Keri Russell

Blu-Ray Review: Adam Sandler’s ‘Bedtime Stories’ Family Friendly Entertainment

BrianTT — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:37:16 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Adam Shankman’s “Bedtime Stories” is far from perfect but it also was undeservedly lambasted by critics. Is this great family fare? Heck no, but I’d still take this variation of Sandler’s persona over his cartoonish characters in most of his silly comedies and the movie has an easy-going likability that’s hard to deny. The Blu-Ray leaves a lot to be desired but the movie itself is probably better than you think.

The plot of “Bedtime Stories” is simple enough and something the little ones in the family will probably adore. In fact, Sandler has said he made the film for his kids. Adam plays Skeeter Bronson, a hotel worker who was promised that he would one day take over managing the place but has had to watch fellow employees (including Guy Pearce and Lucy Lawless) jump over him on the corporate ladder.

Bedtime Stories was released on Blu-Ray on April 7th, 2009.
Photo credit: Disney

Skeeter ends up having to babysit his sister’s (Courteney Cox) children and discovers that he has the same skill for bedtime stories as his father (Jonathan Pryce) had with him. But his niece and nephew have something more. Whenever they add something to the story it starts to be reflected in Skeeter’s real life.

Bedtime Stories was released on Blu-Ray on April 7th, 2009.
Photo credit: Disney

The idea that a child’s imagination can bring about wonderful things is certainly a solid one for fiction and when “Bedtime Stories” sticks to that concept it can be very effective. Keri Russell, as a love interest for Skeeter, is as charming as she usually is (which is very), newcomer Teresa Palmer is interesting, and Russell Brand does very funny supporting work.

Like a lot of “Bedtime Stories,” the film kind of goes off on tangents and isn’t that well-paced. At 99 minutes, it still felt long, which is a product of a screenplay by Matt Lopez and Tim Herlihy that wanders more than it should, usually to fit in cameos by Sandler regulars like Rob Schneider or spends WAY too much time with a bug-eyed guinea pig named, you guessed it, Bugsy.

Despite these flaws, I found “Bedtime Stories” enjoyable. It won’t be the first family movie I reach for with my little ones, but it also won’t be something I dread watching with them. On a rainy Sunday night when you’ve seen the Pixar movies a thousand times and want something new, you could do a lot worse than “Bedtime Stories”.

Having said that, the Blu-Ray is a bit of a letdown. The video is nearly perfect. Disney is rocking the 1080p lately. And the audio in 5.1 DTS-HD fits well. No, it’s the special features that are lackluster, especially for a company that usually rocks in the bells and whistles department.

Disney employs the awesome 3-disc Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy packaging again with “Bedtime Stories” and that earns them a few points, but the total of the bonus features that accompany the movie run less than an hour. There are a few mini-featurettes (and I do mean MINI at under five minutes) about the making of the movie, some deleted scenes, and some outtakes and that’s it. Fans deserve more and this is a film that I expect to quietly build fans over the years.

‘Bedtime Stories’ is released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and stars Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Russell Brand, Richard Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce, Courteney Cox, Lucy Lawless, and Teresa Palmer. It was written by Matt Lopez and Tom Herlihy and directed by Adam Shankman. It was released on April 7th, 2009. It is rated PG.

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

DVD Review: ‘Wonder Woman’ Continues Series of Interesting DC Universe Releases

BrianTT — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:20:52 -0700

DVD Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Even though I once had a weekly comic book addiction, I was never a big Wonder Woman fan. Maybe it was a trapping of my gender, but I always tended toward books with male heroes like Superman, Batman, and The X-Men. Having said that, I can still respect what the team behind DC Universe’s latest film have accomplished with “Wonder Woman,” another installment in an increasingly intriguing series of straight-to-DVD movies.

When you tell a lot of people that an animated straight-to-DVD movie is worth their time, a lot of them glaze over, smile, and nod. Trust me. “Superman: Doomsday,” “Justice League: The New Frontier,” “Batman: Gotham Knight,” and, now, “Wonder Woman” would make for a better superhero marathon than most live-action blockbusters of men (or a woman) in tights. If I had to rank the four, “WW” would be the lowest, but that’s largely just because of how highly I think of the other films, particularly the must-see “New Frontier”.

“Wonder Woman” takes the feminist roots of its heroine and turns them up to eleven. It’s essentially the classic origin story for the girl with the invisible jet, told with a lot more Shakespearian intensity than usual. Maybe a bit too much. Maybe it’s because I grew up on Lynda Carter, but this take on “Wonder Woman” sometimes felt a little too serious for its own good. They could have had more fun with it.

Wonder Woman was released on DVD on March 3rd, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Princess Diana (Keri Russell), the girl who would become Wonder Woman, is raised to be a warrior on an island with no men after her mother Hippolyta (Virginia Madsen) defeats the god of war Ares (Alfred Molina) and imprisons him, vowing to never deal with the opposite sex again. When pilot Col. Steve Trevor (Nathan Fillion) crashes on the island, Diana wins a contest to take him back home.

The journey for Steve and Diana becomes fraught with peril when it turns out that Ares has been set free by a traitor on the island and is trying to contact Hades (Oliver Platt) to be released for good and take over the world. With very strong feminist undertones, Diana learns that she can be both a strong woman and that not all men are evil.

As I said, I was never a big “Wonder Woman” fan. And the script for this origin story feels like the weakest to date in the DC Universe line. I was struck more by the cheesy dialogue - “Maybe I think the world’s not worth saving if you’re not in it.” - than in previous installments.

And it feels the least ambitious of the DC Universe titles by far. Superman dies in “Doomsday,” “New Frontier” balances multiple heroes and arcs, and “Gotham Knight” is anime-influenced. “Wonder Woman” feels the most like a standard, Saturday morning cartoon, even if it’s a really good one.

One of the things that has set the DC Universe titles apart is the incredibly accomplished voice work and the people behind the drawings are the best thing about “Wonder Woman”. “Waitress” stars Nathan Fillion and Keri Russell are reunited and they have much of the same quick-and-clever chemistry as they did in that film. Rosario Dawson, Virginia Madsen, Alfred Molina - they are all fantastic.

The video and audio on the two-disc special edition of “Wonder Woman” are typically excellent for this line of releases. The colors are vibrant and clearly defined. Upconverted on a Blu-Ray player, it looks practically HD. And the audio in 5.1 Dolby Surround is similarly strong.

One of the elements of these DC Universe releases that have helped set them apart are the excellently designed, produced, and organized special features. Each title has come with a great documentary/featurette about the history of the character and “Wonder Woman” is no exception.

The second disc featurettes - “Wonder Woman: A Subversive Dream” and “Wonder Woman: Daughter of Myth” - combine to give viewers a great history of this legendary character from her origin to her influence. The first disc includes an informative commentary by producers Gregory Novak and Bruce Timm, writer Michael Jelenic, and director Lauren Montgomery, and a first-look at the fifth title in the series, “Green Lantern: First Flight”.

For the fourth time, DC has taken a legendary comic book hero and created almost the equivalent of a DVD reference book about that character through excellent featurettes and supplemental material. While “Wonder Woman” doesn’t stand up to the other three for me personally, it comes from the same desire of the team behind these titles to really make something to satisfy the fans. That’s more than you can say for most live-action supehero movies.

‘Wonder Woman’ is released by Warner Bros. Home Video and features voice work by Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Rosario Dawson, Virginia Madsen, Marg Helgenberger, and Oliver Platt. It was written by Michael Jelenic and directed by Lauren Montgomery. It was released on March 3rd, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

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

Slideshow: 16-Image Gallery For ‘Bedtime Stories’ With Adam Sandler, Keri Russell

BrianTT — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:14:11 -0700

CHICAGO – This 16-image slideshow contains official press images for Disney’s “Bedtime Stories,” which stars Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Teresa Palmer, Richard Griffiths, Lucy Lawless, and Courtney Cox from writers Matt Lopez and Tim Herlihy and directed by Adam Shankman. The film opens on Dec. 25, 2008.

“Bedtime Stories” is Disney’s family comedy for the season and stars Adam Sandler is a hotel handyman who finds his world turned upside down after the bedtime stories that he reads his niece and nephew start to come to life. The blockbuster film is rated PG and opens on Thursday, December 25th, 2008.

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 Tracy Bennett © 2008 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

BedtimeStories01: Bedtime Stories Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories02: Bedtime Stories Keri Russell, Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories03: Bedtime Stories Keri Russell, Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories04: Bedtime Stories Adam Sandler, Keri Russell.
BedtimeStories05: Bedtime Stories Richard Griffiths, Guy Pearce, Teresa Palmer, Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories06: Bedtime Stories Adam Sandler, Teresa Palmer.
BedtimeStories07: Bedtime Stories Russell Brand, Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories08: Bedtime Stories Courtney Cox, Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories09: Bedtime Stories Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories10: Bedtime Stories Guy Pearce, Lucy Lawless.
BedtimeStories11: Bedtime Stories Lucy Lawless, Guy Pearce.
BedtimeStories12: Bedtime Stories Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories13: Bedtime Stories Adam Shankman, Adam Sandler.
BedtimeStories14: Bedtime Stories Richard Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Lucy Lawless, Adam Shankman.
BedtimeStories15: Bedtime Stories Adam Shankkman, Jennifer Gibgot.
BedtimeStories16: Bedtime Stories Jack Giarraputo, Russell Brand.

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

DC Universe Releases Images, Premiere Details For ‘Wonder Woman’

BrianTT — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:55:19 -0700

CHICAGO – Warner Brothers announced this week that their fourth original DC Universe animated original film, “Wonder Woman”, will debut at the New York Comic Con in February and sent along a couple of brand new images to get audiences excited.

Preceding the March 3rd, 2009 release of “Wonder Woman” on Blu-Ray, DVD, OnDemand, Pay-Per-View, & Digital Download all simultaneously, the original animated movie will receive a big screen premiere at the New York Comic Con on February 6th, 2009 at the IGN Theater at the Javits Center.

A full month before the availability of “Wonder Woman” on the home market, fans can see the entire film and participate in a panel discussion featuring members of the film’s cast and crew that will follow the 8:30 p.m. screening. Exact talent available for the Q&A is not yet clear.

Wonder Wonder prepares to take on Ares in battle in “Wonder Woman,” the all-new DC Universe animated original movie will be distributed by Warner Home Video on March 3, 2009.

“Wonder Woman” is presented by Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Comics and will be distributed by Warner Home Video on March 3rd, 2009. It will be available as a Single Disc DVD, 2-Disc Special Edition DVD, and Blu-Ray Disc. “Wonder Woman” will also be available OnDemand, Pay-Per-View, and available on digital download on the same day as the film’s street date.

Steve Trevor gets his first look at the Amazons in “Wonder Woman,” the all-new DC Universe animated original movie will be distributed by Warner Home Video on March 3, 2009.

“Wonder Woman” is being produced by the legendary and Emmy Award-winning animation king Bruce Timm and features voice work by Keri Russell in the lead role and Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Virginia Madsen, Rosario Dawson, Oliver Platt, and David McCallum in supporting roles. Bruce Timm will actually be a Guest of Honor at the New York Comic Con along with previously-announced Guests of Honor including Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, George Perez, J. Michael Straczynski, and Michael Uslan.

The DC Universe series of animated PG-13 films written and directed by acclaimed comic book directors have been very successful for Warner Brothers and include the acclaimed “Superman: Doomsday”, “Justice League: The New Frontier”, and “Batman: Gotham Knight”. Films in development include works based on Batman, Superman, Justice League, Green Lantern, and The Flash.

‘Wonder Woman’ will be released by Warner Home Video and includes voice work by Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Virginia Madsen, Rosario Dawson, Oliver Platt, and David McCallum. It will be released on March 3rd, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

First-Look Production Still: ‘Leaves of Grass’ With Edward Norton, Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:40:26 -0700

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com has just received a first-look production still for the comedic thriller “Leaves of Grass” in which Edward Norton stars as twin brothers.

The film recently wrapped production in Shreveport, La. “Leaves of Grass,” which is written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson (who also co-stars), is due out in 2010. Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell and Susan Sarandon also star in the film. The first-look production still is below.

The first-look production still of Edward Norton in the 2010 film “Leaves of Grass”.
Image credit: Glen Wilson

Here’s the plot description for “Leaves of Grass”:

In “Leaves of Grass,” Bill Kincaid – a college classics professor (Edward Norton) – is lured home from the Ivy League to the backwoods of southeastern Oklahoma by his identical twin (also Norton).

The twin is a hedonistic, pot-smoking career criminal. Kincaid finds that Plato and Marcus Aurelius have ill-prepared him for dealing with a gang of homicidal yokels.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com