Great Gift Ideas for Your Parents and Grandparents!

Photo Provided by: Miramax

It's a Hard Story to Tell but "American Son" Does it Beautifully!

Nick Cannon is currently cracking people up as the host of "America's Got Talent" but you see a whole different side of him in the new-to-DVD drama "American Son." The talented actor plays Mike Holland, a US soldier about to be deployed to Iraq. Before he leaves, he must make sure that everything is okay between his family and friends. The reality of the situation is that some soldiers don't come home and Mike is keenly aware of this fact.

This film created quite a buzz at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was a nominee for the Grand Jury Prize. Bonus features on the DVD include deleted scenes with optional commentary, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie, and commentary by the director and producers.

You can pick up a copy of this film to add to your home video collection at most places where DVD's are sold. You can also order it online here: American Son

To find out more about the film, visit its official Web site: www.Miramax.com/AmericanSon



Photo Provided by: Miramax

It's No Day at the Park for the Workers at "Adventureland!"

You know what they say about the best laid plans. James Brennan was all set to graduate college, head to Europe for the summer, and then start Grad school. All those plans go down the drain when his father is not only demoted at work but relocated back to Pittsburgh and no longer has the money to give James as a graduation gift. Now, James must get a job and the only place hiring someone with his qualifications is a theme park called "Adventureland."

Check out the trailer for the film below:



Once there, James meets all kinds of new and interesting friends, including Em, a girl that just might be "falling in love with" material. Em's got some problems of her own and the two bond after the park's closing time. But Em is keeping a secret that just might ruin everything between her and James.



The casting in this film is spot-on with Jesse Eisenberg as James and Kristen Stewart as Em. The always watchable Ryan Reynolds plays the older, cool, maintenance guy that the younger workers in the park look up too. It's definitely worth spending a couple of hours with these cool characters.

Bonus features on the disc include deleted scenes, a making of featurette, and commentary by writer/director Greg Mottola and Jesse. We give you a sneak peak at the bonus material below!





Pick up a copy of this newly released DVD at most places where electronics are sold or order your copy online By Clicking Here!!!



Thanks to Miramax for sending these bonus interviews with the cast!



Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart are two of the finest young actors in Hollywood. Eisenberg has appeared in Roger Dodger, The Emperor's Club, Cursed, The Hunting Party and his break-out movie, The Squid and the Whale, a well-reviewed independent drama with Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels. Stewart, meanwhile, first rose to international prominence starring opposite Jodie Foster in Panic Room. She has since starred in Cold Creek Manor, Zathura, Fierce People, In the Land of Women, Into the Wild and the global smash Twilight. In Adventureland Stewart stars as Em Lewin, the first girl to steal the heart of the film's main protagonist, James Brennan, played by Eisenberg. They spark on screen and in real life, encouraging each other throughout the interview…

Q: What was it about Adventureland that appealed to you?

Jesse Eisenberg: I think that Kristen and I were just saying the characters are so well rounded. It's rare that a movie like this that can come out in many theaters and be a movie that a lot of people go to, with characters that are so richly drawn and so honestly put together.

Q: Neither of you will have memories from the '80s. Was it fun to go back and explore the era?

JE: Yeah, it was interesting to see. I was born in 1983 and so the '80s were done by the time I grew up a little. But I did have this like romanticized notion of what the '80s were. I mean, they weren't romantic for me, but I had this notion of a simpler time. I guess also it was a selfish time, right? It was called the Me generation or the Me decade or something. I do have like some vivid memories of what the aesthetic was of the '80s, so it was interesting to see that from the perspective of an adult. And I really liked it. I did actually like two other movies that take place in the same year - or '86 or '87, and so yeah, I kind of I do like the period. It's nice also there were no cell phones!

Kristen Stewart: And who knows if the story actually could have taken place without that, because at least my aspect of the story is reliant on the fact that she can be a different person depending on who she's with, and she can't always be contacted. She's not doing a Facebook depicting every emotion that she is going through. So she can get from people what she needs and she can sort of reinvent herself, which people do naturally. It's not like she is being fake, it's just that she has different aspects that she can show different people. I feel like nowadays everyone perceives you the same way. You can't even have a private life away from your family; it's like everything is very hands-on!

Q: Is this school of comedy something that really appeals to both?

JE: Yeah I haven't really seen a lot of them but whenever they're making something that's funny, if it's derived from the characters rather than just from something happening to the characters. I guess that's the ideal version of what a comedy is.

KS: You feel for the person telling the joke and you're not just watching a comedian arbitrarily be funny. The characters are actually more like people that you've gotten to know and that you care about and now they're being funny. You just laugh harder at your friends.

Q: Jesse, knowing that you are playing the director in his younger life, does that put extra responsibility on you? You did something similar in The Squid and the Whale…

JE: In Adventureland, the story is fictionalized a little bit. But no, if anything, it was really nice and wonderful to have Greg there to discuss all of the situations. It just meant that the script had a more personal quality to it. You could just tell by reading it once that it came from something more real than most scripts that you read. It felt more authentic. All the characters did.

Q: Does Greg have mannerisms that you were trying to pick up on?

JE: Yeah, Greg is extremely, extremely earnest. He's extremely careful about what he says. It's all in the script. It's all self-explanatory; if you just read the script, you'd probably know something about him, even before you met him. But that's all that all comes from him, this over explaining, this very sincere quality.

Q: Kristen, did Greg tell you about any of the people your character was based on?

KS: I think she was based on a compilation of girlfriends of his from the past. Like a melding of a couple of different people - failed relationships with girls that were kind of damaged, but not a specific person. So it wasn't like one relationship that he had. This was just the movie.

Q: Did you meet anyone like that that when you were growing up and did you have any similar experience?

KS: No, I never met a terribly introverted damaged girl at a theme park in the '80s [laughs]. But I related to her because I like characters that are written, that are whole, that don't feel it's easy to tell what would be right and wrong and how they would feel about something. I'm not like the girl in the movie; she's a real person. So her - I got all my inspiration from her. I could imagine what it would be like to not like yourself very much and not have a mom and not have a dad to reassure you and sort of be kicking it alone. Also to feel like you're sort of smarter than everybody but no one gets it. I get all that, and then the masochistic aspects girls are good at. I can relate on that level.

Q: But that was more of a rebellious thing with that character…

KS: Yeah, I think that was more about like her dad getting to know that she was actually a real person and not just like a little girl - that your little girl is going to grow up into a woman that does things on her own, who makes her own personal choices that wouldn't necessarily coincide with his. It was as if she's a grown up now, and that's hard for a dad to deal with.

Q: The music is so important to the film, but was that just ancient history to you?

JE: Lou Reed is still very still popular now. I don't know if anybody else in the movie is still kind of popular now, but I loved Lou Reed for a while. I was so happy to see that he would be included in the movie - he was even in the script obviously because it's part of the plot. I didn't really know that much of the music, but Greg had made us like some mixed CDs of the songs from the movie. I loved all the ones that the characters are supposed to love.

KS: I really like Lou Reed. I like a lot of the sort of alternative music. I'm not to into like Rock Me, Amadeus, though [laughs].

Q: So what's the worst summer job that you ever had?

KS: I've never had one. I've done sort of funky movies over summers. And once I didn't like a production designer, if that counts as a bad job! [laughs]

JE: Yeah, I've never worked during the summer. I take summers off. [laughs]

Q: What was the most enjoyable scene that the two of you shot together?

JE: I was going to say the bumper cars, but actually, it wasn't fun at all. It just seemed like something you could say in an interview! Actually, acting in bumper cars is terrible, because the really only way to film it and get a close up is to literally mount the camera - this heavy thing on the car and it's just the worst because you can't act at all with a thing on the car.

Q: Was there anything fun about shooting on the actual theme park?

JE: No, I think the insurance didn't cover us. We didn't go on any of the rides until the shoot ended, for fear of us dying!

KS: Yeah, we weren't allowed to go on the rides until the end, and then they stuck us on the most dangerous rickety wooden old ride that they had at the park. That was the one ride that we got to ride. And we did it like 15 times. It's especially funny though to see Jesse on a ride because his enthusiasm is very restrained. He's like, 'Oh yes, that was very fun' [laughs].

JE: [Laughing] I agree, that was enjoyable!


Q: Kristen, what are you looking forward to in the next movie in the Twilight series, New Moon?

KS: I'm looking forward to all aspects of the movie. A lot more is introduced, like the world of the werewolves comes alive, and the second movie is much more quaint. Edward leaves her, which is interesting, considering the first movie is based entirely on their devotion to each other. So to see them cope without each other and to see this character, Jacob, who is supposed to represent light and warmth. He pulls her out of a rut that's seemingly impossible. And it's really tragic. There is actually a lot more to work with. The first one was good because it was ultimate love and abandon, and that's good, but it's also kind of one note. Now it's a different story.

Q: Has life changed drastically? Are you just aware of being watched all the time?

KS: Not on a day-to-day basis, it's only like at press junkets and things like this that you have to watch what you say. But really people don't really recognize me often. I think I just look different in person or something. I'm also not very approachable, and maybe they're just like 'Ooohhh, she's scary!' [laughs]

Q: Has that film changed your life?

KS: I don't have a grand plan. I don't scope things out. I don't look at a project and how it relates to others. It's not like, 'Oh this is the next step and this is probably smart for me.' Adventureland, for example, was something that I wanted to do because the characters were easy to invest in. It's just there to be played. They played like real people - you feel responsible for someone that you feel will die right on the page unless you bring them to life. Whenever you feel that, it is something worthwhile. But with regard to Twilight, it's made it easier to do things that I really like, things that like an independent movie that nobody would normally see. Now it's like, 'Oh let's go see Bella in this stripper movie; it'll be crazy!' [Laughs]

Q. Presumably you're referring to Welcome to the Rileys…

KS: Yeah, with James Gandolfini and Melissa Leo, who is just incredible. It was the most fruitful life-changing experience on a movie that I've ever had. It was just the hardest subject matter I've ever had to deal with. I play a very broken young girl who is a runaway. She's a street kid. She's working in a strip club and James Gandolfini's character is just as sort of dead inside and they wake each other up. It's really good.

Q. Jesse, what are you working on next?

JE: I'm doing a movie in Georgia. I play a very broken young girl who is a runaway [laughs]. No, it's called Zombieland. So look out for it. I am not a zombie in the film though - I'm running from them!

ADVENTURELAND is available on Blu-ray & DVD August 25th!




Bonus! How to Spot the Truly Cool Guy!

First... here's a sneak peak at one of the bonus features on the Adventureland DVD!



COOL GUY:

In ADVENTURELAND, we're transported back to the 80's! Bookish James finds himself working for minimum wage in a less-than-challenging job. He's harassed and chided daily by his childhood friend, Frigo. Former big man on campus turned maintenance guy, Mike Connell, struts around the park chatting up girls while on the clock, while Joel could care less how he fits into the whole equation. Not much has changed since then. Geeks, jocks, bad boys and brains continue to populate the social landscape of youth. Though they may dress and behave differently, they all want the same thing: to be Cool. But what makes a Cool Guy?

He's tall, but not too tall, and his hair flops down at a perfect angle like it wasn't planned at all. Clothes hang on him just the right way but he doesn't seem to care. He's a decent player on the Varsity football team, but his real love is playing lead guitar in a serious garage band. He's the master of the understated comeback, delivered with sleepy eyes and a lazy grin. All the girls want to date him and the guys want to be him.

He's the coolest guy on the planet, right? Everyone thinks so. The thing is, once you get to know him, you realize that he thinks he's the coolest guy on the planet too. And that's definitely not cool. But how are we supposed to know who's deeply cool and who's just a pretender? Fortunately, there are some definite signs.

Cool guys care about other people.

If all he talks about is himself, his band's playlist, and hair products, he's totally uncool. You know that the biggest thing that's ever going to happen to him is taking second place at the local battle of the bands contest, before landing a steady gig as a receptionist at a tanning salon. Guys who are profoundly cool want to hear about you. They are interested in the world around them, not just what's in their ipod.

Cool guys are smart.

He doesn't have to be able to explain the unified field theory (although that's pretty cool), but he does need to know that Paris is the capital of France, not just an awesome hotel with this rocking big tower in Vegas.

Cool guys aren't afraid to be silly or romantic.

Let's face it, pretenders aren't going to sit on the beach looking out at the ocean and list the top five places they want to travel with you. They're too busy working on their camaraderie with a twenty-five year old slacker who lives in a mobile home on the beach with three other dudes who sell toe rings for a dubious living. Intensely cool guys aren't afraid to be intense or silly. They aren't worried about their act. They're just being themselves.

Cool guys are close to their families.

A faker will lose his kid brother at the mall while flirting with a couple of hotties in front of the gelato bar. While the truly cool guy sits with his younger brother over milkshakes and never forgets to call his grammy for her birthday.

Cool guys don't play games.

Pretenders are so terrified of a real moment that they play head games - they're your friend, then they're not - they like to hang out, then they're gone. They think it's cool to keep everyone guessing. The really cool guy knows what he wants and goes for it. He's deep, but not confusing.

By now, the pattern should be clear. The fakers care mostly about themselves and maintaining their image of cool. The real deals don't care about the image and have time for you. Cool guys call you back. Cool guys give real compliments. Cool guys like to dance, even if they're not that good at it. Because the truly cool guy doesn't care who's watching, he's too busy loving the music.



Photo Provided by: Touchstone Home Entertainment

We're "Pretty" Sure That You Will Want to Add This to Your Blu-ray Collection! Pretty Woman Comes to Blu-ray!

It's one of the best romantic comedies of all time and it finally comes to Blu-ray in all its High Definition glory. Pretty Woman was originally released in 1990 and starred a then little known actress named Julia Roberts and handsome movie star Richard Gere.

Roberts was cast as "Vivian," a lady of the evening, struggling to make ends meet in Hollywood. She is approached one night by a rich and classy business man named Edward (Gere). Edwards is so charmed by this free spirit that he asks her to be his companion for the whole week he is town. "Vivian" agrees and tries to blend in with Edwards High Society friends.

The clash of two different worlds provides several laugh out loud moments and a few heart-breaking ones as well. All the while, Vivian and Edward are falling harder for each other. Could this mismatched pair actually be just what the other needs?

You can now watch this fan favorite over and over again (with it looking better than ever in Hi-Def) as Disney releases it on Blu-Ray disc. Bonus material on this disc includes: a blooper reel (hilarious laughs from behind-the-scenes of the film,) Live From the Wrap Party (Julia Roberts sings with Richard Gere while he plays the piano. Director Garry Marshall backs them both up on the drums in an impromptu performance of Elvis Costello's rendition of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood.") LA: The Pretty Woman Tour (A guided tour with director Garry Marshall and visit the Los Angeles hotspots from the film), a Production Featurette (Interviews with Richard Gere, Julia Roberts and Garry Marshall on creating the memorable characters that they brought to life during filming) and more!

You can find this treasure at most places Blu-rays are sold or you can click here to order Pretty Woman on Blu-ray



Photo Provided by: Paramount Home Video

"Stop-Loss" Hits Close to Home

Twenty-somethings across the nation probably never dreamed that one of the most reflective movies of their life would be a war movie, but "Stop-loss" is just that. Unfortunately, the film is a close-to-home depiction of the sacrifices soldiers have to make to fight for our freedom and the consequences of disrupting families and lives when they are deployed.

With his tour of duty in Iraq finally over, Sgt. Brandon King (Ryan Phillippe) is eager to return to the life that was waiting for him in Texas. Problems arise when the Army plans to deploy Brandon again involuntarily. He is adamant about not going back but the situation causes tension between his family, friends and fellow soldiers. Questions about honor, integrity, loyalty to your country and basic rights are raised with no easy answers to find.

A stellar cast makes this an unforgettable story as does the direction of Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don't Cry). The DVD boasts several bonus features including a "Making Of" featurette, commentary by Kimberly and her co-writer, deleted scenes and a look at a "Day in Boot Camp" as the actors get in character.

You can purchase the DVD at most stores that sell media or you can Click Here!



Photo Provided by: Paramount Home Video

What a Bright Idea for a Movie! "Shine A Light" Arrives on DVD!

What do you get when you take a legendary rock band and let a legendary movie director make a documentary about them? The answer is� easily one of the best concert movies ever made! Famed director, Martin Scorsese, takes fans behind the behind the scenes with an intimate look at The Rolling Stones in the rock-umentary "Shine A Light." Archival interviews with the musicians, mixed with live performances (including guest performances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White and Buddy Guy) make this a "can't miss" event for any music fan.

Bonus features on the disk include a making of featurette, and four songs that were not seen in the theatrical release. You can find the DVD at most outlets where DVD's are sold or you can Click Here!



Photo Provided by: Miramax Home Video

"Gone Baby Gone" Comes to DVD on February 12!

"Gone Baby Gone" is a gripping, action drama starring Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan as two private detectives who are hired to search for a missing girl who was abducted from a Boston neighborhood. Though they have little experience with cases of this magnitude, they do have a "home-court" advantage of knowing the Boston area incredibly well. The story is full of suspense and includes a twist that throws the detectives into moral dilemmas.

Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, the film was directed by Ben Affleck who also co-wrote the screenplay. The stellar cast includes Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Amy Ryan.

Bonus features on the DVD include audio commentary by Ben Affleck and co-writer Aaron Stockard, deleted scenes, and a behind the scenes look at the making of the movie with Ben Affleck featuring his Boston hometown.

Critics praised the film for its gripping story and superb cast. Now you can get in on all the action by adding this film to your home video collection. Pick it up where most DVD's are sold or by Clicking Here!!!

Think you know who done it? Guess again!



Photo Provided by: Paramount Home Entertainment

A Special Collector's Edition of "BraveHeart" is Now Available!

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, Brian Cox, and Brendan Gleeson

Twelve years after making its mark on the world of cinema (winning the Academy Award for Best Picture and giving Mel Gibson a Best Director Award as well), "BraveHeart" has returned to DVD in the "Special Collectors Edition." The tale of a Scottish citizen who leads an uprising against corrupt, English government is based on historical facts and brought to life beautifully by Gibson and his fellow filmmakers.

Though some critics have chastised the film for historical inaccuracies, it still more than makes for a gripping story about the underdog fighting for what is right. The battle scenes are graphic so use caution while watching but try not to miss a second of the beautiful landscape shots.

Bonus features on this collection include: Commentary by director, producer and star, Mel Gibson, a "Making of" featurette, archived interviews with the cast, photo galleries, two theatrical trailers and a whole lot more!

You can find this collection where most DVD's are sold or you can order it here: Special Collector's Edition of "BraveHeart"


Be sure to pick this up for the historical buffs in your life or anyone who enjoys a good "fight for justice" story.



Photo Provided by: Paramount Home Entertainment

Jericho: The First Season

Starring: Skeet Ulrich, Ashley Scott, Gerald McRaney, Kenneth Mitchell, Pamela Reed

CBS tried to cancel the series but the fans wouldn't hear of it! Before the second season starts, you can get in on all the action and see why this is a show that the viewing audience would not let die!

"Jericho" explores the question "What would life be like if a nuclear situation destroyed our surrounding areas?" How would we survive? Would our town pull together or simply turn on each other? Though it sounds like a somewhat depressing premise, the show does a great job of telling the story of survival and of finding hope when you thought it was lost.

The first season, now on DVD, also offers some great bonus features that give fans an inside look of how the series is put together. Bonus footage includes in depth looks and how the show was created, interviews with cast and crew, commentaries and deleted scenes.

You can find the set almost anywhere DVD's are sold or you can order here: The First Season of Jericho







girlfriends: The Second Season

Starring: Traci Ellis Ross, Jill Jones, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Reggie Hayes

Four friends are rolling through life in this hilarious sitcom on the CW network. This three disc set contains all 22 episodes from the second season. Watch as "Joan," "Lynn," "Toni" and "Maya," deal with work, relationships and most importantly... their friendship in true comedic fashion.

Bonus features on the set include "We all Fall Down: A Look at 'Trick or Truth?,'" "Creating the Show," and "Getting the Girls Together."

Pick up this laughter on DVD almost anywhere DVD's are sold or you can order here: The Second Season of girlfriends





Funny Face

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson, Michel Auclair, Robert Flemyng, Virginia Gibson, Suzy Parker, and Sue England

This classic film has come to DVD and is a must have for fans of musicals. Starring two of the most beloved stars of all times, Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn, the DVD has brought this film to life by restoring it in full technicolor.

Astaire plays a photographer who has been put on a mission to discover a new model. It hardly seems likely that the lady he uncovers who works in a bookstore will be the "next big thing." Can he really make turn this bookish caterpillar into an international star? You'll have to watch the movie to find out!

Paramount has issued this 50th Anniversary release, but as countless viewings will tell you... this movie stands the test of time!

Bonus Features include: "The Fashion Designer and his Muse," Parisian Dreams, Paramount in the 50's - a Retrospective Featurette, a Photo Gallery and the film's theatrical trailer. Be sure to pick up or order your copy today!

Order Funny Face Here






Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Based on the best selling novel of the same name, the beautifully filmed movie version soars onto DVD. Originally released in 1973, the story centers around Jonathan, a gull who is obsessed with flying higher, faster and better than ever before. His refusal to be like everyone else in his flock soon makes Jonathan an outsider and he is forced to take his own journey towards independence and making his own dreams come true.

Featuring the voices of James Franciscus, Juliet Mills and Hal Holbrook, the movie was scored by Neil Diamond. This inspirational story will inspire you to watch your own dreams take flight.

Order Jonathan Livingston Seagull Here