02.01.10 | Jerry Frebowitz | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
New DVD Releases for this week include Woody Harrelson having lots of fun in Zombieland, gorgeous Jennifer Aniston in the romantic comedy Love Happens, and two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank as Amelia Earhart in Amelia - plus The Incredible Hulk is back, albeit in animated form, in Planet Hulk. Classic movies from the vault at Universal Studios take the spotlight this week with the exclusive release of Cary Grant: The Early Years containing 3 of Cary's movies from the 1930s, "Devil and the Deep," "The Eagle and the Hawk," and "The Last Outpost."
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Zombieland (2009)
In the tradition of "Shaun of the Dead," this fun-filled mix of horror, comedy, and action focuses on two guys (Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg) and two girls (Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin) who are trying to survive in an America infested with the undead. The foursome must trek across a zombie-laden landscape to make it to a Los Angeles amusement park rumored to be a safe zone, encountering famed actor Bill Murray (as himself) along the way. Amber Heard, Mike White co-star.
Love Happens (2009)
A successful self-help author (Aaron Eckhart) mourning the death of his wife meets a pretty florist (Jennifer Aniston) whose eccentric and sunny spirit acts as a balm for his deep emotional wounds. When their relationship takes a turn towards the seriously romantic, the writer finds himself questioning not only his heart, but the written wisdom that made him famous. Martin Sheen, Judy Greer co-star in this winning romance.
Amelia (2009)
Her exploits made her a hero; her disappearance made her a legend. Hilary Swank stars as pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart, who defied the stereotypes of her time by becoming the first woman to fly across the Atlantic in 1932, and whose ill-fated around-the-world attempt five years later would be one of the century's greatest mysteries. Director Mira Nair's compelling biodrama also stars Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, and Richard Gere as Earhart's husband, George Putnam.
Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009)
Dispensing with much of 1992's "Universal Soldier" and 1999's "Universal Soldier: The Return," this explosive third entry in the franchise finds a former key doctor in the government's defunct super-soldier program suddenly involved in a high-stakes blackmail operation at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. To the rescue comes the muscular Jean-Claude Van Damme...but Dolph Lundgren's waiting for him! With Andrei Arlovski, Aki Avni. AKA: "Universal Soldier: A New Beginning."
Cary Grant: The Early Years (Exclusive!)
Before he was the suave, sophisticated and dashing movie star known as Cary Grant, he was a rising young leading man appearing in every type of genre film from war epic to action-adventure to romantic melodrama. "Cary Grant: The Early Years Collection" is a three-picture sampler of his early years at Paramount studios that includes "Devil and the Deep" (1932), "The Eagle and the Hawk" (1933), and "The Last Outpost" (1935). In "Devil and the Deep, " Cary is a lieutenant whose commanding officer (Charles Laughton) suspects him of seducing his wife (Tallulah Bankhead) when the real threat is another officer (Gary Cooper). "The Eagle and the Hawk" is a powerful anti-war adventure in which Cary and Fredric March play pilots with bitterly opposing views of warfare. "The Last Outpost" features Cary as a British officer stationed in the Sudan who falls in love with the wife (Gertrude Michael) of a secret agent (Claude Rains).
He Was A Quiet Man (2007)
"Falling Down" meets "Office Space" in this creative dramedy starring Christian Slater as an emotionally unbalanced office worker. After saving the life of troubled beauty Elisha Cuthbert, his boss begins priming him for success. But when Cuthbert asks for his help in ending her life, Slater finds his world spinning out of control. With William H. Macy, Sascha Knopf.
Triangle (2009)
While on a yachting trip in the Atlantic Ocean, Jess becomes overwhelmed by feelings that there is something terribly wrong. Her uneasiness is validated when her craft hits a storm in the Bermuda Triangle and she and her shipmates are forced to board a passing ocean liner to get to safety. But when the ship appears to be abandoned, Jess discovers that they aren't as alone as they think they are. Thrilling terror tale stars Melissa George, Michael Dorman, Liam Hemsworth.
The House Of The Devil (2009)
Crafted to resemble the distinctive style of 1980s horror films, this chiller follows the story of a cash-starved college student (Jocelin Donahue) who takes a lucrative babysitting job for a wealthy couple living in a creepy Victorian mansion. After the couple takes their leave of her to witness a lunar eclipse, the unsuspecting young woman grows to realize the job is going to be pure hell! Tom Noonan, Greta Gerwig also star.
Planet Hulk (2010)
After the Not-So-Jolly Green Giant is sent into outer space exile, the Incredible Hulk lands on a distant planet whose inhabitants place him into slavery. Forging a bond with the monstrous creatures with whom he fights in a gladiatorial arena, Hulk becomes their last hope to lead the rebel alliance. What...and who...will Hulk smash next? A thrilling animated feature based on the Marvel Comics characters.
Lies My Father Told Me (1975)
Touching drama, set in the Jewish neighborhood of 1920s Montreal and based on the true story of scripter Ted Allan, follows an 8-year-old boy unable to talk to his would-be inventor dad. The child bonds with his Orthodox grandfather, a junk dealer who takes him on his horse-drawn wagon and gently educates him on religion, family, and growing up. Jeffrey Lynas, Yossi Yadin star; directed by Jan Kadar ("The Shop on Main Street").
Freedom Road (1979)
Exciting drama of black America's rise after the Civil War stars Muhammad Ali as a former slave in 1870s Virginia who becomes a spokesman for his people and is elected to the U.S. Senate. With Kris Kristofferson, Edward Herrmann, Ossie Davis, and Alfre Woodard.
Maybe God Is Ill (2007)
Are the wars, diseases, and impoverished conditions plaguing Africa problems for that continent alone...or do those crises represent threats to global health and deserve immediate attention from people throughout the world? This Italian documentary offers affecting journeys across Angola, Cameroon, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda, all beset by dire and complex difficulties.
She-Wolf Of London: Love And Curses: The Complete Series (1990)
Short-lived syndicated series ran from 1990-91 and focused on American grad student Randi Wallace (Kate Hodge) who enlisted the aid of mythology professor Ian Matheson (Neil Dickson) after being bitten by a werewolf on the English moors. Together, they searched for a cure for Kate while squaring off against a variety of supernatural monsters. The second season was aired under the title "Love and Curses" and found the pair relocating to L.A., where Ian hosted a paranormal-themed talk show. All 14 episodes from the first season and all six episodes from the second season have been collected in a four-disc set.
For details and availability of more of this week’s new releases, click here
