Another Year Is Like Writing A New Book!

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

 Is it me or did 2020 go by rather fast? I have nothing clever to say and no funny pictures to post. All that I can say is I wish you and yours here, whether they know me or not, a very happy, safe, prosperous, and healthy new year! Namaste!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

 

Happy Holidays Everyone!
Here’s to wishing us all a Safe, Healthy, Prosperous and
Happy New Year Too!

Wonder Woman 1984 Review (No Spoilers)

Wonder Woman 1984 is a gift that is even better than the first film. It a home-run not only for HBO MAX but for Warner Bros. Pictures in general as well as for the DCEU. I don’t believe in doing spoiler reviews so I am posting my sheer initial emotional responses to the film after screening it yesterday courtesy of Warner Brothers, who graciously granted me this early look so I can talk or in this case type about the film. My initial reaction was this is what Captain Marvel should’ve been for the MCU.

Wonder Woman 1984 has everything that Captain Marvel doesn’t have.

I am looking forward to buying the 4K Blu-ray when it comes out. Pedro Pascal plays the main villain and brings humanity to the role and Chris Pine returns in an emotional role that shows the great chemistry Gadot and Pine share whenever they are on screen. Kristen Wiig does a far better job than I was expecting initially considering I am not necessarily a fan of all of her work. However she really does do a great job here and she honestly doesn’t even need the make up used in the film for her climactic showdown with Wonder Woman. 

In some ways this movie reminded me a little bit of Superman II as compared to Superman: The Movie and however when I first saw Superman II, I thought it was better than the original, later I only grew up to find that my opinion had changed and now I feel the original was far better than the sequel, but here I think that Jenkins has managed to create a sequel that stands on its own and doesn’t even need to be compared to the original. Overall I think anybody who goes to the theater to see Wonder Woman 1984 or watch is it on HBO MAX will be very pleased with their investment. Wonder Woman 1984 opens officially on HBO MAX and theatrically December 25, 2020.

(C) Copyright 2020 By Mark A. Rivera

All Rights Reserved.

PARAMOUNT NETWORK’S YELLOWSTONE HITS MAJOR MILESTONE SELLING ONE MILLION UNITS ON BLU-RAY & DVD

 PARAMOUNT NETWORK’SYELLOWSTONE HITS MAJOR MILESTONE SELLING ONE MILLION UNITS ON BLU-RAY^™ & DVD

Cable’s Top Drama Becomes Home Entertainment’s #1 TV New Release of 2020

 

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—December 17, 2020—Paramount Home Entertainment today announced that Paramount Network’sYellowstone has sold one million combined units on Blu-ray™ and DVD domestically. Season 3 of cable’s #1 drama debuted on Blu-ray and DVD on December 8 and quickly became the top TV new release of 2020, pushing the series past the milestone, along with a three-season DVD gift set, which sold out on Amazon during pre-orders. 

Co-produced by 101 Studios, Yellowstonecontinues to break ratings records with the season three finale drawing 10.7M viewers including simulcast and encores and becoming the #1 most-watched cable telecast of 2020. The show has been renewed for a fourth season on Paramount Network.

Yellowstone made its domestic debut in June 2018 and was followed by a home entertainment release in December, selling over 500K units on Blu-ray and DVD to date.  Season two had its broadcast premiere in June 2019 and was released on Blu-ray and DVD debut in November. 

The series stars world-renowned actor and Oscar®-winner Kevin Costner as John Dutton, who controls the largest, contiguous ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect; the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders; an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and vicious business rivalries.

The Paramount Network original drama is co-produced by 101 Studios. Co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone’sexecutive producers include John Linson, Art Linson, Taylor Sheridan, Kevin Costner, David C. Glasser, Bob Yari and Stephen Kay.

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Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of One of the Most Romantic Films of All Time with a Newly Restored Presentation of the Classic LOVE STORY

 

Limited-Edition Blu-ray^™ Arrives February 9, 2021, Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

 

The timeless classic LOVE STORY celebrates its 50^th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray in the Paramount Presents line, debuting February 9, 2021 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

 

Newly restored from a 4K film transfer, this new presentation beautifully captures the highs and lows of young love in a film that remains as impactful as ever.  Based on Erich Segal’s best-selling novel, LOVE STORY was nominated for seven^* Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, and became a cultural phenomenon, earning over $100 million at the domestic box office.  In 2002, the AFI named it as #9 on its list of the 100 greatest love stories of all time.

 

The limited-edition Paramount Presents LOVE STORY Blu-ray includes the newly restored film, a new Filmmaker Focus with film historian Leonard Maltin, plus previously released content including a commentary by director Arthur Hiller, an introduction by film critic Ben Mankiewicz, Love Story: A Classic Remembered, and the theatrical trailer, plus access to a Digital copy of the film.  The disc is presented in collectible packaging that includes a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster, and an interior spread with key movie moments.  

 

Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw both received Oscar® nominations^* for their starring roles in the timeless, unmatched tale from the heart.  Harvard students Oliver (O’Neal) and Jenny (MacGraw) come from opposite backgrounds, but they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and begins to build their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure.

 

New Year…New Film Anniversaries!

 SAVE THE LAST DANCE.

20th Anniversary on January 12^th

 

Sara (Julia Stiles) is a small-town girl with a big dream: to become a world-class ballerina. But when her mother suddenly dies, Sara must abandon her plans and join her estranged father (Terry Kinney) on Chicago's South Side. Her sudden misfortune takes a brighter turn after she befriends Chenille (Kerry Washington), and then falls for her handsome brother, Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas).

GENRE:             Romance, Drama

CAST:               Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington

KEY QUOTE:      You can do it. Sara, you were born to do it.

 

·        Worldwide Box Office $132 Million

 

Available now on DVD & Digital.

 

13 HOURS.

5th Anniversary on January 12^th

 

From director Michael Bay, 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF BENGHAZI is the gripping true story of six elite ex-military operators assigned to protect the CIA who fought back against overwhelming odds when terrorists attacked a U.S. diplomatic compound on September 11, 2012.

GENRE:          Action, Drama

CAST:             James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini  

KEY QUOTE:   You can't put a price on being able to live with yourself.

 

A new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook will be available exclusively at Best Buy on February 9^th.  Also available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital.  

 

 

LAST HOLIDAY.

15th Anniversary on January 13^th

 

Enjoy yourself ... it's later than you think! It's advice to follow for shy New Orleans cookware salesclerk Georgia Byrd (Oscar^® nominee Queen Latifah) when her doctor informs her that she has less than a month to live. With news like that, it's time to give your life a serious makeover. So Georgia jets off on a dream vacation to live life like there's no tomorrow. Enjoy hearty laughs and rollicking comedic misadventures when Georgia shakes up a glamorous European resort spa while enthusiastically embracing a new look ... new moves ... and a new attitude!

GENRE:          Romance, Comedy

CAST:            Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Giancarlo Esposito, Alicia Witt, Gérard Depardieu

KEY QUOTE:   The start is not nearly as important as the finish.   

 

Available now on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital.

 

  

THE ACCIDENTAL SPY.

20th Anniversary of Hong Kong release Tè Wù Mí Chéng on January 18^th 

 

Buck Yuen is a bored and unsuccessful salesman convinced his life won't amount to anything. But all that changes one day when he becomes an instant hero by foiling an attempted bank robbery. Thanks to his newfound fame, Buck finds out he is actually the missing son of a Korean double agent. As he travels to Turkey to meet the father he's never known, Buck becomes entangled in a web of mystery and deceit that only he can unravel. 

GENRE:          Action, Martial Arts, Comedy

CAST:            Jackie Chan, Eric Tsang, Vivian Hsu

 

·         A massive hit in Hong Kong, ranking #3 in its release year

·         Originally produced by legendary Martial Arts studio Golden Harvest

 

Available now on Digital.

 

 

FROM DUSK TILL DAWN.

25th Anniversary on January 19^th

 

George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino star as the unforgettable Gecko brothers - two dangerous outlaws on a wild crime spree. After kidnapping a father and his two kids, the Geckos head south to a seedy Mexican bar to hide out in safety. But when they face the bar's truly notorious clientele, they're forced to team up with their hostages in order to make it out alive.  

GENRE:            Action, Horror, Crime

CAST:              Quentin Tarantino, George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, Tom Savini, Fred Williamson

KEY QUOTE:    OK, ramblers. Let's get rambling.

 

·         Followed by two sequels, a documentary feature-film, and a television series

·         Winner of three MTV Movie Awards, including Best Horror Film

 

Available now on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital.

 

CHOCOLAT.

20th Anniversary on January 19^th

 

Nobody could have imagined the impact that the striking Vianne (Binoche) would make when she arrived in a tranquil, old-fashioned French town. In her very unusual chocolate shop, Vianne begins to create mouth-watering confections that almost magically inspire the straitlaced villagers to abandon themselves to temptation and happiness.  But it is not until another stranger, the handsome Roux (Johnny Depp), arrives in town that Vianne is finally able to recognize her own desires.

GENRE:          Drama, Romance

CAST:             Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin

KEY QUOTE:   Opening a chocolaterie just in time for Lent. The woman is brazen! 

 

·         Nominated for 5 Oscars^® and 4 Golden Globes^®, including BEST PICTURE

·         From director Lasse Hallström (MY LIFE AS A DOG, WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE) 

 

Available now on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital.

 

NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

10th Anniversary on January 21^st

 

Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) are life-long friends who ruin just about everything by having sex.  Now, in order to protect their friendship, they must make a pact to keep their relationship strictly "no strings attached." That means no jealousy, no expectations, no fighting, no flowers, and most of all, no baby voices. It means they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, in whatever public place they want, as long as they don't fall in love. The question becomes - who's going to fall first?

GENRE:          Romance, Comedy

CAST:            Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Cary Elwes, Kevin Kline, Greta Gerwig, Mindy Kaling

KEY QUOTE:   We don't get to pick who we fall in love with, and it doesn't happen like it should.

 

Available now on DVD & Digital.

 

 

THE COURT JESTER.

65th Anniversary on January 27^th

 

In this swashbuckling comic farce, star Danny Kaye is kind-hearted entertainer Hawkins who disguises himself as the legendary king of jesters, Giacomo. Hawkins infiltrates the court of an evil villain (Basil Rathbone), but when a sorceress hypnotizes him, royal chaos ensues. Alternating identities at the snap of a finger, between swordplay and wordplay, Kaye’s comic genius shines through.  The stellar supporting cast includes Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, Mildred Natwick, Cecil Parker, and John Carradine.   

GENRE:          Adventure, Comedy

CAST:             Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, Mildred Natwick, Cecil Parker, and John Carradine

KEY QUOTE:   The pellet with the poison's in the flagon with the dragon; the vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true.

 

·         Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer: 96%

·         Danny Kaye received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor

 

Newly restored and on Blu-ray^™ for the first time January 26^th.  Also on DVD & Digital.

 

 

THE QUEENS OF COMEDY.

20th Anniversary on January 27^th

 

In this hysterical follow up to THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF COMEDY four women share the stage of the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee. Adele Givens, Mo'Nique, Sommore, and Laura Hayes (who also serves as MC) bring the big laughs, riffing on everything from raising kids to body parts.  In between the stand-up comedy performances, the queens hit the town. Oh yes, it’s ladies night!

GENRE:          Comedy, Documentary

CAST:             Mo’Nique, Sommore, Laura Hayes, Adele Givens

KEY QUOTE:   Tonight, we’re making history. 

 

Available now on DVD & Blu-ray.