Posted on April 2, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Be sure to check out my essay on our latest Movie of the Month, Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Amy Madigan, Ray Liotta, and Burt Lancaster, and based on Shoeless Joe
Posted on April 1, 2013 at 10:29 pm
The hit television series is now available on DVD.
“Audiences embraced The Bible in numbers and with passion we never could have anticipated,” producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett said the morning after the finale aired on Easter. “What a great statement for American television viewers to make for the last five weeks: More than 100 million of them chose stories of God’s deep and sacrificial love for all of us over anything else on cable or broadcast networks. It proves once again why the Bible is called the greatest story ever told.”
Featuring hours of never before seen behind-the-scenes footage and making-of featurettes in a stunning high bit rate HD transfer and immersive 5.1 audio, the Blu-ray and DVD exclusively feature an all-new cut of the miniseries.
Narrated by Emmy winning actor Keith David, The Bible features an international cast including Portuguese actor, Diogo Morgado as Jesus Christ and producr Roma Downey as Mother Mary. And for the first time since their award winning collaboration on Gladiator, Oscar and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer reunites with acclaimed vocalist Lisa Gerrard to create the musical backdrop for this epic production.
The four-disc Blu-ray and DVD set dives deeper into the making of the series and features a behind-the-scenes look at how the groundbreaking docudrama came together. Interviews with producers, directors, and cast illustrate creative collaboration on-set and off and show how the remarkable Moroccan scenery was transformed into the world of the Bible.
Special features include:
· The Bible: Genesis – With Mark Burnett and Roma Downey as guides, we discover how the team approached the daunting task of filming the stories of the Bible
· The Cast of The Bible
· The Bible: Creation – A three-part journey through the making of the miniseries
o Creation I: The Vision, The Look – Discover the vision of producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett in this behind-the-scenes look at how it was created.
o Creation II: Production Stories – An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the challenges faced by the production – including the supernatural experiences with snakes on set – plus Diogo’s approach to portraying who he has called the most complex figure in human history
o Creation III: Crucified & Resurrected – A deeper look into the emotional filming of the crucifixion, resurrection and the last days in Morocco
· Scoring The Bible – A rare look into the recording session for the soundtrack
· Believing in Miracles – The cast and crew tell their stories
· The Bible: Visual Effects
Posted on April 1, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Meryl Streep narrates “To the Arctic,” the story of twin polar bear cubs and their mother that is a great family film. And I have a copy to give away.
It’s an extraordinary journey to the top of the world and a compelling tale of survival in the changing Arctic wilderness they call home. Captivating and intimate IMAX® footage brings audiences up-close and personal with this family’s struggle in a frigid environment of melting ice, immense glaciers, spectacular waterfalls and majestic snow-bound peaks. The vistas and wildlife are breathtaking and the story of the mother and her cubs fighting for survival is touching. And the soundtrack features songs by Sir Paul McCartney.
It’s now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. The Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack features a 3D hi-definition, a hi-definition and a standard definition copy of the film; and the single disc DVD features a standard definition copy. Both the Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet, which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.
To enter, send me an email at moviemom@moviemom.com and tell me why you’d like to visit the Arctic. Don’t forget to include your address (US addresses only). I’ll pick a winner at random on April 7. Good luck!
Posted on April 1, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Happy Spring! Celebrate with these wonderful films, all with “April” in the title:
1. Enchanted April
2. Pieces of April
3. “The April Fools” Dated and uneven but irresistible story of a man (Jack Lemmon) who falls for the wife of his boss (Catherine Deneuve). In the best scene, featured in my new book, 101 Must-See Movie Moments
4. April Love
5. April in Paris
Posted on April 1, 2013 at 10:39 am
In honor of the baseball season’s opening day, visit the brand-new virtual museum of baseball history, The National Pastime. It is an astonishing treasure trove, based on a collection of over 25,000 items, including equipment, contracts, photos, and artifacts. Gaze on the bats of the greatest hitters of all time. See photos going back to the earliest origins of the game in 1845, and Inside Baseball Magazine’s portrait of Jackie Robinson, the first black player in the major leagues (and he subject of the upcoming film, “42”). Read about baseball history and read articles by a line-up of nine great sportswriters. Play ball!
