January 2010

Zombie movies have made a comeback lately and, thankfully, so have the parody genre. While both zombies and parody films have their fair share of bombs and weak entries, when you’re able to marry the two together with a good script and good actors, the results are often nothing short of pleasant. Take for instance Shaun of the Dead, a rather low budget film that packed in gore, humor, violence, and some romance. It was also an import from the UK, so after its moderate success (more so in the cult department as I don’t think it made too much in the box office) it’s no wonder that a US company was looking to get in on the action. And thus we get Zombieland, a film that was no doubt inspired by Shaun…but also a film that is as original and entertaining as the ones that inspired it. Plus it made a boatload of cash for Sony in the box office, so you know a sequel is in the works.

A teenaged Tony Stark? Well, it’s a risk, I’ll give it that. Iron Man: Armored Adventures had a lot going against it when it was announced. A CGI cartoon with a drastically reworked Tony Stark was, as you could expect, not received warmly among fans. I can see why, honestly. It’s not the Tony Stark that fans grew up with. However, I’m one of those fans who is somewhat more open-minded to different interpretations of a character, with every one as valid as the next as far as I’m concerned. Some may not be as well-received, but each take it a valid one, and Iron Man: Armored Adventures is no different. Synopsis:Join the adventures of teenage prodigy Tony Stark, and his alter ego Iron Man, as he uses his technological inventions to battle villains and save the world! When new threats like Living Laser and Madame Masque bring their own brand of chaos, it’s up to Iron Man to answer the call! Suit up and get back in action with

Although not a ratings blockbuster by any means, the Fox show Glee has made quite the indelible mark on the network. Critics love it and those who get into the production become rabid fans to the point of obsession. As much as High School Musical revolutionized the idea of musicals for teens, Glee takes that same basic premise but tosses in a heavy helping of Greys’ Anatomy style drama to keep it more for the older generation. Plus the spontaneous song and dance numbers actually serve a purpose in Glee (although never having seen a High School Musical, I’ve no idea if they’re spontaneous in there…I just wanted to take a potshot at it), which is part of what makes the show such a (critical) hit. SynopsisGive a cheer for TV’s hottest, funniest and most talked-about new series when “Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals debuts on DVD December 29 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Filled with beloved characters and sensational musical numbers, “Glee” Season 1: Road To Sectionals

Released in barely over 250 theaters, Moon earned rave reviews from critics and those were lucky enough to see it in its limited engagements. With Sam Rockwell holding the entire weight of the film on his shoulders, Moon became one of the greatest sci-fi films in recent memory to really drive home the sense of wonder that is space. Although it’s a very “lonely” film in its construction, the performance from Rockwell is what has kept the film in the mouths of those who have seen it. Now arriving on DVD, those without theaters that carried the film are now able to witness one of the great sci-fi films from 2009. SynopsisSam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is nearing the completion of his 3-year-long contract with Lunar Industries, mining Earth’s primary source of energy on the dark side of the moon. Alone with only the base’s vigilant computer Gerty (voiced by Oscar-Winner Kevin Spacey, 1999 Best Actor, American Beauty) as his sole companion, Bell’s extended isolation has taken its toll. His only

It seems that the further we get into 2010, the more films we find from 2009 that we either had never heard of previously, or made little impact during their initial release. The Boys are Back is one such film, although those of us in the US who hadn’t heard of it earn a bit of a reprieve—the film only just came out this past November and even then was in barely over 100 theaters countrywide. It’s not all that unheard of, of course, for a film to not go wide…but when you have Clive Owen in the lead, it’s a bit curious to not advertise or take it further. Still, the material the film presents is heavy and it would have been doubtful if it would have found a wider audience than the one it will undoubtedly receive on DVD. SynopsisThe death of his wife leaves wisecracking sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) with a curious six year-old (Nicholas McAnulty) and a rebellious teen from a previous marriage (George MacKay)

With a career spanning six decades, charismatic pop icon Cliff Richard is the only UK artist to have charted #1 in five consecutive decades. In 1959, he began recording with The Shadows, an alliance that strengthened both acts’ legacies. Fifty years later, the most successful partnership in UK history has reunited for a final international tour. Sir Cliff Richard, in addition to over 20 years worth of chart success, was the first pop star ever bestowed knighthood by the Queen of England, receiving the honor for his tireless charity work in 1995. He has enjoyed 123 hit singles, while The Shadows endured with continuous chart success of their own. SynopsisFilmed during a three night stint at the O2 Arena in London in Autumn 2009, The Final Tour DVD, with a run time of 137 minutes, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Cliff and The Shadows’ first collaboration. Musical gems such as their #1 hits “Living Doll,” “It’s All In The Game,” “Bachelor Boy,” and “Apache,” as well as a 30-minute bonus

There was a time when you would scoff at the idea of Maria Carey in a movie. But now after her turn in Precious and another outing in Tennessee (which is produced by the producer/director of Precious, coincidentally enough), Carey may just be on her way to a reputable, if understated, acting career. But while she is a supporting cast member of this film, she is hardly the star and leads Ethan Peck and Adam Rothenberg are instead the focus of this film about brothers who are on the road for a cure to both a terminal illness but also reconciliation with their abusive father. SynopsisMaria Carey, Ethan Peck, and Adam Rothenberg star in this honest and heartwarming journey of self-discovery from producer Lee Daniels (director and producer, Precious). When two very different brothers set out on a road trip to find their estranged father, they’re joined by a frustrated young waitress (Carey) with a dream who helps them overcome their painful past, confront the challenges in their futures, and