Category Archives: Movies

Celebrity Chatter, DVDs, Movies

“Roseanne for President!” takes a spin on the funny lady’s 2012 run for The White House

Nearly 30 years after Roseanne Barr’s groundbreaking sitcom Roseanne became the No. 1 show on television, Roseanne for President! (IFC) brings you the story of the Emmy-winning actress and trailblazing comedian’s 2012 gonzo campaign for President of the United States.

Money was one of Barr’s signature talking points when she ran for president, first as a Green Party candidate and ultimately as the Peace and Freedom Party’s nominee.
And now, the movie. The flick was  directed by Michael Moore collaborator Eric Weinrib. Barr and Moore are also friends. He’s the person who encouraged her to film her campaign endeavor.
Having created a sitcom that changed the cultural landscape by revolutionizing what Americans think of family, class, race, gender and gay rights, Roseanne is uniquely qualified to fix well, everything.
Through the warped lens of the Barr Campaign, this surreal dark comedy examines the impact Roseanne’s work has had on society and who she is as a person. Her motivations for seeking office? They were the same motivations she’s had since her boundary-breaking eponymous sitcom: Never stop fighting for the less-privileged class.
Movies, TV

Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are still in “Bright Lights”; the highly-acclaimed HBO documentary airs this month

Carrie is dead. So is Debbie. The mother-daughter duo died just 24 hours apart. What better why for HBO to cash in than by airing the documentary Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds? It  debuts Saturday, January 7 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

https://youtu.be/E1EnDqhFU6I

HBO calls Bright Lights “an intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty, in all its eccentricity.” Carrie and her mother, Debbi, lived in the same Beverly Hills compound. The 83-year-old grand dame still has a Las Vegas act, but performing was taking its toll.

Carrie’s response is both hilarious and heart-rending. “Mother and I live next door to each other, separated by one daunting hill,” Carrie explains. “I usually come to her. I always come to her.” Featuring vintage family films that bring iconic old-world Hollywood to life, as well as extensive vérité footage, the film has been directed by Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens.

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds has already received audience and critical acclaim at many prestigious film festivals, including the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. The documentary holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes; The Hollywood Reporter called it “warmly engaging” and a “tender tribute to two iconic women”, and compared it favorably to the Maysles Bros classic 1975 mother-daughter portrait, Grey Gardens.

The film was reportedly Fisher’s idea, who wanted to document Reynolds’ final live performances in Las Vegas two years ago, aged 82.

Not enough?

HBO’s 2010 special Wishful Drinking will receive an encore presentation on January 1 at 9 (ET/PT). This feature-length adaptation of Fisher’s hit autobiographical stage production tells the intoxicating tale of her life, combining her raucous one-woman stage performance, interviews with family and friends, and archival footage.

DVDs, Movies

Vestron Video Collector’s Series is a horror. That’s a bloody good compliment!

We must have been spending too much time cat-walking through catacombs since we just learned that  Lionsgate is exhuming classic horror films for the limited-edition Vestron Video Collector’s Series. Hours of materials have been assembled for the Vestron Video Collector’s Series Blu-ray releases, starting with six horror cult classics. Lionsgate vows fan will “taste the fear and the flesh, in shocking high definition for the first time, as teenagers meet their untimely demise at the hands of cannibals, killer robots, horror icons, sewer-dwelling monsters and an army of the undead!” Just the way we like it.

Starting with Chopping Mall and Blood Diner, and continuing with Waxwork and Waxwork II: Lost in Time Double Feature, Return of the Living Dead 3, and C.H.U.D. II: Bud the CHUD, these rereleases are for the collector and horror fan alike and will be available for a limited amount of time.

Other releases of grave matters . . .

Return of the Living Dead 3
Watch all of the terror in high definition when Curt transforms his girlfriend into a flesh-eating monster after her accidental death, in order to fulfill their pact to love each other forever. 

The Lair of the White Worm (available  on January 31). We can’t wait to hear the audio commentary by director Ken Russell.

https://youtu.be/y2jddx-qfWk

Parents (January 31)
In this black-comedy horror classic, a young boy in ’50s suburbia suspects his parents are cannibalistic murderers.

The Gate (February 28)
When two suburban kids accidentally open a portal filled with pint-sized demons hell-bent on taking over the planet, it’s up to them to seal the gateway and save mankind!

DVDs, Movies

“American Violence.” Even the flick’s title should scare you.

Think of this as a no-holds-barred thriller that demands to be seen. American Violence follows one man’s path to execution and the strong-minded doctor brought in to take a deeper look at the violent circumstances that have doomed him.

Jackson Shea (portrayed by Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau) has lived a life of deceit, brutality and corruption. But when a series of chilling, violent events lands him on Death Row, psychologist Amanda Tyler (Denise Richards) must find whether his violent behavior is inherent in his soul, or if he will be rehabilitated.

As the interview commences, and Jack’s fate hangs in the balance, Amanda must decide whether a stay of execution will be granted.

“The goal was to create a film that was gripping and emotional, and that would leave an impact on the viewers while inviting them in for a closer look at the American justice system and the death penalty,” says Timothy Woodward Jr., the film’s director. “I wanted our audience to not only ask questions, but feel for the characters and the life altering circumstances they find themselves in.”

Save the date: American Violence premieres in theaters, and on Video on Demand and Digital HD on February 3.

DVDs, Movies

Disney’s dazzler “Pinocchio” will thrill new generations with a stunning Blu-ray debut

We cannot tell a lie: Pinocchio is considered one of the greatest animated films ever made, with two Academy Awards (Best Original Score and Best Original Song “When You Wish Upon a Star”) and a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Pinocchio (1940) was the second animated feature film produced by Walt Disney, made after the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs three years earlier.

Now, the Disney dazzler will delight a whole new generation of dreamers with its masterful animation, unforgettable characters and award-winning music when the flick arrives for the first time on Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on January 10, and on Blu-ray and DVD on January 31.

The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes hours of classic bonus material and exclusive features including a reinvented rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star” created and performed by music mavens from Disney’s Maker Studios; never-before-seen artwork from the film’s Pleasure Island sequence; archival recordings of Walt himself during Pinocchio production; and a recently restored and scored 1927 short featuring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Who voiced Pinocchio? It was Dick Jones, then known as Dickie

Pinocchio tells the tale of wood-carver Geppetto’s beloved puppet who embarks on a thrilling quest–with faithful friend Jiminy Cricket–that tests his bravery, loyalty and honesty, all virtues he must learn to fulfill his heart’s desire: to become a real boy.

Savor the bonus features:
Walt’s Story Meetings: Pleasure Island The Pleasure Island scene in Pinocchio had much more development than what is seen in the film. Join Pixar’s Pete Docter and Disney historian and author J.B. Kaufman as they explore artwork recently discovered in Disney’s animation research library revealing some of the attractions, gags and games, which Disney animators created for this iconic location of the film, that never made it on screen.

In Walt’s Words Hear Walt Disney discuss the making of “Pinocchio” through archival recordings and interviews.

The Pinocchio Project: “When You Wish Upon a Star” Music influencers Alex G, Tanner Patrick and JR Aquino from Disney’s Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form videos, gather in a creative workspace to create their rendition of the film’s signature song, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and produce a fresh new music video.

Poor Papa This recently restored and scored 1927 short features Oswald the Lucky Rabbit who gets multiple visits from the stork and is forced to attempt various methods to help stop the onslaught of baby deliveries.

Classic Bonus Features  Offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as the making of Pinocchio, deleted scenes, singalongs, storyboards and theatrical trailers.

DVDs, Movies

A forgotten town. A mysterious drifter. Violence and vitriol. Welcome to life “In a Valley of Violence”

A lone, mysterious drifter (and his dog Abbie) enters into the forgotten town of Denton, Texas–dubbed by locals as the “valley of violence”. There, he picks a fight with a wrong man named Gilly, the troublemaking son of the town’s unforgiving Marshal.

As tensions arise between Paul and Gilly, an inevitable act of violence starts a disastrous chain reaction that quickly drags the whole town into the bloody crosshairs of revenge.  Only the world-weary Marshal struggles to stop the violent hysteria, but after a gruesome discovery about Paul’s past . . . there’s no stopping the escalation.

And you thought this was Mayberry R.F.D.

https://youtu.be/w1wF1SS4rpg

No, this is the edgy action film, In a Valley of Violence, on Digital HD and on Blu-ray and DVD from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From acclaimed director, Ti West and famed producer Jason Blum, the film stars Academy Award nominees; John Travolta and Ethan Hawke. The In a Valley of Violence Blu-ray and DVD include bonus content that takes viewers on a wild ride behind the scenes with an exciting inside look at the making of the film.

 

Prepare for a thrilling ride.

Celebrity Chatter, DVDs, Movies, TV

Have the Time of Your Life with “The Red Skelton Show in Color,” not seen for more than 50 years!

Leave it to Time Life to make the New Year the time of your life. And in color! And with such guests as Clem Kadiddlehopper and Freddie the Freeloader!

Welcome, with open arms, The Red Skelton Show in Color. Home audiences will be entertained by America’s Clown Prince with brilliant full-color episodes of The Red Skelton Hour, some of which have been unseen for more than 50 years.

After purchasing an old movie studio and converting it for TV productions, Skelton was the first CBS host to begin taping his weekly programs in color. And now Time Life brings viewers back to a simpler time, showcasing never-before-released shows as they were originally broadcast more than five decades ago.

One of the country’s most treasured comedians, Skelton kept TV audiences in stitches for 20 groundbreaking seasons on The Red Skelton Show. The son of a circus clown, Red always had a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step (often accompanied by a cowbell sound effect); his heart was pure gold, his jokes were silly and his gifts for physical comedy remain priceless. And from his inimitable comic mind also came a memorable lineup of zany characters including the country bumpkin Clem Kadiddlehopper, the lovable hobo Freddie the Freeloader and Sheriff Deadeye.

The Red Skelton Show in Color is available in two configurations. The three-disc collector’s set features 12 never-before-released episodes, including best-loved sketches with Freddie the Freeloader joining a love-in with hippie Tim Conway; Sheriff Deadeye facing off with Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne); and Clem Kadiddlehopper being mistaken for a robot by mad scientists Boris Karloff and Vincent Price. Other fan favorite sketches include classics such as “Dial M for Moron” with Phyllis Diller, “Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Dumb” with George Gobel, and “Eenie Meenie Minee Schmo” with Mickey Rooney. The single disc release includes 4 complete episodes. Additionally, both releases include exclusive new interviews with Bobby Rydell and Vicki Lawrence.

Boris, Red and Vincent. Boo!

You thought it was easy being green? Think Red!

DVDs, Movies

IFC celebrates the New Year with the release of three thrilling DVDs

IFC has a trio of must-see films coming to DVD in January. We provide the info and teaser clips; you provide the DVD player.

Dancer (available January 17)
Ukrainian-born Bad Boy of Ballet Sergei Polunin became the Royal Ballets youngest-ever principal dancer when he was just 19. But two years later, at the height of his success, he walked away from it all, resolving to give up dance entirely.

Steven Cantor’s Dancer tracks the life of this iconoclastic virtuoso, from his prodigal beginnings in the Ukraine to his awe-inspiring performances in the U.K., Russia and the U.S., where he went viral after David LaChapelle filmed him dancing to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church”. Beyond celebrating the raw talent and wild ambition of Polunin, whose sights are now set on Hollywood, Dancer considers how wealth and success may not be enough when it comes to finding personal and professional identity.

The Free World (January 17)
How hard would you fight to be free? After spending two decades in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Mo (played by Boyd Holbrook) struggles to put his past behind him as he readjusts to a new life working in an animal shelter. Doris (Elisabeth Moss) is trapped in another sort of prison: an abusive marriage.

A dramatic encounter brings these two troubled souls together, and a possible murder connects them. Soon, Mo finds himself risking everything . . . including being locked up once again for someone else’s crime to protect the fragile Doris. Driven by explosive performances from Moss and Holbrook, the feature debut from director Jason Lew is a gripping, mood-drenched exploration of guilt, redemption, and what it means to be free. Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Sung Kang co-star.

Passage to Mars (January 24)
Before humans make it to Mars, they must conquer the Arctic. Passage to Mars is the incredible true story of six men who embark on a treacherous, 2,000-mile journey across the forbidding sea-ice of the Northwest Passagean alien voyage on planet Earth designed to prepare NASA astronauts for an eventual mission to Mars.

But as an expedition that was supposed to take weeks stretches into a two-year odyssey, the crew must overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and life-threatening conditions if they hope to realize their dream of someday reaching the Red Planet. This breathtaking adventure features narration by Zachary Quinto and special guest voice appearances by Buzz Aldrin and Charlotte Rampling.
Blast off!

Celebrity Chatter, DVDs, Movies

IndiePix Unlimited’s streaming service nets cinephiles lots of great flicks

Like to net lots of flixs?

IndiePix Unlimited, the signature streaming subscription service from world cinema label IndiePix Films, has opened its highly-curated catalog of cinematic classics to Prime members through Amazon Channels. With the IndiePix video subscription from Amazon Channels, cinephiles will have access to a dazzling and daring world of exclusive, award-winning films from both international auteurs and visionary new voices alike for $5.99 per month, with a seven-day free trial.From 2009 Cannes Camera D’Or winner, Samson & Delilah; Iranian artist Shirin Neshat’s Golden Lion-nominated Women Without Men and the highly-acclaimed, Ryan Gosling-produced White Shadow, to Mouton, a Locarno Opera Prima Award-winner and the post-apocalyptic sci-fi fable, Crumbs, IndiePix Unlimited offers discriminating movie lovers some of the most acclaimed independent films of the past decade, as well as award-winners and festival favorites from Cannes, Tribeca, Venice, Sundance, SXSW and Rotterdam, popular indie classics and more.

And via Amazon Channels, these films will be available to Prime members anywhere and anytime through Amazon’s numerous streaming platforms including Playstation and Roku, the Amazon Video app, Amazon Fire TV, sticks and tablets and online at Amazon.com/channels.

“Since 2004, it’s been our mission to introduce cineastes to compelling independent cinema,” explains CEO Barnet Liberman. “Teaming with Amazon Channels opens up the IndiePix vaults to Prime members, and we’re excited to share some truly magnificent dramas, documentaries and shorts from around the world with them.”

Fiercely committed to sharing new cinematic voices and experiences from under-represented regions such as Africa, IndiePix will continue to add to its digital subscription service with gems from around the world each month. Being released shortly will be nearly 50 discarded classics of African cinema through a partnership with Retro Afrika Bioscope, an independent label of Gravel Road Entertainment dedicated to locating, acquiring, restoring and re-releasing retro South African films from the ’70s and ’80s.

DVDs, Movies

“Dependent’s Day”: The film you never heard of. Until now.

You may not have heard of the award-winning film Dependent’s Day. Until now. The breakout indie film that received much acclaim during its festival circuit run earlier this year is (finally!) available on demand everywhere.

The breakout relationship comedy, which has been described as having “the feel of recent Judd Apatow films” was written, directed, produced and edited by Michael David Lynch. Whew!

After realizing that his girlfriend (played by Benita Robledo) is the breadwinner of their relationship, aspiring actor Cam (Joe Burke) subjects himself to a series of humiliating jobs and experiences to prove that he is not a dependent.. We found the film to be a hilarious and authentic comedy about the adventures and struggles of being in the midst of a relationship and making it work.

Dependent’s Day is now available on all major cable and satellite providers and to stream digitally on Amazon Instant Video US, Sling TV, iTunes, VUDU, Xbox, YouTube and other locations.

“I am elated that this film has resonated so well with audiences of all ages in the film festival circuit,” says Lynch. “You never know when you are making a movie how people are going to respond to it. It was incredible to have our limited theatrical release in October and I’m thrilled that now audiences across the North America will be able to enjoy this film because it is now available everywhere.”

The film is unlike most other Hollywood romantic comedies because it has a semblance of reality and strong female characters that are endearing throughout the movie. “I had lots of strong women in my life as I was growing up so I really couldn’t write this film without including that component,” adds Lynch. “I wanted to write something that reflected my experience and see if it resonated with the audiences. Apparently, the fans enjoy intelligent funny women in roles too.”