Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/News Bites: Murray Flies Through the Air & 'Roger Dodger' Reunionhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/23/news-bites-murray-flies-through-the-air-and-roger-dodger-reunio/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/23/news-bites-murray-flies-through-the-air-and-roger-dodger-reunio/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/23/news-bites-murray-flies-through-the-air-and-roger-dodger-reunio/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've seen Bill Murray do a lot over the years, but have we ever seen him as a tried and true, REAL stuntman? Jam! reports that the actor has signed on to parachute from a plane for an appearance at the Chicago Air and Water Show that's taking place next month. If planes buzzing about isn't something that appeals to you, maybe Murray descending from the sky will? He will perform a tandem jump with the Golden Knights skydiving team on August 15. That's a way to get new viewers -- come watch celebrities fall from the sky!

Meanwhile... Are you a Roger Dodger fan? If you haven't seen this flick, you should run out and rent it, pronto. Campbell Scott stars as an uncle who takes his young nephew (Jesse Eisenberg) out on a night on the town to teach him the ways of male adulthood. While at a bar, they come across Elizabeth Berkley and Jennifer Beals, who spend some time with the pair. Now EW has found out that the two ladies are reuniting on the final season of The L Word. Instead of playing friends who do what they can to help young Nick become a man, the Showgirls star will play the straight girl who got away from Beals' Bette in college. Oh, the possibilities!

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]]>Bill MurrayBillMurrayCinematicalElizabeth BerkleyElizabethBerkleyJennifer BealsJenniferBealsRoger DodgerRogerDodgerThe L WordTheLWordMonika BartyzelWed, 23 Jul 2008 17:33:00 ESTDid Joss Whedon Steal 'Dr. Horrible' from Dr. Steel?http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/did-joss-whedon-steal-dr-horrible-from-dr-steel/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/did-joss-whedon-steal-dr-horrible-from-dr-steel/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/did-joss-whedon-steal-dr-horrible-from-dr-steel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,



Whenever a good idea comes along, it doesn't take much time for people to claim they thought it up first. That seems to be the case with Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, the Joss Whedon-created miniseries that streamed online last weekend and is now available on iTunes. Spout reports that legions of commenters calling themselves the Army of Toy Soldiers have been pummeling the site with complaints that Dr. Horrible is a direct rip-off of Dr. Steel, an online show that's several years the senior of Whedon's program. Wired spoke to Dr. Horrible co-writer Mauria Tancharoen, who said they've never heard of Dr. Steel, but don't mind that it exists. The Toy Soldiers, however, appear to be gearing up for a confrontation, possibly one that will go down this week at Comic Con.

Whatever. Dr. Steel offers plenty of entertainment value in its own right, and it does feature a maniacal supervillain with a catchy singing voice (see above). But it also contains more razzle-dazzle weirdness than plot, and Dr. Horrible is pretty much a straightforward narrative. One Toy Soldier member has argued that if they don't speak out, their silence will imply that Dr. Steel stole its concept from Dr. Horrible. That logic holds up -- but either way, we're dealing with two very separate programs here. If anything, the immediate exposure of Dr. Horrible can only help Dr. Steel gain more attention. Once noticed, people should be able to tell the difference.

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]]>army of toy soldiersArmyOfToySoldiersdoctor steelDoctorSteeldr horribledr horribles sing al...DrHorribleDrHorriblesSingAl...joss whedonJossWhedonspoutspout.comEric KohnTue, 22 Jul 2008 20:36:00 ESTSnag This: 'Confessions of a Superhero'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/snag-this-confessions-of-a-superhero/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/snag-this-confessions-of-a-superhero/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/snag-this-confessions-of-a-superhero/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Now that SnagFilms has officially launched (see our announcement post), Cinematical will be featuring a different documentary every week from here on out. All docs are available to watch for free on SnagFilms.com, where you can also snag them and embed them on your own site (as seen above). This week, in honor of The Dark Knight being awesome, we'll be looking at ...

Confessions of a Superhero

Confessions follows several people who choose to spend their days dressed up in costume as characters on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. The film was directed by Matthew Ogens, and it first premiered back at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival where our own James Rocchi said the following: "... if you're looking for a solid look at the entry-level jobs in the dirty business of dreams -- where aspiring hopefuls cloak themselves in borrowed fame to eke out a few bucks -- Confessions of a Superhero never loses sight of pop culture or personal struggle, and sticks with you thanks to a careful mix of big images and small moments."

Feel free to watch Confessions of a Superhero by clicking on the box above, or in larger form over on the SnagFilms site. Watch it. Snag it. Spread it. And let us know what you think ...

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]]>cinematicalconfessions of a superheroConfessionsOfASuperherosnag thissnagfilmsSnagThisErik DavisTue, 22 Jul 2008 19:02:00 ESTNew DVD Picks of the Week: 'Spaced' & 'Robot Chicken: Star Wars'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/new-dvd-picks-of-the-week-spaced-and-robot-chicken-star-wars/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/new-dvd-picks-of-the-week-spaced-and-robot-chicken-star-wars/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/new-dvd-picks-of-the-week-spaced-and-robot-chicken-star-wars/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This is a pretty slow week for DVDs, but there are two more TV-themed releases just perfect for the movie world with slices of celebs and Star Wars content.

Spaced
Tim and Daisy are two strangers who meet while trying to find a new place to live. When they find the perfect apartment, one that requests a couple, they fake it and move in together. The pair try to keep this from the alcoholic landlady while dealing with their dysfunctional romantic lives and spending time with downstairs neighbor Brian, Tim's best friend Mike, and Daisy's best friend, Twist. It sounds fun enough, but add in a ton of geeky cultural references, and names like Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost, and then the rabid fandom starts to make sense.

While it's a number of years old, Spaced has created a whirlwind in the last year -- one that has stretched well beyond its UK borders. And now, finally, we've got the saucy new DVD. You've probably heard about this release over the last few months, because it's not your everyday DVD release. It's a star-studded event.

The packed disc offers not only commentary from people like Pegg, Hynes, and Frost, but also commentaries from Diablo Cody, Matt Stone, Quentin Tarantino, and Kevin Smith, plus Pegg teaming up with a few others -- Patton Oswalt and Bill Hader. There's also biographies, homage-o-meter, teasers, outtakes, featurettes, alternate endings... and even more.

Buy the DVD

Continue reading New DVD Picks of the Week: 'Spaced' & 'Robot Chicken: Star Wars'

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]]>CinematicalDVD RecommendationsDvdRecommendationsRobot ChickenRobot Chicken Star WarsRobot Chicken Star Wars DVDRobotChickenRobotChickenStarWarsRobotChickenStarWarsDvdSpacedSpaced DVDSpacedDvdMonika BartyzelTue, 22 Jul 2008 17:02:00 ESTGoodbye, Ebert and Roeper -- Hello, Lyons and Mankiewicz!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/goodbye-ebert-and-roeper-hello-lyons-and-mankiewicz/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/goodbye-ebert-and-roeper-hello-lyons-and-mankiewicz/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/goodbye-ebert-and-roeper-hello-lyons-and-mankiewicz/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yesterday, we learned that At the Movies was changing in a big way. Richard Roeper had decided to leave the show to pursue a new reviewing program, while Roger Ebert sent out a statement saying that he was out as well, that other projects were in the works, and that Disney was taking the show in a new direction.

Banking on the buzz whipped up by both of their exits, Variety reports that Disney has announced Roeper and Ebert's replacements -- the much younger Ben Lyons and Ben Mankiewicz. If you happen to follow any other on-screen critics, Lyons (on the right) has been a big part of E!, while also popping up in shows like MSNBC at the Movies and Access Hollywood, while Mankiewicz has been the host for Turner Classic Movies, and has an alt pop culture show on Sirius called "The Young Turks."

Of course, new, young blood also means an update to the format, and Disney says that the show will get a new look and new segments when the new incarnation kicks off on September 6. These changes will include a "Critics Round-Up" that will have the two Bens discussing films with other critics via satellite. I dig the simplicity of the past, so hopefully this whole deal won't get too flashy.

What say you, Cinematical readers? Can Ben and Ben fill the big shoes left by Siskel, Ebert, and Roeper, and do you want to see At the Movies get updated?

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]]>At the MoviesAtTheMoviesBen LyonsBen MankiewiczBenLyonsBenMankiewiczCinematicalRichard RoeperRichardRoeperRogert EbertRogertEbertMonika BartyzelTue, 22 Jul 2008 14:31:00 ESTNatalie Portman, Bollywood Princesshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/natalie-portman-bollywood-princess/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/natalie-portman-bollywood-princess/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/natalie-portman-bollywood-princess/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you follow any sort of celeb gossip or couply shenanigans, you might have heard that Natalie Portman is dating Venezuelan folk rocker Devendra Banhart. Trying to assist her hunny, she recently helped him whip up a wacky Bollywood style music video called "Carmensita." You can check out the video over on Spinner, and down below we've included a few screenshots of Portman dressed to the nines.

It's a pretty funky song, full of goofiness, vibrant colors, dancing, and very, very strange subtitles. Portman plays a princess who must be saved by a prince (Banhart) who can shoot snakes out of his eyes. But she also has her own slimy, slithering tricks up her sleeve. The moral of this Bollywood story, however, is the best. You never want to forget the alphabet of desire.

Now we just need to get her into more goofy roles. I'm liking the light-hearted Natalie.

Gallery: Natalie Portman Does Bollywood

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]]>CarmensitaCinematicalDevendra BanhartDevendraBanhartNatalie PortmanNataliePortmanMonika BartyzelTue, 22 Jul 2008 13:32:00 EST'Ghostbusters' Video Game Trailer!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/ghostbusters-video-game-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/ghostbusters-video-game-trailer/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/ghostbusters-video-game-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



I'm sure you've all heard about the upcoming Ghostbusters video game (we've talked about it here and here), and how this was as close as we were going to get to a Ghostbusters III since, well, it was an all new story and all four Ghostbusters (Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson) were reprising their roles (in voice form) for the game. Not only that, but Annie Potts, William Atherton and Brian Doyle-Murray lent their voices too. Sadly, both Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis did not join the party. The script for the game was written by Ramis and Aykroyd (who wrote both Ghostbusters live-action movies), and, well, a lot of your favorite ghosts (like Slimer, Gozer, Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and Vigo) will make an appearance, along with a brand new enemy.

All that being said, the game's trailer can be seen up top -- and it features that totally retro '80s trailer voice with scenes from the live-action movies alongside those same scenes in the video game. Very cool stuff. The game itself (which I believe hits stores on October 14th) looks pretty damn cool, and if this is the only sequel we're going to get, then, well, I'm game. How about you?

[via Spout]

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]]>bill murrayBillMurraycinematicaldan aykroydDanAykroydernie hudsonErnieHudsonghostbustersghostbusters video game trailerGhostbustersVideoGameTrailerharold ramisHaroldRamisErik DavisTue, 22 Jul 2008 12:32:00 ESTGames Galore: 'Wanted,' 'Quarantine,' 'Mean Girls' and More!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/games-galore-wanted-quarantine-mean-girls-and-more/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/games-galore-wanted-quarantine-mean-girls-and-more/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/games-galore-wanted-quarantine-mean-girls-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Man, has this day brought us news of film-based video games aplenty -- one of which you can play for free right now and the rest of which some of you simply can't wait for.

But you'll have to. Wait, that is. They haven't made the darn things yet. Sheesh, hold your horses already.

Trade publication Variety tells us of these titles over the course of two separate articles. One piece points out Universal's plan to crank out several games based on their properties, but only names their highest-profile property at the moment: Wanted. If any of you have seen the film (and a $123 million gross would suggest as much), then you know just how well it should lend itself to the format, what with the bullet curving and knife fighting and Angelina Jolie ogling.

Continue reading Games Galore: 'Wanted,' 'Quarantine,' 'Mean Girls' and More!

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]]>angelina jolieAngelinaJoliecluelessmean girlsMeanGirlspretty in pinkPrettyInPinkquarantinevideo gamesVideoGameswantedWilliam GossTue, 22 Jul 2008 11:32:00 EST'Iron Man' Gets a DVD Release Datehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/iron-man-gets-a-dvd-release-date/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/iron-man-gets-a-dvd-release-date/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/iron-man-gets-a-dvd-release-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The first giganto film of the summer has been given a DVD release date, according to Video Business, and if all goes accordingly it looks like you'll be able to enjoy Iron Man in the comforts of your own living room (legally) on September 30. There's no word on special features yet, however Amazon now allows you to pre-order three different versions, including your standard single-disc ($34.99), a two-disc special edition ($39.99) and a Blu-ray Special Collector's Edition ($39.99). (Note: Those are the list prices and each DVD is cheaper through Amazon.) The article also says to expect Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull to hit DVD in October with Kung Fu Panda in November. One imagines (and hopes) Hancock, WALL-E and The Dark Knight will all hit DVD by Christmas as well.

But back to that Iron Man DVD. Those of you attending San Diego Comic Con might want to listen up because Marvel will be hyping up the DVD at their Comic-Con booth by passing out a flash drive containing a sneak peek at the Iron Man DVD. Of course, should we get our hands on one, you'll be the first to know what's on it.

So, who's buying this DVD?

Update: Thanks to Cinematical reader Jeffrey for pointing us toward a look at the limited edition Crystal Skull packaging for the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull DVD over at Amazon. Check it out below ...

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]]>cinematicalfeaturedhancockindiana jones and the kingdom of the crystal skullIndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkulliron maniron man dvdIronManIronManDvdthe dark knightthe dark knight dvdTheDarkKnightTheDarkKnightDvdwall-eErik DavisTue, 22 Jul 2008 10:30:00 ESTIndies on DVD: 'Help Me Eros,' 'Big Dreams, Little Tokyo,' 'Heartbeat Detector'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/indies-on-dvd-help-me-eros-big-dreams-little-tokyo-hear/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/indies-on-dvd-help-me-eros-big-dreams-little-tokyo-hear/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/22/indies-on-dvd-help-me-eros-big-dreams-little-tokyo-hear/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Three intriguing titles top my list of indie films to check out this week on DVD. Coincidentally, two of them feature actors who also directed (or directors who also acted).

Taiwanese film Help Me Eros, directed by and starring Lee Kang-Sheng, became slightly notorious at the Toronto film festival because droves of otherwise hardy film critics walked out of a press screening, either out of boredom or disgust. Ryan Stewart stayed, even though the first scene made him consider vomiting and the film as a whole was an unpleasant experience. Any film that provokes that strong a reaction, of course, makes it a perfect choice for adventurous renters who don't mind gambling a few dollars on the possibility that they'll never finish watching the movie. (The plot doesn't really matter in this case, does it?) DVD extras are limited to various trailers.

The English-language Big Dreams, Little Tokyo, directed by and starring Dave Boyle, is a culture clash comedy. Boyle plays a man who wants to become a language instruction guru, while his Japanese American roommate (Jason Watabe) wants to become a Sumo wrestler despite his slight build. KJ Doughton at Film Threat gave it a four-star rating ("a fresh filmic entree"). DVD extras include an audio commentary, behind the scenes interviews and "making of" footage, deleted scenes, web spots, and more.

French flick Heartbeat Detector (AKA La Question Humaine), directed by Nicolas Klotz, arrives with little fanfare that I can recall, though it did enjoy a brief, limited theatrical run earlier this year, and Scott Foundas admired "its epic sense of humanity" in the pages of The Village Voice. Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) plays a company psychiatrist with odd methods of motivating the corporate troops. DVD extras appear to be non-existent.

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]]>big dreams little tokyoBigDreamsLittleTokyodave boyleDaveBoyleheartbeat detectorHeartbeatDetectorhelp me erosHelpMeErosla queston humainLaQuestonHumainLee Kang-ShengLeeKang-shengmathieu amalricMathieuAmalricnicolas klotzNicolasKlotzPeter MartinTue, 22 Jul 2008 08:04:00 ESTRichard Roeper Leaves 'Ebert & Roeper'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/21/richard-roeper-leaves-ebert-and-roeper/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/21/richard-roeper-leaves-ebert-and-roeper/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/21/richard-roeper-leaves-ebert-and-roeper/#commentsFiled under: ,

What do you do when you don't have the Ebert and you don't have the Roeper of At the Movies With Ebert and Roeper?

CNN reports that Richard Roeper, the Gene Siskel replacement who has been co-hosting the show since 2000, has declined an offer to renew his contract. After 8 seasons, he's heading on and his last stint on the show will air August 16-17. Roeper says that Disney offered to extend his contract, and he "opted to wait. Much transpired after that behind the scenes, but an agreement was never reached, and we are all moving on." For Richard, that means going to new reviewing pastures. He says that he will be co-hosting another reviewing show, and "will be free to share the details on that program in the near future."

With both of the hosts gone, what happens now? A show with recognizable celebs and guest hosts? Nothing? According to a statement from Roger Ebert, the era is over: "After 33 years on the air, 23 of them with Disney, the studio has decided to take the program named Siskel & Ebert and then Ebert & Roeper in a new direction. I will no longer be associated with it."

It's not entirely shocking news, but it does feel sad. That being said, Roeper isn't the only one with some future plans. Check out the statement after the jump and see for yourself.

Continue reading Richard Roeper Leaves 'Ebert & Roeper'

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]]>At the Movies with Ebert and RoeperAtTheMoviesWithEbertAndRoeperCinematicalRichard RoeperRichardRoeperRoger EbertRogerEbertMonika BartyzelMon, 21 Jul 2008 13:32:00 ESTHarvey Weinstein Explains Why He Dumps Movieshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/21/harvey-weinstein-explains-why-he-dumps-movies/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/21/harvey-weinstein-explains-why-he-dumps-movies/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/21/harvey-weinstein-explains-why-he-dumps-movies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If Harvey Weinstein didn't exist, someone would have to invent him. One week his garbage gets recycled into source material for The Village Voice, the next he and his brother Bob cut a 95-film, multi-year deal with Showtime and resurrect Scream. And then he gives a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter which includes his explanation for why The Weinstein Co. created Third Rail Relasing, a new distribution label. Is it to showcase undiscovered independent gems? Introduce the world to global filmmaking talent?

No, it's for dumping the garbage. He told THR: "We should have had Third Rail two years ago, t's a good way of differentiating between what we really believe in, and what has been for ancillary value."

Third Rail recently released Death Defying Acts, with Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones, admittedly only to fulfill a contractual obligation. Other barely there releases this year include music doc Lou Reed's Berlin, Hong Kong action flick Flash Point, and Aussic croc thriller Rogue. (I really liked the latter two, by the way.) The widest release (48 theaters, per Box Office Mojo) was George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead, which made just under one million dollars. But I guess Harvey didn't "really believe" in any of them.

Continue reading Harvey Weinstein Explains Why He Dumps Movies

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]]>death defying actsDeathDefyingActsflash pointFlashPointgeorge a. romeros d...GeorgeA.RomerosD...rogueshark baitSharkBaitthe reefTheReefPeter MartinMon, 21 Jul 2008 09:03:00 EST'Mad Detective,' VOD, and Acceptable Compromiseshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/20/mad-detective-vod-and-acceptable-compromises/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/20/mad-detective-vod-and-acceptable-compromises/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/20/mad-detective-vod-and-acceptable-compromises/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In a perfect cinematic world, you'd be able to watch every movie you wanted to watch as soon as it was released on a big screen with good sound and projection and an appreciative audience. In the real world, we're always making compromises: my friends don't want to see what I want to see tonight, that new indie movie is only playing in New York and may never play in my town, the woman sitting next to me in the theater keeps talking to her friends.

Mad Detective opened on Friday, but as noted by Eric D. Snider in his latest Indie Spotlight, only in New York. I have no idea if it will ever play in Dallas, where I live, but based on recent history, chances are, it won't. I'm a huge fan of Hong Kong filmmakers Johnny To and Wai Ka Fai, who co-directed, and Lau Ching Wan, a great, underappreciated actor (Beyond Hypothermia, Big Bullet, A Hero Never Dies), but I've been reluctant to spring for the import DVD, which would set me back nearly 20 bucks. (The trailer's available to watch at Moviefone.)

So I compromised and spent $5.99 to watch Mad Detective via the "IFC in Theaters" video on demand (VOD) service on my cable system. That's comparable to a matinee showing at a local arthouse -- I paid $6.75 to see The Wackness on Saturday afternoon -- but the experience is, obviously, not the same. For one thing, "IFC in Theaters" is only available in standard definition, so the picture looks only so-so, even on my 26-inch high-def monitor.

Continue reading 'Mad Detective,' VOD, and Acceptable Compromises

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]]>andy onAndyOnjohnny toJohnnyTolau ching wanLauChingWanmad detectiveMadDetectivewai ka faiWaiKaFaiPeter MartinSun, 20 Jul 2008 15:32:00 ESTNew 'Lebowski' DVD May Be Right Up Your Alleyhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/19/new-lebowski-dvd-may-be-right-up-your-alley/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/19/new-lebowski-dvd-may-be-right-up-your-alley/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/19/new-lebowski-dvd-may-be-right-up-your-alley/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

To triple dip or to wait? That is the question facing Dude-loving fans of the Coen Brothers' cracked comedy The Big Lebowski, which is due out on September 9 in a Tenth Anniversary Edition from Universal Home Video. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, and Julianne Moore star. The announcement was made without details on bonus features; DVD Active has now posted pictures of the menu screens, so we know what's new.

The Big Lebowski was initially released on DVD in 1998, and then was remastered for the 2005 Collectors' Edition. That edition included a "making of" feature, photos by Jeff Bridges, and a brief, jokey introduction. Those extras were included on the HD-DVD edition, released in June 2007 (and reviewed at High-Def Digest). The Tenth Anniversary Edition features those extras plus more: "The Dude's Life," "The Dude Abides: The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later," production notes, theatrical trailer, "The Lebowski Fest: An Achiever's Story," "Flying Carpets and Bowling Pin Dreams: The Dream Sequences of the Dude," interactive map, and photo gallery.

A standard Tenth Anniversary Edition will reportedly retail for $19.98, while a Limited Edition "in special bowling ball packaging" (pictured) will also be available. No news on a Blu-ray edition, though, so the question remains: will you triple dip or wait for Blu-ray? Or will you roll this sucker into your alley? The Dude wants to know.

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]]>coen brothersCoenBrothersdavid huddlestonDavidHuddlestonjeff bridgesJeffBridgesjohn goodmanjohn turturroJohnGoodmanJohnTurturrojulianne mooreJulianneMooresteve buscemiSteveBuscemithe big lebowskiTheBigLebowskiPeter MartinSat, 19 Jul 2008 20:03:00 ESTWe've Got a Date for the 'Dance of the Dead'!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/19/weve-got-a-date-for-the-dance-of-the-dead/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/19/weve-got-a-date-for-the-dance-of-the-dead/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/19/weve-got-a-date-for-the-dance-of-the-dead/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

I'll admit it: Most of the indie / foreign horror films that I see at film festivals and then recommend like crazy ... are not exactly "mainstream" titles. My apologies if you watched Inside, Teeth, or Frontier(s) with your mom -- although she'd probably like The Signal. Heck, even my preferences in studio horror fare tend to run towards the bleak, and hats off to The Mist, The Ruins and The Strangers for keeping me on my toes.

So what's my point? There's one particular indie that is absolutely NOT a gorehounds-only affair. I actually expect quite a (relatively) mainstream groundswell of support once Gregg Bishop's Dance of the Dead hits DVD -- and according to good ol' Bloody-Dee, that DVD will arrive on October 14. Yes, the movie is about a prom that's been overrun by zombies, leaving only the dateless outcasts to save the day, and sure, it's got some gore, some salty language, and some playful sexiness -- but dang if the Dance of the Dead doesn't feel like something Spielberg might have done as a newcomer. (And actually liked horror movies.) It's quick and colorful and jaunty and amusing -- and I think that's the first time I've ever used the word "jaunty" in any capacity. Anyway, toss a red circle around this title. It's not just for the horror fans. (No less than eight Cinematical staffers saw and really enjoyed it.)

And hey, get this! Lionsgate is absolutely GUSHING horror flicks on October 14! Not only the Dance will hit DVD on that date, but seven more titles as well: Brotherhood of Blood, Dark Floors, The Last House in the Woods, No Man's Land: The Rise of the Reeker (cool!), Room 205, The Substitute, and something Russian called Trackman (that looks pretty wild). Now that sounds like a Halloween party!

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]]>brotherhood of bloodBrotherhoodOfBlooddance of the deadDanceOfTheDeaddark floorsDarkFloorsdvdlast house in the woodsLastHouseInTheWoodslionsgateno mans landNoMansLandrise of the reekerRiseOfTheReekerroom 205Room205the substituteTheSubstitutetrackmanScott WeinbergSat, 19 Jul 2008 17:03:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Underrated Music Movieshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-underrated-music-movi/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-underrated-music-movi/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-underrated-music-movi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Right off the bat, I must say: While I love music in film, I don't like most of the musicals out there. Try as I might, most just inspire me to daydream through the musical numbers. But those that capture me, I adore. I never get tired of the rapid wordplay from Pirates of Penzance. I love most of the music in Moulin Rouge -- especially the inclusions of Lamb's "Gorecki." If it's done right, I'm a fan forever (Evil Dead: The Musical).

Surprisingly enough, there are two films that came out in the last year that I really dug, even though they really didn't hit the mark with fans. They came, they danced, they crooned, and they fell flat. I sat down to watch both of these expecting disappointment, and in one case, I was digging it from the first minute, and the other, I just couldn't stop giggling. In a very brief journey back in time, I give you: Across the Universe and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Continue reading Cinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Underrated Music Movies

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]]>Across the UniverseAcrossTheUniverseCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureWalk HardWalk Hard The Dewey Cox StoryWalkHardWalkHardTheDeweyCoxStoryMonika BartyzelFri, 18 Jul 2008 20:03:00 ESTLatest Movie Streaming Site: Amazon Video on Demandhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/latest-movie-streaming-site-amazon-video-on-demand/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/latest-movie-streaming-site-amazon-video-on-demand/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/latest-movie-streaming-site-amazon-video-on-demand/#commentsFiled under: ,

With the popularity of those new Netlix-playing Roku devices and this week's news that Xbox will also work with the Netflix Watch Instantly service and yesterday's launch of the documentary site SnagFilms and the fact that everyone including your grandma has a site that streams movies, it's no surprise that Amazon has finally also launched a stream service called Amazon Video on Demand. And it's got its own special Roku-type device to be manufactured by Sony, only it's much more expensive at $300 (compared to $99 for the Roku). And it seems you also need a Sony-made hi-def television to use it. The good news: eventually Sony's Bravia TVs will cut out the middle man (aka that $300 device) and Amazon may be able to work out future deals with other TV manufacturers.

Because it comes a little too late in the game, and because iTunes will likely forever keep its rival from offering Disney and ABC titles, I don't see Amazon Video on Demand being hugely successful. But the service at least sounds better than Amazon Unbox, which sold movie downloads. Because everyone and your grandmother subscribes to Netflix, if anyone wants to stream a movie they're going to just go with Watch Instantly and Roku. And because the main downside to that service is that it doesn't transfer to portable devices nor does it allow offline viewing, movie consumers are better off with iTunes for their non-Netflix needs. Hey, at least Amazon is still the preferred place to buy books, whether in paper or digital format.

[via Cinema Tech]

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]]>amazon unboxamazon video on demandamazon.comAmazonUnboxAmazonVideoOnDemanditunesnetflixrokusnagfilmsvideo on demandVideoOnDemandChristopher CampbellFri, 18 Jul 2008 08:02:00 ESTNew JibJab Video Debuts Online!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/16/new-jibjab-video-debuts-online/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/16/new-jibjab-video-debuts-online/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/16/new-jibjab-video-debuts-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,




And you thought Wall-E was political. JibJib, the interactive e-card site founded by brothers Evan and Gregg Spiridellis, have returned to the scene that originally brought them fame. The duo first received national notice during the 2004 presidential campaign, when their riotous spoof This Land presented the two candidates (and a variety of secondary players) as rotund heads on animated bodies spouting rhetoric in rhythmic harmony. Since then, the JibJab site has placed more focus on the e-card business, but now it's back to the good old days with Time for Some Campaignin', a jolly tune to set the stage for the Obama/McCain face-off in the weeks to come.

The new video is similar to This Land in that it opts not to spoof either candidate more than the other, instead focusing on the larger campaigning process. It's hard not to laugh at the goofy visuals and smartly composed lyrics (especially those involving the Clintons), but it seems to me that the Spiridellis' work will never attain the degree of insight offered by the satire on The Daily Show (or The New Yorker, for that matter) because of this resolutely non-partisan approach. What do you think?

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]]>barack obamaBarackObamajib jabjib jab this landJibJabJibJabThisLandjohn mccainJohnMccainthe daily showthe daily show with ...the new yorkerTheDailyShowTheDailyShowWith...TheNewYorkerthis landThisLandtime for some campaignintime for some campaigningTimeForSomeCampaigninTimeForSomeCampaigningwall-eEric KohnWed, 16 Jul 2008 20:02:00 ESTDr. Horrible is Here! Catch it Before It's Gone!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/16/dr-horrible-is-here-catch-it-before-its-gone/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/16/dr-horrible-is-here-catch-it-before-its-gone/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/16/dr-horrible-is-here-catch-it-before-its-gone/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're an iTunes subscriber and a Joss Whedon fiend, you were probably giggling yesterday as most fans (like me) kept desperately refreshing and going back to drhorrible.com all day to see Act I of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Now it's up on the new server with no problems and a lot of singing goodness. Free! Some days I really, really love the Internet!

Having just watched Act I for myself, I can tell you that it is so worth the 13 minutes and 49 seconds. It starts off mellow (but still funny), and soon enough -- there are simple, yet ridiculously catchy songs, evil schemes and deeds, and that charming Captain Hammer.

Think Venture Brothers done Whedon style, and the only critique I can come up with right now is that "The Evil League of Evil" doesn't sound as cool as "The Guild of Calamitous Intent." Still, I'm happy. Neil Patrick Harris. Nathan Fillion. Felicia Day. Pure, musical awesome.

Oh yeah, and the MySpace page even has a comic!

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]]>CinematicalDr. Horribles Sing-Along BlogDr.HorriblesSing-alongBlogFelicia DayFeliciaDayJoss WhedonJossWhedonNathan FillionNathanFillionNeil Patrick HarrisNeilPatrickHarrisMonika BartyzelWed, 16 Jul 2008 15:02:00 ESTNew DVD Picks of the Week: 'The Bank Job' and 'Meet Bill'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/15/new-dvd-picks-of-the-week-the-bank-job-and-meet-bill/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/15/new-dvd-picks-of-the-week-the-bank-job-and-meet-bill/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/15/new-dvd-picks-of-the-week-the-bank-job-and-meet-bill/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Bank Job
It sounds like your run of the mill caper movie. It stars Jason Statham, which means that it could go either way. Yet this flick fell safely on the positive scale -- nabbing itself a 78% fresh rating. Our Jeffrey M. Anderson said of the film: "The Bank Job doesn't add anything new to the genre, but it delivers everything we loved about it in the first place."

Statham plays a hustler in debt named Terry who is trying to even the playing field and go on with life in 1971. One day, an old friend and model (Saffron Burrows) pops by with a tasty, albeit illegal, proposition -- there's a bank that is getting its alarms changed, leaving it open for a nice case of robbery. However, instead of taking the monetary goods, they'll hit the safe deposit boxes. Terry does it, but ends up coming across a lot of dirty secrets that reach from the mob to the British government. Oh yes, and it's a true-ish story.

On the 2-disc DVD, you can sift through a commentary with director Roger Donaldson, Saffron Burrows, and composer J. Peter Robinson, plus deleted/extended scenes, and a few featurettes -- "Inside The Bank Job" and "The Baker Street Bank Raid." The first tackles details about the film, while the other tackles the real crime for those curiosu about historical particulars.

Check out Jeffrey's Review | Buy the DVD

Continue reading New DVD Picks of the Week: 'The Bank Job' and 'Meet Bill'

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]]>CinematicalDVD RecommendationsDvdRecommendationsMeet BillMeet Bill DVDMeetBillMeetBillDvdThe Bank JobThe Bank Job DVDTheBankJobTheBankJobDvdMonika BartyzelTue, 15 Jul 2008 14:02:00 EST