Happy Birthday for Barbera Windsor National Treasure Turns 70

Barbara Windsor has revealed that she is happy with life.

The actress is currently campaigning to raise money for Great Ormond Street, starring with Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland next year and has a loving husband of ten years, 45-year-old Scott Mitchell.

Mitchell took her away for a romantic trip to Paris for her 70th birthday.

She told the Sunday Mirror: "We marked the occasion in the traditional way. I may not be as frisky as I used to be but we had one of the most romantic, ooh la la nights I can remember. Marvellous, actually."

Windsor is pleased with her appearance, saying: "I am aware that I look good for my age. It’s my genes. My dad looked incredibly young, so did my mother. And a younger husband helps."

She admitted that she was keen to get some more plastic surgery, saying: "There are still bits and pieces I want fixed.

"I want to have my bosoms done just like Ulrika Jonsson. She looks fantastic. I just think, 'Why not?'"

Windsor also feels that she is satisfied with her acting career: "I’ve worked in two iconic shows, Carry On and EastEnders. If it all ended tomorrow - and it could - I’d just be terribly grateful. I’ve been fortunate enough to do what I love and get paid for it."

Warner Archive Collection adds 30 Classic Titles in July

 BRIAN De PALMA’S “GET TO KNOW YOUR RABBIT,” 

“GREEN MANSIONS” STARRING AUDREY HEPBURN AND SIX AL JOLSON FILMS HIGHLIGHT THE WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION JULY LINEUP

 

• “Deep Valley,” “The Hard Way,” “Juke Girl,” “The Man I Love,” “Nora Prentiss,” and “The Unfaithful” Featuring Ida Lupino and Ann Sheridan are Brought Together for Special “Women of Warner Bros.” Collection
• 24 Classic Titles Added to the Warner Archive Collection in July, Many Offered for the First Time on Home Video   

 

Burbank, Calif., July 8, 2009 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (WBHEG), today announced 30 timeless movies will be added to its popular Warner Archive Collection www.WarnerArchive.com) online service this July including director Brian De Palma’s cult comedy favorite “Get To Know Your Rabbit” starring Tom Smothers and Orson Welles, the unforgettable romantic adventure through the jungles of South America “Green Mansions” starring Audrey Hepburn and an impressive array of romantic classics starring the ravishing ElizabethTaylor, including “Conspirator” “The Girl Who Had Everything” and the lush widescreen romance “Rhapsody.”  

 

Other highlights include a quartet of big budget favorites with all-star casts (“It’s A Big Country,” “Weekend At The Waldorf,” “The Story of Mankind’ and “The Story of  Three Loves’), two films that pushed the boundaries of screen censorship in their day (Otto Preminger’s 1953 comedy “The Moon is Blue” and Mark Rydell’s 1967 drama “The Fox”), and by popular demand, the 1977 comedy hit “Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe” starring George Segal.

 

On July 21,  the incomparable Al Jolson once again takes center stage, with six of his rarely-seen early Warner Bros. classics making their DVD debut including “Big Boy,” “Go Into Your Dance,” “Say it With Songs,” “The Singing Fool,” “The Singing Kid.” and “Wonder Bar” the 1934 extravaganza with musical numbers created by Busby Berkeley.  Jolson fans wondering why his 1930 hit “Mammy” is not included in this line-up need not be disappointed. The Michael Curtiz-directed classic is being newly remastered especially for release as part of the Warner Archive Collection later this year and will include the film’s long-lost Technicolor sequences.

 

 

WBHEG also announced today the “Women of Warner Bros.” collection that shines the spotlight on two of the studio’s most talented and glamorous leading ladies. Ida Lupino stars in “The Hard Way” (for which she won the N.Y. Film Critics Award as Best Actress), “Deep Valley” and “The Man I Love”, and Ann Sheridan lights up the screen in “Nora Prentiss,” “Juke Girl” and “The Unfaithful.”  While each film is available for $19.95, the Warner Archive Collection is pleased to offer the six film group at a special value price of only $59.95.

 

Spanning more than 60 years of filmmaking, the Warner Archive Collection offers movie fans access to Warner Bros. Entertainment’s unparalleled film library consisting of pre-1986 MGM, RKO Radio Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures films.  These timeless classics can be downloaded or purchased on DVDs that are made to order for the customer using a state-of-the-art manufacturing on Demand (MOD) process.   For a complete list of titles visit WarnerArchive.com.       

 

The following new titles will be added to the Warner Archive Collection:

 

Available July 7

• Deep Valley (1947)
• Get To Know Your Rabbit (1972)
• Green Mansions (1959)
• Juke Girl (1953)
• Nora Prentiss (1947)
• The Fox (1967)
• The Hard Way (1942)
• The Man I Love (1947)
• The Moon Is Blue (1953)
• Unfaithful, The (1947)
• Who is killing the Great Chiefs of Europe? (1978)

 

Available July 21

 

• Big Boy (1931)
• Conspirator (1950)
• Cynthia (1947)
• Girl Who Had Everything, The (1953)
• Go Into Your Dance (1935)
• It’s a Big Country (1951)
• Love is Better Than Ever (1952)
• Rhapsody (1954)
• Say it with Songs (1929)
• Singing Fool, The (1929)
• Singing Kid, The (1936)
• Story of Mankind (1957)
• Story of Three Loves (1953)

 

 

To order their movies, fans visit WarnerArchive.com, select their titles, and upon purchase, a state-of-the-art manufacturing on demand (MOD) system creates a made-to-order DVD.  The system places the DVD into a hard plastic Amaray case featuring custom artwork; shrink wraps it and ships the finished package to the customer which arrives in approximately five days.  The cost per title is $19.95, plus shipping.  Alternatively, consumers can purchase digital downloads of these classic films to enjoy immediately on their PC.  The cost for a digital download is $14.95 per title.  Warner Archive Collection is currently available only to consumers in the United States.   

 

WHV Press Release: TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2

WHV Press Release: TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2

---

TCM SPOTLIGHT: ESTHER WILLIAMS VOLUME 2
Six New-to-DVD ‘Aqua-Musicals’
from America’s Favorite Mermaid

Million Dollar Mermaid - Thrill of a Romance
Easy to Love - This Time For Keeps
Fiesta - Pagan Love Song
October 6 from Warner Home Video

Burbank, Calif. June 22, 2009 -- The ravishing bathing beauty who pioneered a new genre of moviemaking -- “Aqua Musicals” -- will splash once more in Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies’ TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2 on October 6. This highly anticipated follow-up to the 2007 TCM Collection includes the DVD debuts of six Technicolor films from classic Hollywood’s swimming superstar – Million Dollar Mermaid, Thrill of a Romance, Easy to Love, This Time for Keeps, Fiesta and Pagan Love Song. Each of these MGM musical favorites have been newly remastered especially for this DVD release.

Also included are a boat-load of special features, including rarely-seen deleted musical outtakes, vintage shorts and classic cartoons. The films will be available only as a complete collection, in a collectible digi-pak gift set for $59.92 SRP.

About the Films

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952):
Glamorous, amphibious Esther Williams portrays real-life Australian swimming champ Annette Kellerman, in a splashy biopic co-starring Victor Mature. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy and Oscar® nominated for Best Color Cinematography, the movie is loaded with stunning spectacle, including a must-see Busby Berkeley choreographed water ballet extravaganza. Is this lovely Esther’s signature film? Well, she called her 1999 autobiography The Million Dollar Mermaid.

Special Features:
· AUDIO ONLY: Lux Radio Theater presentation of Million Dollar Mermaid starring Esther Williams and Walter Pidgeon
· Classic M-G-M Tom & Jerry cartoon “The Little Wise-Quacker” (1952)
· Classic M-G-M short subject “Reducing” (1952)
· Original theatrical trailer

Thrill of a Romance (1945)
Van Johnson and Esther Williams headline this frothy musical, just the ticket for a World War II-weary nation yearning for laughs, romance and glamour. And that’s exactly what they got, plus swinging TechnicolorÒ tunes from Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra and operatic grandeur from famed Wagnerian tenor Lauritz Melchior in his film debut.

Newlywed swimming teacher Cynthia Delbar (Williams) has everything a girl could want for her honeymoon: a posh mountain lodge, glorious weather and a drop-dead trousseau. The only thing missing is her tycoon groom, who chose closing a deal in DC over cuddling with his brand-new missus. A pretty sorrowful situation – until a good-looking war hero staying at the hotel decides he needs swimming lessons.

Special Features:
· Outtake Musical Numbers:
“Gypsy Mattinata” (Lauritz Melchior)
“I Should Care“ (Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra)
“Please Don’t Say No” (The King Sisters)
· Classic M-G-M short subject “The Great American Mug” (1945)
· Classic M-G-M Tex Avery cartoon “Wild and Woolfy” (1945)
· Original theatrical trailer

Easy to Love (1953):
With the Cole Porter classic as the title tune, it’s ‘easy to love’ this romantic comedy starring Esther Williams and Van Johnson in their fifth film together. Julie Hallerton (Esther Williams) knows how to win the affection of indifferent Ray Lloyd (Van Johnson): Be his office secretary; be the star of his Florida aquacade and the heart’s desire of a Manhattan crooner to make Ray jealous. The ploy works, as does everything else in this aquamusical. Tony Martin lends his smooth vocal styling; Razzle-dazzler Busby Berkeley guides Esther’s aquatic routines, including a legendary sequence involving Florida’s Cypress Gardens, dozens of water skiers, ramps, pyramid formations, gushing geysers, a helicopter, a trapeze and Esther in the air. Also fun to note is film’s young Carroll Baker’s (Baby Doll) screen debut.

Special Features:
· Classic M-G-M Short “Romantic Riviera”(1953)
· Classic M-G-M Barney Bear cartoon “Cobs and Robbers” (1953)
· Original theatrical trailer

This Time For Keeps (1947):
Whether soaring from the high board or redefining grace in a lavishly choreographed water ballet, Esther Williams is at her radiant, swim-suited best in this lighthearted aquatic musical centered on her romance with an ex-GI (Johnnie Johnston). Settings include Michigan’s picture-perfect Mackinac Island, with notable supporting stars providing specialty numbers. Famed tenor Lauritz Melchior brings his artistry to La Donna È Mobile, Xavier Cugat (with signature tea-cup Chihuahua at hand) adds big-band élan to the proceedings and Jimmy Durante delightfully dismantles his piano.

Special Features:
· Outtake musical number: “Little Big Shot” (Jimmy Durante)
· Classic M-G-M short subject “Now You See It” (1947)
· Classic M-G-M Tom & Jerry cartoon “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse” (1947)
· Original theatrical trailer

Fiesta (1947):
Glamorous Williams forsakes her trademark swimsuit for a matador’s red cape and black montera in the colorful film Fiesta. Williams portrays Maria, disguising herself as her twin brother Mario (Ricardo Montalban in his first credited U.S. film) and enters the ring in his place after he abandons bullfighting for classical music studies. An Oscar-nominated score* (including a restyling of Aaron Copland’s “El Salon Mexico”) spices up this gender-bender tale. Lovely Cyd Charisse plays Mario’s partner in dance and romance.

Special Features:
· Classic M-G-M short Goodbye, Miss Turlock (1947)
· Classic M-G-M Tex Avery cartoon Hound Hunters (1947)
· Original theatrical trailer

Pagan Love Song (1950):
Esther Williams and Howard Keel share the bliss of this eye-filling musical excursion which includes the rhapsodic title tune and a charming Rita Moreno (in her third movie role as a spunky islander). Pristine Hawaiian locations fill in for the story’s Tahitian setting. Of course, where there’s an island, there’s water, and Esther swimming in it. But in one fanciful sequence she also swims among the clouds, sending viewers’ spirits aloft with her.

Half-Tahitian beauty Mimi Bennett (Williams) is eager to leave the easygoing life of Tahiti for the excitement and bustle of the United States. But when Ohioan Hazard “Hap” Endicott arrives to manage his late uncle’s coconut plantation, the sparks flying between them may turn Mimi’s travel plans into wedding plans.

Special Features:
· Seven deleted musical outtakes including
o Why Is Love So Crazy
o Sea of the Moon
o Tahiti Version One
o Tahiti Version Two
o Music on the Water Version One
o Music on the Water Version Two
o The House of the Singing Bamboo
· Classic M-G-M cartoon “The Chump Champ” (1950)
· Classic M-G-M short subject “Curious Contests” (1950)
· Original theatrical trailer

About Esther Williams

Born in Los Angeles in 1921, Esther was the youngest of five children. As a teenager, she was determined to become a world champion swimmer, and by the age of 15 had already set records at such events as the Women's Outdoor Nationals and the Pacific Coast Championships. When the 1940 Olympics were cancelled because it was wartime, Williams went to work for Billy Rose's San Francisco Aquacade. An MGM scout spotted her there and offered her a contract, resulting in her screen debut in 1942 as Mickey Rooney’s love interest in Andy Hardy’s Double Life.

Hoping that a swimming star could surpass a skating queen (Fox’s Sonja Henie), MGM began grooming Miss Williams for the future by completely restructuring her third film. Filming began in 1943 under the title Mr. Co-Ed, starring Red Skelton as the title character. Early into production, producer Jack Cummings realized his leading lady was stealing the picture. The budget increased, and the picture was re-titled, becoming the Technicolor super-spectacular Bathing Beauty (in TCM Spotlight’s first Collection). The film was an international smash, and even though Skelton got top billing, it was Esther Williams who walked away with the movie.

Williams went on to become one of the biggest movie stars of the era and over the next decade; she captivated audiences in nearly 20 films. As her popularity soared -- she was among the top ten box office stars in 1949 and 1950 – MGM created a special group of movies called “Aqua Musicals,” making her swimming sequences more complex and elaborate with each new picture, adding everything from trapezes to fiery hoops.

Ms. Williams also tried her hand at drama with good performances in films like The Unguarded Moment, Raw Wind in Eden and The Big Show. But she ultimately went back to the water, starring in several TV aquacade spectaculars and acting as spokeswoman for her own swimming-pool company. She retired in 1961 to devote her time to husband Fernando Lamas, her children (including stepson Lorenzo Lamas) and her many business activities. She was rarely seen in public during those years, and was conspicuously absent from the reunion of MGM stars in 1974 participating in the release of That’s Entertainment!, the box-office blockbuster that featured a whole sequence around Esther’s films. Interest in Esther remained high, but she remained out of the public eye until Lamas’ death in 1982. She finally came back to the entertainment world in 1984, when ABC asked her to help provide commentary for the aquatic events at the Los Angeles Olympics, much to the delight of her many fans. The success of her classic films on home video and cable television introduced Esther to a whole new audience, and in 1994, she returned to MGM to serve as one of the hosts in the critically-acclaimed That’s Entertainment! III.

ESTHER WILLIAMS MARKETING SUPPORT
Turner Classic Movies is currently seen in more than 80 million homes and will support Warner Home Video and the new collection with extensive marketing. TCM’s marketing plan includes print ads in TCM’s popular Now Playing guide, banners on tcm.com, and on-air mentions by the network’s renowned primetime host, Robert Osborne.

TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2
Street Date: October 6, 2009
Collection: $59.92 SRP
All Titles Not Rated and Color

Million Dollar Mermaid
Run Time: 115 minutes

Thrill of a Romance
Run Time: 105 minutes

Easy To Love
Run Time: 96 minutes

This Time For Keeps
Run Time: 105minutes

Fiesta
Run Time: 104 minutes
Pagan Love Song
Run Time: 76 minutes

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.

WHV Press Release: Warner Archive Collection Adds 21 More Classics June 2009

GARY COOPER, DICK POWELL, RUBY KEELER, OSCAR® WINNER MARIE DRESSLER AND SILENT SCREEN LEGENDS HIGHLIGHT THE WARNER ARCHIVE COLLECTION JUNE LINEUP “Bright Leaf” and “Flirtation Walk” Among 21 Titles Debuting This Month, Many for the First Time Ever on DVDBurbank, Calif., June 4, 2009 – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (WBHEG), today announced the 21 classic movie titles will be added to its popular Warner Archive Collection (WBshop.com - The Official Online Store of Warner Bros. Studios: Warner Archive) online service this month, including 1934 Academy Award ® Nominee for Best Picture “Flirtation Walk” starring Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, and “Bright Leaf” starring Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal. In addition, seven silent films from deep within the Studio’s vault will also debut including “When a Man Loves,” starring John Barrymore, as well as four classic gems starring film favorite Marie Dressler in “Min and Bill” for which she earned an Academy Award for Best Actress. Most of these films are making their first appearance in any home video format. To celebrate this month’s releases, WBHEG is offering two collections to classic film fans for a special price. Fans will be delighted with the six title Gary Cooper collection that spans a 17-year period during the two time Oscar® winner’s illustrious career and includes “Bright Leaf,” “Saratoga Trunk,” “Task Force,” “Operator 13,” “Today We Live” and “One Sunday Afternoon.” This collection can be purchased now for only $59.95. In addition, the Warner Archive Collection will also offer a “Dick Powell / Ruby Keeler” collection consisting of three of the famous screen team’s pairings, including “Flirtation Walk,” “Shipmates Forever” and “Colleen,” as well as Powell taking center stage in “Happiness Ahead” and Keeler making her final major film appearance in “Ready, Willing and Able.” These five timeless classics can now be purchased together for only $49.95. On June 15, fans will be able to own for the first time ever, several of Warner Bros. Pictures’ silent era films from deep within the Studio’s vault. Classics spanning the years 1924 to 1929 now available include John Barrymore in “When a Man Loves,” Dolores Costello and Warner Oland in “Old San Francisco” and the 1924 version of “The Sea Hawk,” starring Milton Stills and Enid Burnett. Also on June 15, fans will be able to enjoy screen legend and Academy Award® winner Marie Dressler in “Min and Bill” in the role for which she won Best Actress. The Warner Archive Collection will also debut three additional Dressler pictures including “Let Us Be Gay,” “Politics” and “Reducing.” Spanning more than 60 years of filmmaking, the Warner Archive Collection offers movie fans access to Warner Bros. Entertainment’s unparalleled film library consisting of pre-1986 MGM, RKO Radio Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures films. These timeless classics can be downloaded or purchased on DVDs that are made to order for the customer using a state-of-the-art Manufacturing on Demand (MOD) process. Currently the Warner Archive Collection offers 207 timeless movies and by year’s end will have more than 300 titles online. For a complete list of titles visit WarnerArchive.com. Thousands of movie fans have signed up for an exciting podcast series titled “The Golden History of Hollywood.” Hosted by George Feltenstein of Warner Home Video and available on iTunes (Apple - iTunes - The world?s most popular digital media player.) and numerous online sites for free, this series takes movie fans back in time to the “Golden Era” of Hollywood. “The Golden History of Hollywood” features captivating archival recordings from Warner Bros.’ vault including behind-the-scenes interviews with stars, radio editions of movies from the “Lux Radio Theater” and MGM’s “Good News” radio programs and much more. This month fans can enjoy “Beau Brummel,” “Saratoga Trunk,” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The following titles are now available:· Colleen· Flirtation Walk· Happiness Ahead· One Sunday Afternoon· Operator 13· Ready, Willing and Able· Saratoga Trunk· Shipmates Forever· Task Force· Today We LiveThe following titles will be available on the Warner Archive Collection June 15:· Beau Brummel· Better Ole, The· Divine Lady, The· First Auto, The· Let Us Be Gay· Min and Bill· Old San Francisco· Politics· Reducing· Sea Hawk, The (1924)· When a Man LovesTo order their movies, fans visit WarnerArchive.com, select their titles, and upon purchase, a state-of-the-art manufacturing on demand (MOD) system creates a made-to-order DVD. The system places the DVD into a hard plastic Amaray case featuring custom artwork; shrink wraps it and ships the finished package to the customer which arrives in approximately five days. The cost per title is $19.95, plus shipping. Alternatively, consumers can purchase digital downloads of these classic films to enjoy immediately on their PC. The cost for a digital download is $14.95 per title. Warner Archive Collection is currently available only to consumers in the United States.

TCM 2

I always hoped they would bring this to the states. TCM 2 is a British channel. It is a UK-only spin-off channel from the UK version of Turner Classic Movies and shows the popular films from the Turner Library. Four major MGM or Warner Bros. films are shown from 7:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. (interspersed with various original short films about the films) from Monday-Sunday, and the following week includes a new line-up. This allows the viewer to "catch-up on the big films," thus allowing the chance to see the preferred film on any day of the week.

What is the Gower Gulch?

The Gower Gulch is a nickname for the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street in Hollywood, California.
Many year ago during the early days of film the area was surrounded by movie studios. At one corner of the intersection is the Sunset Gower + Sunset Bronson Studios formerly the old Columbia Pictures studio. Many years ago when Western films were popular, and cowboys would come to Hollywood hoping to find work they would congregate at that particular street corner, which is how it got the nickname. In addition, legend has it a drug store close by lent the phrase "drug store cowboys". Sunset at Gower is also the corner that housed the studio where Charlie Chaplin made some of his first moving pictures. In 2009, the retail strip center at that corner bears that name (One of my favorite sammy shops, Togos is in that strip center)

The name also appears in a Warner Bros. Cartoon, "Drip-A-Long Daffy", Porky Pig sings a Michael Maltese song entitled "The Flower of Gower Gulch". In yet another Warner Bros. Cartoon, "Nelly's Folly", Nelly the Singing Giraffe (voiced by Gloria Wood) sings a different version of that song.

TRIBUTE TO MICKEY ROONEY AT THE AERO THEATRE, SANTA MONICA, CA

American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre will be having a Mickey Rooney film tribute next week (May 6-10). Mr. Rooney himself will be at select screenings for discussions and Q&A's.

Let's Put On A Show: A Tribute to Mickey Rooney

An Aero Theatre Exclusive!
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Avenue at 14th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Advance tickets: http://www.fandango.com/americancinemathequeattheaerotheatre_aacpd/theaterpage?date=5/6/2009

Warner opens Vaults

Warner Bros. — the purveyor of everything from Looney Tunes cartoons to the latest Batman films — is cracking its vault wide open.

The studio's been slowly rolling out about 100 vintage films a year over the last 12 years. Now, movie fans can browse the archives of Warner Bros. Pictures, MGM and RKO to find lesser-known favorites. You can order a copy of Greta Garbo's silent version of Anna Karenina or something from the early days of Demi Moore's career.

"Everyone that you know is somewhere in there — from Mickey Rooney to Cary Grant," film critic Desson Thomson tells NPR's Scott Simon.

More here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103229193

New Star Trek Movie Trailer

In theaters May 8th:

'Slumdog Millionaire' wins Oscar for Best Movie; the late Heath Ledger for Supporting Actor

"Slumdog Millionaire" - the year's underdog tale - took eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, Sunday night at the 81st annual Academy Awards ceremony.

The late Heath Ledger won the long-anticipated Best Supporting Actor for "The Dark Knight," while Sean Penn won his second Best Actor award for "Milk," and Kate Winslet, after five previous tries, finally came out victorious as Best Actress for "The Reader."

Ledger became the second performer ever honored with a posthumous Oscar. As his father, Kim; his sister Kate and his mother, Sally Bell, went onstage to accept his statuette, the celebrities in the Kodak Theatre teared up.

Warner Skips 2009 for Looney Tunes and Popeye Boxed DVD Sets

Last years volume of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection will be the last from that series. Warner Bros will be skipping this years release and will resume in 2010 with another box set. The same holds true for the Popeye vol 4 set.

Pioneer Discontinues Laserdisc Players

Farewell Dear Friend. Announcing the death of a format can be tricky business. After all, a lot of them live on in our hearts, minds, racks, and libraries—and at least one "dead" format, the LP, never really died. But if the manufacture of hardware is a major criterion, then the laserdisc format has died. Pioneer has discontinued its last three laserdisc player models, according to a brief announcement in Akihabara News.

Originally known as DiscoVision and LaserVision, the 12-inch optical videodisc format was developed by MCA and Philips. The first consumer player wore the Magnavox logo, though Pioneer eventually became the format's champion, giving it the proprietary name LaserDisc, which became the generic format name laserdisc.

Laserdisc output an analog NTSC signal, and is therefore as obsolete as the doomed analog broadcast standard. It was never a high-def format. There were two subformats, the higher-quality CAV, which held 30 minutes per side, and the more capacious and prevalent CLV, which held an hour per side. Two-hour, two-sided discs in CLV became the norm. Most discs were released with audio in a pretty decent two-channel FM-carrier format, which carried matrixed Dolby Surround, and was eventually upgraded to PCM digital. This allowed LD/CD combi players to be marketed. In the format's waning years, Dolby Digital and DTS were added.

The laserdisc won a three-way format war with two other major disc formats, both of which, incredibly, were stylus-read like an LP. CED was invented and promoted by RCA, then an independent company, and the loss of the format war—along with tens of millions of dollars—was a major factor in turning RCA from an independent company to a TV brand that got passed around like a shopping bag. There was also a VHD format from JVC, which also went nowhere, but did so less expensively. Laserdisc won because consumers perceived greater performance and value in an optical-disc format.

There was a time when having a laserdisc player and library was synonymous with being a videophile. Considering the alternatives, it was the best choice. Its more than 400 lines of horizontal resolution were better than either VHS or Beta, at 250 each, and also beat the 300 lines of broadcast TV. There was a Super VHS format boasting more than 400 lines, but it recorded only the brightness signal at that resolution, and the color signal at lower resolution, so it looked smeary compared to laserdisc.

Laserdisc was doomed when DVD made its debut. The smaller disc was—well, smaller, and it offered better resolution (even though standard-def) and accommodated Dolby Digital and DTS from day one. Even now, the DVD shows signs of holding on in the face of competition from the genuinely superior Blu-ray, which supports HD, lossless surround, and other good stuff. But no one knows how long it will take for DVD to go the way of laserdisc, but being the #1 selling format ever It will be a long time to come.

Anyway, goodbye, laserdisc. I'll always associate you with evenings spent with passionate movie-loving friends. Thanks for the memories.

We will continue to post reviews about these discs in the future as well as bringing them up for those who still collect them.

The 81st Annual Academy Award Nominees

Complete list of 81st annual Academy Award nominations announced Thursday:

1. Best Picture: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "The Reader," "Slumdog Millionaire."

2. Actor: Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"; Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"; Sean Penn, "Milk"; Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler."

3. Actress: Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"; Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"; Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"; Meryl Streep, "Doubt"; Kate Winslet, "The Reader."

4. Supporting Actor: Josh Brolin, "Milk"; Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"; Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"; Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"; Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road."

5. Supporting Actress: Amy Adams, "Doubt"; Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"; Viola Davis, "Doubt"; Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler."

6. Director: David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"; Gus Van Sant, "Milk"; Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"; Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire."

7. Foreign Film: "The Baader Meinhof Complex," Germany; "The Class," France; "Departures," Japan; "Revanche," Austria; "Waltz With Bashir," Israel.

8. Adapted Screenplay: Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; John Patrick Shanley, "Doubt"; Peter Morgan, "Frost/Nixon"; David Hare, "The Reader"; Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire."

9. Original Screenplay: Courtney Hunt, "Frozen River"; Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky"; Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges"; Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"; Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon and Pete Docter, "WALL-E."

10. Animated Feature Film: "Bolt"; "Kung Fu Panda"; "WALL-E."

11. Art Direction: "Changeling," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "The Duchess," "Revolutionary Road."

12. Cinematography: "Changeling," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "The Reader," "Slumdog Millionaire."

13. Sound Mixing: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Slumdog Millionaire," "WALL-E," "Wanted."

14. Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight," "Iron Man," "Slumdog Millionaire," "WALL-E," "Wanted."

15. Original Score: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," Alexandre Desplat; "Defiance," James Newton Howard; "Milk," Danny Elfman; "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman; "WALL-E," Thomas Newman.

16. Original Song: "Down to Earth" from "WALL-E," Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman; "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar; "O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam.

17. Costume: "Australia," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Duchess," "Milk," "Revolutionary Road."

18. Documentary Feature: "The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)," "Encounters at the End of the World," "The Garden," "Man on Wire," "Trouble the Water."

19. Documentary (short subject): "The Conscience of Nhem En," "The Final Inch," "Smile Pinki," "The Witness -- From the Balcony of Room 306."

20. Film Editing: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Frost/Nixon," "Milk," "Slumdog Millionaire."

21. Makeup: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Hellboy II: The Golden Army."

22. Animated Short Film: "La Maison en Petits Cubes," "Lavatory -- Lovestory," "Oktapodi," "Presto," "This Way Up."

23. Live Action Short Film: "Auf der Strecke (On the Line)," "Manon on the Asphalt," "New Boy," "The Pig," "Spielzeugland (Toyland)."

24. Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Iron Man."

Paramount Pictures Preview for 2009

January 16, 2009

Hotel for Dogs



Directed by Thor Freudenthal
Starring: Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Kyla Pratt with Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and Don Cheadle

“Hotel for Dogs” stars Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon and Don Cheadle in a smart, funny comedy adventure that shows how far love and imagination can take you. When their new guardians forbid 16-year-old Andi (Roberts) and her younger brother, Bruce (Austin) to have a pet, Andi has to use her quick wit to help find a new home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful kids stumble upon an abandoned hotel and using Bruce’s talents as a mechanical genius, transform it into a magical dog-paradise for Friday - and eventually for all Friday’s friends. When barking dogs make the neighbors suspicious, Andi and Bruce use every invention they have to avoid anyone discovering “who let the dogs in.”

January 30, 2009

The Uninvited



Directed by The Guard Brothers
Starring: Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel and David Strathairn

In the suspense thriller “The Uninvited,” based on the 2003 Korean motion picture “Changhwa, Hongryon” written and directed by Kim Jee-woon, Anna (Emily Browning) returns home after spending time in a psychiatric facility following her mother’s tragic death and discovers that her mother’s former nurse, Rachel (Elizabeth Banks), has moved into their house and become engaged to her father, Steven (David Strathairn). Soon after she learns this shocking news, Anna is visited by her mother’s ghost, who warns her that Rachel has evil intentions. Together, Anna and her sister (Arielle Kebbel) must convince their father that his new fiancee is not who she pretends to be, and what should have been a happy family reunion becomes a lethal battle of wills between stepdaughters and stepmother.

March 20, 2009

I Love You, Man



Directed by John Hamburg
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, J.K. Simmons, Jane Curtin, Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressly

In “I Love You, Man,” a comedy from John Hamburg (”Along Came Polly,” co-writer of “Meet the Parents,” “Meet the Fockers,” “Zoolander”), Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd, “Knocked Up” “The 40 Year Old Virgin”) is a successful real estate agent who, upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, Zooey (”The Office’s” Rashida Jones), discovers, to his dismay and chagrin, that he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. Peter immediately sets out to rectify the situation, embarking on a series of bizarre and awkward “man-dates,” before meeting Sydney Fife (Jason Segel, “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”), a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more Peter’s relationship with Zooey suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancee and his new found “bro,” in a story that comically explores what it truly means to be a “friend.”

March 27, 2009

Monsters vs. Aliens



Directed by Rob Letterman Conrad Vernon
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Kiefer Sutherland and Paul Rudd

When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

“Monsters vs. Aliens” is DreamWorks Animation’s first InTru 3D Movie. A 2D version will also be available.

April 24, 2009

The Soloist



Directed by Joe Wright
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander and LisaGay Hamilton

In “The Soloist,” an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez (Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr.) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. “The Soloist” is directed by Joe Wright (Golden Globe winner for Best Drama and Oscar® nominee for Best Picture “Atonement”).

May 8, 2009

Star Trek



Directed by J.J. Abrams
Starring: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, with Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy

From director J.J. Abrams (”Mission: Impossible III,” “Lost” and “Alias”), producers Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk and screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (”TRANSFORMERS,” “MI: III”) comes a new vision of the greatest space adventure of all time, “Star Trek,” featuring a young, new crew venturing boldly where no one has gone before.

June 12, 2009

Imagine That



Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox and Martin Sheen

In Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ family comedy “Imagine That,” Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive who has more time for his blackberry than his seven-year-old daughter (Yara Shahidi). When he has a crisis of confidence and his career starts going down the drain, however, he finds the solution to all his problems in his daughter’s imaginary world

June 26, 2009

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen



Directed by Michael Bay
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, John Benjamin Hickey, Ramon Rodriguez, Isabel Lucas and John Turturro

In the highly-anticipated “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” debuting June 26, 2009, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the Autobots® against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons®. Michael Bay directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger & Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman.

August 7, 2009

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra



Directed by Stephen Sommers
Starring: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Said Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid

Paramount Pictures and Hasbro, whose previous collaboration was the worldwide blockbuster “TRANSFORMERS,” join forces with Spyglass Entertainment for another extraordinary action-adventure “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. JOE team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos. “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” is directed by Stephen Sommers (”The Mummy,” “The Mummy Returns”).

August 14, 2009

Dance Flick



Directed by Damien Dante Wayans
Starring: Damon Wayans Jr., Craig Wayans, Shoshana Bush, Essence Atkins and Affion Crockett

“Dance Flick” is a hilarious new comedy that brings together the talents of two generations of the Wayans family, the explosively funny clan who brought us the “Scary Movie” franchise and “White Chicks,” as well as the groundbreaking TV series “In Living Color.”

In “Dance Flick,” a young street dancer, Thomas Uncles (Damon Wayans, Jr.), from the wrong side of the tracks and a beautiful young woman, Megan White (Shoshana Bush), are brought together by their passion for dancing and put to the test in the mother of all dance battles.

“Dance Flick” sends up the dance movie genre, including such recent hits as “Step Up” and “You Got Served,” as well as the classic “Flashdance.”

Aug 21 - The Goods: The Don Ready Story



Directed by Neal Brennan
Starring: Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, James Brolin, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn and Jordana Spiro

Who is Don Ready? Salesman? Lover? Song Stylist? Semi-professional dolphin trainer? Ready is all of the above - except for a dolphin trainer. When he’s asked to help save an ailing local car dealership from bankruptcy, Ready and his ragtag crew descend on the town of Temecula like a pack of coyotes on a basket full of burgers. Selling, drinking, selling and going to strip clubs is their stock and trade. And they do it well. What Don doesn’t expect is to fall in love and find his soul (cue heartfelt piano). “The Goods: The Don Ready Story” stars Emmy award-winning actor Jeremy Piven (”The Kingdom,” “Entourage”) and Ving Rhames (”I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” “Mission: Impossible III”). The film, from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions, is directed by Neal Brennan, creator of the hugely successful Comedy Central hit “Chappelle’s Show.”

4th Quarter 2009:

Lovely Bones



Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Saoirse Ronan

Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and directed by Oscar® winner Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Jackson & Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens, “The Lovely Bones” centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family - and her killer - from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. Oscar® nominee Mark Wahlberg and Oscar® winners Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon star along with Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Oscar® nominee Saoirse Ronan.

She's Out of My League



Directed by Jim Field Smith
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence, Krysten Ritter, Geoff Stults and Lindsay Sloane

Kirk (Jay Baruchel, “Knocked Up,” “Tropic Thunder”), an average Joe, can’t believe his luck. Though he’s stuck in a seemingly dead-end job as an airport security agent, against all odds Molly (Alice Eve), a successful and outrageously gorgeous babe falls for him. Kirk is stunned. So are his friends, his family and even his ex-girlfriend. Now he has to figure out how to make the relationship work, even though he’s the first to admit “She’s Out of My League.”

Up in the Air



Directed by Jason Reitman
Starring: George Clooney and Vera Farmiga

From Jason Reitman, the Oscar® nominated director of “Juno,” comes a comedy called “Up in the Air” starring Oscar® winner George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road but is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget. He is required to spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he’s worked toward for years: reaching five million frequent flyer miles and just after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams.

Ashecliffe



Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams and Max Von Sydow

From Oscar®-winning director Martin Scorsese, “Shutter Island” is the story of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a murderess from the island’s fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane.

Columbia Pictures 2009 Preview

Jan 9 - Not Easily Broken



Not Easily Broken is an uplifting drama about love and family adapted from the book of the same name by renowned pastor and author Bishop T. D. Jakes

Jan 16 - Paul Blart: Mall Cop



In Columbia Pictures’ comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Kevin James stars as the title character, a single, suburban dad, trying to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey mall. Though no one else takes his job seriously, Paul considers himself on the front lines of safety. When a heist shuts down the megaplex, Jersey’s most formidable mall cop will have to become a real cop to save the day.

Jan 23: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans



Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement.

Feb 6 - Pink Panther 2



The Pink Panther 2, the sequel to the 2006 worldwide hit, stars Steve Martin as he reprises the role of intrepid-if-bumbling French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther Diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (John Cleese) is forced to assign Clouseau to a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts. Martin is joined by his co-stars Jean Reno (as Ponton, his partner) and Emily Mortimer (as Nicole, the object of his awkward affections). The investigative dream team is played by Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, Yuki Matsuzaki (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Lily Tomlin also stars. The story is set in Paris and Rome.

Feb 13 - The International



In The International, a gripping thriller, Interpol Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) are determined to bring to justice one of the world’s most powerful banks. Uncovering myriad and reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Milan to New York to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing – even murder – to continue financing terror and war. Directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) from an original screenplay written by Eric Warren Singer, The International is being shot on location in Germany and throughout Europe.

Feb 20 - Fired Up



Shawn Colfax (Nicholas D’Agosto) and Nick Brady (Eric Christian Olsen), the stars of the Gerald R. Ford High School football team, are dreading the prospect of another summer at football camp. When Nick hatches a scheme for the two to join their school’s cheerleaders at cheer camp instead, they find themselves awash in a sea of gorgeous young women. It all goes great until Shawn falls for Carly (Sarah Roemer), the beautiful head cheerleader who sees right through them.

April 3 - The Ugly Truth



The battle of the sexes heats up in Columbia Pictures’ comedy The Ugly Truth. Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is a romantically challenged morning show producer whose search for Mr. Perfect has left her hopelessly single. She’s in for a rude awakening when her bosses team her with Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a hardcore TV personality who promises to spill the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick.

April 24 - Obsessed



Derek Charles (Idris Elba), a successful asset manager who has just received a huge promotion, is blissfully happy in his career and in his marriage to the beautiful Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles). But when Lisa (Ali Larter), a temp worker, starts stalking Derek, all the things he’s worked so hard for are placed in jeopardy.

May 15 - Angels & Demons



The team behind the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code returns for the highly anticipated Angels & Demons, based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing, even murder, to advance their goals. Ron Howard again directs the film, which is produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and John Calley. The screenplay is by David Koepp and Akiva Goldsman.

When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati - the most powerful underground organization in history - he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization’s most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. When Langdon learns that the clock is ticking on an unstoppable Illuminati time bomb, he jets to Rome, where he joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and enigmatic Italian scientist. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra will follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that mark the Vatican’s only hope for survival.

June 19 - Year One



When a couple of lazy hunter-gatherers (Jack Black and Michael Cera) are banished from their primitive village, they set off on an epic journey through the ancient world in Columbia Pictures’ comedy Year One. Harold Ramis directs. The screenplay is by Harold Ramis & Gene Stupnitsky & Lee Eisenberg (”The Office”) from a story by Harold Ramis. The film is produced by Judd Apatow, Harold Ramis, and Clayton Townsend.

July 10 - 2012



Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

July 24 - The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3



In The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Denzel Washington stars as New York City subway dispatcher Walter Garber, whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train. John Travolta stars as Ryder, the criminal mastermind who, as leader of a highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But there’s one riddle Garber can’t solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can they possibly escape?

Aug 7 - Julie & Julia



Based on Julie Powell’s book “Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen.” Julie Powell recounts how she conquered every recipe in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and saved her soul. Julie Powell is 30-years-old, living in a rundown apartment in Queens and working at a soul-sucking secretarial job that’s going nowhere. She needs something to break the monotony of her life, and she invents a deranged assignment. She will take her mother’s dog-eared copy of Julia Child’s 1961 classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and she will cook all 524 recipes. In the span of one year.

At first she thinks it will be easy. But as she moves from the simple Potage Parmentier (potato soup) into the more complicated realm of aspics and crepes, she realizes there’s more to Mastering the Art of French Cooking than meets the eye. With Julia’s stern warble always in her ear, Julie haunts the local butcher, buying kidneys and sweetbreads. She sends her husband on late-night runs for yet more butter and rarely serves dinner before midnight. She discovers how to mold the perfect Orange Bavarian, the trick to extracting marrow from bone, and the intense pleasure of eating liver. And somewhere along the line she realizes she has turned her kitchen into a miracle of creation and cuisine. She has eclipsed her life’s ordinariness through spectacular humor, hysteria, and perseverance

Aug 14 - District 9



District 9 depicts a fictional world where extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa.

Aug 28 - Max's Mardi Gras



Three college pals, depressed with their current social situation, decide to venture to New Orleans, a magical place where a man and his beverage can walk the streets undisturbed in pursuit of the happiness that has thus far eluded them.

Sep 18 - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs



Columbia Pictures’ and Sony Pictures Animation’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will be the most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children’s book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain.

Sep 18 - Armored



A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist….against their own company. Armed with a seemingly fool-proof plan, the men plan on making off with a fortune with harm to none. But when an unexpected witness interferes, the plan quickly unravels and all bets are off.

Oct 9 - Zombieland



Woody Harrelson has stars in the horror comedy Zombieland revolving around a mismatched pair of survivors who find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies. Harrelson plays one of the men, a zombie fighter named Albuquerque.

Oct 16 - Stepfather



Michael Harding (Penn Badgley) returns home from military school to find his mother (Sela Ward) happily in love and living with her new boyfriend, David (Dylan Walsh). As the two men get to know each other, Michael becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand. Is he really the man of her dreams or could David be hiding a dark side?

Nov 20 - Planet 51



Planet 51 is a funny reverse alien invasion story centered on the little green people with antennas who inhabit Planet 51, and who live in fear of being invaded by beings from another planet.

When Astronaut Captain Charles “Chuck” Baker lands his spaceship, thinking that the no-one lives there, the inhabitants’ paranoia is unleashed and the real adventure begins. Lem, a young resident on Planet 51, who is fascinated by space the world outside, will help Chuck try to escape from the authorities, recover his spaceship and return home.