Matt Damon, right, and Anna Jacoby-Heron try to survive a deadly viral outbreak in “Contagion.”
This week’s home video releases range from a lightweight tribute to working mothers to a terrifying thriller about a fictionalized pandemic.
Tag Archives: entertainment
Video Verdict: ‘Contagion,’ ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,’ ‘I Don’t Know How She Does It’
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Video Verdict: ‘Final Destination 5’
Nicholas D’Agosto plays a character doing his best to cheat death in “Final Destination 5.”
It’s a slow week for home video, as studios decided to release only a handful of major titles between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
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Video Verdict: ‘Midnight in Paris,’ ‘Warrior,’ ‘Straw Dogs,’ ‘Dolphin Tale,’ ‘Colombiana’
Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams take a European vacation in writer-director Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris."
It’s an excellent week for home video, as two new releases are likely contenders in this year’s Oscar race.
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‘The Artist’ tops Las Vegas Film Critics Society’s Sierra Awards
Jean Dujardin, left, and Berenice Bejo in a scene from "The Artist." The movie won Best Picture in the Las Vegas Film Critics Society's annual Sierra Awards.
It’s a big day for movie awards. Not only did the Broadcast Film Critics Association announce the nominees for its annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards today, the Las Vegas Film Critics Society announced the winners of its Sierra Awards. I vote in both groups, so I always like to publicize the winners.
“The Artist” was the big Sierra Awards winner, nabbing five honors, including Best Picture. The male star of the film, Jean Dujardin, picked up Best Actor, and the movie also nabbed Best Score, Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction.
“Hugo” also performed well, winning awards for Best Family Film and Best Film Editing and helping its young star, Asa Butterfield, take the Youth In Film honor.
Following is a complete list of winners, plus the Las Vegas Film Critics Society list of the top 10 films of 2011.
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‘Hugo,’ ‘The Artist’ lead Critics’ Choice nominees
Martin Scorsese, front, and Ben Kingsley work on the film "Hugo," which received 11 nominations for the Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Longtime readers know that I’m a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association thanks to my affiliation with Alice Radio (96.5 FM in Reno, NV) and Idaho Country (KQFC-FM in Boise, ID). Today our organization released its nominee list for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, which will be telecast live at 8 p.m. Jan. 12 on VH1. Often, Critics’ Choice award winners go on to nab Oscars, so the nominee list gives you a nice look at the movies that are likely to be players in the coming months.
Martin Scorsese’s charming family film “Hugo” and the beautiful silent-movie “The Artist” led all contenders this year with 11 nominations each. Also toward the top of the pack were “The Help” and “Drive,” each scoring eight nominations.
Following is a complete list of nominees. Winners will be revealed live during the Jan. 12 VH1 broadcast.
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Video Verdict: ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes,’ ‘Fright Night,’ ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’
John Lithgow, left, embraces Caesar the chimp in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Caesar is computer animated, but Andy Serkis – working with motion capture technology – provided the basis for the performance.
There’s not much originality on the home video front this week, as the most noteworthy releases are a sequel, a remake and a reboot.
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Video Verdict: ‘Super 8,’ ‘Conan the Barbarian’
From left, Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning and Ryan Lee in a scene from the science-fiction adventure “Super 8.”
This week’s home video releases include a new take on Conan the Barbarian and the latest feature from J.J. Abrams, creator of TV’s “Lost.”
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Video Verdict: ‘Larry Crowne’
Julia Roberts, left, and Tom Hanks star in the dramedy “Larry Crowne.”
It’s a slow week for home video, with only one major theatrical release making its way to stores: a recession-era drama starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
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Video Verdict: ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,’ ‘The Change-Up’
Daniel Radcliffe plays the courageous title character in the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.”
This week’s major home video releases include a raucous R-rated comedy starring Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds and the final film in the Harry Potter franchise.
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Video Verdict: ‘Water for Elephants,’ ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love,’ ‘Cars 2’
Robert Pattinson, left, and Reese Witherspoon star in the romantic drama “Water for Elephants.”
This week’s home video releases include an offbeat comedy featuring Steve Carell, the latest animated film from Pixar and a drama starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.
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