03.22.10 | Chris Cummins | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
Tags: George Clooney
This week's new releases include such diverse offerings as Sandra Bullock's Academy Award-winning performance, a timely drama featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire and Natalie Portman, Wes Anderson's wonderful adaptation of a Roald Dahl favorite, a comedy featuring telepathic soldiers who use their mind to murder goats, a completely unneccessary remake of a TV classic, and the DVD/Blu-ray debut of one of the greatest films ever made. Let's take a look, shall we?
The fascinating true life story of Baltimore Ravens left tackle Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is told in this stirring drama that aims to pull on your heartstrings. Lifted out of the poverty of a Memphis ghetto by his talent on the gridiron, the withdrawn teen finds acceptance and a chance to better himself when he's taken in by sassy socialite Leigh Anne Touhy (Best Actress Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock) and her loving family while he attends college. Based on the best-selling Michael Lewis book, the film co-stars country music sensation Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates. Some critics found this movie to be sappy and manipulative, resulting in plenty of "The Bland Side" puns and reviews that condemned the film's melodramatic aspects. If you somehow missed this blockbuster during its theatrical run, here's your chance to judge for yourself for if it was worthy of the acclaim it received.
Whimsy, thy name is Wes Anderson. The art house auteur takes a break from live-action filmmaking for this wonderful adaptation of Roald Dahl's best-selling book that brings the story to life through stop-motion animation. Reformed chicken thief Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney) reneges on the promise he made to his wife (Meryl Streep) to remain on the straight and narrow by planning one last caper against a trio of local farmers who are as wealthy as they are nasty. Also features the voices of Jason Schwartzman, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, and Bill Murray. Co-written by Noah Baumbach, who previously collaborated with Anderson on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
Ex-con Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) tries to help sister-in-law Grace (Natalie Portman) around the house after hearing his soldier brother Sam (Tobey Maguire)--Grace's husband--may have perished while serving in Afghanistan. When he returns home alive but psychologically scarred, Sam begins to harbor suspicions his wife may have been unfaithful with a sibling who has betrayed him. But what is really going on? Gripping drama co-stars Sam Shepard, Mare Winningham.
Jon Ronson's non-fiction book about the U.S. goverment's experiments with paranormal and New Age concepts is retooled into this smart comedy. Ewan McGregor stars as a beaten-down journalist working in Iraq who learns of a secret Army team that attempted to use telepathy as a weapon. With the help of former participant George Clooney, he begins to learn the bizarre truth about the project--and how burnout Vietnam vet Jeff Bridges (in full The Big Lebowski mode) was involved in its inception. Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang co-star.
Visually impressive but ultimately hollow, this A&E miniseries dared to remake Patrick McGoohan's mind-bending 1960s series. It shouldn't have bothered. Jim Caviezel delivers a charisma-free performance as a New Yorker who suddenly finds himself residing in the Village, a mysterious community he's told is the only existing reality. Referred to only as 6, he must try and outsmart the enigmatic 2 (Ian McKellen, whose bravura acting nearly makes this disjointed mess watchable) in an effort to escape captivity and return to his life, learning the truth about the Village in the process. Gone is the subtle social commentary and psychedelic flourishes of the original Prisoner series, replaced here by sloppy storytelling and a muddled subtext about the ennui of post 9-11 life. Hayley Atwell, Ruth Wilson, Lennie James co-star. All six episodes of the series--"Arrival," "Harmony," "Anvil," "Darling," "Schizoid," and "Checkmate"--are featured in a three-disc set.
We saved the best for last! One of your most demanded classic films finally hits DVD and Blu-ray! Directed by John Huston, this riveting blend of drama, action, and romance stars Humphrey Bogart (who won his only Oscar for his performance) as a hard-drinking boat captain who takes aboard prim British missionary Katharine Hepburn in WWI-era Africa. Determined to travel down a treacherous river to sink a German gunboat, the unlikely couple is drawn together as they set their seemingly impossible plan in motion. With Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore Bikel.
For details and availability of more of this week's releases, click here.
Here's a look at last week's New DVD Releases.
I am looking for The Book of Eli. It is no longer playing in the local theaters and the Hollywood Video store dosen't have it. Can you help?
Could you please check to see why the "77 Sunset Strip" TV show(1958-1964) has not been released on DVD. Thanks...
I want the rest of MacMillian & Wife. they only published the first season. Any idea if they are going to do the rest?
Most of the old warner bros TV shows have never been released to DVD. Shoes like 77 Sunset Strip, Bourbon Street Beat, The FBI and Hawaiian Eye. Why is that? I loved those old shows.
To answer some of these questions.
Chuck Paul - The Book of Eli will be released on June, 15th on DVD and Blu-ray. You can pre-order it on DVD from Movies Unlimited at http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/findresults_title.asp?search=book+of+eli.
In regards to Donald, Ruby and Jesse's questions, these are all titles that many people would like to see on DVD but have yet to be issued for various reasons. Some of these could be held up for legal issues, music rights or other concerns. The best way to stay on top of the latest TV classics to hit DVD is to keep reading this site and http://www.moviesunlimited.com for news on new releases!
Could you please advise why the great TV Western Series '' MAVERICK ''with James Garner & Jack Kelly has never been released on DVD...iT WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SHOWS ON TV.
There was a TV Favorites compilation of "Maverick" episodes issued a few years ago, but it is now out of print. No word yet on if or when it will be reissued. But keep checking back for more info. If you want to revisit the big screen version of the show, you can purchase it at http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D11190&loc=title.
I have been looking for a DVD. of the film
"the devil makes three" staring Gene Kelly.
made in 1952.
I am very much aware of the bootleg copies made from Nick at Nite,etc..of the hit show starring Bob Denver.."The Many Loves Of Dobie Gillis with Dwayne Hickman...but When oh When is Fox going to release the popular series on dvd?????
Your help will be Greatly Appreciated! Thanks, Ray
Alexander - Unfortunately, that classic Gene Kelly film currently isn't available on DVD. But if it is released, you can bet that we will carry it here at Movies Unlimited.
Ray - Did you know that 18 volumes of the series are available on DVD? You can check out what's available at our website: http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/findresults_title.asp?search=many+loves+of+dobie+
when will the 2nd season of burkes law be released? it has been long over due!!
Carlo: There's no word yet on the 2nd Season of Burke's Law, but when it gets released you can be certain that it will be available from us!
I would like to know what is going on with Warner Bros they have said in the past that they were going to release their detective shows Hawaiian Eye and 77 Sunset Strip but nothing has come of this I'm a huge fan of 77 sunset strip does any one have any insight on this I really don't understand why it is taking so long to release these shows
I am looking for something I saw on TV in the 70's. There was an afterschool special (or something like that) about a high school teacher who taught history (or something like that). He proceeded to give his "special" class a project and shortly thereafter let his students know "they" had been turned into Nazi's and weren't even aware of it. At least that's what it looked like. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? It would be interesting to see again.
Catelina: I know exactly what you are talking about. The special was called "The Wave." It was based on an actual sociological experiment conducted by a California school teacher about the dangers of fascism in 1967. It first aired on ABC and then was repeated on Nickelodeon throughout the 1980s. (Read about it on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wave_(TV_special). Sadly, this isn't available on DVD at this time. Hopefully it will be made available someday soon.