Starring: Shep Gordon
Director: Mike Myers
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
elease Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 85 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 0 out of 5 stars

“Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon” is a documentary about the king of the entertainment industry. It is marks the directorial debut of Mike Myers. That’s right the same Mike Myers from “Austin Powers” series and “Wayne’s World” series. I have to admit, I wasn’t familiar with Shep Gordon but this guy knows EVERYONE in the business. He has been Alice Coopers manager for over 40 years and has worked with everyone from Pink Floyd (for like 9 days) to Groucho Marx to Jimi Hendrix to Emeril Lagasse. In terms of documentary, this one really interested me and was definitely worth checking out if you are in the world involved in the business.

Official Premise: In his directorial debut, Mike Myers (Austin Powers, Wayne’s World) steps behind the camera to document the remarkable career of friend and Hollywood insider—Shep Gordon. He isn’t a household name, but Gordon became a beacon in the entertainment industry after a chance run-in with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin launched his career in 1968. Since then, he has managed an endless list of talent, including Alice Cooper, Blondie, Luther Vandross, and Raquel Welch. His management of Emeril Lagasse was the driving force behind the “Celebrity Chef,” concept that turned the culinary arts into the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. Capitalist, protector, hedonist, pioneer, showman, shaman…Shep, or SUPERMENSCH, is beloved by the countless stars he’s encountered. Now, Gordon’s fascinating story is told by those who know him best, his pals including Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Anne Murray, Willie Nelson, and more.

“Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon” is not special at all when it comes to its Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p transfer is good but also barely decent at certain points. Since some of the content is taken from old sourced. It is not very polished but to be honest it still works since it is a documentary and I didn’t expect “Avatar”. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is a bit neglected since there isn’t much on the track besides the dialogue. There isn’t much music in the film either than the typical documentary music. In more disappointing there are zero special features on this Blu-ray. I would have loved to see a commentary track and some deleted or extended interviews included.

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Seth MacFarlane
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Universal Studios
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 116 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

“Ted” is a very funny film and a real tough act to follow for Seth MacFarlane. “A Million Ways to Die in the West” tries its best and really succeeds. The film is also a Western, so right off the bat, that is a really hard act to sell. The film is funny as hell and also extremely raunchy. My only issue is that it is falls into the category of running about 30 minutes too long. It features an amazing cast including Seth MacFarlane himself along with Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman and Neil Patrick Harris. Honestly, I enjoyed the second viewing is more enjoyable. I recommend this for some great laughs.

Official Premise: Seth MacFarlane directs, produces, co-writes and plays the role of the cowardly sheep farmer Albert in A Million Ways to Die in the West. After Albert backs out of a gunfight, his fickle girlfriend leaves him for another man. When a mysterious and beautiful woman rides into town, she helps him find his courage and they begin to fall in love. But when her husband, a notorious outlaw, arrives seeking revenge, the farmer must put his newfound courage to the test.

“A Million Ways to Die in the West” comes in a great Blu-ray from Universal. The 1080p transfer in 2.40:1 looks amazing. The location outdoor shots are gorgeous and totally unexpected from this film. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is also great and delivers well on Joel McNeely, perfectly themed Western score. The special features are nothing special. There are commentary tracks on both cuts with Director/Producer/Co-Writer Seth MacFarlane, Co-Writers and Executive Producers Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild and Star Charlize Theron. This is worth checking out if you enjoyed the film.

There is an Alternate Opening and Alternate Ending, along with about 10 minutes of Deleted / Extended / Alternate Scenes and a Gag Reel.  There is a basic EPK making of look with “Once Upon a Time, in a Different West” with package’s EPK, with some fun behind the scenes footage and interviews. The Blu-ray also includes an Extended cut of the film which runs about 2 hours and 15 minutes but honestly, it is way too long. I love comedies but they honestly need to be around 90 minutes.

Media Mikes loves the Alamo Drafthouse. It’s our theatre of choice in Kansas City and where we record our weekly “Behind the Mikes” Podcast. That’s why we’re spreading the word that the Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse is looking for a fun, knowledgeable movie fan to help host their many Girlie Nights and Action Pack Quote-Alongs! Interested movie fans can submit video links of themselves introducing a film, and top contenders will compete for a public vote to take home the gold. Job responsibilities include speaking in front of large crowds, promoting events via social media, and enthusiastically operating a confetti cannon. After all, what’s a party without a mess?

If you think you have what it takes just send a sample video to [email protected]. Video submissions will be accepted through Monday, October 20, 2014 and the winner notified on October 27. Good luck, and tell Ryan we sent you!

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Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Robert Duvall
Directed by: David Dobkin
Rated: R
Running time: 2 hours 21 mins
Warner Brothers

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

“The Godfather: Part II,” “Network,” “The Natural,” “Falling Down.” What do these films have in common? They all feature performances by Robert Duvall that amazingly were NOT nominated for an Academy Award. I decided some time ago that, in my opinion, Robert Duvall is the greatest film actor of all time. Don’t believe me? Watch “The Great Santini.” Or “The Apostle,” which Duvall also wrote and directed. Then tell me I’m wrong. Those two films earned him two of his six Oscar nominations and he won the Best Actor Oscar for 1983’s “Tender Mercies.” He should earn his seventh nod shortly thanks to his performance in “The Judge.”

Hank Palmer (Downey, Jr) is the stereotypical “fat cat” lawyer. Big house in the suburbs. Drives a Ferrari. And has no problem defending clients who…well, let’s just say that not always guilt free. When an opposing attorney asks him why he never defends an innocent client, Hank replies that “an innocent man can’t afford me.” When his mother passes away, Hank leaves his high-style Chicago lifestyle for a trip back home to small town Indiana. Back to his family. Back to the Judge.

Flawlessly directed and skillfully acted, “The Judge” joins last week’s “Gone Girl” on this year’s short list of worthy Oscar contenders. With no love lost between them, Judge Joseph Palmer (Duvall) and his middle son are like oil and water. When Judge Palmer is involved in a hit and run accident – it doesn’t help that the man killed had once appeared before the judge and held a grudge – Hank must go to the mat to keep his father out of prison. Whether he’s innocent or not!

Duvall and Downey, Jr. are outstanding. Both men would certainly be recognized come Oscar time if I was in charge. Constantly finding just the right thing to say to twist the imaginary knife just a little more, the two bicker more than an old married couple. But, like that couple, there is also a mutual respect and love that they keep hidden in their emotions. As oldest son, Glen, Vincent D’Onofrio tries to be strong, though he still nurses a distrust of Hank and his efforts. Jeremy Strong plays youngest brother Dale, a young man who never goes anywhere without his Super 8 camera, with a gentle sweetness. Vera Farmiga is strong as a woman from Hank’s past while Billy Bob Thornton oozes with oil as the special prosecutor sent to bring Judge Palmer to trial. There isn’t a false note in the bunch. What is most surprising is the way the film is crafted by director Dobkin. A veteran of such comedies as “Shanghai Knights,” “Wedding Crashers” and “Fred Claus,” this is not a film I would expect from him. Though a tad too long, Dobkin manages to keep the film moving, only revealing something new when the time is right. The pace never drags and Dobkin has delivered a first rate dramatic debut!

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Starring: Yûki Kaji, Yui Ishikawa, Marina Inoue, Kishô Taniyama, Yu Shimamura, Yû Kobayashi
Director: Tetsurô Araki
Number of discs: 4
Studio: Funimation
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Run Time: 300 minutes

Series: 5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“Attack on Titan” has really resurrected my love for Japanese anime. The show is fantastic and as a whole is easily one of the best series that I have watched in a while. I just wish the series was longer than 26 episodes, since the manga is quite long as well. This Limited Edition Part 2 comes with a 3-D Lenticular Art Card and Notes From Beyond The Wall: Part 2 (a 24 page digibook containing 4 panel comics, artwork, interviews and more!). The series is also being re-adapted into two animated theatrical films set to be released Winter 2014 and 2015. The word is that there is also a live-action movie that will begin filming in summer 2014 for a planned summer 2015 release. So stay tuned “Titan” fans, there is still a lot of come!

Official Premise: Eren Jaeger vowed to rid mankind of the bloodthirsty giants who devoured his mother and destroyed his city. Now, after discovering that he has the ability to turn into a Titan, the world Eren promised to protect looks at him like he is the monster. Narrowly avoiding execution, Eren’s fate is entrusted to the Scout Regiment where he must prove capable of following orders. But on an expedition outside the wall, a unique female Titan appears and cuts through the Scouts, leaving a trail of carnage and splintered bones behind her and making it difficult for Eren to control his rage. As it becomes obvious that a traitor is sabotaging the Regiment from within, Eren must ask himself who humanity’s true enemy really is.

Like Part 1 of “Attack on Titan”, it is delivered by FUNimation Entertainment with a solid Blu-ray presentation. The episodes look fantastic in their 1080p transfers in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The style of animation looks so amazing and the detail is incredible. Same goes for the audio options. We get the original Japanese language track in Dolby TrueHD 2.0 and an English dub in Dolby TrueHD 5.1. Both are excellent but I have to admit like Part 1 as well, the 5.1 track wins. There is over an hour of special features included, a little less than Part 1 but still decent. There is a commentary track for episodes 14 & 25, Attack on Titan at Anime Expo, ”Chibi Theatre: Fly, Cadets, Fly!”, Eyecatch Gallery, Textless Songs, and trailers included.

Starring: Sean Schemmel, Stephanie Nadolny, Christopher Sabat, Daisuke Gōri, Mayumi Tanaka, Kenji Utsumi
Director: Daisuke Nishio, Mike McFarland
Number of discs: 4
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Funimation
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Run Time: 685 minutes

Seasons: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

As we are flying through the seasons this year, FUNimation Entertainment is continuing the love for Dragon Ball Z Uncut with the sixth season which features episodes 166-194 of the classic anime series. The season around the Cell Games Saga and originally aired from 1992–1993 in Japan and 2000 in the U.S. on Cartoon Network dubbed in English. This is a great season as Cell was always a kick-ass villain. Three more seasons to go after this Funimation is determined to finish the series before the end of 2014.

Official Premise: Having at last achieved his Perfect Form, the evil Cell’s powers have soared to terrible new heights, overshadowing even the greatest of the Z-Fighters. Eager to demonstrate these newfound abilities and prove his superiority, Cell proposes a tournament. He issues an ultimatum to the people of Earth: produce a worthy opponent or die! The day of reckoning upon them, Goku and the Z-Fighters line up to participate in Cell’s twisted game, the world’s best hope of defeating the monster.

But they are not the only ones brave enough to accept the challenge. The reigning World Martial Arts Champion, Mr. Satan, has also stepped into the ring! Now, with the fate of the human race hanging in the balance, one of these valiant fighters must come forward to defeat the seemingly invincible Perfect Cell. But who will it be?

Like the past seasons, this one has be given a frame-by-frame restoration to remove blemishes, tape marks and foreign bodies from the film. The 1080p transfer at a 16:9 aspect ratio looks amazing. The audio tracks including the Japanese audio and two English tracks: the U.S. English-language broadcast dub and a mix with English dialogue and Japanese music have been re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction and superior sound quality, and the colors are bolder and more vibrant.

The special features are decent including two Inside Dragon Ball Z features. The first is an interview with Eric Vale, voice of Trunks. The second is an interview with Cynthia Cranz, who voiced infant Broly. There is also some Dragon Ball Z trivia and a must for those hardcore fans. Lastly there are Textless Opening/Closing Songs and trailers included.

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Starring: Sean Schemmel, Stephanie Nadolny, Christopher Sabat, Daisuke Gōri, Mayumi Tanaka, Kenji Utsumi
Director: Daisuke Nishio, Mike McFarland
Number of discs: 4
Rated: Unrated
Studio: Funimation
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Run Time: 600 minutes

Season: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

As we are flying through the seasons this year, FUNimation Entertainment is continuing the love for Dragon Ball Z Uncut with the sixth season which features episodes 195-219 of the classic anime series. The season around the Cell Games Saga and originally aired from 1992–1993 in Japan and 2000 in the U.S. on Cartoon Network dubbed in English. This season focuses around Great Saiyaman and World Tournament Sagas. Getting close now only two more seasons to go after this as Funimation is determined to finish the series before the end of 2014.

Official Premise: Seven years of peace have passed since the defeat of the monstrous Cell, and the Z-Fighters have enjoyed a return to normal life. Goku has eagerly continued his training in Other World, Krillin has gotten married, and Gohan has renewed his scholarly pursuits while attempting to navigate the pitfalls of high school. Two fresh new Saiyan faces have also appeared on the scene – Goku’s son Goten, and Vegeta’s son Trunks.

Now, the time has come for the Z-Fighters to reunite, as the new World Martial Arts Tournament is set to begin. The greatest warriors on Earth have come together for their chance to capture the title of the reigning champion, Mr. Satan – but behind the scenes, sinister forces are at work. An evil eye watches the competitors’ every move, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The action grows fierce on the tournament floor, but for the Z-Fighters, the real fight is only just beginning

Like the past seasons, this one has be given a frame-by-frame restoration to remove blemishes, tape marks and foreign bodies from the film. The 1080p transfer at a 16:9 aspect ratio looks amazing. The audio tracks including the Japanese audio and two English tracks: the U.S. English-language broadcast dub and a mix with English dialogue and Japanese music have been re-mastered in the interest of noise reduction and superior sound quality, and the colors are bolder and more vibrant.

The special features are decent including two Inside Dragon Ball Z features. The first is an interview with Justin Cook, who voices of Dende, Evil Buu & Super Buu. The second is an interview with Nathanael Harrison, who is the audio mixing engineer for the Funimation dub. There is an extras on the “Dragon Ball Z Card Game” called “Past, Present and Future”. Lastly there are Textless Opening/Closing Songs and trailers included.

Actors: Garret Dillahunt, Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Eliza Dushku, Gina Gershon
Directors: John Suits
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Xlrator
DVD Release Date: October 21, 2014
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: N/A

Before we get started here…what the hell is up with this outstanding cast of talent including Katie Cassidy (Arrow), Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl), Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse), Gina Gershon (Showgirls), Sasha Grey (Entourage), Garret Dillahunt (Raising Hope), Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), Kunal Nayyar (The Bing Bang Theory), Ashlynn Yennie (The Human Centipede) and Billy Campbell (Helix).

Official Premise: The Scribbler follows Suki (Katie Cassidy), a young woman confronting her destructive mental illness using “The Siamese Burn,” an experimental machine designed to eliminate multiple personalities. The closer Suki comes to being “cured,” she’s haunted by a thought… what if the last unwanted identity turns out to be her?

Now that we the cast out of the way, how come I have never heard of this film till now when it hits Blu-ray. This film is a pretty bad-ass flick with a great ensemble cast. It is slick, edgy and definitely one hell of a ride. The 1080p works great on Blu-ray for this stylized film. There are no special features at all though included with this film. Come on Xlrator you can do better!

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Starring: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Sarah Chalke, Spencer Grammer, Kari Wahlgren, Brandon Johnson
Studio: Cartoon Network
Rating: TV-14
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 242 minutes

Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

I firstly need to thank my sister in law for pushing me to watching this show but I missed it in its initial airing on Adult Swim. I have been taking a bit of a break from the station since I haven’t been thrilled with their product recently. “Rick and Morty” is a real trip and a very fun show. I love the animation and I was laughing till I was crying with some of the episodes in this season. This show is crazy messed up mix of “Back to the Future” and “Futurama”. Bring on season two!!

Official Premise: From comedic masterminds Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland comes Rick and Morty. Adult Swim’s newest series follows the adventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez, who returns after 20 years to live with his daughter, her husband, and their children Morty and Summer.

Cartoon Network and Warner Bros are releasing this series on Blu-ray along with an Ultraviolet digital copy of the season. They are not huge when it comes to home releases for their Adult Swim shows, so this is a big deal. I have been waiting for a Blu-ray of the “Metalocalypse” movie but I have a feeling I shouldn’t hold my breath since it has been a year already.

The 1080p transfer are amazing. The colors are just so stunning, crisp and vibrant. I honestly think that is one of the main reasons I have come to now love this show is due to its visual aspect…of course besides the fact that it is funny as hell. Also this Blu-ray includes solid uncensored Dolby TrueHD tracks, which is a really a treat since even “Adventure Time” only get Dolby Digtal tracks for their Blu-rays.

Included on the Blu-ray are the season’s 11 episodes along with some solid special features. There is a behind-the-scenes featurette on the season. There are literally commentaries and animatics for every single episode, which is real fan dedication. Some of the special guests you will find on the tracks are Matt Groening, Robert Kirkman, Pen Ward, Al Jean and many more, so these are a must listen. Lastly there are also some deleted scenes included. If you are a fan of this show, you will not be left wanting more.

Actors: Famke Janssen, Landon Liboiron, Bill Skarsgard, Dougray Scott
Number of discs: 3
Rated: TV-MA
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 780 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Before shows like “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story”, there was a real shortage of horror on television. “Hemlock Grove” was designed as a Netflix Original series, which premiered only on the paid streaming website. I stand behind anything horror and this show definitely paid off for being inovated and You got give it to Netflix since they have been releasing some brave and bold television series like “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black”. “Hemlock Grove” is executive produced by Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), based on the novel of the same name by Brian McGreevy. The show is edgy, witty, gory as hell and a ton of fun. I highly recommend checking this out for those who didn’t catch it on Netflix.

Official Premise: In a small Pennsylvania town, something evil has come in search of prey. But who is the true monster in Hemlock Grove? The brutal slaying of a teenage girl sends the townspeople of Hemlock Grove into a desperate search to find her killer. But this sleepy community soon finds itself living a nightmare as secrets and rumors threaten to drive them all down a dark path as they struggle to uncover the truth. Starring Famke Janssen (X-Men) Bill Skarsgård (Anna Karenina), Landon Liboiron (Altitude), Penelope Mitchell (The Vampire Diaries) and Dougray Scott (Mission: Impossible II).

Shout Factory is behind this Blu-ray release and they did a great job with the 1080p transfers. The show looks amazing, especially that amazing transformation scene. Speaking of that scene, this show definitely developed a certain rival of the original “An American Werewolf in London” scene. It is so well done, it should have won awards. I originally watched this show on the computer and my computer scene is not 1080p, so it was a nice upgrade. The DTS-HD Master Audio tracks work well with the show’s atmosphere and Nathan Barr’s score, which is epic and also at the same time creepy as well.

The special features are great like the series. There is a solid commentary track on the first episode with the director and executive producer Eli Roth with special guest Lorenza Izzo. I would have like to seen a few more but this one is still great. There are also six behind-the-scenes featurettes into the making of “Hemlock Grove” including “Dysfunctional In Every Way”; “Anatomy Of A Kill”; “Fairytales for Adults”; “The Rust Beneath The Surface”; “The Monster Within” and “It Hurts So Good”. All of these together add up a great inside look into the series. To be honest, I wasn’t expect much in terms of extras content here but I was very pleasantly surprised.

Starring: Willie Robertson, Jase Robertson, Kay Robertson, Phil Robertson
Studio: Lionsgate
DVD Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 220 minutes

Season: 4 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

I know the gang of “Duck Dynasty” are quickly loosing their mainstream hype and mass audience of fans but I still love this show. I can’t get enough of it. I love the cast. They just crack me up. After a hard day at work something you don’t want to watch a intense fact-filling crime drama instead you want to watch something light and fun…and “Duck Dynasty” is definitely that. This season is a hoot just like the first five. I do not think that the appeal has worn off at all (of course I only started watching at season three in the prime of its popularity). Keep them coming A&E, when is season seven coming?

Official Premise: There are goings-on with everyone, from the guys re-branding Duck Commander to the governor of Louisiana giving Willie an award to the return of the dreaded beavers! Watch as the elder Robertsons share their special brand of wisdom with the kids along the way: Phil teaches Bella more than Willie was hoping about nature, Willie and Si insist on helping John Luke with his speech introducing the governor and Jep and Jessica chaperone Lily’s first date. Jase takes Reed frog-hunting the night before his high school graduation-like he did before his own-and Jep and the ladies pull a senior prank by toilet-papering Missy and Jase’s house. Willie also sponsors a radio contest and finds himself competing against Si for a wood chipper. Somehow, it all comes together.

The 1080p transfer and DTS-HD Master Audio tracks are good but nothing special since the show is quite basic. It is still a great step up from cable TV. There is a massive amount of special features here with TEN behind-the-scenes featurettes including “Reinventing Duck Commander”; “Firefighter Academy: Robertson Style”; “The Governor Visits Duck Commander”; “Jep Meets Lily’s First Boyfriend”; “Rolling’ with the Robertsons”; “Willie the Joker”; “Godwin’s Rotten Pickles”; “Mother’s Day 2014”; “Si’s New Hobby: Couponing” and “Willie’s Day at the Dojo”. There are some a bunch of deleted scenes included rounding out the extras.

PARAMOUNT CELEBRATES THE DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE BELOVED HOLIDAY CLASSIC STARRING DANNY KAYE AND BING CROSBY AND HONORS THE HUMANITARIAN WORK OF UNICEF

 Paramount Pictures and The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation Donating $100,000  to Support UNICEF’s Work for Children

Blu-ray^™ Combo Pack Debuts October 14, 2014 with a Bonus Holiday Music CD and New Special Features Including a UNICEF Documentary Hosted by Danny Kaye, Sing-Along Lyrics, a Virtual Duet Between Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé and More

  HOLLYWOOD, Calif.  –  Celebrate 60 years of the treasured musical classic Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS with the spectacular new Diamond Anniversary Edition arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack October 14, 2014 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  Starring legendary performers Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen and featuring unforgettable music by Irving Berlin, the beloved holiday film offers timeless entertainment for all ages.

In honor of the 60^th anniversaries of WHITE CHRISTMAS and Danny Kaye’s appointment as UNICEF’s first Goodwill Ambassador, The Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation and Paramount Pictures are proud to make a combined $100,000 donation to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF* to support UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children around the world.  As UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador, Danny Kaye traveled to numerous countries in 1954 to see the work of the organization firsthand and appeared in and narrated a documentary entitled Assignment Childrenabout his experience, which is included in the new Blu-ray Combo Pack along with a new introduction by Michael Bublé.  Danny Kaye received an Honorary Academy Award^® in 1955 for his work on this extraordinary documentary, as well as for his unique talents, his service to the Academy, the motion picture industry, and the American people.

Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS Diamond Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack also includes new special features such as five classic Christmas television show appearances by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, including a virtual duet between Crosby and Michael Bublé, an optional sing-along subtitle track that accompanies the film’s most popular songs, new photo galleries, and a Christmas CD with 12 songs featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Judy Garland, including EIGHT never-before-released tracks.  Additional previously released special features include commentary by Rosemary Clooney, backstage stories, featurettes on Crosby, Kaye and Clooney, and more.

Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS Blu-ray Combo Pack

Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS Blu-ray will be presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Restored Mono DTS-HD Master Audio, French Mono Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and Portuguese Mono Dolby Digital, as well as English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, English Restored Mono, French Mono and Spanish Mono, as well as English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes the following:

Disc 1 (Blu-ray):

• Feature film in high definition
• Feature film with optional Sing-Along Subtitle Track—NEW!
• Commentary by Rosemary Clooney
• Classic Holiday Moments—NEW!

o   “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby on December 1, 1976

o   “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby featuring Michael Bublé on December 10, 2012

o   “Silent Night” by Bing Crosby on December 12, 1948

o   “Jingle Bells” by Danny Kaye and Nat King Cole on December 25, 1963

o   Danny Kaye reads from A Christmas Carol on December 22, 1965

• Assignment Children—NEW!

o   With introduction by Michael Bublé

• Backstage Stories from White Christmas—The production boasted the #1 and #3 box office stars of its time and the director of Casablanca. It featured the most popular song in American history and became the highest-ranking film at the box office in 1954.  From little-known production details to behind-the-scenes trivia, this segment offers insights about the timeless holiday classic.

Disc 1 (Blu-ray)—cont’d:

• Bing Crosby: Christmas Crooner—Crosby’s family members offer personal memories of the film and discuss the crooner’s Yuletide connection.  The piece also includes film historians sharing rare stories about Crosby and White Christmas and a visit to Crosby’s hometown of Spokane, Washington.
• Danny Kaye: Joy to the World—Some people only know him as the silver screen’s ‘court jester,’ but Danny Kaye was a true humanitarian who helped children around the world as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.  This moving tribute sheds light on the multi-talented actor, who won two honorary Academy Awards®, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and spread joy beyond the Hollywood spotlight.
• Irving Berlin’s White Christmas—Many people don’t know all of the lyrics to the most popular Christmas song of all time or that Irving Berlin wrote it while sitting poolside at an Arizona Resort.  This fascinating feature sheds light on the genesis and enduring popularity of the best-selling single in American history.
• Rosemary’s Old Kentucky Home—Take a tour of Rosemary Clooney’s home in Augusta, Kentucky, which has become a historical landmark.
• White Christmas: From Page to Stage— The legacy of White Christmas continues with a hit Broadway musical, nominated for two Tony awards.
• White Christmas: A Look Back with Rosemary Clooney
• White Christmas Photo Galleries—NEW!

o   Rehearsals

o   Behind-the-Scenes

o   Filming

o   Publicity Shots

• Two Theatrical Trailers

Disc 2 (DVD):

• Feature Film in Standard Definition
• Commentary by Rosemary Clooney

Disc 3 (DVD):

• Same special features listed above in standard definition with the exception of the optional sing-along subtitle track

Bonus Music CD

1. Winter Wonderland – Rosemary Clooney
2. Deck the Halls/Away in a Manger/O, Little Town of Bethlehem/The First             Noel – Bing Crosby
3. Waltz Around the Christmas Tree – Danny Kaye
4. Marshmallow World – Bing Crosby & Ella Fitzgerald
5. The Christmas Song – Rosemary Clooney
6. Just What I Wanted For Christmas – Bing Crosby
7. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Rosemary Clooney
8. Jingle Bells – Danny Kaye & Peggy Lee
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Bing Crosby & Judy Garland
10. Home For The Holidays – Rosemary Clooney
11. Some Children See Him – Danny Kaye
12. The Night Before Christmas – Bing Crosby

The film will also be available as a Diamond Anniversary Edition two-disc DVD set with Discs 2 & 3 above.

Academy Award-winner Nicolas Cage is a man that does not need any introduction. He is well-known worldwide for being one of the most versatile actors of all time, equally known for his poignant portrayals in both drama and comedy. Some of his more notable films include “The Rock,” “Con Air,” “Gone in 60 Seconds” and “National Treasure”. Coming up next, Cage stars in “Left Behind,” a Christian-themed apocalyptic action film based on the best-selling book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. Additionally, Cage recently completed filming Paul Schrader’s “The Dying of the Light” with Anton Yelchin and is currently in production on “The Runner,” which also stars Sarah Paulson, Peter Fonda and Connie Nielsen. Media Mikes had a chance to attend a teleconference with the actor to chat about his role in “Left Behind” and what we can expect the film.

Can you give us a little background on your character Rayford Steele and his importance in the film?
Nicolas Cage: Well I mean Ray Steele is a captain of a jumbo jet, a transatlantic jumbo jet going to London, England. And he’s an important guy on that airplane and he has a flirtation and there’s a chemistry that’s happening with the flight attendant, so marvelously played by Nicky Whelan. He loses track of what’s really valuable to him in terms of his treasures within which is his love for his family. He’s kind of, not that he’s a bad guy but he’s making a mistake that many people make that are in powerful positions lose track of the importance of family. They’re drawn away, or they’re seduced from their true inner-values by something attractive, or something flirtatious, or something that has the call of the wild. Ray Steele gets back to his true need for family through this experience and through this extraordinary experience and understands the value of family and just wants to get back to that no matter what happens. Just to be able to get back on the phone with his daughter and say I’m sorry and “I love you”. And I think that’s as simple as that. I think that is heart-wrenching. And if you have a heart I don’t think it’s possible to see the movie and not get a little verklempt. I mean it, there’s some very poignant, emotional moments.

What was it about this script or what regarding the movie in general that drew you in?
NC: I really said “Yes” on the merits of the screenplay. And also to work with, to work with Vic again, the director. I think all artists, if you’re tapped in, if you’re tuned in, to the zeitgeist and they’re open to that then they’re going to pick up on that. I felt that the script was a challenge and it gave me a chance to really try to make the extraordinary, believable and to do something authentic within performance so that everything around me was going into chaos. People were just appearing on the airplane and how did I make that organic? And again, all the actors, Chad Michael Murray, Cassi Thomson, Nicky Whelan, they were all on-point. And I find that exciting. To me, it was, it was an exercise and I’m very happy with the results.

How familiar were you with the “Left Behind” series before getting on board?
NC: I was not familiar with the “Left Behind” series. I’m familiar with the rapture of course. My brother, Mark, is a Christian pastor, and he was very excited about this. And he said, “Nicky, you’ve really got to to do this”. I’d already wanted to make the movie because I thought it was such a great script and an opportunity again to do something challenging. But when I saw how passionate he was, I thought, “Well, yeah I want to make this movie for my brother too”.

What was it like working with director Vic Armstrong?
NC: Well actually I’m very comfortable working with Vic. I got to spend quite a bit of time with him on another movie that we made, called “Season of the Witch”. And it was a good experience and I thought that he directed me to a good performance and something that I was very proud of and wanted to work with him again. I knew that I would be able to relax with him and that I would be able to go within and just sort of exhale and be in the moment and be in the scene. That he would allow his actors to breathe and to be relaxed and to find the truth of their performances. And it really shows in the movie. I mean, across the board, of Chad Michael Murray, and Nicky and Cassi again just powerfully real performances. And I knew that that would happen working again with Vic.

Starring: Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal and Reese Witherspoon
Directed By: Philippe Falardeau
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 110 minutes
Warner Bros.

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

In a movie like this, the number one question to ask yourself is, “How much does this movie care about the people it’s portraying?” It’s a very legitimate question that has plenty of factors. The director of “The Good Lie” has a soft visual touch to the difficult issue of the second Sudanese civil war. Writer Margaret Nagle has handled the lives of others in her works, near and dear to her heart, so she doesn’t harm their image. And most importantly, some of the actors and actresses have lived through this kind of experience. So why can’t this movie outgrow its ABC Family TV movie feeling?

Mamere (Oceng), Jeremiah (Duany), Paul (Jal) and Abital (Kuoth Wiel) are happily headed to America after spending years in a Kenyan refugee camp. 13 years prior to that, they had to flee their Sudanese village after it was torched to the ground and their parents were slaughtered in front of them. In their nearly 500 mile trek to safety, they lose friends to starvation, watch other refugees get gunned down and Mamere watches soldiers take his older brother Theo. Mamere has to persevere and become the leader of hope for the group.

The first half hour is a bit harrowing since it pulls no punches through unnerving scenes of lifeless bodies floating in the river and our group having to bury one of their friends in the unforgiving wasteland. Even after all those hardships and helping one another through it, they can’t live together in America. The three men learn that their sister Abital can’t go with them to Kansas City. She has to go to Boston because rules require separating the men and women. Then the tone of the movie does a complete 180 when the trio arrives in cowtown.

While it’s a necessity that we need some humorous culture shocks to add relief to the horrors we just watched, they really seem to heap it on in a slightly dehumanizing fashion that borders on making fun of our group. It’s a bit light hearted to see them react suspiciously to jello, but I would hope it’s not the filmmaker’s intention for us to laugh at them being uncomfortable in their living situations and moving their mattresses into the living room so they can spend their first night in a new country together. Then if that wasn’t enough, the product placement is very blatant and repugnant. Consider the context of one scene where one of them becomes carsick because they’ve never been in a vehicle and have airplane food swishing back and forth in their bowels. What’s the cure? McDonalds. I’ll just leave it at that.

Miraculously it stops itself short of being completely off putting by introducing Carrie (Witherspoon) who instead of giggling at their misfortunes, is there to help them find jobs and seems genuinely concerned about their predicament. She doesn’t get a lot of on-screen time even though the poster for this movie would tell you otherwise. The real emotional draw for this movie is the refugees, but it doesn’t know where to go with them. Mamere wants to be a doctor and is probably the most driven of all of them. Jeremiah even quits a job because he morally doesn’t agree with what his boss has him do. Paul for some reason takes the advice of people he doesn’t know or has any real connection to, and starts smoking pot. It’s almost as if someone didn’t feel confident enough with the men trying to find normalcy after escaping a war torn area theme powerful enough and began shoehorning in another angles and characters.

I commend the actors for portraying something that’s very near and dear to their heart with such honest passion. When they’re on screen spilling their heart out, “The Good Lie” succeeds and nearly redeems its poorer qualities. Despite my complaints, I find it somewhat miraculous that the final moments are still a powerful message about good will. “The Good Lie” is a crowd pleaser, albeit one that is far from knocking it’s touching story out of the park.

Actors: George Takei, Brad Takei, William Shatner, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
DVD Release Date: October 7, 2014
Run Time: 93 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

George Takei started in a little series called “Star Trek” but beyond the show, he has become very important and still very relevant in today’s pop culture. “To Be Takei” is a documentary about his life. It is currently only available on Amazon as an exclusive. But whether you follow Takei on Facebook or Twitter, this is not just a film for his fans. This will easily win over anyone who enjoys a great documentary. Star Trek fan or not also. The film is backed with great music and the animation scenes are a nice fit as well. It is a an honest documentary that gives a lot of insight into his life. It has a lot of heart yet still is very funny. The doc also featuring special appearances by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Dan Savage, the new “Sulu” John Cho, and many more. Definitely recommend checking out!

Official Premise: From outer space to Capitol Hill, from the silver screen to YouTube, the legendary George Takei has blazed his own trail while conquering new frontiers with a beaming trademark grin. Oh, my! To Be Takei is a hilarious, entertaining, and moving look at the many roles played by eclectic 77-year-old actor/activist George Takei. His wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting. The film offers unprecedented access to the daily life of George and his husband/business partner Brad and chronicles George’s fascinating personal journey from Japanese American internment camp to his iconic and groundbreaking role as Sulu on Star Trek, and his rise as an pop culture icon. The film shows what it truly means to be Takei