Posts Tagged ‘dvd’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
By Brian Truitt
“Revolutionary Road”
(Paramount Home Entertainment; $29.99 DVD, $39.99 Blu-ray)
An adaptation of the Richard Yates novel “Revolutionary Road” has brought two acting icons back together. Even with no sinking ship around, the pairing of former “Titanic” co-stars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio makes for heart-wrenching drama, this time centered on a 1950s married couple torn apart by their suburban lives. Special features include a commentary and deleted scenes with director Sam Mendes (Winslet’s off-screen leading man) and screenwriter Justin Haythe, as well as a making-of featurette.
“Ghostbusters”
(Sony Home Entertainment, $28.95 Blu-ray)
It’s high time one of the greatest comedies of all time gets its ghost-blasting high-definition debut. The Blu-ray version of “Ghostbusters” reintroduces a classic 25 years after the original release, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man has never looked so darn good. Such a special release has the requisite neat-o extras, from commentaries and deleted scenes to new interviews with cast members and “Slimer Mode,” which allows the viewer a cool picture-in-picture graphics presentation during the flick.
“Do the Right Thing (20th Anniversary Edition)”
(Universal Studios; $19.99 DVD, $29.98 Blu-ray)
In 1989, filmmaker Spike Lee hit cultural paydirt with his small movie about a sweltering Brooklyn neighborhood on a day when racial tensions boiled over. The movie featured several A-listers in early roles, such as Samuel L. Jackson and Martin Lawrence, and set a high bar for the rest of Lee’s oeuvre. The director stars in two commentaries, a couple of features that share disc space with deleted and extended scenes, a 20-year retrospective and old footage showing the movie at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.
(July 2009)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
Hey all! I’m off to San Diego for the better part of the next two weeks, but I wanted to fill you in on what to do in the meantime. Because I know you’re all lost without me. (I kid, I kid.) So…
Go to: Sarah Dunant’s signing at Politics and Prose downtown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. She’s presenting “The Sacred Heart,” a 16th-century historical fiction revolving around a convent and perfect for anybody who was a fan of her “The Birth of Venus.”
Read: “Amazing Spider-Man” No. 600. It’s a milestone issue for Spidey, and to celebrate, Doctor Octopus is back! All eight of those mechanized arms will be in full effect, as will an appearance by Daredevil, a wedding the Webhead never saw coming and a return of someone we haven’t seen in a while. All that and Stan Lee, too.
Watch: One of three movies this week, depending on your interests (and age): the Disney family adventure “G-Force,” starring a bunch of guinea pigs who are crazy good at espionage; the chick flick “The Ugly Truth” pitting Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler in a war of the sexes; or “Orphan,” a horror movie featuring one of the creepiest little girls since those twins in “The Shining.”
Buy: “Watchmen” Director’s Cut on Blu-ray. OK, you can get the standard edition, but this is the kind of thing that makes you upgrade your current home entertainment system. While the movie was good in the theater, Zack Snyder’s director’s cut is 30 minutes longer, features more stuff cut from the Alan Moore masterpiece, and looks INSANE in high definition. Seriously, go now. Turn off the computer. It’ll still be here when you get back.
What are your feelings on standard editions vs. super-duper extended extreme editions of movies on DVD? Let me know what you prefer in the comments, and here’s your video of the next two weeks:
Nobody Watches the Watchmen – watch more funny videos
Ready to get your weep on, peeps?
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, June 26th, 2009
Chances are that a lot of people are going to be flocking to the movie theaters this weekend to see giant robots decimate each other but good. And that’s where the counter-programming comes in with the tearjerking “My Sister’s Keeper.” Based on the Jodi Picoult book, this adaptation tells of a couple (Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric) living a good life with their two kids until their daughter Kate (Sofia Vassilieva) is diagnosed with leukemia. They then decide to have a third child, Anna (played by Abigail Breslin), in order to harvest bone marrow for treatments to possibly help cure Kate.That’s where the family drama begins, as 11-year-old Kate has had enough of that and decides to sue her parents and medically emancipate herself so she can make her own decisions about her body.
Ethical questions are raised, tissues will be broken, but I have it on good authority that the book’s ending was a disappointment and Hollywood-esque. So it’ll be interesting to see what director Nick Cassavetes does with that. And, yes, that’s Nick Cassavetes who did “The Notebook.” So you can go in knowing that this guy can make ANYONE cry.
One of the funniest shows of the year debuts on DVD Tuesday with “Eastbound & Down: The Complete First Season.” Danny McBride, a Fredericksburg native, is a rising comedy genius, and he’s spot-on as a washed-up pitcher who’s forced to take a gym-teacher gig in his North Carolina hometown until he can get called back to the big leagues. It’s raunchy, perverse, insane and wholly fantastic. (And look out for McBride’s pal Will Ferrell as a Ric Flair-esque used car salesman.) Fellow HBO show “Entourage” also gets a fifth season released — see if the boys can resurrect Vinnie’s career after the “Medillin” disaster in time for the next season starting in July. The second season of the exceptional British comedy “The IT Crowd” is also out to tickle your funny bone. Fans of charismatic pro wrestler John Cena can watch their dude throw down with the guy who kidnapped his significant other in “12 Rounds,” and for those who prefer their creatures to be gigantic in sight and legend, there’s “Monster Quest: Season Three, Set One.”
What’s the last flick you cried during? Let me know in the comments. And here’s your video of the week — R.I.P. Mike.
Pick your comedy: quirky, romantic or biblical
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, June 19th, 2009
Before I opine about this week’s flicks, I wanted to tell you about the summer reading program hosted by the Laughing Ogres Comics stores in Lansdowne and Fairfax. If you’re a NoVA Popaholic, you know I’m for all things comics-related, and this summer Laughing Ogre’s got a really cool thing going to get struggling and reluctant youngsters reading and loving the art form for a lifetime.
It works thusly: Kids keep a reading list of graphic novels and any other sort of book they want. If they read five books total, they get 20 percent off their next purchase of an all-ages graphic novel. Read six more books, then they get 25 percent off. If they get around to seven more books after that (18 total), they then get 30 percent off! Can’t beat that.
To get the deals, children need to bring in their list to the store of what they’ve read with a parent’s sign-off. Just remember, moms and dads: Sometimes comics can get pretty racy in theme and language, so watch out for “mature” titles. You might also want to read what they’re reading, too, especially in the comics realm — you just might like ‘em!
A bunch of new comedies are out this week, starting with the quirky “Away We Go.” Opening at Cinema Arts Theatre this weekend, the indie film stars John Krasinski of “The Office” and Maya Rudolph as an expectant married couple who go on a cross-country trip to figure out the best place to raise their little one. It’s directed by Sam Mendes, who’s mainly done serious dramas (“American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition,” “Revolutionary Road”), so it’s a humorous tale that’s funny AND well-crafted.
If more mainstream romantic comedy is your thing, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds play a boss and her assistant who need to get hitched to keep her from being deported in “The Proposal.” The one reason to see this one? Betty White, the 87-year-old “Golden Girl” who steals the movie and is as feisty as ever.
And odd couple Michael Cera and Jack Black team up for the ancient laugher “Year One” as two dudes stumbling their way through Bible stories.
Pretty slim pickens in the ol’ DVD shelves this coming week (although you can find Slim Pickens riding a bomb in the newly released “Dr. Strangelove” Blu-ray). The Brendan Fraser family adventure “Inkheart” is for the little fantasy lovers in your household, the chick flick “Confessions of a Shopaholic” starring Isla Fisher will hold “Sex and the City” fans over till the next movie (or they decide to watch all the TV seasons again), and Steve Martin makes a really bad career decision with “Pink Panther 2,” taking Jeremy Irons and Alfred Molina down with him.
If you’re willing to try an odd little foreign movie, take a chance on the Oscar-nominated, animated Israeli documentary “Waltz With Bashir.”
What’s your favorite summertime comedy? Let me know in the comments. And the video of the week comes from NBC Washington, an interview with comic rapper Remy Munasifi about his viral hit “Arlington Rap” (if you haven’t seen this particular piece of local genius, here ’tis):
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, June 18th, 2009
By Brian Truitt
Anne Hathaway in "Passengers"
“Passengers”
Sony Home Entertainment; $24.96 DVD, $35.95 Blu-ray
Anne Hathaway’s really breaking out of her princess mold. She got an Oscar nod for “Rachel Getting Married,” and she goes the mystery-thriller route in “Passengers.” Hathaway stars as a newbie therapist who’s assigned to help five survivors deal with life after a horrific crash. She develops the hots for one of them (Patrick Wilson), just when the rest start disappearing. Wilson has a commentary with director Rodrigo Garcia in one of the extras, a slate that also features deleted scenes and a making-of featurette.
“True Blood”
HBO Home Video; $59.99 DVD, $79.98 Blu-ray
HBO has a great track record with original series, and it fielded another hit last fall by reaching out to vampire fans. Based on the “Sookie Stackhouse” book series by Charlaine Harris, “True Blood” follows young Sookie (Anna Paquin), a mind-reading waitress, as she lives her life in Louisiana surrounded by a society of vampires, men who can turn into dogs and drug-addicted hippies. Bonus features include audio commentaries, a vampire “documentary” and enhanced viewing for the Blu-ray edition.
(June 2009)
Eddie Murphy’s in an iffy live-action kids flick. ‘Imagine That.’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, June 12th, 2009
For a second, let’s remember when Eddie Murphy used to have a great career back in the day. He was hilarious on “Saturday Night Live,” quote-tastic in “Coming to America,” ROFL-worthy in “Raw.” I blame “Vampire in Brooklyn,” because ever since that 1995 stinker, it’s been downhill ever since. (With the exceptions of “Bowfinger” and “Dreamgirls,” both of which inspired greatness.) Sure, he’s fantastic as a talking Donkey in the animated “Shrek” flicks, but seriously, what was his last truly major live-action hit? “Dr. Dolittle” in ’98? Sheesh. In his defense, Murphy’s films have tended toward the family-friendly, including his newest, “Imagine That.” He’s a struggling financial guru who comes out of his slump thanks to his daughter’s imaginary world. Kids will love his mugging and noise-making, but will the older folks? Well, at least we have memories of funnier times. A better bet for this weekend: John Travolta and Denzel Washington facing off in the train-heist remake “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3,” opening this week at Cinema Arts Theatre and other local multiplexes.
I’m very excited for Tuesday to come because it marks the long-awaited Blu-ray debut of “Ghostbusters,” which is only one of the best movies EVER. With all this talk of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson coming back for an upcoming “Ghostbusters 3,” it’s time to revisit the classic 25 years after it asked us, “Who ya gonna call?” It’s in hi-def and features loads of new featurettes, including a sneak peek at the “Ghostbusters” video game that comes out the same day. (And for those who like to shop online, use the code SONYPIC5 to buy it at Amazon.com for an extra five bucks off.) Also in stores next week: the “Friday the 13th” remake with “Supernatural’s” Jared Padalecki; the Tyler Perry flick “Madea Goes to Jail”; the second seasons of cable TV favorites “Burn Notice” and “Saving Grace”; and the first and second seasons of “Lost,” on Blu-ray for the first time.
Who’s your favorite Ghostbuster: Venkman? Stantz? Spengler? Zeddemore? Let me know in the comments, and here’s your video of the week:
‘Hang’ with the boys, get ‘Lost’ in the past
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Instead of blockbusters, this first weekend of June is chock full of the funny. “The Hangover” looks hilarious, and definitely is for anybody who enjoyed director Todd Phillips’ other works, “Old School” and “Road Trip.” A groom-to-be (Justin Bartha) and his three best friends (Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Bradley Cooper) have a bachelor party weekend in Las Vegas before the big day, things go horribly wrong in one crazy night and they have to remember what the heck happened to the groom, why there’s a tiger and a baby in their hotel room, and how Mike Tyson is so good at air drumming to Phil Collins songs. Another comedy, “Land of the Lost” is out but there’s a lot of mixed feelings about the remake of the old 1970s kids’ show with Will Ferrell and Danny McBride. Then again, Danny McBride steals every movie he’s in, so it can’t be that bad.
Cinema Arts Theatre in Fairfax is rolling out a pair of indies, the first being “Easy Virtue.” The British comedy stars Colin Firth, Jessica Biel and Kristin Scott Thomas in 1920s period piece about a son showing up to a family affair with his impetuous American bride. It’s far better than the other new option, “My Life in Ruins,” an iffy romantic romp that takes “My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s” Nia Vardalos (where has she been for the better part of a decade?) to Greece for love and lameness. And what’s Richard Dreyfus doing in this dreck? You were in “Jaws,” man! Instead, ponder skipping both those and checking out the eccentric con flick “The Brothers Bloom.” Director Rian Johnson’s last film, the insanely good high school noir Brick, was one of the most criminally underseen movies of the past 10 years.
Ever wondered what Dirty Harry would be like if he was a grumpy old man and living near gang members, then “Gran Torino” starring and directed by Clint Eastwood might be your style — if you’re feeling lucky, punk. Also on DVD Tuesday, Clive Owen and Naomi Watts team to take down a nefarious global bank in “The International”; the thriller “Crossing Over” stars Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd; the dudes-turned-cheerleaders flick “Fired Up” isn’t nearly as stupid as you’d think; the second (and possibly final) season of “Reaper” was a disappointment after the first year; and “Macho Madness — The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection” is a three-disc anthology featuring one of pro wrestling’s most flamboyant and entertaining performers (who also happens to be one heck of a Slim Jim pitch man).
What’s your favorite Vegas movie: “Ocean’s Eleven”? “Leaving Las Vegas”? “Swingers”? Let me know in the comments, and enjoy the video of the week:
Head straight to ‘Up’ or down to ‘Hell’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, May 29th, 2009
It’s almost like they scheduled these two cinematic polar opposites together just to throw a bone to headline writers everywhere. But you can’t go wrong whether you see Pixar’s newest family ‘toon “Up” or “Drag Me to Hell,” Sam Raimi’s long-awaited return to the horror genre. Let’s begin with “Up” and facing the fact that the Pixar/Disney team-up seemingly can’t make a bad flick. Even its worst, “Cars,” was pretty darn good. The cartoon giant hit the jackpot with “Wall-E” last summer, and looks to do the same with “Up,” the tale of a 78-year-old grumpy old man who attaches 10,000 balloons to his house and goes on the adventure of his life with a perky kid and a dog when his crib goes airborne and they end in a Venezuelan jungle. This is a must-see for the kiddos. And for the bigger kids, there’s “Drag Me to Hell,” where Alison Lohman gets cursed by an old woman who’s ticked off she can’t get an extension on her mortgage and unleashes, well, hell on her. It’s “Spider-Man” director Raimi’s first horror movie in 22 years, and it’s got the same kind of highly watchable gore and tongue-in-cheekiness that made those “Evil Dead” flicks classics. What can I say, it’s a gotta-see for all those horrormeisters out there. At the very least, you’ll never feel comfortable with a fly around your nose ever again.
On the ol’ DVD shelves Tuesday, Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber fans will want to check out “Defiance,” a World War II period piece about two Jewish brothers leading refugees through Eastern European forests and avoiding Nazis at all costs. Another talented coupling, the “Titanic” pair of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, is featured in “Revolutionary Road,” a well-acted but rather depressing view of 1950s suburbia. “He’s Just Not That Into You” offers an array of A-listers, too — from Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Connelly to Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore and Bradley Cooper — in an above-average romantic comedy that tries a bit too hard to be an American version of “Love Actually.” The iffy summer TV season’s here, so now’s the time to catch up on the fourth and final season of “Prison Break,” the fourth season of Showtime’s “Weeds” and the first season of “Raising the Bar,” a surprisingly good legal drama that’s only downside is Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s weirdly flowing mane.
What’s your favorite Pixar movie? Let me know in the comments section, and then check out your video of the week:
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, May 22nd, 2009
“Terminator Salvation” is the big movie of the week. Now that the whole Christian Bale on-set rant from hell has been remixed and moved out of the news cycle, we can now focus on the movie. But do we want to? The original “Terminator” is one of the classic sci-fi movies. “Terminator 2″ was great — in fact, it was the first R-rated movie I ever saw in the theater (thanks, Dad!), where Cinema Arts Theatre now resides. (That’s how old-school NoVa I am.) But “Terminator 3″ was TERRIBLE.
It was cool on paper — the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the unveiling of the whole sexbot Terminator — but sucktastic in delivery. Now they’ve brought Bale on board to resurrect the franchise as John Connor in an action-packed, post-apocalyptic future with lots of killer robots and such. I don’t put a lot of faith in the Rotten Tomatoes’ vaunted “Tomatometer,” but still … 33 percent? That’s like an F minus — even with a hefty curve.
Speaking of Cinema Arts, they open “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” this week — which features scenes filmed locally at the National Air and Space Museum downtown — as well as “Every Little Step.” The Broadway lovers will want to check out this documentary chronicling the casting of a 2005 revival of “A Chorus Line” and a history of the musical. At least that’s hangin’ tough at 88 percent.
It’s a slow-ish week coming up for DVDs. The Z-grade “Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus” offers Deborah Gibson, Lorenzo Lamas, a mega shark and a giant octopus, and is worth a spot on your Netflix list for the title alone. The science nerds will be down with season three of History’s “The Universe.” “New in Town” is a fish-out-of-water romantic comedy featuring Harry Connick Jr. and Renee Zellweger. Fans of “The Closer,” “Designing Women” and “Law & Order: SVU” can get the latest of those shows’ seasons. And Universal is rolling out new Blu-rays for a lot of its back catalog, including “Children of Men,” “Spy Game,” “Seabiscuit,” “Cinderella Man” and my all-time favorite movie, “Field of Dreams.”
If you see “Terminator” this long weekend, tell everybody how it is in the comments. Now go have yourself a safe and merry Memorial Day after checking out the video of the week:
For Comic Flicks, It’s Miller Time
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, May 21st, 2009
By Brian Truitt
Courtesy of Lionsgate/Odd Lot Entertainment
Frank Miller is bringing his comic magic to Hollywood. Despite critics, his movie adaptation of Will Eisner’s “The Spirit” (Lionsgate, $34.98; $39.99 Blu-ray) is great for what it is: a stylized adventure following the title cop-turned-hero (Gabriel Macht), his affinity for femme fatales and the quest to take down his arch villain, The Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson). Bonuses include featurettes on Miller, the late Eisner’s work and the technical artistry, a Miller commentary and alternate-ending storyboards. But Miller fans will also want to check out the Blu-ray debut of his foray into film, “Sin City” (Dimension Home video, $35.99). A cinematic version of Miller’s own comics, there’s nothing like seeing bullets, babes and a whole lot of blood in high definition.
(May 2009)
