Chris Cummins
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.
Chris's Posts
Chris Cummins | Staff Notes
This week's movie poll on MovieFanFare asks you to pick what your favorite Thanksgiving movie scene is. But while we are on the subject of the holiday, I thought I would give you the reader a chance to sound off about what films you feel thankful for.
So here's what I'd like you to do: in the comments section of this post, let me know what movie you feel gratitude for and why.
These don't have to be holiday-specific films (like the pictured Planes, Trains and Automobiles). Mainly I'm looking for you to tell me about movies that you cherish all year round and the various reasons why you love them so.
Whether you are grateful for the warmth that watching a classic like Casablanca gives you or just thankful that J.J. Abrams didn't screw up the Star Trek franchise, I can't wait to hear what you have to say.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
There's plenty of great new DVD and Blu-ray releases that you'll feel grateful for this Thanksgiving week. Before we get into this week's offerings, let me take a second to express my gratitude for checking in with us here at MovieFanFare! Here's hoping this column provides you with the info you need to build up your own movie collections. That said, here's a look at the titles that are now available. You'd be a turkey to miss out on these great releases. Gobble gobble!
12 Angry Men (Criterion Collection)
Landmark courtroom drama of a murder trial jury whose rush to a guilty verdict is stopped by one member's doubts stars Henry Fonda as the lone dissenter, with Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Martin Balsam, and John Fiedler among the other antagonistic jurors. Director Sidney Lumet's first film was scripted by Reginald Rose from his TV play.
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
TV gems! Recent theatrical releases! Cartoons! More! There's a pretty diverse assortment of new DVD and Blu-ray releases this week for you to enjoy. Here's what's new for you to watch. Some pretty great stuff here...
It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series
Originally airing on ABC from 1968-1970, this exciting and stylish espionage series starred Robert Wagner as debonair cat burglar Alexander Mundy. While in prison, Mundy is recruited by the government to use his special skills to work as a "thief" for Uncle Sam. With Malachi Throne, Fred Astaire, Senta Berger.
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Greetings film fans! This week's new releases offer up something extra special for all of you classic cinema lovers. We're thrilled to announce that Movies Unlimited is exclusively offering the classics Rhapsody in Blue and The Great Waltz on DVD . But the terrific titles don't stop there! The rest of this week's new offerings include a variety of sought after gems that are making their long awaited home video debuts. Amongst these are great films featuring Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn, William Powell, Bette Davis, Yul Brynner, Ernest Borgnine, George C. Scott and many more of your all-time favorites. There's also a bunch of recent releases, some great TV sets and other exciting DVD and Blu-ray releases. Whether you are looking to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping or just want to pick yourself up a movie, you can definitely find something to tickle your fancy this week. There's never been a better time to be a film lover!
Rhapsody in Blue -- Exclusive!!
Compelling biography of composer George Gershwin featuring Robert Alda as the musical genius. Follow his career from his early days struggling on Manhattan's Lower East Side, and his partnership with brother Ira to his fame as one of music's most beloved writers. With Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, and Oscar Levant as himself. Includes the Gershwin favorites "Embraceable You," "Swanee," "Summertime," "Someone to Watch Over Me," the title tune, and many more.
Chris Cummins | Horror Movies
Hey there film lovers! A while back MovieFanFare ran a piece asking you about your first movie scare. Your response was tremendous, and because it is Halloween it seems like today would be the perfect time for you to sound off about more of your thoughts the horror genre in general.
So here's what we would like to know your opinions on:
• What is your favorite horror film and why? Least favorite?
• What is the scariest movie you have ever seen and why?
• How do you think contemporary horror films compare to the classics? Is it even fair to compare them? Discuss.
• Who is your favorite film monster? (As you can tell from the picture you see here I have a soft spot for The Creature from the Black Lagoon).
• What combination of elements result in a truly scary film?
• What (if any) fright flick would you like to see remade and why?
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Boo! Whoops, did I frighten you? Sorry about that! Even though today is Halloween, there's nothing to be scared about when it comes to this week's new DVD and Blu-ray releases. And what a bunch of releases they are! There's nothing like enjoying a classic movie on a crisp autumn night, so why not do just that? Amongst the best offerings making their debuts this week are several classic Jean Harlow films (which were previously unavailable on DVD), a beautifully packaged 32-disc set that includes every episode of The Fugitive, a landmark British series celebrating its 30th anniversary, recent theatrical releases from the likes of Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Ashton Kutcher, Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon, the latest Pixar masterpiece, and some Christmas classics that you'd have to be a Scrooge to ignore. (And because it's never too early to start your holiday shopping). Let's take a look at what wonderful titles are now waiting to be watched by you and yours!
Jean Harlow: 100th Anniversary Collection
Hollywood's legendary "blonde bombshell," Jean Harlow, shines in this seven-disc boxed set. Harlow plays a cannery worker who falls for fisherman/union activist Spencer Tracy in the drama "Riffraff" (1935), co-starring Mickey Rooney. The WWI melodrama "Suzy" (1936) has Jean, thinking inventor husband Franchot Tone was killed by spies, moving to Paris and marrying pilot Cary Grant...only to learn Tone survived. Playboy Robert Taylor is coaxed into keeping an eye on bankrupt widow Harlow in the romantic comedy "Personal Property" (1937). And in Jean's final film, "Saratoga" (1937), she's a horse breeder's daughter who's drawn to bookie Clark Gable. With Lionel Barrymore. Also includes "Bombshell," "The Girl from Missouri," and "Reckless."
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Here at MovieFanFare, we are always committed to bringing you the latest and greatest DVD and Blu-ray releases. This week is no exception, as the incredibly diverse assortment of new releases include "best of" compilations featuring Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, the recent blockbuster Captain America, a collection of the timeless "Falcon" mystery movies, an exciting British alien film from the producers of the cult favorite Shaun of the Dead, vintage Western TV season sets, and so much more. Hungry for more? Then check out what is now available!
The Falcon Mystery Movie Collection, Vol. 1
The first seven RKO programmers featuring Michael Arlen's gentleman detective are collected on three discs. "The Gay Falcon" (1941) introduces George Sanders as Gay Lawrence, who tackles an insurance scam by jewel thieves and their supposed victims. Next, the saboteurs who kidnapped the scientist behind a synthetic diamond-making process have "A Date with the Falcon" (1941). Lawrence comes to the aid of a wrestler on the hunt for his ex-girlfriend in the first screen rendition of "Farewell, My Lovely," "The Falcon Takes Over" (1942). Audiences were introduced to "The Falcon's Brother" (1942) when Gay's brother Tom (Sanders' real-life sib Tom Conway) joins him on a fateful South American mission. Conway inherited the mantle in "The Falcon Strikes Back" (1943), as Tom Lawrence is framed for a banker's murder by war bond racketeers. When two businessmen and their $100,000 vanish during an airplane flight, Tom gets on the case in "The Falcon in Danger" (1943). Lastly, Lawrence has to deal with a professor's murder in "The Falcon and the Co-Eds" (1943).
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Yarr! Another week, another batch of terrific new Blu-ray and DVD releases. So mateys, let's see what films and TV shows are now available. These are all worth walking the plank for!
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Rousing fourth installment in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" saga finds Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) crossing paths with Angelica (Penelope Cruz), a woman from his past. Forced to join her aboard the ship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack embarks on a perilous mission to find the Fountain of Youth-encountering zombies, mermaids, and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) along the way. With Kevin McNally, Keith Richards; directed by Rob Marshall.
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Since autumn is well under way, it's time to kick back with a classic on those crisp fall evenings. Here's some new offerings that you can watch as you enjoy the smell of burning leaves and freshly baked pumpkin pies.
American Madness
Frank Capra's heralded, little-seen drama stars Walter Huston as a bank president who gets in trouble with his board of directors for making loans to working-class depositors without sufficient collateral. When a crooked teller's antics cause a run on the bank, Huston's devoted employees and the small businessmen he's helped out come to his aid. With Kay Johnson, Pat O'Brien, Constance Cummings.
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Let's welcome in October with some classic movies making their DVD and Blu-ray debuts. Along with a variety of classics from yesteryear, this week's new offerings include TV season sets, recent blockbusters and so much more. So let's jump right in and see what titles are now available!
Tim Holt Western Classics, Vol. 2
First, in "Sagebrush Law" (1943), Tim Holt tries to clear his bank president father's name. With Cliff Edwards, Joan Barclay. Next, Holt is an "Avenging Rider" (1943) dealing with the men who killed his ex-partner. Co-stars Edwards, Ann Summers. "Guns of Hate" (1948) has Tim and partner Richard Martin busting out of jail to clear their names. In "Indian Agent" (1948), Holt and Noah Beery Jr. assist some Native Americans who are being cheated out of their food supply. With Martin, Nan Leslie. "Brothers in the Saddle" (1949) has Holt dealing with his problems caused by his bad seed sibling. Steve Brodie, Virginia Cox lend support. "Rustlers" (1949) features Holt and Martin fighting some Arizona cattle swipers. With Martha Hyer. A crooked rancher (and his lovesick daughter) cause problems for Holt in "Stagecoach Kid" (1949). Holt doles out frontier justice when he faces off against "Masked Raiders" (1949); and does the same when he encounters "The Mysterious Desperado" (1949). With Martin, Edward Norris. Lastly, Holt and Martin are "Riders of the Range" (1950), who must deal with black hats aplenty on a ranch.
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Did you hear that? It's the sound of classics rolling in! This week's new DVD and Blu-ray releases are dominated by a variety of yesteryear favorites -- everything from a new anniversary edition of Ben Hur to collections showcasing everyone from Lucille Ball to Ma and Pa Kettle. There's some recent releases available as well, along with plenty of TV offerings both classic and contemporary. So let's check out what titles you'll be wanting to get your hands on in the week ahead!
Ben Hur (50th Anniversary Collector's Edition)
Eleven Oscars, including Best Picture, went to this classic adaptation of the Lew Wallace story of Palestine in the time of Christ. Charlton Heston stars as a Jewish prince sent to the galleys after being falsely accused of trying to murder a Roman governor. His road to vengeance against Roman nobleman Stephen Boyd, the childhood friend who betrayed him, leads Heston to compete in a dangerous chariot race, depicted in one of cinema's most breathtaking action sequences. With Martha Scott, Hugh Griffith; William Wyler directs. This limited-edition collector's edition includes a hardbound book and a reproduction of Charlton Heston's personal diary.
Chris Cummins | New Releases This Week
Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes a variety of truly impressive DVD and Blu-ray releases. This week's new offerings include several Clark Gable classics making their DVD debuts, tons of classic and recent TV series, a Disney favorite, and plenty of more great viewing options. Let's see what the latest and greatest titles are!
Across the Wide Missouri
Rousing frontier saga stars Clark Gable as Flint Mitchell, a beaver trapper in the 19th-century Midwest who marries the daughter (Maria Elena Marques) of a Blackfoot Indian chief in order to gain safe access to their territories. But will she be merely a means to an end for Mitchell, or could she become much more?. With John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban; directed by William Wellman.
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