09.20.09 | Jerry Frebowitz | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
New DVD Releases for this week include Seth Rogen in "Observe And Report" and other theatrical newcomers, along with TV series and some very obscure vintage favorites including a rare biopic, "The Trials of Oscar Wilde" starring Peter Finch.
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Observe And Report (2009)
With skateboard punks, a flasher, and a masked robber terrorizing the Forest Ridge Mall, it's up to Ronnie Barnhardt (Seth Rogen), head of security, to keep the shoppers safe. Aside from a total lack of skill, the only thing preventing Ronnie from stopping the crime wave and impressing a vapid cosmetics counter beauty (Anna Faris) is the presence of a veteran local cop (Ray Liotta). Michael Pena, Collette Wolfe, Celia Weston co-star in this raunchy dark comedy.
Ghosts Of Girlfriends Past (2009)
Rom-com retelling of "A Christmas Carol" stars Matthew McConaughey as a famed photographer with a well-earned love-'em-and-leave-'em reputation. But a ghostly visit from the late uncle (Michael Douglas) he idolized is just the beginning of an eye-opening journey that shows McConaughey the past, present, and future of his love life...and why he should not have let a certain girl (Jennifer Garner) ever get away. With Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert, Anne Archer, Emma Stone.
Battle For Terra (2007)
In the spirit of "Star Wars" comes this sci-fi epic chronicling how the peaceful inhabitants of the planet Terra are forced to defend themselves when a ship carrying the last surviving Earthlings arrives to colonize their world. After a rebellious Terrian befriends an injured human pilot, they team up in a daring attempt to prevent a war. With the voices of Evan Rachel Wood, Brian Cox, James Garner, and Danny Glover.
Clive Barker's Book Of Blood (2008)
Based on two short stories by Clive Barker, this nail-biting horror film focuses on a paranormal expert/professor who is investigating a gruesome slaying at a haunted house with the help of her students. When one of her pupils--a young psychic medium--becomes the living embodiment of the evil spirits who dwell within the home, a gateway between this world and the next is opened. Jonas Armstrong, Sophie Ward, Paul Blair star.
Adam Resurrected (2008)
A German Jew (Jeff Goldblum) once imprisoned in a Nazi death camp uses his comic skills to entertain fellow Holocaust survivors while institutionalized in an isolated asylum in 1961 Israel. It's not "The Day the Clown Cried II," it's a uniquely moving and fierce drama by "Taxi Driver" scribe and "Auto Focus" director Paul Schrader, helming a script adapted from the controversial novel by Yoram Kaniuk. With Willem Dafoe, Derek Jacobi, and Ayelet Zurer.
The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto (2009)
Now Accepting Advance Orders! - Available on 09/22/09 From musician and director extraordinaire Rob Zombie comes this animated-adult-monster-sex comedy (based on Zombie's comic book series) about El Superbeasto. He's a washed-up Mexican wrestler who, along with his sexy sidekick and sister Suzi-X, must battle the evil Dr. Satan in the bizarre world of Monsterland. Paul Giamatti, Sheri Moon Zombie, Rosario Dawson, and Brian Posehn supply voices.
Bye-Bye, Bin Laden! (2008)
About as politically incorrect as it gets, this animated musical extravaganza incorporates George W. Bush, Osama bin Laden, and the ghost of a 9/11 victim into its twisted story of a battle for the hearts and minds of the world. Watch (and laugh, if you dare) as mortal enemies Bush and Bin Laden are the central figures in rival sitcoms modeled after classics from TV's Golden Age. Stars the voices of Lance Gardner, Carolyn Beach.
Lymelife (2008)
Set in Long Island, New York, of the 1970s, this bracing comic drama drawn from the life experiences of director Derick Martini chronicles the tentative relationship between 15-year-old Scott (Rory Culkin) and the young girl (Emma Roberts) who has caught his fancy. Complicating matters are the infidelities of the girl's mother (Cynthia Nixon) and her father's (Timothy Hutton) struggle with Lyme disease. Alec Baldwin, Kieran Culkin co-star.
Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection
Seven-disc set includes "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," and a disc full of extras.
Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection
Five-disc set includes "Star Trek: Generations," "Star Trek: First Contact," "Star Trek: Insurrection," "Star Trek: Nemesis," and a disc full of extras.
The Mentalist: The Complete First Season (2008)
Starring Simon Baker, this release includes all 23 episodes of the first season--including the "Pilot," "Red Tide," "Ladies in Red," "The Thin Red Line," and "Red John's Footsteps"--are presented in a six-disc set. 16 3/4 hrs. total.
Castle: The Complete First Season (2009)
All 10 episodes from the first season--including "Flowers for Your Grave," "Nanny McDead," "A Chill Goes Through Her Veins," "Ghosts," and "A Death in the Family"--are featured in a three-disc set. Stars Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Susan Sullivan.
Sappho (1921)/Backstairs (1921)
First, Poland-born starlet Pola Negri is "Sappho," a promiscuous woman who drives her engineer lover (Alfred Abel) to the bughouse over her chronic infidelities. Richly psychological German silent co-stars Johannes Riemann, Helga Molander. Next, "Backstairs" offers a fine example of German Expressionist cinema, telling the story of a maid who waits anxiously, day after day, for a letter from her missing lover. With Henry Porten and Fritz Kortner. 132 min. total. Silent with music score.
Meet Nero Wolfe (1936)
Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe made his cinematic debut in this thrilling whodunit that stars Edward Arnold as the portly, orchid-loving sleuth. When a college professor dies while playing golf and a mechanic also unexpectedly buys the farm, the gruff gumshoe and his sidekick, Archie Goodwin (Lionel Stander), try to figure out if the deaths are related and if foul play is afoot. Dennie Moore, Victor Jory, and Rita Hayworth (billed as Rita Cansino) also star.
My Gun Is Quick (1957)
When a young woman he befriended in an L.A. diner the night before turns up murdered, tough-as-nails gumshoe Mike Hammer (Robert Bray) takes up the investigation and finds a deadly chain of events linking a ring the dead girl wore to stolen Nazi treasure from World War II. Taut adaptation of the Mickey Spillane thriller also stars Whitney Blake, Donald Randolph, Pamela Duncan.
The Trials Of Oscar Wilde (1960)
The true story of Oscar Wilde's trial for sodomy is dramatized in this acclaimed film that stars Peter Finch as the notorious playwright, who brings a libel suit against the Marquis of Queensbury after he accuses Wilde of seducing his son. Lionel Jeffries, John Fraser, and James Mason also star. AKA: "The Man With the Green Carnation."
Wurlitzer Pipe Organ Factory Tour (1926)
This rare documentary was made in the mid-1920s and focuses on the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in North Tonawanda, New York. Witness a mighty pipe organ being built, and enjoy a score provided by Ray Brubacher, a popular performer.
Port Of 40 Thieves (1944)
A woman (Stephanie Bachelor) murders her wealthy husband so she can get her hands on his money and marry her playboy lover (George Meeker). But when her first husband's daughter (Lynn Roberts) suspects her father has been killed and starts poking around, Bachelor has no choice but to arrange a few "accidents" to cover her tracks. Tom Keene, Olive Blakeney co-star in this compelling noir thriller.
For details and availability of more of this week’s new releases, click here:
