What's new in theaters today - Christmas edition!

Happy holidays everybody!  Here's the films opening today; it looks like there should be something for everyone in your family.

Opening in Wide release:

• Bedtime Stories - Adam Sandler's life is turned upside down when the imaginative bedtime tales he tells his niece and nephew become reality.  Adam Sandler comedy + Disney kids flick = no thanks for me.  Rated PG.
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Brad Pitt stars in the peculiar story of a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards, becoming younger through time.  Directed by David Fincher, of "Se7en," "Fight Club" and "Zodiac" fame.  I can't wait to see this movie; I love movies of this nature (i.e. adult fairy tales, like "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Big Fish").  I really think this'll be one of the best movies of the year.  Rated PG-13.
• Marley & Me - Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson are a couple who adopt a puppy tha becomes a rollicking force of nature in their lives.  Not my kind of movie, but I'm sure a lot of people will like it.  Rated PG.
• The Spirit - After coming back from the dead, a man fights crime from the shadows of Central City as the masked crusader known as The Spirit.  This looks just like "Sin City," which I loved, but I'm starting to think that it might be a 2nd or 3rd rate knock-off of that film (despite that this was directed by Frank Miller, who created the original "Sin City" comics).  I'll see it eventually, but I'd rather just see "Sin City 2" instead.  Rated PG-13.
• Valkyrie - Tom Cruise stars in the true story of Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and the daring plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  The movie looks like it could be pretty good, but I'm confused why Tom Cruise was cast in this film as a German... he doesn't even try to fake an accent!  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Selected release:

• Revolutionary Road - Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are a young couple in the 1950s trying to find fulfillment in an age of conformity.  Watching two yuppies bitch and moan at each other for two hours?  No thanks, especially when I've already got the far-more-interesting "Mad Men" to spend my time with.  Rated R.
• Last Chance Harvey - Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson star as down-on-their-luck strangers who meet by chance and transform one another's lives.  This kind of film probably has an audience, but it's not me.  Rated PG-13.
• Waltz with Bashir - A filmmaker journeys to discover the truth about an Israeli Army mission that left him with a loss of memory about the events.  This film is animated, but tells a powerful and engrossing story about the effects of war.  Definitely a film to watch for.  Rated R.

What's new on DVD and CD this week - 12/23/08

Considering that things were released on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday of last week, it's not surprising that there's almost nothing to speak of in new releases this week.

My pick on DVD this week:

• When They Cry: Vol. 6

Also available on DVD this week:

Savage Grace

WWE Edge - A Decade of Decadence

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Director’s Cut)

Pulse 3

En Tu Ausencia

Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman: Vols. 5-8

Berserk: Complete

Xenosaga: The Animation - Complete Box Set

Nighthead Genesis: Vol. 2

The Violent Kid

Available on CD this week:

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Soundtrack”

What's new in theaters this week - 12/19/08

Here are this week's new movie releases.

Opening in Wide release:

• Seven Pounds - Will Smith is an IRS agent with a secret who embarks on a journey of redemption by changing the lives of seven strangers.  This is an intriguing looking movie, but the early reviews have not been good at all.  And even after all the trailers I've seen, I'm still a little confused about what exactly Smith's character is doing, and why.  Rated PG-13.
• The Tale of Despereaux - A tiny mouse with the courage of a knight in shining armor is the only one in the kingdom who can rescue a kidnapped princess.  This movie looks beautifully animated, but the story probably won't exactly entertain older audiences like "WALL-E" and "Kung-Fu Panda" did.  Still, it should be a solid movie for young kids.  Rated G.
• Yes Man - Jim Carrey's life is radically transformed when he decides to live by one simple principle: say yes to everything and anything.  Just like "Bruce Almighty," the more I've seen of this movie the funnier it looks.  Add in supporting performances by Zooey Deschanel and Rhys Darby (aka Murray from "Flight of the Conchords"), and "Yes Man" is a movie I'll definitely see... though I'll probably wait for DVD.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Limited release:

• Nothing But the Truth - Kate Beckinsale is a political reporter under fire for uncovering a government scandal and revealing a covert CIA agent's identity.  This is based on the true story of Valerie Plame, and the film definitely feels like one of those ripped-from-the-headlines movies in both the good sense (interesting story, topical issues) and the bad (self-righteousness, clunky-sounding "important" dialogue).  Then again, last year there was a similar film released about the Robert Hanssen story called "Breach" that was excellent, so maybe this one will be good too.  Rated R.
• Scott Walker: 30 Century Man - Documentary exploring the music and career of Scott Walker, one of the most influential and enigmatic figures in rock history.  Considering that the film is filled with interviews with David Bowie, Brian Eno, Sting, Radiohead and a ton of other musicians, one would think that everybody would know about this guy who was apparently such a big influence on so many.  So why don't know about him?  Well, that's what this very interesting documentary is about.  Not rated, and is probably okay for anyone who wants to see it.
• The Wrestler - Mickey Rourke is a washed-up former professional wrestler who gets a chance at getting back in the ring against an old nemesis.  The newest film from Darren Aronofsky, the director of "Pi," "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Fountain."  This has been one of the most celebrated movies of the year, and Rourke is the current favorite to win the Best Actor Oscar this year.  Add to that the fact that Aronofsky is one of the best directors working today ("The Fountain" was one of the best movies I saw in '06), and I just can't wait to see this film.  Rated R.

Flight of the Conchords: behold the second coming!

Finally, after a way too long absence from our shores, New Zealand's fourth-most popular comedy-folk duo is returning with the highly anticipated second season of their HBO TV series.  The season is set to debut on HBO on January 18, but right now the website Funny or Die is playing the premiere episode for free.  I've seen it and it doesn't disappoint.  Click here to check it out.  

If you've never seen the series before, don't worry; you don't have to have watched the previous season to appreciate the awesomeness of the premiere.  Watch and enjoy, and then go out and pick up the first season on DVD and the band's self-titled debut album, which features most of the songs from the first season.

What's new on DVD and CD this week - 12/16/08 thru 12/21/08

This week's release list is a little confusing, as there are DVDs being released today, Friday and Sunday.  But I think you'll be able to figure it out.

My picks for DVD:

• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Volume 6
• The House Bunny (12/19/08)
• Burn After Reading (12/21/08)
• Death Race (12/21/08)
• Hamlet 2 (12/21/08)

Also released on DVD:

Traitor (12/19/08)

Mamma Mia!: The Movie

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Generation Kill

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Naruto Uncut Box Set 11

The Little Mermaid Trilogy

Ice Road Truckers: Season 2

The Rape of Europa

Louis C.K.: Chewed Up

Mr. Bean: The Ultimate Collection

Gangland: Season 2

Claymore: The Point of No Return, Vol. 2

Mushi-shi: The Complete Series

Darklight

The Wedding Director

Crashing

My picks for CD:

• Fall Out Boy - "Folie a Deux"
• "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog - Soundtrack"

Also released on CD:

Plies - “Da Realist”

Pavement - “Brighten the Corners (Nicene Creedence Edition)”

The All-American Rejects - “When the World Comes Down”

Keyshia Cole - “A Different Me”

“Slumdog Millionaire - Soundtrack”

Dave Matthews Band - “DMB Live Trax Vol. 13”

Dave Matthews Band - “Live At Miles High Music Festival”

Saliva - “Cinco Diablo”

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Soundtrack”

Led Zeppelin - “The Complete Studio Recordings”

Lil Wayne - “Dedication, Vol. 3”

The Delfonics - “The Delfonics / Tell Me This Is A Dream”

Heavy D - “Vibes”

Killah Priest - “The Best of and A Prelude to the Offering”

Mott the Hoople - “The Hoople”

What's new in theaters this week - 12/12/08

There are a lot of movies coming out this week, including a number of Oscar hopefuls.  Which ones are worth seeing?  Well, let's find out (or guess, at least).

Opening in Wide release:

• The Day the Earth Stood Still - In this remake of the 1950s sci-fi parable, Keanu Reeves stars as an alien with a warning for all humans: live in peace or be destroyed.  I don't think the special effects look all that great, but on the other hand Reeves looks like a perfect choice to play the alien.  And Jennifer Connelly's in the film too, so that pretty much guarantees that I'll see it at some point.  Rated PG-13.
• Delgo - A fantasy epic about a teenager who must rally his friends to protect their world from conflict between two warring nations.  There's no getting around it; this movie looks seriously FUGLY.  I have no idea how this movie even got made, let alone a major release.  If you watch the trailer and really want to see it, then go for it; I'm staying as far away from this film as possible.  Rated PG.
• Nothing Like the Holidays - Secrets are revealed and bonds are tested when the far-flung members of the Rodriguez family reunites for the holidays.  Don't get it twisted though; this is a comedy about the members of a dysfunctional-but-loving family coming back together for Christmas.  Not exactly original, but the movie looks very funny and heartwarming.  Rated PG-13.

Opening in Limited release:

• The Reader - Years after a passionate affair with an older woman, a law student meets her again when she is on trial as a Nazi war criminal.  Stars Kate Winslet as the woman and Ralph Fiennes as the older version of the boy retelling the story.  This looks like a good and powerful movie that I definitely want to see.  Rated R.
• Wendy and Lucy - A woman's life is derailed when her car breaks down and she loses her dog while on the way to a summer job in Alaska.  Stars Michelle Williams, whose career has recently been overshadowed by the death of her ex-husband Heath Ledger.  But this looks movie looks like proof that she's a strong actor as well.  Rated R.
• Che/Che Part 1 - Benicio Del Toro stars in the story of Che Guevara's rise in the Cuban Revolution, from doctor to rebel to revolutionary hero.  How they're releasing this film is more than a little confusing: see, the movie's about four hours long, so starting next month they're going to release the first half of the film and then release the second separately in February, but for right now they're releasing the entire film in certain cities to qualify for the Oscars this year.  But what's not hard to figure out is that the film looks great, so see it however you can.  Rated R.
• Dark Streets - A 1930s night club owner gets entangled in love, lies and betrayal amidst menacing loan sharks and the darkness of city blackouts.  This is a strange, intriguing, dreamlike movie.  But is it good?  I have no idea.  Rated R.
• Doubt - Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in a drama about a nun who accuses a Catholic priest of abusing a black student.  Amy Adams from "Enchanted" also stars.  This film had a great cast and is one of the bigger Oscar hopefuls.  But personally I think it doesn't look that great; it looks too stage-y and self-important.  It was based on  a play, and you can really tell (in a bad way).  Rated PG-13.
• Gran Torino - Clint Eastwood directs and stars as a grumpy Korean War veteran who must protect the neighborhood from the threat of street gangs.  This is the second film Eastwood directed this year, along with "Changeling."  It looks intriguing for sure, but I'm not really sure what type of movie it's trying to be.  And raspy-voiced Clint Eastwood singlehandedly taking on the scum of the streets is a little too reminiscent of Christian Bale's Batman.  Rated R.
• Timecrimes - A man accidentally travels to the past and meets himself there, setting off a series of disasters with unforeseeable consequences.  This is a foreign low-budget sci-fi film.  It looks strange, not particularly interesting.  I'd skip this one.  Rated R.
• What Doesn't Kill You - Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke are buddies from Boston's mean streets trying to escape a life of crime--the only life they know.  This is based on the true story of the film's writer/director (he also co-stars), and it looks to be a strong and powerful film.  I definitely want to see this movie.  Rated R.
• $9.99 - A stop-motion animated story about several people living in a Sydney apartment complex looking for meaning in their lives.  Every once and awhile we get one of these weird, completely different and thoroughly original movies.  If you like things that are truly off the beaten path, then this film is definitely something you should check out.  Not rated, but definitely a film for older audiences.

What's new on DVD and CD this week - 12/09/08

We've got some heavily anticipated releases coming out this week...

My picks for DVD:

• The Dark Knight
• Lost: Season 4
• The Wire: The Complete Series
• Deadwood: The Complete Series
• Flow (aka Flow: For Love of Water)
• Man on Wire

Also available on DVD this week:

Horton Hears a Who

Happy Days: Season 4

Peter and the Wolf

Dragon Ball GT: Season 1

Europa (Criterion Collection)

Resident Evil Trilogy

Code Geas Leouch of the Rebellion: Season 1, Parts 1-4

Irma Vep

Quemar Las Naves (Burn the Bridges)

Three Short Films By Werner Herzog

Swingtown: Season 1

Zentropa

Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman: 5-8

My picks for CD:

• Thrice - "Live at the House of Blues"
• Justice - "A Cross the Universe - Live" (CD/DVD)
• Carter Burwell - "Twilight: The Score"
• Common - "Universal Mind Control"
• "The Dark Knight - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2-disc special edition)
• Devil's Gift - "Devil's Gift"
• Stereophonics - "Decade in the Sun: The Best of the Stereophonics"

Also available on CD this week:

Maroon 5 - “Call and Response: The Remix Album”

Pavement - “Brighten the Corners: Nicene Creedence Edition”

Cat Power - “Dark End of the Street”

Alice Russell - “Pot of Gold”

Collective Soul - “Afterwords”

Welcome Wagon - “Welcome to the Welcome Wagon”

Ken Block - “Drift”

Loop - “Fade Out” and “Heaven’s End”

Jeffree Star - “Cupcakes Taste Like Violence”

EPMD - “We Mean Business”

The Damned - “So, Who’s Paranoid?”

Flipper - “Gone Fishin’” and “Sex Bomb Baby”

Theocracy - “Mirror of Souls”

City Boy - “The Day the Earth Caught Fire”

Distance - “Repercussions”

“Music from Degrassi: The Next Generation”

“Motown - The Complete No. 1s”

What's new in theaters this week - 12/05/08

Here are the new movies for this week.

Opening in Wide Release:

• Cadillac Records - The rise and fall of blues label Chess Records, which launched the careers of Muddy Waters, Etta James and Chuck Berry.  Stars Adrien Brody and Beyonce Knowles, among others.  This looks like a much darker, grittier, and infinitely more interesting "Dreamgirls"-style movie.  I'll definitely see this at some point.  Rated R.
• Punisher: War Zone - Marvel Comics' ruthless vigliante-hero Frank Castle returns to wage his one-man war on the world of organized crime.  More of a series restart than an actual sequel to 2004's "The Punisher," which starred Thomas Jane; this one stars Ray Stevenson from the HBO series "Rome."  I liked the original movie, but this one looks terrible.  I have absolutely no desire to see this movie at all.  Rated R.

Opening in Limited Release:

• Frost/Nixon - Director Ron Howard dramatizes the historic 1977 television interview between David Frost and President Richard Nixon.  This will probably end up being a major Oscar contender.  I think it looks pretty intriguing.  Rated R.
• Nobel Son - A Nobel Prize-winning chemist's son is kidnapped for his father's prize money, setting of a tale of familial dysfunction and revenge.  This looks like a very dark and subversive action/comedy, and it stars two of my favorite actors, Alan Rickman and Eliza Dushku.  Rated R.
• Local Color - A talented but troubled art school student befriends an elderly alcoholic genius painter who has turned his back on art and life.  It's based on a true story, and the filmmakers were obviously aiming to make a heartwarming drama.  But I watched the trailer and, in all honesty, the film looks more cheesy than heartwarming.  Rated R.
• Let Them Chirp Awhile - A struggling screenwriter deals with several failed relationships while taking care of a puppy for a girl he hopes to sleep with.  This looks like another one of those smug, self-obsessed hipster-wannabe indie flicks that just get on my nerves.  So yeah, I won't be seeing this one.  Not rated, but looks to contain a good deal of R-rated material.
• The Black Balloon - All the new kid in town wants to do is fit in, but when he is put in charge of his autistic brother, he faces his biggest challenge yet.  This is an Australian dramedy that is now just opening in the U.S.  I don't know enough about Autism to be able to tell if the movie is treating it realistically or a more of the typical Hollywood version of a disease, but on its own terms the film looks like it could be pretty good.  Also, the girlfriend in this film is played by Gemma Ward, who also played one of the scary masked intruders in the very creepy horror film "The Strangers" earlier this year.  Not rated, but doesn't look to contain anything beyond PG-13 level.
• Ciao - A man dies very unexpectedly and leaves behind two men: his best friend and an Italian he's been corresponding with online.  This film looks very serious, and VERY slow-paced... I just about fell asleep watching the trailer.  Rated R.

What's new on DVD and CD this week - 11/02/08

Here are this week's new DVD and CD releases for this week.

My picks for DVD:

• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
• Wanted
• Step Brothers
• The X-Files: I Want to Believe
• The Longshots
• Metalocalypse: Season 2
• Bam Margera Presents: Where the #$&% is Santa?
• La Femme Nikita (Blu-ray)

Also released on DVD:

Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews

Perry Mason: Season 3, Vol. 2

Saturday Night Live: Season 4

Law and Order: Season 6

Inuyasha: Season 6

The Day the Earth Stood Still (Special Edition)

White Dog (Criterion)

Mythbusters: Big Blasts Collection

Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition)

Wiegal

My Father My Lord

Shadow Company

Maria Watches Over Us: Season 2

Le Chevalier d’Eon: Complete Box Set

My picks for CD:

• Panic at the Disco - "Live In Chicago" (CD/DVD)

Also released on CD:

Britney Spears - “Circus”

Akon - “Freedom”

“Cadillac Records - Music From the Motion Picture”

Kylie Minogue - “X” (2008 Tour Edition)

“Halo Trilogy - The Complete Original Soundtracks”

Scarface - “Emeritus”

Bob Marley and the Wailers - “Deluxe Edition Box Set”

Darude - “Label This”

Burl Ives - “Favorites for Children”