New on DVD - Film Gecko recommends Gran Torino

Clint Eastwood continues to knock me out with his heartfelt performances, this time in "Gran Torino," in which he plays Korean War vet Walt Kowalski. It’s a racially charged story that’s also violent and disturbing, with Eastwood’s classic humor thrown in for good measure.

Read my review of "Gran Torino," and buy the DVD on Film Gecko’s DVD Store on Amazon.

Bonus Features include some of the filmmakers reminiscing about their first cars or dream cars. We also get to see a Detroit rally of classic cars along Woodward Avenue, which is bittersweet considering Detroit’s altered auto scene in recent months. 

Also on DVD this week:

Crossing Over (R). Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ashley Judd, and Ray Liotta star in this movie about crime, fraud and murder, all revolving around a missing illegal. Buy "Crossing Over."

The International (R). Clive Owen and Naomi Watts star in this crime thriller about an obsessive Interpol agent who spearheads an investigation into a high-profile banking institution. Buy "The International."

Image: Amazon.com

New on DVD June 2, 2009 – Revolutionary Road, Defiance

He’s Just Not That Into You (PG-13). An all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, and Jennifer Connelly populate this romantic drama of love and angst. And yes, it’s more drama than comedy, despite the trailers. [Official Site]

Revolutionary Road (R). Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio team up again (remember “Titanic”?!) in this tale of repressed suburbia in the 1950s. Film Gecko Review [Official Site]

Defiance (R). Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, and Jamie Bell are three Jewish brothers who escape into the woods to escape the Nazis, and end up helping others in the process. Based on a true story. [Official Site]

Buy these DVDs and Blu-rays on Film Gecko’s DVD Store on Amazon!

Images: Amazon.com

Taken, Star Trek Trilogy on DVD – May 12, 2009

With the new "Star Trek" in theaters right now, it’s a good time to revisit some old favorites in a fantastic "Star Trek Trilogy" DVD set. Take a look at what’s new on DVD and Blu-ray this week:

Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy. This fantastic set includes "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek: The Search for Spock," and "Star Trek: The Voyage Home." Also out this week are two sets from the TV shows: "The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series."

Taken (on Blu-ray and DVD). This fast-paced thrill ride stars Liam Neeson as CIA agent Bryan Mills, a workaholic trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter. When she’s kidnapped by an Albanian crime ring, Bryan moves heaven and earth to track her down. Rated PG-13. [Trailer] [Official Site]

Passengers. It’s a supernatural thriller starring Anne Hathaway as a grief counselor working with plane crash survivors … who start to disappear. Also stars Andre Braugher and Dianne Wiest. Rated PG-13. [Official Site]

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Vampires and werewolves populate this dark movie about centuries-old blood feuds. Rated R. [Official Site]

Image: Amazon.com

Benjamin Button, Plumm Summer on DVD May 5, 2009

N ew on DVD this week is Brad Pitt, Dustin Hoffman, and a sweet family film starring Jeff Daniels and William Baldwin.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Brad Pitt plays a guy who ages backwards, falling in love with Cate Blanchett along the way. Interesting premise, but a little dreary and self-involved. Official Site 

Enchanted April. Josie Lawrence and Miranda Richardson play two proper Englishwomen who find enchantment on the Italian Riviera. IMDB 

Last Chance Harvey. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson star in this sweet love story about middle-aged romance. Official Site

Wendy and Lucy. An idealistic young drifter (Michelle Williams) and her dog roam the Pacific Northwest. Official Site

A Plumm Summer. Jeff Daniels and William Baldwin star in this sweet family tale that revolves around a stolen marionette. Official Site

Twilight: Ultimate Collector’s Set (Blu-ray). It really is the ultimate set, including everything from a jewelry box to a charm bracelet. Check it out here.

Image: Amazon.com

Bedtime Stories, Doubt on DVD – April 7, 2009

New on DVD this week is "Bedtime Stories," a sweet movie with a magical twist. If you’re in need of a family flick with no violence or sexual overtones, this is the one. Here’s the DVD rundown this week:

Bedtime Stories (PG). Adam Sandler and Keri Russell star in this fun movie about a guy who tells his niece and nephew bedtime stories – that magically come true the next day! [Film Gecko Review & Trailer] [Official Site]

The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13). The special effects are the real star of this remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic, along with Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly and Jaden Smith. [Film Gecko Review] [Trailer] [Official Site]

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New on DVD March 31, 2009 – Marley & Me, Seven Pounds, Slumdog Millionaire

That crazy little pup known as Marley hit DVD this week. It’s a great movie, but I thought it was too intense for a PG rating and should have been rated PG-13. Do you agree with me?

New on DVD this week:

Marley and Me (single-disc and 2-Disc Bad Boy Edition). Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star in this real-life story about a couple and their unruly dog. [Film Gecko Review] [Trailer] [Official Site] [Buy Single-Disc] [Buy 2-Disc]

Seven Pounds. Will Smith stars in this mysterious movie about a guy who grants strangers wishes in order to atone for a past mistake. But when he falls in love with a woman with heart problems (Rosario Dawson), his plan starts to unravel. [Trailer] [Official Site] [Buy It]

Slumdog Millionaire. Danny Boyle directed this touching story about an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai who’s competing on India’s "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Amazon is running a note that some of the DVDs are missing the special features. So if yours doesn’t include special features, call their hotline at (888) 223-4FOX to receive a replacement DVD. [Trailer] [Official Site] [Buy DVD] [Buy Video on Demand ($14.99)]

Image: Amazon.com

Bolt, Quantum of Solace on DVD – March 24, 2009

New on DVD this week are films ranging from cute "Bolt" to edgy "Quantum of Solace." Take a look:

Bolt (DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Deluxe DVD/Digital Copy). Super-dog Bolt (voiced by John Travolta) accidentally gets shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to NYC, and embarks on a cross-country journey to get home to his co-star Penny (voiced by Miley Cyrus). [Film Gecko Review] [Official Site]

Quantum of Solace (Single-Disc, Two-Disc Special Edition). Daniel Craig returns 007 to cross-cross the globe on a quest for justice. [Film Gecko DVD Review] [Official Site]

2 Fast 2 Furious (2-Disc Limited Edition). They’re putting out the "Fast & Furious" films again, to get us "geared" (get it?) up for the new Fast & Furious movie coming to theaters April 3, 2009. Vin Diesel isn’t in this one, but Paul Walker shines. [Amazon] Also out: The Fast and the Furious (2-Disc Limited Edition) and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2-Disc Limited Edition).

The Cake Eaters. Twilight’s Kristen Stewart, along with Bruce Dern and Aaron Stanford star in this 2007 family drama about old baggage and unresolved issues. [Amazon]

Image: Amazon

Punisher, Barbie are new on DVD – March 17, 2009

Not a whole lot new on DVD this week, unless you’re a fan of Barbie or the "Punisher" series. Then you’re in luck! Read on…

Punisher: War Zone (2-Disc Special Edition and Widescreen/Full Screen Edition). This sequel to 2004’s "The Punisher" brings back Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson), a vigilante-hero who goes after a mob boss out for vengeance. [Official Site]

Barbie Presents: Thumbelina. A sweet story about a little Twillerbee named Thumbelina and Barbie’s efforts to save their habitat. [Amazon]

Elegy. Penelope Cruz and Ben Kingsley star in this film about a college professor and a beautiful young woman – and their relationship of romance, lust, jealousy, and betrayal. Based on Philip Roth’s short novel, "The Dying Animal." [Official Site]

Image: Amazon.com

New on DVD: March 3, 2009

Aw, the Chihuahuas are out on DVD today! My 11-year-old daughter and I loved this movie and look forward to watching it on DVD. Here’s what’s new on DVD today:

Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Drew Barrymore voices the part of Chloe, a pampered Beverly Hills pooch who suddenly finds herself lost on the wild streets of Mexico. Also stars Piper Perabo and features the voices of George Lopez and Andy Garcia. Loved this fun movie! [Film Gecko Review] [Official Site]

Australia. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman star in this epic movie, but the real star is the sweeping vistas of the land Down Under. This movie is long but beautiful, with a killer musical score and storyline. [Film Gecko Review] [Official Site]

Awake. This psychological thriller revolves around a true-life medical condition known as "anesthetic awareness," where a patient is conscious during surgery. A friend of mine actually had this happen! Talk about a nightmare. Stars Terrence Howard, Fisher Stevens, Hayden Christensen, and Sam Robards. [Official Site]

Things We Lost in the Fire. Halle Berry plays Audrey Burke, a woman who learns that her husband (David Duchovny) has been killed in a random act of violence. She turns to her husband’s drug-addict friend (Benecio Del Toro) for comfort. [Official Site]

Image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

“Changeling,” “Body of Lies” on DVD – Feb. 17, 2009

New on DVD this week is a diverse bunch of movies, everything from Clint Eastwood’s “Changeling” to Greg Kinnear’s “Flash of Genius,” one of my favorite movies from last year. Take a look:

Flash of Genius. Greg Kinnear stars as Bob Kearns, the man who invented the intermittent windshield wiper in the 1960s, then had to fight to earn recognition for it. It wasn’t about the money; it was the principle of the thing![Film Gecko Review] [Official Site]

Changeling. Angelina Jolie stars as a single mom who isn’t all that thrilled when her missing son is returned. Because it’s not him. Directed by Clint Eastwood. [Official Site]

Body of Lies. Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe star in this Ridley Scott film about the CIA’s hunt for terrorists. [Trailer] [Official Site]

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People. Simon Pegg stars as Sidney Young, a displaced, irritating British journalist who now finds himself working for the hottest magazine in America. Also stars Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox and Jeff Bridges. [Official Site]

High School Musical 3. The third movie in the sugary franchise reunites Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and all the rest. [Film Gecko Review] [Official Site]

Image: Universal Pictures