Blu-ray Catalog
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Across the UniverseGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 02/05/2008 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2007 Run Time: 133 mins Released By: Sony Pictures Home Cast: Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Joe Anderson, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther McCoy The Beatles' songs may have provided the soundtrack for the lives of those coming of age in the 1960s, but their extensive catalogue acts as the literal soundtrack in this romantic musical from visionary director Julie Taymor. Newcomer Jim Sturgess stars as Jude, a young man working on the docks in Liverpool. Eager to escape, he travels to Princeton where he meets Max (Joe Anderson). But it's his meeting with Max's younger sister Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood) that changes him. They quickly fall in love, but their relationship is tested by the chaos of the late 1960s and Max's unwilling tour in Vietnam. Throughout the film, characters burst into classics from the Beatles: frat boys sing "With a Little Help from My Friends," while Uncle Sam bursts from a recruitment poster with strains of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)." U2's Bono makes a cameo as a counterculture leader and croons "I Am the Walrus," and actor-comedian Eddie Izzard provides a trippy rendition of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite." Sturgess has the voice, charm, and good looks to fill Shea Stadium with hordes of screaming young women. As Jude, he's earnest and certainly capable of carrying the film. Wood capably balances Lucy's naiveté and knowledge, easily moving between her love for Jude and her passion for her cause. Though the performances are strong, it's Taymor's gifted direction that makes ACROSS THE UNIVERSE so fascinating to watch. As in FRIDA and Broadway's THE LION KING, she proves herself an artist with creativity few can match. Director of photography Bruno Delbonnel also deserves praise for his contribution to the striking visuals. He has worked with Jean-Pierre Jeunet on AMELIE and A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, and he brings the same sense of romance and whimsy to this unique musical. … more less -
Mamma Mia!Genre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 03/15/2016 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2008 Cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard After its run as a West End hit in London, MAMMA MIA became a Broadway smash when it opened in New York back in 2001. With a story framed around the music of the Swedish pop band Abba, crowds loved its raucous, dance party vibe. Now it comes to the silver screen, with some truly delightful performances from the likes of Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. It is the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) a young woman living on a picturesque Greek island with her mother, Donna (Streep.) Together, Donna and Sophie run a ramshackle island inn, and they are in the midst of preparing for Sophie's wedding. As the wedding approaches, Sophie becomes troubled by the fact that she has never known her father. She was the result of one of her mother's summer flings, and her mother has never revealed her father's identity. When Sophie stumbles upon her mother's diary, she learns that there are three possible men who could be her dad. Without telling her mother, she invites all three to her wedding. When Harry (Colin Firth), Sam (Brosnan), and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) all arrive at the same time, Donna is of course shocked and overwhelmed by seeing her old lovers again after such a long time. She turns to her two best friends, Tanya (Christine Baranaki) and Rosie (Julia Walters), for their support, and vows to just get through the wedding and weekend. Meanwhile, Sophie spends time with each man, determined to learn the truth. Major hijinks and confusion ensues, all amidst the utterly romance scenery, and the rather irresistible, swelling love ballads. Streep has a lovely singing voice, and to watch her throw herself into this whimsical role is truly a delight. She looks like she is having a ball, and it is hard not to shimmy along with her. Baranski reliably delivers an over-the-top showstopper, and Brosnan's tender singing voice makes his character all the more touching. The film strives to be a jubilant celebration of mother/daughter relationships and the love between good friends, an … more less -
Little Shop of HorrorsGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 10/09/2012 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 1986 Run Time: 103 mins Released By: Warner Home Video Cast: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Vincent Gardenia, John Candy In this dark but goofy and thoroughly fun musical, shy Seymour and bubbly Audrey don't recognize the romance blooming between them, but they do recognize the money-making potential of Seymour's weird plant, discovered after a total eclipse of the sun. Soon money pours in and Seymour becomes a minor celebrity, but behind the glamour and fame lies a secret Seymour can't reveal: this strange and unusual plant's favorite food is blood. As the plant grows taller and taller, its demands for food grow as well, and Seymour starts to suspect that the plant might have an agenda for world domination. … more less -
ChicagoGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 02/11/2014 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2002 Run Time: 113 mins Released By: Cast: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly This Hollywood adaptation of the classic Broadway musical sparkles with glamour and reverberates with the energy of good, old-fashioned song and dance. As the film leaps into its first riveting act, Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), one half of the famous number she performs with her sister, arrives at the night club late, disheveled, and with blood on her hands. Nonetheless, she goes onstage unhindered and wows the crowd with her shimmying rendition of "All That Jazz." Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) a young blond who dreams of someday being famous like Velma, watches from the audience with eyes full of envy. Later, as the cops pick up Velma for the murder of her sister, sending her fame to all-time heights as she becomes a tabloid sensation, Roxie also commits a crime of passion--shooting a lover who falsely promised to secure her cabaret debut. The girls wind up together in jail, where Mama Morton (Queen Latifah), a compassionate guard, is their only hope of redemption; and Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) is the lawyer who can get them out. There, through wonderfully familiar songs like "Razzle Dazzle," "Cell-Block Tango," and "Cellophane Man" Roxie and Velma tell their story of competing for bad-girl celebrity. Director Rob Marshall presents a loveable CHICAGO that shares all the grit and grime of the Bob Fosse Broadway original with phenomenal performances by this grouping of Hollywood stars. The dizzying camerawork and dazzling sets make an easy transition from stage to film. … more less -
Absolute BeginnersGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 07/29/2016 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 1986 Run Time: 108 mins Released By: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Cast: Eddie O'Connell, Patsy Kensit, David Bowie, Sade, Ray Davies Splashy full-scale musical about London teens in the 1950's when England was really starting to swing. The story charts the lives of Colin and Suzette, two lovers who must choose to live by their idealistic principles or sell out to get to the top of the fashion world. … more less -
Concert for GeorgeGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 03/22/2011 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2003 Run Time: 104 mins Released By: WEA Cast: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, Jeff Lynne On the first anniversary of the death of George Harrison--November 29, 2002--a group of his friends paid tribute to the Quiet Beatle by staging an all-star concert featuring the songs of Harrison, from his days with the Fab Five as well as his long and underrated solo career and work with the Traveling Wilburys. Also included were songs written for and about Harrison, from Ringo Starr's evocative "Photograph" to Ravi and Anoushka Shankar's inspirational "Arpan." Among the outstanding performances, held in London's Royal Albert Hall, were Eric Clapton and Jeff Lynne playing "I Want to Tell You," Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers blasting out "Taxman" and "I Need You," Paul McCartney chiming in with "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "For You Blue," and fifth Beatle Billy Preston taking on "My Sweet Lord." Clapton and McCartney's duet on "Something" is one of the many highlights. The elaborate concert, directed by David Leland and including backstage behind-the-scenes interviews with some of the participants, also featured appearances by the Boys and Girls Choir, the English Chamber Choir, the London Metropolitan Orchestra, and the Monty Python crew, just to change the mood. Harrison's musician son, Dhani, also shows up--his resemblance to his father is remarkable. Proceeds from the film and DVD release will benefit Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation. … more less -
Lightning in a BottleGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 05/20/2014 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2004 Run Time: 108 mins Released By: Sony Pictures Home Cast: B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Mavis Staples, Aerosmith, Robert Cray A slice of musical history was created on February 7th, 2003, when a dazzling array of blues artists gathered at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. With luminaries such as B.B. King, Solomon Burke, Ruth Brown, Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy, and Dr. John among the lineup, this was always destined to be a night to remember. But the organizers were savvy enough to up the ante even further by integrating a comprehensive--albeit by their own admission, incomplete--history of the genre into the evening's festivities. Director Antoine Fuqua (KING ARTHUR) was there with a full crew to record the event, capturing moments of magic both on stage and behind the scenes for LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE. Fuqua also splices in some of the archival footage that the organizers showed on the night, including many of the Radio City artists performing and speaking at a much younger age. The influence of the blues over popular music is vast, and so performers such as Aerosmith, Chuck D from Public Enemy, and David Johansen are brought on stage to vie with their counterparts from a more traditional strain of the genre. Poignant moments come thick and fast, with many of the musicians reminiscing about the old times, and realizing that this would probably be the last occasion on which they were all gathered in the same room. An inspiring historical document, Fuqua's film captures a dying breed of artists, but also points to their lasting legacy and influence which will indefinitely loom large over the music scene. … more less -
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson WellesGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 05/26/2015 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2014 Run Time: 94 mins Released By: Cohen Cast: Orson Welles Chuck Workman's documentary MAGICIAN: THE ASTOUNDING LIFE AND WORK OF ORSON WELLES surveys the influential career of the celebrated superstar by including clips from just about all of his movies. The filmmakers also reveal how he became one of the biggest stars in the world before the age of 25, battled his entire career to raise money to make movies the way he wanted to, and lived an outsized life until his death in 1985. … more less -
Man On WireGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 12/26/2008 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2008 Run Time: 94 mins Released By: Magnolia Home Entertainment Cast: Philippe Petit James Marsh's dazzling, invigorating documentary MAN ON WIRE tells the story of a truly inspiring figure. In the early 1970s, a fiery young Frenchman named Philippe Petit wanted to shake up the world. When he saw the World Trade Center being built in New York City, he found his mission. Petit was a trained high wire walker, and his goal was to set up a wire between the two towers and give the world a show it could never have expected. As is often the case with these endeavors, the actual high-wire walking was the easiest part of the plan. For nearly seven years, Petit worked on the project, recruiting associates who supported him every step of the way. Finally, after eight months in New York, the day came when Petit and his cronies jumped into action. This wasn't easy. They had to find a way to sneak past security and make their way to the top of the towers with heavy equipment, at which point they had to battle the elements to install the wire. After many close scares, the time came for Petit to realize his dream--and the rest, as they say, is history. Marsh crafts MAN ON WIRE like a heist film, presenting rare and fascinating footage of the actual event alongside flawless reenactments and modern-day interviews with the participants. The result is an immersive, emotionally gratifying motion picture, made all the more stimulating by Michael Nyman's electrifying score. … more less -
NineGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 05/04/2010 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2009 Run Time: 119 mins Released By: Sony Pictures Home Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench The Broadway hit NINE moves from the boards to the silver screen with this cinematic adaptation. For this musical take on Federico Fellini's 8½, CHICAGO's Rob Marshall directs a star-filled cast that includes Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, and Sophia Loren. … more less -
Pierrot LunaireGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 02/03/2015 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2014 Run Time: 60 mins Released By: Pro Organo … more less -
Prince: Sign "O" the TimesGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 07/01/2014 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 1987 Run Time: 85 mins Released By: Universal Studios Home Video Cast: Prince, Sheila E, Sheena Easton Strangely enigmatic, charismatically compact, and always decked out in the most colorfully bizarre outfits, pop star Prince has an undeniable talent for both songwriting and performing. On SIGN O THE TIMES, he shows off the latter, giving a no-holds-barred performance at the Rotterdam Music Hall. With accompaniment from drummer Sheila E., the sexy Cat, and Sheena Easton, Prince performances huge hits like "Little Red Corvette" and "U Got The Look." In addition, short films which tie into each song are interspersed between the live footage. … more less -
RentGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 12/11/2007 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2005 Run Time: 135 mins Released By: Sony Pictures Home Cast: Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel Director Christopher Columbus (MRS. DOUBTFIRE, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE) adapts the hit Broadway musical of the same name to the big screen in RENT. A modern spin on the opera LA BOHEME, RENT tells the story of eight friends dealing with life and love in Manhattan's Alphabet City in 1989. Wannabe filmmaker Mark (Anthony Rapp) and singer/songwriter Roger (Adam Pascal) are facing eviction at the hands of their former roommate and current landlord, Benny (Taye Diggs). Benny has married rich, moved out of the neighborhood, and wants to build a state-of-the-art studio where the local tent city stands. Their downstairs neighbor, vivacious Mimi (Rosario Dawson), who strips at a local club to feed her heroin habit, takes a shine to Roger, a self-imposed recluse and former junkie whose last girlfriend died of AIDS. Their friend, Collins (Jesse L. Martin), returns to town and quickly falls for Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), a glamorous, gracious, HIV positive transvestite. Finally, there is Maureen (Idina Menzel), a spitfire and performance artist who is planning a protest against Benny's plans and has dumped Mark for cerebral Joanne (Tracie Thoms), a lawyer. Over the course of a year, the friends face poverty, drug addiction, break-ups, reconciliations, eviction, and AIDS. Despite these challenges, they find support, hope, and acceptance in each other, all the while embracing the bohemian lifestyle that was so much a part of the Lower East Side. Newcomers Dawson and Thoms mix seamlessly with the original cast members, and Columbus introduces some interesting staging locations. With a concept, music, and lyrics by the late Jonathan Larson, RENT is an exuberant rock-&-roll musical with the underlying message that love can prevail despite all odds and that, ultimately, there really is no day but today. … more less -
Sapphires, TheGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 08/06/2013 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2012 Run Time: 99 mins Released By: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Cast: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell Inspired by a true story, director Wayne Blair's debut feature THE SAPPHIRES follows four Aboriginal Australian girls as they are transformed into a soulful singing group by a kindhearted musician, and later travel to Vietnam to entertain battle-weary U.S. troops. Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy) and Kay (Shari Sebbens) are four singers with lots of passion, but precious little talent. Recognizing something special in the way the girls perform, soulful talent scout Dave (Chris O'Dowd) offers to shape them into a Motown-inspired soul group and get them out on the road. But when their first gig turns out to be on the front lines of Vietnam -- where death has become part of the daily routine -- the ambitious young singers realize they've got their work cut out for them. … more less -
Shine a LightGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 01/01/2013 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2008 Run Time: 122 mins Released By: Warner Home Video Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood, Christina Aguilera The music of the Rolling Stones has lit up the soundtrack to so many Martin Scorsese films ("Gimme Shelter" has appeared in no less than three of his features--GOODFELLAS, CASINO, and THE DEPARTED) that it's little surprise to find the director teaming up with the legendary rockers for this concert recording. SHINE A LIGHT begins with a few glimpses of the preparation that went into the recording of the show, which was staged over two nights at New York City's Beacon Theatre in 2006. Scorsese also includes some candid footage of the Stones doing a pre-show meet-and-greet with guests Bill and Hillary Clinton, which highlights some of the different personality traits in the band. Keith Richards and Ron Wood are the clowns, always goofing around; Mick Jagger is the consummate professional, always polite to a fault; Charlie Watts caries a real air of dignity, as befits someone who enjoys a dual career as a noted jazz musician. The bulk of the movie is dedicated to the multi-camera shoot at the Beacon, which captures the Stones playing some of their biggest hits and a few lesser-known numbers. Special guests such as Jack White, Buddy Guy, and Christina Aguilera are ushered on at various points in the show, and the concert footage is broken up by some amusing vintage footage of the band. By using so many cameras, Scorsese captures a side of the Stones that is rarely seen, such as Watts turning to camera and puffing out his cheeks and Richards offering encouraging words to Jack White as he exits the stage. SHINE A LIGHT provides a welcome glimpse into the Stones' world at this advanced stage in their career, and continues Scorsese's obsession (see also: NO DIRECTION HOME and THE LAST WALTZ) with documenting some of the most influential characters in rock & roll. … more less -
Soul PowerGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 01/26/2010 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2009 Run Time: 93 mins Released By: Sony Pictures Home Cast: James Brown, B.B. King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz, Don King Though the eyes of the world were on "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974, their ears should have been on Zaire '74, the mammoth music festival that took place in the shadow of the battle between Mohammad Ali and George Foreman. This documentary takes the stellar cut footage from WHEN WE WERE KINGS and chronicles the concerts from big names such as James Brown, B.B. King, Bill Withers, and Celia Cruz. Though Zaire '74 might have been overlooked in favor of the legendary fight, SOUL POWER still packs a serious punch for music fans. … more less -
StreetDance 3DGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 07/01/2011 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 2010 Run Time: 98 mins Released By: Phase 4 Cast: Charlotte Rampling, Nichola Burley, Richard Winsor, Ukweli Roach, George Sampson Veteran music video directors Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini make the leap to feature films with this high-energy dance drama about a street dance crew and a group of Royal ballet dancers who strive to find a common ground while sharing the same rehearsal space. Before long, the two disparate groups have forged an unlikely alliance and created an exciting new form of modern dance. … more less -
U2 - Rattle and HumGenre: Musical & Performing Arts Release Date: 07/21/2009 Rating PG-13 Production Year: 1988 Run Time: 90 mins Released By: Paramount Home Entertainment Cast: U2, Adam Clayton Follow the Grammy Award-winning band on their musical journey from its native Ireland through the United States - along the streets of Harlem; behind the gates of Elvis Presley's Graceland; into a recording session at the legendary Sun Studios; and center stage at an impromptu live concert in downtown San Francisco. Contains nine songs not included on the hit soundtrack. … more less
