When looking at the new TV series Smash, I tried mightily to keep Glee in mind. Glee, after all, is the gold (and gold-generating) standard for music-based dramatic programming, having spawned not only a hit show but CDs, downloads, DVDs, concert tours and a big-screen movie. I was very enthusiastic about the Glee pilot, which…
“Downton Abbey,” more on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday
The drama series Downton Abbey has become a public-television phenomenon, recalling the days when shows like Brideshead Revisited and Upstairs Downstairs would be buzzed about by viewers who otherwise paid little attention to public broadcasting. Downton, which owes more than a little to Upstairs Downstairs in its storytelling, has a seductive blend of melodrama and…
New releases on DVD, Blu-ray
Productions coming to DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday include: Blu-ray — A Star Is Born (Judy Garland); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Grave Danger (Quentin Tarantino episode); Dangerous Liaisons; Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (Jim Carrey); and Love Story. Titles below with an asterisk are also being released on Blu-ray. Movies — A Very…
Television picks for the week of Feb. 5-11
Is ‘Smash’ a ‘Glee’ for grownups — or something more?
When looking at the new TV series Smash, I tried mightily to keep Glee in mind. Glee, after all, is the gold (and gold-generating) standard for music-based dramatic programming, having spawned not only a hit show but CDs, downloads, DVDs, concert tours and a big-screen movie. I was very enthusiastic about the Glee pilot, which…
New releases on DVD, Blu-ray
Productions coming to DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday include: Blu-ray — A Star Is Born (Judy Garland); CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Grave Danger (Quentin Tarantino episode); Dangerous Liaisons; Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (Jim Carrey); and Love Story. Titles below with an asterisk are also being released on Blu-ray. Movies — A Very…
“Downton Abbey,” more on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday
The drama series Downton Abbey has become a public-television phenomenon, recalling the days when shows like Brideshead Revisited and Upstairs Downstairs would be buzzed about by viewers who otherwise paid little attention to public broadcasting. Downton, which owes more than a little to Upstairs Downstairs in its storytelling, has a seductive blend of melodrama and…
The HeldenFiles — Feb. 3
Another Reason To Hate Madonna. The singer, set to perform at the Super Bowl halftime on Sunday, recently demonstrated her cluelessness about how real people spend their money. And how she thinks they should spend it on her. Quizzed by Newsweek about the high ticket prices for her concerts, she said, “People spend $300 on…
"Young Adult" Video Plans
The movie has good performances by Charlize Theron and especially Patton Oswalt, but a not-great script by Diablo Cody. The official word: A brilliant and bittersweet comedy about the harsh realities of growing up, YOUNG ADULT debuts on Blu-ray and DVD (both with UltraViolet™) on March 13, 2012, as well as On Demand and for [...]
"Treme" Season 2 on DVD, Blu-ray
The official word: Continuing to focus on New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina, the second season of the critically-acclaimed HBO series Treme tells the colorful, interwoven stories of a group of ordinary people who endure in the midst of unthinkable loss and hardship. From creators/executive producers David Simon and Eric Overmyer (HBO's The Wire®), [...]
TV Land Renews "The Exes"
The official word: TV Land has picked up its hit original sitcom, “The Exes,” for a second season, it was announced today by Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “The Exes,” written by “Frasier” scribe Mark Reisman, stars critically-acclaimed actors Donald Faison (“Scrubs”), Wayne Knight (“Seinfeld,” “Hot in Cleveland”), David Alan Basche (“The Starter Wife”), [...]
Cleveland Film Fest Update
I am still throwing up over the University of Akron (one of my alma maters and a sometime employer) hiring Jim Tressel. But entertainment news goes on. Here are some official words from CIFF: There are only seven weeks until the 36th CIFF and only four weeks until CIFF members get to purchase tickets a [...]
Movie review: Woman in Black
Movie review: ‘Big Miracle’ is film family can enjoy
The title isn’t an exaggeration. It was something of a Big Miracle, the way the plight of a family of gray whales, stranded under the Alaska ice, captivated the country and forced oil men and environmentalists, natives and Cold War foes to team up back in the waning days of the Reagan administration.