11.09.09 | Jerry Frebowitz | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
New DVD Releases for this week include the Pixar Animation megahit Up, the romantic comedy The Ugly Truth, Ashton Kutcher in Spread and a very funny comedy, The Accidental Husband, along with other theatrical newcomers and yet one more incarnation of Mamma Mia, making it a total of six different home video versions of the giant musical. Also new this week is another Three Stooges compilation from the 1950s; two of the comedies are in 3-D (with glasses).
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Up (2009)
From Pixar Animation comes this winsome comedy about 78-year-old Carl's attempt to keep a promise to visit the wilds of South America by tying thousands of balloons to his house and flying there. After accidentally bringing 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer Russell with him on his journey, the unlikely friends encounter such characters as Dug, a dog with a collar that allows him to speak, and Kevin, a flightless bird. With the voices of Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Christopher Plummer.
The Ugly Truth (2009)
Are the high standards TV producer Katherine Heigl applies to the men in her life keeping her from finding happiness? That's the diagnosis offered by the brash, handsome sex guru (Gerard Butler) hired by her station to boost ratings. Offended by what she sees as his sexist advice, Heigl nevertheless uses the tips to net a man she's interested in...but, is the perfect match right under her upturned nose? With Bree Turner, Eric Winter.
Spread (2009)
Riveting performances highlight this darkly comic morality tale about a gigolo (Ashton Kutcher) who's well-honed act pays off when he cozies up to a wealthy, 40-ish lawyer (Anne Heche) and winds up moving into her spacious house in the Hollywood Hills. But Kutcher's womanizing ways backfire when he crosses paths with a sexy young vamp (Margarita Levieva) who's out to beat him at his own game. With Sebastian Stan, Sonia Rockwell, Maria Conchita Alonso, Hart Bochner.
The Accidental Husband (2008)
In this hilarious romantic comedy, Uma Thurman stars as a successful radio talk show host whose on-air advice causes New York City fireman Jeffrey Dean Morgan to get dumped by his fiancee. Enraged, he decides to wreck Thurman's impending nuptials by having a hacker change public records so that it appears that he is her husband. But will Morgan's plans for revenge lead to real love with his supposed enemy? With Colin Firth, Sam Shepard; directed by Griffin Dunne.
Ink (2009)
An 8-year-old girl becomes a pawn in a metaphysical war being fought between the forces of light and darkness in this visually outrageous indie thriller. Kidnapped by a large, strange creature known as Ink, the girl is taken through a labyrinthine world of dream states while those who love her fight to bring her back into the real world and bring salvation to her desperate father. Quinn Hunchar, Jeremy Make, and Chris Kelly star.
The Merry Gentleman (2008)
Chicago hit man Frank Logan (Michael Keaton, who also directs) has his most recent job complicated after bystander Kate (Kelly Macdonald) witnesses his exit from the scene. While the cop investigating the case plies Kate for both companionship and information, Logan prepares for his own inevitable meeting with the recently divorced woman, his own complex motives fueling the drama of this powerful film. With Bobby Cannavale, Tom Bastounes.
The Echo (2008)
This remake of the Filipino horror film "Sigaw" concerns a convict who is released from prison and forced to move into his dead mother's apartment as a condition of his parole. After intervening in a domestic dispute involving his neighbors, he becomes haunted by strange echoes that resonate throughout the building. But will the sounds spell his doom? Jesse Bradford, Kevin Durand, Amelia Warner star.
Summer's Moon (2009)
While on a road trip to find her estranged father, young Summer has a run-in with the police and is rescued by a local handyman. Impressed by the stranger's kindness and charming personality, she accepts his invitation to stay the night at his place. But when she is held prisoner by the man, Summer struggles to escape from the grim fate he has planned for her. Ashley Greene, Barbara Niven, Peter Mooney, and Stephen McHattie star.
The Gambler, The Girl And The Gunslinger (2009)
A gunman-turned-rancher (James Tupper) is reluctantly saddled with a new partner when a slick gambler (Dean Cain) wins half ownership of his land. Tupper and Cain clash over just about everything--including the affections of a beautiful widow (Allison Hossack)--until they're forced to put their differences aside to fend off the Mexican bandits that are threatening their ranch. Michael Eklund, Keith MacKechnie co-star in this lighthearted Hallmark Channel western.
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 7: 1952-1954
Moe fumes, Shemp makes funny noises, and Larry...well, acts like Larry in 22 Columbia comedies--including "A Missed Fortune," "Three Dark Horses," "Cuckoo on a Choo Choo," "Bubble Trouble," and the 3-D shorts "Pardon My Backfire" and "Spooks"--featured in a two-disc set. Includes two pairs of 3-D glasses.
Mamma Mia! (The Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set) (2008)
A star-studded cast brings the frothy, joyful stage musical (with tunes by ABBA) to the big screen! On the Greek isle where her single mother (Meryl Streep) runs a hotel, 20-year-old Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) secretly invites the three men (Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth) she's learned might be her father to her upcoming wedding, instigating considerable chaos, song, and dance. Songs include "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes It All," "Waterloo," and others. Christine Baranski, Julie Walters co-star. This collectible two-disc gift set includes special packaging featuring lights and music and an exclusive 32-page book.
Natalee Holloway (2009)
Based partly on a book written by Beth Twitty (Tracy Pollan), the mother of Natalee Holloway (Amy Gumenick), this Lifetime drama chronicles the mysterious disappearance of the 19-year-old student during a 2005 high school trip to Aruba. The story follows the frustration endured by Natalee's family as the case yields dead-end clues, including the changing stories delivered by the prime suspect (Jacques Strydom). Sean Higgs, Natasha Loring co-star.
Love Finds A Home (2009)
In the eighth and final chapter in the "Love Comes Softly" story, Dr. Belinda Owens' (Sarah Jones) medical training is challenged by the homespun remedies of her nursemaid mother-in-law (Patty Duke). And if that wasn't enough, Belinda and her husband Lee (Jordan Bridges) find their marriage strained by her difficulty in conceiving a child. Haylie Duff, Courtney Halverson also star.
Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire (2009)
The sword-and-sorcery genre gets a sound spoofing with this hilarious Comedy Central series. Krod Mandoon (Sean Maguire) is a fearless (if somewhat insecure) hero who leads a band of freedom fighters--including sexy warrior woman Aneka (India de Beaufort), inept magic man Zezelryck (Kevin Hart), and the flamboyant, well-dressed Bruce (Marques Ray)--against the sinister Chancellor Dongalor (Matt Lucas). Steve Speirs, Alex Macqueen co-star. All six episodes of the series are included on this disc.
Show Me Yours: The Complete Series (2004)
Has shrink-cum-sex guru Dr. Kate Langford (Rachael Crawford) really got it all? She's confident her life is in great shape with a hot book contract, a luxury apartment, and a steady boyfriend. However, when her publisher sets her up with an overconfident new research partner (Adam Harrington), both her professional and personal stability are thrown into spicy chaos! Rachel Wilson, Jeff Seymour co-star in this Canadian comedy series. All 16 episodes of the series are presented in a two-disc set.
For details and availability of more of this week’s new releases, click here
