Blu-ray Review “The Family”

Starring: Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dianna Agron, Dominic Chianese, David Belle
Director: Luc Besson
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Run Time: 111 minutes

Film: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars

When it comes to action films, Luc Besson is a name that I trust. He delivered some great genre films over the years.  “The Family” is a different type of film for Besson because it is a mix of comedy/crime, there is some a nice mix of action in it though. The film does pack a solid cast including Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones. There are a few clever parts in here and Pfeiffer is as beautiful as ever but overall, I wasn’t blown away. Worth taking a look for the cast but this is quite forgettable.

Official Premise: A Mafia boss and his family are relocated to a sleepy town in France under the Witness Protection Program after snitching on the mob. Despite Agent Stansfield’s (Jones) best efforts to keep them in line, Fred Blake (Robert De Niro), his wife Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer), and their children Belle (Dianna Agron) and Warren (John D’Leo), can’t help resorting to old habits by handling their problems the ‘family’ way. Chaos ensues as their former Mafia cronies try to track them down, and scores are settled in the unlikeliest of settings.

As always Fox delivered an impressive release delivering this releases as a combo pack including Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD digital copy. What Luc Besson knows well is how to make a film look good. For the film’s action, the 1080p transfer works well. It showcases the filming locations well, as it does with the action and the same goes for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which is very sharp. In terms of special features, we go right back to be being disappointed. There is a short behind-the-scenes looks with “Making The Family”. The only other extra is “The Many Meanings of FU*%!”, which is sort but still fun.

 

Related Content

Win Family Four Pack of Tickets to See Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul LIVE in Miami, FL [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

ALL ABOARD!!! Calling all parents who have kids that love Disney Junior and the fantastic music of Choo Choo Soul. If you live in Miami, Florida and would like to attend a live show Genevieve and DC on Saturday October 26th, you came to the right place since Media Mikes are giving about a family four pack of tickets. If you would like to enter for your chance to win this great prize, please leave us a comment below or send us an email with your favorite Choo Choo Soul song. This giveaway will remain open until October 25th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to our readers in the state of FL or those looking forward to traveling. Tickets will not be mailed but will be picked of at the event. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

Choo Choo Soul will be performing LIVE at South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center as part of the Family Series on Saturday, October 26 at 11am. Tickets are $10. To purchase tickets visit www.smdcac.org or call the Box Office at 786-573-5300. The Center is located at 10950 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay.

Featuring the musical adventures of singer/train station manager Genevieve Goings and dancing/beatboxing engineer DC, Choo Choo Soul takes kids to the jungle, the sea and magical locales while performing songs from classic Disney films including “When You Wish Upon A Star,” “Hakuna Matata,” and many more! Kids should come dressed as their favorite Disney character for the costume contest.

DVD Review “Mama’s Family: The Complete Series”

Actors: Vicki Lawrence, Beverly Archer, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman, Eric Brown
Directors: Dick Martin, Harvey Korman, Roger Beatty
Number of discs: 24
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Starvista Entertainment
DVD Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 3900 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love “Mama’s Family”? It really brings the dysfunctional into the word family. The series started off as spin-off from reoccurring comedy sketches on “The Carol Burnett Show”, which were called “The Family”. When I think about this show I just think about classic ’80s-era TV. This is before the madness of reality TV, where the talent actually had to be talented! Vicki Lawrence is so amazing playing Thelma ‘Mama’ Harper. She stars alongside a fantastic cast including Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Ken Berry, Harvey Korman and Carol Burnett. For the first time ever, thanks to StarVista Entertainment/Time Life this show is making its debut as a complete series in a very nice Collector’s Set featuring all 130 Episodes taken from the the original broadcast masters. If you are a fan of this show, you do not want to miss this set.

Official Premise: Set in the fictional city of Raytown, “Mama’s Family” revolves around the eye-opening escapades of the Harper clan, headed by formidable matriarch, Mama Harper, a fiery-tempered no-nonsense woman who does not suffer fools gladly. In fact, she makes everybody suffer a little with her patented snappy retorts that truly put the “diss” in dysfunction. Adding to the unforgettable mix are Mama’s journalist sister, Fran (Rue McClanahan, The Golden Girls), who lives with her; her youngest son, Vint (Ken Berry, F-Troop), who moves in with his two teenagers after he is evicted; and Naomi (Dorothy Lyman, All My Children), who marries Vint by Episode 4. Mama’s extended family includes her two daughters, highfalutin’ Ellen (Betty White) and high-strung Eunice (Carol Burnett), as well as Eunice’s husband, Ed (Harvey Korman).

This collector’s set features all 130 episodes on 24 DVDs. Overall this set also contains over ten hours of special features, which are worth the purchase alone. The first two seasons feature the rare, original broadcast masters (aka the “Joe Hamilton” cuts) of the episodes. Each one also included an introductions from  Harvey Korman. There is a cast reunion roundtable with Vicki Lawrence (Mama), Ken Berry (Vint), Dorothy Lyman (Naomi), Beverly Archer (Iola), and Allan Kayser (Bubba).  There are all-new cast and the interview with Vicki Lawrence “interviewing” Mama through the magic of split-screen technology. There is the 1982 CBS-TV movie “Eunice focusing around Mama’s daughter (played by Carol Burnett), There are key “Family” sketches from “The Carol Burnett Show” and much more. Lastly there is also a “Collectible Mama’s Family Album” featuring character bios and a “Mama’s Family Tree”.

Enjoy all the family fun of “Turbo” on Blu-ray November 12!

FROM THE CREATORS OF MADAGASCAR AND KUNG FU PANDA
Perfect Gift for the Holidays, the Comedy-Adventure Arrives on Blu-ray™
Deluxe Edition and DVD November 12 with Turbo Pullback Toy Racer
LOS ANGELES, CA – Laugh it up with the visually stunning, heartfelt comedy-adventure for fans of all ages this holiday season! “Fresh, fast and funny” (Lou Lumenick, New York Post) and garnering four stars from Shawn Edwards with Fox TV, DreamWorks Animation’s TURBO has been hailed by critics as “pure family fun” (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview) receiving outstanding audience reaction and a coveted “A” CinemaScore.
Directed by David Soren and from the team behind family favorite franchises MADAGASCAR and KUNG FU PANDA, TURBO is “a movie both kids AND adults will adore!” (Deidre Behar, Clevver News) and features laugh-out-loud performances from an incredible voice cast of today’s biggest stars: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolf, Michelle Rodriguez and Samuel L. Jackson.
Experience big dreams and even bigger laughs when TURBO arrives on Digital HD™ on October 22 and on Blu-ray 3D™ , Blu-ray™ and DVD on November 12. Taking the fun-filled spirited adventure of the film, the Blu-ray™ and DVD are packaged with a TURBOpullback toy racer, while supplies last, making it a great gift for the holidays!
DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition
The TURBO Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Deluxe Edition includes an extra holiday gift, theTURBO pullback racer toy for a limited time while supplies last.
      Feature film in high definition
       Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features:
Smoove Move’s Music Maker – Watch action-packed music videos featuring songs from the film
Meet Tito – Director David Soren provides an introduction for a scene that was deleted from the film.
The Race – Director David Soren provides an introduction for a storyboard sequence that eventually made it into the film. Viewers can even see picture-in-picture comparison to the final cut.
Shell Creator – Create your own shell from select-able parts

 

       Additional Special Features:
Champions Corner – Host Paul Page interviews Turbo one-on-one to hear all about his racing techniques and inspirations!
Be An Artist! – Dave Burgess, Head of Character Animation on the film, shows the audience how to draw: Turbo, Whiplash, Skidmark, Burn, Smooth Move, White Shadow, Chet and Customizable Racers.
Team Turbo: Tricked Out – See Turbo and all the rest of the snail crew in a break- down of the cool components that make up each of their shells.
TURBO F.A.S.T Trailer from TV show – First look at upcoming new TV show this December
Holiday Favorites – Sneak Peeks
World of DreamWorks Animation – Music videos from your favorite DreamWorks Animation feature films

 

DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo Blu-ray™ 3D Deluxe Edition
The Turbo Blu-ray™ 3D + Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital Copy Deluxe Edition includes the following:
       Feature film in high definition and 3D
       All the Blu-ray™ and DVD content listed above
DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo DVD
The single disc DVD includes an extra holiday gift, the TURBO pullback racer toy for a limited time while supplies last plus the following
       Feature film in standard definition

 

       Special Features:
Champions Corner – Host Paul Page interviews Turbo one-on-one to hear all about his racing techniques and inspirations!
Be An Artist! – Dave Burgess, Head of Character Animation on the film, shows the audience how to draw: Garden Turbo and Racing Turbo.
Team Turbo: Tricked Out – See Turbo and all the rest of the snail crew in a break- down of the cool components that make up each of their shells.
World of DreamWorks Animation
Previews

 

ABOUT DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 27 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots, and The Croods.
ABOUT TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programing. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital HD™. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.

 

Film Review “The Family”

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Tommy Lee Jones
Directed by: Luc Besson
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hour 50 mins
Relativity Media

Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars

Seemingly always on the move, the Blake Family arrives at their new home in Normandy, France. Excited about the next day, young Warren asks about his new school. He has another question: “Do we have the same names?”

Sometimes hilarious, “The Family” tells the story of the former Manzoni family. Father Giovani (DeNiro), now known as Fred, is a former mafia crime boss who ratted on his associates and now finds himself in the witness protection program. Unfortunately Fred has made some very powerful people angry and the family is constantly being moved for their protection. Mother Maggie (Pfeiffer) is the calm one, doing her best to keep the family strong and urging them to be low key. Of course, this doesn’t prevent her from blowing up a local grocery store when she feels insulted. The kids, Warren (John D’Leo) and his older sister, Belle (“Glee’s” Diana Agron) do their best to adjust to their new school and classmates, though not without some bumps. The Blakes’ FBI handler (Jones) decides that the best way to get the family acquainted with the neighborhood is to throw a giant barbecue. But even a good cook-out can have its problems.

Well cast and sharply directed by Besson, who also co-wrote the script, “The Family” flows easily for the first half. Unfortunately though, once the Blake’s whereabouts are discovered by the bosses back home, the film turns into a very serious and violent drama. Now instead of laughing along with the family’s antics you’re hoping they don’t catch a bullet in the head. It’s such a 180 degree turn that you’re caught off guard. It really through off my enjoyment of the film, which is a shame because there are some great moments. One of my favorite concerns a scene where Fred, who has introduced himself to his neighbors as a writer (he uses the ruse to write his memoirs as a crime boss) is invited to help discuss a popular American film. However, when he gets there the wrong film has been shipped. The new film is one of the best “in” jokes I’ve seen on film over the past few years and “The Family” is almost worth the price of admission just for these few moments.

On a scale of zero to five I give “The Family” ***

 

Related Content

Win an Exclusive “The Family” Prize Pack Giveaway [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Media Mikes would like to a prize pack for the new film “The Family”, which opens in theaters starting September 13th.  The film was directed by Luc Besson and stars Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer. If you would like to enter for your chance to win this great prize, please leave us a comment below or send us an email with favorite Michelle Pfeiffer film. This giveaway will remain open until September 20th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to all fans of Media Mikes, worldwide!! One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

The prize pack includes the following items:
$30 giftcard to Fandango
Gun-shaped ice cube tray
Famous gangsters playing cards
Branded BBQ apron
Branded brass knuckle mug

In the dark action comedy The Family, a Mafia boss and his family are relocated to a sleepy town in France under the Witness Protection Program after snitching on the mob. Despite Agent Stansfield’s (Tommy Lee Jones) best efforts to keep them in line, Fred Blake (Robert De Niro), his wife Maggie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and their children, Belle (Dianna Agron) and Warren (John D’Leo), can’t help resorting to old habits by handling their problems the “family” way. Chaos ensues as their former Mafia cronies try to track them down and scores are settled in the unlikeliest of settings, in this subversively funny film by Luc Besson.

Win Tickets Family of Four Pack to Disney On Ice Presents Princesses & Heroes in Orlando, FL [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail.  Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves and Prince Eric breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true love. See Prince Philip defeat the evil Maleficent as she transforms herself into a fire-breathing dragon in a race against time to rescue Sleeping Beauty’sAurora. Be there to discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin. And, watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana all come true. High flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends are just a wish away!  See Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes where believing is just the beginning!

To celebrate the arrival of  Disney On Ice Presents Princesses & Heroes in Orlando. FL, Media Mikes is giving away a family of four pack to attend the show, which runs from September 13-15th at the Amway Center.  If you would like to enter for your chance to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email indicating your favorite Disney Princess or Heroes. This giveaway will remain open until August 23rd at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to all fans of Media Mikes, worldwide!! One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

September 13-15, 2013

If you would like to purchase additional tickets feel free to use our discount offer to save $4 on select performances. Click here and enter the Promo Code MOMDOI to take advantage of this great deal. The discount is valid for Sat 11am, Sat 7pm and Sun 5pm. Offer not valid on Front Row or VIP Seats. Not valid day of show.

Kristin Chenoweth and Olesya Rulin talks about their new film "Family Weekend"

Recently in New York City, Media Mikes attended a press conference with Kristin Chenoweth and Olesya Rulin about their new film “Family Weekend”, which opens Friday March 29th. The film also also starring Matthew Modine, Shirley Jones,Joey King,Eddie Hassel and Robbie Tucker and it is directed by Benjamin Epps.

“Family Weekend” follows 16 year old Emily Smith-Dungy (Olesya Rulin an incredibly motivated overachiever who has grown increasingly frustrated with her parents lack of support and guidance. Her mom, Samantha (Kristin Chenoweth), is a career focused, no nonsense high powered business executive. Her dad, Duncan (Matthew Modine), is a happy go lucky artist who can’t be bothered to earn a paycheck. When they missed their daughter’s big jump-roping competition, Emily hits her breaking point and takes it upon herself to restore order in the home. With the help of her siblings, they unite and take their parents hostages in hopes of becoming a “family” again.

I’m curious to know what kind of students you were like in high school and was there anything you were fanatical about in terms of subjects and things that you did in terms of extra curricular activities?
Kristin Chenoweth: I’m a type A perfectionist personality. I did choir and drama…I know it’s shocking! I was a cheerleader. I really just wanted to be with my friends. I did church stuff. I was just a normal kid but I was in a small town. I was like the kid from “Glee” in a tiny town. Now of course they have “Glee”, so if they had only done that 25 years ago it would have been better. I was that girl.
Olesya Rulin: Me in high school? I was kind of a loner. I had a handful of friends. I was a ballerina and I was very focused on that. You kind of have to be. So that was two thirds of my week. I didn’t take theater…sorry! I went to a small school in Utah. It wasn’t developed. We didn’t have the funds for that, but I did act all through high school on film. The Disney Channel would shoot movies out there, so I was always busy. I was gone from school a lot. My teachers did not understand me either. They would ask “How did you have 70 absences in one quarter?”. But I got straight A’s and I wanted to graduate high school with my associates. I was constantly doing charity work. So I took a lot of AP courses trying to get all my credits, so I could dive into college. I’m gonna be in all the upper level classes…ah ambition! I was really into college.
KC: This girl is pretty much who you think she is and it’s really refreshing.
OR: Aw, thank you. I had fun, but I wasn’t a cheerleader or nearly that popular.

The movie opens with the parents missing the jump rope competition; Have either of you ever missed am important event for somebody else in your life or has anybody missed an important event in your life ?
KC: That’s a good question. I still have guilt from 4 years ago, my niece graduated and I didn’t make it. Granted there was a huge snow storm in Denver and I couldn’t get in. But I still had that pang that I want to be there on those important days. I wanted to make it. My mom was a stay at home mom and my dad had his own business, but even with his business he was at the important events. I wish I could tell some tale like “oh they were never there for me and I was alone”, but no they were great parents. I try to be the same for my nieces and nephews and my Godchildren. I think I do pretty good.
OR: Oh, I think everyone who misses a huge event feels a life long guilt. I am so thankful for my family and friends because they are the ones who stick with you and understand we don’t have a normal life. My girlfriends, family and boyfriends they understand I cant always be committed 100%. I almost missed being the Maid of Honor at my best-friends wedding.
KC: Now that’s unforgivable [laughs]!
OR: The day of her wedding I was supposed to work. It was during the filming of “High School Musical 3”, I talked to my director Kenny Ortega and told him I have to be there to fluff her hair and do what Maid-of-Honor’s do. This is how much I love my director, he changed the shooting and it’s very rare to have someone do that for you. If it wasn’t for Kenny Ortega that would have been my event.

You guys are playing characters from a dysfunctional family but it seems like you both grew up in healthy families so how do you channel that for the film?
KC: We’d all like to say we have perfect families. I did grow up in a great family but we have our issues. There’s a little passive aggression going on in my family. Everybody’s different, each family unit is different. I think for me tapping into that the part of me that is the type A perfectionist but so intense-staying on schedule. I’m a multi-tasker but I’m a wreck in my personal life but that’s not actually the question is it? [laughs]. That’s for therapy! For me I tapping into the part of me that is that strong woman, who wants to have it all and does. She is sort of failing at part of her job, which is being a mom in the film. Seeing the evolution of a family, that’s what makes me happy. That’s what our family the Chenoweth’s strive to do. When we get off the rails and we do we remember that really it’s all about love and forgiveness. Forgiveness is a hard thing to do but I say this a lot. If I want to be forgiven I have to forgive. That’s what we do in the Chenoweth’s, eventually this family gets there too.
OR: A family is like a kaleidoscope…you look through it and it changes. My family is like that. We are all different colors like a prism. When we have light shine, we shine and its beautiful. When it’s dark nothing shines, like a rock. Our goal in our family is to shine. We make sure each individual shines in their own way. I was really blessed with parents who never said I couldn’t do anything. They never told me “no”. I wanted to do the dying swan ballet in the high school talent show. It’s deep, it’s very intense. Your dying for 10 minutes. My mom said “K go get ’em”. She told me “Whatever you choose to do in life be the best you can be. If you choose to be a drunk, be the best drunk. If you choose to be an architect, be the best architect”. She always gave me the freedom of that
KS: It’s a great gift.
OR: Some people have told me I have child-like ambition. I never hold myself back. My parents never told me to hold myself back.
KS: They gave you self esteem.
OR: I feel I can accomplish anything. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t at all, but I’m really thankful. My mom gave me that and my dad too. We’re not perfect but without that you don’t grow

What are your pop culture obsessions?
KC: Mine are so easy. “The Real Housewives of ANY County”, preferably “New Jersey”, and “Hillbilly Hand Fishing”. I grew up in that area where my cousins did it.
OR: If you get on it take me I’ll do it.
KC: Done! When I get home at night after being so focused I just want to feel good about myself. I turn on reality TV. I know just how much I have it together and I feel great.
OR: I love blogs. I have someone building one for me right now. I write letters. I know that’s not a pop culture thing, I guess. No one writes letters.
KC: I do. I do!
OR: I have a pen pal for seven years. He lives in France and we watched our lives evolve. Pop culture, I would have to say the new show “Hart of Dixie” and Instagram. I’m all up in that. I love that.

The characters in the movie all had hobbies were they in the original script or changed to fit you?
KC: My hobby was the Blackberry and as you can see (holding up her Blackberry) I’m really good at it. I do have it with me a lot, but this one (pointing to Olesya). She had to learn the jump rope. I can barely walk up a flight of steps anymore.
OR: I trained for 4 months in L.A. and I got really built. I ate straight protein. I never craved a whole chicken before! It’s different in ballet. It’s long lean muscles but for this I had to be short and a little stocky. Your feet don’t come much off the ground.

You were using a wire not a regular rope?
OR: It’s what spies use to capture people in spy movies. We had a great training team, based in Michigan. These kids were amazing and what level of sportsmanship. I was lucky to able to jump rope with them.
KC: She was so good and she trained all day. I was at the dessert cart saying “You go girl!”
OR: I will never jump rope again [laughs].

Extended Family Comedies Countdown

Debuting on Blu-ray & DVD March 26th

Nothing says comedy like putting large families together for reunions or holidays, so here, we’ll count down the Top 10 funniest flicks about these clashing personalities, including Home Alone, Uncle Buck and of course Parental Guidance.

Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei prove that laughter is relative in this hilarious comedy that’s fun for the whole family!

Old-school grandparents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) get more than they bargained for when they get stuck babysitting their type-A daughter’s (Tomei) overprotected kids. But things go from hectic to hysterical when Artie realizes the kids are running the house with their newfangled technology. By playing by his own rules, which include sugary snacks, old fashioned games and tough love, Artie manages to outsmart the kids and achieve the impossible- bring the family closer together!

10. The Great Outdoors

The Craigs and the Ripleys couldn’t be more different! The Craigs’ patriarch is know-it-all investment banker Roman Craig (Dan Akyroyd) and fun-loving Chester (John Candy), better known as “Chet,” sits at the helm of the Ripley clan. When the Ripleys decide to explore the great outdoors on vacation and are spontaneously joined by the Craigs, hilarity follows.

9. Dark Shadows

Although there is no shortage of places to lay the blame for the drama within the Collins family, the most recent addition to the clan, Barnabas (Johnny Depp), is largely responsible for the family’s misfortune. He manages to bring the brood’s dysfunction to a boil in this enjoyable remake, when he rejoins the family after a 196-year absence and lengthy stay in a coffin following his torrid affair with a vindictive witch (Eva Green).

8. The Royal Tenenbaums

One would think that all would be well with a family as successful as the Tenenbaums, but nothing could be further from the truth. The impending divorce of family patriarch Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) leads the couple to summon their children home; unfortunately for them, the children bring bizarre revelations of their own home with them.

7. Monster-in-Law

Surgeon Kevin Fields (Michale Vartan) falls in love with Charlotte “Charlie” Cantilllini, a temp, and can’t wait to introduce her to his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda). Viola, still reeling for the loss of her job to a younger woman, detests Charlie immediately and is fearful of losing her son to a younger woman in the same way that she lost her job. Charlie, although initially none the wiser, grows tired of Viola’s attempts to sabotage her relationship and a hilarious battle between the two women ensues in this delightful comedy.

6. Johnson Family Vacation

When Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer) is invited to a family reunion he seizes the opportunity with the hope of rekindling his relationship with his wife (Vanessa Williams). Showing up his successful and arrogant older brother Mack (Steve Harvey) at the reunion’s talent show is also foremost on Nate’s mind in this amusing film.

5. Bringing Down the House

When newly divorced father Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) finds himself in need of a little female company he turns to the internet and begins conversing with a woman known as lawyer-girl. Lawyer-girl turns out to be Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) a wrongfully convicted bank robber who needs Peter’s legal assistance. Peter reluctantly agrees to help Charlene in exchange for her employment as a nanny to his two children. The arrangement works out better than either of them could have imagined for the family but Charlene’s addition to the neighborhood is not a welcome one and the hilarious reactions of Peter’s neighbors brings down the house in this raucous comedy.

4. Home Alone

In this classic, the night before his family is to depart for a holiday vacation to Paris, eight year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) gets into a fight with his cousins and siblings and is sent to the third floor of his family home. A power outage soon follows, causing the family to miss their alarms and rush to the airport, inadvertently leaving Kevin behind. As Kevin’s parent realize they’ve forgotten him and panic, he opts to leave well enough alone and resorts to eating all the ice cream he can hold and enjoying being home alone!

3. Uncle Buck

Following the heart attack of his father-in-law, Bob Russell (Garret Brown) enlists the help of his ne’er-do-well single brother Buck (John Candy). Although Buck hits it off immediately with his young nephew Miles (Macaulay Culkin), he has to work a little harder to win over his teenaged niece Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly). However, despite the initial challenges, soon everyone loves Uncle Buck!

2. Step Brothers

In this slapstick comedy, Brennan (Will Ferrell) and Dale (John C. Reilly), two unemployed middle-aged men still living with their parents, are forced to room together after their parents marry. To make matters worse, the two men are soon being mandated to find jobs or face eviction by their parents, in this sidesplitting coming of age story.

1. National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation

In the fourth installment of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, the Griswolds set out to explore Las Vegas, Nevada. While there they encounter their eccentric cousin-in-law Eddie (Randy Quaid) who introduces them to the Las Vegas scene. Soon Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo) finds herself being wooed by Wayne Newton; Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) becomes addicted to gambling; and the Griswold children find themselves in the midst of other mishaps, in this delightful comedy.

Severin Films Releases "The Manson Family"! Jim Vanbebber’s Controversial Masterpiece Gets Blu-ray Treatment, Theatrical Dates & New Poster

Special Edition Of Underground Epic Will Include HD Transfer, VanBebber’s New GATOR GREEN Short & Other Exclusive Extras!

LOS ANGELES, CA, February 21st, 2013 – Severin Films today announced the May 7th Blu-ray debut of Jim VanBebber’s legendary, award-winning indie THE MANSON FAMILY on the 10th anniversary of its original release. US theatrical dates in 20 major cities are scheduled through March and April and new poster artwork has been created by artist Stephen Romano for the occasion. VanBebber’s highly anticipated new short GATOR GREEN will accompany many of the screenings and will also be included in the extras-packed Special Edition Blu-Ray release.

The theatrical run launches at Landmark Theatres locations in Denver and San Francisco on March 22nd and will continue through April taking in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston and many more (see below for a partial list of engagements, with more to be announced in the coming weeks).

THE MANSON FAMILY delivers an uncompromising, brutal vision of the collapse of the “Love Generation.” On a ranch outside of LA the hippie dream is perverting into something evil. What was once an oasis of free love and acid trips has become ground zero for a madman’s paranoid visions. An average group of kids, the “Family”, become engulfed in a delusional world where torment and slaughter is considered the path to righteousness. The Manson Family is a dizzying, rapid-fire vision of the sex and violence that unifies the misguided group, and at the direction of their leader, ends in a brutal spree leaving seven people dead in 48 hours. Now re-mastered in stunning HD for the first time ever in America.Extras include an all-new Director’s commentary, the brand new short GATOR GREEN, the uncut version of the previously censored, feature length documentary THE VANBEBBER FAMILY on the film’s near-mythic production, and much more.>

Severin Films was formed in 2006 with offices in Los Angeles and London. The company produced the acclaimed 2012 horror anthology THE THEATRE BIZARRE and their previous releases include Richard Stanley’s restored HARDWARE, the all-star War classic THE WILD GEESE, the unrated Director’s Cut of Just Jaeckin’s GWENDOLINE, Enzo Castellari’s original action classic INGLORIOUS BASTARDS, Oscar®-nominee Patrice Leconte’s THE HAIRDRESSER’S HUSBAND, the midnight movie sensation BIRDEMIC – SHOCK & TERROR, Eugenio Martin’s restored HORROR EXPRESS, and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s incomparable masterpiece SANTA SANGRE.

2013 Theatrical Bookings
March 22 & 23 – Clay Theatre, San Francisco
March 22 & 23 – Esquire Theatre, Denver
March 27 – Boston Underground Film Festival – Brattle Theatre, Cambridge MA
March 29 & 30 – Landmark’s Sunshine Cinema, New York City
March 29 & 30 – Alamo Drafthouse Vintage Park, Houston
March 29 – Plaza Theatre, Atlanta
April 3 – Granoff Center for the Arts, Providence RI
April 5 – Ritz Bourse, Philadelphia
April 5 & 6 – Egyptian Theatre, Seattle
April 12 – Logan Theatre, Chicago
April 12 & 13 – Hi-Pointe Theatre, St. Louis
April 13 – Cedar Lee Theatre, Cleveland
April 19 & 20 – E Street Theatre, Washington DC
April 19 & 20 – Inwood Theatre, Dallas
April 21 – Screenland Crossroads, Kansas City MO
April 23 – New Beverly Cinema, Los Angeles

Win Family of Four Pack to See Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival at UCF Arena in Orlando FL This March! [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

To celebrate Disney Live!’s latest show “Mickey’s Music Festival”, Media Mikes would like to giveaway a FAMILY FOUR PACK of tickets to see the 5:30pm show on March 3rd. If you would like to enter for your chance to win one of these great prizes, please leave us a comment below or send us an email indicating your favorite Disney character. This giveaway will remain open until February 15th at Noon, Eastern Time. This is open to residents of the United States only. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Media Mikes will randomly select winners. Winners will be alerted via email.

Mickey Mouse and friends rock the world with the stars from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story in their new touring show Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival. Disney hits are remixed to the hottest sounds of today featuring hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock, country and much more! The irresistible lineup of performers, including Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy; Ariel, Sebastian and Ursula; Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie; and Woody, Buzz and Jessie; are among the more than 25 Disney stars featured in this jam session fit for the entire family! You can’t resist dancing, singing, playing your air-guitar and laughing with this band of characters! Come join them at Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival for a lively concert experience guaranteed to deliver enough rockin’ memories to last a lifetime.

UCF Arena, Orlando FL
March 3, 2013
View Venue Info

Visit the official show web site

Visit the Facebook page

 

Related Content

Win a Family Four Pack to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – Built To Amaze! in Orlando, FL [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Who doesn’t love the circus…young or old?! Media Mikes would like to treat a family of four to enjoy this wonderful new show at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL. If you would like this family four pack, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know what act you enjoy most at the circus?. This giveaway will be open until December 28th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. One entry per person, per household. All other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out the winner and alert them via email.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is proud to present Built To Amaze! Drama, surprise and wonder build the excitement so BIG that it could only be The Greatest Show On Earth.

Elephants, tigers, acrobats and aerialists join together from across the globe, each a spectacular piece of the puzzle, forming one exquisite design of magnificence and precision. From the
blueprints to the band, from the crates to the clowns, from the hammer to the high wire comes one breathtaking performance of non-stop thrills so astonishing you have to see it to believe it.
Join us as we measure out the perfect mix of marvel and majesty in an imagination equation where the impossible comes to life.

Be a part of the brand-new spectacles from around the world immersed in the circus tradition you have come to know and love. Experience it live and feel the amazement! Children Of All Ages will be inspired for years to come at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze! Playing the Amway Center Jan. 10-13. Tickets start at $15 and are available at ticketmaster.com and the Amway Center Box Office.

Also here is a SPECIAL DISCOUNT just for our readers:

Get a Family Value Pack for just $88.00. This includes 4 $15 tickets, 4 small lemonades, 4 small popcorns, and 4 lollipops. This offer is valid for any performance except those on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at the Amway Center ticket office or ticketmaster.com using code FAMDEAL. Plus: Here’s a PDF file of a flyer highlighting this special offer that you can make available to your readers, too.

Performances:
Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7:30pm
Friday, Jan. 11 at 7:30pm
Saturday, Jan. 12 at 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
Sunday, Jan. 13 at 1pm and 5pm

Win a Family Four-Pack of Tickets to the Orlando Home Show [ENDED]

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH WEEK FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS!

Media Mikes is happy to bring you this great giveaway. We are giving away a family four-packs of tickets to the Orlando Home Show, October 5-7th. If you would like to win one of this great family prize and get a chance to see Mark Brunetz of Style Network’s “Clean House”, please leave us a comment below or send us an email and let us know your what your dream home would be?. This giveaway will be open until September 28th at Noon, Eastern Time and is only open to residents of the United States. Only one entry per person, per household; all other entries will be considered invalid. Once the giveaway ends, Media Mikes will randomly pick out winners and alert the winners via email.

Inspiration will start the minute guests step into the 2012 Orlando Home Show, the only place to find smart ideas and fresh advice for gardening, home improvement, decorating and more from hundreds of experts, all under one roof. Orlando’s original and largest consumer home show returns October 5-7 to Hall North B in the Orange County Convention Center’s North/South complex off Universal Boulevard, and features local, regional and national experts, instructional how-to seminars, contests, giveaways and much more. The home improvement extravaganza will spotlight Featured Products and Services and exhibitors who are participating in the fall show for the very first time.

Show hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door, and are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (60+; this discount is ONLY valid at the door and no other discounts apply), $5 for students 13-18 (ID required, only valid at the door), and free for children 12 years and younger. Advance tickets can be purchased online for a $3 discount off full-price $10 admission at www.OrlandoHomeShow.com. Convenient on-site parking is available adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center off Universal Boulevard, and is $8 per car with valid Florida ID.

For more information, visit www.OrlandoHomeShow.com, or call 877-871-SHOW (7469). The Central Florida Home & Garden Show and its springtime sister show, the Central Florida Home & Garden Show (March 22-24, 2013) are both produced by Marketplace Events.

Theater Review “The Addams Family” Starlight Theater – Kansas City, MO

THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Starlight Theater
Kansas City, MO
July 3, 2012

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I had the chance to see “The Addams Family” while it was in previews in Chicago over Thanksgiving 2009. I didn’t go, which was disappointing since it featured two of my favorite performers, Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. I had seen both on Broadway several times (in fact, the first time I saw Neuwirth on stage was in a touring production of “A Chorus Line” in 1980) and truly admire their talent. The show moved on to Broadway where it received horrible reviews. Yet, thanks to the star power of the leads, it played for 18 months, closing shop with Roger Rees and Brooke Shields in the lead roles. My understanding is that the audience didn’t enjoy the show because it almost totally dismissed the television show and films that fans were familiar with and based itself around the original cartoons produced by Charles Addams. That would be like remaking “Star Wars” and leaving out Darth Vader!

The production that is currently in Kansas City (other dates can be found at the end of this review) makes good use of some of the best known television bits and is a pretty enjoyable night at the theatre. Before the curtain rises, the familiar Vic Mizzy composed “Addams Family Theme” plays, encouraging the audience to snap-snap their fingers along. The show opens in the family cemetery, where the ghosts of Addams past gather for a yearly celebration. This delivers the best song of the show, sung by the entire company, called “When You’re an Addams.” We learn that young daughter Wednesday (Courtney Wolfson) has met a boy and has fallen in love. She is worried because the boy is “different” – think how Marilyn was “different” on “The Munsters” – and won’t be accepted by her family. Luckily big romantic Uncle Fester (a brilliant Blake Hammond) can spot love when he sees it. He forbids the spirits returning to their resting places until true love is found. Wednesday tells her father, Gomez (Douglas Sills) but begs him not to tell her mother, Morticia (Sara Gettelfinger). Not one to keep a secret from his beloved ‘Tish, Gomez reluctantly agrees. When the young man and his family arrive for dinner the table is set for some ghoulish fun!

I can see where the show may have disappointed earlier. With the exception of “When You’re and Addams” and Morticia’s big second act song, “Just Around the Corner,” there really isn’t anything memorable about the score. Nice music and pedestrian lyrics do not a great musical make. However, when you have a talented cast and some incredible mood setting scenery, the picture the music is trying to paint is a lot clearer. My hats off to the cast for braving Kansas City in July. As the curtain opened it was a steamy 95 degrees where I was sitting. And I wasn’t wearing a costume or make up. The cast was full of energy and in fine voice. Sills, a Tony award nominee for his work in “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” gives Gomez a sentimental side only hinted at by John Astin on television and the late, great Raul Julia in the films. He is a man truly in love with his wife and the slightest hint of betrayal – read: not telling her about Wednesday – cuts him to the quick. Gettelfinger is also strong, again making the role her own. Hammond is spot on as Uncle Fester. He has a great number where he seems to float about the stage while singing to his beloved moon which earned much deserved applause. The rest of the familiar characters – brother Pugsley, wacky Grand-ma-ma and butler Lurch – have a few moments to shine but are mostly background characters. More attention is paid to Lucas (Brian Justin Crum), Wednesday’s bethrothed, and his parents (Martin Vidnovic and Gaelen Gilliland) in the show. There is even a Cousin Itt sighting or two!

All in all, “The Addams Family” is a nice way to spend a couple of hours with some old friends.

The show is currently running in Kansas City through July 8 and then through August in the following cities:

WASHINGTON D.C. – July 10 – 29
PITTSBURGH, PA – July 31 – August 12
ATLANTA, GA – August 14 – 18

The show resumes its tour in Dallas in September. For additional tour dates and more information click here.
http://www.theaddamsfamilymusicaltour.com/

Allied Faith & Family Celebrating 1st Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLIED FAITH & FAMILY CELEBRATING 1ST ANNIVERSARY

Unique Faith & Family Marketing Division Builds on Its Success with Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures, and Accelerates into its Second Year with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, August 25, 2011 – Allied Faith & Family (AFF), the division of Allied Integrated Marketing dedicated to serving the faith & family audience, is marking the first anniversary of its launch with new projects and new clients, expanding beyond theatrical releases into home entertainment.

AFF’s co-founders, Tom Allen and Kellie Barnes, believe the division’s success has been driven by its unique approach and capabilities. “AFF focuses on the higher values and messages contained in quality films, while also encouraging greater communion between Hollywood and the faith community,” explains Allen. Barnes added, “With faith-based representatives in 21 offices nationwide who interact with religious leaders and communities in each market, we bring a unique mix of relationships, expertise and integrity to our campaigns that has really resonated with both our clients and the faith community.”

Allied Faith & Family has been retained by Lionsgate to design and execute a major promotional campaign for its upcoming motion picture WARRIOR, slated for nationwide release on September 9.

AFF was also recently signed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to market several of that studio’s DVD/Blu-ray/digital releases to the faith audience, including the hit animated feature film RIO and the family dramas BREAKING THE PRESS and THE 5TH QUARTER.

This past Spring, Allied Faith & Family teamed with another Allied division – Allied Hispanic – in marketing the theatrical release of the comedy-adventure RIO to families across North America. From the creators of the top-grossing ICE AGE series, RIO has taken in over $143 million at the domestic box office and became available on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and Digital Copy on August 2, setting a home entertainment record as the biggest-selling family title ever for an August release as well as remaining No. 1 on DVD and Blu-ray charts for its second and third weeks.

Starring Drew Waters (“Friday Night Lights”), BREAKING THE PRESS will arrive on DVD on September 20 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and the street date for THE 5th QUARTER, starring Andie MacDowell and Aidan Quinn, is August 30.

Starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte, Lionsgate’s WARRIOR speaks directly to both the faith and military markets, where AFF sees considerable overlap. The intense family drama explores the themes of redemption and reconciliation against a backdrop of a mixed martial arts tournament involving two estranged brothers who must face their recovering alcoholic father, their troubled early home life, and each other.

“These are precisely the kinds of movies we seek out,” states Allen. “We are advocates for the faith and family audience who encourage the Hollywood studios to produce more films like this to enrich the culture.”

AFF co-founder Kellie Barnes describes WARRIOR as one of the best action-dramas she has seen in many years. “It’s a great family story told from a Judeo-Christian worldview. It represents the best of what Hollywood can be and respects our audience with its high-level artistry.”

Allied Faith & Family made headlines earlier this year for conceiving and executing an original campaign of prayer support and Christian advocacy for Justin Bieber, which contributed to the box office success of Paramount’s JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER. The acclaimed campaign covered 30 markets and accentuated the film’s clean, wholesome nature while engaging the faith press with compelling stories about the actual faith lives of Justin, his mother and his manager.

Other recent Allied Faith & Family projects include a campaign targeting mega-churches nationwide for Sony Pictures’ JUMPING THE BROOM, which opened as the top comedy at the box office on Mother’s Day weekend 2011, and a groundbreaking campaign for the Broadway musical MEMPHIS, which won four Tony Awards in 2010, including “Best Musical”.

About Allied Faith & Family
A dynamic marketing group, Allied Faith & Family serves the increasingly media-engaged market known as “Religious America” as well as the broader family marketplace through a network of 21 field offices. Dedicated to reaching and activating faith- and family-based communities, Allied Faith & Family has to date brought motion pictures as diverse as RIO, JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER, JUMPING THE BROOM, Tyler Perry’s WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO? and BABIES to faith & family audiences across North America. Allied Faith & Family is a division of Allied Integrated Marketing, a full-service integrated marketing firm focused on the entertainment industry and consumer brands. For more information, please visit http://www.alliedim.com.