Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Making The (Up) Grade: Galaxy Questhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/14/making-the-up-grade-galaxy-quest/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/14/making-the-up-grade-galaxy-quest/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/14/making-the-up-grade-galaxy-quest/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Paramount Home Entertainment has employed an interesting tactic in 2009 releasing certain films on standard-definition months ahead of their debut on Blu-ray. This was the case with the first three Friday the 13th films, and now it's the case with Galaxy Quest; I don't have the numbers in terms of either awareness or sales, but I wonder how many dutiful consumers pay attention to both editions and choose to wait, as opposed to buying one only to see it become obsolete just a few short months later. In any case, what's most important is that most of all of the films released this way thus far are fan favorites, and especially Galaxy Quest is a classic in its own right, all of which is why the new Blu-ray release is the subject of this week's "Making The (Up) Grade."

What's Already Available: Paramount originally released Galaxy Quest on DVD in May of 2000, and in addition to the film, the single-disc release featured deleted scenes, an "On Location in Space" feature, a Thermian-language audio track, cast and crew bios, and production notes.

Paramount's Deluxe Edition was released on May 12, 2009, and featured a new transfer as well as several new bonus features, including "Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest," "Never Give Up. Never Surrender: The Intrepid Crew of the NSEA Protector," "By Grabthar's Hammer, What Amazing Effects," "Alien School - Creating the Thermian Race," "Actors in Space," "Sigourney Weaver Raps" (yes, you read that right), deleted scenes, the Thermian audio track, and the theatrical trailer.

What's In The New Set:

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]]>alan rickmanAlanRickmandean parisotDeanParisotgalaxy questGalaxyQuestjustin longJustinLongmaking the up gradeMakingTheUpGradesam rockwellSamRockwellsigourney weaverSigourneyWeavertim allenTimAllenTodd GilchristSat, 14 Nov 2009 11:03:00 ESTFree Flick of the Day: The Good, the Bad, and the Uglyhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-free-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-free-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-free-movie/#commentsFiled under:

If you were anxious for another free dose of Sergio Leone after last week's suggestion of For a Few Dollars More, you're in luck! The third and final installment of the Dollars / Man With No Name Trilogy just happens to be up on SlashControl right now. I can't think of a better gang to spend Friday the 13th with than The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is an epic, dizzying adventure set in the middle of the Civil War, and circles around three unsavory fellows and their hunt for a fortune in Confederate gold. It's probably the most famous and the most popular of Leone's westerns and Ennio Morricone's soundtracks. Every moment of this film is iconic. But the best part of the film isn't the sweeping battles, the mournful soldiers, or the explosive shoot-outs; it's the hateful alliance between Blondie (Clint Eastwood) and Tuco (Eli Wallach). I heard once that Eastwood and Wallace shared a single room and a single bed that they used in shifts in order to maintain their thorny attitude toward each other. I'm not sure if it's true, but it would certainly explain a lot.

Incidentally, though it's the last installment, Ugly actually comes first in the Dollars trilogy, something supported by the fact that Blondie obtains his signature look by the film's end. I'm pretty sure that first flip of the serape is what inspired a million "Let's delve into his origin!" stories, and certainly must have led Steven Spielberg to giving Indy's fedora an origin.

Go stand off with The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly on SlashControl

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]]>clint eastwoodClintEastwoodEli WallachEliWallachFree Flick of the DayFreeFlickOfTheDayLee Van CleefLeeVanCleefSergio LeoneSergioLeoneslashcontrolSlashcontrolInstantWatchthe good the bad and the uglyTheGoodTheBadAndTheUglyElisabeth RappeFri, 13 Nov 2009 17:32:00 ESTBlockbuster Really Wants Your Businesshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/blockbuster-really-wants-your-business/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/blockbuster-really-wants-your-business/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/13/blockbuster-really-wants-your-business/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's no secret that video retailer Blockbuster had a rough quarter. Their profits are dipping, stores are closing -- suffice to say things aren't looking good. But, the company is looking for new ways to compete with services like Netflix and Redbox and so they're getting into the digital content game. But, as some critics have pointed out, the results so far are lackluster to say the least. Blockbuster and NRC/MOD systems have announced the pilot of digital media kiosks where customers use an SD memory card to download movies and TV to take home to play on their TV with the aid of a proprietary device (provided to participants of the trial). But the kicker has to be that the content would be DRM protected and customers pay $1.99 for a movie that must be viewed within 30 days and is only viewable for 48 hours.

The digital download service is just the latest in Blockbuster's new strategy to hold on to customers by offering something other than the brick and mortar experience. Some of their other ideas have included DVD subscription services and DVD kiosks. Blockbuster is hoping these new services could reduce the effect that illegal downloading has cost their bottom line as well as open them up to new tech-savvy customers. I understand that Blockbuster needs to fight off the pirates like everybody else, but I doubt that products bogged down with DRM are going to persuade your average pirate to go legit. But on the upside, at least Blockbuster's latest scheme would mean that there's nothing to return, and you don't have to deal with receiving damaged or scratched discs -- but in the grand scheme of things, that ain't much.

If Blockbuster wants to live to fight another day, I think they are going to have to come up with something a lot better than this, don't you?

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]]>BlockbusterdownloadDRMdvdhome entertainmentHomeEntertainmentpiracyrentalsJessica BarnesFri, 13 Nov 2009 14:15:00 ESTJames Franco's on 'General Hospital' Because of a New Film?http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/james-franco-general-hospital-new-film/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/james-franco-general-hospital-new-film/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/james-franco-general-hospital-new-film/#commentsFiled under: ,

Remember how James Franco shocked everyone last month with news that he was going to spend a number of weeks on the ABC soap opera General Hospital? Well, it seems to be a little more than just a random urge. Movieline had their suspicions about Franco's reasoning and spoke to Carter, who has collaborated with the actor on a number of projects from photo shoots to idiosyncratic filmmaking.

According to Carter: "It was an idea that I posted to him, and it's tied to another film that he and I are working on now." It's a "feature film that's gonna be pretty abstract, for a larger audience," and when asked about whether he's had input on Franco's involvement with the show: "Well, that's actually stuff that's really unfolding now, because we're shooting it. Hmm, what can I say? Again, it's a fine line between a job that James is doing at General Hospital that's a very serious thing..." "General Hospital -- or a soap opera in general -- is part of the film we're working on, but it's not a giant part of the narrative. It's not going to affect the way the film turns out to be." Beyond grabbing a handful of elusively vague answers about what this upcoming film will be, the interview delves into their artistic relationship and past collaborations.

So there you have it -- this was all for a film project that's not quite discernible at the present time. For now, hit the jump and check out a sneak preview of Franco's soap opera action. ...And yet another terrible use of Gary Jules' Mad World.

Continue reading James Franco's on 'General Hospital' Because of a New Film?

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]]>CarterCinematicalGeneral HospitalGeneralHospitalJames FrancoJamesFrancoMonika BartyzelThu, 12 Nov 2009 20:45:00 ESTMost Adorable Commercial Ever? Tim Burton's MoMA Spothttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/tim-burton-moma-commercial/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/tim-burton-moma-commercial/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/tim-burton-moma-commercial/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tim Burton MoMA RetrospectiveSome might say it's too early to have a career retrospective for Tim Burton, which the Museum of Modern Art in NYC will be hosting from November 22, 2009 to April 26, 2010, but I say, "Bring it on!" The more Tim, the better. And naturally, the commercial promoting this must-see exhibition is directed by Burton and scored by his longtime collaborator Danny Elfman.

The exhibition will include Burton's sketches, films, a book signing, and a special film series called "Tim Burton and the Lurid Beauty of Monsters" "that have influenced, inspired, and intrigued Burton, and which reflect the motifs, themes, and sensibilities of his work."

For more info on the exhibit, go to the official MoMa website. Meanwhile, you can check out the commercial after the jump, or read some previous goodies on Mr. Burton, like this gallery of Tim Burton art, an interview with him at Comic-Con, and the extended trailer for Alice in Wonderland.

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]]>danny elfmanDannyElfmanmomatim burtontim burton commercialTimBurtonTimBurtonCommercialJenni MillerThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:02:00 ESTBlu-ray Review: Uphttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/up-review-blu-ray/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/up-review-blu-ray/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/12/up-review-blu-ray/#commentsFiled under: ,

As 2009 begins to come to a close and critics and pundits consider the movies that will ultimately make their Top Tens and Best Of lists, Up seems like a shoe-in for all of them. Effortlessly charming, deeply affecting and genuinely rousing, Pete Docter's follow-up to Monsters, Inc. is nothing short of spectacular. I'm especially reminded of this now that the film has arrived on Blu-ray, in no less than an epic four-disc set. But even as one of the best films of the year, is its home video iteration one of the best Blu-rays as well? Looking at the material contained (if also spread out) in this collection, I'm not so sure, even if everything on it nevertheless manages to make Up look like a masterpiece all over again.

Disc One features the film itself, two short features, and a modest but potent slate of extras. In terms of presentation, Up looks simply gorgeous, offering remarkable clarity and vividness no matter what's up on the screen, while the audio is muscular without being overwhelming. Meanwhile, the two shorts - "Partly Cloudy," which was attached to theatrical prints of Up, and the interstitial "Dug's Special Mission" - offer further adventures for viewers to check out once they've cried their eyes out watching the movie itself.

Additionally, the two featurettes, "The Many Endings of Muntz" and "Adventure is Out There," showcase specific aspects of the creative process that will probably be of most interest or importance to viewers: the first examines the way the filmmakers came up with the "villain"'s comeuppance, and what other options were available; and the second follows the creators as they journey to South America to visit the real-life tepui mountains that gave them inspiration when conceiving the film's picturesque vistas.

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]]>blu-raybob petersonBobPetersonpete docterPeteDocterpixarupTodd GilchristThu, 12 Nov 2009 09:03:00 ESTFree Flick of the Day: The Last Days of Discohttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/free-flick-of-the-day-the-last-days-of-disco/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/free-flick-of-the-day-the-last-days-of-disco/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/free-flick-of-the-day-the-last-days-of-disco/#commentsFiled under: ,

Whit Stillman hasn't made a lot of films. In fact, there are only three: Metropolitan, Barcelona, and The Last Days of Disco. All filmed in the '90s, his trio of movies morphed from upper-class teen Manhattanites, to heading out into the international working world, and finally to a look into the end of disco. Unfortunately, the last was sadly overlooked because another big disco fest hit the big screen -- 54 -- which may have been terrible, but with the likes of Mike Myers and a big-name cast, it was the flick in the spotlight.

Nestled in the shadows was The Last Days of Disco, starring Chloe Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale as two young book editors who fill their nights with dance and banter while looking for romance. Each night, as they head to the club, they come across a myriad of faces, from the Stillman pro Chris Eigeman, to the likes of Mackenzie Astin, Matt Keeslar, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Beals, Burr Steers (recently directed 17 Again), and even Drew's mom, Jaid Barrymore. They gossip, discuss intellectual pursuits, analyze Lady and the Tramp, and even purr over the sexiness of Scrooge McDuck -- all to a classic disco soundtrack.

If you love satire, and a mixture of surreality intermingled with spot-on dialogue (think intellectualism on the back-drop of all-out glam), you've got to check it out. Best of all, should you adore watching this for free, you can then pick up the new Criterion on sale at Barnes & Noble, where they're having their wicked 50% off sale again.

Watch The Last Days of Disco over at SlashControl!

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]]>CinematicalFree Flick of the DayFreeFlickOfTheDaySlashControlThe Last Days of DiscoTheLastDaysOfDiscoWhit StillmanWhitStillmanMonika BartyzelWed, 11 Nov 2009 19:35:00 ESTIndie Roundup: Swanberg Sex, Veterans Day Docshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/indie-roundup-swanberg-sex-veterans-day-docs/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/indie-roundup-swanberg-sex-veterans-day-docs/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/indie-roundup-swanberg-sex-veterans-day-docs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Cinematical's Indie Roundup

Indie Roundup is your guide to what's new and cool in the indie film world.

On-Demand / Online Viewing. Love him or find him irritating, he's practically a category unto himself now. Joe Swanberg continues to explore the endlessly fascinating topic of twenty-something romantic relationships in Young American Bodies, a web series now on IFC.com. Season 4 debuted on Monday at IFC.com, and future episodes of the five-part series will premiere on a weekly basis. If you're a Swanberg fan, you'll want to check it out: it expands on his vision of sex and everything that leads up to it and follows afterward: elusive, kinda real, kinda fake, pretty messy.

In honor of Veterans Day, SnagFilms presents a selection of films appropriate for the occasion, covering a national shrine in Arlington: Field of Honor, dangerous missions in Baghdad Bound: Devil Dog Diaries, remembering the Battle for Midway, and so one. Truly, there's something for everyone to discover among the documentaries showcases. Similarly, Hulu has two films of interest: Jerabek, the tragic story of U.S. Marine Ryan Jerabek, and When I Came Home, which covers the troubling issue of homelessness among veterans.

Also newly available online: the enchanting "banjo player goes to Africa" doc Bela Fleck: Throw Down Your Heart (on iTunes) and a close-up (sorry) view of artist Chuck Close (also on iTunes).

Deals. As always, our friends at indieWIRE has been tracking recent acquisitions. The latest: romance My Year Without Sex (Strand Releasing, due spring 2010); drama The Good Heart, with Brian Cox and Paul Dano, directed by the very talented Dagur Kari (Magnolia Pictures, due next year); and social satire The Joneses, with David Duchovny and Demi Moore (Roadside Attractions, due spring 2010).

After the jump: more than Precious at the box office.

Continue reading Indie Roundup: Swanberg Sex, Veterans Day Docs

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]]>bela fleck throw down your heartBelaFleckThrowDownYourHeartchuck closeChuckClosejerabekjoe swanbergJoeSwanbergmy year without sexMyYearWithoutSexthe good heartthe jonesesTheGoodHeartTheJoneseswhen i came homeWhenICameHomeyoung american bodiesYoungAmericanBodiesPeter MartinWed, 11 Nov 2009 18:02:00 ESTBlu-ray Review: Funny Peoplehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/funny-people-blu-ray-review/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/funny-people-blu-ray-review/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/11/funny-people-blu-ray-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,


These days it's common practice for filmmakers to document every single aspect of a movie's creation for its eventual home video release - examining previsualization, creature development, fight choreography, set and costume design, effects rendering, and so on. When you're making a comedy, however, there seems to be less of interest in the different aspects of production (not the least of which because many of those above aren't even a factor), leaving only outtakes, gaffes, and alternate line readings to fill out the bonus features for a forthcoming Blu-ray or DVD.

Judd Apatow's Blu-ray for Funny People, however, runs contrary to expectations; indeed, it's by far the most complete and comprehensive portrait of a comedy production ever assembled. Featuring not only the requisite slate of alternate takes, film flubs, and extra scenes, but two different versions of the film, multiple featurettes, archive footage, and a feature-length documentary about the film's origins, development and production, the two-disc set takes the art of being funny very seriously.

Continue reading Blu-ray Review: Funny People

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]]>adam sandlerAdamSandleraziz ansariAzizAnsariblu-rayfeaturedfunny peoplefunny people blu-rayFunnyPeopleFunnyPeopleBlu-rayjason schwartzmanJasonSchwartzmanjudd apatowJuddApatowseth rogenSethRogenTodd GilchristWed, 11 Nov 2009 10:33:00 ESTFree Flick of the Day: Spartacushttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/free-flick-of-the-day-spartacus/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/free-flick-of-the-day-spartacus/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/free-flick-of-the-day-spartacus/#commentsFiled under: ,

"You can't put words back in your mouth. What you can do, is spread false gossip so people think that everything that's been said is untrue ... It's like the end of Spartacus. I have seen that movie half a dozen times and I still don't know who the real Spartacus is. And that is what makes that movie a classic whodunnit." -- The Office

I know very well there isn't a single Cinematical reader who doesn't know who the real Spartacus is. There's probably little children who haven't even seen Stanley Kubrick's Roman epic who know who the real Spartacus is because the movie has become such a cultural touchstone. But just because it's ubiquitous doesn't mean you shouldn't sit down and watch the movie again, especially since it's playing for free on SlashControl. Its lengthy runtime might make it a little uncomfortable to view on your laptop, but just make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks, and you should be just fine.

Spartacus is quite dated (this is the era of filmmaking when no one thought flattops and beehives would be out of place in any time period), and Howard Fast's version of the myth was skewed toward his own political beliefs. But it's still a pretty brutal movie, and runs counter to Hollywood's vision today in that it makes the ending worse than the history. Eyewitnesses claim Spartacus died in battle. No one really knows, as his body was never recovered, but history is reasonably certain he wasn't one of the 6,600 crucified along the Via Appia. But Hollywood brutally chose to put him among them, and didn't even spare his wife and infant son the sight. That final farewell between Spartacus and Varinia traumatized me as a kid (it has to be one of the first movies I saw where the good guy didn't win), and still gets me every time.

Watch Spartacus now on SlashControl!

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]]>Free Flick of the DayFreeFlickOfTheDaykirk douglasKirkDouglasspartacusstanley kubrickStanleyKubrickElisabeth RappeTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:03:00 ESTLil' Wayne's 'The Carter' Doc Heads Straight to DVDhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/lil-waynes-the-carter-doc-heads-straight-to-dvd/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/lil-waynes-the-carter-doc-heads-straight-to-dvd/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/lil-waynes-the-carter-doc-heads-straight-to-dvd/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to catch a screening of Lil' Wayne's The Carter while attending the Sundance Film Festival, and going in I had no idea what to make of it. I wasn't all too aware of (nor did I really care for) Lil' Wayne or his music, and so I was somewhat surprised to find a really heady documentary about a man who on one hand was extremely passionate about his craft, but on the other was extremely addicted to all kinds of drugs. It was almost as if the drugs were fueling his music, so much so that you'd be hard pressed to find one scene in the film where Wayne isn't either smoking a joint or drinking his "syrup", which is some sort of codeine-based liquid that he needs to be drinking while performing in order to maintain a constant buzz.

Yes, I'll admit the film was rather fascinating on a variety of different levels, and I was somewhat disheartened to learn that Wayne was preventing the doc from being released because he wasn't happy with the outcome -- an epiphany he probably had during a rare three-minute sober period. However, a court has since denied Wayne's attempt to block the film's release, and now QD3 Entertainment will send The Carter straight to DVD on November 17th (you can pre-order your copy over here). Regardless of your musical tastes, The Carter is a very entertaining look inside the world of an iconic drug-addicted work-a-holic who lives and breathes a constant high, be it through drugs or his music.

Read a snippet from my review and watch the trailer after the jump.

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]]>lik wayne the carterLikWayneTheCarterqd3 entertainmentQd3Entertainmentsundance film festivalSundanceFilmFestivalthe carterTheCarterErik DavisTue, 10 Nov 2009 13:32:00 EST'Meatballs' on TV: Only $25!http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/meatballs-on-tv-only-25/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' (Sony)The war for your wallet may be shifting from DVD stores to your living room. Just yesterday, our own Jessica Barnes described the price war between Walmart, Target and Amazon as the three retailers have temporarily slashed their profits and passed the savings on to you. Now comes word that Sony will pre-empt retailers by making their animated hit Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs available exclusively to owners of selected Sony television sets and networked Blu-ray players more than a month before it's released on DVD. Sony, however, expects you to slash your savings and pass the profits on to them, charging $24.95 for a rental.

That's a big chunk of change for a pay-per-view movie, dramatically higher than cable and satellite systems charge for pay-per-view flicks in their window of availability before DVD and Blu-ray release. Details from a business standpoint are provided in The New York Times -- the higher price is meant to avoid angering Walmart, the largest and thus most powerful DVD retailer in the country, and the move is part of Sony's strategy to leverage its ownership of both hardware (TVs, Blu-ray players) and software (movies, television) production. I'm sure Sony shareholders will be pleased.

What about the consumer? In his Home Theater blog for ZDNET, Sean Portnoy wonders: "In this economy, is being able to rent this successful movie a few weeks ahead of the masses really worth an extra $20? In fact, if you're using Netflix or renting at $1 per night through Redbox, the pricing difference is even starker." Sony tried this last year with Will Smith and Hancock, but economic times are even more difficult now. Will you pay $25 for Meatballs?

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]]>cloudy with a chance of meatballsCloudyWithAChanceOfMeatballsfeaturepay per viewpay per view moviesPayPerViewPayPerViewMoviessony braviaSonyBraviavideo on demandVideoOnDemandPeter MartinTue, 10 Nov 2009 12:45:00 ESTHallmark Offering Really Nerdy Christmas Tree Ornamentshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/hallmark-offering-really-nerdy-christmas-tree-ornaments/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/hallmark-offering-really-nerdy-christmas-tree-ornaments/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/hallmark-offering-really-nerdy-christmas-tree-ornaments/#commentsFiled under: ,

Well, it's that time of the year again -- time to wait until the very last minute to buy presents for your loved ones in order to solidify the fact that you'll be waiting on insanely long lines next to people who don't shower and like to scream at their misbehaving kids about once every 10 seconds. Or at least that's what I'll be doing this year. One thing I always look forward to, though, is heading out on a cold winter's night to purchase a way-too-expensive Christmas tree for my living room ... and then decorating it while consuming some nice tasty beverages that may or may not be of the alcoholic variety.

But when you're a movie geek like me, you want to decorate that tree with tons of really random movie references so that your family can come over and be all like, "Um, is that the car from Ghostbusters hanging on your tree?" Luckily, for nuts like us, there's Hallmark -- who this year have unleashed a pretty cool collection of nerdy movie-related ornaments tied to Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Ghostbusters, The Corpse Bride, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, A Christmas Story, Bolt, Cars, Toy Story, Shrek, Harry Potter and more.

And in case you're wondering which ornament I'll be purchasing for my tree this year, look no further than the right of your screen. I shouldn't have to tell you which movie and scene that ornament references. Check out a few of my personal favorites below and the rest over at Hallmark.

Gallery: Hallmark Movie-Inspired Ornaments



[via Topless Robot]

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]]>a christmas storyAChristmasStoryghostbustershallmarkindiana jonesIndianaJonesstar warsStarWarsthe wizard of ozTheWizardOfOzErik DavisTue, 10 Nov 2009 12:02:00 ESTSpin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/10http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-for-11-10/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-for-11-10/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/10/spin-ematical-new-on-dvd-for-11-10/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Up
If there is one disc sure to fly off shelves this week, it's this one. The Pixar film made instant fans out of most viewers, and agonizingly ripped the rest of our hearts out with the love story opening. In her review, Jette Kernion said Up is "a very good movie that defies demographic categorization." By now, your minds are probably made, but if not: Buy it. Also on Blu-ray.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

The Ugly Truth
How do you follow up comments about Knocked Up being a little bit sexist? By producing and starring in a film that teaches a smart and successful woman the "ugly truth" of life from a notorious chauvinist, naturally. In his review, Jeffrey M. Anderson wrote that this romcom "actually knows next to nothing about dating advice, the behaviors of men and women, or much of anything else romantically human." Skip it and save yourself. Also on Blu-ray.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut
We all knew this was coming -- the step above the director's cut, the disc for uberfans of the graphic novel -- a version of the film with all of The Black Freighter interspersed as it was in print. Grab this, and you should have everything you need from the big-screen cinematic experience. If you adore all things Watchmen, Buy it. Also on Blu-ray.

Buy at Amazon

The Accidental Husband
When he wasn't spending time in Watchmen's blood and carnage, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was becoming Uma Thurman's Accidental Husband. Another one of those floofy romcoms, this flick takes Uma back to her Cats and Dogs days, but this time, she gets the radio show and the man. I imagine. Do you care? Skip it.

Add to Netflix queue | Buy at Amazon

Also out: Robsessed, Love Finds a Home, A Christmas Proposal, The Christmas Clause, Spread, Summer's Moon, The Echo, Hurt, The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger, The Line, Bad Guys

Continue reading Spin-ematical: New on DVD for 11/10

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]]>BallastCinematicalDVD RecommendationsDvdRecommendationsfeaturedThe Accidental HusbandThe Merry GentlemanThe Ugly TruthTheAccidentalHusbandTheMerryGentlemanTheUglyTruthUpWatchmen: The Ultimate CutWatchmen:TheUltimateCutMonika BartyzelTue, 10 Nov 2009 11:15:00 ESTWalmart, Target and Amazon Slash DVD Priceshttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/walmart-target-and-amazon-slash-dvd-prices/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/walmart-target-and-amazon-slash-dvd-prices/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/walmart-target-and-amazon-slash-dvd-prices/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you are the type of person who likes to get their Christmas shopping done early, I've got some good news for you, because now is your chance to buy some seriously cheap DVDs. Variety is reporting that the online stores for Walmart, Target, and Amazon, have gotten into a DVD pricing war and passing those savings on to you. But don't worry, these aren't your usual discount bin selections, instead, big name titles like Star Trek, Night and The Museum 2, and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be going for the low price of only $10 each.

It all started when Walmart announced last Thursday that they would be offering titles like Angels & Demons, Julie & Julia, and Terminator: Salvation at a lower price (but you were only guaranteed the discount price if you shopped online). The reason for the discount according to Walmart was to, "help families holiday shop during this difficult economic environment.", but most have just speculated that the retailer was suffering online and this sale is just the latest attempt to drum up flagging business.

It didn't take long before Target and Amazon jumped into the fray and now an all out 'pricing war' has begun between the three retailers. But before you get too excited, keep in mind that this isn't a shift to a new price scale for DVDs, and the discount is simply to drive new customers to shop online. Prices are expected to go back to normal by the time these titles go into wide release later this month -- so if you love a bargain, you're going to need to act fast.

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]]>amazon.comdiscountdvdharry potter and the half-blood princeHarryPotterAndTheHalf-bloodPrinceNight at the Museum: Battle of the SmithsonianNightAtTheMuseum:BattleOfTheSmithsonianstar trekStarTrektarget.comwalmartwalmart.comJessica BarnesMon, 09 Nov 2009 19:15:00 ESTFox to Bombard You with Random Facts During Moviehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/fox-to-bombard-you-with-random-facts-during-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/fox-to-bombard-you-with-random-facts-during-movie/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/09/fox-to-bombard-you-with-random-facts-during-movie/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fox is trying to sell more DVDs by adding Pop Up Video.

The Hollywood Reporter posts that the company is hoping to boost sales by "putting a new spin on interactivity, including harnessing the power of social networking" with a little system called "FoxPop." Not so much a "new spin," FoxPop is a downloadable computer program (works with Mac, PC, and iPhone) that will recognize the sounds of a film, immediately sync up, and give movie viewers a "constant barrage of facts, photos, games, and trivia questions related to the movie they are watching." In other words -- Pop Up Video on a separate screen you're welcome to ignore.

Fox's example of how it will work: "when a T. rex appears on the screen, for example, the user's iPhone would vibrate and ask how many bones that particular dino has. It will also tell what percentage answered the query correctly" while completely distracting them from the fun of the dino hunt. Social networking comes into play with the ability to make comments on the film with Facebook and Twitter that your friends will be able to see when they want to watch a movie. I see the last bits of our attention spans flying away into the ether of history...

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]]>CinematicalDVD salesDvdSalesFoxPoppopup videoPopupVideoMonika BartyzelMon, 09 Nov 2009 12:45:00 ESTIan McKellen Suffers 'The View' Stupidity with Grace and Withttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/ian-mckellen-and-how-to-take-idiocy-with-grace/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/ian-mckellen-and-how-to-take-idiocy-with-grace/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/07/ian-mckellen-and-how-to-take-idiocy-with-grace/#commentsFiled under: ,

Actors might make a lot of money, but at least they work for it with long hours on set, paparazzi insanity, exhausting PR tours, and the pressures of handling the same questions over and over and over again with grace and charm. But even more impressive is when they can be graceful in the face of utter ignorance or idiocy.

We've watched John Cusack get interviewed by a clueless film student, and now (after the jump of course) you can see Ian McKellen handle the women from The View. Ah, there's nothing like having your television interview start out with an inflammatory rant about swine flu and socialized medicine. It's not a surprise really -- the once-sweet Survivor star Elisabeth Hasselbeck has made a career out throwing wild rants into unusual places on the show. But, sadly, that's only the start of the nonsense that McKellen handles with dashing grace. Whoopi Goldberg can't keep her actors straight, and Sherry Shepherd pulls off one of those classic moments where a clueless interviewer reads crap off the cards without knowing what the hell she's talking about.

Yet, in the face of all that, McKellen is pure charm. I always find that impressive. Sure, he's an actor and makes his living making fiction convincing, but to be ready with that clever retort, graciously correct someone who should know better, and take it all in stride ... I wouldn't say this about most of Hollywood, but I think we can all learn a little from that small part of the biz.

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]]>CinematicalIan McKellenIanMckellenThe ViewTheViewMonika BartyzelSat, 07 Nov 2009 11:02:00 ESTThe Worst Movie Biopics and Five That Are Pretty Darn Goodhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/the-worst-movie-biopics-and-five-that-are-pretty-darn-good/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/the-worst-movie-biopics-and-five-that-are-pretty-darn-good/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/the-worst-movie-biopics-and-five-that-are-pretty-darn-good/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Watch enough movies and you learn pretty fast that they aren't about reality, they're about entertaining us. Which sometimes makes the world of the biopic a little tricky, because not only do you have to work in the truth, but you still have to keep those butts in the seats -- and the results are not always good. Over at Moviefone they've compiled some of the worst movie biopics, and no one was safe -- with films earning a spot for mixing up their facts, ridiculous casting, or just downright lazy filmmaking.

So who made the list? Well, you've got your usual suspects like Oliver Stone's Alexander, a film that has so much wrong with it I don't know where to put the blame (oh, that's right, on everyone). Other films that made the cut for the less than flattering title of 'Real Life Catastrophes' were Kevin Spacey's Bobby Darin flick, Beyond The Sea, Luc Besson's The Messenger, and Alan Parker's Evita. But don't think the classics made it out unscathed either, because both Captain Eddie and The Babe Ruth Story also earned a mention.

As a genre, I love biopics -- especially the bad ones. I've watched everything from made-for-TV movies on The Beach Boys to high art flicks like I'm Not There. So no matter what kind of biopic it might be, I will usually give it a chance. Over the years, I've seen movies that bend the truth and those that just mess it up entirely, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy them. Besides, if you're looking for unadulterated facts, you should probably head to the library and not the multiplex.

After the jump: five of my favorite movie biopics...

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]]>alexanderbiopiccourtney loveCourtneyLoveKevin SpaceyKevinSpaceymalcolm xMalcolmXSid and NancySid ViciousSidAndNancySidViciousspike leeSpikeLeesweet dreamsSweetDreamsWoody HarrelsonWoodyHarrelsonJessica BarnesFri, 06 Nov 2009 21:15:00 ESTHello, My Name is Scott and I Love the 'G.I. Joe' Blu-rayhttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/g-i-joe-dvd-blu-ray-review/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/g-i-joe-dvd-blu-ray-review/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/g-i-joe-dvd-blu-ray-review/#commentsFiled under: ,

Back in August was when G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra hit the screens, and while I had no reason to expect anything but a merciless brain-pummeling from the experience, I walked out suitably impressed with the flick's popcorn-tastic mentality. I even ended my review with this: "Truth be told, the flick's action centerpiece, a crazy chase through Paris, will soon be on heavy blu-ray rotation around my house." Yes, the director who slapped me with The Mummy Returns and pummeled me with Van Helsing is now back in my good graces. (The awesomely amusing Deep Rising is always the tie-breaker for Stephen Sommers.)

You can enjoy my wonderfully insightful G.I. Joe review right here if you like, but this time out I just want to focus on the blu-ness and not the wackness: If you liked the flick, you want to own it on Blu-ray, trust me on that one. The supplemental features are basic but well-produced: there's an audio commentary with Sommers and producer Bob Ducsay that shows a good deal of enthusiasm and preparation on their part, plus on disc 2 you'll find a pair of rather slick and thorough featurettes: the 30-minute The Big Bang Theory is the "catch-all" behind-the-scenes piece that covers a lot of bases, and Next-Gen Action (about 20 minutes) focuses more intently on the special effects and production design.

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]]>g.i. joeg.i. joe dvdG.i.JoeG.i.JoeDvdScott WeinbergFri, 06 Nov 2009 20:32:00 ESTFree Flick of the Day: Charadehttp://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/free-flick-of-the-day-charade/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/free-flick-of-the-day-charade/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/11/06/free-flick-of-the-day-charade/#commentsFiled under: , ,

I hate saying "They just don't make movies like they used to" because it really yearns for a golden age that I don't believe ever truly existed in Hollywood. Every age has had its share of studio dreck, every decade has its gems, and audiences have always complained that movies were better in a mystical "back then." But with a film like Charade, the grumpy adage rings true. They don't make movies like this anymore. But luckily they did once upon a time, and you can watch this one on SlashControl.

If you've never seen Charade, you are in for a dizzying treat. I won't describe the plot too much as the knots are half the fun. The rest of the charm rests solely on the shoulders of Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, who are thrown together in a plot of intrigue, romance, politics, and war crimes. Despite all the deaths and danger, the movie is light, charming, and very, very funny. And the clothes! If it's a Hepburn and Grant movie, you know Givenchy will be a silent cast member. Marvel at the way everyone manages to do action scenes in crisp and beautiful outfits. Go get acquainted with a classic (if it isn't your friend already), and long for the days when they made a lot of things (suits, luggage, and dialogue) a little bit better than today.

Watch Charade now on SlashControl.

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]]>audrey hepburnAudreyHepburnCary GrantCaryGrantCharadeFree Flick of the DayFreeFlickOfTheDaySlashControlElisabeth RappeFri, 06 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST