EXCLUSIVE: Jalmari Helander Talks Rare Exports

Nov 8, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale is certainly on its way to becoming a new holiday classic, in a very non-traditional way. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, which will surely make great a stocking stuffer for anyone in your family who appreciates a Christmas tale served up with a genre flair. I recently had the chance to ask director Jalmari Helander a few questions about Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, the origins of the story, a potential sequel, and more. Here's what he had to say below.

When you made the first Rare Exports short film in 2003, were you setting that up as a proof of concept for a feature film down the road, or did it all branch off the popularity of that short?

Jalmari Helander: I had no idea that the short film would be so popular. It was meant only as a Christmas present for our clients. After the succes I made another one and I was planning to do a third short film, but the idea was too big for a short film. Everybody were saying that I should make a feature film about it. So I did.

Onni Tommila starred in the original short's sequel, and you have a few other cast members from both the shorts in this feature. Were you writing the feature with them in mind the whole time, and can you talk about assembling the rest of the cast?

Jalmari Helander: Of course it was clear that I will use the same actors. Onni is actually my sister's son and his father in the film is his real father. The third person of the original Rare posse was a gaffer and not a real actor. So I had to change that to have a Piiparinen in the film. Greene is the narrator of the shorts. The elves are a norwegian man choir.

We ran a Blu-ray special feature showing part of the rehearsal period for Rare Exports. How much time did you have to rehearse before shooting, and how did that process help when shooting actually started?

Jalmari Helander: It helped a lot. We were training maybe a week or two. It was very nice to see how the scenes finally came to life because they had only existed on paper and my head. We actually made very few changes to the script and almost no changes after the rehearsal. After that period I watched the videotapes many many times in my home, and knew exactly what to do in the actual shots.

I personally love Christmas movies that don't exactly spread holiday cheer, like The Ref, Bad Santa, even Die Hard 2: Die Harder. Do you see Rare Exports being this kind of cult Christmas classic 10 years down the road, the kind of movie that the adults in the family watch after the kids are put to bed?

Jalmari Helander: I really hope so.

Do you have any plans for a sequel, either in feature-length or short form? How would you like to see this story evolve for a sequel? Are there any other movie projects you're developing aside from Rare Exports?

Jalmari Helander: I am currently writing my next feature. It is not Rare Exports. But maybe some day. I know what is going to happened in the sequel and it's not going to be pretty...

Rare Exports is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale was released December 3rd, 2010 and stars Per Christian Ellefsen, Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela, Jorma Tommila, Jonathan Hutchings, Onni Tommila, Risto Salmi, Rauno Juvonen. The film is directed by Jalmari Helander.

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Straw Dogs Blu-ray and DVD Arrive December 20th

Nov 13, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Straw Dogs on Blu-ray and DVD on December 20. The DVD will be priced at $30.99 SRP and the Blu-ray will cost $35.99 SRP. You can take a look at the cover art and special features details below.

A young couple (James Marsden and Kate Bosworth) moves to a quaint southern town. Soon their perfect getaway turns out to become a living hell when dark secrets and lethal passions spiral out of control. Trapped by a pack of depraved locals led by a ruthless predator (Alexander Skarsgård, TV's True Blood), they face a night of agonizing suffering and endless bloodshed. Now their only hope for survival is to become more savage than their merciless torturers. Also starring two-time Academy Award Nominee James Woods (Best Actor, Salvador, 1986 and Best Supporting Actor, Ghosts of Mississippi, 1996).

Commentary with Writer/Director Rod LurieCourting Controversy: Remaking a ClassicThe Dynamics of Power: The EnsembleInside the Siege: The Ultimate ShowdownCreating the Sumner House: The Production Design

Straw Dogs was released September 16th, 2011 and stars James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, James Woods, Dominic Purcell, Rhys Coiro, Billy Lush, Laz Alonso. The film is directed by Rod Lurie.

Sources: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings Blu-ray Featurette

Oct 25, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive featurette from the upcoming horror sequel Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings, which arrives on Blu-ray and DVD October 25. Click on the video player below to watch this special feature excerpt where cast and crew members discuss how bloody this sequel really gets.

In 1974, Glenville Sanatorium was the site of a brutal and horrific crime, as three hideously deformed cannibals went on a merciless killing spree. Now, years later, a group of college kids having the time of their life make a fateful wrong turn, giving this family of blood-thirsty cannibals new prey to stalk. The abandoned medical wards within the sanatorium soon become killing fields as the panicked victims come face to face with a chilling choice: fight back or die.

Feature Commentary from Director Declan O'BrienDirector's Die-ariesMaking Another Wrong TurnLifestyles of the Sick and InfamousMusic Video Featuring The Black Out City Kids

Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings was released October 25th, 2011 and stars Terra Vnesa, Dean Armstrong, Tenika Davis, Katlyn Wong, Jennifer Pudavick, Kristen Harris, Victor Zinck Jr., Scott Johnson. The film is directed by Declan O'Brien.

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Chop DVD Trailer

Oct 25, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

The next installment from the Bloody Disgusting Selects series, Chop, is heading to DVD, Video on Demand and Digital Download (iTunes/Amazon/XBOX/Playstation) on December 27th! This horror-comedy has toured the festival circuit where it won the Director's Choice Award at the Boston Underground Film Festival and NOW you can bring this fright-fest home to begin the New Year in terror and laughter! Check out the trailer below, as well as three new photos.

Lance Reed, a seemingly innocent man, is forced by a psychotic stranger to confront his duplicitous past. The mysterious stranger, seeking retribution for a past crime, forces Lance to reveal his inner most secrets by systematically removing his limbs! As time runs out and Lance's limb count dwindles, he must recall what he's done to the stranger before he doesn't have a head to remember with. Jam-packed with laughs, gore and some insane twists, Chop is the directorial debut of Deadgirl screenwriter Trent Haaga.

Chop comes to theaters December 27th, 2011.

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Justified: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray and DVD Arrive January 3rd

Oct 25, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Justified: The Complete Second Season on Blu-ray and DVD January 3, 2012. These three-disc sets will contain all 13 Season 2 episodes, although pricing details were not released yet. You can take a look at the cover art and special features details below.

In the aftermath of the deadly showdown that freed Harlan County from the Crowder family crime reign, U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens must now take on even greater criminal forces looking to seize power - including hellbent nemesis Boyd Crowder and the arrival of brutal, new adversary Mags Bennett (Emmy Winner Margo Martindale). Filled with treacherous twists at every turn... the second season of Justified proves "spectacularly entertaining" (TV Guide) and has established itself as a show for the ages.

On the Set of JustifiedClans, Feuds & Apple PieOuttakesTalking Shop: Roundtable Discussion (Blu-ray only)Sources: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: The Jetsons: Season 2, Volume 2 DVD Clip

Nov 9, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive clip from The Jetsons: Season 2, Volume 2, which is currently available through Warner Archive. Click on the video player below to watch George Jetson putting on the boxing gloves to take on a Cogswell Cogs employee.

for information on how to order this three-disc set through Warner Archive.

Legendary animation studio Hanna-Barbera's first family of the future - The Jetsons! - return in this second part of their sophomore season collection. Strap in alongside George, Jane, Judy, Elroy, Astro and Rosie and go soaring into their fantastic world of rocket cars, rocking robots and cranky computers. The once and future fan favorite family stands ready to show us that wherever or whenever you live, people, love and laughs are still the same. This 3-Disc, 20 Episode Collection features more science fiction, slapstick and silliness than you can shake a Spacely Space Sprocket at!

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Untitled Werewolf Thriller Starts Production in Romania

Oct 31, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Production has started in Romania on the Untitled Werewolf ThrillerThere's no safe place to hide as the all-new supernatural Untitled Werewolf Thriller begins principal photography in and around Bucharest, Romania. Universal celebrates its storied history of creatures and horror with an exhilarating original adventure that embraces the popular cultural resurgence of the age-old werewolf myth. Breathtaking action and nail-biting suspense collide as an army of bounty hunters descend on a tiny hamlet in search of the most terrifying monster they have ever fought. The latest entry in the hugely successful DVD Originals line from Universal 1440 Entertainment, a production entity of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Untitled Werewolf Thriller will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand in time for Halloween 2012.

"Universal introduced the movie-going public to the 'creature feature' more than a half century ago," said Glenn Ross, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Universal 1440 Entertainment. "Today, audiences are once again enthralled by supernatural creatures in books, on television and in movies. Audiences young and old will enjoy this completely new take on a timeless story that is an essential part of Universal's legacy."

Untitled Werewolf Thriller stars Stephen Rea (V for Vendetta, The Crying Game), Steven Bauer (Scarface, Primal Fear), Ed Quinn (True Blood, Eureka), Nia Peeples (Pretty Little Liars, Walker Texas, Ranger), Guy Wilson (Almost Kings, Little Black Book), Adam Croasdell (Supernatural,EastEnders) and Rachel DiPillo (Law & Order, The Gates).

Louis Morneau (Joy Ride II, Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting) directs the nightmarish hunt through an idyllic countryside shattered by an unstoppable beast. The film is produced by Mike Elliott (The Devil's Rejects, Smokin' Aces 2), from a screenplay by Michael Tabb and the writing team of Louis Morneau & Catherine Cyran. A top-flight production team has also been assembled, including director of photography Philip Robertson, production designer David Hirschfield and costume designer Oana Paunescu. The editor is Mike Jackson.

A monstrous creature terrorizes a 19th Century European village by moonlight and a young man struggles to protect his loved ones from an unspeakable scourge in Untitled Werewolf Thriller, Universal Studios' all-new addition to its time-honored legacy of supernatural thrillers. During his studies with the local doctor (Stephen Rea), Daniel (Guy Wilson) witnesses the horrific consequences of werewolf attacks. Watching as the beast's fearsome reputation draws bounty hunters, thrill seekers and charlatans to the tiny town, Daniel dreams of destroying the ruthless predator. So when a mysterious stranger (Ed Quinn) and his team of skilled werewolf hunters (Steven Bauer, Adam Croasdell) arrive to pursue the monster, he offers to join them, despite his mother's (Nia Peeples) protests. But it soon becomes clear that this creature is stronger, smarter and more dangerous than anything they have faced before. As casualties mount and villagers see their neighbors transformed into ravening monsters, the townsfolk take up arms against each other to find the true identity of the werewolf. Amid the hysteria, Daniel begins to suspect he's closer to his target than he ever dreamed. Sources: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: Super 8 Blu-ray Featurette

Nov 17, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive featurette from Super 8, the summer blockbuster which will be available on Blu-ray and DVD November 22. Director J.J. Abrams hired a magician to keep his young cast entertained between takes, and this bonus feature excerpt shows the illusionist in action. Click on the video below to watch this featurette, which features cast members Joel Courtney and Ryan Lee.

Produced by Amblin, Bad Robot and Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg, the exhilarating story follows a group of friends in a small Ohio town who witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie. When they realize that it was no accident, they set out to find the truth-something more shocking than any of them could have imagined. Combining action, humor and heart, the film features outstanding performances from a fresh young cast including Elle Fanning (Somewhere), Gabriel Basso (The Big C), Zach Mills (Kit Kittredge: An American Girl) and newcomers Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths and Ryan Lee, along with veteran actors Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) and Ron Eldard (Blind Justice).

Commentary by writer/director J.J. Abrams, producer Bryan Burk and cinematographer Larry FongBehind-the-Scenes FeaturettesThe Dream Behind Super 8The Search for New FacesMeet Joel CourtneyRediscovering Steel TownThe Visitor LivesScoring Super 8Do You Believe in Magic?The 8mm RevolutionDeconstructing the Train CrashDeleted Scenes

Super 8 was released June 10th, 2011 and stars Joel Courtney, Jessica Tuck, Joel McKinnon Miller, Ryan Lee, Zach Mills, Riley Griffiths, Gabriel Basso, Kyle Chandler. The film is directed by J.J. Abrams.

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Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings Celebrates Hillbilly Horrors

Oct 25, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Wrong Turn 4 celebrates five hillbilly horrors for HalloweenStay at home with Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings, out on Blu-ray and DVD October 25th 2011. This brutal sequel is the latest in a plethora of horrors which have given us all a healthy fear of hillbillies. Here, we go deep into the backwoods to explore some of the best in redneck horror films...
Something which, in this case, turns out to be something of a dead-end for the majority of the group. After stumbling upon an old gas station, medical student Chris (unwisely) takes an old trunk road where he encounters a barbed wire trap and another gang of unfortunate travelers. As with so many outback horrors the premise of the film rests on this titular 'wrong turn', with the majority of the original group meeting a grisly end at the hands of a gang of cannibals in a cabin in the woods. Whilst two of their number make a narrow - and bloody - escape; the imaginatively-named 'Saw-Tooth' and 'Three-Fingers' live to eat another day.
The 2006 remake of Wes Craven's 1977 classic sees a new round of 21st century victims fall prey to the same fate as their celluloid predecessors. The hapless Carter-Bukowski's are unfortunate enough to stumble upon a crooked gas station owner who directs them on a route straight into the hills of the title. Yet more spike-wheeled traps ensue, and the family is mercilessly hunted by the nuclear testing-affected mutants who roam this particular stretch of the New Mexico desert. Countless bloody encounters and an attempted rape ensue before four of the family members emerge - not unscathed, although not without giving (almost) as good as they get. Yet as in so many hillbilly-horrors their relief is short-lived, as their escape is revealed as being watched from the hillside... Sequel, anyone?
The grand-daddy of all hillbilly horrors and father of countless spin-offs: the 1974 version's original tag-line set a precedent when it asked, 'Who will survive, and what will be left of them?' Not much, it would seem, as of the party of five innocents who are - once more - sent to their deaths by way of an old and empty gas station, only one lives to tell the tale. The chainsaw-wielding cannibals of Texas were based on real-life hillbilly Ed Gein, who's somewhat anti-social and murderous peccadilloes have been the inspiration for a long line of bona-fide weirdoes, from Norman Bates in Psycho to Jame Gumb in Silence of the Lambs.
All the more terrifying for the fact that it is based on real-life events, this tale of murder in the outback is one in an increasingly long line of Australian horrors which take full advantage of the wildness of the antipodean landscape. Accepting the 'help' of a sinister serial killer after they become stranded in the desolate Northern Territory, three backpackers find themselves held hostage in what is revealed to be a particularly gruesome case of history repeating. With two of his companions meeting a grisly and protracted end, one of the trio lives to tell the tale.
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise... the basic premise of all hillbilly horrors, and no more true than in this 1970s flick. An innocent canoe trip taken by four American businessmen swiftly turns sour as the remote Georgian landscape reveals the locals to be less than welcoming to outsiders in their midst. Although with a higher-than-normal ratio of survivors to hillbillies; it is the psychological violence of this film which appears to have most effect on its protagonists.

Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings was released October 25th, 2011 and stars Terra Vnesa, Dean Armstrong, Tenika Davis, Katlyn Wong, Jennifer Pudavick, Kristen Harris, Victor Zinck Jr., Scott Johnson. The film is directed by Declan O'Brien.

Sources: Fox Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: 13 Clip Featuring Jason Statham

Oct 28, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Vince Ferro (Sam Riley) is a man in desperate circumstances. While on a quick fix-it job, he steals an envelope containing instructions for a mysterious job that promises a potential fortune. He assumes a false identity and follows the instructions, only to find himself a numbered participant in an underworld Russian roulette competition, where gamblers place bets on who'll survive when the trigger is pulled. The stakes are high, but the payout is more than he can resist. Many are competing for the first time, and a precious few have even returned to play again, but are his odds any better than other players in this most deadly game? What will it take to be the last man standing? 13, from director Géla Babluani, stars Jason Statham, 50 Cent, Mickey Rourke, Alexander Skarsgård, Michael Shannon, and Emmanuelle Chriqui. The film will open in select theaters for an exclusive engagement this Friday, October 28th, before becoming available on Blu-ray and DVD November 8th. We have an exclusive clip for you featuring Jason Statham, which you can check out below.

13 was released October 28th, 2011 and stars Jason Statham, Alexander Skarsgård, Mickey Rourke, Michael Shannon, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Ray Winstone, 50 Cent, Gaby Hoffmann. The film is directed by Géla Babluani.

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EXCLUSIVE: Jean Harlow 100th Anniversary Collection DVD Clip

Oct 27, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive clip from the upcoming boxed set Jean Harlow 100th Anniversary Collection, which will be available through Warner Archive on October 25. Click on the video player below to watch legendary actress Jean Harlow in Reckless, one of the seven movies available on this boxed set.

For our inaugural box set collection, we shine the spotlight on the Platinum Bombshell herself, Jean Harlow. A true trend-setter, the first "Platinum Blonde" provided the template for an archetype that stretches from one century into the next - to Marilyn to Madonna to Gwen Stefani and beyond. True film buffs owe it to themselves to celebrate, discover, or rediscover her achievements as an actor. Join us in paying tribute with this special collection, celebrating her centennial year with seven of her films, three newly remastered. None ever before available on DVD. Lovingly packaged in a striking, glamour filled slipcase filled with special features.

Bombshell (1933) Remastered - Glamour queen Lola (Harlow) is quitting the movie biz - something her manipulative press agent (Lee Tracy) can't allow!The Girl from Missouri (1934) Remastered - Eadie's not easy! A plucky bachelorette (Harlow) intends to bag a New York millionaire...without abandoning her virtue.Reckless (1935) Remastered - Harlow goes dramatic as a Broadway star accused of murder after the death of her high-living, high society hubby. With William Powell, the last real-life love of Harlow's short life.Riffraff (1935) She works in a cannery. He's a fisherman. But their playful romance is fated to give way to a tragedy surrounding union activism. She's Harlow, he's Spencer Tracy.Suzy (1936) Harlow, Cary Grant, and Franchot Tone are involved in a World War I triangle of romance and spy intrigue.Personal Property (1937) Debt-ridden socialite Harlow puts on a show of wealth to impress a suitor who's also making a pretense of fortune. Robert Taylor is the butler who sees through the ruses.Saratoga (1937) In Harlow's final film she plays the daughter of a horse breeder who is engaged to a millionaire, but drawn to a bookie played by Clark Gable.

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EXCLUSIVE: Bellflower Blu-ray Featurette

Nov 8, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive featurette from Bellflower, which arrives on Blu-ray and DVD November 15. Click on the video player below for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the flamethrowers were built in director Evan Glodell's action movie.

Woodrow and Aiden spend all of their free time building Mad Max inspired flame-throwers and weapons of mass destruction in preparation for a global apocalypse in which their imaginary gang "Mother Medusa" can emerge on top. But when Woodrow meets a charismatic young woman and falls hard in love, he and Aiden quickly integrate into a new group of friends, setting off on a journey of betrayal, love, hate, infidelity, and extreme violence more devastating and fiery than any of their apocalyptic fantasies.

Behind the Scenes of BellflowerMedusa Rundown - an in-depth look at the hand-built carOuttakesOriginal theatrical trailer

Bellflower was released August 5th, 2011 and stars Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman, Tyler Dawson, Rebekah Brandes, Vincent Grashaw, Zack Kraus, Keghan Hurst, Alexandra Boylan. The film is directed by Evan Glodell.

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EXCLUSIVE: Larry the Cable Guy Talks Cars 2 Blu-ray

Larry The Cable Guy stands as the proud voice of Mater, a shabby little tow truck that brings a lot of heart and soul into the Disney Pixar animated franchise sequel Cars 2, which is set to make its Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVD debut this Tuesday, November 1st. We recently caught up with Larry to chat about the movie and life in Nebraska.

Here is our conversation.

Larry The Cable Guy: It's been such a long time since I last heard your voice!

It seems like yesterday. Are you in Los Angeles right now?

Larry The Cable Guy: No, I am in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Good. I was wondering what you were doing outside. It's cold and rainy here in L.A.

Larry The Cable Guy: I know. Believe it or not, here in Lincoln, Nebraska, it's about seventy-two degrees. But the wind is blowing at about 25-30 miles an hour.

Geez. That's a little crazy. Is that where you're living now? Out in Nebraska?

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah. I just moved out here. I'm from here originally. I lived in Florida for thirty-three years. My little boy just started school, so I moved to Lincoln. I decided to put him in school in Nebraska.

What's that like for the other kids at school, when he shows up with Mater? That has to be pretty exciting for them?

Larry The Cable Guy: It is pretty awesome. However, I have been working so much, since he started, I have only gotten to take him to school twice.

Mater's almost, if not has, outgrown your stand-up routine in popularity...

Larry The Cable Guy: Dude, Mater has been awesome. It introduced me to a whole new market of people. I love doing the character. I never got a sound-alike, when they did the games and the toys. So, everything that is Mater is my voice. Which is even better! I thought, "Man, if my kids are going to get the toys, I want it to be my voice!" Everything is about Mater...I gotta tell you, though. I don't know if my kids tell everybody, or if they keep that down. I have no idea. (Laughs)

Yeah, I remember when I was a kid, you'd get the Mork doll, and you'd pull that string on the back, and it wasn't Robin Williams' voice coming out. It was a sound-alike. But even as a kid, I knew that wasn't him. Its so much cooler when you get Mater, and its actually Mater's real voice coming out...

Larry The Cable Guy: Wait a minute, let me take that last statement back. My wife did tell me that a kid brought a Mater truck for Show and Tell. My little boy pointed at it and said, "Hey, that's my dad!" That was cool.

How old is your son? What grade is he in?

Larry The Cable Guy: He's a senior in high school this year (laughs). He's a senior and he is trying to figure out which college he wants to go to...No! He is five.

Some kids might find that a little strange, if one of their peers is pointing at a tow truck going, "That's my dad!" And they don't have a point of reference. "You're dad is a tow truck? You're crazy!"

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah, right! He is five years old. My little girl is four.

You know David Koechner, right?

Larry The Cable Guy: Yes. We did the movie Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector together...

He did the voice for the Polar Express toys, as the train conductor. He was Tom Hanks' sound-alike...

Larry The Cable Guy: Oh, David did that? That is pretty awesome. David is a really good guy. He was with my agency for a little bit. I think he was with Parallel for a year and a half.

I really enjoyed Health Inspector. I think that's a great little movie....

Larry The Cable Guy: Yes! Thanks! You know what? It has turned into a comedy cult classic. It has a lot of quotable lines. Everywhere I go, people tell me how much they like Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector. It was very underrated. It should have been nominated for something! (Laughs)

Yeah, my brother, Dave, is the biggest Larry the Cable Guy fan there is...

Larry The Cable Guy: Your brother is a good American!

It's funny. He always has to wear that fishhook on his hat. For the longest time, I didn't know what he was doing...

Larry The Cable Guy: (Laughs) Man, that is so great! Where does your brother live?

He lives up in Oregon, in a town called Independence.

Larry The Cable Guy: That is an outdoorsy state. The man should have a fishhook on his hat!

Yeah, except that never goes fishing. Hardly. Ever.

Larry The Cable Guy: You don't have to go fishing to have a fishhook on your hat. It just says, "I'm outdoorsy!" He is a country kid!

He does like to go shoot his gun out in the woods.

Larry The Cable Guy: Well, there you go!

When the original Cars came out, they developed the character first, and then fit you around that. With this sequel, I have to imagine that they really fashioned Mater around you and your persona this time. That the animators were really working for you...

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah. In the first one, Mater was just a small part. I went out there, and they really liked how Mater sounded. They liked the character, and they thought he was sweet. They knew that people would like it. So they added a lot more Mater this time. When the second one came along, they had been selling all of these toys, and Mater was the highest selling toy they had. They knew people really liked Mater. Mater was really the heart and soul of that first movie. They wanted to give him a bigger part of the action. They wanted to focus on him. Mater had never left Radiator Springs, so they wanted to focus on that aspect this time. What it is like when he goes to another country. That is kind of based on John Lasseter. This is his baby. He patterns it after himself. John is a regular dude. When he goes to foreign places, he is at a loss with the true customs. He is a fish out of water, so he goes off of that. In the first movie, Mater was the heart and soul. So they figured, now, they will put Mater in these new situations, and he will be a bigger part of it. And it worked out great. People have really enjoyed it.

There is a really interesting dynamic there, between you and Owen Wilson. You are yin and yang. Do you think you'll ever appear together, in the flesh, in a movie? I like this combination.

Larry The Cable Guy: It would be really great if we did. I have to tell you, Owen and I, when we were sitting around waiting for interviews, being in the same room together...We got along really well. I made him laugh. He made me laugh. It was almost like we'd known each other for a long time. I had met him very briefly on the first one. Just very briefly. But on this second one is when I got to spend more quality time with him. He is a great guy. I really liked him. You're right, we have a good chemistry. And it would be really cool to do something together.

Often times, when you guys are recording these voices, you're not even in the same room together. So, onscreen, in the movie Cars 2, you are really creating this chemistry that you share with Owen Wilson out of thin air...

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah, that is what makes John Lasseter so good at what he does. He is so good at explaining the situation. And explaining what is going on. He knows. He listens. When you are doing the voice, he will close his eyes, and he will listen to you, and he will put himself in that scene. You can see him, his wheels are just turning. As soon as you get into it, when you are about done, when you get to the middle...And he starts to smile and laugh...You know you've hit on a good line. We had a lot of those. John is really good at getting the best out of you. He explains it in such a way that it helps you out.

Are you still continuing to do Mater in the Cars Toons?

Larry The Cable Guy: Oh, yeah. I do all of the Cars Toons. All of the shorts, and mini-movies. Those did really well for Pixar. Out of all the Pixar movies...I know that they are for adults, too...But out of all the movies, this is a project that John really likes. He is a big car guy. He loves cars. When he was a kid, he always thought of this. He would sit and think of a world of talking cars. What would these cars, and this world, be like? Obviously the adults like it, but kids really like this movie. I think he patterned this one a little more for the kids. The kids love the Cars Toons. They are on the Family Channel, and on the Disney Channel. They show those Cars Toons, and they show Mater's Tall Tales. The kids really love those things. We'll keep doing them as long as people keep watching them. I enjoy them. They are fun little things. My kids, when they sit down and watch something, nine times out of ten, they'll want to watch Mater's Tall Tales. There are thirteen or fourteen of these on DVD. They are short, and they are quick. They are perfect for a kid's attention span. Some of them are seven and a half minutes, some of them are three minutes long. They are not too long, they are not too short. They are just perfect. We will be doing another round of those soon. They keep Mater fresh in everyone's mind.

I like them, because I remember as a kid, going to the movies, you'd always get an animated short before the movie would start. Pixar and Warner Bros. are really starting to bring that back in a big way...

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah. Pixar, before Cars 2...They had a really funny Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation short. That one is really funny. I always like it when they are quick and short like that.

I have to imagine that you guys are already talking about Cars 3?

Larry The Cable Guy: You know what? I have no idea. John makes the movies because he likes the movies. If John thinks there is a funny story line, and it's a good storyline, he will do a Cars 3. It just depends. I know that this and Toy Story are something that he really enjoys. There was a Toy Story 3. Will there be a Cars 3? I have no idea. I will say this. I was happy to be a part of the first two. They came out exactly like we wanted them to come out. I really enjoyed voicing Mater. If there aren't any more? Well, then, that is fine. We'll still do Mater's Tall Tales. I will be up to my ears in Mater stuff for at least the next three years.

You're Pixar royalty...

Larry The Cable Guy: Those guys are really good to me over there. Every time I go to Pixar, they are all really nice. I was so glad to be a part of this. Anytime I do a show, the whole cast comes out to watch. All of the animators come. We hang out back stage. They are such good people.

Now, is it in your contract that when you are in a live action movie, your character has to be named Larry? I am looking at your list of credits, and Mater is the only non-Larry you've played...

Larry The Cable Guy: Well, you know, that's pretty much what I do. People know me as Larry The Cable Guy. If all of a sudden we did Tooth Fairy 2 starring Dan Whitney, I don't think a lot of people will know who that is. But if it's Larry The Cable Guy, they'll know who is in it. I keep everything Larry. It's working. I enjoy doing it. I've always been under the assumption that life is too short. People like what I do. I don't take myself that seriously. It's just a movie. I'm not running for Congress.

I'm talking about the actual names of the characters that you play in these movies...

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah, his name is Larry.

The Rock was in the first one. Now, you are taking over the franchise?

Larry The Cable Guy: Yeah. And I have to tell you. It is a really good movie. It's my first G rated kids movie. And there are a lot of really funny gags in it. I am really proud of this movie. I think people are really going to like it. Of course, it's going straight to DVD. Its one of my better ones. There is no doubt about it. I really enjoy it. I had a good time making it. If you notice, that is my character. He's in every one of them. In Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, I was Larry Stalder. In Delta Farce, I was Larry...Funny story about Delta Farce...That was originally made for me, Jeff Foxworthy, and Bill Engvall. Jeff caught Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, so he couldn't do the movie. My part was DJ Qualls' part. They moved me to Jeff's part. I took the script and tried to rewrite as many lines as I could, to cater it to me. Then we hired DJ Qualls to do my part. That was the first time I'd ever taken over someone's part, and someone else did my part. In Witless Protection, I was Larry as well. And now, in this new one, Tooth Fairy 2, I am Larry. (Laughs) You know what, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

No doubt. DJ Qualls is a good ol' Memphis boy. He's a good fit in that group.

Larry The Cable Guy: DJ was a lot of fun. We had a good time working with him. Anytime you can do a movie, it's just a good time. I never dreamt in a million years that I would be doing a movie. I never pursued them. I never said, "Hey, lets do a movie." They came to me and said, "We have a movie we'd love for you to do." So I did the movie, and obviously it worked really well. My fans have really enjoyed them all.

Yes, please, keep doing them. I've seen all of them, and I enjoy them quite a bit.

Larry The Cable Guy: My fans like to buy my DVDs. I have a great DVD audience. So, that is why we did Tooth Fairy 2. So it would go direct to DVD. But, as far as the name Larry goes, that's why we do it. People? They know Larry The Cable Guy. They know me doing that. It's easier to do it that way. Than to throw them a wrench, and throw my real name in there.

I didn't even know that wasn't your real name. I was solely talking about the fact that all of these characters are named after you. Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by! It's been a real pleasure.

Larry The Cable Guy: Thank you! And tell your brother: Get-R-Done!

Cars 2 is available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVDstarting this Tuesday, November 1st.

Cars 2 was released June 24th, 2011 and stars Larry The Cable Guy, Owen Wilson, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Eddie Izzard, John Turturro, Brent Musburger, Joe Mantegna. The film is directed by John Lasseter, Brad Lewis.

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EXCLUSIVE: Declan O'Brien Talks Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings

Oct 24, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Back in March, I had the chance to visit the set of Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, where I got to meet director Declan O'Brien and his cast. I recently had the chance to speak with Declan O'Brien again, to discuss the Blu-ray and DVD release of this horror prequel, which will arrive on October 25. This new movie takes us back to the early days of the cannibal brothers Three Finger, Saw-Tooth, and One-Eye, as they feast on a group of young college friends who lose their way. Here's what the director had to say below.

You directed the third movie, and you talked a bit on the set about what you wanted to do with this fourth movie, bringing it back to the roots of the franchise. Can you talk about crafting that initial concept?

Declan O'Brien: What I really wanted to do with this one, is to give audiences another turn. If we keep on going down the same road, with the same type of movie, and there's nothing different, well, why would people want to come back? The good thing between Wrong Turn's 1, 2, 3, and now 4, is each one is different. Each one has a different tone, each one has a different setting, a different cast of characters. With this one, I wanted to go back and do a prequel and tell the origin story of how these cannibal hillbillies came about, and why they're there. We explained all that in the pre-title sequence, and it's quite a long one, about 10 minutes before the title. Then we cut from 1974 to 2003, before the events of the first movie took place, the winter before.

That was quite a find you had, with that hospital. It was cool just walking around and exploring and seeing how naturally creepy that place really was. Can you talk about how big of a find that place was for you?

Declan O'Brien: Finding the Brandon mental health facility, which included the original equipment in it, and 250,000 square feet, four floors, original shock machines, it was just huge. You can't really recreate that. It was built in 1910 and it was a scary place to shoot too.

I was getting creeped out just walking around there.

Declan O'Brien: Well, I'll give you a little anecdote. You know the earphones I listen with, the headphones that pick up the boom microphones and stuff like that? Well, every night, we would usually change floors. I would usually have one thing on one floor, and another thing on another floor. Instead of going back to my trailer, because that would take too long and it's too cold, I never saw the inside of my trailer, I would just set up a little room, with a desk and my laptop and my coat, all that stuff, on each floor. I would set up a room on each floor we were shooting. We were set up on the second floor one night, and we finished up on the first floor. I forgot to change out all my stuff from the second floor to the first floor, so it was still sitting up there. We call wrap, and I'm finding myself walking down a very dark second floor hallway with a flashlight in my hand, like one of my characters, when I hear something whisper into my ear. I don't know what the words were, but it was something like, 'Where is he? Did you find him?' It was something like that, and you could've peeled me off the ceiling, because somebody was talking into the boom microphone on the other floor, but it sounded like they were right in my ear. So I ripped off my headphones, grabbed my stuff, and ran for the bus.

(Laughs) That's awesome. Can you talk a bit about finding this cast? I believe they are all local Canadian actors, so can you talk about assembling this team together, and what they really brought to the table?

Declan O'Brien: We looked all throughout Canada, Vancouver, Winnepeg, Toronto, Montreal. It was kind of like a nationwide Canada casting search. I went to various places and auditioned people, and I was just looking for the right mix of personalities, and I think we found a very, very good cast. Each and every person is very distinct and brings out the characters' personalities, and they're a bit like their characters. It was natural.

I thought it was cool, because you often see, in movies like this, there's the jock and all these other archetypes. You have these characters set up, but they're not quite the same ones we're used to seeing.

Declan O'Brien: Yeah, they're not on the nose. I think they're a little more realistic of what college kids are like. They're individual enough that you get to actually understand their motivations and care about what happens to them. Yeah, they're not your classic cardboard characters you just kill.

It was impressive, watching on the set, the amount of blood you were using. I just got to see the film, and it was a lot of fun and there are some really bloody moments in there. How far did you really want to take the level of blood and gore in this?

Declan O'Brien: It was like Carrie times 10, right? For that hanging scene? Where Victor (Zinck Jr.) is underneath her and trying to pull her down? I had to shoot some continuity of what he would look like after, before the scene. The makeup people said to me, 'We don't know how he's going to look after the blood falls on him, so how do you want to do it?' I said, 'It's simple. Take a bucket of blood and dump it over his head.' (Laughs) He's going to be covered. That way, you don't have to worry about continuity so much (Laughs). That shot where he turns around and looks at his girlfriend's neck still pumping, and we push into him with that huge scream, that's one of my favorite shots. It's hysterical.

Yeah. You have some great screamers on this cast too.

Declan O'Brien: Oh yeah. Jennifer (Pudavick) is always good for a scream and, of course, Dean (Armstrong), when he's dying during the fondue scene...

Oh, man...

Declan O'Brien: That was pretty brutal, wasn't it?

Yeah. I was not expecting that. When I was on the set, I saw the hanging scene, so it set me up a little bit, so I knew it would be very bloody and very gory. I was cool with that, but that fondue scene, I was not expecting at all. That was really awesome though.

Declan O'Brien: It takes it to a whole other level. What's funny, for me, is I find it really, really horrific, but perversely funny at the same time. They have a guy dying, being eaten alive, and the other one wants to take a vote (Laughs), whether or not they want to go.

The thing I liked about the fondue scene, is when you think of cannibals, you think about these guys gnawing on flesh. With this, it's like they're cooking. It was hilarious to me. I guess it's kind of wrong that I thought it was hilarious, but it was still hilarious.

Declan O'Brien: It is hilarious. One of our promotional items is the Cannibal Cookbook, so make sure you get a copy (Laughs).

Is there something about the production, either a scene you shot or something else, that will really stick out when you think back about Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings?

Declan O'Brien: Well, listen, I just have to say, Brian, I had a really fun time shooting this movie. I had a very good cast, very nice people, and a really hard-working crew. There were horrible conditions, but no drama. We got lucky with the Brandon site. I mean, being out in Brandon for 10 days, that's like going on a camping trip from hell. It was just so much fun. I really, really enjoyed making the movie, and I think everybody else did too, and everybody really stepped up. For doing a movie in 19 days, of this scope and size, it was pretty challenging.

Do you see this as the end of this franchise? If there's a way, would you come back to direct a fifth one?

Declan O'Brien: Sure. I mean, it really depends, I'm sure, on the numbers for the DVD, but if it does as well as Wrong Turn 3 did, I'm sure we'll be talking about it again. Fox really likes the franchise, and it's really fun and challenging, thinking up new ways to kill people on film that hasn't been seen before. I don't think we've seen the fondue scene, I don't think we've seen the snowmobile shredding scene, so that sort of stuff makes me happy, gives me a sense of accomplishment. I wouldn't mind trying to top myself.

Where would you see the brothers though, story-wise? What do you think would work with them, coming off of this movie?

Declan O'Brien: Oh yeah. You set the next one in between this movie and the first movie. You still have the three brothers alive, and a whole new story to tell, how they get that cabin in the woods of theirs.

Very true. That would definitely work. I believe you're also writing a movie called Hijacked. That has a really good cast as well. Is there anything you can say about that, or where you are in the process right now?

Declan O'Brien: Yeah, Vinnie Jones and Dominic Purcell are in it. This is a movie I wrote some years ago that I was going to direct, some years back. We were getting a star attached and I had to go off and make another movie. What the producers did is they brought another writer-director in, so they shot in Louisiana, I think, last month. It was a pleasant surprise to get the call saying, 'Hey, we're making your movie.'

Finally, what would you like to say to either fans of the franchise or horror fans in general about why they should pick up Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings on Blu-ray or DVD on October 25?

Declan O'Brien: I think Wrong Turn 4 gives you a great mix of suspense and terror, along with gonzo, over the top horror. It mixes pretty well, so for fans of slasher films, they'll get what they want. For fans of traditional horror, they'll get the frights that they wanted as well. Hopefully they'll like it.

Great. Well, that's all I have, Declan. Thanks for talking to me. It was good speaking with you again.

Declan O'Brien: Good talking to you again too. Thank you so much.

You can pick up Declan O'Brien's Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings on Blu-ray and DVD starting October 25. In case you missed it, you can to read my set visit report for Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings.

Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings was released October 25th, 2011 and stars Terra Vnesa, Dean Armstrong, Tenika Davis, Katlyn Wong, Jennifer Pudavick, Kristen Harris, Victor Zinck Jr., Scott Johnson. The film is directed by Declan O'Brien.

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Jersey Shore Uncensored: Season 4 DVD Arrives December 27th

Oct 26, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Viva Italia! MTV's highest-rated series ever gets in touch with its roots when the whole gang invades Italy in the Jersey Shore Uncensored: Season 4 DVD release on Tuesday, December 27. A true pop culture phenomenon, Jersey Shore is MTV's #1 series of all time. Season 4 was TV's #1 series among viewers 12-34, with the October 20 finale delivering a 6.4 rating and ranking #1 for the night across all TV. The Season 4 debut on August 4 was MTV's most-watched season premiere ever, delivering 8.8 million total viewers. The series holds 18 of the top 20 cable telecasts of 2011 among P12-34. All 12 uncensored episodes are filled with drama, fist pumpin' and GTL - and the birthplace of the Renaissance may never be the same. The four-disc DVD set is packed with must-see bonus features including deleted scenes, confessionals, "After Hours" specials, the "Reunion Special" and more! The Jersey Shore Uncensored: Season 4 DVD has a suggested retail price of $26.99 U.S./$32.99 Canada.

When the cast of the Jersey Shore goes to Italy, they take a little of Jersey with them. While embracing all that Florence has to offer-great art, food and wine, cobblestone streets and gelato-they've managed to remain true to who they are. There's plenty of GTL, fist pumping and hair gel-it's just a little funnier when it's in a foreign country.
Reunion SpecialAfter Hours SpecialsJersey Shore: From the First Fist PumpDeleted ScenesConfessionalsLouie & JoeySources: Paramount Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: Silverhawks: Season 1, Volume 2 DVD Clip

Oct 24, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive clip from Silverhawks: Season 1, Volume 2, which is currently available through Warner Archive. Click on the video player below for a scene where one of the Silverhawks, Quicksilver, comes under attack.

for information on how to order Silverhawks: Season 1, Volume 2 from Warner Archive.

Partly Metal, Partly Real And All Heroes! The space-age successors to the Thundercats are back, in this long anticipated second volume full of sci-fi cyber heroics. Animated by the same production company that handled Thundercats and featuring many of the same voice actors, Silverhawks pits a team of cybernetically enhanced heroes against interstellar crime lord Mon*Star and his minions. New SilverHawks Condor, Moonstryker, and Flashback (a Silverhawk from the future!) join the fight alongside Commander Stargazer, Quicksilver and company in this 33 episode, 4-Disc collection.

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The Debt Blu-ray and DVD Arrive December 6

Oct 19, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Startling action and surprising revelations compel retired secret agent Rachel Singer (Academy Award winner Helen Mirren, The Queen) back into action in Focus Features and Miramax's critically acclaimed hit espionage thriller The Debt, directed by Academy Award nominee John Madden (Shakespeare in Love). Filmed on location in Tel Aviv, the U.K., and Budapest, The Debt will be available on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand from Universal Studios Home Entertainment on December 6, 2011.

In 1997, shocking news reaches Rachel and Stephan (Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton) regarding their former colleague David (Ciarán Hinds, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) - from their secret mission in 1965-1966 to track down Nazi war criminal Dieter Vogel (Jesper Christensen, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace) in East Berlin. At great risk, and at considerable personal cost, the team's mission was accomplished - or was it? The stellar cast of The Debt also includes Jessica Chastain (The Help, The Tree of Life) as the young Rachel, used as bait to tighten the net around Vogel. She is also caught in a romantic triangle with her fellow agents, young David (Sam Worthington, Avatar, ), and Stephan (Marton Csokas, The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The Bourne Supremacy). The suspense builds in and across the two different time periods, compelling Rachel to take matters into her own hands.

BD-Live: Access the BD-Live Center through your Internet-connected player to watch the latest trailers and more!pocket Blu app: The groundbreaking pocket Blu app uses iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Android, PC and Mac to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray player. Plus iPad and Android tablet owners can enjoy a new, enhanced edition of pocket Blu made especially to take advantage of the tablets' larger screen and high resolution display. Consumers will be able to browse through a library of Blu-ray content and watch entertaining extras on-the-go in a way that's bigger and better than ever before. pocket Blu offers advanced features such as:Advanced Remote Control: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live functions with ease.Video Timeline: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.Mobile-To-Go: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.Browse Titles: Users will have access to a complete list of pocket Blu-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray Hi-Def. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.Keyboard: Entering data is fast and easy with your device's intuitive keyboard.uHear: Never miss another line of dialogue with this innovative feature that instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray disc and turns on the subtitles to highlight what you missed.

The Debt was released August 31st, 2011 and stars Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren, Ciarán Hinds, Marton Csokas, Tom Wilkinson, Jessica Chastain, Jesper Christensen. The film is directed by John Madden.

Sources: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: 30 Minutes or Less Blu-ray Deleted Scene

Nov 19, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Coming to Blu-ray and DVD on November 29th is the hit summer action comedy 30 Minutes or Less, from Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer. To celebrate this anticipated release featuring stars Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, Michael Peña, and Fred Ward, we have an exclusive deleted scene from the special features section of the disc. Here, Danny McBride dreams of riding in his sexy Firebird with Oakleys on his face and his best friend in the back seat. Check it out below.

Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) is a small town pizza delivery guy whose mundane life collides with the big plans of two wanna-be criminal masterminds (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson). The volatile duo kidnaps Nick and forces him to rob a bank. With mere hours to pull off the impossible task, Nick enlists the help of his ex-best friend, Chet (Aziz Ansari). As the clock ticks, the two must deal with the police, hired assassins, flamethrowers, and their own tumultuous relationship.

30 Minutes or Less was released August 12th, 2011 and stars Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson, Dilshad Vadsaria, Michael Peña, Bianca Kajlich, Fred Ward. The film is directed by Ruben Fleischer.

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Margin Call Blu-ray and DVD Debut December 20th

Nov 13, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Liosngate will release Margin Call on Blu-ray and DVD Decemeber 20. The standard DVD will be priced at $19.99 SRP and the Blu-ray will cost $29.99 SRP. You can take a look at the DVD cover art and the special features below.

When Eric Dale (Stanley Tucci) is laid off from his investment firm, he sneaks a flash drive to his young colleague Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) before being escorted from the building. Sullivan soon discovers that the information on the flash drive could change the fate of the company - and perhaps even the entire country. As more executives learn of this sensitive news, they are thrust into a high-stakes moral debate: do what's best for the company (and themselves)? Or what's best for millions of investors worldwide? Set in the 12 hours that launched the 2008 financial crisis, Margin Call is a Wall Street thriller for our time.

Audio commentary with writer/director J.C. Chandor and producer Neal DodsonDeleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by writer/director J.C. Chandor and producer Neal Dodson"Revolving Door: Making Margin Call" featurette"Missed Calls: Moments with Cast & Crew" featurette"From the Deck: Photo Gallery"

Margin Call was released October 21st, 2011 and stars Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore. The film is directed by J.C. Chandor.

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EXCLUSIVE: Conan the Barbarian Blu-ray Clip

Nov 10, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

A home entertainment debut as fierce as the warrior himself, Lionsgate brings Conan the Barbarian to 3D/2D Blu-ray Disc, 2D Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand this November. We have exclusive clip from the Blu-ray release, which finds Rose McGowan going toe-to-toe with Jason Momoa as the title character. Check it out below.

Based on the character of Conan as originally created by Robert E. Howard, a boy born on the battlefield grows into a hulking warrior hell-bent on avenging his father's death. But Conan's personal vendetta soon escalates into an epic battle of impossible odds, facing the fiercest of rivals and the most horrific of monsters.

Audio commentary with Marcus NispelAudio commentary with actors Jason Momoa and Rose McGowan"The Conan Legacy" featurette - the history of the Conan character and its influence on the filmmakers of the new Conan the BarbarianRobert E. Howard: The Man Who Would Be Conan" featurette - an exploration of Conan novelist Robert E. Howard's life and the creation of his most famous character"Battle Royal: Engineering the Action" featurette - an in-depth look at the film's major action scenes"Staging the Fights" featurette - see how the stunt team acts out the battles prior to filming

Conan the Barbarian to 3D/2D Blu-ray Disc, 2D Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download and On Demand November 22nd.

Conan the Barbarian was released August 19th, 2011 and stars Jason Momoa, Stephen Lang, Rachel Nichols, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Bob Sapp, Leo Howard, Steven O'Donnell. The film is directed by Marcus Nispel.

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EXCLUSIVE: West Side Story Blu-ray Featurette

Nov 11, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

We have an exclusive featurette for the high-definition debut of West Side Story, which celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a new Blu-ray and boxed set arriving November 15. Click on the video player below to watch a featurette detailing the rehearsal process for the classic musical's rumble scene.

This "brilliant" (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950's New York. A love affair is fated for tragedy amidst the vicious rivalry between two street gangs - the Jets and the Sharks. When Jets member Tony (Richard Beymer, The Longest Day) falls for Maria (Natalie Wood, Splendor in the Grass), the sister of the Sharks leader, it's more than these two warring gangs can handle. As mounting tensions rise, a battle to the death ensues and innocent blood is shed in a heartbreaking finale.

Featuring the famous songs "Maria," "America," "Tonight," and "I Feel Pretty," West Side Story: 50th Anniversary Edition showcases thrilling performances by Best Supporting Actress winner Rita Moreno (The King and I), Best Supporting Actor winner George Chakiris (Two and Two Make Six) and Russ Tamblyn (How the West Was Won). The Blu-ray will be available in a Limited Edition 4-Disc Boxed Set featuring 2 disc Blu-ray, newly-restored DVD, Tribute CD and collectible memorabilia, as well as a 2-disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray. Prebook is September 7.

ALL-NEW: Pow! The Dances of West Side Story - cast members, contemporary filmmakers, dancers and choreographers analyze and illuminate the film's famous dance sequences.
PrologueDance At the GymTony and Maria's Cha ChaAmericaThe RumbleMaria's Roof DanceCool
ALL-NEW: A Place for Us: West Side Story's Legacy - a look back at the iconic film and the impact it has had all over the world
Creation and InnovationA Timeless VisionSong Specific Commentary by Lyricist Stephen SondheimPrologueThe Jet SongSomething's ComingDance At the GymMariaAmericaTonightGee, Officer KrupkeI Feel PrettyOne Hand, One HeartQuintetSomewhereCoolA Boy Like That / I Have A LoveMusic Machine - allows viewers to go straight to their favorite musical numbersWest Side MemoriesStoryboard to Film Comparison MontageOriginal Theatrical TrailerOriginal Issue TrailerReissue TrailerAnimated Trailer

West Side Story was released October 18th, 1961 and stars Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Simon Oakland, Ned Glass, William Bramley. The film is directed by Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise.

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EXCLUSIVE: Jake Kasdan Talks Bad Teacher Blu-ray

Oct 19, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Bad Teacher Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, Blu-ray, and DVD are available in stores now. Jake Kasdan directs this hilarious hit comedy starring Cameron Diaz as Elizabeth, a drunk and disorderly educator hoping to land the sugar daddy of her dreams.

We recently caught up with Jake Kasdan to chat about this release, wet spots, and his hit series New Girl. Check out our conversation below.

Out of all the teacher movies made in the past couple of decades, Bad Teacher reminds me most of 1984's Teachers, with Nick Nolte. Why was that left off Elizabeth's personal collection of Educator-based VHS tapes that she uses for her curriculum?

Jake Kasdan: Part of it was...We wanted to look at the most ridiculous things she could be showing in class. Which is a slightly different criteria. We wanted movies that depicted "good teaching".

Its probably for the best. I think Teachers has been out of print forever...

Jake Kasdan: Oh, is it not even available?

Last time I checked, it hadn't been released on DVD. It's theme and tone reminds me of Bad Teacher. Of course, I'm solely going off my childhood memories of it.

Jake Kasdan: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...

What was your intentions with Elizabeth's overall arc in this story? A lot of people complained about the fact that she gets away with her bad behavior, and that she never has to account for cheating the system, or her students by the end of the film. I thought the resolution was, maybe, more realistic than most comedies would dare to be.

Jake Kasdan: When you make a movie like this, to stay true to it, you cannot have her transform into someone else all of a sudden. In a way, you don't want to see that. The idea was that she has the smallest modicum of growth by the end of the movie. The smallest amount of self-awareness, which sets a new direction for her.

We never do learn what Ms. Squirrel was up to in 2008. Did you have an idea about what she did? Does it justify Elizabeth's cruel intentions towards her?

Jake Kasdan: We talked about a lot of different ideas for that. We thought it was funnier to leave that unknown.

Personally, I don't see Elizabeth staying with the Gym teacher. The next rich guy that comes along will obviously catch her eye. She hasn't changed that much, but that obviously opens up this story for the further adventures of Elizabeth. Has that been discussed?

Jake Kasdan: (Laughs) Yeah. You know, people have talked (about a sequel). If we had the perfect story for it? Possibly. It was a total pleasure to make this movie. It would be fun to work with these people again. But, to be honest, I don't really see it happening.

You've made three great comedies with Zero Effect, Dewey Cox, and Bad Teacher. But they all land in different genres of comedy. Has it been your goal to sort of plunder the various different sub-genres found within the comedy genre in furthering your career as a director?

Jake Kasdan: It's about what makes you laugh, and what you are drawn to. I want to do all different kinds of things. I'm reluctant to make the same movie repeatedly. I want to try new things, and try different modes. But I am drawn to comedy. Most of them have been somewhat unconventional, in some way or another.

Bad Teacher is very unconventional, especially in that, for a long time, the audience isn't sure if they like Elizabeth or not. How did you and Cameron Diaz collaborate in bringing this particular performance to the screen, because this isn't a character we've seen before. Not as a lead, anyway...

Jake Kasdan: Basically, we thought this was a really funny person, a really funny dilemma, and it was something we'd never seen before. She is someone, on some level, that you want to hang out with. I think having Cameron Diaz play her enhances that. She brings this incredible charisma and draw to everything she does. She is a hugely appealing person. The funny thing about this is watching her play someone that is not likeable. That is so far from what she is actually like, and her actual persona. Yet, the joke was so closed to her heart, It was irresistible to me. And her, luckily. We were focused on finding a reality level that would allow you to follow her, enjoy her, and then root for her a little bit. Even if she is doing all of this crazy stuff.

Justin Timberlake's character is likeable. Until the dry hump scene. After that, I kind of hated him. That curveball helps us, as an audience, gravitate back towards Cameron's Elizabeth...That is a rough scene...

Jake Kasdan: (Laughs) Yeah. That's right. That is a scene you haven't seen before. I felt that way when I read it. She has this moment of self-realization in the midst of this bad sexual experience. The selfish guy. I thought it was a funny idea, and a funny way of doing that. And of course, Justin Timberlake is just so funny playing it.

Back in the early 2000s, I was doing some work with the organization that handles test screenings. And in the original Scary Movie, there is a 'wet spot on the jeans' joke with David Lander, which got cut out of the movie and never made it to the deleted scenes on the DVD. We saw a similar scenario with the movie Out Cold. And Bubble Boy. Back in the early 2000s, the wet spot joke was too controversial for mainstream audiences, even after the hair gel scene in There's Something about Mary. Now, we've seen it in She's Out of My League, then Bad Teacher. Why are audiences okay with the wet spot joke now? What is your take on the evolution of that?

Jake Kasdan: (Laughs) I don't know. The evolution of the wet spot joke! I think it depends on the context. And the context that we were using it? I think that is a really funny sequence. Up until that point, and then after, the function that it plays into the story is an important moment for Elizabeth. And like I said, it's a very funny scene. This is the point where Elizabeth realizes that this is not the relationship she wants it to be in. She finds herself slightly questioning her agenda. Hopefully, it sets the story up in a way that it doesn't just feel like a gratuitous, gross joke. It's more like a bonus gross joke.

It did a lot for that character. It gave him a 360 twist that made me hate him. He's a jerk. You don't like him.

Jake Kasdan: You don't like him because of how he is treating her. And Justin is just so good at doing that scene, his whole approach to it...

That scene also makes you feel bad for Ms. Squirrel. It seems as though he is in love with her. But he cheats on her in this really gross, weird way, that he must have justified to himself. That aspect is shocking as well...I have the DVD with the unrated version. It's five minutes longer than the theatrical cut. Did you have a hand in putting that together? And of the two, which version do you prefer?

Jake Kasdan: I did put this together. I don't like it more than the other. In either case, they both work. They were separately prepared by me for their respective purposes. I think it's a cool thing. It lets you put a few extra things in there that you felt inhibited the audience's initial experience with the movie in a theater. For fans, there are great little extra moments. Its subtle stuff, but its real stuff. There are a few additional jokes, a few additional scenes. There are some slightly harder moments. It's the accumulation of hard moments. When I say hard, I mean very edgy jokes. We had certain ones in the theatrical cut that served as tent poles. That is what you are building the thing on, and you don't want to repulse people. But for people that know the character, and like the movie, its fun to have some more of that.

I find that it's the cut I see first that I like the best. If that makes sense...

Jake Kasdan: That's interesting. Yeah. I think that sometimes, there are people that feel that way. Some people will only watch the extended version of it. I'll watch the extended cut if I had a positive feeling about the first one. With certain films, I don't usually go back to see the unrated version.

How involved were you with the special features that we see on the disc?

Jake Kasdan: Somewhat involved. I approve everything. I put together that gag reel thing that I think is pretty funny.

The supporting cast of Bad Teacher is so great. Even in the smallest roles...

Jake Kasdan: When you have a really funny piece of writing, when you are making one of these things, you find a bunch of little parts. You sit there and think, "If I could have anybody, who would it be?" Then you try to get them. That is what we did. A big part of this was me calling people up, and convincing them to do it. Because of that, we got this amazing group of people. It took them just a day or two to do it. We had Molly Shannon, and Eric Stonestreet. John Michael Higgins, and Thomas Lennon. A couple of my favorite guys. Two of the funnest guys in the world. John Michael Higgins is someone I worked with on Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. He was just amazing. We went through and fond the right people, and got them to come out.

The scene where Eric Stonestreet hits the car with his scooter is so well done. That's obviously a stunt guy, right?

Jake Kasdan: Uh...Yes. It was just one moment. On the scooter. The actual slamming into the thing? It was only a stunt guy for a second and a half. The majority of that is Eric Stonestreet. He was doing more than any of us were comfortable with. The actual, most dangerous moment, we were not going to risk it. We got a professional.

How happy have you been with the response New Girl is getting?

Jake Kasdan: Delighted. It has been this incredibly cool thing. We are deep in the mist of making it right now. It's been cool, we keep going and we try to make it good.

How worried were you guys about losing Damon Waynes Jr. after the first episode? He's so good in the pilot. I didn't want to like the new guy. It took me until the third episode to warm up to him. That's a pretty powerful thing to do with just a pilot. But I like him now. I think Lamorne Morris is a good fit.

Jake Kasdan: Yeah. We were really sad to lose Damon Wayans Jr., but we were also very relieved that Lamorne Morris was around, and that he was available. He had been someone that we'd seriously talked to about the part when we were doing the pilot. Then he got another job. We ended up finding Damon Wayans Jr.. That ended up working out great. Then, when Damon was no longer available, which was a surprise to us that it worked out that way, we were grateful to have someone so great that could step in. It was a story challenge in how to introduce a new character in just the second episode. Without complicating the premise. We did our best. So far, people seem to be sticking with it. Hopefully they will continue to watch.

Both you and Zooey have fathers that are quite well established in the movie business. Did you two know each other since you were kids?

Jake Kasdan: I've known her since she was a teenager. I am a little older than her. But I have known her for a long time, yeah. I'd always wanted to work with her. I'd tried to find stuff to work on with her before. This was the natural, perfect part for her. Elizabeth Meriwether called me up and asked if I'd direct the pilot. In that same couple of days, we thought the first thing we should do is get Zooey Deschanel to play this part. We were just excited that she wanted to.

Does that make it easier for you, when you already have that long standing relationship with someone, and you set out to take on a new project with them?

Jake Kasdan: Yeah. It is, a little. Its great to have a relationship like that. And to be able to turn it into something. Maybe, the fact that we did know each other, and we'd been trying to work together for along time...I like to think that helped bring her into this. Primarily, she fell in love with the role. I was there telling her that it would be everything she hoped it could be. And that I was going to do everything I could to do that with her.

I think, right now, Zooey might be the funniest girl on TV. She certainly is giving Kaitlin Olson a run for her money...

Jake Kasdan: That is nice to hear. She is amazing. We have some really fantastic episodes coming up that we are really excited about, and proud of. It's a unique thing. Here is an actress that really inspires the writers. She sets the tone for the whole thing, and she gets it all going.

Do you have a lot of story input as you guys build towards that season ending arc?

Jake Kasdan: You know, I am in the conversations with them. I am not writing the show. But I am around, helping them produce the first couple of episodes.

It almost seems as though Jess is going to hook up with the Nick Miller character. But you keep turning that convention on its head. Are you going to keep Zooey from hooking up with anyone in the house for a while?

Jake Kasdan: People are going to have to keep watching to find out what happens with those two. They have great chemistry, and we love writing for them. They are both seeing other people in the upcoming episodes.

Three's Company was on the air for almost ten years. Jack never got with any of the girls.

Jake Kasdan: (Laughs) Exactly. There is a long, great tradition of people not hooking up on television.

Bad Teacher Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, Bad Teacher Blu-ray, and Bad Teacher DVD are available October 18th.

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EXCLUSIVE: Jurassic Park Blu-ray Interviews

Oct 26, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

When Jurassic Park hit theaters in the summer of 1993, it took audiences by storm, grossing a whopping $357 million at the box office. In this day and age, that may not seem like much, but if you adjust that figure for inflation, $357 million in 1993 is the equivalent of $707 million today. There is no doubt Jurassic Park changed the face of movies and movie-making, and now the fans can finally see this classic in high-definition, the way it was made to be seen.

Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, and a limited edition Blu-ray Gift Set on October 25, which includes all three movies (Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III) plus hours of bonus features.

I recently had the privilege to speak with actress Ariana Richards, who portrayed Lex Murphy in Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and special effects artists Phil Tippett, Dennis Muren, John Rosengrant about Jurassic Park, its longstanding legacy, and this fantastic new Blu-ray trilogy. Click on the video players below to watch our exclusive video interviews and step back into the magical world of Jurassic Park.

Jurassic Park was released June 11th, 1993 and stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Martin Ferrero, Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park was released May 23rd, 1997 and stars Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Richard Attenborough, Vince Vaughn, Arliss Howard, Vanessa Lee Chester, Peter Stormare. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg.

Jurassic Park III was released July 18th, 2001 and stars Sam Neill, William H. Macy, Téa Leoni, Alessandro Nivola, Trevor Morgan, Michael Jeter, John Diehl, Bruce A. Young. The film is directed by Joe Johnston.

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EXCLUSIVE: Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame Blu-ray Trailer

Nov 10, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Master genre director Hark Tsui's critically acclaimed action adventure masterpiece, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, staring legendary Hong Kong actor, Andy Lau, Bingbing Li, Carina Lau, and Tony Leung Ka Fai, leaps on to Blu-ray, DVD, Digital and Video on Demand, this December 13 from Indomina Releasing. We have an exclusive first look at the Blu-ray trailer, which you can check out below.

A period epic from genre master Hark Tsui, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, is an action-packed, visually breathtaking Sherlock Holmes-style mystery starring some of China's top acting talent: Andy Lau, Bingbing Li, Carina Lau, and Tony Leung Ka Fai. Nominated for Best Special Effects at the 2011 Asian Film Awards and stunningly choreographed by master Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, this intricately plotted whodunit is set in an exquisitely realized steampunk version of ancient China.

On the eve of her coronation as Empress (Carina Lau), China's most powerful woman is haunted by a chilling murder mystery: seven men under her command have burst into flames, leaving behind only black ash and skeletal bones. Recognizing this threat to her power, she turns to the infamous Dee Renjie (Andy Lau): a man whose unparalleled wisdom is matched only by his martial arts skills. As he battles a series of bizarre dangers, he unveils a chilling truth that places his life, and the future of an entire dynasty, in peril.

"The Making of Detective Dee""Creating the Characters""Weapons, Stunts and Action""The World of Dee"Production Stills GalleryBehind-the-Scenes Stills GalleryPoster GalleryEnglish-Language DubEnglish SubtitlesFrench Subtitles

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame leaps to Blu-ray, DVD, Digital and Video on Demand, this December 13th.

Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame was released September 2nd, 2011 and stars Tony Leung Ka Fai, Chao Deng, Carina Lau, Bingbing Li, Andy Lau, Jean-Michel Casanova, Sos Haroyan, Jialin Zhao. The film is directed by Hark Tsui.

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Colombiana Blu-ray and DVD Arrive December 20th

Oct 31, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Sony Pictures' action-thriller Colombiana will be released on Blu-ray and DVD December 20. The standard DVD will be priced at $30.99 SRP, while the Blu-ray, which also comes with an UltraViolet Digital Copy, will be priced at $35.99 SRP. You can take a look at the cover art and special features below.

From writer/producer Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, The Professional) comes Colombiana. Zoe Saldana plays a young woman who has grown up to be an assassin after witnessing the murder of her parents as a child. Turning herself into a professional killer, she remains focused on her ultimate goal: to hunt down and get revenge on the mobster responsible for her parents' deaths.

Colombiana: The Making OfCataleya's JourneyAssassins (Blu-ray only)Training A Killer (Blu-ray only)Take The Ride (Blu-ray only)Colombiana PS3 Wallpaper/Theme (Blu-ray only)

Colombiana was released August 26th, 2011 and stars Zoe Saldana, Amandla Stenberg, Michael Vartan, Cliff Curtis, Callum Blue, Jordi Mollà, Max Martini, Lennie James. The film is directed by Olivier Megaton.

Sources: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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EXCLUSIVE: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Blu-ray Cast Interviews

Nov 17, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 has finally arrived on Blu-ray and DVD just in time for the holiday season. As the magical series comes to its rousing conclusion, we are celebrating this must-own release, before it is locked away in Gringott's Vault on indefinite moratorium. We recently headed to Orlando, Florida to catch up with three of the film's stars at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for a look back at the Harry Potter legacy. Joining us are Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), and Mark Williams (Ron's Dad, Arthur Weasley). To watch our exclusive interviews, click on the clips below.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 was released July 15th, 2011 and stars Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Evanna Lynch, Domhnall Gleeson. The film is directed by David Yates.

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Lady and the Tramp and Cinderella Blu-ray Diamond Editions Announced

Nov 11, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

The Walt Disney Studios proudly announces the addition of Lady and the Tramp and Cinderella to its coveted, cutting-edge Blu-ray Diamond Collection line-up of animated classics. Released from the Disney vault for a limited time only, the lovingly pampered cocker spaniel and the mutt from across the tracks will unveil on February 7, 2012 and Cinderella's clock will strike midnight in Fall 2012.

Disney's Blu-ray Diamond Collection represents The Walt Disney Studios' most prestigious and treasured animated classics. Diamond Edition titles boast the highest level of picture and sound; feature groundbreaking, state-of-the-art immersive bonus content; and include unprecedented levels of interactivity, personalization and customization, made possible because of Blu-ray technology.

To date, the company has released four Diamond Edition titles - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, Bambi and The Lion King.

Generations of fans have fallen in love with Disney's 15th animated masterpiece -- an irresistible song-filled adventure about Lady, a lovingly pampered cocker spaniel, and Tramp, a roguish mutt from across the tracks.

When Aunt Sarah moves in with her devious felines Si and Am to baby-sit, the very protective Lady soon finds herself being fitted for the unthinkable -- a muzzle! In her bid for freedom, she meets and is charmed by Tramp, dog-about-town. Together with friends Jock, Trusty, and Peg, they share thrilling adventures on an enchanting evening as Lady learns what it means to be footloose and leash-free.

Lady and the Tramp will be available at retails as follows:

3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 CanadaHigh Definition Digital = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 CanadaStandard Digital = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
Disney's Cinderella has enchanted generations with its unforgettable story, Academy Award-nominated music (1950 for Scoring of a Musical Picture, Song "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and Sound Recording) and endearing characters. With a wave of her wand and some "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," Cinderella's Fairy Godmother transforms an ordinary pumpkin into a magnificent coach and Cinderella's rags into a gorgeous gown, and then sends her off to the royal ball. But Cinderella's enchanted evening must end when the spell is broken at midnight. It will take the help of her daring animal friends Jaq and Gus and a perfect fit into a glass slipper to create the ultimate fairy tale ending.

Lady and the Tramp was released June 16th, 1955 and stars Peggy Lee, Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson, Bill Baucom, Stan Freberg, Verna Felton, Alan Reed. The film is directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske.

Cinderella was released February 15th, 1950 and stars Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Rhoda Williams, James MacDonald, Luis Van Rooten, Don Barclay, Lucille Bliss. The film is directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske.

Sources: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

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Harry Potter Moratorium Begins December 29th

Oct 24, 2011 by Brian Gallagher

Harry Potter Blu-ray and DVD titles will be unavailable starting December 29Warner Bros. has announced they will pull all of their Harry Potter Blu-rays and DVDs off the shelves starting December 29. Take a look at the studio's official statement below. "Harry Potter, the #1 motion picture franchise of all time, will soon disappear from shelves, as Warner Bros. stops shipping all Harry Potter theatrical film titles (including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, and Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection) as of December 29, 2011 (moratorium does not include digital - Electronic Sell-Through & VOD - or games). The Harry Potter franchise has grossed more than $12.1 billion for Warner Bros. Entertainment - with $7 billion at the worldwide box office for Warner Bros. Pictures and $5.1 billion for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 will be released on Blu-ray and DVD November 11, along with the Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection on Blu-ray and DVD.

Disney employs a similar strategy, by pulling its titles out of the vault with brand new editions after being unavailable for several years. It is unclear how long this Harry Potter moratorium will last, but it seems fans only have a limited amount of time to complete their collections with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 or Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 was released July 15th, 2011 and stars Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Evanna Lynch, Domhnall Gleeson. The film is directed by David Yates.

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EXCLUSIVE: Mike Cahill Talks Another Earth Blu-ray

Nov 16, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Director Mike Cahill talks Another Earth on Blu-rayOne of the most unique films of the year is coming to Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack on November 29th, from 20th Century Fox Home Video. Another Earth stars Brit Marling as Rhoda, a young woman that falls into a deep depression after killing a mother and her son in a tragic accident. She decides to seek out the widowed husband just as the astounding discovery of Earth 2, a planet that mirrors our own, is announced. As this parallel world begins to enter our Earth's atmosphere, Rhoda sets out to change her life, and possibly her own destiny.

We recently caught up with director Mike Cahill, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brit Marling, to chat about the endless possibilities of Earth 2. Here is our conversation.

With the concept of Earth 2 comes a thousand different story possibilities. How did you and Brit Marling hit on exactly what type of story you wanted to tell, using Earth 2 as your backdrop?

Mike Cahill: It is in the background. That is true. That is a great question. Because when we came up with the concept, we came up with the other earth first. It was a duplicate earth. All seven billion of us are living there. Really, you could tell seven billion different stories if you want to. People confronting themselves. We were into that first. But then, we thought, "What story is the most important story to tell?" We latched onto this character. A young female protagonist. Because we knew that Brit was going to play the lead. We wanted to tell a story about someone who needed to meet themselves the most. That would be someone having a hard time letting themself off the hook about something. Ultimately, it is a story about forgiveness. She is burdened with guilt. Her antagonist is this guilt, more than anything. As this protagonist, without any self-pity, she has this war like way of tying to get rid of that guilt. To eliminate it. We thought that was an interesting story to tell. The only person that can free you from that, is yourself. In a way, perhaps. At least, we do leave the hope of that at the end.

Did the concept ever become overbearing during the initial phase of story development? Just thinking about Earth 2, in terms of telling this particular story, seems like a slightly daunting task. It opens up a wormhole of conversations, and it hurts the brain...

Mike Cahill: (Laughs) Yeah! You ponder forever. But I love the Hollywood high concept that allows you to speculate and come up with ideas. It lets your imagination run loose. But then, I also like keeping it very restrained. Keeping it as one complex drama. Your brain could run forever about what this means. There is a huge paradigm shift, as you have this other earth in the sky. We were using it as poetry. A metaphor for the changing of perception about one's self. Something we can't really do is get outside of ourselves, and objectively view ourselves. Perhaps we can be forgiving. We can be kind to others. We can be hardest on ourselves. If our self was another person, how would that change things? How would that change one's perception of their selves? Even the story she tells about the Russian Cosmonaut. That is a changing of one's perspective, again, as annoying as that sounds. If you can somehow get outside of that, the first time you see the earth...If you can get outside of that, and change her perspective on it, maybe it can be something beautiful. We try to black out all the other complications that come with Earth 2. Nuclear warfare. Human resources. La, la, la...

Another Earth pushes science fiction in film to a place we haven't quite seen it go yet. We also have the movie Melancholia that came out this past week. It really seems like sci-fi is evolving and being pushed in a new, exciting direction...

Mike Cahill: I like that idea. I'll say this. Originality is a very hard thing to find. I don't think the goal of art is to create something original. It should be to create something that is emotionally moving. But, that being said, originality can't come from just one thing. It's a juxtaposition of two things. So, taking sci-fi...I think people would have expectations considering the history of the genre...You take that expectation for one thing, and you combine it with something totally outside the realm of that. But there is a history of thinking man's sci-fi. Like Solaris and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Still, this is more poetic, I guess. I like that mash-up. I think combining two different things came make something original and meaningful.

It is breathing new life into the genre that we haven't seen in a long time. I think that's necessary to keep the genre alive. In truth, we don't even get that many true science fiction films nowadays. Its all goofy superheroes and giant robots.

Mike Cahill: It's become all about the spectacle. Its two or three hours of explosions. Yeah.

Maybe the last really interesting one before Another Earth and Melancholia was where those two guys invented a time machine in their storage shed...

Mike Cahill: Yeah, Primer!

Prime hurts my head. It's too intelligent for me. It's beyond the thinking man's sci-fi...

Mike Cahill: It's hard to follow, that one. I was at a Q&A screening, and I felt bad for the director afterwards. The first person to raise his hand said, "I didn't get that...At all..." I thought it was very clever. And a great use of limited resources.

Having co-written the screenplay of Another Earth alongside you, what do you think Brit Marling, as an actress, was able to bring to this role that another actor may not have achieved?

Mike Cahill: Sure, yeah...Brit Marling is a very unique human being. She is probably the smartest person that I know. She has very high emotional intelligence, along with book smarts. She was Valedictorian of Jonestown. She is also, incredibly emotionally intelligent. The beauty of her writing the screenplay with me...She ended up having a lot of time to do the character exploration that some actors aren't allowed. Some actors have a week before they have to go shoot a project. Here, she had six months of imagining and living this character's life. Which was useful. But I think what makes her such a great actress is her ability to speak through her eyes without using dialogue. There's maybe twenty minutes of the film where she doesn't even say a word. But yet, emotional beat by emotional beat, moving forward, it just plays in her eyes. And we can follow that. It's a huge challenge for an actor. The other thing she does that is extremely sophisticated...Her character? She doesn't even exhibit one act of self-pity. Self-pity is something that is very alienating. If a character has self-pity, it is isolating. It's hard to empathize with them. She carries this burden of what she has done, very much on her own shoulders. She tries to figure out how to make things right. Her choices are questionable. But you get the sense that she is trying to do what is right. That was such a smart play by her as an actor.

Having worked in documentaries before directing Another Earth, did you approach the material from the viewpoint of a documentarian?

Mike Cahill: Yeah, absolutely. There was a certain amount of confidence in capturing the fly on the wall, in the scene, without having to storyboard. It was a 'capture the moment' feeling. I operated the camera, which gave me a great deal of comfortability, to keep it fresh, while we were shooting it. It also influenced the aesthetic choices. For example, I had 35 mm prime lens at my disposal. It gives a very cinematic, beautiful field...I tried not to use it. I used a stock lens, to give it more realism...If you have a more documentary, hand-held camera aesthetic, and you lift up and see this other earth in the sky, something about that makes it feel more real. I wanted it to feel as though it were real. I wanted audiences to leave the theater and look up, "There's the moon...Where's the other earth?" I try to make it poetic realism. I want it to be real, but I want it to be a certain moment of poetry. These wide, landscaping shots that emphasize her loneliness. But still, keep it in the realm of realism.

The movie is beautiful in terms of that. The way Earth 2 is shot, it's so quaint, but amazing to look at...How did you use the special features on the Blu-ray to expand this particular universe that you are presenting?

Mike Cahill: One of the cool things is that we have Dr. Richard Branson on there. I loved listening to his books on tape. Like a nerd, instead of bumping music, I would drive around, listening to him talk about the stars, and the creation of the universe. At the beginning of this project, I wrote him a passionate letter, saying, "I know you don't know me. I am making this film. Can we meet and talk about it." He was so gracious. He added such a beautiful element...He can talk about space and the cosmos. He can talk about it in an emotional narrative that the layperson can connect to. So he lent his voice to several things for the film. He is on the DVD extras. I could listen to him for hours. He brings a cool angle to the multi-verse. These questions of science that we deal with.

Another Earth arrives on Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack November 29th, from 20th Century Fox Home Video.

Another Earth was released July 22nd, 2011 and stars Brit Marling, Matthew-Lee Erlbach, DJ Flava, William Mapother, Meggan Lennon, AJ Diana, Bruce Colbert, Paul S. Mezey. The film is directed by Mike Cahill.

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