This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: February 05, 2008
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Adaptation, Classics, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Music, Musicals, Religious, Satire, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, New Releases
As the 80th Annual Academy Awards inch ever closer, some of us are still scrambling to see the contenders in question before the big night. Those anxious to see their favorites before the inevitable acceptance speech or scowl-behind-forced-smile have the chance to watch a few in high-def this week.
On HD DVD is Elizabeth: The Golden Age, nominated for Cate Blanchett‘s performance and the opulent costumes. On Blu-ray are Across the Universe, nominated for its costumes, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, nominated for Casey Affleck‘s supporting performance.
Look for other nominees, brought to you in crystal clear high definition, throughout the month.
Check out the full list of high-def releases after the jump.
Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: February 05, 2008
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This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: October 23, 2007
Posted by Johnny Mercedes Categories: 20th Century Fox, MGM, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Classics, Documentary, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Music, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Distribution, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases
Whether you’ve made the choice and actually picked a side in this format war, one thing can be agreed upon by all sides—this is a good week for high-definition.
It so happens that Warner Home Entertainment has yet to pick a side in this battle of video/audio quality—a decision that, when the time comes, could end the war for good. For now, however, they are throwing down some pretty good releases to please everyone, and this week is no exception.
The late Stanley Kubrick, idiosyncratic director of some of America’s most cherished cinema, is honored this week with the release of a few classics in dual format—finally, we can all see Jack Torrance’s nose hairs as he axes the hotel door and screams his classic “Here’s Johnny!” After all, Halloween is quick approaching, and a high-def copy of The Shining might make the perfect late-night creepfest. And if horror is your bag, both formats have some decent titles this week. Check the full list after the jump.
Click to continue reading This Week on HD DVD and Blu-ray: October 23, 2007
‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’: A Less Than Royal Film
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Universal, Drama, Period, Sequels, Box Office, New Releases
When Cate Blanchett blazed onto the big screen as Queen Elizabeth I nine years ago, Hollywood couldn’t help but to take notice. She commanded royally, earning an Oscar nomination and much acclaim for her role as England’s 16th century monarch. Elizabeth has long been a character of fascination to historians and ordinary people, the daughter of Henry VIII and a woman who led in a time when most females followed. But that doesn’t guarantee Blanchett will lead at the box office, and early reviews are unflattering, to say the least.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age showcases the queen during a later period of rule, a hectic time that sees Elizabeth battling for supremacy against the frightening Spanish Armada, and Queen of Scots Mary Stuart. Elaborate sets and costumes give viewers plenty of eye candy in the Golden Age, but the timid approach to bold subject matter is sure to turn audiences off. Blanchett is nearing forty, though The Golden Age portrays a Queen beyond the age of 50. The movie, at least, offers some true historical accuracy – and if it didn’t, I would be the first one to start hollering. Elizabeth was a Protestant in a time when England wasn’t so hip to changing religious trends, a woman who defied convention and the Pope to rule her people the way she desired. This caused a clash between England’s Queen and her own cousin Mary Stuart, the devoutly Catholic Queen of Scotland. The imprisonment and subsequent execution of Mary Stuart has long been a stain on England’s history, and a famous fable that has been re-told countless times. Stuart was the mother of James, who would become King James I of England and the man who brought the Bible to the common folk.
Click to continue reading ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’: A Less Than Royal Film
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In Theaters This Weekend (10/12)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Magnolia, MGM, Lionsgate, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros, Yari Film Group Releasing, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Period, Comedy, Sports, Lists, New Releases
Here are some possible suggestions for your upcoming weekend:
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age (PG-13): starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush (directed by Shekhar Kapur)
- The Final Season (PG): starring Sean Astin, Larry Miller (directed by David Mickey Evans)
- Michael Clayton (R): starring George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson (directed by Tony Gilroy)
- We Own The Night (R): starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg (directed by James Gray)
- Why Did I Get Married? (PG-13): starring Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson (directed by Tyler Perry)
Click to continue reading In Theaters This Weekend (10/12)
Box Office Breakdown: Yuma Ropes Up The Win
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: FOCUS, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Weinstein Company, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Period, Romance, Science Fiction, Sequels, Comedy, Sports, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
Audiences went old-school this weekend helping 3:10 to Yuma corral the box office crown. The well-received film, starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, marked the second week in a row a classic movie remake landed at #1. (Previous winner, Halloween slid down a notch this week).
Question now is: Will the success of Yuma spur an onslaught of Westerns? Given the lack of any real competition this weekend, it still may be too soon to say. But any speculation will probably be confirmed when Brad Pitt‘s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford opens on September 21.
A trend that probably won’t be coming back anytime soon? Brothers-desperately-trying-to-make-a-baby-to-make-their-father-happy-before-he-dies films. The Brothers Solomon delivered a pathetic $525,000 in its debut weekend. Granted, it didn’t show in many theaters (only 700)—but I’m guessing there was a reason for that.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Yuma Ropes Up The Win
In Theaters This Weekend (9/7)
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Lionsgate, New Line, Action, Adventure, Documentary, Drama, Foreign, Horror, Independent, Period, Comedy, Lists, New Releases
If you need a little help planning your weekend, here are a few possible suggestions:
3:10 to Yuma: starring Russell Crowe, Christian Bale (click here to read our early review)
Shoot ‘Em Up: starring Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci (directed by Michael Davis)
The Brothers Solomon: starring Will Forte, Will Arnett (directed by
Bob Odenkirk)
I Want Someone To Eat Cheese With*: starring Jeff Garlin, Sarah Silverman, Bonnie Hunt (directed by Jeff Garlin)
The Bubble*: Ohad Knoller, Yousef ‘Joe’ Sweid, Daniela Virtzer (directed by Eytan Fox)
In the Shadow of the Moon*: documentary (directed by David Singleton)
Fierce People*: starring Donald Sutherland, Diane Lane (directed by Griffin Dunne)
Hatchet*: starring Kane Hodder, Joel Moore, Deon Richmond (directed by Adam Green)
Romance & Cigarettes*: starring James Gandolfini , Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet (directed by John Turturro)
Milarepa: Magician, Murderer, Saint*: starring Jamyang Lodro, Kelsang (directed by Neten Chokling)
*limited and/or gradual release
FilmCrunch 048: Blades of Glory, Children of Men, Volver
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Paramount, Sony, Universal, Adaptation, Drama, Foreign, Period, Science Fiction, Comedy, Sports, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts
In this episode of FilmCrunch, Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Blades of Glory, Children of Men, and Volver. Also, Veronica gives her take on Blockbuster Total Access.
Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.
Box Office Breakdown
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Disney, Paramount, Universal, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Musicals, Comedy, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
Although theater audiences were not offered much new to watch over the four-day weekend, I must say that I was bit surprised as to how the box office totals shook out. I was certain that Primeval would reign supreme. I mean—when when does a movie about a serial-killing crocodile not come out on top?? And despite Madonna’s participation, I thought Arthur and the Invisibles would place higher than 9th. Parents are always desperate to find something for their rug rats, right?
Here are the totals for last week (as compiled by Media By Numbers LLC):
1. Stomp the Yard, Sony Screen Gems, $25,876,318
2. Night at the Museum, Fox, $21,847,867
3. The Pursuit of Happyness, Sony, $10,703,352
4. Dreamgirls, Paramount, $10,259,911
5. Freedom Writers, Paramount, $8,849,005
6. Children of Men, Universal, $7,449,555
7. Alpha Dog, Universal, $7,411,750
8. Primeval, Disney, $6,792,318
9. Arthur and the Invisibles, MGM, $5,702,789
10. Charlotte’s Web, Paramount, $5,348,867
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