Blu-ray 7th April Release

Day the Earth Stood Still (Three-Disc) [Blu-ray]

Fox Home Entertainment / 2008 / Rated PG-13
Street Date: April 07, 2009

Genres: Science Fiction

Starring: Keanu Reeves
Director: Scott Derrickson

Plot Synopsis: Impressive special effects are the key selling point for this big-budget remake of Robert Wise's classic 1951 science fiction parable about an alien visitor who delivers a chilling ultimatum to the leaders of the world. Keanu Reeves, who seemed ideal at first blush but ultimately turns into another case of miscasting, steps in for Michael Rennie as intergalactic watchdog Klaatu, who with his robot Gort (now super-sized), promises global destruction unless the powers that be unless drastic measures are undertaken regarding the Earth's environmental issues (or so one assumes). Jennifer Connelly is largely wasted in the Patricia Neal role of scientist/single mom assigned to study Klaatu, who offers a somewhat chilly father figure to her son (a grating Jaden Smith). Connelly isn't the only fine actor in the cast left standing idle while director Scott Derrickson's effects team constructs eye-popping scenes of wholesale mayhem; Mad Men's Jon Hamm, Kathy Bates, John Cleese and Rob Knepper are all adrift in the aimless script by David Scarpa, which never even fully explains why Klaatu is so bent on blowing us to smithereens. That lack of focus, as well as the B-movie quality of the dialogue (say what you will about the effects in the Wise version, but the film was polished from top to bottom), all help to cement what science fiction fans have been muttering about the film since its inception; the original film needed no high-tech updating.

Disc Features:
• Audio commentary
• Featurettes
• Deleted Scenes
• Still Galleries
• Digital Copy
Yes Man (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

Warner Home Video / 2008 / 104 Minutes / Rated PG-13
Street Date: April 07, 2009

Overall Grade Recommended





Genres: Comedy

Starring: Jim Carrey
Director: Peyton Reed

Plot Synopsis:Jim Carrey does wonders with a slight premise that finds his reserved, emotionally-distant character, Carl Allen, a banker who routinely turns down loan applications, accepting a challenge to open up to life by saying "yes" to everything. A man who constantly disappoints friends by weasling out of opportunities for bonding and happiness, Carl radically changes into a creature of complete spontaneity. By never saying no anymore, he gets into situations with unpredictable outcomes, such as driving a homeless stranger to a scary-looking park at night. But for the most part, whatever Carl says yes to becomes a road to worthwhile experiences, even receiving a promotion at work for approving hundreds of micro-loans against all policy. Zooey Deschanel, who often plays appealing kooks, is very good as Carl's girlfriend, a free spirit who takes to his positivity about everything--for awhile, anyway. Director Peyton Reed (Down with Love) makes the most out of the gimmicky comedy, as does Carrey, who does wonders with scenes that are often left open-ended just to see what the brilliant comic will do with them.

• Downtime on the Set with Jim Carrey (HD, 3:59) A brief, goofy behind-the-scenes look at the mirthful mayhem that working with Jim Carrey must surely be like.
  
• Jim Carrey: Extreme Yes Man (HD, 11:52) If you like Jim Carrey falling down a lot, riding a fake motorcycle, bungee jumping, and rollerblading down a hill, then this is the special feature for you! .
  
• Future Sounds: Munchausen by Proxy (HD, 5:28)
  
• Exclusive Munchausen by Proxy Music Videos (HD, 14:33 total)
  
• Gag Reel (HD, 5:35)
  
• Additional Scenes (HD, 7:31)
  

• On Set with Danny Wallace: The Original Yes Man (HD, 8:33)
  
• Say Yes to Red Bull! (HD, 2:06)
  
• Yes Man: Party Central with Norman Stokes (Rhys Darby) (HD, 2:16)
  

2010: The Year We Make Contact [Blu-ray]

Warner Home Video / 1984 / 116 Minutes / Rated PG-13
Street Date: April 07, 2009

Genres: Documentary

Starring: Roy Scheider, John Lithgow
Director: Peter Hyams

Plot Synopsis: No director could ever have hoped to repeat the artistic achievement of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, and nobody knew that better than Peter Hyams, who made this much more conventional film from the first of three sequel novels by Arthur C. Clarke. Whereas Kubrick made a poetic film of mind-expanding ideas and metaphysical mysteries, Hyams shouldn't be blamed for taking a more practical, crowd-pleasing approach. In revealing much of what Kubrick deliberately left unexplained, 2010 lacks the enigmatic awe of its predecessor, but it's still a riveting tale of space exploration and extraterrestrial contact, beginning when a joint American-Soviet mission embarks to determine the cause of failure of the derelict spaceship Discovery. Having arrived at Discovery near the planet Jupiter, the American mission leader (Roy Scheider) and his Russian counterpart (Helen Mirren) must investigate the apparent failure of the ship's infamous onboard computer, HAL 9000, as well as the meaning of countless mysterious black monoliths amassing on Jupiter's surface (an interpretation Kubrick originally left up to his viewers). Meanwhile, Earth is on the brink of nuclear war, and an apparition of astronaut David Bowman (Keir Dullea) appears to repeatedly promise that "something wonderful" is about to happen.

Doubt [Blu-ray]

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment / 2008 / 103 Minutes / Rated PG-13
Street Date: April 07, 2009

Genres: Drama, life

Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams
Director: John Patrick Shanley

Plot Synopsis: From Miramax Films comes one of the most honored and acclaimed motion pictures of the year, Doubt. Based on the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, Doubt is a mesmerizing, suspense-filled drama with four riveting performances from Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis that will have you pinned to the edge of your seat. Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), the rigid and fear-inspiring principal of the Saint Nicholas Church School, suffers an extreme dislike for the progressive and popular parish priest Father Flynn (Hoffman). Looking for wrongdoing in every corner, Sister Aloysius believes she's uncovered the ultimate sin when she hears Father Flynn has taken a special interest in a troubled boy. But without proof, the only thing certain is doubt. Nominated for 5 Golden Globes and 6 Critics' Choice awards, there is no Doubt it is "One of the best pictures of the year,"

Disc Features:

• Audio Commentary - Writer-director John Patrick Shanley sits down for an informative and involving commentary that gives us a greater sense of the time, ideals, and religious customs infusing 'Doubt.'
  
• Featurette: "From Stage to Screen" (HD, 19 minutes)
  
• Featurette: "The Cast of 'Doubt'" (HD, 14 minutes)
  

• Featurette: "Scoring 'Doubt'" (HD, 4 minutes)
  
• Featurette: "Sisters of Charity" (HD, 6 minutes)
  
• Theatrical Trailers (HD) – Previews for 'The Proposal,' 'Lost,' and a promo for Miramax Films.

The Tale of Despereaux [Blu-ray]

Universal Studios Home Entertainment / 2008 / 93 Minutes / Rated G
Street Date: April 07, 2009

Genres: Adventure, Animated, Comedy, Family

Plot Synopsis: Tiny and graced with oversized ears, Despereaux was born too big for his little world. Refusing to live his life cowering, he befriends a Princess named Pea and learns to read (rather than eat) books -- reveling in stories of knights, dragons and fair maidens. Banished from Mouseworld for being more man than mouse, Despereaux is rescued by another outcast, Roscuro, who also wants to hear the tales. But when the Princess dismisses Roscuro's friendship, he becomes the ultimate rat and plots revenge with fellow outsider Mig. After Pea is kidnapped, Despereaux discovers he is the only one who can rescue her...and that even the tiniest mouse can find the courage of a knight in shining armor.

Disc Features:
• Sneak Peek of "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey"
• Featurettes: "The Tale of The Tale of Despereaux: A (Mostly) Non-Fictional Making-Of," "Top Ten Uses for Oversized Ears"
• Scene Progresssions
• Deleted Songs (2 all-new songs)
• Make Your Own Soup Game Card Creator

HD Exclusive Content:
• Two Blu-ray exclusive bonus songs and interactive game
• Picture in Picture - Live Action (U-Control)
• Picture in Picture - Animatic (U-Control)
• My Scenes Sharing (BD-Live)
• Card Creator Sharing (BD-Live)

Back Catalogue Blu-ray: