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Mention the Christmas Story movie and people respond with their favourite classic scenes such as the BB Gun, bullies in the alley, frozen tongue, the lamp of a lady's fishnet stocking leg and many more. A Christmas Story is a 1983 film based on the short stories and semi-fictional anecdotes of author and raconteur Jean Shepherd, including material from his books In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories. It was directed by Bob Clark. A must have movie to watch every year and several times a year. It is chicken soup for the soul for the holidays.
The Blu-ray edition of A Christmas Story preserves much of the material from the 20th anniversary special edition in 1983, all with the lightheartedness and affection that the film deserves. There's a commentary track by director Bob Clark and actor Peter Billingsley, an 18-minute "Another Christmas Story" featuring interviews with Clark, Billingsley, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, and Zack Ward (topics include their real-life Christmas lists, worst gifts ever, and leaving the real-life Flick stuck to the pole), the script of a cut scene, and featurettes on the the leg lamp and the Red Ryder BB gun. Picture and sound (Dolby 1.0) are adequate but nothing special.
Chloe Grace Moretz is a fantastic young star, and she will become this generation’s Julia Roberts, I’m positively sure of it. However, filmmakers need to stop casting her in mousy geek-girl parts. She was simply too pretty to play Stephen King’s Carrie last year, and she’s too pretty to play “If I Stay“‘s Mia. But, the girl can act!
"If I Stay" follows Mia, a young cellist who could very well be going to Julliard School of Music in the fall. Her parents (Mireille Enos and Joshua Leonard) are rockers from the old days who reluctantly grew up when they had Mia and her brother Teddy. Mia’s boyfriend of some time, musician Adam (Jamie Blackley) is bitter about how their lives going in different directions, without one another.
One fateful day, when Mia is expecting a potential acceptance letter from Julliard, a terrible car crash takes both of Mia’s parents, leaving Mia’s spirit seeing her worst nightmare unfold before her very eyes, unable to do anything about it, lying in a coma. Although, she may possess all the power - the nurse tells her, "you’re running the show, they’re all waiting on you."
Movie details :
- Actors: Chloe Grace Moretz, Jamie Blackley
- Directors: R.J. Cutler
- Writers: Gayle Forman, Shauna Cross
- Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English (DTS 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
- Dubbed: French, Spanish
After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don't have to just crack the case - they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship.
There's a running gag throughout Phil Lord and Chris Miller's hilarious 22 Jump Street that it's basically your typical sequel, ripping off the same old jokes and situations while just making things bigger. The more Meta the film gets the funnier it is, and the truth is that they aren't really lying. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill are back as best buds and keystone coppers Jenko and Schmidt; they're busting up another student-run drug ring; and the same polarizing forces that broke the duo up the last time are again in effect. But you know what? You'll be laughing too damn hard to care that sometimes 22 Jump Street feels a little familiar, especially since that is kind of the point.
Movie details :
- Actors: Peter Stormare, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Wyatt Russell
- Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Color, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English, French
- Dubbed: French
Bring home the thrill of a lifetime with Disney's PLANES: FIRE & RESCUE. This heart-pumping comedy-adventure features a dynamic crew of elite aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfires. When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.
Dusty joins forces with a team of veteran firefighters; together, they battle a massive fire, and Dusty learns what it takes to be a true hero. So buckle up and get ready for nonstop action, memorable characters and never-before-seen bonus features -- it's "A really exciting adventure for the entire family" (Jim Ferguson, KGUN9-TV/ABC Tucson) -- and high-flying fun on Disney Blu-ray and DVD!
Movie details :
- Actors: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, Curtis Armstrong, John Michael Higgins
- Directors: Roberts Gannaway
- Writers: Roberts Gannaway, John Lasseter, Jeffrey M. Howard, Klay Hall
- Producers: Ferrell Barron, John Lasseter
- Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3, Animated, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English (DTS-HD High Res Audio), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
- Dubbed: French, Spanish
This is my perspective on The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. Please stick with me to the end, and I'll try not to lose you. Let's begin. So...if The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was Peter Jackson giving the purists their dues with a relatively straightforward and book-faithful film, then THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG is Peter Jackson saying: "You've had your fun. Now stand back and watch what I can do."
And the ride he takes us on is absolutely exhilarating. SMAUG is darker, moodier, and more mature than any Middle Earth film we've seen thus far. Evil hangs over our heroes like a black pall (literally). Beset on all sides by revenge-seeking orcs, wargs, terrifying spiders, pale creepy-crawlies, double-crossing elves, treacherous humans, a growing Evil in a ruined Elvish citadel, and a huge, vain, fire-breathing dragon...both the heroes and the audience are plunged into a terrifyingly new world. And there's a lot of new stuff to feast your eyes on along the way.
Movie details :
- Actors: Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans
- Producers: Zane Weiner, Carolynne Cunningham, Alan Horn, Ken Kamins, Carolyn Blackwood
- Format: Blu-ray
- Language: English
"Jersey Boys" (2014 release; 134 min.) is the big screen adaptation of the Broadway show "Jersey Boys", itself loosely based on the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. As the movie opens, we are in 1951 in Belleville, NJ, where Frankie, then 16, is working in a barber shop. Over the course of the next 45 min., we get to know the other guys who would make up the group that would eventually name itself the Four Seasons (after a bowling alley, if we can believe the movie), and how slowly but surely the band is working towards success.
The second half of the movie deals with less music-oriented themes, but focuses more on the tensions within the band and the personal sufferings and even tragedies they experience. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Movie details :
- Actors: John Lloyd Young, Christopher Walken, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza
- Directors: Clint Eastwood
- Writers: Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice
- Producers: Clint Eastwood, Graham King, Robert Lorenz, Franki Valli, Bob Gaudio
- Format: Blu-ray, Ultraviolet, NTSC
- Language: English
A passenger with a deadly secret. Six rebels on the run. An assassin in pursuit. When the renegade crew of Serenity agrees to hide a fugitive on their ship, they find themselves in an action-packed battle between the relentless military might of a totalitarian regime who will destroy anything - or anyone - to get the girl back and the bloodthirsty creatures who roam the uncharted areas of space. However, the greatest danger of all may be on their ship. From the mind of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) comes the next chapter in the Firefly adventure loaded with explosive battles, gripping special effects and fantastic new worlds!
About Serenity movie :
- Actors: Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin
- Directors: Joss Whedon
- Writers: Joss Whedon
- Producers: Barry Mendel
- Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Ultraviolet, Color, Limited Edition, Widescreen
- Language: German (DTS 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), Italian (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Japanese (DTS 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)
- Subtitles: Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Mandarin Chinese
- Dubbed: Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese
- Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired: English
When it comes to blockbuster franchises, the first sequel frequently offers pumped-up versions of the initial thrills--to diminishing results. Catching Fire, however, the second adaptation drawn from Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games trilogy, defies that trend with more finely drawn relationships. With the 74th Games in the history books, Katniss (Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence, as comfortable in warrior garb as in designer couture) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson, better than ever) set out on a victory tour across Panem with Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and Effie (Elizabeth Banks).
Despite her best efforts to feign romance with her co-competitor and to keep posttraumatic stress at bay, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) fears that Katniss's defiant nature will incite rebellion, so he takes a tip from new gamemaker Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and launches a Quarter Quell in which past champions, such as the hilariously bitter Johanna (Jena Malone) and the deceptively arrogant Finnick (Sam Claflin), will fight to the death.
Not all tributes are quite so young, like Mags (Lynn Cohen), a senior citizen who suits up for battle and establishes a touching bond with Finnick (Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Plummer play the craftiest teammates). Until the cliffhanger ending, director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) serves up an array of splendors, from killer baboons to the ever-amazing outfits of Effie and Caesar (Stanley Tucci). Most significantly, the script from cowriter Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) strengthens the bonds between Katniss and Peeta and Gale (Liam Hemsworth), who prove themselves more worthy than ever of Katniss's affections.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2014) details :
- Actors: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
- Directors: Francis Lawrence
- Writers: Simon Beaufoy, Michael deBruyn, Suzanne Collins
- Producers: Nina Jacobson, Jon Kilik
- Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC, Widescreen, Digital, Ultraviolet, DVD-ROM
- Language: English, French
- Subtitles: English, French
Actors: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou
Directors: Ridley Scott
Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Set along the tumultuous Arizona-Mexico border,FRONTERA follows Miguel (Michael Peña), a hardworking father and devoted husband who crosses the border illegally and is wrongfully accused of murdering the wife (Amy Madigan) of a former sheriff (Ed Harris). Miguel's pregnant wife (Eva Longoria) lands in the hands of corrupt Mexican "Coyote" smugglers as she tries to help her husband, while the ex-lawman investigates his wife's death and unearths evidence that could destroy one family's future.
This is a great movie, emphasizing the line between Mexico and America-between the have's and the have-not's. As countrymen-whether American or Hispanic we need to stand for what is right and ethical, versus wrong and the low-side. Choose the high road not matter who walks there.
This was a very well done movie and Ed Harris and Michael Pena play good strong leads with dignity and kindness. I was really impressed with the well done story and interesting approach to a difficult situation. Former sheriff Ed Harris had his wife killed. To all initially it appears that illegal Michael Pena may be guilty. Having been a sheriff for a long time he had a gut feeling there was more to it than originally thought. Upon seeing him and hearing his story Harris "a good man" feels that Pena too is "a good man" and sets out to right the wrongs that have been done and bring about justice. Eva Longoria plays a good role too.
An Evergreen Christmas (2014) Details
- Actors: Robert Loggia, Tyler Ritter, Naomi Judd
- Directors: Jeremy Culver
- Format: Multiple Formats, Closed-captioned, Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
- Studio: Arc Entertainment
- DVD Release Date: November 4, 2014
- Run Time: 98 minutes
Eric Clapton is one of the most revered and influential guitarists of all time. From his early days with the Yardbirds, through John Mayall sBluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek And The Dominos and on to his solo career he has had consistent critical and commercial success. Planes, Trains And Eric follows Eric Clapton and his band on the Far and Middle Eastern leg of his 2014 World Tour.
The film features 13 full length performances from the tour intercut with interviews with Eric Clapton and the band members, rehearsal and soundcheck footage, travel by trains and planes, presentations and fly on the wall filming of all the many aspects of being on the road with Eric Clapton.
Bonus Features
Additional interviews
Live performances: (1) Nobody Knows You (When You re Down And Out) (2) Alabama Woman
Track Listing
1) Tell The Truth 2) Pretending 3) Crossroads 4) Driftin 5) I Shot The Sherriff 6) Little Queen Of Spades 7) Layla 8) Wonderful Tonight 9) Key To The Highway 10) Before You Accuse Me 11) Tears In Heaven 12) Cocaine 13) HoochieCoochie Man 14) High Time (Credits Audio Only)
This movie has been a holiday favorite of mine since I first saw it. I've always been a huge fan of John Denver, his music, and have loved him as an actor as well. I think he really shines in this movie. It's warm, meaningful, and fun as well. It always brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes, especially as the main character John Denver plays, George Billings, sings a song to his movie daughter about finding love again.
Here is a man not looking forward to the Chrismas holiday season, as he lost his wife a year before at Christmas. He wants to throw himself into his work, get away from his New York apartment and everything that reminds him of his wife and his loss.
He takes his daughter to Georgetown, Colorado(oh how I would love and give just about anything to live in a town like this!) on a "supposed" vacation, which is actually a mission from his slave-driver, money-grubbing boss to search out the "pickings"...i.e., find out if this quaint, beautiful town can be turned into a money-making resort.
In one of his last performances, Philip Seymour Hoffman, shows off his mastery of the acting craft as Gunther Bachmann, the leader of a small spy unit of the German government. Assigned to Hamburg where the 9/11 terrorists hatched their plot against the United States, Bachman and his small squad are charges specifically with watching for evil doers within the Muslim community.
We see Issa Karpov (Grigoriy Dobrygin) slip into the country but he is soon identified as a possible Islamic extremist coming from Chechenia by way of Turkey. Rather than pick him up, Bachmann allows him to "walk" as he puts it. Followed all the time, Issa finds refuge with a Turkish family, then obtains legal help from a human rights lawyer (Rachel McAdams).
Is he a terrorist or not? He is found to be the son of a deceased Russian general. The general, it seems left a large fortune for the son with a bank now run by Tommy Brue (Willem Dafoe), himself the son the original banker and a friend of the general's. But what is the money to be used for? We find out as soon and Bachmann and his crew do at the same time.
David Suchet portrays the brilliant Belgian sleuth in these final five mysteries from the hit series. Lavish productions and pitch-perfect performances from Suchet and an outstanding supporting cast perfectly capture the spirit of Agatha Christie’s beloved crime stories.
THE MYSTERIES
- Elephants Can Remember
- The Big Four
- Dead Man’s Folly
- The Labours of Hercules
- Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case
And just to imagine David's brother told him not to take this part. What a mistake that would have been. Miss you Poirot!!! Thank you to David, Hugh (Hastings), Pauline (Ms. Lemon), Philip (Inspector Japp), and Zoe (Ms. Oliver). Thank you all for giving us 26 years of good television, mystery, and drama. And to the directors, producers, and casting directors, thank for choosing the right actors. A&E, PBS and Masterpiece Theater, thank you as well. You all have bought so much intertainment into my life, with little to look at on T.V. I always was interested in the next episode of Poirot. Thank you once again.
3-disc Blu-rayTM Extended Edition includes 25 minutes of never-before-seen film footage and hours of fascinating in-depth looks at the production
Disc 1: Extended Edition, Plus the Filmmakers' Commentary Includes New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth™– Part 2
Disc 2: The Appendices Part 9 – Into the Wilderland: The Chronicles of The Hobbit – Part 2 Join cast and crew as they share their experiences making the second installment of The Hobbit trilogy in this comprehensive chronology of the production, featuring blocking and filming of key sequences – from Lake-town to Smaug's lair – stories from the set, stunts, special effects, VFX and much more
Disc 3: The Appendices Part 10 – The Journey to Erebor Meet new characters and creatures joining the adventure while taking a revealing look at Howard Shore's brilliant score, then watch Smaug the Magnificent and the realms of Middle-earth evolve from concept to creation, all to be captured in pioneering high-frame-rate 3D technology
This year of 2014, there have been two Hercules movies. The first, The Legend of Hercules, was decent, though it offered nothing unique. This one starring Dwayne Johnson has more development of the theme of courage and more unexpected plot twists. I approach most movies without a lot of expectations, knowing I’ll find a movie somewhat rewarding if the values, writing, and editing are good.
This one gave me more enjoyment than I expected. Hercules is the natural choice for an ancient superhero. When you add themes of justice and the rights of the people and make that Hercules’ cause to fight for, he becomes as relatable as Superman, Batman, or Spiderman. One of the strengths of this superhero movie is that it’s not primarily about supernatural powers but about the meaning of courage.
Hercules does have superhuman strength in this, but his victory always depends on triumphing over internal struggles first. His powers don’t come very naturally, so he’s easier to relate to. Hercules in this movie is more like John Henry, the American railroad worker superhero, than like a demigod. In fact, the movie goes to extra lengths to convince you he’s just a man, not a god. I feel like it developed the internal struggles of a superhero better than most superhero movies, and that made it more rewarding when he succeeds.
Explore the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain in this wickedly fun twist on the classic SLEEPING BEAUTY. In an unforgiving mood after a neighboring kingdom threatens her forest, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) places an irrevocable curse on the king's newborn daughter, the Princess Aurora. but as the child grows, Maleficent finds herself becoming fond of the girl.
And as the conflict between the two realms intensifies, Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land. Journey beyond the fairy tale in this soaring adventure that is "visually arresting, brilliantly designed" (Andrew Barker, Variety).
This movie is very interesting to watch because it isn’t entirely based on "Sleeping Beauty" so you get to see a completely different side of Maleficent before she becomes the villain that she is known as. Throughout the movie I found myself wanting the movie to go quicker to see what would happen next but not wanting it to end anytime soon.
I think that the director Robert Stromberg and the writers Linda Woolverton and Charles Perrault really outdo themselves with this movie because I cannot stop obsessing about how great it is.
Roger Ebert once said that Casablanca was the sort of movie that improves upon multiple viewings, because the first time we see it we're too involved in the plot, too concerned about what is happening and why; seeing the movie again gives us the chance to appreciate the nuances. Those comments certainly apply to The Ninth Configuration.
The plot is a good one, and people who enjoy thrillers and mysteries will find enough action and plot twists in the film to rival Hitchcock's best works. But what makes this movie so special are the terrific performances (by Stacy Keach, Scott, Wilson, and Ed Flanders), the witty dialogue, and the religious undercurrents. Too often movies treat religious belief with sentimentality or scorn, but the Ninth Configuration deals with faith and doubt in with a deftness and dignity that isn't patronizing to either side.
It's the sort of movie that you immediately want to talk about with someone...which could be difficult since so few people have seen it. Case in point: I host a movie party every Thursday night. Every time a new member joins, I ask him or her to compile a short list of movies that he or she has seen but thinks others haven't but should.
These lists serve as our guide for film selections, and the attendees love movies and have broad tastes. But not one of them had seen The Ninth Configuration. My father recommended it to us, and we watched it last October, and thus far it remains the club's hands-down favorite, beating out classics such as The Sting or The Lion in Winter. Many of them have passed the title along to friends, who have also enjoyed the newly discovered gem. And it has provoked hours of conversation among us.
![Gladiator [2013] BluRay](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpviPgHJVocqK_iGxYrM_5p_wJklDWNEurCtKFZ3VBPuuAUUCI846siLlyeWdPMB8fSYYBMkMewpvKwomGV1MRip1eMV4_-J8dqvCiBopv901ZxyRZFEhLYdr5_AjqR2t-_7NLz-hXYPH/s1600/Gladiator.jpg "Gladiator [2013] BluRay")
![Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug [2014]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjontZxcIz526xIu0fFDIOPJTKttNMjJVdKZIQgCYEEpgRCj_HKxMexzjYzIf8VI8IHPAJkYYC6pc0H7Wuc-j-YnvoCEQnerDaG9U-8vGZ0cTI8-Dc2XMOzWuxcLk3q4ZKFu8JoHm2GPVDi/s1600/Hobbit+The+Desolation+of+Smaug+(2014).jpg "Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug [2014]")
![Maleficent [ 2014 ]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXiKoQgufembaRs9Asxd_0JXpheggDwxKrCzX2DabbyBf5CEnkU4QpubSYRE-DLzpWwkjwmETU_xARMyHY5MY5uPpsrmxSVbjWerk2oGjCm26xxLWxBFa1xmakzNrh-I9PpxcM1OT8tNj/s1600/Maleficent+%5B+2014+%5D.jpg "Maleficent [ 2014 ]")
.jpg "The Ninth Configuration ( 2014 )")