Chris Cummins has been working for Movies Unlimited since 2000. He thinks that there are way too many movies about people's lives converging over the course of a fateful day.
Originally known as "You'll Never Get Rich" and then "The Phil Silvers Show," the granddaddy of all military sitcoms aired on CBS from 1955-1959. Silvers starred as con artist supreme Master Sgt. Ernie Bilko, who turns Fort Baxter into his personal base of operations for one get-rich-quick scheme after another. Harvey Lembeck, Joe E. Ross, and Maurice Gosfield as Pvt. Doberman were among the members of Bilko's platoon, and Paul Ford played the camp commander. All 34 episodes from the debut season--including "New Recruits," "The Eating Contest," "Bilko's Transfer," "Army Memoirs," and "Bilko on Wall Street"--are featured in this five-disc set.
Although 1986's Big Trouble in Little China underperformed at the box office during its theatrical run, the film has deservedly gone on to become a huge cult success. The film's enduring appeal can be credited to John Carpenter's taut direction, Kurt Russell's blustery performance as the John Wayne-esque Jack Burton and a smart script that mixes elements of comedy, kung fu schlock and sci-fi. Upon viewing this flick, only the most unreasonable amongst you would deny that Carpenter is a masterful director. But a decent singer? Not so much. Just take a look at this video from his band/vanity project The Coupe de Villes:
There's a lot of great new releases--including a cult British series, MTV's controversial look at life at the Jersey shore, a rock biopic, and much more--making their DVD and Blu-ray debuts this week, so let's jump right in and see what titles are worth your time and money.
This wildly entertaining supernatural dramedy from the BBC chronicles the adventures of werewolf George (Russell Tovey), ghost Annie (Lenora Crichlow) and vampire Mitchell (Aidan Turner). Sharing a house together, the trio attempt to make sense of their complicated lives and otherworldly abilities while avoiding those wishing to do them harm. With Jason Watkins, Sinead Keenan. All six episodes from the first season are featured in a two-disc set. Recommended for fans of True Blood, Doctor Who and good TV in general.
Hey! It's Monday! That means it's time for your weekly look at new and notable DVD and Blu-ray releases. So, in the immortal words of The Black Eyed Peas, let's get it started!
Through its 1962-68 run on CBS, the First Lady of Television Comedy's second sitcom went through several cast and format changes, but one thing remained constant: Lucy's signature brand of slapstick comedy, which each week was wrapped around a special guest or crazy plot line. Co-stars Gale Gordon as Mr. Mooney. Ten episodes from the series--including "Lucy Gets Jack Benny's Account," "Lucy Gets Trapped," "Lucy and the Submarine," "Lucy and Pat Collins," and "Lucy's Barbershop Quartet"--are featured in a two-disc set that also includes "Lucy: A Retrospective." Classic TV fans, here you go!
Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler sizzle in this fast-paced blend of action and romantic comedy that fizzled at the box office. Butler plays a bounty hunter tapped to track down ex-wife Aniston, a reporter who missed a traffic court date to follow a lead on a murder story. But the job of bringing her in proves tougher than Butler thought as the duo must contend with killers, thugs out to collect a gambling debt, and (of course) the still-burning flames of their passion for each other. Christine Baranski, Jason Sudeikis also star.
With the dog days of summer rapidly approaching, it seems like a perfect time to stay in out of the heat with a DVD or Blu-ray. Fortunately, there are plenty of great new releases available to help keep you cool. Let's take a look at what titles are making their home viewing debut this week.
Due to retire in a week, Brooklyn cop Eddie (Richard Gere) feels overwhelmed by depression. Meanwhile, undercover officer Tango (Don Cheadle) struggles to stay on the right side of the law while infiltrating a drug gang, and Sal (Ethan Hawke) tries to find enough cash to buy his family a new home he can't afford on a policeman's salary. Their destinies clash in this fierce crime drama directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"); with Wesley Snipes, Lili Taylor.
Another week, another batch of great new releases. This week's most noteworthy picks include a time travel comedy starring John Cusack (Create-A-Caption), a deluxe edition of a Judy Garland classic, a remake of one of George Romero's most influential works, the first film based on the Percy Jackson books, and much more. Let's take a look at what's new to DVD and Blu-ray.
"Back to the Future" meets "The Hangover" in this outrageous comedy following four guys as they get drunk in a ski resort hot tub that just so happens to be a time machine. Suddenly finding themselves in 1986, the men--recently divorced nice guy John Cusack, party animal Rob Corddry, unhappily married Craig Robinson, and antisocial nerd Clark Duke--try to make their future lives better by changing the past. With Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and the always wonderful Lizzy Caplan. Although this film wasn't the monster hit it was expected to be, it will likely find a devoted audience on DVD and Blu-ray.
In the early days of this blog, I featured the trailer for Basket Case--perhaps the most underrated horror filck of the 1980s. Even though Duane and his mutated, basket-dwelling psycho brother Belial seemingly perished at the end of their first adventure, they returned for Basket Case 2 in 1990. As the above trailer proves, the film manages to establish its own identity while still having enough cheesy thrills to please fans of the original.
Taken in by their aunt, Granny Ruth (portrayed by a scenery chewing Annie Ross), the siblings encounter other societal fugitives and refugees. The increased budget means that the film doesn't quite recapture the delightful sleaze of the first film. But what it may lack in grime it more than makes up for with such new characters as golden-voiced mutant Lorenzo and Eve, Belial's newfound love interest. The house of freaks aspect to the film is largely responsible for its enduring popularity. Here's an introduction to Basket Case 2's supporting players:
Damon. Pattison. Brosnan. Kinnear. Baruchel? These are just some of the stars featured in this week's new DVD and Blu-ray releases. Let's take a look at the latest and greatest offerings vying for a place in your home viewing collection.
Matt Damon reteamed with "The Bourne Ultimatum" director Paul Greengrass for this action-packed thriller set against the backdrop of the United States' liberation of Iraq in 2003. Tasked with finding Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction, Army chief warrant officer Damon finds evidence of a cover-up and embarks on a dangerous crusade to uncover the truth--encountering mysterious CIA agents and a determined journalist along the way. Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan, Brendan Gleeson co-star.
Set in early 2001, this moving and romantic drama stars "Twilight" heartthrob Robert Pattinson as a sullen NYU student who, on a dare, asks out classmate and fellow New Yorker Emilie de Ravin. As they're drawn together, the duo find the strength to deal with tragedies in their pasts, but this newfound happiness will eventually face an unimaginable test. Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Tate Ellington co-star.
It's a great week to be a fan of recent box office fare and classic TV series. Amongst the many new offerings hitting DVD and Blu-ray are the latest flicks by Denzel Washington, Michael Cera, Kristen Bell and Samuel L. Jackson, as well as DVD collections of shows ranging from Here's Lucy to Family Guy. Here's a look at a variety of titles debuting this week.
Post-apocalyptic actioner stars Denzel Washington as Eli, a loner travelling across what's left of America in order to protect a sacred book that could provide mankind's salvation...or its destruction. Armed with weapons and his unwavering faith, he comes into conflict with Carnegie (Gary Oldman)--a scheming warlord who is determined to use the tome for his own purposes. Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals co-star; directed by the Hughes Brothers.
As impossible as it seems, The Goonies turns 25 this month. To commemorate this milestone, Movie Music Video takes a look at "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough"--Cyndi Lauper's theme song from the film. Loud, over-the-top and completely self indulgent, the video (directed by Richard Donner, who also helmed the movie) features Lauper teaming with the Goonies to stop some creditors/pirates from wreaking havoc upon her family's gas station. Or something. There is so much going on here that the video had to be split into two parts, with the first helping to build excitement for the film's release and the second hitting MTV shortly after the flick premiered in theaters. (Both parts are mercifully edited together in the above video). Joining Lauper are her mom and boyfriend at the time, as well as Captain Lou Albano, Andre the Giant, a pre-They Live Rowdy Roddy Piper and various other professional wrestling greats of the 1980s. There's even an appearance by an octopus, referencing one of the film's infamous cut scenes.
This week's new and notable releases include a collection of classic mysteries, Martin Scorsese's latest, a diverse assortment of season sets from some of your favorite TV shows, and much more. Let's take a look at the latest titles to hit DVD and Blu-ray, shall we?
This collection showcases an assortment of classic Charlie Chan tales: Fingerprints left at the scene of the crime prove three men's guilt in a bank robbery case...to everyone except Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler), that is, in the puzzling mystery "Dark Alibi" (1946). Benson Fong, Mantan Moreland also star. Crime on the high seas threatens Toler and #2 son Victor Sen Yung's trip to Australia in "Dangerous Money" (1946), with Gloria Warren and Willie Best. Toler's final turn as the Asian detective came in "The Trap" (1946), as he and Sen Yung visit Malibu to see who's killing members of a vacationing performing troupe. With Moreland, Tanis Chandler, Kirk Alyn. And when a princess is killed after bringing "The Chinese Ring" (1947) to him, Charlie (new Chan, Roland Winters) uncovers a plot to steal a million dollars meant for buying airplanes for China's defense. Sen Yung, Moreland, and Warren Douglas co-star.
This week's new releases (of which there are many) include Tim Burton's adaptation of a childhood favorite, a DVD set of Elvis' most popular films, a documentary exploring Clint Eastwood's working relationship with Warner Brothers, the recent remake of a horror classic and much more. Let's see what new DVD and Blu-ray offerings are making their debut this week.
Part live action, part computer animated, Tim Burton's take on Lewis Carroll's classic tale follows 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she leaves her engagement party to follow the White Rabbit into Underland. Unable to remember her previous visit there, she encounters the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), and gets involved in a battle to dethrone the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) that allows her to rediscover her inner hero. With Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas. Obviously this was a huge blockbuster smash, but many left the theaters feeling ambivalent towards the film's thin story and grating visuals. What did you think? Was it another masterful Burton/Depp collaboration, or are they both just going through the motions at this point?
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Damon. Pattison. Brosnan. Kinnear. Baruchel? These are just some of the stars featured in this week's new DVD and Blu-ray releases. Let's take a look at the latest and greatest offerings vying for a place in your home viewing collection.
This week's new and notable releases include a collection of classic mysteries, Martin Scorsese's latest, a diverse assortment of season sets from some of your favorite TV shows, and much more. Let's take a look at the latest titles to hit DVD and Blu-ray, shall we?
This week's new releases (of which there are many) include Tim Burton's adaptation of a childhood favorite, a DVD set of Elvis' most popular films, a documentary exploring Clint Eastwood's working relationship with Warner Brothers, the recent remake of a horror classic and much more. Let's see what new DVD and Blu-ray offerings are making their debut this week.