Redbelt
Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a Jiu-Jitsu teacher who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing instead to pursue an honorable life by operating a self-defense studio with a samurai's code. Terry and his wife Sonda struggle to keep the business running to make ends meet. An accident on a dark, rainy night at the Academy between an off-duty officer and a distraught lawyer puts in motion a series of events that will change Terry's life dramatically, introducing him to a world of promoters and movie stars. In order to pay off his debts and regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life.
Vitals: Director: David Mamet. Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alice Braga, Tim Allen, Emily Mortimer, Rodrigo Santoro, Rebecca Pidgeon, Randy Couture. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 99 min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.333 million, Sony.
All DVD Releases
a.k.a. Tommy Chong
(2008) Dynamic portrait of comedy legend Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong set against the unfolding political horror story of post 9/11 America. Follows the tragic and absurd tale of Chong as he travels down the rabbit hole of America's war on drugs and the federal prison system after becoming the primary target in a government sting, code named "Operation Pipe Dreams." In February of 2003, the U.S. government spent $12 million to take down Chong for selling art glass water pipes, a/k/a bongs, over the internet. What emerges is an intimate portrait of a cosmic character, caught in the crosshairs of a surreal Cheech and Chong fantasy come to life. $24.98. (Infinity Entertainment).
Alfresco
Two-disc set with 13 episodes of the British sketch comedy series from the 1980s; launched the careers of Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Robbie Coltrane, Stephen Fry, Ben Elton, others; $39.99. Extras: "There's Nothing to Worry About" three-episode pilot series; story of alternative comedy boom in 1980s Britain. (Acorm Media).
Alvin and the Chipmunks: Trick or Treason
Animated feature, $14.99. (Paramount).
August
(2008) Josh Hartnett, Naomie Harris, Adam Scott, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Robin Tunney, Rip Torn, David Bowie. Story of two brothers fighting to keep their start-up dot-com company afloat as the bottom falls out of the stock market during August 2001, a month before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (First Look Studios).
Bakugan Chapter 1: Battle Brawlers
Five episodes of the international anime success now airing on the Cartoon Network. Young warriors battle evil to save a parallel universe, $14.98. (Warner).
Battle 360: The Complete Season One
Four-disc set of all 10 episodes of the History Channel series that follows the USS Enterprise and its crew through some of World War II's most intensive battles. Packed in a collectible SteelBook case, $39.95. (A&E Home Video).
Best of Comedy Central Presents -- II
Uncensored routines by Dave Attell, Mike Birbiglia, Frank Caliendo, Zach Galifianakis, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Stephen Lynch, and Nick Swardson; $19.99. (Comedy Central/Paramount).
Bob the Builder On Site: Houses & Playgrounds
In this animated/live-action episode, Bob the Builder and his crew show kids what it takes to build a hardy house and a safe playground; $19.98. (HIT Entertainment/Lionsgate).
Bodyguard
(2004 -- Thailand) Martial arts comedy starring Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao,
Pumwaree Yodalmo. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Bodyguard 2
(2007 -- Thailand) Martial arts comedy sequel starring Tony Jaa, Petchtai Wongkamlao. (Magnolia Home Entertainment).
Brotherhood of the Wolf: Director's Cut
(2001 -- French) Samuel Le Bihan, Vincent Cassel, Emilie Dequenne, Monica Bellucci, Jeremie Renier, Mark Dacascos. Two-disc set. Extras: Deleted scenes, "Making of Brotherhood of the Wolf: The Guts of the Beast," behind-the-scenes documentary, "The Legend," storyboards. (Universal).
The Care Bears: Care-A-Lot Collection
Two-disc set with 22 episodes, $22.98. Extras: Activity booklet filled with fun activities and games. (Fox).
Casper and Friends: Trick or Treat
Twelve Casper cartoons, $9.93. (Classic Media).
Casper & Wendy: Scare Up Some Fun
Twelve Casper cartoons, $9.93. (Classic Media).
Chicago 10
(2008) Voices of Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo, Roy Scheider, Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Wright. Highly-stylized and wildly original documentary film, chronicling the real-life events surrounding the anti-war protest of the 1968 Democratic National Convention held in Chicago and the charismatic protest organizers brought to trial by the city. Told through a visually-arresting animation style and a bold use of archival footage and music. (Paramount).
The Color Honeymooners Collection #4
Three-disc set with 12 episodes of the Jackie Gleason show that aired from Miami Beach in 1966-70; $39.98. (MPI Home Video).
Curious George: Sails With the Pirates and Other Curious Capers
Eight episodes of the animated series, $16.98. Extras: George's Boat game. (Universal).
Dog the Bounty Hunter: The Best of Season 4
The seven best episodes of Season 4, $19.95. (A&E Home Video).
The Duchess of Duke Street: The Complete Collection
Ten-disc set with all 31 episodes of the BBC/PBS Masterpiece Theatre series, $99.99. (Acorn Media).
Entourage: The Complete Fourth Season
Three-disc set with 12 episodes, $39.98. Extras: Commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurette. (HBO Video).
Errol Flynn Westerns Collection
Four-disc set with "Montana," "Rocky Mountain," "San Antonio," "Virginia City," $49.92. (Warner).
Everybody Hates Chris: The Third Season
(2007-08) Four-disc set with 22 episodes, $39.99. (Paramount).
Fat Albert's Halloween Special
(1977) Animated/live-action feature from the popular TV series, $12.93. (Classic Media/Genius Products).
Funky Town, Volumes 1 and 2
Thirteen episodes each of the animated series, $9.98 each. (PorchLight Home Entertainment).
Games Girls Play
(1974) Christina Hart, Jane Anthony. Soft-core film about the young daughter of the American ambassador to England who gets into trouble when she and her friends compete at bedding foreign diplomats. (Dark Sky Films/MPI Home Video).
Harlem Hellfighters
(2007) Documentary. Out of the 305 public high schools in New York City, 43 of them had football teams in 2003 -- but none of were in Harlem. That is until Doug Ferguson, a former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, organized the Harlem Hellfighters, a gritty, relentless team that found itself a long way from Friday night lights. The film follows the heroic trials and triumphs of this group of young men while fighting their way to success. (ESPN Entertainment/Genius Products).
Haunted Histories Collection: Volume 2
Five-disc set with five episodes of the History Channel spooky series, $24.95. (A&E Home Video).
How the West Was Won
(1962) John Ford (segment "The Civil War"), Henry Hathaway (segments "The Rivers," "The Plains" and "The Outlaws"), George Marshall (segment "The Railroad")
Richard Thorpe (uncredited: transitional historical sequences); Carroll Baker, Lee J. Cobb, Henry Fonda, Carolyn Jones, Karl Malden, Gregory Peck, George Peppard, Robert Preston, Debbie Reynolds, James Stewart, Eli Wallach, John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Walter Brennan, Andy Devine, Raymond Massey, Agnes Moorehead, Harry Morgan, Thelma Ritter, Mickey Shaughnessy, Russ Tamblyn, Spencer Tracy. Restored and remastered from original three-panel Cinerama release. Two-disc special edition, Ultimate Collector's Edition, Blu-ray Disc. Extras: "Cinerama Adventure" documentary, making-of featurette, film historian commentary. Collector's edition includes a 36-page souvenir book reproduction, 10 behind-the-scenes photos and 10 postcards, original theatrical release pressbook reproduction. Also available as a two-disc Blu-ray edition. (Warner).
Linda Lovelace for President
(1975) Linda Lovelace, Val Bisoglio, Micky Dolenz. An intentionally campy film designed to capitalize on Linda Lovelace's sudden fame following "Deep Throat." The Upright Party nominates Lovelace for president and she goes on a cross-country campaign trip. (Dark Sky Films/MPI Home Video).
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
(2008) Direct-to-video animated prequel.Extras: "Teaching Mermaids to Dance," "Disney Song Selection," "The Little Mermaid: The Braodway Musical," deleted scenes. (Disney).
My Sassy Girl
(2008) Jesse Bradford, Elisha Cuthbert. Based on the graphic novel series, turned best-selling novel by Kim Ho-sik. A naive, buttoned-up Midwestern everyman meets a carefree, untamed girl after he rescues her from a near-drunken accident, and the two embark on a romantic roller coaster ride full of concussions, career sabotage, a few slaps in the face and, ultimately, love. (Fox).
NCIS: The Fifth Season
(2007-08) Five-disc set with 18 episodes, $64.99. Extras: Featurettes: "NCIS on Location," "From Pauley to Abby: Hairspray, Lipstick and Tattoos," "The Dressing Room: The Costumes and Wardrobe of NCIS," "NCIS Season 5: Stem to Stern and Requiem Revisited," commentaries. (Paramount).
No Blood No Tears
(2002-South Korea) Do-yeon Jeon, Hye-yeong Lee. A jaded female cab driver is in trouble with the mob and when she meets the sexy girlfriend of a vicious gangster, an unlikely friendship forces them to take drastic measures -- to steal a ruthless loan shark's loot. (Genius Products).
One Tree Hill: The Complete Fifth Season
Five-disc set with 18 episodes, $59.98. Extras: Unaired scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, commentaries, gag reel (Warner).
Pale Rider
(1985) Dir,: Clint Eastwood; Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, Chris Penn, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Douglas Mc Grath, Marvin J. Mc Intyre, Sydney Penny, Billy Drago. (Warner).
Phantasm IV: Oblivion
(1998) Dir.: Don Coscarelli; A. Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, Bannister, Angus Scrimm. In this uncut sequel, the original cast returns to undertake a surreal journey through the dimensions of time and space to understand the terrifying birthright of the Tall Man, as well as the origins of the infamous and lethal Sphere, ending with the Tall Man's final assault with his dark army, putting the future of the human race on the line. Extras: Commentary by writer-producer-director Don Coscarelli, retrospective featurette. (Anchor Bay).
Pope Dreams
(2007) Phillip Vaden, Stephen Tobolowsky, Julie Hagerty, Marnette Patterson. Coming-of-age story about a directionless 19-year-old who works for his dad during the day and plays in a heavy metal band at night; his only clear goal is to get his ailing mother to meet the pope before she dies. Along the way he falls in love and gets discovered by two Broadway producers. (PorchLight Home Entertainment).
Postal
(2008) Zack Ward, Dave Foley, Larry Thomas, Verne Troyer. Uwe Boll's controversial comedy about a cult leader, his nephew and a gang of sexy commandos who face off against the Taliban in Middle America. Unrated. Extras: "Raging Boll": the director boxes his critics; deleted scenes; commentary by Boll; Verne Troyer as Indiana Jones; more. Available in rated, unrated and Blu-ray Disc editions. (Vivendi Entertainment).
The President's Collection Gift Set
Fourteen-disc set of the acclaimed American Experience series, comprised of 20th century presidential biographies profiling the lives and legacies of Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan,
and George H.W. Bush; $125.99. (Paramount).
Puppy
(2005) Nadia Townsend, Bernard Curry, Susan Ellis. When her sister kicks her out, Liz -- a young woman out only for herself -- is rescued from the streets by Aiden, a delusional tow-truck driver who's convinced she's his runaway wife ... and he's intent on making sure she doesn't leave him again. (Dokument Films/MPI Home Video).
Purple Violets
(2007) Dir.: Edward Burns; Selma Blair, Patrick Wilson, Edward Burns, Debra Messing, Dennis Farina. Infidelity, first loves and second chances are complexly intertwined in this comedy set in The Big Apple. A one-time promising writer saddled with a cheating husband, a successful crime novelist who lacks significant literary distinction, a tough-talking schoolteacher still smarting from a decade-old break-up and a smooth-talking lawyer determined to win back the one that got away, all seek to regain control of their lives. (The Weinstein Co./Genius Products).
Redbelt
(2008) Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alice Braga, Tim Allen, Emily Mortimer, Rodrigo Santoro, Rebecca Pidgeon, Randy Couture. Extras: Commentary by director David Mamet and Randy Couture, "Behind-the-Scenes of Redbelt" featurette, "Inside Mixed Martial Arts" cast and crew featurette, Q & A with Mamet, conversation with UFC president Dana White, "Fighter Profiles," "The Magic of Cyril Takayama featurette on the magician-actor. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Sony).
The Real McCain
(2008) Maverick or flip-flopper? Robert Greenwald 's new documentary sheds light on John McCain's "straight talk," politics and policies. $9.95. (The Disinformation Company).
Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom
(1975 -- Italy) Pier Paolo Pasolini's notorious final film transposes the Marquis de Sade's 18th-century opus of torture and degradation to 1944 Fascist Italy. New, restored high-definition digital transfer. Extras: "The End of Salo," a 40-minute documentary about the film's final scene; "Salo: Yesterday and Today," a 35-minute documentary featuring interviews with Pier Paolo Pasolini, actor-filmmaker Jean-Claude Biette, and Pasolini's friend Nineto Davoli; new interviews with set designer Dante Ferretti and filmmaker/film scholar Jean-Pierre Gorin; booklet featuring new essays by Neil Bartlett, Roberto Chiesi, Naomi Greene, Gary Indiana, and Sam Rohdie, and excerpts from Gideon Bachman's on-set diary. (The Criterion Collection).
The Shield: The Complete Sixth Season
Four-disc set with 10 episodes, $59.95. Extras: Three featurettes: "Saturn's Sons," "Two Directors" and "Full Circle: Franka Potente," commentary on select episodes, deleted scenes. (Sony).
Son of Rambow
(2008) Will Poulter, Bill Milner, Jules Sitruk, Charlie Thrift, Jessica Stevenson, Neil Dudgeon. Two boys growing up in the dawning video age of the 1980s are blown away after first seeing "Rambo: First Blood," and, armed with a video camera, plan on making cinematic history by filming their own action-packed epic, setting them at odds with their parents and school. Extras: Commentary by director Garth Jennings, producer Nick Goldsmith, actors Bill Milner and Will Poulter; interviews; featurette. (Paramount).
Terry Pratchett's Discworld Collection
(2007) Animated adaptations of two of Terry Pratchett's sci-fi fantasy books featuring a world of funny wizards, witches, dwarfs, trolls and giants: "Wyrd Sisters: and "Soul Music." A two-disc set, $39.99. Extras: Story boards, interview with Pratchett, bio, more. (Acorn Media).
The Three Stooges Collection: 1940-1942, Volume Three
Two-disc set with 23 digitally-restored shorts, arranged chronologically, $24.96. (Sony).
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Collector's Edition
(1993) Dir.: Henry Selick; voices of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Paul Reubens. Digitally restored, two-disc set. Extras: "What's This? Jack's Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour," Tim Burton's original poem (that inspired the creation of the film) narrated by Christopher Lee, commentary by Burton, Selick and composer Danny Elfman, uncut "Introduction to Frankenweenie!" by Burton, making-of featurette, "The Worlds of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas," deleted scenes, storyboard-to-film comparison, Burton's short film "Vincent," digital copy of the film; $32.99. Also available on Blu-ray Disc for $39.99. A limited edition of the set featuring an individually numbered hand-painted bust of Jack Skellington in all his gory glory equipped with a Jack's "Sandy Claws" hat and beard and a sound chip that plays memorable lines from the film, will also be available for $179.99. (Disney)
UFO Hunters: The Complete Season One
Four-disc set with 13 episodes, $39.95. (A&E Home Video).
Uncounted
(2008) The 2004 Presidential election gave America its first comprehensive look at electronic voting machines. Unfortunately, it seems that a paper ballot wasn't the only thing missing. Like many Americans, Emmy Award-winning director David Earnhardt was perplexed on election night '04 as the outcome clearly didn't match up with exit polls. This prompted the Nashville-based filmmaker to embark on a three-year journey to answer one fundamental question: was our most recent presidential election stolen and, if so, how? $19.95. (The Disinformation Company).
The Untouchables: Season Two, Volume Two
(1961) Four-disc set, $42.99. (Paramount).
Vampire Diary
(2007) Morven Macbeth, Anna Walton. Whie making a documentary on trendy neo-vampires, filmmaker Holly meets the highly enigmatic and beautiful Vicki who claims she is a real-life vampire and the two embark on a passionate affair. However Vicki's lust for blood is growing and when Holly discovers that Vicki is pregnant with a "vampire" baby, she's drawn into a spiral of death, deceit and betrayal. (Monrach Home Video).
Virgin Territory
(2007) Hayden Christensen, Mischa Barton, Tim Roth. Who said the "Black Plague" wasn't fun? As sickness and death ravage 14th century Florence, the city's lusty young men and chaste maidens flee to the countryside for a bit of ravaging of their own. Extras: "Visiting Virgin Territory" featurette, censored scenes. (Anchor Bay).
Warner Home Video Western Classics Collection
Six-disc set with "Escape From Fort Bravo," "Many Rivers to Cross," "Cimarron" "The Law and Jake Wade," "Saddle the Wind," "The Stalking Moon," $59.92. (Warner).
What Happens In Vegas
(2008) Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Michelle Krusiec, Dennis Farina, Krysten Ritter, Jason Sudeikis, Queen Latifah, Zach Galifianakis, Treat Williams. Extras: Commentary by director Tom Vaughan, "Sitting Down With Cameron and Ashton" featurette, "From the Law Firm of Stephen J. Hader, Esq." featurette, "DVD Extra Time With Zach Galifianakis," gag reel, "An Inside Look at 'Marley and Me'," digital copy.
Available as a single DVD, in an Extended "Jackpot" Edition two-disc DVD set, and on Blu-ray Disc. (Fox).
Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?
(2008) Tongue-in-cheek yet thought-provoking documentary by writer-director Morgan Spurlock. Amazed by Osama bin Laden's continued success at evading capture, a gung-ho Spurlock sets out with virtually no military experience or expertise to find the man that numerous government agencies and bounty hunters have been unable to locate. But before he can begin the hunt for bin Laden, Spurlock must first learn where the man came from, what makes him tick, and what historical forces made him the person he is today. Taking it to the streets and speaking one-on-one with people in Afghanistan, Egypt, Israel, Pakistan and international hotspots throughout the Middle East, Spurlock will stop at nothing in his effort to make the world a safer place for his family. Extras: Alternate ending: Western Showdown, "Three Girls Saudi," "Martin McGuinness," "Watergate," "Saad Ibrahim," "Shimon Peres," "Afghan Animation." (The Weinstein Co./Genius Products).
Where the Wild Things Are ... And Five More Stories by Maurice Sendak
The title tale -- originally published in 1963 -- is regarded as a landmark children's classic. It's the wildly imaginative story of Max, a young boy who misbehaves and is sent to his room without supper. There, he lets his imagination take him to a faraway place where, after donning a distinctive wolf costume, he befriends the strange, mythical creatures that inhabit the island. But, after a "wild rumpus" Max decides it's time to head back home, "where someone loved him best of all." The other tales: "Pierre," "One Was Johnnie," "Alligators All Around," "Chicken Soup With Rice," and "In the Night Kitchen." Extras: Rare, behind-the-scenes interview with the author entitled "Getting to Know Maurice Sendak." (Scholastic Storybook Treasure).
