December 6, 2011 - Notable New DVD Movie Releases:
Cowboys & Aliens DVD
Length: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of Western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference
Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford star in this Western that has a major sci-fi element. The movie is directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man 2). Cowboys & Aliens takes place in 1875 New Mexico territory, where Jake Lonergan (Craig) is unable to recall anything about his past. In the town of Absolution, he encounters cattle baron Woodrow Dolarhyde (Ford) and a mysterious woman (Olivia Wilde). But soon all the humans — cowboys, Indians, outlaws and sheriffs — must work together to battle an invasion by extraterrestrial aliens. Other actors appearing in the film include Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano and Keith Carradine.
- Widescreen
- Other Editions Also Available:
- Cowboys & Aliens: Includes DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Copy
The Hangover Part II DVD
Tagline: "Bangkok has them now."
Length: 102 minutes
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images
This raunchy comedy is the sequel to The Hangover (2009) and is essentially the same story with Bangkok replacing Las Vegas. This time around, Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married at a Thailand seaside resort, so he, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) go there. With them is the bride's brother Teddy (Mason Lee, son of Ang Lee). Somehow Phil, Stu and Alan wake up in a Bangkok hotel to find Teddy has gone missing, leaving behind his severed finger. The trio has adventures as they try to figure out what has happened and get back to the resort in time for the wedding.
- Digital Copy
- Gag Reel
- Widescreen
- Other Editions Also Available:
- The Hangover Part II: Includes DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Copy
- The Hangover Part II Movie Only Edition (No Special Features) - Includes Blu-ray and Digital Copy
The Help DVD
Tagline: "Change begins with a whisper."
Length: 137 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material
Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer head a fine cast of actresses in this drama adapted from Kathryn Stockett's bestselling novel. The story takes place circa 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi, near the beginning of the civil rights movement when Medgar Evers was assassinated in that city. Skeeter (Stone), a recent college grad from an upper-class family, decides to write a book about African Americans who work as servants, and she interviews Aibileen (Davis) and Minny (Spencer). This upsets many locals, including Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard), a leading society woman who is a segregationist.
- Widescreen
- Other Editions Also Available:
- The Help - Two-Disc Set: Includes DVD and Blu-ray
- The Help - Three-Disc Set: Includes DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Copy
Mr. Popper's Penguins DVD
Length: 94 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for mild rude humor and some language
Jim Carrey and six trained gentoo penguins star in this live-action family comedy, which takes its idea from a 1938 children's book. Mr. Popper (Carrey), a successful New York realtor, is the divorced father of an adolescent girl and a preadolescent boy. Popper acquires six penguins and converts his huge Park Avenue apartment into an icy playground for the flightless birds to cavort around in. This helps him bond with his kids, and it seems possible he might get back with his ex-wife (Carla Gugino). The film's big sequence has the penguins crashing a charity event at the Guggenheim, using its central ramp as a slide.
- Widescreen
- Mr. Popper's Penguins is Also Available on Blu-ray Disc
If you are interested in Mr. Popper's Penguins, you might also want to know about these films/TV series with Jim Carrey on DVD:
Disney's A Christmas Carol, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Fun With Dick and Jane, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, In Living Color, The Number 23, Yes Man.
Additional DVD Releases of Interest This Week:
Big Love The Complete Fifth Season DVD
Selected DVD Special Features:
- Widescreen
Selected DVD Special Features:
- Widescreen
- The Debt is Also Available on Blu-ray Disc
Selected DVD Special Features:
- Four-Disc DVD Set
- Widescreen
Selected Blu-ray Disc Special Features:
- Black and White
- Commentary
- Booklet The Lady Vanishes (1938) has been released previously by the Criterion Collection on DVD. Read a review of this previous DVD release: The Lady Vanishes DVD review.
Selected Blu-ray Disc Special Features:
- Commentary
- Documentary
- Theatrical Trailer
- Book
- Widescreen Tora Tora Tora (1970) has also been released previously on DVD. Read a profile of the movie and of one of the previous DVD releases: Tora Tora Tora DVD.