The Ghost Writer When a gifted ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) is hired to write the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), he quickly finds himself trapped in a web of political and sexual intrigue. Lang is implicated in a scandal over his administration's harsh tactics, and as the ghostwriter digs into the politician's past, he discovers secrets that threaten to jeopardize international relations -- as well as his life. A taut and shocking thriller. Vitals: Director: Roman Polanski. Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Jim Belushi, Eli Wallach, Timothy Hutton. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 128 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $15.5 million, Summit Entertainment | | |
THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:
After.Life (2009) Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci, Justin Long. After a car accident, a young woman (Ricci) is seemingly caught between life and death and a funeral director (Neeson) who appears to have the gift of transitioning the dead to the afterlife, but who also just might be intent on burying her alive. Extras: Commentary by co-writer/director Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo, "Delving Into The After.Life: The Art of Making a Thriller" featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay).
Curious George: Back to School (2010) Eight episodes of the PBS KIDS TV series in which George discovers that you can learn new things at school, at home and everywhere in between. $16.98. (Universal).
Days That Shook the World: Season Three (2005) Two-disc set with 10 episodes of the BBC/History Channel series that looks at landmark events in history; episodes include the gunfight at the OK Corral, the broadcast of "The War of the Worlds," the St Valentine's Day Massacre, the flight of the last Iranian Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, and the execution of former Romanian president Ceausescu. $29.98. (BBC/Warner).
Deathsport/BattleTruck Collector's Edition (2009) Double feature: "Deathsport" (1978, starring David Carradine, Claudia Jennings, Richard Lynch and William Smithers) is being presented in a widescreen format for the first time; "BattleTruck" (released theatrically as "Warlords of the 21st Century" in 1982) is released to DVD for the first time. Part of the Roger Corman's Cult Classics collection. Extras: "Deathsport": Commentary by co-director Allan Arkush and editor Larry Bock; interviews with actor Jesse Vint; original theatrical trailers; still gallery; trailer and TV spots. "BattleTruck": Commentary by director Harley Cokliss, trailers. (Shout! Factory).
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Cheesiest Edition (2010) Zachary Gordon, Robert Capro, Rachael Harris, Steve Zahn. Extras: "Greg's Deleted Diary Pages," which bring the diary to life with all-new, never-before-seen moments not included in the film, commentary by director Thor Freudenthal and writer Gabe Sachs. Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which includes a digital copy. (Fox).
Dora's Big Birthday Adventure (2010) Music-filled, movie-length adventure has Dora and Boots on a whirlwind adventure through Magic Storybook Land, with guest stars Rosie Perez as La Bruja (the witch), John Leguizamo as the Flying Monkeys and Hector Elizondo as the Wishing Wizzle. Includes two other episodes and a DVD game. $16.99. (Nick/Paramount).
The Dungeon Masters (2008) Documentary -- set against the backdrop of crumbling middle-class America -- about three struggling adults (two men and a woman) who devote their lives to Dungeons & Dragons, the storied role-playing game. One player is a sanitation worker who lures friends into a "Sphere of Annihilation." Another is an evil "drow-elf" displaced by Hurricane Katrina. And one is a failed supervillain who starts a cable access show involving ninjas, puppets and a cooking segment. But the baroque fantasies of these three clash with their mundane real lives, and they gradually come to realize that the game's imaginary triumphs can't completely mask the very real disappointments of life. $19.98. (FilmBuff/MPI Media Group).
Eclipse Series 23: The First Films of Akira Kurosawa. Years before Akira Kurosawa changed the face of cinema with such iconic works as "Rashomon," "Seven Samurai" and "Yojimbo," he made his start in the Japanese film industry with four popular and exceptional works, created while World War II was raging. All gripping dramas, those rare early films: "Sanshiro Sugata" (1943) and "Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two" (1945), a two-part martial arts saga; "The Most Beautiful" (1944), a portrait of female volunteers helping the war effort; and" The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail," a kabuki-derived tale of deception. A bare-bones set, $59.95. (The Criterion Collection).
Elvis on Tour (1972) Golden Globe-winning documentary that followed Elvis on a 15-city tour of the United States in 1972, in newly-restored and remastered Blu-ray and DVD versions. Elvis on Tour, considered to be Presley's last film before his death in 1977, was written and directed by Robert Abel and Pierre Adidge, and the cinematographer was Lucien Ballard. Twenty-five musical numbers spotlight Presley's talent, range and showmanship in captivating on-stage performances and intimate backstage rehearsals with his band, including "See See Rider," "Proud Mary," "Burning Love," "Don't Be Cruel," "Teddy Bear," "Hound Dog," "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," "Love Me Tender," "All Shook Up," "Suspicious Minds," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Are You Lonesome Tonight" and more. Extras: Elvis' Ed Sullivan Show performance, montage sequences (supervised by Martin Scorsese) showcasing Elvis' early career and movies. The Blu-ray Disc is packaged as a book filled with Elvis photos, quotes, trivia, a tour itinerary, set lists, costumes, and background information about the filming techniques used. $19.96 DVD, $34.99 Blu-ray. Read more about this month's Elvis releases and the celebrations surrounding the 75th anniversary of the rock 'n' roll icon's birth. (Warner).
The Elvis 75th Anniversary DVD Collection (2009) Boxed set commemorating the 75th anniversary of the rock 'n' roll icon's birth, with 17 Elvis films, including the new "Elvis on Tour" as well as "Jailhouse Rock," "Viva Las Vegas," "It Happened at the World's Fair," "Kissin' Cousins," "Girl Happy," "Tickle Me," "Harum Scarum," "Spin Out," "Double Trouble," "Stay Away, Joe," "Speedway," "Live a Little, Love a Little," "Charro!" "The Trouble With Girls," "Elvis: That's the Way It Is" documentary, "This Is Elvis" documentary. The box set includes a 40-page commemorative book with iconic shots from behind the scenes of his movies and stage performances, and insightful career highlights notes. The collection, packed in sparkly, Vegas-inspired, holographic foil with 10 reproduction memorabilia pieces including studio correspondence and signed Elvis Presley checks. $74.92. (Warner).
Errol Flynn Adventures, TCM Spotlight. Five-disc set with five restored and remastered Errol Flynn classic debuting on DVD. The collection includes: "Desperate Journey" (1942), "Northern Pursuit" (1943), "Uncertain Glory" (1944), "Objective, Burma!" (1945), all directed by the legendary Raoul Walsh, and "Edge of Darkness"(1943), directed by Lewis Milestone. $42.92. Read more about "TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures." (Warner).
The Ghost Writer (2010) Director: Roman Polanski. Stars: Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Jim Belushi, Eli Wallach, Timothy Hutton. Also available on Blu-ray Disc.
Happiness Runs (2010) Mark L. Young, Andie MacDowell, Rutger Hauer, Hanna Hall, Jesse Plemons. A coming-of-age tale about a young man growing up on a Utopian commune, where he's faced with the challenge to either submit to his community's ideals or to escape. Although his mother funds the collective that preaches a lifestyle of free love and out-of-body meditations, the sudden reappearance of his childhood love forces him to create a desperate plot to save them both and escape the polygamous cult. (Strand Releasing).
Heroes: Season 4 (2009-10) Five-disc set with 18 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Deconstructing Sylar": Discussion with Tim Kring, Adam Armus and Zachary Quinto; "Milo Speaks"; "Heroes Revolution": Tim Kring and Heroes New Media Creatives discuss the importance of a Web series for a hit television show and how New Media entertainment is created; "Genetics of a Scene"; deleted and extended scenes; Screensaver: Sullivan Brothers Design Gallery screensaver for your television; commentaries. which adds "Behind the Big Top Featurette," BD-Live, pocket BLU, U-Control, My Scenes. (Universal).
Humanoids From the Deep (1980) Doug McClure, Ann Turkel, Vic Morrow. Part of the Roger Corman's Cult Classics collection. New high-definition transfer of the uncut international version presented in anamorphic widescreen. Extras: Deleted scenes; trailer; TV and radio spots; Leonard Maltin's interviews with Roger Corman on the making of the film; "The Making of Humanoids From the Deep" featuring new interviews with composer James Horner, second unit/assistant director James Sbardellati, editor Mark Goldblatt; New World trailers. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Shout! Factory).
James and the Giant Peach: Special Edition (1996) Dir.: Henry Selick; voices of Simon Callow, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Leeves, Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes, Pete Postlethwaite, Susan Sarandon, Paul Terry, David Thewlis. Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack Blue-ray Extras: "Spike the Aunts Interactive Game," production featurette, "Good News" music video by Randy Newman, still frame gallery. (Disney).
Kick-Ass (2010) Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz, Nicolas Cage, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Garrett M. Brown, Clark Duke, Evan Peters, Deborah Twiss, Lyndsy Fonseca, Sophie Wu, Elizabeth McGovern. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Matthew Vaughn, "It's On! The Comic Book Origin of Kick-Ass" featurette, "The Art of Kick-Ass" gallery, marketing archive. Also available as a Blu-ray Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray Disc, DVD & Digital Copy), which adds "Ass-Kicking Bonus View Mode" synchronous with the feature film multi-media presentation that incorporates video and audio commentary, behind-the-scenes clips and illustrative graphics with co-writer/producer/director Matthew Vaughn, plus cast and crew providing an all-access perspective on "Kick-Ass"; "A New Kind of Superhero: The Making of Kick-Ass" documentary. (Lionsgate).
The Kim Novak Collection. Three-disc set with five of Novak's best-known films, fully restored and remastered, including two new to DVD: "Picnic" (1955) starring William Holden, Rosalind Russell, Cliff Robertson and Susan Strasber; "Jeanne Eagels" (1957) with Agnes Moorehead and Jeff Chandler (DVD debut); "Pal Joey" (1957) starring Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth; "Bell Book and Candle" (1958) starring James Stewart, Jack Lemmon Elsa Lanchester; Paddy Chayefsky's "Middle of the Night" (1959) starring Frederick March (DVD debut). $39.95. Extras: Featurettes: "Kim's Hollywood Picnic," "Back Stage and at Home With Kim Novak," "Bewitched, Bothered and Blonde," "Reflections in the Middle of the Night," commentary on "Jeanne Eagles" by Kim Novak and author Stephen Rebello, commentary on "Pal Joey" by Kim Novak and author Stephen Rebello, original trailers. (Sony).
Mercy: The Complete First Season (2009-10) Five-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. (Universal).
Open House (2010) Brian Geraghty, Rachel Blanchard, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer. When a couple on the brink of divorce decide to sell their home and have an open house, a "potential buyer" kidnaps them and tortures them in their basement. Extras: Commentary by director Andrew Paquin, deleted scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).
Piranha (1978) Director: Joe Dante; Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies, Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Barbara Steele, Dick Miller, Paul Bartel, Belinda Balaski, Richard Deacon, Barry Brown. Part of the Roger Corman's Cult Classics collection. Packaged with a reversible cover and presented in anamorphic widescreen for the first time. Extras: Commentary by director Joe Dante and producer Jon Davison; behind-the-scenes footage; "The Making of Piranha" featurette with new interviews with Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Dick Miller, Belinda Balaski and many More; bloopers and outtakes; "Piranha" trailer with commentary by producer Jon Davison, courtesy of Trailers From Hell (www.trailersfromhell.com); stills gallery with photos and posters from around the world; behind-the-scenes stills gallery featuring photos from Phil Tippett's personal collection; additional scenes from the network television version; radio and TV spots; New World trailers. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Shout! Factory).
A Prophet (2009 -- French) Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Hichem Yacoubi. Extras: Deleted scenes, rehearsal footage, screen tests, commentary by director Jacques Audiard, actor Tahar Rahim and co-screenwriter Thomas Bidegain. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony)
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell -- Volume 3. Single disc with Will Ferrell's funniest and best sketches from "Saturday Night Live," including the fan-favorite skits "Inside the Actors Studio," "Celebrity Jeopardy" and "Cheerleader-Chess." (Universal).
Scholastic Storybook Treasures: The Rosemary Wells Collection. Two-disc set features eight of Rosemary Wells best-loved stories: "Max's Chocolate Chicken," "Max's Christmas," "Morris's Disappearing Dog," "Otto Runs for President," "Noisy Nora," "Emily's First 100 Days Of School," "Voyage to the Bunny Planet," "Reading to Your Bunny"; $19.95. Since the beloved "Noisy Nora" was first published in 1973, Rosemary Wells has become one of our most treasured author-illustrators. With a career spanning more than 40 years and 120 books, the estimable Wells has delighted children and adults alike with such unforgettable characters as Max, Ruby, and Nora, the attention-seeking mouse. Extras: Enhanced read-along and comprehension questions to help build early literacy skills, Spanish Versions of "Noisy Nora" and "Max's Christmas," interviews with Rosemary Wells, "Gonna Read to My Bunny" music video. (Scholastic Storybook Treasures).
To Save a Life (2009) Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel, Robert Bailey Jr., Kim Hidalgo, Sean Michael Afabl, Bubba Lewis, Steven Crowder. Inspirational drama about a popular teen who tries to help high school outcasts after a childhood friend tragically dies. Extras: Commentary, deleted scenes, gag reel, "To Save a Life: Behind the Scenes" featurette, music videos. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
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