12.05.11 | Chris Cummins | New Releases This WeekPrint this Post
Tags: Daniel Craig, Gary Cooper, Sam Rockwell
Okay folks, December is now well underway. Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If not, then perhaps you can get the movie lover in your life a new DVD or Blu-ray release. We've got everything from comedy classics to TV favorites making their debuts this week. If movie blockbusters are more your thing, there are several recent gems to choose from. So check out what great offerings are now ready for you!
Design for Living (Criterion Collection)
Ernst Lubitsch directed this loose adaptation of the Noel Coward play that concerns Gilda (Miriam Hopkins), a young artist who can't choose between two men, a playwright (Fredric March) and a painter (Gary Cooper). The three Americans decide to live together in a Paris flat without romantic involvement, but will temptation ruin their agreement, in this charming and daring farce?
Kenneth More stars as British aviator Douglas Bader, who lost both legs in a 1931 plane crash but went on to become an RAF flier in World War II and survived capture by the Germans following the Battle of Britain, in this inspiring biodrama. Muriel Pavlov, Lyndon Brooks also star; directed by Lewis Gilbert.
Director by Jon Favreau's sci-fi western set in 1873 Arizona focuses on amnesia-stricken outlaw Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig). Wanted by the ruthless Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) for stealing his gold, he is assisted by the mysterious Ella (Olivia Wilde). But when Jake learns that aliens are abducting locals, he uses the strange metal band that has been fused to his wrist to stop them-and uncover the truth about his past. With Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano; based on the graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg.
Maladjusted businessman and absentee parent Tom Popper (Jim Carrey) finds his life turned upside down when he finds himself the inadvertent owner of six adorable penguins. His heart soon warms to the chill-loving creatures, and you don't have to be a pet detective to deduce that his transformation into a devoted caretaker soon transforms his human relationships! Humorous outing, based on the Richard and Florence Atwater children's book, co-stars Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury.
In 1960s Mississippi, a young journalist (Emma Stone) decides to write a book about the black maids who have spent their lives taking care of white children. As the best friend of one of the employers (Bryce Dallas Howard), she faces the risk of being shunned by her society friends--all of whom have servants gathering the courage to participate in the secret literary project. Adapted from the Kathryn Stockett novel, this acclaimed comedy-drama co-stars Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer.
The Lady Vanishes (Criterion Collection)
When an elderly woman disappears in the middle of a transcontinental train ride and the young lady who shared her compartment cannot find anyone who even remembers the missing person, a complex and dangerous search for the truth begins. Superlative Hitchcock whodunit stars Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas, and May Whitty.
In this frenetic comedy, down-and-out pizza delivery guy Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) gets kidnapped by a pair of bumbling, would-be criminals (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson) who strap a bomb to his chest and give him 10 hours to rob a bank for them. Nick then goes to his best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari) for help, and together they hit the streets in a hilarious effort to extricate themselves from their predicament. Michael Pena, Fred Ward co-star.
The Looney Tunes Show: Season 1, Vol. 2
Includes the episodes "Monster Talent/A Zipline in the Sand," "Reunion/Cock of the Walk/Fee Fi Fo Fumb," "Casa De Calma/Queso Banditio/Sail Fail," and "Devil Dog/Unsafe at Any Speed."
With extreme limits of shooting schedule and running time placed upon them, 10 different directors assemble an incredible variety of stories set in New York City, in this anthology film following the style of 2006's "Paris, Je T'aime." A con man meets his match; a man seduces a woman outside a club, with surprising results; a long-married couple navigates a tour of Coney Island; a Hasidic woman prepares for marriage; and more. Natalie Portman, Allen Hughes, Ethan Hawke, Hayden Christensen, Eli Wallach, and Cloris Leachman star.
From "Love Story" author Erich Segal comes this moving tale of romance and second chances concerning a married neurosurgeon whose latest patient is the woman he fell for 15 years previously. As he reflects upon his previous relationship with her, he discovers how deep his feelings still run. Will the lovers be reunited, or will fate intervene? Rob Morrow, Marisa Tomei, Mathilda May star.
The Wolfpack returns in this smash sequel that finds Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) in Thailand for Stu's wedding. But their plan for nice and simple pre-nuptial festivities goes horribly and hysterically wrong and the guys are once again off on an odyssey to figure out what happened the night before. This time, their quest includes a facial tattoo, a chain-smoking monkey, a severed finger, and an encounter with old pal Mike Tyson (as himself). With Paul Giamatti.
A widowed single mom (Jennie Garth) raising three sons meets a single dad (Brad Rowe) with two boys of his own. Before you can say, "and they knew that it was much more than a hunch," this crew might somehow form a family when their dogs (voiced by Jay Mohr and Nikki Cox) fall for each other in this delightful, Christmas-themed family comedy. Catherine Hicks, Tom Arnold co-star.
Abandoned without a cent by her shiftless husband, a woman (Kristy Swanson) packs up her young daughters and stepson. Resettling in a small town and landing a waitressing job at the borough's once-landmark diner, her struggles to hold the family together find an unexpected holiday boost. Tess Harper, Edward Herrmann, K.C. Clyde co-star.
How can you get into "the Christmas spirit" when your single mom is about to lose her job? How can you revel in the joy of the holidays when your teenaged son has turned into a cynical Grinch? This charming made-for-TV movie dramatizes what happens when a struggling family receives a visit from a special being that inspires new hope and seasonal happiness. Alexandra Paul, Jason Brooks, and Maureen McCormick star.
Santa Claus (Collector's Edition)
Santa Claus teams up with Merlin the Magician to stop the Devil from spoiling the world's Christmas (or at least Mexico's) in this magical fantasy. St. Nick gets help from his kid pals, and even his mechanical reindeer(!) make an appearance. With Jose Elias Moreno as Santa; produced by K. Gordon Murray and directed by Rene Cardona.
He conquered the Martians, so what do a bunch of silly ol' members of the walking dead think is going to happen when they go up against Saint Nick? A suburban family is about to find out, while facing a zombie assault at the side of a hefty hero who might be the genuine jolly article (or he might be just a plus-sized ?actor) as the U.S. president cowers in a bunker with advisors scrambling for their own anti-undead plan of action. Comic chiller stars Billy W. Blackwell, Cassidy Rae Owens.
The Simpsons: The Fourteenth Season
All 22 episodes from season 14--including "Treehouse of Horror XIII," "Large Marge," "The Dad Who Knew Too Little," "C.E. D'oh," and "Moe Baby Blues"--are featured in a four-disc set.
Who knew Portland, Oregon, could be so funny? This irreverent sketch-comedy rendering of wacky happenings in the fictional town of Portlandia from co-creators/stars Fred Armisen (of "Saturday Night Live") and Carrie Brownstein (of rock band Sleater-Kinney fame) features an endlessly surprising cast of oddball characters and lacerating jabs at political correctness.All six episodes of the first season--"Farm," "A Song for Portland," "Aimee," "Mayor Is Missing," "Blunderbuss," and "Baseball"--are featured.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete 7th Season
All 50 episodes from season seven--including "Tentacle-Dancing," "Gary in Love," "Karate Star," "New Fish in Town," and "Perfect Chemistry"--are featured in a four-disc set.
The Complete Doctor Collection
If it's British comedy you are looking for,check out this seven-disc set that includes "Doctor in the House," "Doctor at Sea," "Doctor at Large," "Doctor in Love," "Doctor in Distress," "Doctor in Clover," and "Doctor in Trouble."
Andy (Chase Ellison) is wrestling with the struggles of 8th grade in 1965 California. While trying to win the affection of the "it" girl, Andy resents being paired with the class outcast for a school project by his teacher (Ed Harris), who's having trouble of his own dealing with bullies and the rumor mill. As they each contend with the right thing to do, everyone may learn valuable lessons about tolerance in this touching coming-of-age tale. Alexander Walters, Amy Madigan, and Molly Parker co-star.
With Colin Quinn and Jerry Seinfeld working together, does America stand a chance (of not laughing)? This provocative live comedy special directed by Seinfeld and starring Quinn puts the "Saturday Night Live" veteran center stage for a riotous discourse on the rise and fall of empires. From Caesar to Snooki, Quinn delivers one outrageous observation after another.
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy
Join Great American Songbook interpreter Michael Feinstein for a swinging tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra and his contemporaries. Bursting with energy and artistry, Feinstein pays homage to the intimate and uplifting melodies of a bygone era, with brilliant renditions of "Once in a Lifetime," "Fly Me to the Moon," "There'll Be Some Changes Made," "Begin the Beguine," "New York, New York," and more.
Big Love: The Complete Fifth Season
All 10 episodes from season five--including "Winter," "The Oath," "D.I.V.O.R.C.E.," "The Noose Tightens," and the series finale "Where Men and Mountains Meet"--are featured in a four-disc set.
Dirk Bogarde is celebrated in this four-disc set that includes "Penny Princess," "Simba," "Campbell's Kingdom," and "Agent 8 3/4."
They twice had to overcome two-run deficits while on the brink of defeat in the World Series, but the St. Louis Cardinals triumphed over adversity to beat the Texas Rangers in seven games and capture their 11th championship. Relive highlights of the entire season from spring training to the final champagne celebration with Albert Pujols, series MVP David Freese, and the rest of the red birds in this release that also includes game 5 of the NLDS in its entirety.
Rookie Blue: The Complete First Season
All 13 episodes from the first season--including "Fresh Paint," "Fite Night," "Hot & Bothered," "Big Nickel," and "Takedown"--are presented in a four-disc set
Designing Women: The Complete Fifth Season
The saucy Sugarbakers and company are at it again! All 24 episodes from the fifth season--including "A Blast from the Past," "Old Rebels and Young Models," "Pearls of Wisdom," "I'll See You in Court," and "The Pride of the Sugarbakers"--are featured in a four-disc set.
Dun dun! All 24 episodes from season nine--including "Cherished," "Scrambled," "Juvenile," "Empire," and the two-part "Refuge"--plus the "Homicide" crossover episode "Sideshow, Part 2" are featured in a five-disc set.
In 1966, Israeli Mossad agent Rachel Singer (Jessica Chastain) takes part in the cover-up of a botched mission when the former Nazi surgeon she was assigned to capture escapes. Claiming he was killed, she and her colleagues are hailed as national heroes. Over 30 years later, Rachel (Helen Mirren) is driven to track the war criminal down and set the record straight once and for all. Sam Worthington, Tom Wilkinson, Ciaran Hinds co-star in this gripping remake of an Israeli film.
The Lucy Show: The Official Fifth Season
Lucy returns with plenty more big laughs! All 22 fifth-season episodes--including "Lucy with George Burns," "Lucy the Bean Queen," "Lucy and John Wayne," "Lucy and the Monkey," and "Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard"--are collected in a four-disc set.
Going My Way: The Complete Series
In this delightfully humorous and dramatic series, Gene Kelly portrays the role of Father O'Malley--played by Bing Crosby in the beloved 1944 film--the Catholic priest heading up the parish of an impoverished New York City neighborhood. Reunited with a childhood friend (Dick York), O'Malley works to improve the lives of his parishioners. Leo G. Carroll, Nydia Westman guest star.
For details and availability of more of this week's new releases, click here.
Here's a look at last week's DVD and Blu-ray releases.
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