The Three Musketeers Special Edition Blu-ray (Available March 13th, 2012)
“The Three Musketeers” plays less like an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ original novel and more like a test drive for a new historical video game. Indeed, it was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, whose career is in part defined by films based on video games (“Mortal Kombat,” “Alien vs. Predator,” the first and third “Resident Evil” films with another one on the way). It’s not the deviations that bother me; I truly could not care less how unfaithful a film is from its source so long as I’m being entertained. What bothers me is the simple-mindedness with which the story is told. This new “The Three Musketeers” – with its exaggerated stunt work, silly steampunk special effects, and awful twenty-first century dialogue – is an adequate film for fifteen-year-old gamers who have not seen any previous adaptation, never read the novel, and barely glanced at the CliffNotes.
Taking place in the seventeenth century, we meet the Three Musketeers – Athos (Matthew Macfayden), Porthos (Ray Stevenson), and Aramis (Luke Evans) – a fighting company for the French monarchy. Once the pride of their country, their last mission was a failure, and they were forced to disband. Athos is drunk who, since being betrayed by his lover, doesn’t believe in anything anymore. Porthos is broke and is occasionally slipped some money by wealthy women. Aramis, a clergyman, remains a man of God but has separated himself from the Church. Into their lives enters a young peasant named D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman), who travels to Paris to become a Musketeer, like his father once was. Headstrong and quick-tempered, he isn’t chivalrous so much as cocky, challenging dangerous people to duels. Such a person is Captain Rochefort (Mads Mikkelson), who made the impertinent gesture of insulting D’Artagnan’s horse...
The 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD contain special features that include audio commentary with the director, deleted and extended scenes, cast and crew stories and a special 17th century action featurette - a bit of a farce considering the level of video-game adventure and violence that unrealistically permeates this movie.
3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD Special Features:
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Cast & Crew stories
17th Century Action
Audio Commentary with the Director & more
However, the real treat is the Access feature exclusive to Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray which gives viewers the ultimate insider's look at the movie with dynamic scene specific activations that show mini interviews with the cast and filmmakers, fighting choreography notes, a Fight Meter and more tidbits as the movie plays.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (Available on Blu-ray February 11th, 2012)
Nothing puts a damper on marital bliss like unexpected and instantaneous pregnancy. The fourth outing in the wildly popular Twilight saga finds the dangers a little more personal for the Cullen family; a new sense of immediacy surrounds their life-and-death decisions as a threat from within (literally) works to tear apart their close-knit members. The choices are difficult ones – but worry not, for even when the mature content and intensity surge at times, there’s plenty of silly love triangle humor and cheesy werewolf effects to lighten the mood. When the abundance of close-ups and “emo-metal” music finally does recess, Breaking Dawn manages to evoke a few moments of sincere emotion that stand out in a film submerged in angst-ridden vibes and repetitive events that do little to further the story.
Having sorted out her conflicted feelings, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) decides to spend eternity with vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Their wedding looms on the horizon. Though heartbroken over her decision, werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) agrees to distance himself from their affairs. When Bella is unexpectedly impregnated during her honeymoon with Edward, and the rapidly growing fetus begins to threaten the young girl’s life, Jacob returns to both comfort his friend and aid the Cullen family against a pack of werewolves intent on destroying the child.
Although it's only a single-disc Blu-ray release (a 2-Disc DVD equivalent is also available day and date), the main special feature is overwhelmingly in depth, going behind the scenes in a six-part making-of documentary, viewable in both standard and picture-in-picture modes, with cast and crew interviews and lots of details on shooting and special effects. There's also a wedding video featurette, a bit of history on Lautner's character in "Jacob's Destiny," and an interactive jump-to capability that allows you to skip to just your favorite scenes to watch them over and over again (this is for you, ladies). An audio commentary track rounds out the special features, but it only contains words by director Bill Condon - making one wonder why they couldn't get more of the cast or crew to step in for a fuller sounding commentary.
The Double (Available on Blu-ray January 31st, 2012)
When a United States Senator is brutally murdered, the evidence points to a Soviet assassin code- named Cassius, who was long-thought to be dead. Two men who know Cassius best are thrown together to catch him. Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere, An Officer and a Gentleman) is a retired CIA operative who spent his career tracking Cassius around the globe. Ben Geary (Topher Grace, Spider-Man 3) is a hotshot young FBI Agent and family man who has studied the killer's every move. Ben thinks he knows Cassius, but Paul knows he is dead wrong. Now, time is running out to stop this merciless killing machine before he finds his next target. Martin Sheen (The Departed), Stephen Moyer (True Blood), Odette Yustman (Cloverfield) and Stana Katic (Castle) costar in this tense thriller from the co-writers of Wanted and 3:10 to Yuma that will keep you guessing until the very last shot. Special features include a commentary track with writer/director Michael Brandt and writer/producer Derek Haas, along with a short featurette and a theatrical trailer.
Getting it Right (Available on DVD December 23rd, 2011)
Gavin Lamb is a 31 year-old virgin who, in just a few days, will lose his virginity to one woman, almost be forced to marry another, and possibly find true love with a third in this hilarious English comedy. This 1989 Orion Pictures Corporation laughfest is based on the novel by Elizabeth Jane Howard and features her own screenplay. It stars Jesse Birdsall, Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Cook, John Gielgud and Lynn Redgrave and is directed by Randal Kleiser.
Impasse (Available on DVD December 5th, 2011)
Burt Reynolds plays an American who seeks the aid of four vets to find $3 million in gold hidden by the Japanese in the Philippines. Although Francis gets the lead female billing, it's Miko Mayama as Mariko who plays the love interest and gets memorable screentime. Released in 1969 and nabbing the "R" rating for a brief sexual situation/nudity (the days when the censors would point out that it's just a single scene that did it), Impasse is directed by Richard Benedict and produced by Hal Klein.
What Do You Say to a Naked Lady? (Available on DVD December 6th, 2011)
From Candid Cameraman Allen Funt comes a hysterical feature films that tells and shows all. Witness America's response to one of the most titillating stunts of all time in this hilarious expose of sex and society. All the rage in 1970, and indeed copyrighted by Candid Camera, this then-X-rated flick has remained quite obscure on home video, apparently transferring distributors to even the lowly regarded Key Video. Music and lyrics by Steve Karmen.
Nutcracker: The Motion Picture (Available on DVD December 23rd, 2011)
The colorful holiday classic is finally brought to the big screen, designed by famed children's story author and artist Maurice Sendak, and written for the first time to be as close as possible to the original story. A lavish, exciting and heart-warming celebration of dance, of music, and of life. Based upon the Pacific Northwest Ballet's original production. This is another Orion film in the hands of MGM and is a worthy release for Christmas. Conceived by Sendak and Kent Stowell from the story by E.T.A. Hoffman with music by Tchaikovsky, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra - conducted by 1986's conductor Sir Charles Mackerras. Directed by Carroll Ballard.
Opposing Force (Available on DVD December 23rd, 2011)
The only female soldier in a military experiment designed to simulate POW torture conditions falls victim to the commanding officer--who justifies his insidious actions upon her as a training technique. It's never a good sign when a film is released with two titles. In the case of Opposing Force, the alternate title of "Hell Camp" couldn't be more generic - or fitting. Lisa Eichhorn (perhaps the only actress with a double "h" in her name) stars alongside better known character actors Anthony Zerbe and Richard Roundtree (as Stafford), and headliner Tom Skerritt in this Eric Karson (Black Eagle, Angel Town) film. The provocative theatrical poster art is more enticing than the film itself.
A Small Town in Texas (Available on DVD December 23rd, 2011)
After serving three years in prison, a young man's hopes of reuniting with his sweetheart and baby are dashed when he discovers that the sheriff has taken up with his girlfriend. An interesting premise, this Jack Starrett feature stars Timothy Bottoms, Susan George and Bo Hopkins, all quite believable as Texans. The poster art was famously designed by Drew Struzan and is one of the few films featuring theatrical artwork by the master painter that had not yet been released on DVD. Written by William Norton (Big Bad Mama, Big Bad Mama II, Brannigan, Gator).
Gog (Available on DVD December 20th, 2011)
A security agent investigates sabotage and murder at a secret underground laboratory, home of two experimental robots. This 1954 science-fiction film features a deadly supercomputer governing two droids (Gog and Magog) that terminate the scientists at the facility. Although not a fast-paced, action-packed thriller, Gog was originally released in 3D, although it's been unavailable for viewing in that format for so long that the few people who have actually seen it were subjected to the 2D black-and-white TV version. This DVD release is in color and in 1.33:1 Full Frame format.
Up the Creek (Available on DVD December 27th, 2011)
Four delinquents from the worst university in the area have one chance to bring honor to their institution, in this hilarious and titillating whitewater raft race flick. That's right - a whitewater raft race flick. That one-line pitch was enough to get this film made, featuring a cast of relative unknowns, including Tim Matheson, Dan Monahan, Stephen Furst, Jeff East, Sandy Helberg, Blaine Novak, James B. Sikking, Jennifer Runyon and John Hillerman. There's a counterpart for every character in Animal House. Up the Creek is a typical '80s college party movie, although for the first time in movie history, the goofy title is actually completely relevant. It's obscurity on home video is due to the fact that of all the popular teen comedies of the time, this one just didn't have a cast with lasting power. The soundtrack features some impressive bands, however.
Don't forget to check out the Free Movie Club for great NEW prizes!
More Recent News Articles: