break out on DVD this week. Star ratings are by Seattle Times reviewers, freelancers or wire services (for full reviews, search the movie titles atseattletimes.com).

Tuesday releases

"Fish Tank" (not rated): Andrea Arnold's British drama looks in on a struggling, tough-to-the-bone teen (newcomer Katie Jarvis) living in a bleak public-housing unit. Michael Fassbender plays her mother's boyfriend, who begins to shake things up.

"Get Low" (PG-13): Aaron Schneider's lightly fictionalized film, set in 1930s Tennessee, follows a flinty curmudgeon (Robert Duvall) who decides to stage his own "funeral party" while he's still alive.

"Kings of Pastry" (not rated): Some of France's greatest pastry chefs compete for one of the country's highest culinary honors, the Meilleur Ouvrier de France.

"Mesrine: Killer Instinct" (R): The first of two installments about notorious French gangster Jacques Mesrine, played by Vincent Cassel. (Part two is "Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1.") In French with English subtitles.

"Due Date" (R): Todd Phillips ("The Hangover") directed this bickering-buddy comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. as a father-to-be who hitches a ride with a would-be actor (Zach Galifianakis) in order to get from Atlanta to Los Angeles in time for the birth of his first child.

Friday

"Megamind" (PG): Will Ferrell wickedly voices the title character, a superhero/criminal genius whose nemesis is the white-caped-crusader Metro Man (Brad Pitt). The DreamWorks film, directed by Lynnwood native Tom McGrath, also features the voices of Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross and Ben Stiller.

TV on DVD

"Midsomer Murders: Set 17"

"Nurse Jackie: Season Two"

"Weeds: Season Six"

Lori Taki Uno: luno@seattletimes.com

Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" tops DVD chart

2011-02-21T15:37:00.001-08:00

Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" tops DVD chart

Posted: 20 Feb 2011 05:00 PM PST

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" opened at No. 1 on the latest national DVD sales chart, beat a pair of other new releases that did better at the box office.

"Girls" ($38 million box office), which documents the struggles endured by women of color as expressed in a series of 20 poems, overshadowed "Life As We Know It ($53 million) at No. 2 and "Paranormal Activity 2" ($85 million) at No. 3.

Last week's leader on the Nielsen VideoScan sales chart, "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2," fell to No. 4. A fourth new release, "You Again" ($26 million) debuted at No. 5.

On Nielsen's dedicated Blu-ray Disc chart, "Paranormal Activity 2" debuted at No. 1, bumping "RED" to No. 2. "Life As We Know It" debuted at No. 3, and "For Colored Girls" at No. 4.

On Home Media Magazine's rental chart for the week ended February 13, "RED" remained No. 1 for the third consecutive week. "Paranormal Activity 2" bowed at No. 2, "You Again" at No. 3, and "For Colored Girls" at No. 4. "Life As We Know It," available only at brick-and-mortar rental stores, failed to crack the top 20.

'America, America' among latest DVD releases

2011-02-20T15:02:00.001-08:00

'America, America' among latest DVD releases

Posted: 12 Feb 2011 03:18 PM PST

Published: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 4:00 p.m. MST

Film review

"America America" (Warner, 1963, b/w, $19.97).

Based on the life of Kazan's uncle, this is a straightforward, character-driven story of a young man's burning desire to leave his oppressive Turkish homeland for the land of the free, America.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, trailers

"Thelma

Extras: widescreen, deleted/extended scenes, audio commentaries, featurette, storyboards, music video, trailers

"You Again" (Touchstone/Blu-ray, 2010, PG, two discs, $39.99).

Extras: widescreen, Blu-ray and DVD versions, deleted scenes, featurettes, webisode of "Funny or Die," trailers (also on single-disc DVD, $29.99)

“New on DVD on Feb. 22: 'Megamind' and 'Due Date'” plus 1 more

2011-02-19T15:25:00.001-08:00

“New on DVD on Feb. 22: 'Megamind' and 'Due Date'” plus 1 more

New on DVD on Feb. 22: 'Megamind' and 'Due Date'

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 06:58 PM PST

New on DVD

2011-02-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

New on DVD

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 10:05 PM PST

New on DVD

Posted: February 18
Updated: Today at 12:30 AM

This week's DVD releases are topped by tales of two heroes.

"Unstoppable," Grade B: Two railroad employees (Chris Pine, Denzel Washington) must stop a runaway train, ready to wreak havoc on a Pennsylvania town.

Also new on DVD this week:

"Waiting for Superman:" The documentary looks at efforts to fix the educational system.

"Hoodwinked!:" The quirky animated version of Little Red Riding Hood is available as a Blu-ray/DVD combo.

Send Question/Comment to the Publisher

“New on DVD” plus 1 more

2011-02-17T15:05:00.001-08:00

“New on DVD” plus 1 more

New on DVD

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 12:03 PM PST

This week's DVD releases are topped by tales of two unique heroes.

Unstoppable, Grade B: Two railroad employees (Chris Pine, Denzel Washington) must stop a runaway train.

Tony Scott faced a formidable challenge with his latest film. He had to create tension, excitement and danger without having a villain. Although he brushes close to the boundaries of absurdity at times, the veteran director manages to capture all of those elements through a speeding locomotive.

Washington has shown an interest in playing average men pushed into extraordinary situations in movies such as The Taking of Pelham 123 and The Book of Eli. He's comfortable slipping into that skin and it shows, especially in scenes with Pine.

Dr. Who: A Christmas Carol, Grade B-plus: It only took Matt Smith a few episodes to prove he's the right actor to take over this iconic science fiction role. He brings an energy and youthful enthusiasm to the role that allows him to put his own spin on a character played by 10 other actors.

This holiday episode gives Smith the chance to show off that energy and enthusiasm as he deals with a modern take on the Charles Dickens story. The only way the doctor can save a crashing space liner is to save the soul of a lonely miser.

It's done in glorious Dr. Who fashion.

Also new on DVD this week:

Waiting for Superman : The documentary looks at efforts to fix the educational system.

The Fugitive: The Fourth and Final Season, Vol. 2: David Janssen stars in the series about a man trying to find the real person who killed his wife.

Everyday Black Man: A man must return to his former violent past.

Murphy's Law Series 3: BBC's undercover cop series starring James Nesbitt.

Spin City: Season 4: Heather Locklear joins the cast playing Mayor Winston's campaign manager.

Stag Night : A planned bachelor party goes bad. Breckin Meyer stars.

Glorious 39: A young woman's life changes after she finds secret recordings of a pro-Hitler movement.

Felicity: An American Girl Adventure: This tale of a 10-year-old's life during the American Revolution marks American Girl's 25th anniversary.

Wishbone : A terrier ends up in such tales as Robin Hood and Hunchback of Notre Dame.

National Lampoon's Dirty Movie: A producer (Christopher Meloni) wants to make the dirtiest movie ever made.

MI-5: Volume 8 : Eight episodes of the BBC series starring Peter Firth are in the set.

Who Do You Think You Are? : NBC series that examines the family trees of celebrities.

Hoodwinked! : The quirky animated version of Little Red Riding Hood's available as a Blu-ray/DVD combo.

Jump Into Spring : Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam and Barney are all on this new DVD.

Pitt County releases 250th book, DVD set

Posted: 17 Feb 2011 12:59 AM PST

Kiara Jones holds open a book on the history of Pitt County compiled by county staff marking the county's 250th Anniversary. (Rhett Butler/The Daily Reflector)

Pitt County releases 250th book, DVD set

Pitt County's 250th anniversary has passed but stories of the community's recent history are being preserved in a special book and DVD set produced to commemorate the semiquincentennial.

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Kidney match a special gift on Valentine's

New on DVD

2011-02-16T15:39:00.001-08:00

New on DVD

Posted: 16 Feb 2011 12:05 PM PST