Posted in: News and Opinions by Gino Sassani on December 29th, 2011
JEREMY IRVINE (Albert Narracott) makes his feature-film debut in “War Horse.”
Currently in production on BBC Films’ “Great Expectations,” in which he stars as Pip, the classic Dickens story is directed by Mike Newell and includes Academy Award® winner Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter. He recently completed production on the independent feature “Now Is Good,” opposite Dakota Fanning, based on Jenny Downham’s novel “Before I Die.” Irvine will next begin shooting “The Railway Man” opposite Colin Firth. The film is based on the WWII memoir by Eric Lomax, who was captured and tortured by the Japanese and forced to work on the infamous Burma Railway. Lomax will be portrayed by both Irvine and Firth at different ages.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on December 28th, 2011
On the Fourth Day Of Christmas A&E gives to you The Entire Universe. It's a dealer's choice. We have two great titles to give and you can tell us which you'd like to have. We have the complete Universe Series on DVD. That's all 5 seasons on 19 DVD's. They don't call this The Mega Collection for nothing. Or, if you have 3D capability, we have The Universe: 7 Wonders Of The Solar System on Blu-ray 3D. You pick your prize. To win your choice just follow these instructions.
Contest is now closed Winners areThe Entire Universe Set: Carrie Douglas, 7 Wonders Of The Solar System: Anita Fercho
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on December 28th, 2011
The longest running show in prime time doesn’t feature cops, doctors, or lawyers. It’s hard to believe that The Simpsons have existed as long as the Fox network. While the series didn’t really begin until Fox’s second year, the characters were part of The Tracey Ullman Show, which did start the first year of Fox. Who could have guessed that an animated short from an otherwise horrible and doomed variety show would explode into such a phenomenon? The Simpsons have not only dominated the pop culture; they have placed everything else into context with their show. Like Doonesbury, it could be said that the only thing worse than being made fun of on The Simpsons is not being made fun of on The Simpsons. With that said, you’ll understand my warm feelings and appreciation for this show.
This thing has been on forever. Still, it never gets old. The show has a charm yet edginess to it that can’t be beat. Let’s not forget that while kids might love the show, this stuff is intended for adults. We’re not talking South Park trash talk here; every episode is a veritable treasure hunt of subtle and not-so-subtle cultural references. Even after seeing an episode several times, it’s not uncommon for me to find something that I missed before.
Posted in: Random Fun by Gino Sassani on December 27th, 2011
When you think of Steven Spielberg you often think of Aliens and Dinosaurs. War Horse has been a labor of love for the director. The film follows the story of an incredible horse through World War I and a young man's will to be reunited. It's one of those perfect family movies for the holidays. I strongly recommend you check it out. We're going to run a series of non-exclusive interviews this week. Keep checking for more coverage of War Horse. This interview is with Bobby Lovgren, who trained the horses for the film.
BOBBY LOVGREN (Horse Trainer) was born in South Africa into an equestrian family. He grew up surrounded by horses and developed the confidence and skills necessary to become both an accomplished rider and trainer.
Posted in: Contests, Uncategorized by Gino Sassani on December 27th, 2011
On the Third Day Of Christmas A&E gives to you Mike Hammer: The Complete Series on DVD. It's time to put the Hammer down with the original Mike Hammer. Kolchak himself, Darren McGavin stars in all 78 episodes on 12 discs. Yeah, he's also "The Old Man" on A Christmas Story. It's another super release from A&E.To win this grand release just follow these instructions.
Contest is now closed Winner is Freddie Hall
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on December 26th, 2011
On the Second Day Of Christmas Lionsgate gives to you The Biggest Loser: At-Home Challenge and The Biggest Loser: Calorie Knockout. With the Holidays upon us we are certainly packing on a few extra pounds. Lionsgate wants to help us get rid of the flab with these two exorcise videos.To win both of these DVD's just follow these instructions.
Contest is now closed Winners are Jeremy C.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on December 25th, 2011
On the First Day Of Christmas A&E gives to you Farscape: The Complete Series on Blu-ray. This 20 disc set includes all 88 episodes and along with hours of extras. It's one of the best giveaways we've ever had here at Upcomingdiscs. Merry Christmas from Upcomingdiscs and A&E Entertainment. To win this grand release just follow these instructions.
Contest is now closed Winner is Denise M.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on December 23rd, 2011
It all started with a very short novel by French author Pierre Boulle. It wasn't even that much of a hit at first. But a small group of Hollywood moguls led by Arthur P. Jacobs believed in the property and worked hard to get a film made. It wasn't easy. They had to interest a big star and make a test reel in order to get anyone to bite. Fortunately for us all, Fox did bite. After five films, a television series, and a cartoon run, the franchise ran out of steam by the middle of the 1970's. Tim Burton almost killed the chance at rebirth with his terrible remake. But in science fiction, nothing really dies forever. The Apes have returned in one of the best remakes, if it could be called that, in the last 20 years.
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes is not really a remake of the original 1968 film. It's more closely related to the fourth film in the franchise, Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes. In that film the infant son of Cornelius and Zira grows into an adult and eventually leads a revolt of the ape population. By that time apes had replaced cats and dogs as pets, which had been killed in a plague. The apes were forced into slavery and Caesar, played by Roddy McDowall, would lead them toward that ape civilization Charlton Heston's Taylor finds in the original movie. It all came rather nicely full circle, and that was eventually the end of it. This film, while honoring much of the traditions of the franchise, tells a much different origin story, but it's a good one.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on December 23rd, 2011
"This film documents the Vietnam War in the words of Americans who served there. It features home movies and rare archival footage collected during a worldwide search and now presented in HD. Many scenes are graphic in nature. Viewer discretion is advised."
A while back History brought us one of the best war documentaries I've seen for television. That was called WWII In HD and put you as close to the real battlefield as any American has come since the brave soldiers who fought there so many years ago. The images were stunning and the descriptions came from the words of several people who were actually there. We reviewed the release. Bang it here to read up on that title: WWII In HD Review. Not content with that wonderful accomplishment, the network has turned those same talents on the far more controversial war in Vietnam. Enter Vietnam In HD.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on December 22nd, 2011
"How about... The Rocketeer?"
Back in 1972 Elton John pushed himself to the top of the charts atop the hit song Rocket Man, who was burning out his fuse up here alone. Well, it wasn't going to be a very long long time before Disney and company gave us a Rocket Man in their family drama/comedy The Rocketeer. It was the first day of summer in 1991 when The Rocketeer first appeared. The box office was moderate, but it had seemed like he disappeared from the scene for a long long time. He's found again, and you can now see him in high definition with this 20th anniversary Blu-ray release.
![The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System [Blu-ray 3D] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-universe-7-wonders-of-the-sola-large.jpg)
![The Simpsons: The Fourteenth Season [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-simpsons-the-fourteenth-season-large.jpg)
![Farscape: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/farscape-the-complete-series-blu--large.jpg)
![Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Two-Disc Edition Blu Ray + DVD/Digital Copy Combo) [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-two-large.jpg)
![The Rocketeer: 20th Anniversary Edition [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-rocketeer-20th-anniversary-edi-large.jpg)
