Dark Tide on DVD and Blu-ray
(Available on April 24th, 2012)
The Hangover Part II on Blu-ray/DVD Combo
(Available on December 6th, 2011)
On the eve of Stu’s (Ed Helms) wedding in Thailand, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Doug (Justin Bartha), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) convince the normally mild-mannered dentist to join them for one last drink on the beach. When the group of friends awaken the next morning in Bangkok with no memory of the previous night’s transgressions and discover that the bride’s younger brother Teddy (Mason Lee) is now missing, they must once again retrace their footsteps to locate the vanished youth and return Stu in time for his wedding. But when their exploration leads them to vengeful gangsters, cigarette-smoking monkeys, and the return of an old criminal kingpin, remembering their drunken mishaps will be the first thing they’ll want to forget.
Special Features include an unauthorized documentary about footage they didn't want you to see from the making of the film, a featurette on the creative process of director Todd Phillips' vision through the eyes of the cast, extra footage of Crystal the monkey and a politically incorrect tour of Bangkok with Mr. Chow - not for the faint of heart. Plus, there's a gag reel.
The Help Blu-ray/DVD Combo (Available December 6th)
Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) is a southern society girl in the ‘60s who never really fit in, back from college and interested in becoming a writer. She starts her career by landing a job at the Jackson Journal in Mississippi, picking up a housecleaning column entitled “Miss Myrna.” To stay consistent with the tips and tricks previously detailed in the newspaper spot, she speaks with Elizabeth Leefolt’s (Ahna O’Reilly) maid, Aibileen (Viola Davis), a poor, third generation black servant for wealthy white families. What Skeeter is really interested in, however, is Aibileen’s point of view of taking care of other people’s children, working for less than minimum wage, “separate but equal” segregation in buildings and in bathrooms, and the general mistreatment, animosity and feelings of inequality she routinely experiences. Skeeter hopes to collect the stories and compile them into a book.
3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada
Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Features:
- The Making of “The Help:” From Friendship To Film
- In Their Own Words: A Tribute To The Maids Of Mississippi
- Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including „Humiliated,? „A
Book About Jackson? and „Johnny?s Home? (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)
DVD Bonus Features:
- Two deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor including „A Senator?s Son?
and „Keep On Walkin?
- “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige
2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
Exclusive Blu-ray Bonus Features:
- The Making of “The Help:” From Friendship To Film
- In Their Own Words: A Tribute To The Maids Of Mississippi
- Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor including „Humiliated,? „A
Book About Jackson? and „Johnny?s Home? (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)
DVD Bonus Features:
- Two deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including „A Senator?s Son?
and „Keep On Walkin?
- “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige
1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Bonus Features:
- Two deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including „A Senator?s Son?
and „Keep On Walkin?
- “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige
High Definition Digital Download = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
Bonus Feature:
- Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including „Humiliated,? „A
Book About Jackson? and „Johnny?s Home? (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)
- “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige
Standard Definition Digital Download = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Bonus Feature:
- Three deleted scenes with introductions by Director Tate Taylor, including „Humiliated,? „A
Book About Jackson? and „Johnny?s Home? (which is a Blu-ray exclusive)
- “The Living Proof” music video by Mary J. Blige
Sid & Nancy Blu-ray (Available December 27th, 2011)
Gary Oldman (Harry Potter franchise, The Dark Knight) and Chloe Webb (The Newton Boys) “execute performances that are nothing short of phenomenal” (Los Angeles Times) as Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his unforgettable junkie girlfriend, two social misfits who literally love each other to death. In this “riveting biography of burnt-out icons” (The Washington Post), visionary writer/director Alex Cox (Repo Man) creates “a great film” (“Siskel & Ebert”) about the destructive lives of two 1970's punk legends. Their love affair is one of pure devotion. Sid falls hard for groupie Nancy Spungen, who seduces him with her affection and addiction to heroin. Their inseparable bond to each other and their drugs eventually corrodes the band, sending Sid and Nancy down a dark road of despair. Out of money, hope and options, the despondent pair hit rock bottom while living in squalor at New York’s infamous Chelsea Hotel. But their journey takes yet another tragic turn as they face their final curtain and attempt to fulfill their destiny of going out in a blaze of glory!
Ranked as the #3 dramatic cult film at Amazon.com, the SID & NANCY: 25TH ANNIVERSARY Blu-ray will be available in the U.S. and Canada and includes two bonus featurettes.
This release is a basic port from the DVD Collector's Edition, retaining the special feature "For the Love of Punk" as well as "Junk Love" featurette and the theatrical trailer. All in all, a nice release for Blu-ray, giving this cult classic the hi-def treatment it deserves.
Fright Night Blu-ray/DVD Combo (Available December 13th, 2011)
The film is, of course, a remake of the 1985 film directed by Tom Holland and starring Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowell. As is the case with most films nowadays, remakes or otherwise, it has been released in 3D. Although there’s no question that a 2D projection would have been much brighter, I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that, even during the shadowy scenes, I could clearly see what was going on. Perhaps it helps that the film was actually shot with a 3D camera system, as opposed to it being shot in 2D and then converted in post production. I will not go so far as to say that I felt completely immersed, but I know this much is true: The demise of a vampire is a lot more fun when blood flies directly at the camera. Wait for the moment when one of them explodes after being exposed to sunlight – you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Talking place in Las Vegas, it tells the story of a teenager named Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin), who, after noticing that his classmates have been disappearing, has reason to believe that his new next door neighbor, the charismatic Jerry (Farrell), is a vampire. We, of course, already know this to be true, but we still anticipate the moment he will get some proof. Lo and behold, he breaks into Jerry’s house and discovers a hidden door in the back of his closet, which leads to a small hallway and a series of holding cells, behind which lie victims in waiting. The trouble is, no one will heed Charley’s warnings to stay away from Jerry, not his single mom, Jane (Toni Collette), or his girlfriend, Amy (Imogen Poots). The only one who would have believed him – the one who tried to warn him about Jerry in the first place – would be his former best friend, “Evil” Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). After Charley shunned him for his embarrassing nerdy behavior, he went missing.
Special features consist of deleted scenes (some of which are exclusive to the Blu-ray), "How to Make a Funny Vampire Movie" guide, bloopers, music videos and "Squid Man" extended and uncut version.
The Smurfs in 3D Blu-ray (Available December 2nd, 2011)
This film is goofy, innocuous, and unnecessary, but it’s also harmless fun. I grant you that most adults are unlikely to get much out of it, although they might smile in acknowledgment at a few well-placed cultural references, including those to the original Peyo comic strips. I personally find the idea of Smurfs trying to blend in with taxi billboards funny, especially when one of them promotes the Blue Man Group while the other advertises Blu-ray discs. There’s also Smurfette; the fact that she’s voiced by Katy Perry adds considerable weight to a joke involving a song she knows, which is titled “I Smurfed a Girl, and I Liked It.” And then there’s the fact that the title characters are prone to hum the “Smurf” theme song at the drop of a hat. The lead human character, played by Neil Patrick Harris, eventually laments about how annoying the song is. Clearly, he has never been to Disneyland and gotten stuck on “it’s a small world.”
The airy plot involves six of the Smurfs, tiny computer generated blue creatures with hats and boots, getting magically transported from their fairy tale village of mushroom huts to New York City. In hot pursuit is the evil wizard Gargamel (Hank Azaria), who needs the Essence of Smurf to create a magical potion that will make him invincible. The Smurfs cross paths with Patrick Winslow (Harris), a newly promoted advertising executive for a cosmetics company. His pregnant wife, Grace (Jayma Mays), immediately falls for the Smurfs, and indeed, their disproportionate heads and round eyes make them surprisingly cute. Patrick is under pressure from his overbearing boss, Odile (Sofia Vergara), to create the perfect ad campaign; if he fails, he will be fired. The Smurfs, meanwhile, await the rising of a blue moon, which will enable them to go home, along with a little act of magic. They don’t have access to Papa Smurf’s book of spells, although they do find a conveniently abandoned antique book shop – a cliché typically reserved for fantasy films.
Blu-ray 3D (Blu-ray 3D + DVD):
Disc 1 (Blu-ray 3D)
3D & 2D Versions of The Smurfs™
The Smurfs™ Fantastic Adventure Game - Help Clumsy race through the village and Central Park to stop Gargamel and his evil plans!
Deleted Scenes & Extended Scenes
Blue-pers
Happy Music Montage
2 Commentaries
3 Featurettes
“The Smurfs™: Comic Book to the Big Screen”
“Smurf™ Speak: Meet the Cast”
“Going Gargamel”
Progression Reels
Disc 2: DVD – Feature Film & Special Features on Stand-alone DVD
Another Earth Blu-ray/DVD Combo (November 29th, 2011)
In the film, we meet a young woman named Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling), whose dreams of becoming an astrophysicist were shattered after getting into a car accident and inadvertently causing the deaths of a woman and her little boy. Not only did she foolishly get behind the wheel after a night of drinking and partying, she also became distracted by the sudden appearance of the planet, shining in the night sky like a blue star. Now a ex-con desperate to avoid any contact with people, she’s determined to somehow do right by the sole survivor of the crash, whose life she irrevocably changed. This would be the woman’s husband and the boy’s father, a composer named John Burroughs (William Mapother). Since the tragedy, he’s a shadow of his former self – a housebound, emotionally vacant man suffocating under the weight of clutter and filth.
Rhoda decides to track John down and apologize. But as soon as she knocks on his door, she loses her nerve, and instead pretends to be a maid offering a trial service. She then begins a regular weekly schedule, and although he pays her, she does not cash the checks. As they spend more time together, we’re tempted to speculate that, by being in each other’s lives, they’re on the road to healing. But it’s nowhere near that simple. Any healing that we perceive is happening under false pretenses. John doesn’t know that Rhoda is the girl responsible for the death of his family, and for a time, it’s uncertain whether or not she will come clean.
ANOTHER EARTH Blu-ray Features: ? Deleted Scenes ? Music Video: “The First Time I Saw Jupiter” by Fall On Your Sword ? The Science Behind Another Earth ? Creating Another Earth ? Fox Movie Channel presents “Direct Effect with Mike Cahill,” “In Character with Brit Marling,” and “In Character with William Mapother”
Glee - The Concert Movie Blu-ray/DVD Combo (Available December 20th, 2011)
The film intercuts backstage interviews and fan testimonials with footage from the Glee Live! In Concert! tour, specifically the performance at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. We see much of the principal cast, all incredibly talented, singing at one point or another. This would include Chris Colfer, Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Cory Monteith, Kevin McHale, and Heather Morris, among others. Some highlights: Michele’s soulful rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade”; Colfer’s solemn take on “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” reminiscent of the version sung in “Across the Universe”; McHale’s version of “The Safety Dance,” in which his character fantasizes about being free from his wheelchair; “I’m a Slave 4 U” as sung by Morris, who is clearly far more qualified to sing than Brittany Spears; Monteith’s faithful cover of Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.” The entire company opens the show with “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which is sung so well that only the original version by Journey tops it. We even get a special guest appearance by Gwyneth Paltrow, whose magnificent cover of Cee Lo’s “Forget You” makes me wonder why she isn’t actively pursuing a career in music. Man, can that woman sing.
The concert portions are the only ones presented in 3D, which I learned to expect after the release of “Never Say Never.” As odd as I find this method of filmmaking – it should either be one way or the other – it at least gave me the opportunity to slip off my 3D glasses every once in a while and take in a picture that was noticeably brighter. This is how I watched the fan testimonials and the backstage interviews. The latter were surprisingly disappointing, in large part because director Kevin Tancharoen set aside almost no time for them. What little he does provide us with is hampered by the fact that the actors remain in character. So I guess I’ve been wrong to call them backstage interviews – they’re skits made to look like backstage interviews. Morris is free to be Brittany on stage, but I see no reason why she can’t be herself as she’s getting her hair done in her dressing room.
Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Television Comedy, audiences everywhere can see TV’s hottest musical sensation as a full length feature film when GLEE: THE CONCERT MOVIE comes to Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on December 20th. Enjoy the breath-taking concert experience like never before with new exciting never-before-seen and extended performances, clips of fans’ favorite characters, exclusive extras and more, all from the comfort of your living room.
Featuring everyone’s favorite Glee stars including Lea Michele, Jane Lynch, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Dianna Agron, Darren Criss, Mark Salling, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris and the rest of the Glee cast. GLEE: THE CONCERT MOVIE features fan favorite hits recorded live from the sold-out nationwide concert.
Archer Season 2 on Blu-ray (Available December 27th, 2011)
Sterling Archer, the world’s most dangerous spy, and his snarky ISIS cohorts are back for another outrageously raunchy season when ARCHER The Complete Second Season comes to Blu-ray and DVD on December 27th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Loaded with three exclusive top-secret animated shorts, ARCHER The Complete Second Season features all 13 episodes plus hilarious never-before-seen extras!
When he’s not busy foiling eco-terrorist threats, tracking down mysterious killers, or having sex in x-ray machines, the suave master-spy has his hands full with bikini-clad ninjas, Swiss nymphomaniacs, and paternity suits. Archer searches for the true identity of his father, battles breast cancer, and brings a sexy, ex-KGB agent home to meet his domineering mother. It’s all in a day’s work for the international man of mystery in this uproariously edgy animated farce. ARCHER features the voice talents of H. Jon Benjamin (“Bob’s Burgers,” “Family Guy”), Jessica Walter (“Arrested Development”), Aisha Tyler (“24,” “Friends”), George Coe, Chris Parnell (“30 Rock,” “Suburgatory”), Judy Greer (27 Dresses, Marmaduke), and Amber Nash. ARCHER was created by Adam Reed and Floyd County Productions and is executive produced by Reed and Matthew Thompson. The show is produced by FX Productions.
Blu-ray and DVD Special Features:
- Ask Archer
- Archersaurus - Self Extinction
- Semper Fi
- L'espoin Mal Fait
- Isis Invades Comic-con
Margin Call on DVD (Available December 20th, 2011)
As the film begins, the firm, which is unnamed but is said to be loosely based on Lehman Brothers, has just seen 80% of its employees laid off. One of the casualties is Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci), the company’s senior risk analyst; his opening scene, in which he’s fired by a team that fires people for a living, is eerily reminiscent of “Up in the Air,” and about as equally timely. Just before he leaves, he hands a USB drive to a young analyst named Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) – who, for now at least, is still an employee – and instructs him (1) to analyze the data and see if he can finish what was started, and (2) to be careful. Later that night, when many of the employees are out at a bar, Peter plugs in the drive, takes one look at his computer screen, and is immediately disturbed by what he finds. He calls a fellow analyst, Seth (Penn Badgley), who then contacts their supervisor, Will (Paul Bettany), who in turn contacts his boss, Sam (Kevin Spacey). They come back to the office. They too are shocked.
What exactly is on that computer screen? We don’t physically see the data, but we do hear a lot of complicated fiscal jargon attempting to make sense of it. It essentially boils down to this: Their firm, as well as the entire market, is headed for disaster. The rest of the film depicts an emergency meeting at the office, one that will last the entire night. Other employees, including the easily mocked Jared Cohen (Simon Baker) and a senior executive named Sarah Robertson (Demi Moore), analyze the data as completed by Peter – and of course, they come to the same inescapable conclusions. The early morning hours will see the arrival of the firm’s CEO via helicopter. This would be John Tuld (Jeremy Irons), who likes to speak in condescending simple terms and insists on those around him doing the same. This includes Peter, who was literally a rocket scientist at one point in his life.
Special features include director and producer commentary tracks, the making of Margin Call, moments with the cast and crew, a photo gallery and deleted scenes.
Contagion Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack (Available January 3rd, 2011)
The film begins with a keen perception of ordinary surfaces, the simple act of touch, and the common practice of mild coughing. A credit card passes from one hand to another before the bartender taps on her electronic keypad. People are constantly picking up glasses, pressing buttons, and grabbing hold of handles. We later learn that the average person will touch his or her face three to five times every waking minute, while in between come into contact with everyday objects and other people. Later still, we watch a woman named Beth (Gwyneth Paltrow) lives it up in a Hong Kong casino during a business trip; she blows on dice for good luck, handles martini glasses, and breathes in the same tight spaces as other gamblers. Although I’m not germophobic, these scenes made me more aware of my tactile encounters and reminded me that regular hand washing is a good habit.
The ads have already revealed that Beth has been infected and will die upon her return to Minneapolis. She initially complains of jetlag and a headache, but by the time she gets home, she will collapse and have what appears to be a seizure. What remains a mystery is when and how the virus was transmitted to her. The number of other people she infected is also unknown. Her husband, Mitch (Matt Damon), spends most of the film exasperated, bewildered, and strangely disconnected from those closest to him, including his teenage daughter, Jory (Anna Jacoby-Heron). In all likelihood, he’s in shock, and that’s certainly understandable. He’s apparently immune to the virus, although nothing much comes from this; he’s still forced to sequester himself and his daughter in his home, not just from the potentially infected, but also from increasingly brazen looters.
Special features include The Reality of Contagion, with cast and experts discussing the real life possibilities, The Contagion Detectives, a featurette on the stars preparing for the film, and another featurette on how a virus changes the world.
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy on DVD (Available December 27th, 2011)
Jason Sudeikis is Eric, a thirty-something party animal famous among his close circle of friends for his lavish summer theme parties at his father's swanky Hamptons pad. But when members of the crew start settling down, and Eric's dad announces plans to sell the beach house, Eric decides it's time for one last bash to go out with a proverbial bang—a good old-fashioned orgy. The only obstacles to overcome are actually convincing each of his reluctant friends to join in on the festivities, and an inconveniently blossoming romance with the real estate agent threatening to sell the house out from under him before the main event can even take place.
A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY was written and directed by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck (TV’s “King of the Hill” “Frasier”). It was produced by James D. Stern (An Education, I’m Not There). Executive producers are Ram Bergman (Bunraku, The Brothers Bloom), Brian Etting (TV’s “Funny or Die Presents,” Relative Strangers), Christopher Petzel (Rambo, War) and Douglas E. Hansen (An Education, I’m Not There).
A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY was released theatrically by Samuel Goldwyn Films. The theatrical cuthas a run time of approximately 95 minutes and has been rated R for pervasive strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language. The unrated cut has a run time of approximately 98 minutes.
DVD Bonus Material
-Deleted Scenes
-Gag Reel
-"How To Film An Orgy"
-Commentary with Co-Writers/Directors Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck and Jason Sudeikis
FilmCraft: Cinematography (Available November 17th, 2011)
Ever wanted advice from today's most respected film insiders? Look no further than the FilmCraft Series, the latest books in filmmaking featuring a visually stunning look at each topic through the eyes of respected professionals in each field. The first releases in the series, entitled 'FilmCraft: Editing' by Justin Chang and 'FilmCraft: Cinematography,' by Mike Goodridge and Tim Grierson, each offer deep insight into the working practices of the world's most distinguished professionals, covering their inspiration, collaboration, and work on set. These two installments in the FilmCraft Series feature interviews from Bob Murawski, (Oscar-winning Editor for "The Hurt Locker," "Spiderman"), Dylan Tichenor (Editor: "Boogie Nights," "Brokeback Mountain", "There Will Be Blood"), Pietro Scalia (Editor: "Gladiator," "Good Will Hunting," "JFK," "Black Hawk Down"), and Vittorio Storaro (Cinematographer: "Apocalypse Now") to name a few.
These two books provide readers with a fascinating inside look at the filmmaking art, and a wealth of knowledge that they can apply to their own work. For more information or to purchase your copies, visit: http://amzn.to/vkcjET (Editing) & http://amzn.to/ukQcKz (Cinematography).
Each book in the FilmCraft Series features:
Discussions with the world's most notable filmmakers, giving concrete examples of their craft and insights into professional practice, working relationships, and influences
Sidebars featuring practical advice on topics that filmmakers can apply to their own work
"Legacy Sections" focusing on the work of past filmmaking greats
'FilmCraft: Cinematography'
This book covers the complex craft of cinematography (motion picture photography) through interviews with well-known cinematographers. The book also features extraordinary photos and in-depth exploration of contemporary projects, such as Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago, and Nine.'Cinematography' gives readers exclusive access to lauded professionals, providing them with the perspective to think like professionals and create a compelling visual story. Click here for an excerpt from this book: http://bit.ly/uG3uKL
Mike Goodridge - 'FilmCraft: Cinematography'
Mike Goodridge is the editor of Screen International and has been writing about film for over twenty years. He is an accomplished critic and has written for many outlets including The Times, The Independent, The Evening Standard, El Mundo in Spain, and Sight & Sound. He is is a member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the London Film Critics Circle, and FIPRESCI.
Tim Grierson - 'FilmCraft: Cinematography'
Tim Grierson is a film and music critic whose writing has appeared in Screen International, L.A. Weekly, Blender, Revolver, Vulture, Wired, and The Village Voice. He is the Rock Music guide at About.com and the author of the forthcoming book "Blinking Lights and Other Revelations: The Story of Eels." Tim has spoken at the Palm Springs International Film Society and the EMP Pop Conference in Seattle. He is currently vice president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
FilmCraft: Editing (Available November 17th, 2011)
'FilmCraft: Editing'
This book employs stills and screenshots to show how an editor created a scene with the filmmaker and explores the complex relationship between a director who has just shot a movie and the editor who must complete the director's vision. Click here for an excerpt from this book: http://bit.ly/uTX9dX
About The Author:
Justin Chang - 'FilmCraft: Editing'
Justin Chang is senior film critic at Variety, editing and overseeing the paper's film reviews. He currently serves as secretary of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. He holds a journalism degree from USC. Before joining Variety in 2004, he was a freelance entertainment writer for the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times.
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