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We’re here to keep you informed on hot choices for renting or buying new DVD releases. Here’s a few of the new releases today: X-Men: The Last Stand, Thank You for Smoking, Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos, 21 Grams: Collector’s Edition, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: Locked ‘n Loaded Director’s Cut – Unrated, Forever Knight – The Trilogy: Part Three and Medium – The Complete Second Season.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

X-Men: The Last Stand –  X3 has critics and audiences dancing 50/50; some love it and others hate it. True comic book geeks will be very very sad; the characters are hodge podged and mixed up with poor make-up, hair and costumes. Director Brett Ratner certainly screwed up this famous marvel line and the massive egos from the talent finished out any characters that we have grown to love and set on the edge of our seats to see on the big screen. On the other hand, if you want a fluffy semi-action filled popcorn flick with mutants, then X3 will completely please. Get the rest of December’s opinion on X-Men: The Last Stand. The Stan Lee Collector’s Edition isn’t all that impressive; original mini-comic written by Stan Lee, trailers, deleted scenes and plenty of commentary options. Hold out for a little longer, I’m sure there will be an extra super duper on steroids edition soon. Okay, if you can’t wait, you do get 3 alternate endings on this release.

Thank You for Smoking –  It’s hard for a comedy to be considered great.  Even harder is to make a great satire.  Well folks, there’s one in your theaters right now.  Thank You for Smoking is a funny, engaging, enjoyable film that actually raises and discusses some important issues while entertaining the pants off you.  This is definitely one of the best movies of the year.  Don’t you miss it! Get the rest of Alan’s opinion on Thank You for Smoking. This DVD has commentary by the director and cast, deleted scense, a making of featurette and that’s all folks.

Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos –  The film focuses on the rise, short glory, and disastrous fall, of the New York Cosmos – the first, and maybe last, great soccer team in American history.  Founded by Steve Ross, the Cosmos were the first Dream Team to play on American soil.  With soccer greats Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, and Giorgio Chinaglia, they broke into the minds and hearts of New Yorkers and across America. Get the rest of Alan’s opinion on Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos. This DVD includes subtitles in English, Spanish and French.

Special Edition:

21 Grams: Collector’s Edition – I tried watching this film multiple times, both when it was up for Oscar contenders and now with it’s recent release, I CAN’T GET THROUGH IT! Sorry, it’s so damn slow and over dramatic, I fall asleep every time, I can’t even garner an attachment for the main characters, little alone for the storyline, whatever that may be. I have no idea how anybody liked this film, but it may be the one for you. I do know that it has Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Naomi Watts in it and the extras includes an insightful look at the making of the film…the end.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: Locked ‘n Loaded Director’s Cut – Unrated – Mr. Madonna, Guy Ritchie hit a home run with this lovely little number. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is a very humorous crime filled film that keeps you on your toes through out the whole adventure. You never know what Ritchie is going to throw at you next and better yet, the ending is a complete surprise. The new edition features 12 additional minutes of footage never seen in the U.S. before, a featurette on the cinematography (funny, when I think of this film, I don’t think of incredible cinematography) and a compilation of all the profanity used in the film (that’s got to be a very long featurette). Enjoy!

Television:

Forever Knight – The Trilogy: Part Three – Alright you Angel & Buffy lovers, here is a show for you, this one comes from the mid-90’s era and has a distinctive taste of blood. Not quite as fascinating as Angel and definitely a lower quality, but you must remember when it was created. The shows series ran for 3 years with a very attractive blonde vampire Nick Knight (Geraint Wyn Davies) keeping the streets safe at night atoning for the wrong he has done in his past and working on becoming human; does that sound familiar to anyone. The twist is he does not have his own detective agency and a scooby gang to help, he works as a police detective out of a station has a partner and a medical examiner as friends. He tries to keep his true self a secret from all, but is found by the examiner, a woman sporting the complete early 90’s do and makeup, she helps Nick work on his human side by feeding him protein shakes and making him eat and lay in a tanning bed. Sounds pretty corky doesn’t it, well it very well maybe a lot corky, but think about some of the shows out today, superman as a kid & heroes with super powers, there are plenty of shows out there about spooks and spectacles. The quality of the show is low, there are a few special affects that we would chuckle at now in the high times of technology and films such as the Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter, but for it’s time the affects seem to work. Let us not forget the on going struggle to save the woman in despair and a new romantic lead for Nick each episode. This series has a night in shining armor aura about it and that seems to work for it’s time period as well. A loyal group of devoted Forever Knight followers will be excited, as I was and it may even stir up a bit of interest for those of us who is still wanting for a little more Buffy and adore Angel.

Medium – The Complete Second Season –  This show has to be a joke right? Who would have thought that a show who stars Patricia Arquette as the main focus being a paranormal medium helping the police would have made it to a second season. I’m not sure if it has returned to haunt our televisions for a third, but paranormal and Patricia Arquette fans can celebrate, now they can purchase both the first season and second season on DVD to watch over and over again. Guess what, there’s even a special 3D episode, LOL. 22 episodes in all on 6 discs. 

We’re here to keep you informed on hot choices for renting or buying new DVD releases. Here’s a few of the new releases today: The Lake House, Curious George, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Notorious Bettie Page, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 2-Disc Ultimate Edition & One Tree Hill – The Complete 3rd Season.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

The Lake House –  I’m not sure if America needed to revisit the casting of Speed in the form of a romance-heavy romantic comedy, but nevertheless The Lake House is at your local video store.  And even though the commercials showcase a plot so ridiculous only Uwe Boll wouldn’t question it, the film is able to win over the female demographic with ease.  Even if they have a hard time admitting enjoying a chick flick, the guys just might find themselves rooting for a final scene shows Neo and Ms. Congeniality locking lips. Get the rest of Ian’s opinion on The Lake House.

Curious George –  The children’s classic story comes to life in this sweet and old school hand drawn animation. With voice talent from Will Ferrell as The Man in the Yellow Hat and the additions of Drew Barrymore, David Cross, Eugene Levy and Dick Van Dyke bringing George to life with all sorts of trouble. A perfect young family film.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift – It’s the Fast and the Furious without Paul Walker or Vin Diesel filmed in Tokyo with prettier, smaller and faster cars. Little to back this film up, but entertaining if you are into the street racing genre films of today’s youth.

The Notorious Bettie Page – For those of us too young to remember Bettie Page was the pin-up girl of a generation whose popularity rivaled (and in many circles eclipsed) that of movie icon Marilyn Monroe.  For many she was the icon of her age.  The new film tries to capture snapshots of her life dealing mostly with her career in front of the camera and takes a look at the young southern gal who would become The Notorious Bettie Page. Get the rest of Alan’s opinion on The Notorious Bettie Page.

Special Edition:

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 2-Disc Ultimate Edition – Even though this film was done in 1974, Tobe Hooper knew what he was doing, it’s grimmy, gritty, gross and dirty. Even for today’s time with Rob Zombie’s House of a 1000 Corpses and James Wan’s Saw, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre takes the horror film genre to the far end of that counter. I’m still disturbed and freaked out with every moment, this film is based on actual true events, it’s hard to deal with people doing such hideous and disgusting acts. And now, for you really big fans, you have 2 Discs to be infatuated with. The set boasts commentary from actors, the director, art designer and cinematographer. It has original trailers for both TV and Radio spots. To top it all off there are at least 2 documentaries over an hour long that includes the shocking truth about the story and a tour of the house. Plus deleted scenes, outtakes, a blooper reel and still galleries…good times for all.

Television:

One Tree Hill – The Complete Third Season –  One Tree Hill is another attempt to repeat the luck The WB had with shows like Dawson’s Creek and Felicity, but fell short of the tree. I’m surprised it’s made it to season 3; the first season was alright, but the second season went straight to pot. It’s a TV show about raging hormonal teens dealing with the drama of being a member of the basketball team, cheer-leading, teen marriage, a lot of teen sex and parental issues. Amazing to me that most of these kids have missing parents throughout the complete series, I’m not sure how they get along with little to no guidance. What guidance they do receive is by the over the hill basketball coach who has a bit of a drinking problem and the, now town mayer, who is a back stabbing ass of a man, who couldn’t raise a boil on his butt, little own sons. One Tree Hill is what it is, either you like it or you don’t.

We’re here to keep you informed on hot choices for renting or buying new DVD releases. Take the Lead, Akeelah and the Bee, The Sentinel, Friends with Money, Her Majesty, Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Limited Edition (Theatrical & Extended versions), Desperate Housewives: The Complete Second Season – The Extra Juicy Edition, Arrested Development – Season Three & Nip/Tuck – The Complete Third Season

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Akeelah and the Bee –  Okay you’ve probably seen this film before.  A child prodigy learns of his/her gift, finds a teacher, and in training learns about him/her self and valuable life lessons.  Akeelah and the Bee isn’t the most original film, and it is more than a little contrived, yet it somehow overcomes these limitations and presents a truly enjoyable film for the whole family with some of the best ensemble child acting I’ve seen in some time.

How cool are spelling bees?  The film asks that question multiple times and the answer shifts from person to person over the course of the film including our title character.  Akeelah and the Bee actually makes the National Spelling Bee look pretty darn cool.  Now c’mon folks, that should pique your interest. Get the rest of Alan’s opinion on Akeelah and the Bee.

The Sentinel –  Nearly everything under director Clark Johnson’s (S.W.A.T.) belt is either a procedural cop show or t.v. action drama, and it shows with his latest film, The Sentinel.  This by the book thriller starts with a clever premise and then very quickly breaks what Alan & I call the ‘One Dumb Move Rule’, which trips whenever the simplest decision is overlooked for the sake of convoluting the plot.  Michael Douglas stars as an aging Secret Service man whose watched those he’s trained surpass him in the ranks, with Keifer Sutherland as his once-friend-now-pursurer who thinks Douglas is behind an assasination attempt on the president.  It’s difficult to get into the specifics of this one without giving away all the ‘twists’, but needless to say this film, while passable, runs more like an extended pilot than a cinematic experience. Get the rest of Aaron’s opinion on The Sentinel.

Friends with Money – Friends with money is…well it just is.  It’s got a wide range of good performances from talented actresses like Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, John Cusack, and Jennifer Aniston.  Problem is there’s not really any story to tie these character together.  It’s just life.

I wish Jennifer Aniston would get a new agent.  She stars in some really horrendous films and yet finds nice supporting roles in films like She’s the One and Office Space.  Then last year she finally hit paydirt in starring in one of the better films of the year in Rumor Has It, but it seems things are back to normal with the regretable The Break-Up and Friends with Money as well providing yet more disappointment for fans of the girl we fell for as Rachel Green. Get the rest of Alan’s opinion on Friends With Money.

Her Majesty – “Her Majesty” is a quaint film that warms the heart and makes the audience think about humanity. Set in New Zealand in the year 1953; it’s amazing to see the similarities between life at that place and time and what it’s like here and now. Elizabeth Wakefield (Sally Andrews), lead character, is faced with becoming a young lady, all that comes with it and more. She is dealing with her brat brother, racism against the Maori people, small town thinking, puppy love and idealizing the queen. Elizabeth thought of the queen as teens today would think of Paris Hilton, she hung posters up on her walls and put on play coronations. She had a huge crush on her drill team instructor, even though he was too old for her, and had an older brother that taunted her everyday, he could have used a good swatting or two. Elizabeth, against her father’s wishes, became close friends with a Maori woman, Hira (Vicky Haughton). She got the opportunity to learn so much from Hira; about the true history of the town and how the Maoris people had owned the land. Town folk had chastised Hira and the kids would torment her by throwing stones at her windows and calling her a witch. Elizabeth didn’t care if she would get the same treatment, she believed in truth and equality for all. She was quite a mature little girl with a clear way of thinking.

The characters are so rich and full of life and conviction in “Her Majesty”, one can’t help but to laugh and cry along with them. A fictional story that has taken it’s knocks and still found a path to the big screen and now your homes. Mark J. Gordon, writer and director, worked very hard to get the Hollywood studio system interested, but finally found himself going to outside funding. “Her Majesty” was funded completely by private individuals, this reason alone gives the film great integrity. If someone believed enough to give up their hard earned dollar, then it’s got to be worth seeing.

Special Edition:

Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Limited Edition (Theatrical & Extended versions) – Just in case you wanted to stay completely immobile for an entire like 36 hours, the perfect gift for you would be Lord of the Rings Trilogy – Limited Edition with both Theatrical & Extended versions. You know what I always say, you can never get enough hobbit in your life.

Television:

Desperate Housewives: The Complete Second Season – The Extra Juicy Edition –  Here you have it more Desperate Housewives and now it’s even juicier. The return of the over pampered and over sexed women who portrays the most unrealistic image of a housewife. A popular hit with everyone who has ever watched it and – been there done that. Wisteria Lane, never to go with out and always on your toes. All 24 episodes on six discs and specials like meeting TV’s most iconic housewives like Shirley Jones (The Patridge Family) and Marion Ross (Happy Days), interview with creator and director and plenty of juicy parts with the housewives themselves and the men who sweat on the show.

Arrested Development – Season Three –  Jason Bateman, anybody remember him from way back when? He’s back and funnier than ever in season three of Arrested Development. Jason, with a family now, must over come and conquer everyday trials and tribulations with son, mother, father and older brother. Many actors like Ben Stiller, Justine Bateman (sis), Scott Baio and Charlize Theron accompanied the set and crew and added to the laughs. DVD set includes 13 episode on 2 discs with 19 deleted scenes and a few extended, plus a bit of commentary.

Nip/Tuck – The Complete Third Season – A weird little show, with plenty of twists and turns, of the scalpel. Sexy plastic surgeons do there thing and odd little crimes seem to appear here and there that must be solved. This season is no different than others, except it maybe a little more extreme than usual. Most of the storyline revolves around “The Carver” which is a serial rapist who mutilates his victims. Who is it and will he or she be stopped?

We’re here to keep you informed on hot choices for renting or buying new DVD releases. Released this week: Poseidon, Silent Hill, Just My Luck and Veronica Mars – The Complete Second Season.

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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:

Film:

Poseidon –  On a perfect night at sea a rogue wave hits the unsuspecting luxury ocean liner capsizing it without warning (no change in wind, weather, or radar).  Well…there is a slight warning in the deck officer’s declaration, “Listen.  Do you feel that?” in the paraphrasing of the classic Ghostbusters line.  As the ship overturns and slowly (and I mean slooooowly) begins to sink the Captain (Andre Braugher) tries to keep those passengers in lounge together to wait it out until they are rescued.  Well, where’s the fun in that?

A group led by former firefighter and politician Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell dusting off his role from Backdraft) and the MacGyver-ish poker shark Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas) decide to go and find Ramsey’s cute, spunky, and irascible daughter (Emmy Rossum who already survived The Day After Tomorrow so what’s a little water compared to that?) and her meat-head fiance (Mike Vogel) and try to make it to the surface.

Also tagging along are a stowaway (Mia Maestro), a mother (Jacinda Barrett) and her young son (Jimmy Bennett), an asshole (Kevin Dillon doing a dead-on impersonation of his brother’s role in There’s Something About Mary for reasons that are never entirely clear), and an elderly gay architect (Richard Dreyfuss, who has survived aliens, giant sharks, gunmen, and Another Stakeout and this is his reward?).  Get the rest of Alan’s opinion on Poseidon. The DVD includes a lot of great extra goodies like a documentary on Rogue Waves made for The History Channel, film school intern’s experience “A Shipmate’s Diary”, a featurette on set design and a documentary on making an adventure movie.

Silent Hill –  If Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie had a love child, it would be the evil little bitch in Silent Hill. This is one creepy weird film and don’t even try to make sense of it. A mom decides to take her adopted child back to her evil wicked home town, after multiple nightmares and a few close calls with heights, where she gets kidnapped by a witch hating cult who tries to burn her at the stake. Lots of CGI, blood and really weird moments that doesn’t add up to much of anything, but if you are into a brain dead blood fest, Silent Hill is the film for you. Extras include Six Silent Hill Production Diaries from origins of the film to casting.

Just My Luck – A teen romantic comedy about a switch of fait. Lindsay Lohen plays a character who lives a charmed life, but all of that changes with just one kiss with the wrong guy. Don’t worry a happy ending pursues and all ends well that begins well. The DVD only has 2 extras, deleted/extended scenes and a featurette on the band McFly.

Television:

Veronica Mars – The Complete Second Season –  Season 2 is 22 episodes jammed full of Veronica solving mysteries, murders and other crimes. A high school student by day and a private eye by night, she goes through trials and tribulations in this addictive TV show and it’s just as powerful and dramatic as the first season.