Call For Entries - Milwaukee Film Festival 2013

My friends over at Milwaukee Film Festival just sent this over (sorry didn't have too much time with it, so I've just pasted in their release)...not only can you be a part of a cool film festival...you'll probably be seen by me. (ok..so the second part isn't that big of a deal, but what the heck?) Good luck...and hopefully I'll be seeing your new film this fall! 

2013 Milwaukee Film Festival Call for Entries Now OpenFree Entry for All Films; Deadline is June 24

  

MILWAUKEE – March 28, 2013 – Milwaukee Film is now accepting entries for the 5^thannual Milwaukee Film Festival (Sept. 26-Oct. 10, 2013). Works of all genres, forms, and lengths are considered. The deadline for all entries is Monday, June 24. Once again this year, the festival is offering free submission for all films. 

“Last year, our lack of an entry fee received a great response from the film community,” explains Artistic and Executive Director Jonathan Jackson. “We’d much rather see filmmakers use that money to complete their vision. And for us, it provides a much wider pool of films from which we can build the best festival possible.”

Also returning in 2013 is The Milwaukee Youth Show, a showcase of short films by and for filmmakers ages 18 and under.

In its ongoing efforts to inspire and promote filmmaking in southeastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee Film offers a Filmmaker-in-Residence program each year to the filmmaker who receives the Cream City Cinema Award. The Filmmaker-in-Residence program enables the winning filmmaker to make a new film using the support, guidance, and resources provided by Milwaukee Film, including:

·       A camera package from North American Camera, valued at over $10,000

·       Complete post-production services provided by Independent, valued at over $10,000

·       Mentoring and consulting services from Milwaukee Film and other industry professionals

Once completed, the Filmmaker-in-Residence film is premiered at the Milwaukee Film Festival.

Previous Filmmaker-in-Residence recipients include:

·       Chris James Thompson – 2012 Cream City Cinema winning film: The Jeffrey Dahmer Files; Filmmaker-in-Residence film: TBA

·       Michael Hawkins-Burgos – 2011 The Milwaukee Show winning film: Don’t Go; Filmmaker-in-Residence film: TBA

·       Tate Bunker – 2010 The Milwaukee Show winning film: Mickey Burgermeister; Filmmaker-in-Residence film: Studies in Space

·       John Roberts – 2009 The Milwaukee Show winning film: Mary’s Friend; Filmmaker-in-Residence film: The Wheel

The Milwaukee Film Festival will offer a cash award of $2,500 to our international Fiction Film Competition winner. The winning film is determined by a jury of selected industry professionals, which in past years has included A.V. Club Film Editor Scott Tobias, Oscar-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, BAMcinematek Program Director Florence Almozini, Time Out New York Film Editor David Fear, and ME @THE ZOO Producer Jack Turner. In addition, non-juried audience awards, presented by Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig, are given to the top-rated short- and feature-length films based on audience ratings.

Last year’s festival screened 225 films from 47 different countries with 107 filmmakers and industry professionals in attendance. The record-setting crowd of over 50,000 filmgoers flocked to 77 sold-out film screenings, 72 post-film conversations and 11 panel discussions. New in 2012 was the first-ever Live Music Series, a collaboration with The Hotel Foster, that drew over 1300 music lovers to see 20 bands over nine nights during the festival. The centerpiece of the 2012 festival was the U.S. Premiere of Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney’s documentary, Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of God, with Gibney and several subjects of the film in attendance. The festival’s popular Opening Night Party at Discovery World attracted over 2,400 people celebrating the start of 15 days of exceptional cinema.

  

Photos of the 2012 festival can be found on the Milwaukee Film Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeeFilm/photos) and Milwaukee Film Flickr page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/milwaukeefilm).

The entry form and complete information regarding eligibility for the 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival is available at http://mkefilm.org/call-for-entries. Questions regarding submissions may be directed to entry@mkefilm.org

PHOTO: Andrew Swant (lead actor) and Chris James Thompson (director) from the MFF 2012 award-winning film The Jeffrey Dahmer Files. Thompson is the 2012 Milwaukee Film Filmmaker-in-Residence. Photo credit: Pamela Strohl.

###

About Milwaukee Film

Founded in 2008 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to hosting Milwaukee’s premiere film festival, Milwaukee Film provides incredible opportunities to view the best contemporary American and international cinema. The 2012 Milwaukee Film Festival drew over 50,000 attendees over 15 days, with 77 sold-out screenings. The organization also supports local filmmakers and gives firsthand experience in film production to high school students and emerging artist through its Collaborative Cinema education program.

Visit mkefilm.org for information on the film festival and the organization, membership, special events, and to sign up for the weekly email newsletter (mkefilm.org/newsletter-signup). Connect with Milwaukee Film on Facebook (facebook.com/MilwaukeeFilm), Twitter (twitter.com/mkefilm), Instagram (instagram.com/mkefilm), and the Milwaukee Film blog (mkefilm.org/theblog).

The 5th annual Milwaukee Film Festival will be held September 26-October 10, 2013.

About the Milwaukee Film Board of Directors

Milwaukee Film’s independent board is made up of the following members: Donna Baumgartner, Tina Chang, Eva Chess, Dr. Robert Davis, Jeff Fitzsimmons, Alec Fraser, Bill Haberman (past chair), Carmen Haberman, Stacey Herzing, Patti Keating Kahn, Tracey L. Klein, Mary Ann LaBahn, Steve Laughlin (chair), Emilia Layden, Marianne Lubar, Sara Meaney, Steve Mech, Barry Poltermann, Bob Pothier, Joseph Rock, Dave Stamm, Jacqueline Strayer, Julia Taylor, Chad Tessmer.  Emeritus members: Chris Abele (past chair), Tom Barrett.

Trailer - And Now A Word From Our Sponsor

And Now A Word From Our Sponsor

No, I haven't added sponsors here yet -- though I should have long ago to actually keep things rolling...but it's a new film with Bruce Greenwood and Parker Posey and it caught my attention.

I had just watched this trailer when it showed up in my inbox and I admit, I'm intrigued. I don't share enough of this stuff so hopefully that will change going forward, but I wanted to put this up...Bruce Greenwood and Parker Posey star. (VOD May 6, In Theaters May 10) 108 Media/Paladin


The Poster is here and I've got the trailer below -- so take a look and let me know if it at all intrigues you as well.

And here's the synopsis from the studio...

Adan Kundle (Bruce Greenwood), CEO of a major advertising agency, is discovered unconscious in front of a wall of TVs. When he wakes in the hospital, Adan can only communicate through advertising slogans. There he meets Karen Hillridge (Parker Posey), the hospital’s Head of Charity Foundation, who has a past history with Adan.

Unable to stay in the hospital, and while waiting for long term care placement, Karen reluctantly decides to take Adan into her home for what is to be a few days. Through his ongoing and sometimes inappropriate slogans, Adan slowly begins to affect Karen and the dysfunctional relationship she has with her daughter Meghan (Allie MacDonald).

Karen gradually uncovers Adan’s background and his antagonistic business relationship with Lucas Foster (Callum Blue), the president of the advertising agency that Adan owns. As Lucas moves closer to taking over the agency by attacking Adan’s mental capacity, Adan becomes more involved in helping Karen and Meghan mend their relationship.

Home Screening Room – Lincoln Doesn’t Need Parental Guidance

The big historical drama from 2012 comes home and he doesn't even need Parental Guidance. 

Big Releases from the last two weeks

The Collection – Rated R (Emma Fitzpatrick, Josh Stewart)

Killing Them Softly – Rated R (Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini)

Lincoln – Rated PG-13 (Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones)

Parental Guidance – Rated PG (Billy Crystal, Bette Midler)

Let’s face it; this week is all about Lincoln. The Steven Spielberg film that was nominated for a slew of awards and took home the top slot in the Best Actor category is finally available to bring home and you should pick it up. Anyone going into acting should study the Daniel Day-Lewis performance to see what actors can do. And the historical epic will be one to watch for years to come. While Lincoln is the class pick of the week, Parental Guidance is a great afternoon family movie. Sure there were some things I nitpicked on the film, but all in all it’s a fun family title that will give you a couple of laughs.

Also New This Week

The Borgias: The Second Season

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding – Rated PG (Felicity Jones, Luke Treadaway)

Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out

A Royal Affair – Rated R (Mads Mikkelsen)

To The Arctic (IMAX) – Rated G (voice of Meryl Streep)

Veep: The Complete First Season

I’m excited for the release of the first season of Veep – the HBO series starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a lot of fun and will have you laughing at some of the more offbeat things that pop up throughout. If that’s not enough, what about Lego Star Wars….really? Whoa. And I’m curious about Cheerful Weather for the Wedding.

Check out the trailer below…

Final Score

Put Lincoln in your library and make time to check out Veep and maybe Parental Guidance.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Review – Olympus Has Fallen

Under Attack But Rising Up

America has a President that is youthful and full of fight. President Asher (Aaron Eckhart) is leading the country during a scary time. With tensions building between North and South Korea the President meets with the leader of South Korea only to end with an ambush of epic proportions.

Kang (Rick Yune) and his followers have done the unthinkable. They have penetrated the White House and eliminated virtually all of the President’s secret service staff along with many of the White House personnel AND civilians in the area.

What do the terrorists want? And who are these terrorists anyway? These are the two questions that are on everyone’s mind, but mostly that of the Speaker Trumbell (Morgan Freeman). As the next in command while the President and Vice-President are out of commission, he will have to confront the problem and decide what to do. He’s lucky though as he has some eyes and ears in the White House despite the carnage. Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) was formerly assigned to the President, but now works in the Treasury. He heard the commotion, and knowing the White House like the back of his hand has found his way into the depths of the building.

Now as the terrorists start to demand things from the government, it’s up to Banning to see what is going on and take action. It’s only one man against a mini-army, but Banning has the home field advantage working for him. Can he save the President and the United States of America? Or is this too much for one man to handle?

Ok, I’m going to get this out of the way from the start. You can’t think much when you see this movie. If you dig in your head to make sense out of everything going on, it will hurt AND you won’t be able to make sense of things. That said, man it’s a fun film. This is the film Die Hard should have been earlier this year. It’s a throwback to the films of the 1980s/1990s. By that I mean, we put together a star-studded cast of characters, have extensive and explosive action, and a hero to cheer for to protect us all. Seems simple right?

I’m not going to go into any talk about this or that great acting performance because it wasn't there. This was never about the acting, though it was great to see the talented folks onscreen. It was about the energy, and it is full of more energy than most action films can muster…well that and more carnage than most war movies.

It has one-liners, like my favorite...as Banning asks - What’s hashtag? – It’s Shift-3! It is fun, amidst the wreckage. Perfect…not by any means but America rises to the occasion in this film, and it will have you at your patriotic peak. America is under attack…but Mike Banning is rising up to protect us.

B-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Olympus Has Fallen

FilmDistrict

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Dylan McDermott, Rick Yune, Angela Bassett

Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout.

Runtime: 2 hours

Review – The Croods

Review – The Croods

Grug (Nicolas Cage)is a family man. He is there to make sure his family thrives and survives in a prehistoric environment. Getting food for his family takes the wits and style of the entire family to creatively acquire their daily meals. The environment is filled with challenges around every corner.

To Eep (Emma Stone), the world is full of mystery. While her father tries to monitor everyone, Eep sees a mysterious light peering into her cave one night and decides to push back the stone and investigate. The investigation finds Guy (Ryan Reynolds), a man that is on a journey and surviving outside of a cave.

Now things get a little crazy and the families’ cave is destroyed. Grug, Eep, Ugga (Catherine Keener), Thunk (Clark Duke) and Gran (Cloris Leachman) must now set out with Guy to find another home. This is a scary journey for Grug as his only goal has always been to keep his family safe. Now he must put trust in his family and another individual in Guy that he doesn’t know.

The journey puts them face to face with new challenges, new creatures, and new friends. Can they survive and make it to a new home? Or will they not be able to survive as the world changes around them.

At its core, The Croods is a Daddy/Daughter movie. Sure the whole family is here and the boy that will play a role in Eep’s life, but it all boils down to a girl who is growing up and a dad who doesn’t want to let go. And that’s the unfair part. As a dad, who sat and watched the film with his 8 ½ year old daughter, I couldn’t help but fall in love with parts of this film. It does a great job of not making the dad a joke and instead shows how much he really cares at his core.

The voice talents match the characters and Emma Stone shows the inquisitiveness that a teenage daughter or a “caveman” might have exploring the unknown. Nicolas Cage comes off well as the paranoid, protective father. And Ryan Reynolds enjoys showing the world to Eep and her family.

My daughter proclaimed that this movie was hilarious and a great family movie after it ended. I agree, somewhat. This is a great family movie as the family dynamic shows through all of the action and fun onscreen. Is it hilarious? Well, it’s fun and funny… I might not go that far though. (But hey, she’s 8…she doesn’t understand all the critic nuances yet.) The Croods isn’t a date night movie but it is a great movie for the whole family (especially your young ones) to sit down and enjoy. In honor of Belt (a character in this movie) Duh Dah DAH … I liked this movie.

B                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Croods                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

20^th Century Fox

Director: Kirk De Marco, Chris Sanders

Cast:  Voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke

Rating: PG for some scary action.

Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes

Review – The Call

Take The Call; But Hang Up Before It’s Over

The job of a 911 operator can be a pressure cooker. Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) enjoys her job helping people and getting the right emergency personnel on the scene to solve problems; but that all changes when she takes a call from a young girl. She makes a mistake in trying to help her and leaves actively taking calls to train new employees.

While touring the center with the new recruits, Jordan has one of her probationary reps melting down while dealing with an abduction call. It’s at this point that Jordan jumps back on the phone to do what she is trained to do.

Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) has been abducted from a mall and finds herself in the trunk of a moving car. As Jordan jumps into the call with Casey she levels her head to fight for survival. Now the two women will try anything to free Casey and bring her out of this alive. Can Jordan find and keep her wits? Can Casey keep her cool? Or will this all end in tragedy like Jordan’s last call?

The Call is the story of two movies.

The first 2/3 of the film is truly an exciting and heart-pounding thriller that will raise the hairs on your neck. The tension is amazing and the violence feels real and is quite disturbing. I didn’t expect the moments of terror that peppered the first two thirds of the film.

It was brisk and meaningful dialogue. The characters portrayed by Berry, Breslin, Chestnut and Eklund felt like they really existed.

Eklund created a bad guy that viewers could despise. He was creepy and twisted in all the right ways.

But…

And you knew there was a but…

Then there is a moment in this film where things just get ridiculously silly.  You’ll know it when you see it, but let me just say…it’s the moment Berry leaves the call center. If you would leave the movie at that point…you’d believe that you saw something that truly crept up on you and was a special movie.

The last third of the film, you really can’t excuse; I tried but failed. I’m willing to suspend belief a little…but in this case there was a film that was well crafted and decided to forget what they did so right for the first hour plus. Thrillers shouldn’t be laughable but this became a yell at the screen for not doing all the things charcters do wrong in horror/thrillers. You know the things that the movie Scream parodied? A good film shouldn’t resort to that.

So how do you grade this film? Well the first 2/3 is a solid B+ type of film…it was on the way to becoming a truly memorable thriller. But the last third was cliché and off the mark and really fell back to the D+ type of range. Sure, I’ll watch it again sometime to see if I’m being too harsh, but for now I have to make a call myself. Feel free to click take a different call after the first hour… you won’t miss much and will be happier.

C+

The Call                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Sony Pictures

Director: Brad Anderson

Cast: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund

Rating: R for violence, disturbing content and some language.

Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes

Review – The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) is a Las Vegas headliner. With best friend Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) at his side, the two have risen from school outcasts to two of the most popular magicians working the Magic Mecca. Now after years of the limelight, the two have grown apart. Anton continues as a bit of an outcast while Burt uses his popularity to its utmost by leaving the performances with a different beautiful companion on a regular basis. But these two have a problem, they have gotten stale. 

Enter upstart Steve Gray (Jim Carrey). He is doing things that people haven’t seen before. Coming from the realm of the internet, he has a tendency to push the envelope of sensibility by physically abusing himself for the benefit of his magic. Burt doesn’t understand how Gray has so endeared himself to fans around the world, but when casino owner Doug Munny (James Gandolfini) lets him go he must start to search his soul for what magic really is.

While Steve Gray’s popularity is growing, Burt struggles to get a gig for a child’s part and has the fortune to meet his personal idol Rance Holloway (Alan Arkin). Rance is an old man that is a bit bitter, but Burt has a way to help reignite something inside of him. Now it is going to take getting back with his partner, Anton, and reimagining what magic can be to secure a new job and a new lease on magic. But does he have anything left in him?

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is still a bit of a mystery to me. I left the theater conflicted as there are moments in the film that are truly fun, and funny…but there are also moments that get lost and leave you confused.

When the film is funny, it works. Carell and Carrey as foils is unique and can be fun. The two of them know what to do to get the attention of the audience. Carrey’s antics will take you from elation to cringing with horror as he completes some of the tricks Gray is using in the film for stardom.

One part fun and unique comedy…one part drama…and one part great acting go into The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Despite all that, there is the part that leans toward muddled mess that can’t make up its mind what it wants to be, and that’s the part that takes way too much hold on the film.

The magic of some cool people and things helps to keep the film above water. Despite the fact that it comes up a little short, it still is an amazing trick to pull this movie out of the hat. Abracadabra…The Incredible Burt Wonderstone succeeds despite all the obstacles.

B                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Warner Brothers Pictures

Director: Don Scardino

Cast: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, James Gandolfini, Alan Arkin

Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, dangerous stunts, a drug-related incident and language.

Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes

 

 

KMOX - Guest on Mark on Movies

Many already know this but I'm a regular guest on KMOX in St. Louis for the Mark on Movies segment. Even when Mark is on vacation, I usually get a chance to talk with great people like Carol Daniel and whomever is in the big chair.

Thought I'd share with everyone the conversation that Mark and I had on The Incredible Burt Wonderstone along with my thoughts on the call. Follow the link below for the audio!

Mark On Movies - 3/15/13 Segment (The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, The Call)

New Trailer - Kick-Ass 2

MTV has just launched the new red band trailer for Kick-Ass 2.

Now you can't watch it unless you are old enough...but if you are....I've got it below..Enjoy.

Of course...if you can't view it below....try this link.

Home Screening Room – Hitchcock searches for the Life of Pi

Some very unique titles come home this week that will offer a variety of niche markets some really special films that will delight moviegoers.

Big Releases from the last two weeks

Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away – Rated PG (Igor Zaripov, Erica Kathleen Linz)

Hitchcock – Rated PG-13 (Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson)

Life of Pi – Rated PG (Suraj Sharma, Tobey Maguire)

Rise of the Guardians – Rated PG (voice of Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman)

Smashed – Rated R (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul)

Sound City – Rated NR (Directed by Dave Grohl)

This Must Be The Place – Rated R (Sean Penn, Frances McDormand)

Life of Piis that title that a lot of people have heard of, but few have seen. Now they’ll get the chance to enjoy the direction of Ang Lee and the visual spectacle that is Life of Pi. Hitchock gives us a film that looks into the life of one of our most successful directors. Rise of the Guardians was an enjoyable look at a number of our most fabled childhood characters. Plus don’t miss Smashed for a great performance from Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a woman with a drinking problem.

Also New This Week

Amazing Racer – Rated PG (Claire Forlani, Eric Roberts)

The First Time – Rated PG-13 (Britt Robertson, Dylan O’Brien)

The Last Gladiators – Rated R (Chris Nilan, Marty McSorley, Donald Brashear)

Miss Dial – Rated R (Dule Hill, Amanda Crew, Gabrielle Union)

Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete Eighth Season

Storage 24 – Rated R (Noel Clarke, Colin O’Donoghue)

An interesting look at a variety of titles…I include Spongebob here because my daughter says so…she loves the little square panted guy. Amazing Racer has a really cool cast top to bottom and The Last Gladiators has director Alex Gibney examining NHL enforcer Chris Nilan.

This week…I’m curious about is Sound Cityfrom Director Dave Grohl…yep that Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, Nirvana and more. Man, what a cool set of artists in this film. Check out the trailer below…

Final Score

Life of Pi is truly a beautiful film and for the visual alone, need to be in libraries everywhere. Liked Hitchcock a lot and Rise of the Guardians is a repeated watch title.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Real Milwaukee - March 8, 2013

When I visited my friends at Real Milwaukee on Friday, March 8 I had a couple things on my mind.

1) Oz the Great and Powerful was a bit on the "boring" side.
2) Jack the Giant Slayer has a lot of action..but who is it for.
3) The two DVDs my daughter has been waiting for and watching this week. (Barbie and the Pink Shoes and Wreck-It Ralph).

Rob found one of the titles I talked about boring himself...what was it...and was I ready to throw down with him after that?

Watch the video at the link - if it doesn't show as an embed.

Review - Oz the Great and Powerful

Oz Strays From The Yellow Brick Road

The Wizard of Oz is a classic film that will always live in our hearts. But what happened before Dorothy arrived in Oz? That is the tale that is told in Oz the Great and Powerful.

Oscar (James Franco)is a magician that is part con man, part showman and all ladies man. As a magician he is struggling to make ends meet on the carnival circuit. As he travels from town to town he needs to bring the crowds in, entertain them and find a new lady at every turn.

But while visiting with the one that he really cared for, a tornado rolls into town and he takes off in a hot air balloon to get away from an irate father, but that get away is soon confronted by the tornado and he is whisked away to the magical land of Oz.

Oscar’s first encounter is with Theodora (Mila Kunis). She seems nice enough and helps Oscar find his way in this way too unfamiliar territory. There is the belief that Oscar is the one that was sent to help them defeat the evil in Oz.

But Theodora’s sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) is not interested in defeating the evil in Oz, because she is controlling much of that evil. But as Oscar soon finds out, it is the journey to fight the perceived problem child that leads him to Glinda (Michelle Williams) the good witch.

Who will be successful? Sure we know that answer…but how is the fun part.

Oz the Great and Powerful has immediate name recognition going for it, but that can be a bad thing too. The name recognition carries with it an expectation level that might be higher than it should be. That was the case, on my behalf, with this film.

Unfortunately, Oz suffers from the “b” word for much of the early part of the film. It is just boring as it sets the stage for the rest of the journey. We are to be intrigued and interested in the setup from discovering the “wicked” witches and their origin to seeing the variety of Oz inhabitants. We should be invested in the “goodness” of Glinda and turning against Evanora and Theodora. But instead, I felt we just dragged ourselves through a murky beginning, part of which led to the overly long 2 hours 10 minutes running time.

But it doesn’t stick like that, fortunately. Instead it does find a way to bring it back around and not totally go in the tank. After a slow start, the concluding third of the movie is solid and will make you almost forget what you’ve been through for the previous 80 minutes. I said almost.

I like the actors, I like the characters, I like the visuals and I’m willing to go to Oz again with this group. I just hope that next time we feel less like sleeping in the poppies and more like the excitement of the man behind the curtain.

B-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Oz the Great and Powerful                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Walt Disney Pictures

Director:Sam  Raimi

Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams

Rating: PG for sequences of action and scary images and brief mild language.

Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes

Home Screening Room - Red Dawn gets Wrecked

My favorite animated film from last year and much more in this week’s release updates.

This Week's Big Releases

Playing for Keeps – Rated PG-13 (Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman)

Red Dawn – Rated PG-13 (Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson)Wreck-It Ralph – Rated PG (Voices of John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Jack McBrayer)

One HUGE title and two also-rans that should provide DVD rentals for a number of individuals are in this week’s Big Releases. Wreck-It Ralph won the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature but failed to maintain for the Academy Award this year (Bravewon). It’s my favorite animated release and one of my favorites of 2012 and a perfect add to any collection. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital/3D combo pack is what you need to get on this one. AND – as part of that package…you’ll bring home the winner for Best Animated Film Short – Paperman. The other two titles out are ones many missed in theaters. Red Dawn goes back to a film that was one of the first ever to be rated PG-13 and Playing for Keeps features always likable actors, in a fun looking film.

Also New This Week

The Bay – Rated R (Christopher Denham, Stephen Kunken)

A Dark Truth – Rated R (Andy Garcia, Kim Coates)

Duck Dynasty: Season 2, Volume 1

The Intouchables – Rated R (Omar Sy, Francois Cluzet, Anne Le Ny)

Lay the Favorite – Rated R (Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones)

The Marine 3: Homefront – Rated R (Mike “The Miz” Misanin, Neal McDonough, Ashley Bell)

Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess – Not Rated

Unconditional – Rated PG-13 (Lynn Collins, Michael Ealy)

An interesting group of releases this week including the continuation of the franchise for The Marine. Like to see Unconditionalbeing included in any preview with its small distributor and faith-based story. A Dark Truth could be a sleeper with Andy Garcia (also featuring Forest Whitaker and Eva Longoia among others). And my daughter would not let me live it down if I did NOT include Sofia the First in here.

And the curious title for me…is Lay the Favorite. I like the cast. I’m a big fan of Bruce Willis, even BAD Bruce Willis films. Throw in Rebecca Hall and Catherine Zeta-Jones and others and you’ve got something I DO want to check out.

Let’s take a look at that trailer below…

Final Score

Wreck-It Ralph is a must add to your collection. Not only will you be adding the Critics’ Choice Movie Award winner for Best Animated Feature from last year, but the combo pack includes the Best Animated Short Academy Award Winner - Paperman.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!