Category Archives: Movies

CDs, DVDs, Movies, Music

Time Life chers the life and legacy with the super special 9-DVD set, “The Best of Cher”

Two days before my birthday, the pros at Time Life issues a most welcome  birthday present. I promised to cher the news.

For the first time ever, all the spectacular highlights of Cher’s remarkable career are together in one electrifying collection: The Best of Cher.

 Cher initially rose to stardom as part of a singing act with then husband Sonny Bono in the ’60s, hitting No. 1 with the single “I Got You Babe” before they starred together on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Following a parting of ways, the incredibly talented artist spread her wings, established a chart-topping solo career of her own, starred in her own variety show, and sold out music venues across the globe. The inimitable multi-hyphenate continues to shine brightly and  this collection brings together the stunning scope of her sensational life in the spotlight like never before across two loaded volumes and 9 DVDs, as well as a collectible look book featuring Bob Mackie’s original wardrobe sketches.                    
In a new interview included in the set, Cher said, “I love looking back at these shows. They’re so much fun to watch and they were so much fun to make. While I’m not done yet, it’s great that Time Life has put this set together.”
THE BEST OF CHER VOLUME 1: 5 DVDS
When America’s favorite musical couple parted ways in 1974, effectively ending The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, CBS quickly decided to give Cher her own variety show. Simply titled Cher, the new series starring the soon-to-be superstar aired its first episode in February 1975. In the opening, Cher told the audience: “My future is in your hands. I am really happy to be back. No, I am thrilled to be back.” Now 10 episodes of Cher’s very own show are available for the first time in over 40 years! Home audiences will thrill to have front row seats to see Cher flying solo with a nonstop cavalcade of the hottest stars including Charo, Ray Charles, Elton John, The Muppets, Linda Ronstadt, Raquel Welch and more! Also included:
  • Exclusive new interviews with Cher, Designer Bob Mackie, comedy icon Lily Tomlin and Cher executive producer George Schlatter
  • TV appearances on The Dick Cavett Show and Dinah (1975)
  • Cher CBS Promo
  • Newly produced featurette, Cher: Then & Now
THE BEST OF CHER VOLUME 2: 4 DVDS
Cher is one of a kind and her legendary TV specials hit our screens as family-friendly, psychedelic, counterculture kaleidoscopes. Whether playing all the parts in West Side Story, a roller-skating goddess, the snake in the Garden of Eden, a synchronized secretary, or simply Laverne—no one puts on a show like Cher. Her Vegas shows (and outfits!) were even more spectacular, and they’re all on incredible display in VOLUME 2, which features:
  • Both of Cher’s legendary TV Specials from the ’70s: Cher…Special (1978), Cher…and Other Fantasies (1979)
  • Two unforgettable concerts in Vegas, live from the Mirage (1991) and MGM Grand (1999), as well as exclusive extras including backstage home movies, rehearsal songs and more
  • The full-length documentary Dear Mom, Love Cher offering a rare peek into Cher’s fascinating family history
  • Plus bonus features including a 2018 appearance on The Late, Late Show with James Corden
As a young girl, Cher’s mom promised her that she was special and that one day she would believe it. Audiences around the world have been believing since she burst onto the scene in the ’60s, and we haven’t stopped—The Best of Cher captures Cher’s incredible, undeniable talents to enjoy again and again.
DVDs, Movies, Music

One special ticket or ride: the must-have 5-DVD collection, “The Soul of the Midnight Special”

We offer you one special ticket to ride: The Soul of the Midnight Special. This must-have 5-DVD (Time Life) brings home audiences and music lovers everywhere an unforgettable collection of legendary soul artists performing their hits in the prime of their careers—uncut performances, just straight-from-the-heart soul singing with live musicians in front of a live audience.
In the period between American Bandstand and MTV, there were sev­eral shows that tried to bring new music to television, but it wasn’t until The Midnight Special, premiered on August 19, 1972, that live music found a home on the air. Burt Sugarman, producer of Grammy Awards telecasts, was frustrated by television’s lack of programming after The Tonight Show ended; the screen reverting to test patterns at 1:00 a.m. Recognizing this valuable airtime could cater to a brand-new audience that craved its latest musical heroes, he created The Midnight Special, which ran every Friday night on NBC from 1972 to 1981.

https://youtu.be/T1ui5x-9zd8

The’70s was a special time for soul music and The Midnight Special truly had an affinity for the genre. Week after week, home audiences would have virtual front row seats for performances by the greatest soul performers of the time including Al Green, Earth Wind & Fire, Patti LaBelle, Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Spinners, The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, The Stylistics, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight and the Pips and so many more. The Midnight Special was the only show where you could see real live performances week after week.

Now, the first time ever,  The Soul of the Midnight Special brings together the greatest soul performances handpicked from thousands in one very special collection. Included is an incredible collection of true soul classics, many of which haven’t been seen since their original broadcast: from Let’s Stay Together to Midnight Train to Georgia to love songs like the Stylistics’ Betcha by Golly, Wow to dance grooves like Sly & the Family Stone’s Dance to the Music and Ohio Players’ Fire. All-time classic performances include Back Stabbers by the O’Jays, Tired of Being Alone by Al Green, Could It Be I’m Falling in Love by Spinners, Lean on Me by Bill Withers, The Love I Lost by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and I Want to Take You Higher by Sly & the Family Stone. Also included are exclusive interviews with James Brown, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire The O’Jays, Russell Thompkins Jr. of The Stylistics, Bobby Womack, Ted Mills of Blue Magic, Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff, Gerald Alston, The Manhattans and George Benson.
The Soul of the Midnight Special includes (in alphabetical order):
  • Al Green — Tired of Being Alone (8/3/73), How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (8/3/73), I’m Still in Love with You (11/29/74), Let’s Stay Together (11/29/74)
  • Al Wilson — Show and Tell (3/1/74)
  • Barry White — You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (11/15/74), Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (12/13/74), Never, Never Gonna Give You Up (12/13/74)
  • Bill Withers — Ain’t No Sunshine (3/22/74), Lean on Me (3/22/74)
  • Billy Preston — Will It Go Round in Circles (1/4/74)
  • Blue Magic — Sideshow (12/13/74)
  • Bobby Womack — Lookin’ for a Love (12/13/74)
  • Chuck Berry — Johnny B. Goode (11/2/73)
  • Curtis Mayfield — Back to the World (6/8/73), Freddie’s Dead (Theme from Superfly) (9/21/73), Superfly (1/4/74)
  • Earth, Wind & Fire — Devotion (4/18/75)
  • George Benson — This Masquerade (7/30/76)
  • Gladys Knight & the Pips — Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) (4/6/73), I Heard It through the Grapevine (4/6/73), Midnight Train to Georgia (10/5/73), Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me (12/20/74)
  • Gladys Knight/B. B. King —The Thrill Is Gone (10/5/73)
  • Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes — Bad Luck (5/23/75), The Love I Lost (5/23/75), Let’s Get Together Soon (Hope That We Can Be Together Soon) (5/23/75)
  • James Brown — Sex Machine (8/6/76), Get Up Offa That Thing (8/6/76), Cold Sweat/Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (10/8/76),
  • Johnnie Taylor — Who’s Making Love (11/2/73)
  • Kool & the Gang — Hollywood Swinging (12/20/74), Jungle Boogie (12/20/74)
  • LaBelle — Lady Marmalade (4/18/75)
  • Love Unlimited Orchestra — Love’s Theme (11/15/74)
  • Minne Riperton — Lovin’ You (7/18/75), Inside My Love (7/18/75)
  • Ohio Players — Fire (4/4/75), Skin Tight (4/4/75)
  • Ohio Players — Love Rollercoaster (12/19/75), Honey (12/19/75)
  • Ray Charles — Georgia on My Mind (3/30/73), What’d I Say (3/30/73)
  • Ray Charles/Aretha Franklin — Takes Two to Tango (3/30/73)
  • Rufus featuring Chaka Khan — Sweet Thing (12/12/75), Once You Get Started (12/12/75)
  • Sly & the Family Stone — Stand! (10/26/73), I Want to Take You Higher (10/26/73), Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), (10/26/73), Dance to the Music (10/26/73)
  • Spinners — Could It Be I’m Falling in Love (2/9/73), I’ll Be Around (2/9/73), One of a Kind (Love Affair) (6/8/73), Sadie (2/14/75), Then Came You (2/14/75)
  • The Brothers Johnson– I’ll Be Good to You (10/8/76)
  • The Chi-Lites — Oh Girl (9/21/73)
  • The Main Ingredient — Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely (10/11/74), Everybody Plays The Fool (10/11/74)
  • The Manhattans — Kiss and Say Goodbye (12/3/76)
  • The Miracles — Love Machine (12/3/76)
  • The O’Jays — Back Stabbers (3/23/73), Love Train (3/23/73), Put Your Hands Together (913/74), Sunshine (9/13/74)
  • The Staple Singers — Let’s Do It Again (1/16/76), Respect Yourself (1/16/76)
  • The Stylistics — Betcha by Golly, Wow (6/1/73), Break Up to Make Up (6/1/73), I’m Stone in Love with You (6/1/73), You Make Me Feel Brand New (3/1/74)
  • The Sylvers — Boogie Fever (7/30/76)
  • Wilson Pickett — In the Midnight Hour (9/21/73)
DVDs, Movies

Long before Count Dracula sucked blood, there was “Carmilla”, the eerie 1872 Gothic novella

A quarter century before Bram Stoker put the super supernatural and horror tale of Count Dracula on the page, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu wrote Carmilla, the 1872 novella that greatly influenced Stoker.
The seductive vampire Carmilla attacks the sleeping Bertha Rheinfeldt.
Now there’s the film, courtesy of Film Movement, in which fifteen-year-old Lara (played by Hannah Rae) lives in seclusion on a vast country estate with her father and strict governess Miss Fontaine (Jessica Raine). Late one evening, a mysterious carriage crash brings a young girl (Devrim Lignau) into their home to recuperate. Lara immediately becomes enchanted by this strange visitor who arouses her curiosity and awakens her burgeoning desires.

Read the novella and see the flick, or see the flick and read the novella. Halloweed in right around the corner.
DVDs, Movies

His art is instantly recognizable. With “Botero”, now learn how he became an artistic master.

I have a secret desire which I have admitted to few people.
Until now.
My aunt Yolanda owns a Botero. An original Botero. I hope she bequeaths it to me. Just think! I can sell it and make lots of money.
Sound crass?
Botero is one of the world’s most popular living artists, with millions of fans transcending cultures across the globe. While his art is instantly recognizable, the story of how he became “the Maestro” is largely unknown.
Botero (Corinth Films)  changes that.

This poetic, beautifully filmed documentary for award-winning filmmaker Don Millar offers an inspiring look at the power of relentless vision, unwavering conviction and a lifetime of discipline.

Weaving together original footage shot in 10 cities across China, Europe, New York and Colombia, with decades of family photos and archival video, the documentary  grants home viewers unprecedented access to the artist and his family, along with a colorful cast of historians, curators and academics who together reveal the creativity and convictions at the heart of the artist.
Botero ultimately brings together the man and his art to capture his essence—the quiet resolve and strength of character that allowed him to overcome poverty, decades of harsh criticism and the tragic death of his four-year-old son. Never-before-seen moments come to life: His children uncover 50 year-old sketches in a shuttered storage facility; cameras go behind the scenes at a show exhibiting his work alongside that of Pablo Picasso; the artist takes us on a private tour of his studio.
 
DVDs, Movies

An “Outback” urban legend comes to life . . . as alive as the snakes and scorpions and wild dogs

Even the DVD cover scares us.
Outback tells the terrifying tale of a young couple lost in the wilderness and fighting for survival. Wade and Lisa head to Australia hoping to recharge their failing romance. When their GPS fails, they leave their car and head off on foot to find a new route. As night falls, they must spend the night in the bush without food, water or weapons, surrounded by snakes, scorpions and wild dogs. Now, one decision could mean the difference between life. And certain death.
Drop image here
A unique spin on the wilderness survival thriller, Outback has just arrived on DVD, Digital and On Demand from Lionsgate. The lengths people go to save their loved ones are portrayed in a tragically touching way as time is quickly running out for a stranded couple. By the way, the film is based on a true story. Outback legend.
DVDs, Movies

Expect chills and thrills in the pulse-pounding global spy thriller, “Legacy-of Lies”

Scott Adkins stars in the explosive action-thriller Legacy of Lies, arriving on DVD, Digital, and On Demand July 28th from Lionsgate. This political espionage thriller follows a former assassin (Adkins) who is pulled back into the dangerous world he hoped he’d left behind

https://youtu.be/xMjRb4rRjLU

A decade ago, agent Martin Baxter quit MI6 after his wife’s tragic murder in an operation gone wrong. But when Sacha, a beautiful journalist, asks for help solving an old case, Martin finds himself in the crosshairs of both UK and Russian intelligence. Now, with his daughter held captive by the KGB, Martin has just 24 hours to deliver the secret case files—which means risking both Sacha’s life and his own.

Expect chills and thrills in this pulse-pounding global spy-thriller.

DVDs, Movies

Mel Gibson delivers a knock-out performance as he deals with a Category 5 hurricane in “Force of Nature”

A perfect storm of action is unleashed when Force of Nature premieres, perfectly. On June 30, the film can be caught on Digital and On Demand from Lionsgate; it will also be released on Blu-ray (plus Digital) and DVD.
This is a high-stakes thriller starring Emile Hirsch, Kate Bosworth and Mel Gibson. David Zayas, Stephanie Cayo, and Will Catlett also star.

What’s the fuss?

This edge-of-your-seat action-thriller explodes during a violent Category 5 hurricane. As disgraced cop Cardillo (Hirsch) races to evacuate an apartment building, he comes across Dr. Troy (Bosworth)and her retired detective father, Ray (Gibson). When a murderous gang of thieves arrives to rob a wealthy tenant, they must join forces to battle the criminals and escape with their lives before the entire city is deep underwater.
We did edge-of-your-seat!
DVDs, Movies

Four kids. A visit to the beach. A floppy-eared creature that grants their wishes. Welcome to “Four Kids and It”.

Brady Bunch fans will relist Four Kids and It, a heartwarming story about a newly blended family getting to know one another amidst extraordinary and magical circumstances.  Catch it on June 30  the flick will be available on Digital, Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand, including major digital platforms including will be available on Digital, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand, including major digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon Prime, Vudu, and others. will be available on Digital, Blu-ray, DVD, and On Demand, including major digital platforms including iTunes, Amazon Prime and Vudu.

The flick is a charming and whimsical story features a star-studded cast including Paula Patton, Matthew Goode and Russell Brand, as well as and the voice of Michael Caine. Based on iconic children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson’s novel, the story is a modern twist based on E. Nesbit’s 1902 classic Five Children and It. The brood of kids? Four talented youngsters: Teddie Malleson-Allen, Ashley Aufderheide, Billy Jenkins and Ellie-Mae Siame.
On a seaside holiday,K But there’s a catch: the kids’ adventures in rock-climbing, pop stardom, and flying end promptly at sunset—leaving them in danger each time. Can they learn to control the magic before something dreadful happens?
DVDs, Movies

Surviving the days during the pandemic? “Survive the Night” is well worth the wait

The pandemic keeps us waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

Wait some more. For a good reason. On July 21, from an executive producer of Live Free or Die Hard and A Good Day to Die Hard, comes the tense home invasion thriller Survive the Night, arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital) and DVD July 21 from Lionsgate. This film is currently available On Demand.

Bruce Willis drives the action in this gripping home-invasion thriller with lots of shocking twists and turns.  After two brothers commit a robbery that goes wrong, one of them, Mathias, is mortally wounded, forcing sibling Jamie to stalk a trauma doctor named Rich (Chad Michael Murray) from the hospital to his home. While holding Rich’s wife and daughter hostage, Jamie forces Rich to operate on Mathias. For the family to survive the night, Rich must team up with his estranged tough-as-nails father, retired sheriff Frank (Willis), in order to gain the upper hand and turn the tables on the criminals.
DVDs, Movies

“Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations” will happily toss us into another nice mess!

They are, without a doubt, the greatest comedy team to have ever graced the big screen. The laughs! The slapstick shenanigans! The  homoerotic moments. (No, Ollie and Stan were not gay . . . but think back: They slept in one bed. Stan was married four times; Ollie three time.)
But it’s the laughs and slapstick and laughs and slapstick that we remember after all these years. (L&H made 106 films as a team, including guest appearances.
How did Stan and Ollie get together in the first place? They had appeared together by chance in an earlier film called The Lucky Dog, but it was not until each had joined Hal Roach that their teaming began.

Their first screen appearance in “The Lucky Dog”

Stanley and Ollie were appearing in the same films at Roach when director/supervisor Leo McCarey recognized the comic contrast between them and encouraged their teamwork. They first appeared in something resembling their eventual format in a 1927 release called Duck Soup.

And oh, by the way, Hardy’s most famous catchphrase is often misquoted, “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten us into.” The incorrect “another fine mess” comes from the name of one of their short films, made in 1930.
So beloved that many of the available copies are blurred dupes printed from worn-out negatives. Now, the best of their short comedies and two of their finest features have been fully restored and collected in Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations (MVD Entertainment Group).  Save the date: The set goes on sale June 16.
This is, so far, the most exciting news about a DVD release this year.
These new prints, 2K and 4K transfers from the finest original 35mm materials in the world, look and sound as spectacular as when they were first released. Just how great are these prints?

“It’s no exaggeration to say that the films haven’t looked this good since they were first released in the ’30s'”, gushes Leonard Maltin.

Check out the clips below!

Other reasons you must own this set: There are world premieres of the L&H legendary “pie fight” from their 1927 silent film The Battle of the Century; here it makes makes its video debut after being “lost” for 90 years! Want more? There’s also That’s That!, the only reel of L&H bloopers and out-takes.
The set contains the classic shorts Berth Marks, Brats, Hog Wild, Come Clean, One Good Turn, Helpmates, Scram!, Their First Mistake, County Hospital, The Chimp, Towed in a Hole, Twice Two, Me and My Pal, The Midnight Patrol, Busy Bodies, The Music Box (which won the first Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Comedy in 1932); also included are their two best feature-length films, Sons of the Desert and Way Out West.
Not enough? There are eight hours of exclusive extras, including 2,500 rare photos and studio documents; audio and film interviews with L&H co-workers; original music tracks and trailers; and a full restoration of their one surviving color film, The Tree in a Test Tube.
Well, here’s another nice mess they’ve gotten us into!