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 [...]
"Chuck" Final Season on DVD/Blu-ray in May
The official word: It's no secret that all good things must come to an end. The final season of this fan-favorite series will be available on Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD on May 8, 2012 from Warner Home Video. Chuck: The Complete Fifth and Final Season includes all 13 episodes from Season Five plus over 3 [...]
"Tinker Tailor" to DVD/Blu-ray on March 20
The official word on the Oscar-nominated film: Things aren’t always as they seem in the Oscar®-nominated, suspenseful, and stylish thriller from director Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In), based on the classic novel by John le Carré. Focus Features’ Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy will be available on Blu-ray™Combo Pack with UltraViolet™,on DVD,on Digital Download [...]
"Army Wives" Returns 3/4
The date is set. And, if you've missed the very weird trailer for the new season, here it is: And here is the official word on the new season debut: Army Wives, Lifetime’s most successful series in the network’s history, will return for its sixth season with all-new episodes beginning Sunday, March 4 at 9 [...]
Don Cornelius, R.I.P.
The "Soul Train" host and impresario has died; initial reports indicated it was a suicide but now stories are backing away from that. The New York Times has a report here. I remember watching his show faithfully in my younger years; it was a bracing alternative to the increasingly bland "American Bandstand," as well as [...]
The HeldenFiles: Shatner coming to Cleveland, Tuskegee documentary on TV
Shatner Coming to Cleveland. Star Trek and Boston Legal star William Shatner will bring his touring one-man show, Shatner’s World: We Just Live in It, to the State Theater on April 14. Tickets go on sale Friday at 11 a.m. “The two-hour show will take audiences on a voyage through Shatner’s life and career, from…
William Shatner Coming to Cleveland 4/14
The official word: Television and movie legend William Shatner will bring his one man show SHATNER’S WORLD: WE JUST LIVE IN IT (www.shatnersworld.com) to the State Theatre in Cleveland, OH on April 14. Tickets go on sale February 3rd at 10:00 a.m. The show will play a three week run at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre [...]