Today's Pick

With so many dark titles on their way, there must have been a full moon when this week's releases were scheduled. Marvel’s merry mutants are coming home and slashing its way into video stores today, with the release of the live-action film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and two more sets of the classic 1990s animated X-Men series. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" was the first big blockbuster of the summer, and directed by Gavin Hood, and stars Hugh Jackman as the title character, along with Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, will.i.am, Lynn Collins, Taylor Kitsch, and Ryan Reynolds. The Buena Vista animated version of Logan can be found in X-Men Vols. 3 and 4 continue to collect the popular Fox Kids series.
Fox came up with an ingenious way to make more money off its "X-Men" property — spin off not just another film, but another franchise. "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," the 4th installment of the X-Men film series am\nd the 8th-best-grossing film of the year so far, Hugh Jackman returns as the clawed mutant wolverine, who makes a shocking discovery about his family bloodline, and gains a brother in the process. Flash forward to find the mutant siblings battling side by side through two world wars and Vietnam.
DVD extras include two commentary tracks, a interview with Wolverine creators Stan Lee and Len Wein, a featurette on the making of the movie and deleted and alternate scenes. The Blu-ray has all those extras and more, including a look at the helicopter chase sequence, a trivia track and 10 character chronicles.

The film "State of Play" comes to us on DVD/Blu-Ray today. From director Kevin Macdonald of "The Last King of Scotland" and his committee of screenwriters have, like newsroom rewrite aces, based on the critically acclaimed BBC miniseries of the same name, "State of Play." The plot of the six-hour serial has been condensed to fit two hours, and shifting locales from London to U.S. capital. The film was released in North America on April 17.
Academy Award-winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast, including Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams & Helen Mirren in the blistering political thriller about deception, manipulation and corruption. When a street smart D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey (Crowe), an old-school-style journalist is assigned to investigate the murder of an assistant to an up-and-coming U.S. Congressman (Affleck), who's also his best friend, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to bring down the nation's power structures. In a town of spin-doctors and wealthy power brokers, he will discover one truth: when fortunes are at stake, no one's integrity, love or life is safe.
Political thrillers are most effective when they deal with an issue that resonates with their audiences. It can be difficult to produce them in a timely matter because news happens constantly, and seemingly weekly, the world is on to the next story of corruption or injustice.
With this tense thriller "State of Play," the universal themes of greed and amoral politicians, it brings together gripping performances, riveting suspense and is "sophisticated, intelligent and powerful". It feels a little familiar as far as paranoid political thrillers go, but it's so nicely executed—well written, compelling and rich—with a stellar set of actors that it's easy to get engrossed in the story, and the current American political climate fits nicely with the story. The drama features terrific performances from its stars as well. The special extras for DVD include deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes making-of featurette.

Following up his acclaimed legal thriller "Michael Clayton" and "Bourne" movies, writer/director Tony Gilroy takes a vacation with the deceptively lightweight "Duplicity," is supposedly one of the smartest screenwriters we've got. The film was released on March 20, and it's DVD/Blu-ray with featuring commentary will be available today.
The allure of this romance caper, Oscar winner Julia Roberts and Clive Owen star as two sexy spies-turned-corporate operatives in the midst of a clandestine love affair. When they find themselves on either side of an all-out corporate war between rival manufacturers, they'll put everything on the line to remain one double-cross ahead in a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse.
Carol Hemphill & Kent Tentschert Merriam-Webster defines the word, "duplicity," as "contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action," and Gilroy must love these contradictions. The ways in which the paranoid pair interact are complicated, and any clear description would introduce spoilers. Suffice it to say that this witty thriller-cum-romance explores the seductive power of the almighty dollar. It’s that great Julia and Owen chemistry dancing through Gilroy’s clever dialogue that makes this a crowd-pleaser.
"Duplicity" is well-crafted, smart, and often funny, but it’s mostly more cerebral than visceral and features far too many plot twists. As silly as the convoluted plot turns out to be, the movie is about the journey, not the destination. All moves, countermoves and double crosses keep you guessing until the finale.

One of the funniest movies of the decade, and the hilarious and unforgettable bro-mantic comedy hit “I Love You, Man” is finally making an appearance on DVD starting today!
“I Love You, Man” is a comedy from director John Hamburg and starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel as two completely different guys who form an unlikely friendship in this start-to-finish laugh marathon about a lovable, yet awkward, groom to-be Peter Klaven(Rudd) goes on a series of man-dates to find a best man for his wedding. But when his insta-bond with his new man, Sydney Fife (Segal) puts a strain on his relationship with his fiancée, can the trio learn to live happily ever after? Are you man enough to say it?
Sometimes, a comedy doesn't have to be laugh-out-loud hysterical to be a good comedy. Not necessarily great for anything but the jokes, which in most cases are enough. "I Love You, Man" is a bromance in its truest form, filled with outrageous humor, and surprisingly enough. The film is an hugely enjoyable comical and heartwarming story in that it paints an entertaining and humorous portrait of friendship and capitalizes on the strengths of a talented cast. The movie works because everything hinges on the camaraderie and undeniable chemistry between Rudd and Segel, who give a startlingly funny and original performance. Paul Rudd is one of those guys who could stand there and read a phone book, and we would laugh. Without question, "I Love You, Man" is one of the funniest (and oddest) things in the comedy this year.

Sugarland, the award-winning duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush gained more national exposure and takes the country by storm once again in this busy week with release of their live concert "Live on the Inside":(1) Aired Monday night as a network TV special on ABC; (2) An expanded version of the performance was released on Tuesday as a budget-priced CD/DVD package for sale exclusively at Wal-Mart; (3) It's finally set to debut in movie theaters for a limited theatrical run ONLY today! The band has taped an exclusive greeting to fans that can only be seen in movie theaters, such as Monaco Pictures. Please check here for detailed.
For Sugarland, success clearly doesn't just happen! The country duo works for every minute of their success. Nettles and Bush exploded onto the music scene in 2004 with “Twice The Speed Of Life” and haven’t looked back since. After years of creating thoughtful music and struggling to make ends meet in a business that seems to reward mediocrity, Sugarland was from relative unknown trio from the Atlanta area to the most popular and successful duo in country music (or any other genre for that matter). They’ve sold close to 7 million records, received trophies from the Grammy, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music, CMT Music Awards and the Country Music Association. "Love on the Inside" is their 3rd album released last July.

This DVD features the extended version of the concert that was filmed at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky, and packed with the band's 16 hits, over an hour of live performance footage, and a few surprises. The CD includes 3 original songs and 7 covers. This is a release that fans will want to check out. In a world of overproduced-studio magic talent, it is nice to see a duo who can actually deliver the goods live and seem to be in music for the enjoyment of making music.

Director Joe Wright ('Atonement,' and 'Pride & Prejudice') brings the true story of an unlikely friendship to life in the 2009 film, "The Soloist" , is based on the book, "The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship", has hit the DVD format from Paramount today. The film was originally released in theaters in April, 2009.
Life has a mind of its own. "The Soloist" based off the real life experiences of a L.A. Times award-winning columnist Steve Lopez(Robert Downey Jr.) and his friendship with Nathaniel Ayers, a entally ill musician(Jamie Foxx) who becomes schizophrenic and homeless, touches on inspiring connections that are relatable but also falls slightly flat of pure satisfaction. Lopez and Ayers must find a way to conquer their deepest anxieties and frustrations to hope for a brighter future for both of them.
Overall, this powerful movie does an amazing job and has received somewhat favorable reviews. In this fact-based drama, the high-octane performances of Foxx and Downey make fine duet, and strong enough to carry the movie through till the end. Wright was also given the impossible task of making something bigger than it needed to be. "The Soloist" pulls at your heart!
The DVD and Blu-ray include a Wright commentary and an assortment of closer looks at the making of the movie and the real-life Ayers.

"Watchmen", Zack Snyder's big-screen version of Alan Moore's beloved graphic novel gets the broad strokes right, telling a sexy, blood-spattered story about a band of discredited heroes who reunite to solve the murder of one of their own. The film is set in a gritty and alternate 1985 America, the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown, but after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered, an investigation into the killer is initiated, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion. The reunited outlaw heroes -- including Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Silk Spectre (Carla Gugino), Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) and Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson) -- unite to defend themselves, and to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so discover a deeper and far more diabolical plot.
Comic books and movies both tell stories with pictures, but "Watchmen" demonstrates that the animating spirit of a rich, fully realized graphic novel may be as hard to transfer to the screen as that of any other type of successful literary work. "Watchmen" shows it's time for the superior superhero. First "The Dark Knight", now the even darker "Watchmen" - is the serious side of comic book heroes the future for movies?
The new "Watchmen" DVD is no change in popularity this week, with Director’s cut, boasts an additional 24 minutes of footage not previously seen in theaters as well as a second disc loaded with special features.

Nicolas Cage stars as a college professor at MIT, who uncovers a dark, startling secret in a time capsule buried at his son's elementary school. It contains a coded document accurately predicting the details of every major disaster of the past 50 years, including 3 cataclysmic events that have not yet occurred. With time running out, he sets out to prevent these deadly prophecies from coming true.
Overall, the movie "Knowing" was a thought-provoking action movie. With twists and turns around almost every corner, proyas really gave us something different than the norm. I would recommend this one as a rental as it’s not so much a “theater” film. Take it at face value but there is some truth to it. The beginning and end don’t necessary match up.
I like Nicolas' movies, and please check out the movie trailer.

Sometimes we leave everything to find ourselves. "Two Lovers" is a film never feels dark or gloom-laden. The performances are so sensitive, so convincing, that we are drawn inescapably into a real world of pain and solace. James Gray Directed his strong cast to a resolution that is both surprising and entirely realistic. It keeps a grip on you.
The film is about a bachelor (Phoenix) torn between the family friend his parents wish he would marry and his beautiful but volatile new neighbor, set in Brooklyn, NYC. The conflict with the safe lifestyle of the family vs striking out on your own is spot on.
"Two Lovers" is a far cry in insight from Hollywood's idealized romantic dramas. I would HIGHLY recommend. Click above image for the official website.

Some televised dramas focus on families, others on singles and couples, but NBC's Emmy-winning series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the best-selling novel and theatrical film, "Friday Night Lights", among the finest shows of the decade, takes on an entire town.
After stumbling in its 2nd season, Friday Night Lights came into Season 3 with something to prove. The 1st season was a true marvel – delivering some of the most poignant and involving stories on television, through the seemingly simple story of the town of Dillon, Texas and their passion for the local high school football team. The season 3 represents one of the most interesting attempts ever to keep a great, but lightly watched series alive.
I can say that overall, Friday Night Lights is being praised as "one of the best series on TV." I love this show. Check NBC Online for more storylines, details, photos, and watch episodes online for free! Also the final five episodes of Friday Night Lights Season 3 will be available on Hulu through September.

"I was born under unusual circumstances." The story is about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards: a man, like any of us, who is unable to stop time. from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man's life can be.
It was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. 'Benjamin Button,' is a grand tale of a not-so-ordinary man and the people and places he discovers along the way, the loves he finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time. A life lived backwards can be far more enriching..." and describes the film as "a magical and moving account of a man living his life resoundingly in reverse"
It's a curious story indeed, warm tears, sweet-hearted film, filled with some truly touching stuff about impermanence, love and loss for the fleeting joys of life... very very interesting movie!!!