The Book of Eli (available on DVD and Blu-ray June 15, 2010)
Though it cleverly blends genres and grabs interesting concepts from other films, The Book of Eli doesn’t really offer anything entirely new. There’s definitely style present and enough twists, turns, and thought-provoking undertones to maintain an adequate level of wonderment at what might happen next, though sadly the substance rarely keeps up with the visuals. The action also takes a backseat to the brooding drama and harsh post-apocalyptic visuals, the latter likely offering more believability if Mila Kunis’ makeup hadn’t been perfectly applied at all times.
In the desolate and war-torn future, the enigmatic Eli (Denzel Washington) has been steadily walking west for 30 years, holding in his possession a sacred book of immense power. Regularly dealing with roadside hijackers, cannibals and heavily armed gangs, Eli eventually passes through a fledgling town led by the sinister Carnegie (Gary Oldman). Eli soon learns of the tyrant’s desire to obtain the book and narrowly evades capture with the help of young Solara (Mila Kunis). Now on the run from the mercenary warlord and his men, Eli will guard the coveted artifact with his life, and Carnegie will stop at nothing to get it.
Special features exclusively on Blu-ray include Starting Over: Explore the role we might play in reshaping society after a global catastrophe, Eli’s Journey: Probe the historical and mythological roots of the film’s central themes, The Book of Eli Soundtrack, plus Additional Scenes and A Lost Tale: Billy – an animated short covering Carnegie’s backstory.
Alice in Wonderland (available on DVD and Blu-ray June 1, 2010)
Thirteen years after her initial visit to “Underland” (she mistakenly calls it “Wonderland”), Alice is back, and while the scenery might have gotten a shade darker, the adventures seem to have stayed the same. Using the excuse that Alice simply forgot her previous trip due to her very young age, overly familiar predicaments are reenacted and feel derivative of more than just Lewis Carroll’s writing – giant beasts are bland and recycled and a battle straight out of Narnia finds its way into the climax. At least the Mad Hatter had time to brush up on his sword-fighting skills during the interim.
Plagued throughout childhood by nightmares of white rabbits and grinning cats, Alice Kingsley (Mia Wasikoswka) now finds herself a rebellious 19-year-old in London exhausted by the aristocracy and boorish socialites that surround her. When a snobbish suitor proposes to her, the bewildered Alice flees and once again falls down the rabbit’s hole into “Underland”. This time, however, the magical world is even more distressed as the vile Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) rules with fear, hatred, and the threat of annihilation by the monstrous, winged Jabberwocky. Initially reluctant to help, Alice eventually accepts her fate and with the aid of the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and many more curious creatures, the young girl sets out to defeat the evil usurper and restore power to the peaceful White Queen (Anne Hathaway).
DVD special features include Finding Alice – It’s all things Alice. This featurette includes Tim Burton’s vision for the characters, differences from the book and Disney’s version of Alice and how she evolves as both a character and actor as she takes an adventure through Wonderland,
The Mad Hatter – Audiences are provided with a deeper look into the world of the Mad Hatter. Check out Johnny Depp’s early sketches, make-up, costumes and how they digitally enhanced his eyes, Effecting Wonderland – A behind-the-scenes piece on the different technologies used to create some of the most beloved characters in the film – Stayne, Tweedledee, Tweedledum, Bandersnatch and the Red Queen.
Exclusive Blu-ray special features include Everything on the DVD plus: The Futterwacken Dance – Futterwhat? Check out the making of the timeless dance called the Futterwacken, The Red Queen – The creation of the Red Queen from start to finish, including early Tim Burton sketches showcasing costume designs, make-up and digital effects, Time-Lapse: Sculpting the Red Queen – A short time-lapse piece showing Helena Bonham Carter as she gets her make-up done. A three-hour process can be watched in just a few short minutes, The White Queen – An interview with Anne Hathaway, who plays Wonderland’s good queen, about her character’s journey throughout the process of the film, Scoring Wonderland – Composer Danny Elfman and Tim Burton discuss the music for the movie, Stunts of Wonderland – A featurette highlighting some of the biggest stunts in the film, Making the Proper Size – An inside look at the visual effects process of growing and shrinking Alice. See how filmmakers used different techniques to stay true to the storyline, Cakes of Wonderland – Take a trip to “Cake Divas” where the creators of the EAT ME cakes provide viewers with details about how they made the smallest crumb to the largest cake in scale, Tea Party Props – Tea cups, saucers, cakes and more. Prop master Doug Harlocker gives an overview of all the props used to bring the famous tea party scene together visually.
When in Rome (available on DVD and Blu-ray June 15, 2010)
When in Rome is one of the dumbest romantic comedies of all time. It never once tries to stimulate the mind or hide its obnoxious disregard for the viewer’s intelligence. The story may have sounded interesting on paper, but the translation to the big screen falls flat. Every joke is stale, every twist expected, and the slapstick recycled and repetitive. I suspect even the target audience will question many of the absurdities and wonder why fantasy too often replaces sensibility.
It isn’t even hinted at until well beyond the establishment period of the film is over, but in Rome, Italy, at a particular Fountain of Love, if you steal the coins tossed into the water by various lovelorn passerby, they will magically fall madly in love with you. Beth (Kristen Bell) is a curator at New York’s Guggenheim Museum who reluctantly flies to Rome for her little sister’s wedding (to a man she’s only known for a couple of weeks). While there, she takes interest in the accident-prone Nick (Josh Duhamel) an ex-football player known as “The Hit” (for being struck by lightning on the field in the middle of a game). But just as they’re hitting things off, she spies him kissing another woman, prompting her to drunkenly steal five coins out of a nearby fountain, condemning the foolishness of love and her lack of success with the subject.
DVD features include Kerplunk! Bloopers From Rome - See the cast’s bloopers & blunders on the set of the film, Deleted Scenes, Music Videos - “Starstrukk" by 3OH3! Featuring Katy Perry RT and “Stupid Love Letter” by Friday Night Boys RT
BLU-RAY features include all of the DVD features listed above plus… Alternate Opening & Ending, Crazy Casanovas: Mischief From The Set – We meet our hilarious cast and crew that brought this film to life, Extended Scenes: Pain With The Suitors, plus Additional Deleted Scenes
Remember Me (available on DVD and Blu-ray June 22, 2010)
A title like “Remember Me” is automatically mysterious. Who is making that statement? Who is it directed at? Why is it being made? Is it something a character is requesting, or is it actually a theme that carries all throughout? Is it both? I wouldn't be asking these questions if it weren't for the ending of this film, which, I admit, I have no idea how to feel about. I do know that it will divide audiences. Some will see it as powerful while others will see it as emotionally manipulative, perhaps even offensive. Everyone will agree that it comes completely out of left field. At least, it might seem that way at first; I too was caught off guard, but as I thought back on how the film progressed, I quickly realized that hints – some of them not at all subtle – were being given to us.
All I can say with certainty is that everything leading up to the ending is enjoyable, if a little routine. The main character is Tyler Hawkins (Robert Pattinson), a moody, rebellious, bitter twenty-one year on the verge of turning twenty-two. Is this something to celebrate? Not with the life he is leading. He lives in a dingy New York apartment. He takes all his college classes on an auditing basis. He has no prospects. He picks fights with the wrong people. He smokes too much. He often lands in jail. He hates his father, Charles (Pierce Brosnan), whose cold, distant workaholic tendencies may have played a part in the suicide of Michael, Tyler's brother. Michael, of course, was only twenty-two years old.
In due time, Tyler starts dating a college student named Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin), who has her own emotional baggage to contend with. Part of it stems from her father, an NYPD officer named Neil (Chris Cooper), a broken man who we know is decent deep down. He’s immensely overprotective of Ally. Why? He has his reasons, other than the fact that he’s her father. If she forgets to call home after just one night away, he’ll call everyone he knows down at his precinct and demand they help track her down. If he had his way, she wouldn’t have a boyfriend, nor would she be allowed to grow up. Be that as it may, Tyler and Ally really do seem to have a good thing going, despite the fact that it all started under false pretenses.
Supernatural: The Complete First Season (available on Blu-ray June 15, 2010)
The Creepy. The Demented. The Unexplained. The Unearthly. Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) grew up hunting such terrifying things. But that’s all in the past. Law school beckons him. So does safety and normalcy. That is, until Sam’s estranged brother Dean (Jensen Ackles) appears with troubling news: their father has disappeared, a man who’s hunted evil for 22 years. So to find their father, the brothers must hunt what their father hunts…and Sam must return to the life he’d rather leave behind. Hold on tight for all 22 Season One episodes of the edgy, hip series that has viewers in its grip and critics enthralled.
Supernatural: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray includes all 22 episodes as well as two and a half hours of bonus materials from the original DVD release, such as commentaries, featurettes, unaired footage, and a gag reel. The Blu-ray edition also features the “Devil’s Road Map,” a brand new interactive map guide to urban legends and unusual facts, including over an hour of new interviews and insights into the show, plus the one-hour Paley Festival panel, which was only previously available as a limited-edition account exclusive – in all, this Blu-ray edition includes over 5 hours of bonus content!
Jackie Chan's Shinjuku Incident (available on DVD June 8, 2010)
Action superstar Jackie Chan leads this tour-de-force as Steelhead, a Chinese laborer who comes to Japan hoping for a better life. Unable to find honest work and bullied into the shadows with his fellow Chinese illegal immigrants, he soon finds himself ascending as the boss of a black market mob. After providing a deadly service to a powerful Yakuza crime boss, Steelhead’s rise to mafia power spirals rapidly out of control as he’s given reign over the dangerous and lucrative Shinjuku district. Get set to root for the underdog as Jackie Chan battles Asia’s most ruthless underworld gangs in this action-packed crime drama.
Now, Jackie Chan fans everywhere can experience this riveting, acclaimed action film on DVD, packed with bonus features they won’t want to miss including select scenes commentary with Jackie Chan and Say Hello to the Bad Guy: Up Close with Jackie Chan.
Happy Tears (available on DVD June 15, 2010)
Jayne (Parker Posey) and Laura (Demi Moore) are about to take on the first man they just might not be able to handle: their father Joe (Rip Torn). Dutiful daughters returning to their childhood home, Jayne and Laura are forced to take a closer look at their own not-so-perfect lives when their dad tests the limits of their patience (and sanity) in this heartwarming comedy about how life may cause you to fall apart, but family can pull you back together.
Special features include Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Mitchell Lichtenstein and the Theatrical Trailer.
Max & Ruby: A Visit With Grandma (available on DVD June 15, 2010)
Nickelodeon’s Max & Ruby is a half-hour animated comedy series based on the children's books by Rosemary Wells. Each episode centers on Max, a determined three-year-old bunny, and his big sister, Ruby, a smart, goal-oriented seven-year-old. The show offers an empowering message for children by showing Max and Ruby playing together and resolving their differences in ways that are respectful and supportive.
Grandma's Treasure Hunt / Ruby's Jigsaw Puzzle / Ruby's Recital
Grandma has organized a Treasure Hunt for Max, Ruby and Louise. Max thinks it’s all about “Pirates!” but Ruby and Louise know it’s all about treasure! The final clue leads them to Grandma’s house, where, to their surprise, Grandma greets them in the backyard, with a trunk full of treasure, but dressed as a “Pirate!”
Ruby is putting a puzzle together and Max is playing with his infamous diabolical lobster. When the lobster nabs a puzzle part, first Max, and then Ruby, go on a mad dash to get the puzzle piece back from the lobster.
Grandma’s coming over for an outdoor recital. Ruby doesn’t know what instrument she’s going to play, and Max keeps interrupting her search, asking for more glasses of “Water!” When Grandma comes, Ruby still isn’t prepared, but that’s okay because Max has followed Grandma’s instructions and they both play a recital for Ruby on glasses filled with “Water!”
Ruby's Rainbow / Ruby's Home Tweet Home / Max's Mudpie
Ruby wants to paint a perfect rainbow for Grandma, but she can’t remember the colors or the order they go in, while Max wants to go out to the “Backyard.” Ruby says he can’t go outside because it’s raining, but when she finally follows him out, there’s a rainbow in the “Backyard.”
Ruby & Louise build a birdhouse. Max says “Hungry” and Ruby gets him a peanut butter sandwich, then berries, then sunflower seeds. When the birds don’t come near Ruby and Louise’s birdhouse, Max uses the treats to attract the birds, who are “Hungry!”
Max keeps trying to make a “Mudpie!” Ruby wants him to stay clean, because Grandma’s coming over and she’s got something very special. Max gets himself and Ruby mucky, but that’s okay. Turns out that Grandma’s surprise is a messy-to-eat double chocolate fudge treat she calls “Mudpie!”
Ruby's Missing Tune / Ruby's Home Run / Ruby's Handstand
Ruby wants to get a home run on the baseball team, and Max wants to play with his “Airplane!” After several attempts, during which Max plane causes her to strike, Ruby accidentally hits the ball and then chases the plane around the bases, surprising herself by getting a home run, thanks to Max’s “Airplane!”
Ruby & Louise are putting on a ballet, and Max wants to drive his “Race Car.” When Ruby’s boom box is broken, Ruby can’t remember the tune, until Max’s comes up with the missing notes when he honks the horn on his “Race Car.”
Ruby is supposed to do a handstand and hold if for five seconds for her Bunny Scout “Gymnastic Bunny” badge. Ruby has two problems – one is that her arm muscles won’t hold her for five whole seconds, and the other is Max, who keeps interrupting and asking her to push him on the “Swing!” But when it comes time for her to perform her handstand for Bunny Scout leader, Ruby discovers she’s built up her muscles, thanks to pushing Max on the “Swing!”
Ruby's Good Neighbor Report / Candy Counting / Ruby's New Shoes
Ruby is collecting stories from members of the community for her Good Neighbor Badge. Max has his “Fire Truck”, which ends up helping him come to the rescue during each of Ruby’s interviews. In the end, Ruby’s Report is about her brother the Good Neighbor, and his “Fire Truck!”
Ruby’s the first one in the door of Candi’s Candy Store to try to win the Candy Counting contest. But it’s hard to get an accurate count when you’ve got a little brother who keeps interrupting when he thinks he’s helping.
Ruby wants to buy some new shoes at the shoe sale in the department store. Max wants to meet "Super Bunny!" who's making a personal appearance there. As Ruby keeps searching for the perfect pair of shoes, Max thinks he's going to miss his chance, until the day is saved for both of them thanks to "Super Bunny!'
Circle of Pain (available on DVD and Blu-ray June 15, 2010)
Get ready for havoc and mayhem when the top mixed martial arts champions of the world come together in the extreme knockout release, Circle of Pain. After an unfortunate mishap at the top of his game, fighter Matt Chase retires from the world of mixed martial arts and loses everything along the way. A dispirited Chase settles for a life without glory, until he is forced back into the ring against the current undefeated champion. Now, he must face his fears, rebuild his strength and quickly become the ultimate warrior he was before retiring. However, entering back into the world he left behind isn’t easy - it’s kill or be killed and only the strongest survive. Let the battle begin!
The Circle of Pain DVD and Blu-ray contain bonus features that include “behind-the-scenes” footage and interviews with cast and crew, plus interviews with the fighters and a look at the fight choreography on the set.
StarStruck: Extended Edition (available on DVD June 8, 2010)
StarStruck, a music and adventure-filled romp that hits all the right notes for kids and tweens, tells the story of Jessica Olson (Danielle Campbell, Prison Break) and her older sister Sara (Maggie Castle, Time Traveler’s Wife), who are heading to Hollywood from Kalamazoo, Michigan, on a family trip to visit their grandmother. Sara is obsessed with pop star Christopher Wilde (Sterling Knight, Sonny with a Chance) and hopes to track him down while in California, but Jessica could care less about the stuck-up star and would rather go sightseeing. When the sisters arrive in L.A. Sara takes Jessica on a hunt to find Christopher and a chance meeting with the star sets off a series of comic adventures that feature many of L.A.’s landmark locations. As the sisters sightsee and spend time together, Jessica gets to know the real Christopher and soon their friendship grows. Ultimately Christopher must decide what is more important -- being himself or becoming a movie star. Disney Channel stars Brandon Mychal Smith (Sonny With a Chance) and Chelsea Staub (JONAS) also star as Christopher’s loyal best friend and fame hungry girlfriend, respectively.
The 2 disc set includes the DVD, plus the Walt Disney Records CD soundtrack with chart-climbing songs performed by stars Sterling Knight and Brandon Mychal Smith (“Sonny With A Chance”) among others.
Yo Gabba Gabba: Clubhouse (available on DVD June 15, 2010)
Get ready to dance and sing – just say the magic words “Yo Gabba Gabba!” Join Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex as they build an awesome clubhouse; travel through the jungle on a wild adventure and play with silly animals in the all-new Nickelodeon DVD release Yo Gabba Gabba! : Clubhouse. The DVD features performances by musical guests Erykah Badu, The Killers, Jimmy Eat World and more.
Yo Gabba Gabba episodes include:
Clubhouse
Brobee and Muno build a boy’s clubhouse but won’t let Foofa and Toodee play. Meanwhile DJ Lance and Plex help Foofa and Toodee build an awesome treehouse where they allow everyone to play.
GUEST STARS: Erykah Badu, The Sounds, Mark Mothersbaugh
Adventure
Muno and friends go on an Indiana Jones like adventure! They travel through a jungle under Gabbaland and find the golden treasure.
GUEST STARS: The Killers, Mark Mothersbaugh
Summer
All the characters in Gabba Land use the outdoors and friends to capture the happiness of summertime. In “Bubbles”, “Summertime”, and “Jumpy Jump” all the characters have fun doing different outdoor activities. Then as all the characters have a pool party they learn to take turns on the slide in the “Wait your turn” song.
GUEST STARS: The Aquabats
Animals
Foofa loves animals and she tracks an animal to find out about it. The Gabba gang also discovers some silly animals that only could be found in Gabbaland. Foofa teaches how to care for a pet friend or plant friend and becomes queen of the animals.
GUEST STARS: Jack McBrayer, Paul Scheer, Jimmy Eat World, Mark Mothersbaugh
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- Joy Dominguez
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