News

New on DVD

/ / Home Video News 

We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar.  Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves.  This week we’ve got Denzel Washington and Clive Owen in Spike Lee’s heist flick, another film of cheerleaders “bringing it on,” Larry the Cable Guy as a health inspector, the Avengers assembling once more, and season sets of Sealab 2021, Prison Break,  Farscape, and more.  Take a peek inside for the full list.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Inside Man – Spike Lee gives us a heist flick which pits Denzel Washington against Clive Owen.  The DVD includes commentary by Lee, an interview with Lee and Washington discussing their past collaborations, and deleted and extended scenes.  As I said in my original review “it’s a pretty good heist flick.  If you’re a fan of the genre or these actors I’d recommend the film to you.”  Read the full review here.

Brick – A loner (Joesph Gordon Levitt), who in searching for the truth about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend, finds himself suddenly in the middle of a high school crime ring.  Included on the DVD are extended and deleted scenes, a casting of the film featurette, and commentary by cast and crew.

Bring It On: All or Nothing – Hey, I’ll admit I’m a fan of the first film, but do we really need a franchise of straight to DVD sequels?  The latest stars Hayden Panettiere as the school’s spunky cheerleading captain.  DVD extras include a gag reel, a behind the scenes featurette, a dance tutorial, and a cheer camp featurette.

The Lost City – A project Andy Garcia has been trying to get made since he hit Hollywood is a loving look at his native Cuba and his directorial debut.  The story involves a nightclub owner (Garcia) in 1958 Cuba caught between the transition from the oppressive Fulgencio Batista (Juan Fernandez) regime to Fidel Castro’s Marxist government.  The DVD extras include commentary by Garcia, Nestor Carbonell, and production designer Waldemar Kalinowski, a featurette on the making of the film, deleted scenes, a still gallery, and notes from cast and crew.

Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector – The one-joke redneck blue collar comedian gets his own film playing a health inspector(?), teamed up with a rookie partner (Iris Bahr), trying to uncover the cause of food poisoning at all the top restaraunts while wooing (can a cable guy woo?) a waitress (Megyn Price).  No DVD extras.

 

Special Edition:

Airplane (“Don’t Call Me Shirley!” Edition) – Do you like gladiator movies?  Jim Abrahams and David Zucker bring us their first, and best, crazy film that taught us not to call Leslie Neilsen “Shirley,” the troubles of a drinking problem, how to talk jive, and the lesson to never order the fish on a plane.  This new edition contains commentary by Abrahams, Jerry and David Zucker, and producer Jon Davison, deleted scenes, an extended edition of the film, interviews, a trivia track, and the theatrical trailer.

 

Animated/Family:

Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther – For fans of the first animated film of the Ultimate line of the Marvel heroes, here’s a sequel.  The team reunites to help the Black Panther stop a new force of invading aliens.

Sealab 2021 – Season Four – More misadventures of the Adult Swim hit involving “scientists” in the research station at the bottom of the sea.  All 13 episodes are included with deleted scenes, alternate endings, and a best of Sealab featurette.

 

TV:

Prison Break – Season One – Last year’s unexpected hit about a wrongfully convicted man (Dominic Purcell) and his brother (Wentworth Miller) who decides to break him out of prison.  All 22 episodes are collected on six discs including commentary, alternate and deleted scenes, a featurette on the making of the show, TV spots and more.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – The Complete Fourth Season – All 26 fourth season episodes of Will Smith and the rest of the Banks family in their wacky adventures.

Farscape – Season 4, Collection 2 – More of the Sci-fi original.  This collection includes commentary for one episode by cast and crew, a “listening in” segment, select histories, a production design gallery, and deleted scenes.

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This Week

/ / Film News & Trailers

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this week.  On Wednesday Oliver Stone’s 9/11 film World Trade Center will be released (check back for our review!).  Friday’s releases include Tim Allen and a bunch of kids trying to save the world, Kristen Bell hearing voices from the other side, and yet another film about dancing.  All that and a boatload of indie films out this week in limited release as well; read on…

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Opening Wednesday:

World Trade Center

Oliver Stone has never been more subtle.  This is the film United 93 wanted to be.  Stone tells the story of a pair of Port Authority cops (Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena) who are buried alive after entering the towers trying to save others on 9/11.  The film moves between their circumstances and those of their families (Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal as the wives) who watch in horror and desperation, not knowing if they are alive or dead.  Stone tells a basic story relying on human emotion and strong performances from a terrific cast.  The film opens on Wednesday and we’ll have the review.

Opening Friday:

Zoom

Tim Allen plays the superhero Captain Zoom who sends off his daughter (Kate Mara) to a special academy called Sky High where the youngsters with super powers are taught how to develop them by Professor X.  (Sony was actually sued over the “similarities”).  At the academy the kids learn about the plot of a new super-villain and band together to stop the new menace.  If the trailers are true, and they never lie, looks like it could be fun.  Anyone else think director Peter Hewitt might have made more out of Fantastic Four franchise?  (‘Course so would a coma patient, or a rock).

Pulse

Kristen Bell (the delectably cute Veronica Mars) stars in this English remake of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2001 Kairo.  The plot involves the discovery of an evil signal that is hacked into and can’t be shut off.  The film also stars Christina Milan (why does there always have to be a “musician” in the group?), Ian Omerhalder, Riki Lindhome, Jonathan Tucker, and Julie Newcaster.  The track record of Japanese horror flicks remade by Hollywood doesn’t exactly inspire (remember last year’s Dark Water?), but the trailer comes off as both creepy and intriguing.  We’ll have to see for ourselves.

Step Up

Yet another film where the main plot focuses around dancing.  Oh boy.  In this one Tyler (Channing Tatum) is sentenced to community service at a super elite dance school (yeah, riiiight…).  There he meets a young sexy ballet dancer (Jenna Dewan) who pulls him out of his shell and helps him discover his hidden talent, a new respect for life, and a love of dancing.  Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Diedre Lovejoy, Ryan Sands, Alyson Stoner, Schuster Vance, and Courtney Irons also star.  Also with Anne Fletcher, choreographer turned first time director.  Check back Friday for the review.

Currently in Limited Release, Opening Wide on Friday:

Peaceful Warrior

The latest from writer/director Victor Salva (Jeepers Creepers, Clownhouse, Powder) is an inspirational and emotional tale of a young collegiate gymnast (Scott Mechlowicz) who strikes up a student/mentor relationship with a gas station sage (Nick Nolte) who teaches him the “way of the peaceful warrior.”  The film is based on Dan Millman’s semi-autobiographical book of the same name.  The supporting cast for the film includes Amy Smart and Ashton Holmes.  It’s been playing in limited release for about two months and will open wide on more screens this Friday.  Check back for our review.

Opening Friday in Limited Release:

Conversations with Other Women

At a wedding reception sparks fly between a man (Aaron Eckhart) and woman (Helena Bonham Carter) who continue to flirt.  The pair steal away together to a hotel room where more about their past and future is to be discovered and revealed.  For fans of dialogue, instead of action, you may have found something here in director Hans Canosa and writer Gabrielle Zevin’s latest collaboration (they gave us 2002’s Alma Mater).  The film also stars Olivia Wile, Brian Geraghty, Brianna Brown, and Thomas Lennon.  It opens on Friday in limited release in New York, Los Angeles, and San Fransisco.

The House of Sand (Casa de Areia)

A pregnant woman (Fernada Torres) and her new husband take her mother (Fernada Montenegro) and move to a remote region of northern Brazil in 1910.  Despite her husband’s love for the land, Aureilla will spend her life, with her mother and daughter, in the arid desert hoping only to escape.  Directed by Andrucha Waddington, the film is banking heavily on Montenego’s presence (one of the most respected actors in Brazil) and the chemisty in casting her real life daughter to play the same role in the film.  The Brazilian film is presented in Portuguese with English subtitles; it opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday.

Waltzing Anna

Robert Capelli Jr. (who also co-wrote the script) stars as an unscrupuous New York doctor who thrives on the bureauracracy of the insurance system.  When found guilty he is sentenced to work six months at a nursing home where relationships with his patients and his romantic interest in a nurse (Emmanuelle Chriqui) begin to thaw the doctor’s cold heart.  The film also stas Marilyn Chris, Pat Hingle, Jeff Kovatch, Grant Shaud (of TV’s Murphy Brown), Casey Simasko, and Shelby Young.  The film was co-written and directed by Doug Bollinger; it opens in limited release on Friday.

Poster Boy

Matt Newton plays the title role of Henry, a closeted gay son of a conservative United States Senator (Michael Lerner).  When an openly gay friend (Jack Noseworthy) learns of Henry’s secret he decides to take advantage of the situation and get some revenge on the conservative right during the Senator’s re-election campaign.  Karen Allen, Valerie Geffner, Ian Reed Kesler, and Amanda Kaplan also star.  Co-written by Lecia Rosenthal and Ryan Shiraki, the film is directed by first timer Zak Tucker.  The only question is will anyone in the midwest get to, or want to, see it?  The film opens Friday in limited release.

Half Nelson

An inner-city junior high school techer (Ryan Gosling) is a favorite among students for his edgier approach and focus on teaching them to think for themselves.  When one of his students (Shareeka Epps) discovers his dark secret (drug addiction) an unlikely friendship forms as the two try to help each other.  Karen Chilton, Anthony Mackie, Tina Holmes, Monique Curnen, Stephanie Bast, and Bryce Silver also star.  The film is a longer version of writer/director Ryan Fleck’s 2004 short film Gowanus, Brooklyn (which also starred Epps and Chilton).  The film will be released in New York on Friday.

Viva Pedo!

Sony Pictures Classics is re-releasing eight of Pedro Almodovar’s films: Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, All About My Mother, Talk to Her, Flower of my Secret, Live Flesh, Law of Desire, Matador, and Bad Education.  Each film has been restored and new prints have been made for each film.  In November Almodovar’s latest film Volver will also be released.  The films will open in New York and Los Angeles on Friday and gradually expand to other cities this fall.  For more information check out the official site.

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…and the Bad News

/ / Entertainment News 

Mel Gibson (he of Braveheart and Lethal Weapon fame) is having himself a bad week.  Gibson was arrested over the weekend for driving drunk at 80 mph down the Pacific Coast Highway.  Not to stop there Gibson flew into a tirade of anti-Semitic remarks (one of the arresting officers was Jewish) just to make sure the evening was a complete press disaster.  This isn’t Gibson first altercation with the Jewish community.

In 2004 Gibson’s Passion of the Christ was widely criticized as being anti-Semitic.  Over the week Gibson made two public apologies for his behavior and remarks, “I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words…I am not an anti-Semite.  I am not a bigot.”  Gibson has promised to get help and enter a program of recovery and has asked for the assistance of the Jewish community “in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from.”  On Tuesday ABC announced they were scrapping Gibson’s Holocaust mini-series, a pet project of the star which he has been working on for over two years.

…and the Bad News Read More »

This Week

/ / Film News & Trailers

So what’s out there this week?  Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this Friday which include some animated animal mischief on the farm, Will Ferrell as a NASCAR driver “who can only count to #1,” Robin Williams caught up in a “real life” Twilight Zone-type adventure, and a British horror flick about the dark things found at the bottom of a cave.  All that and more; read on…

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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this week.  Want to know more?  Just click on the title for film info including a full cast list.  Want a closer look?  Just click on the poster to watch the trailer.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Will Ferrell and NASCAR, need to know more?  Ferrell goes behind the wheel in the starring role as a great, but dimwitted (what else?), NASCAR driver who gets a run for his money when a French Formula One driver (Sasha Baron Coen) shows up to challenge him.  John C. Reilly stars as the teammate and best friend.  Written by Ferrell and Adam McKay (the pair gave us Anchorman).  This movie’s been promoted non-stop over the past few weeks, but can Ferrell and McKay get the same laughs without the likes of Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, and Christina Applegate?  Check back Friday for the review.

Barnyard: The Original Party Animals

Ever wonder what farm animals do when no one’s looking?  Well here ya’ go.  Animated misadventures of a cow named Otis (Kevin James) and his wacky pals who party and enjoy playing tricks on humans.  That is until the coyotes show giving them much bigger concerns.  The likeable, fun comedy also stars the voices of Danny Glover, Courteney Cox, David Koechner, Andie MacDowell, Wanda Sykes, Dom Irrera, Jeffrey Garcia, Madeline Lovejoy as the adorable Tweety-like chick, and Sam Elliot as the serious leader (and darn good singer) of the Barnard.  Check back on Friday for the review.

The Night Listener

Popular radio host Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) deals with a recent break-up (Bobby Cannavale) and begins reading a new book about the wild “true” experiences of a dying boy (Rory Culkin).  Gabriel begins a phone relationship with the boy and the woman who takes care of him (Toni Collette), but begins to have doubts about his story and suspicions on the boy’s identity which leads him on a dark journey to find the truth.  Interesting idea even if it doesn’t quite pan out.  The film is directed by Patrick Stettner (The Business of Strangers).  Check back Friday for the review.

The Descent

British horror flick from last year (already available on DVD in the UK) follows a group of young women on a cave expedition that goes horribly wrong when they discover strange people-eatin’ monsters.  Sounds kinda’ like last year’s hysterically bad The Cave, but it did turn out to be a hit at Comic-Con and has some nice press behind it.  Also this new print has a different ending for American audiences.  Shauna Macdonald, Natalie jackson Mendoza, Alex Reid, Nora-Jane Noone, and Saskia Mulder star as sexy monster food.  The film was written and directed by Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Combat).

Quinceanera (limited)

A big hit at this year’s Sundance (it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize) tells the tale of Magdalena (Emily Rios) who is thrown out of her home on her 15th birthday when her parents discover she is pregnant.  With nowhere else to go she moves in with her uncle (Cahlo Gonzalez) and an estranged gay cousin (Jesse Garcia).  Written and directed by Richard Glatzer (The Fluffer, Grief) and Wash Westmoreland (The Hole, Animus).  The film gets a limited release today with wider distribution in the coming weeks; check you local listings to see when it’s playing near you.

This Week Read More »

Comic-Con 2006 Wrap-Up: News and Notes

/ / Film News & Trailers

Fans in San Diego sure got a great show this year.  Not just for comic book nerds, the four day convention brought in Hollywood film and TV stars and a host of small surprises, rumors, and revelations.  From booths of major networks (CBS, the new CW), to the cable booths (Sci-fi, Spike-TV) to panel discussions from the cast of Veronica Mars, Superman, 300, and The Transformers, there was plenty to see and take in.  Oh yeah, and there were a few comics and games too see as well.  Here’s a recap for those who couldn’t make the trip…

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Where can you go to see people dressed as Klingons, super-heroes, video game characters, and cult figures, AND see them mingle with the very people that created or even starred as that character?  The Comic-Con, baby!  Here are some fun tidbits that came out of this year’s four day event in San Diego.

Revealed:


To what was perhaps the biggest crowd of the convention, Sam Raimi and cast brought with them a new Spider-Man 3 trailer which ended with a look at Venom!  Let’s just say fan reaction was pretty damn positive.  Sadly all the rest of us get is this Topher Grace teaser poster, sigh.

Marvel Comics announced three new movie projects – Captain America (probably not with Matt Salinger), Nick Fury (with or without David Hasselhoff?), and Thor (is Fabio available?).  With Iron Man already in pre-production the possibility of a live-action Avengers movie is also being discussed.

Optimus Prime addressed an audience of Transformers fans who squealed with pleasure to learn that the voice from the 80’s cartoon, Peter Cullen, would be doing the honors in the upcoming film.

Director Jack Snyder and Frank Miller showed up to give fans a five minute look at the movie version of Miller’s graphic novel 300 which tells the tale of the legendary Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartans fought against the Persian army.  The applause was so loud they replayed the clips three times!  Fans seemed appreciative that the style and look of the film so matched Miller’s original work (like, say Sin City).  Snyder also talked a little about his early ideas for The Watchmen focusing on the relationships and essence of the book and trying to fit into the time restraints of a single theatrical film with screenwriter Alex Tse.

Discussed:


Frank Miller discussed his future plans after finishing Sin City 2.  So what’s next>  How about a film adaption of Will Eisner’s hero The Spirit.  Miller intends to use the same technology used in the Sin City flicks to make the look as faithful to Eisner as possible, though admits the tone will be darker and more like Eisner’s early stories than the kindler and gentler Spirit of Eisner’s later years.  Eisner and Miller were friends for many years and even collaborated on a short book of interviews shortly before Eisner’s death (read that review here).

Writer/director Jon Favreau stopped by to talk about May 2008’s Iron Man.  Favreau revealed he would start out using the original gray armor which Tony Stark pieced together under captivity in hostile lands, and over the course of the film evolve the look into the classic red and gold armor.  Several different suits should be seen over the course of the film perhaps even War Machine.  Also announced was the villain for the first film which will be the Mandarin (no word yet whether Fing Fang Foom will make an appearance).  As for Tony Starks alcoholism and dark turn, if the film is successful look to see those aspects explored in future films.

J.J. Abrams discussed the work on his Star Trek XI script.  Refusing to give any details he did remark it’s not another sequel but a relaunching of the franchise.

Bryan Singer and Richard Donner stopped by to discuss the next Superman film which might be flying into theaters in 2009 depending on if the Man of Tomorrow can do some more heavy lifting at the box office before this summer ends.

Writer/director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) stopped by to promote and discuss Ant Man.  Wright talked about using both Henry Pym and Scott Lang in the film, incorporating both the 60’s style hero and the later incarnations.

Hulk 2 director Louis Leterrier (instead of Ang Lee) discussed the sequel which will star David Duchovny (instead of Eric Bana) which will see the un-jolly green giant go up against Abomination (rather than his crazy scientist daddy).  The director promised more action and a look at Bruce Banner living with the monster (much like the old TV-show) and “no poodles, promise.”

Speculated:


Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson keep fanning the dim embers of Ghostbusters 3.  The idea for a sequel that would star (then unknowns) Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson was dreamt up almost 20 years ago.  Recently it seems interest has re-piqued and maybe we’ll be asking “Who ya’ gonna call?” sometimes soon (then again, maybe not).

While attending a panel for Guillermon Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth Doug Jones slyly fielded questions concerning the possibility of his casting role as the Silver Surfer for Fantastic Four 2.  After saying “No comment” to the Internet rumors Jones, dressed in a silver shirt, asked, “Do you like this color of shirt on me?  I like this color on me and I hope to be wearing more soon.  I’ve been shopping for outfits and did find one that I really like, but I don’t own it yet because they’re still approving my credit card.”  This wouldn’t be Jones’ first role in a comic book film as he starred as Abe Sapien (with David Hyde Pierce providing the voice) in Hellboy.  Other rumors on Del Toro have him in discussions to adapt the DC character Deadman into a film. 

Biggest rumor to hit Comic-Con?  How about Heath Ledger as the Joker?  Hmm….  Christopher Nolan seems to have chosen Ledger over other finalists which inculded Jude Law, Robin Williams, Paul Bettany, and (my pick for the role) Steve Buscemi.  No official confirmation as yet, but it does seem this rumor may be true.

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