I was all set to wax nostalgic over Don Knotts who passed away last Friday at the age of 81. Then December found this site which offers such a loving tribute to the man I just thought I’d share it with you. I’ll just say thanks for protecting Mayberry, for the Apple Dumpling Gang, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, and so much more. Your unique humor and voice will be missed. Just click on the pic and enjoy tons of Don Knotts goodness.
So what’s out there this week. Well today we’ll take a look at the films scheduled to be released this Friday including Richard Donner’s latest with Bruce Willis and Mos Def, and the delayed Ultraviolet. And make sure to check back tomorrow when we’ll check out the new DVD releases (which includes a film that made both December’s top ten list and mine). Plus with the Academy Awards gearing up to give up their pretty statues this Sunday we’ll have our Oscar picks for you Thursday. Read on…
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Here’s what’s scheduled to hit theaters this Friday. Want to know more, just click on the title for film info including a full cast list. Want a closer look, just click on the poster to watch the trailer.
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Richard Donner’s (remember when you looked forward to seeing one of his films?) latest involves Bruce Willis as a cop with the duty of protecting a key witness (Mos Def) and transporting him from the precinct to the courthouse. So what’s the problem? Well turns out most of the force is filled with corrupt cops that will be brought down with his testimony so they offer Willis the choice to walk away or risk his life for a criminal against men he thinks of as friends.
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Might as well just call it Resident Evil: Ultraviolet. Milla Jovovich plays a genetically enhanced humanoid with super speed, strength and intelligence from an infection (oh this time she’s one of the zombie people, ‘cept the zombies is cool!) during a civil war between the humans and the super hemophages. Jovovich leads the fight to stop the government’s genocidal tendencies by beating up as many of them as possible. This film has been delayed and pushed back so long if it’s anything but a complete disaster it will be a surprise.
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Cutesy teenage remake of Splash. Two teenage girls find a mermaid at the swimming pool at the country club on the beach. Of course they decide to take her home. The mermaid, Aquamarine, falls in love with a young boy who works at the food bar in the club and tries to get the girls to set them up on a date. Probably as sickeningly sweet and inane as it sounds. Based on the Alice Hoffman novel and rewritten by Jessica Bendinger (Bring It On) and John Quaintance (Good Morning Miami and Joey).
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Dave Chappelle. If those two words don’t make you want to see the film just move on by because there’s little else here to see. The “film” is a mix of Chapelle’s sketch comedy, comic bits, and stand-up along with some added music. Seems like an odd choice for a theatrical release as it will probably only appeal to Chappelle fans willing to drop down $10 to see what they can see on their TV for free. Chapelle states that the film is “inspired” (a word always to be cautious of in film) by the 1973 documentary Wattstax. Was he serious or was that just another joke? Probably better or worse than it sounds (but which?).
Joyeux Noel (limited release)
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Christmas Eve 1914 on a battlefield the Germans and the French try to make a tentative peace in order to bury their dead and have Christmas. Written and directed by Christain Carion the film is in French with English subtitles. A huge hit at Cannes (a reported 10 minute standing ovation); it’s getting a small limited release this week but will it survive long enough to earn a wide release? Likely to be a bigger hit in Europe than here in the States.
Deep Sea 3D (IMAX)
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IMAX undersea look at the ocean and all the little critters deep below. Directed by IMAX veteran Howard Hall the film is done in 3D and snagged the narration team of Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Those factors along with a score by Danny Elfman make this one of the more ambitious IMAX films to date. Now the question is will the 3D IMAX fascination and the narration of two stars bring in a wider audience?
Seems you just can’t stop the Hollywood sequel machine. In an interview with an Israeli newspaper Steven Speilberg stated plainly that Indiana Jones 4 is a go! Speilberg plans to film this year getting Indy ready for a Summer 2007 release. Now for those of you just saw Harrison Ford in Firewall the news may seem a little bittersweet. Can the Lucas/Spielber/Ford team recapture the magic in a bottle one last time? Or will the fourth film be vastly inferior to the predessors (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Lethal Weapon 4, Batman and Robin)?
Indiana Jones 4
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Indiana Jones Will Return Read More »
We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar. Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves. And Whoa boy folks this is a hell of a great week for releases! We’ve got a movie from my top ten list – RENT and one from December’s list – North Country and Keira Knightly as bounty hunter Domino Harvey in Domino. Also out today are Ultimate Avengers: The Movie, The Weather Man and more. Take a peek inside for the full list.
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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:
Film:
RENT (2 Disc Special Edition) – Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes; how do you measure a year? The broadway rock opera slice of life look at seven bohemians in New York’s East Village over the course of a year measures it in great music and outstanding performances. Most of the cast was drawn from the original broadway show. A powerful and poignant generational tale similiar to Hair. So good I had to put it on my top ten list for 2005. The two disc collection includes over three hours of extras and features including commentary by the director and cast. You can read the original review here.
North Country – Charlize Theron stars in this inspired by real life story about the first sexual harassment case in United States history. Theron (in an Academy Award nominated peformance) plays a single mother who takes a job in a mine and sues after constact harassment and attacks from male co-workers. One of December’s top ten films of 2005. You can check out her original review here.
Domino – Keira Knightly stars as bounty hunter Domino Harvey and hooks up with Mickey Rourke and Edgar Ramirez. The first of Knightly’s two great performances this year. Based off real life bounty hunter and friend of director Tony Scott. Got mixed reactin from critics and the public but I had a blast; great fun for the acquired taste. Read the original review.
The Weather Man – Tale of Chicago weather man (Nicholas Cage) who is a complete success on camera and a disaster off the air. Gore Verbinski brings this funny (funny humorous and funny strange) tale to life. Also starring Michael Caine, Hope Davis, and Gil Bellows. Read the original review.
All The President’s Men (2 Disc Special Edition) – Retelling of Watergate scandal with Robert Redford as Bob Woodward and Dustin Hoffman as Carl Bernstein. The 1976 film gets the special edition treatment that includes commentary from Redford and an entire extra disc of features on the film and the story that inspired it.
Midnight Cowboy (Two Disc Collector’s Edition) – Joe Buck plays a cowboy who moves to New York City who is hustled by Dustin Hoffman in the film that won the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay in 1969. The special edition includes commentary by Jerome Hellman and documentaries and featurettes.
Family/Animated:
Ultimate Avengers: The Movie – Marvel’s greatest heroes in an animated feature film re-telling how the Avengers discovered Captain America and fight for truth, justice, and all that good stuff.
Stuart Little 3 – Call of the Wild – Another sequel from the Stuart Little franchise including voices of Wayne Brady, Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie Virginia Madsen, Peter MacNicol, Jonathan Lipnicki, and Michael J. Fox as Stuart.
TV:
3rd Rock from the Sun – Further adventures of the Solomon family (a group of aliens hiding on Earth pretending to be humans to learn about us). The set includes a 16 page collection booklet and interviews with the cast.
NYPD Blue The Complete Third Season – All 22 episodes of the third season of the New York cops. The set includes commentary for two episodes and a collection of featurettes.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea Volume 1 – First volume of the 1960’s series about the SSRN Seaview, a submarine that investigates myseries at the bottom of the ocean. Classic Sci-fi.
Also out today: Go Diego Go! The Great Dinosaur Rescue, Action – The Complete Series, and Iron Maiden – Death on the Road.
We’re here to let you know what’s out there for your entertainment dollar. Every week a new batch of DVD’s gets shipped out and thrown onto the shelves. Here’s what comes out today including Zathura, Mirrormask, and season sets of Charles in Charge, Farscape, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
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Here’s what is getting released today on DVD:
Film:
Proof – Gweneth Paltrow plays a woman who may or may not be crazy dealing with the death of her father (Anthony Hopkins) and proof of a new mathematical formula found in his notes. Read the original review.
Saw II – The “horrific” sequel about a guy who gets his kicks locking people up and torturing them to death. Read the original review.
Zathura – Sequel to Jumanji about kids playing a magical space board game. Read the original review.
The Frisco Kid – 1979 film with Gene Wilder as a rabbi sent to San Francisco during the Old West; Harrison Ford also stars.
Mirrormask – Neil Gaiman’s story about a 15 year-old girl trapped in a fantasy world searching for the mirrormask which can save the kingdom and get her home.
Family/Animated:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Season 1, Volume 2 – The final 32 episodes of Adam, Prince of Eternia, and his secret double life as He-Man defender of Grayskull.
Max & Ruby Party Time with Max & Ruby – Adventures of a pair of cute animated bunnies.
TV:
The Andy Griffith Show The Complete Fifth Season – All 32 fifth season episodes of Andy, Opie, Barney the entire Mayberry gang.
Charles in Charge The Complete First Season – Scott Baio plays college student Charles who moves in as a housekeeper and babysitter for the Pembroke family. Willie Ames and Jennifer Runyon also star in the 22 episodes.
Farscape Season 3, Collection 2 -The “Starburst Editiion” continues the third season adventures.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The Complete Third Season – All 24 third season episodes of Will Smith and the Banks family on four discs along with season highlights and bloopers.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 1 – The first season of ABC’s hit which started as a mid-season replacement. The set includes alll nine episodes on two discs along with extras and commentary.
Golden Girls The Complete Fourth Season – The old broads are back for another season.
The Pretender The Complete Third Season – Jarod’s (Michael T. Weis) run from The Center continues in 22 fourth season episodes.
