Week 2 (Street Date 2/9/2010)

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	Army Wives - Season 3 (5dsc)
	Studio: Buena MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Drama Pre Order Date: 12/28/09 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: TV09 Number Of Screens: Lifetime Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2009 Lifetime Director: Cast: Catherine Bell, Wendy Davis, Kim Delaney Videoretailer.com Review: Coming soon

Couples Retreat

Studio: Universal MPAA Rating: PG13 Genre: Comedy Pre Order Date: 12/21/2009 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: 107.8 Number Of Screens: 3074 Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 10/9/09 Director: Peter Billingsley Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell, Kristin Davis Videoretailer.com Review: When a failing marriage forces ‘Jason’ and ‘Cynthia’ (Jason Bateman, Kristen Bell) to book a vacation in a couples therapy retreat on a resort island, they convince three couples of friends (Vince Vaughn, Malin Akerman, Jon Favreau, Kristen Davis, Faizon Love, Kali Hawk) to join them to get a group rate. While the friends agree on the grounds that they will enjoy the amenities without having to take part in the therapy sessions, they soon find themselves amidst a variety of unorthodox couples therapy maneuvers that puts their relationships to the test. Mediocre Vaughn / Favreau comedic vehicle lacks the wit of “Swingers” and the broad, albeit predicable laughs of “Wedding Crashers”, and sort of lurks in a hit-or-miss purgatory where this is, at best, mildly amusing if you can get past the fact that the actors on the screen are having much more fun than the rest of us. This said, this should have excellent initial demand, and will probably have a little endurance thanks to the starpower and genre. Interesting side note: this was the directorial debut of Peter Billingsly – aka: “Ralphy” from “Christmas Story”. Perhaps compare with 11/09’s “Four Christmases”, but keep in mind that had the whole holiday inertia thing going for it – this has none of that, with the longshot exception of this being a romantic comedy being released around Valentine’s Day. IMDB User Rating = 5.5 (out of 10).

Dangerous Man, A

Studio: Paramount MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Action Pre Order Date: 12/17/2009 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: DTV Number Of Screens: Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: Director: Keoni Waxman Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, Mike Dopud Videoretailer.com Review: Steven Seagal stars as ‘Shane Daniels’, a man who has just served 15 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, and just hours after he’s released with an apology from the state of AZ, he bears witness to an illegal diamond deal that goes south. With members of both the Mexican mafia and State Police being killed, Daniels finds himself in possession of a bag of money, and a terrified girl – he’s right back in the middle of things as he tries to fight his way through a corrupt town, and get himself, the girl and the money to safety. Yet another direct to video Seagal movie, and yet another DTV Seagal movie that contains only three words in the title. It’s a broken record at this point, but we all know that for whatever reason, these Seagal movies rent – he has good sized loyal fanbase that eat these titles up. Compare with “Driven To Kill” or “Against The Dark”.

Dante's Inferno (2009)

Studio: Anchor Bay MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Anim-Sci-Fi Pre Order Date: 1/6/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: DTV Number Of Screens: Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: Director: Cast: Voices of: Mark Hamill, Victoria Tennant Videoretailer.com Review: Animated Epic based on a tale written 700 years ago by Dante Alighieri, this flick takes us on a journey with warrior ‘Dante’, and his spectral guide ‘Virgil’, into the legendary and frightening nine circles of Hell - Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud, and Treachery - all in search of his one true love, ‘Beatrice’. Highly anticipated with comic book fans and gamers, based on the trailer alone, this looks to be an impressive anime adventure that not only employed some of the world’s foremost anime creators, and is being cross-marketed with a day & date Electronic Arts video game that’s sure to hit the top 10 list, but also has Mark Hamill doing voice-overs – a fact that’s sure to send the sci-fi geeks over the edge. Realizing that this reads like a studio-scripted PR piece, take note that it’s not – it’s just that this seems to have a lot going for it for a DTV anime title; especially with the target demographic.

Dare

Studio: Image MPAA Rating: R Genre: Drama Pre Order Date: 1/12/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: Ltd Number Of Screens: Fests Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2009 Fests Director: Adam Salky Cast: Emmy Rossum, Zach Gilford, Alan Cumming, Sandra Bernhard Videoretailer.com Review: Alexa (Emmy Rossum) may get good grades, but she longs to get her nose out of the textbooks and experience life; meanwhile, melancholy teen Ben (Ashley Springer) wrestles with his sexuality, and good-looking rich kid Johnny (Zach Gilford) realizes that he can't maintain his bad-boy image forever. As their lives slowly converge, it becomes ever more apparent that they have little to rebel against other than their own self-imposed inhibitions. Teen angst / sexual exploration / coming-of-age drama played various festivals and found good applause from the critics and consumers who were able to catch it…was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. There is some internet buzz / anticipation surrounding this release, so in markets more in touch with more marginal, non-mainstream titles (read: hipper, younger), you may find a little bit of a sleeper with this. Most should be alright with 1-4. IMDB User Rating = 6.4 (out of 10).

Emma (2009) (2dsc)

Studio: Warner MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Dramedy Pre Order Date: 1/4/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: DTV Number Of Screens: Non-US TV Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2009 BBC Director: Romola Garai Cast: Robert Bathurst, Michael Gambon, Jonny Lee Miller Videoretailer.com Review: Emma Woodhouse (Romola Garai) seems to be perfectly content, a loving father (Michael Gambon) whom she cares for, friends, and a home…but Emma has a terrible habit - matchmaking. She cannot resist finding suitors for her friends, most of all Harriet Smith. Emma is desperate for Harriet to find happiness, but every suitor she finds for her friend ends up attracted to Emma instead – could Emma be so focused on Harriet’s happiness that she’s blocking out her own chances for love? A 4-hour BBC mini-series, this well-known Jane Austen story (was a popular theatrical release in 1996 with Gwyneth Paltrow) has a little starpower going for it, and despite the 240-minute (2 disc) commitment, it should find interest with fans of the book. I wouldn’t go nutso, but most will want to bring in 1- 5. IMDB User Rating = 8.5 (out of 10).

Endgame (2009)

Studio: Monterey MPAA Rating: PG13 Genre: Drama Pre Order Date: 1/11/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: 6K Number Of Screens: 14 Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 11/6/09 Director: Pete Travis Cast: William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jonny Lee Miller, Mark Strong Videoretailer.com Review: In the late 1980’s, South African President P.W. Botha is hanging on to power by a thread as the African National Congress (ANC) takes up arms against apartheid and the country tumbles toward insurrection. A British mining concern called Consolidated Gold is convinced that their interests would be better served in a stable South Africa, and they quietly dispatch ‘Michael Young’ (Jonny Lee Miller), their head of public affairs, to open an unofficial dialogue between the bitter rivals. Assembling a reluctant yet brilliant team, Young places his trust in ANC leader ‘Thabo Mbeki’ (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Afrikaner philosophy professor ‘Willie Esterhuyse’ (William Hurt). As the story shifts between Nelson Mandela's jail cell, Botha's chambers, ANC headquarters, and a rented car occupied by a British bureaucrat, the prospect for peace becomes more than just a distant hope. Good politically charged historical drama found very good reviews following a festival run, and has been nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe. Good starpower and a yet-to-be-forgotten topic should find good interest with the politically and culturally conscious as well as fans of serious dramas. Despite the lack of any significant box-office take, this could be bought and displayed as if it were a $20M political drama – the starpower’s there, as is the quality – bring in the copies and the consumer will notice this, and perceive this as being a ‘real’ title. IMDB User Rating = 6.8 (out of 10).

	Gary Unmarried - Season 1 (3dsc)
	Studio: Buena MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Comedy Pre Order Date: 12/28/2009 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: TV08 Number Of Screens: CBS Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2008 CBS Director: Cast: Jay Mohr, Paula Marshall, Jaime King Videoretailer.com Review: Coming soon

Halo Legends

Studio: Warner MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Anim-Sci-Fi Pre Order Date: 1/4/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: DTV Number Of Screens: Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: Director: Shinji Aramaki Cast: Animated adventure based on popular video game Videoretailer.com Review: 7 short stories surrounding the “Halo Universe” created for the once phenomenally popular video game, this animated sci-fi / action flick will find some interest from gamers, but there won’t likely be many looks from outside this demographic; and gamers – will this be too busy playing games and downloading crap to be renting this?

Ice Castles (2008)

Studio: Sony MPAA Rating: PG Genre: Drama Pre Order Date: 1/6/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: DTV Number Of Screens: Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: Director: Donald Wrye Cast: Henry Czerny, Rob Mayes, Morgan Kelley Videoretailer.com Review: Alexis Winston is a young girl who dreams of becoming a champion figure skater. While practicing, Alexis suffers a terrible accident that takes her sight and threatens to destroy her dreams. In the midst of feeling sorry for herself she falls in love with a handsome young man named Nick who (with help from her family) helps her to realize that she can still fulfill her dreams. Directed by the same guy who directed the 1978 version, and who is directing the 2010 version that’s still in production, there is little to be found on this particular release, but it does have a little starpower and will have some title recognition going for it. Interest will mostly be with mothers who remember the tear-jerker and want to revisit either alone, or with their daughters. Most should be just fine with 1-5.

Maneater (2009 mini-series)

Studio: Sony MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Comedy Pre Order Date: 1/6/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: TV09 Number Of Screens: Lifetime Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2009 Lifetime Director: Cast: Sarah Chalke, Judy Greer, Philip Winchester, Marla Sokoloff Videoretailer.com Review: Beautiful, fashionable and fun, ‘Clarissa Alpert’ (Sarah Chalke) is a shallow socialite whose speed dial is a veritable Rolodex of Hollywood power players, but approaching her 32nd birthday finds the spoiled daddy’s girl in a panic because she is still single. Clarissa, though, always gets what she wants — even if he’s ‘Aaron Mason’ (Philip Winchester), the hottest new producer in town. With the help of her family and friends, Clarissa sets into motion an elaborate plan to lasso the dashing filmmaker who will, she hopes, be the man to put a ring on her finger. Lifetime mini-series starring “Scrubs” Sarah Chalke found mixed reviews following its broadcast with critics and what appear to be mature adults trashing it for being pretty lousy and with childish writing, while a different demographic really grooved on it – this 2nd camp uses a lot of !exclamation points!! and lots of OMG’s and LOL’s in their reviews. Though Sarah Chalke’s name isn’t necessarily all that well-known, her image certainly is, and thankfully Sony has the good sense to use it on the box-art, this should find good interest from fans of Scrubs…though only the young bubbly ones will likely enjoy. Most should be alright with 1-6.

Midgets Vs. Mascots

Studio: First Look MPAA Rating: R / UN Genre: Comedy Pre Order Date: 1/4/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: Ltd Number Of Screens: Fests Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2009 Fests Director: Ron Carlson Cast: Gary Coleman, Jason Mewes, Paul Rae, Ron Jeremy Videoretailer.com Review: Mockumentary surrounding fictitious Texas millionaire / midget “Big Red” who while making his money in the adult film industry, was also a mascot (you know, a guy in a silly suit), and this all said, has an affinity for both little people and mascots…and according to his will, a team of 5 mascots (coached by his gold-digging wife), and 5 midgets (coached by his average-height son, and including Gary Coleman) will compete for $5M. So, the contests range from bull-riding to insulting strangers in bars (Borat-style – using apparently unwitting non-actors), drinking lots of milk quickly and fighting each other. Somewhere a mix of Borat, Jackass and some whacked reality TV show, this sloppily produced flick has more laughs than it really should and is actually a pretty funny, quite offensive flick that somehow feels like it could have very good rental potential – especially with teen and 20-something guys who are sophomoric enough to groove on this material – the same folks who love the Jackass antics. Use your gut on this one…if Adult Swim shows (Family Guy, Aqua Teen Hunger Force) and Jackass does well for you, this may perform very well for you as well.

Penguins of Madagascar: Operation

Studio: DreamWorks MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Anim-Family Pre Order Date: 12/17/2009 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: DTV Number Of Screens: Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: Director: Cast: Videoretailer.com Review: “Penguins of Madagascar” is a Nickelodeon TV show that is an offshoot of the popular Madagascar films; this is evidently a direct to video offshoot of the TV show that is being touted as having ‘never before seen adventures…starring the madcap pack of penguins…from the Madagascar franchise.’ The show is popular, so this will probably hit a home-run with parents and kids – especially with February vacation right around the corner. You may want to bulk up on this a bit, especially considering the void of family-friendly titles this month.

Polar Storm

Studio: First Look MPAA Rating: NR Genre: Act / Sci-Fi Pre Order Date: 1/4/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: TV09 Number Of Screens: Sci-Fi Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 3/09 Sci-Fi Chan. Director: Paul Ziller Cast: Jack Coleman, Holly Dignard, Tyler Johnston Videoretailer.com Review: The Earth is gearing for a close encounter with a comet only to be hit by a portion of its tail that lands in Alaska, but the seemingly minor collision seems to have shifted the earth on its axisx causing a reversal of the magnetic poles. In Washington state, ‘Dr. James Mayfield’ (Jack Coleman), with help of his science teacher wife, and a terrible actor for a son, must warn the world that if the polar shift continues its course, it will spell extinction for the human race. Bad Sci-Fi Channel disaster flick has awful acting, bad writing, an implausible plot and lame FX…a typical Sci-Fi original. Most markets have their regulars for these B-grade disaster movies, and you should know by this point how receptive your customers are. IMDB User Rating = 4.1 (out of 10).

Serious Man, A

Studio: Universal MPAA Rating: R Genre: Dramedy Pre Order Date: 12/21/2009 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: 9.0 Number Of Screens: 262 Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 10/2/09 Director: Coen Brothers Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Sari Lennick Videoretailer.com Review: It is 1967, and ‘Larry Gopnik’ (Michael Stuhlbarg), a physics professor at a quiet Midwestern university, has just been informed by his wife Judith that she is leaving him. She has fallen in love with one of his more pompous acquaintances, Sy Ableman, who seems to her a more substantial person than the feckless Larry. Larry’s unemployable brother ‘Arthur’ (Richard Kind) is sleeping on the couch, his son Danny is a discipline problem and a shirker at Hebrew school, and his daughter Sarah is filching money from his wallet in order to save up for a nose job. Struggling for equilibrium, Larry seeks advice from three different rabbis to help him cope with his afflictions and become a righteous person – a mensch – a serious man. New Coen Brothers film (“No Country For Old Men) is a darkly and bleakly humorous film that has found excellent critical acclaim (Stuhlbarg has been nominated for a Golden Globe – often a good indication for Oscar nods), as well as applause from the consumer, but like many of the Coen’s films, the enjoyment here isn’t necessarily mainstream, as they’ve taken a path less travelled here, and aren’t looking to produce a crowd-pleaser, but more of a black humor exploration of a sad sack man and his travails of life. Coen fans will eat it up, the mainstream however, looking for a mainstream type comedy will be disappointed. Perhaps compare with “Sunshine Cleaning”…not as much starpower here, but the Coen Brothers’ name will match that, if not surpass it. If this starts getting Oscar nods, you may want to figure out a way to pick up extra copies…maybe. IMDB User Rating = 8.1 (out of 10).

Serious Moonlight

Studio: Magnolia MPAA Rating: R Genre: Comedy Pre Order Date: 1/11/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: 20K Number Of Screens: 8 Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 12/4/09 Director: Cheryl Hines Cast: Meg Ryan, Timothy Hutton, Kristen Bell, Justin Long Videoretailer.com Review: When high-powered attorney Louise (Meg Ryan) learns that her husband, Ian (Timothy Hutton), plans to leave her after 13 years of marriage to run off with his 20-something girlfriend, Sara (Kristen Bell), she impulsively decides to take drastic action, and ties up Ian in their upstate NY country house, and refuses to let him go until he becomes willing to work things out. Naturally, he resists, and things take an even worse turn for the couple when a young hooligan (Justin Long) hears Ian's cries for help, and decides to rob the couple instead of helping the hapless husband. Okay dark romantic comedy is more-or-less enjoyable, but has trouble navigating between comedy and mean-spirited / creepy, but while the critics mostly disliked for this reason, and for the stagy, wooden feel, the folks who will be renting – the consumer – was much more forgiving. Good starpower will help this indie flick that had virtually nil box-office dollars find some traction, there may or may not be any subsequent word-of-mouth but this should have alright demand. Despite the lack of theatrical exposure, the starpower would suggest buying in depth; as if it were say, a $25M title… IMDB User Rating = 6.0 (out of 10).

Shoot First & Pray You Live

Studio: Lions Gate MPAA Rating: R Genre: Western Pre Order Date: 1/12/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: Ltd Number Of Screens: Fests Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2008 - 09 Fests Director: Lance Doty Cast: Jeff Hephner, James Russo, Tamara Hope Videoretailer.com Review: Red Pierre has come up from the mountains of a Mexican Monastery to avenge his dying father, who had been fatally wounded by the outlaw Bob McGurk (James Russo) - a man the locals say cannot be beaten in a draw, and before Pierre can meet the invincible gunman, he’s picked up by Jim Boone and his gang, the Cut-Throats. Despite the protests of the other outlaws, Boone makes Pierre a member of his gang, a replacement for his dead son. As Pierre rides with the wild and skilled gunfighters, including Boone’s wild young daughter, Jack, the table is set for a showdown between Pierre and McGurk. Indie Spaghetti Western has a little starpower with James Russo, but is otherwise a title that will pass under the radar, except with Western fans – there’s almost zero net anticipation, and the genre is just a hard-sell by nature unless it’s a big picture with a big marketing budget and cast. Most will need no more than 1-2.

Stepfather, The

Studio: Sony MPAA Rating: UN Genre: Horror Pre Order Date: 1/6/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: 29.1 Number Of Screens: 2734 Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 10/16/09 Director: Nelson McCormick Cast: Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Penn Badgley, Amber Heard Videoretailer.com Review: Michael Harding (Penn Badgley) returns home from military school to find his mother (Sela Ward) happily in love and living with her new boyfriend, David (Dylan Walsh). As the two men get to know each other, Michael becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand. Is he really the man of her dreams or could David be hiding a dark side? Dull and plodding remake of the good 1987 film, this thriller has more a feel of a made-for-Lifetime thriller than a guilty-pleasure popcorn slasher that it wants to be (and that the original was). Bad reviews and word-of-mouth perhaps cut the B/O dollars down, but honestly, $30M is pretty damn good for this thriller. Definitely have copies of the original, sharing shelf-space with this release to bring in catalog dollars…there was also a “Stepfather II” and “…III” that you can also do this with. Maybe compare with 7/09’s “The Unborn”…that was a better movie, but this has title recognition thanks to the popular 1987 original that will step up interest here, despite its shortfalls. IMDB User Rating = 5.1 (out of 10).

Time Traveller's Wife

Studio: New Line MPAA Rating: PG13 Genre: Drama Pre Order Date: 1/4/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: 63.4 Number Of Screens: 2988 Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 8/14/09 Director: Robert Schwentke Cast: Rachel McAdams, Eric Bana, Ron Livingston Videoretailer.com Review: Clare (Rachel McAdams) has been in love with Henry (Eric Bana) her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated: Henry is a time traveler - cursed with a rare genetic anomaly that causes him to live his life on a shifting timeline, skipping back and forth through his lifespan with no control. Despite the fact that Henry's travels force them apart with no warning, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love. Based on a best-selling book, this quintessential chick flick drama found pretty cool reviews from the critics complaining that this was dull and contrived, but the consumer was a bit friendlier – especially fans of the book who credit the director for putting the best foot forward in creating an impossible adaptation of the complex novel. The title awareness will be this film’s best friend as most everyone – fan or not – has heard of the book. There will be very good initial demand with the targets (fans of the book, fans of cerebral love stories), but there will probably be a hard line between those who will rent and those who won’t – not many on the fence with this type of film – there will be little anyone can do to change that. Compare with 5/08’s “PS I Love You”. IMDB User Rating = 7.2 (out of 10).

	XIII Conspiracy
	Studio: Peace Arch MPAA Rating: R Genre: Crime-Thr Pre Order Date: 1/4/2010 Video Release Date: 2/9/2010 Box Office Sales / Broadcast Details: TV09 Number Of Screens: NBC Theatrical / Broadcast Release Date: 2/09 NBC Director: Cast: Mimi Kuzyk, Stephen Dorff, Jessalyn Gilsig Videoretailer.com Review: Coming soon