Derek Luke

TV Review: NBC Delivers Medical Action With Excellent ‘Trauma’

BrianTT — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:07:30 -0600

CHICAGO – The wave of new fall shows is coming to an end this week with so many shows having debuted to date that we’ve already had our first cancellation of the season (The CW’s horrible “The Beautiful Life). But NBC has saved one of the best for last in “Trauma,” an expertly produced and acted series that stands as the most promising of the three new medical series this season and arguably the show with the most long-term potential, period.

Television Rating: 4.0/5.0

Character-driven, ensemble dramas like “Trauma” have been the backbone of television for a very long time. From “Hill Street Blues” to “ER,” viewers like to watch people who go above and beyond but also have everyday problems and insecurities like you and me. We need to see ourselves in these superhuman characters. It is their willingness to do what most people won’t that makes them unique but it is our commonalities that make them interesting. The premiere of “Trauma” has that balance of the everyday and the heroic down in the first episode.

Derek Luke
Photo credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Executive-produced by Peter Berg (who knows a thing or two about the ensemble drama having made NBC’s excellent “Friday Night Lights”), “Trauma” is being sold as the first medical drama series set in the field. These are the men and women who run in the direction of the explosion instead of the other way. When emergencies occur, the team from San Francisco City Hospital are immediately on the clock, knowing that every second counst when it comes to saving lives.

The opening sequence of tonight’s premiere of “Trauma” is a stunner, featuring an adrenalin-pumping helicopter crash that rivals most action sequences currently playing at the multiplex (it’s certainly more well-done than anything in “Surrogates”).

The copter crash sets the stage for some serious psychological scars by a few of the lead characters on “Trauma,” which includes pilot Reuben “Rabbit” Palchuk (Cliff Curtis), paramedic Cameron Boone (Derek Luke), paramadic Nancy Carnahan (Anastasia Griffith), rookie pilot Marisa Benez (Aimee Garcia), rookie EMT Glenn Morris (Taylor Kinney), and Dr. Joe Saviano (Jamey Sheridan).

Being on a trauma team in a major city has to be one of the most stressful jobs in the world. When you lose someone because you couldn’t get there fast enough, how do you let that go? Even on a successful day, one where you save a child’s life, how do you not take home the emotional baggage of that to your own family? It is a job with nothing bug massive highs and the lowest lows - saving lives or losing them. And “Trauma” captures that perfectly.

Anastasia Griffith
Photo credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

The writing and production are very good but the cast of “Trauma” is what truly stands out after episode one. I like the team on “FlashForward” and “Glee” is its own special kind of awesome, but “Trauma” may have the best ensemble of any new show. Curtis and Luke have been great in film for years and bring the same intensity they have on the big screen to the small one. And Griffith takes a plot arc in the first episode that could have been melodramatic and makes it genuine. Let’s hope she’s a breakout star of the season.

Ultimately, the most frustrating thing about “Trauma” is that it’s on a network that has made it clear that they don’t care about shows like “Trauma” any more. The network that brought us “L.A. Law,” “St. Elsewhere,” and “Hill Street Blues” has given up five hours a week of scripted programming to a talk show host (“The Jay Leno Show”). Many TV writers have already made it clear that if NBC is done with them, they’re done with the network. And yet here’s “Trauma,” one of the most well-written shows of the season.

I’m worried that if “Trauma” takes time to find an audience than the network that clearly doesn’t care about writing will be quick to pull the plug. Then again, if the Leno experiment doesn’t work maybe they’ll be more forgiving and switch the focus back to shows like this one. “Trauma” is proof that adult, character-driven dramas are still worth the effort. Who would have guessed that would have been proven on NBC?

‘Trauma,’ which airs on NBC, stars MCliff Curtis, Derek Luke, Anastasia Griffith, Aimee Garcia, Taylor Kinney, and Jamey Sheridan. It was created by Dario Scardapane. The series premiere airs on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 8PM CST.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray, DVD Round Up, July 3, 2009: ‘Madea Goes to Jail,’ ‘Spaceballs’

BrianTT — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0600

CHICAGO – The Round-Up is back to provide our loyal readers with synopsis and feature details on a few titles that may have slipped on to DVD or Blu-Ray under your radar but might make the right purchase choice this holiday weekend.

It’s not that these title are any “lesser” than some of the biggies out there (one nearly made $100 million domestically and another is a Mel Brooks classic), but we can’t get around to a full-length review of everything that comes into the HollywoodChicago.com office and we want to keep you as informed as possible.

“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” and “Spaceballs” were released on June 16th, 2009.

“The Education of Charlie Banks,” “Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season Two,” and “White Sox Memories” were released on June 30th, 2009.

“The Education of Charlie Banks”

Photo credit: Anchor Bay

Synopsis: “Charlie Banks’ (Jesse Eisenberg) sheltered world at his Ivy League campus is shaken up when Mick (Jason Ritter), an old acquaintance with a violent past, unexpectedly shows up. Intrigued by Charlie’s privileged lifestyle, the charismatic Mick quickly wins over Charlie’s friends and his crush, Mary (Eva Amurri) as he seamlessly integrates himself into Charlie’s life. Unnerved, yet also in awe of Mick’s easy charm, Charlie’s unresolved feelings of jealousy, admiration and fear - as well as an unspoken secret between the two - threatens to come to a head with ruinous consequences. Marking Fred Durst’s directorial debut, this “evocative coming-of-age story” (Simi Horowitz, Back Stage), also stars Christopher Marquette and Sebastian Stan.”

“The Education of Charlie Banks” stars Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, Christopher Marquette, Eva Amurri, Sebastian Stan, and Gloria Votsis. It was written by Peter Elkoff and directed by Fred Durst. It is rated R. The film is presented in anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by a Dolby Surround 5.1 track.

Special features include an audio commentary with Director Fred Durst and Actor Jason Ritter, and “Conversations Behind The Education of Charlie Banks”.

“Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season Two”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “It’s her business doing pleasure with you. The second season of “Secret Diary of a Call Girl,” Showtime’s hit original series based on the real-life adventures of a high-class escort, debuts on DVD from Lionsgate. This witty and provocative show follows the dangerously sexy exploits of “Belle” (real name Hannah Baxter), a 27-year-old graduate living in London, who has worked for the last few years as one of the city’s premiere escorts. She’s an independent, young woman who loves her job. And in season 2 its business as usual for Belle, until her personal life gets in the way. See what happens when a girl who loves for a living, starts living for love.”

“Secret Diary of a Call Girl” stars Billie Piper, Iddo Goldberg, Ashley Madekwe, and Callum Blue. It was created by Lucy Prebble. It is not rated. The show is presented in 16x9 anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English 5.1 track.

Special features include “Billie on Billie” Interview With Billie Piper and Webisodes.

“Spaceballs” (Blu-Ray)

Photo credit: MGM

Synopsis: “The farce is with you in this “uproarious salute to science fiction” (The Hollywood Reporter) that teams comedy legend Mel Brooks with an all-star cast of cutups including John Candy (Splash), Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters) and Bill Pullman (Ruthless People)! When the evil Dark Helmet (Moranis) attempts to steal all the air from planet Druidia, a determined Druish Princess (Daphne Zuniga), a clueless rogue (Pullman) and a half-man/half-dog creature who’s his own best friend (Candy) set out to stop him! But with the forces of darkness closing in on them at ludicrous speed, they’ll need the help of a wise imp named Yogurt (Brooks) and the mystical power of “The Schwartz” to bring peaceand merchandising rightsto the entire galaxy!”

“Spaceballs” stars Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, George Wyner, and Joan Rivers. The film was written by Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan & Ronny Graham and directed by Brooks. It is rated PG. The film is presented in 1080p and accompanied by an English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track.

Special features on “Spaceballs” include Commentary by Mel Brooks, Additional Commentary Tracks: Mawgese & Dinkese, Spaceballs: The Documentary featurette, In Conversation: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan featurette, John Candy: Comic Spirit featurette, Watch the Movie in Ludicrous Speed featurette, Still Galleries, Trailers, Film Flubs, Storyboards-to-Film Comparison, and a DVD version of the film.

“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe couldn’t be happier at Madea’s misfortune. But Madea’s eccentric family members, the Browns, rally behind her, lending their special “country” brand of support. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway is on the fast track to career success. He lands a case too personal to handle, defending young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington, and asks his fiancée and fellow Assistant District Attorney Linda Holmes to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail, Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a “motherly” way as only Madea can.”

“Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” stars Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ion Overman, RonReaco Lee, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Ferlito, and Viola Davis. The film was written and directed by Tyler Perry. It is rated PG-13. The film is presented in 16x9 anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and is accompanied by a Dolby Digital Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include “Madea is Back,” “Leroy Law Brown,” “Looking for the Big House,” “You Have the Right to Remain Silent!,” “Bringing in the Heavy Hitters,” and “Madea’s Crazy”.

“White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History”

Photo credit: Shout Factory

Synopsis: “The south side of Chicago has hosted countless baseball stories and performances for more than a century. It has also been the home for many iconic Windy City ballplayers who ultimately landed in Cooperstown in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Along the way, the team known as the White Sox has entertained its fans with a litany of memorable moments and ballplayers. In White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History, the unforgettable and iconic mesh seamlessly to create the definitive story of what has made the White Sox franchise so magnetic.

From the very beginnings of the American League, pennant winners, Hall of Famers and indelible characters have made baseball on the South Side unforgettable. From the Hitless Wonders to the Go-Go Sox to the masterful collection of men who played Ozzie-ball and brought a World Series title back to Chicago in 2005, there have been numerous and incredible tales of triumph. In White Sox Memories: The Greatest Moments in Chicago White Sox History, these stories and the tales of the men who wrote them come alive once again.”

“White Sox Memories” is presented in 16:9 widescreen. Bonus footage includes “Postseason Clinchers,” “9th Inning of No-Hitters,” “Jim Thome Milestone,” “Frank Thomas Hometown Hero,” “Tom Paciorek Official MLB Handbook,” “Nancy Faust on TWIB,” and “2009 Sox Spring Training Wireless”.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Legendary Rap Icon Given Standard Biopic Treatment in ‘Notorious’

BrianTT — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:43:06 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Biggie Smalls deserves better than ‘Notorious’. It’s not that there’s anything drastically wrong with this reasonably well-made and very well-performed biopic but it’s a by-the-numbers, predictable film about an icon who was simply one of the best that ever lived. The ‘Big Poppa’ who could ‘Hypnotize’ with his rhymes should have more than an average biopic.

The problem with “Notorious” is simple - if you care enough about The Notorious B.I.G. to watch a movie about his life than you will learn absolutely nothing from the film. It hits all of the major points - his drug-dealing youth, supportive mother, relationships with Faith Evans and Lil Kim, partnership with Puff Daddy, rivalry with Tupac, the two shootings, roll credits. There’s not enough edge for a man who brought so much to his flow and not enough surprises for a man who clearly wasn’t as easy to define as this movie makes him out to be.

Notorious was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight and Phil Caruso

The script may be ultra-predictable, but “Notorious” still thumps with the amazing beat laid down by one of the best rappers that ever lived. Just the soundtrack for “Notorious” makes for an enjoyable experience and a reminder of how damn good B.I.G. was in his prime.

And the cast of “Notorious” do nothing wrong. Newcomer Jamal Woolard sells both the boy who loved his mom and tried to be faithful to his girl and the swaggering dealer who ran the corner and dropped vicious battle rhymes. He’s quite good in a performance that was underrated in theaters, even if the script doesn’t get nearly under his skin as one would hope. I never felt like I learned any more about Chris Wallace watching “Notorious,” but Woolard does a notable job of bringing him back to life.

Perhaps to off-set the risk of hiring a newcomer to play Biggie, director George Tillman Jr. assembled an excellent supporting cast including Derek Luke as Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac. Newcomers Naturi Naughton and Antonique Smith as Lil Kim and Faith Evans, respectively, are both good in roles that feel too small for the influence that these two talented women must have had on Wallace.

Notorious was released on Blu-Ray on April 21st, 2009.
Photo credit: Fox Searchlight and Phil Caruso

Ultimately, “Notorious” is a film made by huge fans of the rapper for huge fans of the rapper. It’s a highlight reel instead of the in-depth, dramatic examination of a life that it should have been. Listen to any of Biggie’s albums or watch the great doc “Biggie and Tupac” and you’ll get a better glimpse into the real life of Wallace. But take “Notorious” for what it is - a greatest hits recreation - and it could have been a lot worse.

The Fox Blu-Ray for “Notorious” continues to walk the fine line of mediocre to disappointing video/audio transfers. The 2.40:1 HD picture looks okay but just doesn’t pop like other films (including two Blu-Rays from other studios I watched immediately after this one). Fox Blu-Ray still needs some work. The audio mix of the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is better - the music is well-mixed, going a long way in the overall effect of the film - but also not spectacular.

The special features provided for “Notorious” are exhaustive and absolutely complete. The film itself deserves about 2.5/5 on the HC rating scale with the lackluster video/audio dropping it about a point and the amazing special features lifting it back up two.

What more could a Biggie fan ask for? In fact, you’ll learn more from the special features on “Notorious” than from the film itself. Those features include the unrated director’s cut of the film (which runs six minutes longer and is the only version of the film I’ve seen, making it impossible for me to tell you what’s different from the theatrical), Commentary with Director George Tillman, Jr., Co-Screenwriter Reggie Rock Bythewood, Co-Screenwriter Cheo Hodari Coker and Editor Dirk Westervelt, Commentary with Producer/Biggie’s Mom Voletta Wallace, Producer/Biggie’s Co-Manager Wayne Barrow and Producer/Biggie’s Co-Manager Mark Pitts,”Life After Death: Making Notorious,” “I Got a Story to Tell: The Lyrics of Biggie Smalls,” “Notorious Thugs: Casting the Film,” “Biggie Boot Camp,” “Anatomy of a B.I.G. Performance,” “Party & Bulls**t (never-before-seen footage of the real B.I.G.),” “The B.I.G. Three-Sixty,” Deleted Scenes, and a digital copy of the film.

Ultimately, a great rapper has been given a so-so movie with a sub-par technical transfer but amazing special features. Fans of The Notorious B.I.G. should definitely take a look and if you’re not a fan yet, you should definitely take a listen.

‘Notorious’ is released by Twentieth Century Fox and stars Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, and Anthony Mackie. It was written by Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker and directed by George Tillman Jr.. It was released on April 21st, 2009. It is rated R and unrated.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Spike Lee’s ‘Miracle at St. Anna’ Disappoints in Every Way

BrianTT — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:23:06 -0700

Blu-Ray Rating: 1.0/5.0

CHICAGO – There is a great film to be made about the African-American experience during World War II. Spike Lee’s “Miracle at St. Anna” is not that film and the below average Blu-Ray of it should make this once highly-anticipated epic one of the more easily forgettable releases of the month.

Spike Lee is one of the more intriguing filmmakers alive. He’s missed the mark a few times but the man who made “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “Clockers,” “Get on the Bus,” “4 Little Girls,” “The Original Kings of Comedy,” “25th Hour,” “Inside Man,” and “When the Levees Broke” should be paid attention to every single time he gets in the director’s chair. Some of those are among the best films of the last twenty years, and even his previous failures felt like a director shooting for something unique and misfiring.

(L TO R) Matteo Sciabordi, Omar Benson Miller (behind Matteo) Michael Ealy, Derek Luke (forefront), Laz Alonso. This film chronicles the story of four black American soldiers stationed in Tuscany, Italy during Word War II.
Photo credit: David Lee/Touchstone

The history of one of my favorite directors makes the complete, tragic failure of “Miracle at St. Anna” all the more puzzling. There’s a difference between bad movies - there’s one of those released every week - and what I like to call head-scratchers, films that make you wonder what the people involved thought they were making because it’s not there in the movie.

It’s likely that Lee and company thought they were making a movie about the commonality of the human plight during wartime and there’s a bit of that in there, but disjointed storytelling, a ridiculous running time (over 160 minutes), an unfocused screenplay, and some truly awful performances turn the final product into a melodramatic mess.

Miracle at St. Anna
Photo credit: Touchstone

In the opening scenes of “Miracle at St. Anna,” we meet a teller at a post office selling stamps. During a regular day at work, someone he hasn’t seen in years comes to his window. He pulls a Luger from behind the counter and shoots him twice in the chest. In his closet, the cops find a long-missing statue head. Who was he? What’s the story of the head? What could possibly drive a man to bring an old gun to work every day just in case fate brought him across the path of a certain face?

From here, Lee flashes back to a company of Buffalo Soldiers trying to cross enemy terrain in Italy. The Germans attack, leaving four soldiers trapped behind enemy lines. The quartet include Train (Omar Benson Miller), a gentle giant, Bishop (Michael Ealy), a smooth ladies man, Stamps (Derek Luke), the de facto leader of the group, and Hector Negron (Laz Alonso), the man who would one day make headlines for the opening murder.

The foursome come across both the statue head and an injured boy who Train believes is miraculous. They try to care for the boy in a Tuscan village only to discover that they are surrounded by Germans and have been ordered to capture one for interrogation. A group of Italians fighting the Germans finds their way into the village with a Nazi P.O.W. in tow. Italians, Germans, and Americans are all in the same small village, waiting for the fireworks to start.

It’s clearly not a “bad” story for a film, but the actual storytelling is so disjointed and hard to follow that most audiences will give up well before the halfway mark of this ridiculously over-long film. There’s no sense of growing tension because Lee and screenwriter James McBride fill their film to the brim with melodramatic speeches and unnecessary monologues that drain the piece of all possible emotional connection. Everyone in the village is a symbol or a plot device. Even after 160 minutes, you’ll never feel like you know any of these people.

It’s bad enough that the actual film is disappointing, but so is the “Miracle at St. Anna” Blu-Ray. The video, in 1080P High Definition/2.35:1, is average at best and the audio track in 5.1 DTS-HD is similarly just about par, maybe even a bit under.

One would think that a period war film like “St. Anna” would be an easy movie for which to compile special features, but the bonus section for this Touchstone release is shockingly light. I found the roundtable discussion with WWII veterans, “Deeds Not Words,” more interesting than the movie itself but it only runs 20 minutes and that’s even longer than “The Buffalo Soldier Experience”.

The set is rounded out by deleted scenes but behind-the-scenes material and a commentary track might have helped enhance the film or at least explain a few of the decisions made it making it.

‘Miracle at St. Anna’ is released by Touchstone Home Entertainment and stars Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso, Omar Benson Miller, Pierfrancesco Favino, Valentina Cervi, and Kim Taylor Coleman. It was written by James McBride and directed by Spike Lee. It was released on February 10th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Round Up, Jan. 28, 2009: ‘Hulk Vs.,’ ‘Antwone Fisher,’ ‘Repo,’ ‘Stargate’

BrianTT — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:32:42 -0700

CHICAGO – We’re back with our recurring feature, the Blu-Ray Round Up, a collection of HD releases that might have slipped through the cracks but that could grab your attention. With dozens of catalog titles and straight-to-video releases hitting the next-gen format every week, it’s easy to miss a movie that you’d love to add to your collection. The Blu-Ray Round Up is here for you.

This edition of the Round-Up focuses its laser gaze on six titles from two companies, a series of four catalog releases from Twentieth Century Fox and a pair of new titles from Lionsgate. “Antwone Fisher,” “Drumline,” “Hulk Vs.,” “Repo!: The Genetic Opera,” “Stargate: The Ark of Truth,” and “Unfaithful” - an Oscar nominee, Denzel Washington, Bruce Banner, and Paris Hilton. Where else would you find a line-up like that?

“Stargate: The Ark of Truth” was released on January 13th, 2009.

“Antwone Fisher,” “Repo! The Genetic Opera” and “Unfaithful” were released on January 20th, 2009.

“Hulk Vs.” and “Drumline: Special Edition” were released on January 27th, 2009.

“Antwone Fisher”

Photo credit: Fox

Denzel Washington’s directorial debut is an underrated drama featuring not only a great debut performance from Derek Luke but a supporting turn from the recently Oscar-nominated Viola Davis that deserved Supporting Actress consideration as much as her recent turn in “Doubt”. If you’re wondering where this excellent actress has been all along, check out “Antwone Fisher” (and her excellent work in “Solaris,” “Far From Heaven,” and “World Trade Center”).

Of course, she’s not the “star” of “Antwone Fisher”. That’s Derek Luke in the title role of the extraordinary true story of Antwone Fisher, who also wrote the screenplay. Fisher dealt with some deep, repressed psychological issues until a U.S. Navy psychiatrist, played by Washington, forced him to deal with his dark past. A powerful drama about healing, “Antwone Fisher” deserved more acclaim on its initial release. If you haven’t seen it, you should definitely rent it on Blu-Ray. If you have, you may want to buy it.

“Antwone Fisher” is presented in 1080P with a 2.35:1 widescreen ratio and a DTS Master Audio HD track. Special features include “Meeting Antwone Fisher,” “The Making of Antwone Fisher,” and “Hollywood and the Navy”. The film also includes a commentary track by Denzel Washington and producer Todd Black. The 2002 film is rated PG-13.

“Drumline: Special Edition”

Photo credit: Fox

Where is Nick Cannon? Wasn’t he supposed to be the next hot young actor? At least that’s the way it felt in the early ’00s with roles in films like “Men in Black II,” “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Shall We Dance,” and his leading turn in “Drumline”. Now he makes headline for his marriage to Mariah Carey more than his straight-to-video releases.

You can see Cannon’s brief time in the spotlight with the Blu-Ray release of the Special Edition of “Drumline,” the high-stepping, high-energy comedy from 2002. The film stars Cannon as a cocky street drummer from Harlem who snares the top spot in a university marching band, but quickly learns that passion, discipline, and above all teamwork are required to cut it on the drumline. High-energy band routines and supporting performances from Zoe Saldana and Orlando Jones helped pound “Drumline” to a reasonable hit.

“Drumline” is presented in 1080P with a 2.35: widescreen ratio and DTS Master Audio HD track. Special features include “Half-Time Heroes,” “Anatomy of a Drumline,” “The Real Battle of the Bands,” four deleted scenes with optional director’s commentary, and audio commentary by director Charles Stone III. The 2002 film is rated PG-13.

“Hulk Vs.”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

“Hulk, smash!” If you actually do like it when Bruce Banner gets angry and your favorite part of the movies and comics are when the big green guy causes as much damage as possible, Lionsgate and Marvel have a great release for you called “Hulk Vs.” Produced by Frank Paur, the Blu-Ray “movie” is really just two short films featuring showdowns between legendary Marvel characters.

In the first, “Hulk vs. Wolverine,” the Incredible Hulk has been tearing a line across the Canadian countryside, leaving a swath of destruction in his wake. He’s the best there is at what he does, but what he does isn’t very nice. He’s Wolverine. The “feature” runs 37 minutes and is rated PG-13.

In the second, “Hulk vs. Thor,” the forces protecting Asgard are at their weakest and Loki the trickster has seized the opportunity to destroy his cursed stepbrother, Thor, once and for all. In an epic battle that pits god against monster, the Mighty Thor is forced to clash with the only creature that has ever been able to match his strength - the Incredible Hulk! This one runs 45 minutes and is also rated PG-13.

Both halves are presented in 1080P with a 16x9 widescreen presentation and an English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio track. All of the special features are presented in high definition and include “This is Gonna Hurt: The Making of Hulk vs. Wolverine,” “First Look - Wolverine and the X-Men,” “Of Gods and Monster: The Making of Hulk vs. Thor,” “Jack Kirby and Thor,” “First Look - Thor: Tales of Asgard,” trailer galleries, a commentary by writers Craig Kyle and Chris Yost on both films, a commentary by Paur, Kevin Altieri and Butch Lukic on “Hulk vs. Wolverine,” and a commentary by Paur, Sam Liu, and James Peters on “Hulk vs. Thor”.

“Repo!: The Genetic Opera”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

“Repo!: The Genetic Opera” is a cult classic in the making for a number of reasons. First, it’s a musical directed by the guy who made a few “Saw” sequels. That’s interesting. It’s a gory, blood-filled horror movie with singing and dancing. And it gets better. The movie notoriously made under $200k TOTAL in its theatrical run and was named Ben Lyons’ worst movie of 2008. Oh, and did we mention it stars Paris Hilton, Bill Moseley, Ogre, and Paul Sorvino? Movies don’t get much weirder than “Repo!”.

The film is based on a stage play by Darren Smith & Terrance Zounich, but this is no “Rent”. “Repo!” is set in the not-so-distant future after a worldwide epidemic of organ failures has devastated the planet. A company named GENECO comes to the rescue, offering organ transplants for a price. If you miss your payments, the repo man comes for you. And he’s singing. Paris Hilton made “Repo!” and “The Hottie and the Nottie” in one year. Check ‘em out and decide which one deserved the critical bashing more.

“Repo!: The Genetic Opera” is presented in 1080P high definition with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and an English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio track. Special features include “From Stage to Screen,” an audio commentary with director Darren Lynn Bousman and actors Bill Moseley, Alexa Vega, and Ogre, an audio commentary with Bousman, co-creators Smith and Zdunich, and music producer Joseph Bishara, video sing-alongs, webisode featurettes, select scene commentary with Paris Hilton and Bousman, deleted scenes with optional commentary by Hilton and Bousman, the trailer, and a poster gallery. The 2008 film is rated R.

“Stargate: The Ark of Truth”

Photo credit: Fox

“The Ark of Truth” continues the legacy of “Stargate SG-1,” the longest running American Sci-Fi series, and the only series ever to receive the United States Air Force Seal of Approval. “Stargate SG-1” had a huge following and won four Saturn Awards, two Gemini Awards, nine Leo Awards, and eight Emmy nominations during its ten years on the air.

“Ark of Truth” picks up after the end of the series and concludes the Ori story arc from the final two seasons. SG-1 is in search of an ancient weapon that could help them defeat the Ori, but find themselves stuck in a distant galaxy fighting two powerful enemies. “The Ark of Truth” is from the show’s creative masterminds Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper and stars series favorites Amanda Tapping, Beau Bridges, Michael Shanks, Ben Browder, Christopher Judge, and Claudia Black.

“Stargate: The Ark of Truth” is presented in 1080P with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and an English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Special features include a commentary with writer, director, and producer Robert C. Cooper, actor Christopher Judge, and director of photography Peter Woeste, “The Ark of Truth: Stargate at Comic-Con,” “Uncovering the Ark of Truth,” and “Stargate SG-1: The Road Taken - Prelude to Stargate: The Ark of Truth”. The 2008 film is not rated.

“Unfaithful”

Photo credit: Fox

Featuring an Oscar-nominated performance by Diane Lane, “Unfaithful” is an average adult thriller with an above-average performance. From director Adrian Lyne (“Fatal Attraction,” “Flashdance”), “Unfaithful” stars Richard Gere as Edward Sumner and the movie-stealing Lane as his wife Connie. They have the perfect life: a happy marriage, an eight-year-old son and a beautiful house in the suburbs.

Connie has a chance encounter with a handsome stranger (Oliver Martinez) that turns into a full-blown affair with tragic consequences. The film falls prey to Lyne’s over-the-top style but Lane is simply fantastic and makes “Unfaithful” worth seeing on Blu-Ray on her very own. It’s the performance of her acclaimed career.

“Unfaithful” is presented in 1080P with a 1.85: 1 ratio and a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Special features include a full-length commentary by director Adrian Lyne, scene specific actors’ commentary, 11 deleted scenes with optional director’s commentary, “The Charlie Rose Show” interview with Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Adrian Lyne, “An Affair to Remember,” an editing featurette, cast interviews, and director’s script notes.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 11-Image Gallery For ‘Notorious’ With Jamal Woolard, Derek Luke

BrianTT — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:41:16 -0700

CHICAGO – This 11-image slideshow contains official press images for Fox Searchlight’s “Notorious,” which stars Jamal Woolard, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie, Antonique Smith, Naturi Naughton, and Angela Bassett, from writers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Cheo Hodari Coker and director George Tillman Jr.. The film opens on Jan. 16, 2009.

Official synopsis: “In just a few short years, Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. His stories were universal and gave a voice to his generation.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Phil Caruso and courtesy of Fox Searchlight.

Notorious1: Derek Luke and Jamal Woolard.
Notorious2: Derek Luke and Jamal Woolard.
Notorious3: Derek Luke and Jamal Woolard.
Notorious4: Kevin Phillips and Jamal Woolard.
Notorious5: Anthony Mackie and Jamal Woolard.
Notorious6: Jamal Woolard, Angela Bassett and Antonique Smith.
Notorious7: Derek Luke, Producer Wayne Barrow, Jamal Woolard and Director George Tillman on the set.
Notorious8: Producer Ms. Voletta Wallace and Jamal Woolard on the set.
Notorious9: Jamal Woolard.
Notorious10: Jamal Woolard and Antonique Smith.
Notorious11: Jamal Woolard.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com