High School Musical

High School Musical
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

High School Musical (sometimes abbreviated HSM) is an Emmy Award-winning American television film, and the first in the High School Musical film franchise . Upon its release on January 20, 2006, it became the most successful movie that Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) ever produced, with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and the feature film High School Musical 3: Senior Year released theatrically in October 2008. It is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to have a theatrical sequel. A fourth installment, High School Musical 4, has been announced to be in the writing stages.

High School Musical was Disney Channel's most watched movie at its time, with 7.7 million viewers in its premiere broadcast in the US.[citation needed] In the UK, it received 789,000 viewers for its premiere (and 1.2 million viewers overall during the first week), making it the second most watched program for the Disney Channel (UK) of 2006. It was also the first ever Disney Channel Original Movie to be broadcast on the BBC on December 29, 2006.

The film's soundtrack was the best-selling album in the United States for 2006. With a plot described by the author and numerous critics as a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, High School Musical is a story about two high school juniors from rival cliques – Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), a beautiful and shy transfer student who excels in math and science. Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the school. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick to the status quo."

High School Musical was filmed at East High School located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the auditorium of Murray High School, and Downtown Salt Lake City. Murray High School was also the set of: Take Down (1978), Read It and Weep (2006), Minutemen (2008) and High School Musical: Get in the Picture (2008).



Plot:
East High School's basketball star Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and math-whiz Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) meet at a New Year's Eve party at a ski lodge over Christmas Break. Here, they take part in a karaoke contest and sing (Start of Something New). They discover they have a great chemistry between them and end up exchanging numbers. A week later, Gabriella's mother is transferred and Gabriella begins classes at East High in Albuquerque, New Mexico where Troy sees her in homeroom. After making sure that it is she on his cell phone, Troy accidentally gets detention, along with Gabriella, his best friend and teammate Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu), scholastic decathlon captain and head of the science club Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman), and Drama Club co-presidents Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) and Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale).

After homeroom, Troy and Gabriella see each other again and as they start talking near the sign-up sheet for the winter musical auditions, Sharpay sees them and assumes that Gabriella is interested in signing up. With Ryan's help, Sharpay determines that Gabriella is an "Einsteinette", and puts an article of her previous academic achievements into Taylor's locker.

During detention, Taylor approaches Gabriella and invites her to join the school's scholastic decathlon team. Due to their detention, both Troy and Chad miss their basketball practice, much to the annoyance of Coach Bolton. During a confrontation between the coach (Bart Johnson) and Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed), it is made clear that neither of them has any real respect for the work that the other does. Troy eventually takes part in basketball practice, but he cannot seem to stop thinking about Gabriella and how he might actually enjoy singing (Get'cha Head in the Game).

Troy skips basketball practice during free period to go for the auditions, which Gabriella also attends. However, both are too shy to come forward, so they hide behind a janitorial rolling cart as Sharpay and Ryan perform their version of the audition song (What I've Been Looking For). When Gabriella finally decides to audition, Troy offers to sing with her, but Ms. Darbus says that it is too late.

After a confrontation with Sharpay, Kelsi Nielsen (Olesya Rulin), the composer of the musical, trips and drops her notes and piano music. Troy and Gabriella rush to help her, and she offers to let them hear how the song was originally supposed to sound. Troy and Gabriella then sing the slower version of the song (What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)). Ms. Darbus hears them from behind the auditorium entrance and gives both Troy and Gabriella a callback. The next day, Sharpay sees the callback sheet and is furious. Once Chad and all the basketball players find out that Troy skipped basketball practice to audition for the musical, they are all shocked.

At lunch, everyone learns that Troy is doing something way out of a basketball player's nature, and the students start confessing their secret passions and talents (Stick to the Status Quo), including basketball player Zeke Baylor's (Chris Warren, Jr.) love for baking. At that moment, Gabriella slips and accidentally spills her lunch all over Sharpay's shirt. Sharpay tells Ms. Darbus that Gabriella did it on purpose and tries to convince her that Troy and Gabriella are trying to destroy the musical, but Ms. Darbus will not hear a word of it. Troy asks Gabriella to meet him at his secret hideout, the balcony of a greenhouse. There, she reveals that singing with him at the party was like meeting a new friend at kindergarten; she felt that he was like a best friend, although she hardly knew him. Meanwhile, Zeke attempts to talk to Sharpay, who says that she would rather stick pins in her eyes than watch Zeke play basketball.

Chad and Taylor decide that they need to devise a plan so that everything returns to normal. The basketball team tricks Troy into saying that Gabriella is not too important while she watches them through a wi-fi link. Gabriella is hurt and confused about where she and Troy now stand (When There Was Me and You). Troy tries to talk to Gabriella, but she tells him that she is not interested in taking part in the musical anymore and that it was never important to her.

After feeling guilty about ruining Troy and Gabriella's relationship, and noticing that they are no longer interested in the basketball game or the decathlon, Chad and Taylor decide to tell them the truth. Chad, Zeke, and Jason explain everything to Troy in the greenhouse and offer to support him at the callbacks. Taylor and the scholastic decathlon team tell Gabriella what they did, but she is still angry and hurt because of what Troy said, convinced that he meant it. That night, Troy goes to her house, but she pretends to be busy with homework. He then calls on her cell phone from her backyard, telling her that the guy she met on vacation is much more like him than the guy that "said those stupid things". He climbs onto her balcony and starts singing the harmony of "Start of Something New" in an attempt to persuade her to attend the callbacks with him. Gabriella then forgives him, and together with Kelsi, they start practicing for the callback at school.

Soon, Sharpay and Ryan overhear Gabriella and Troy practicing, and feel intimidated by the competition. Sharpay succeeds in convincing Ms. Darbus to change the callbacks to the same time as the basketball championship and scholastic decathlon. Kelsi overhears their conversation with Ms. Darbus, and when she tells everyone about this, they are devastated. However, the chemistry team, the basketball team and Kelsi work together to come up with a plan. On the day itself, Taylor and Gabriella send a code by computer into the system to disrupt the basketball game by shutting down the scoreboard, and boiling a noxious chemical to stall the decathlon.

As Troy and Gabriella then rush to the theater, Sharpay and Ryan finish performing their song (Bop to the Top), confident that they will get the part. Troy and Gabriella show up after Ms. Darbus has called their names twice, and she tells them again that they are too late. Many other students start streaming into the auditorium to support them and Ms. Darbus has no choice but to allow them to perform their song. Gabriella freezes when she sees everyone staring at her, but Troy tells her to look only at him, and she finds the courage to sing (Breaking Free).

In the end, Ms. Darbus decides to award the lead roles to Troy and Gabriella, making Sharpay and Ryan understudies (and at the basketball game, Sharpay accepts her defeat and tells Gabriella to "break a leg"). After winning both the scholastic decathlon and the basketball game with Troy's last minute shot, (to which Troy and Gabriella tried to actually kiss, but were interrupted by Chad), Chad gives Troy the winning ball and later asks Taylor out to the victory party. The film ends with the entire school gathering in the gym to celebrate (We're All in This Together).

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DVD Releases December 1 2008 (UK)

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor [2008]
Directed by Rob Cohen
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Synopsis
Filled with spectacular action and sharp banter, THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR finds the dashing Rick and Evelyn O'Connell (Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello, who took over for Rachel Weisz) called upon for another world-saving adventure. The film opens in 50 B.C., when the ruthless Dragon Emperor (Jet Li) seeks to conquer one last enemy, death, and become an immortal ruler. But when the Emperor betrays an obliging sorceress (Michelle Yeoh), he and his army are cursed to spend an eternity in statuesque limbo. Fast forward to 1946, when Rick and Evelyn are struggling to adapt to their self-imposed retirement. But the fates have other plans, and soon the O'Connells are crossing paths with their somewhat estranged son, Alex (Luke Ford). While enthusiastically carrying on the family's tomb-raiding traditions, Alex has unwittingly brought the Dragon Emperor back to life. With the world in peril, the O'Connells must overcome their differences to prevent the Dragon Emperor from gaining immortality for himself and his army. Along the way they're joined by a mysterious young woman (Isabella Leong), a wily pilot, and a trio of Abominable Snowmen. Jumping from Shanghai to the Himalayas to the Chinese desert, director Rob Cohen (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY) takes audiences on a breathless adventure that continues THE MUMMY's love of quick wits, close calls and big battles. The result is a spirited romp that proves evil is no match against a family united.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor [2008]

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Hancock [2008]
Directed by Peter Berg
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Hancock turns the standard superhero movie inside-out. The titular character, played by Will Smith, can fly, has super strength and is invulnerable. But he's also a sloppy, arrogant alcoholic who causes millions of dollars in property damage whenever he bothers to fight crime. When he saves the life of a PR agent named Ray (Jason Bateman, Arrested Development), Ray decides to improve Hancock's image--starting by having Hancock surrender himself to the authorities and go to prison for his lawless behaviour. The idea is that once he's in prison, the crime rate will go up and people will start realising Hancock might be of value after all. This is only the first act of Hancock though--from there, the film takes several surprising turns that shouldn't be revealed. Hancock isn't a great movie, but it is an extremely entertaining one. The script, which holds together far better than most superhero movies, has a propulsive plot, good dialogue, some compassion for its characters, and even an actual idea or two. The spectacular action at least gestures towards obeying the laws of physics, which actually makes the special effects more vivid. The three leads (Smith, Bateman, and Charlize Theron as Ray's wife, Mary) deftly balance the movie's mixture of comedy, action, and drama. All in all, a smart subversive twist on a genre that all too often takes itself all too seriously. --Bret Fetzer

Hancock [2008]

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Camp Rock [2008]
Directed by Matthew Diamond
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Camp Rock is a Disney Channel original movie about a rockin' teen summer camp that's highly appealing to tweenies and young teens despite the movie's failure to favourably compare with truly great Disney Channel movies like High School Musical. Joe Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers stars as Shane Gray, a member of the rock band Connect 3, who is compelled to serve as an instructor at Camp Rock in order to counteract his increasingly negative public image. Tess Tyler (Meaghan Jette Martin) is the camp diva whose self-absorption defies description, Caitlyn (Alyson Stoner) is a past Tess groupie who's now ostracised from the popular kids at camp, and Mitchie (Demi Lovato) is a camp newcomer whose mother is the camp cook. Caitlyn initially befriends Mitchie, but the friendship wanes when Mitchie makes up an elaborate story about her family to get accepted into Tess's exclusive clique. As Mitchie struggles to maintain her façade around camp, Shane begins to reform his bad-boy ways and find his own personal voice and he and Mitchie become friends--unfortunately, their new relationship is based partially on Mitchie's lies. In the end, Mitchie's deception is exposed as is Tess' true villainy and the perfect summer camp experience threatens to turn into the worst summer ever for everyone involved. Camp Rock is infused with lots of energy, fun choreography, and a ton of good, if not particularly memorable, music. Add in the cast of generally unlikable characters with extreme characteristics whose changes of heart at the end of the film are not particularly believable, and Disney's got an entertaining film for tweenies and teens that adults might just as well skip. --Tami Horiuchi

Camp Rock [2008]

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24 - Redemption [2008]
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Love him or hate him, it’s good to have Jack Bauer back on our screens. Played with sneer and menace by Kiefer Sutherland, the ruthless ex-Counter Terrorism Unit agent is the kind of guy you’re glad is on your side, and this time, 24: Redemption finds him facing up to demons of his own.

Set between the sixth and seventh seasons of 24, Redemption transports Jack Bauer to Africa, and it doesn’t take long for trouble to flare up. His mission this time, only inevitably it gets more complex than this, is to get a group of orphans to the Embassy safely, even if it means putting his own freedom on the line.

While 24: Redemption leaves some of the familiar cast of the show at home, it does have some impressive names joining Sutherland on this particular adventure. Robert Carlyle’s mysterious character for one is a fine addition, and getting Jon Voight into a villainous role is entirely to be encouraged.

Most impressive of all though, 24: Redemption shows real signs of the franchise getting back on its feet, after the juddering, muddled sixth season, that left many wondering if the show had enjoyed its best days. Now? There’s a real thirst for season seven, and a hope that the extended break the show has enjoyed has been put to good use. Because nobody, nobody does this kind of edge-of-the-seat TV thriller better than the 24 team. --Jon Foster

24 - Redemption [2008]

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Formula One Season Review 2008
From 2 Entertain
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The Official Review of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship™

So you thought the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship was close? Well 2008 was unbelievable! After 5,480 kilometres of racing the title was decided in the very last one.

It was F1 at its very best: Seven drivers won races, from five different teams, while four drivers headed the Championship standings. Kimi Räikkönen wanted to defend his title but it was team mate Felipe Massa who led Ferrari's charge. Robert Kubica emerged as a surprise threat. But it was Lewis Hamilton who got the job done.

Almost four hours of highlights. The best bits of what you saw and all the things you didn’t! Eighteen races of high-octane drama that took you to all corners of the world. Formula One’s historic first night race in Singapore showed Formula One at its dynamic best.

Nobody could escape misfortune. Watch multiple angles of the dramatic demise and the gripping comeback of each of the title contenders. Experience all the drama from exclusive pit lane footage, unique camera angles and the best from on board action. Five exclusive features take you up close and personal. Meet the key players in the new Force from India, flip through Fernando Alonso’s photo memories and share Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One ambitions before he put the dream into reality. Luck does not come into it…

Extra features:
'The Return Of Ross Brawn'
'Season Preview'
'The New Force From India'
'Living The Dream With Sebastien Bourdais'
'Fernando's Photo Memories'
'Lewis Goes Back To The Future'

Formula One Season Review 2008

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Wanted [Blu-ray] [2008]
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov
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As the impresario behind gravity-defying Russian blockbuster Night Watch, it's inevitable that Hollywood would come calling for Timur Bekmambetov. With a studio budget and an international cast, including two Oscar winners, Timur cooks up a Hong Kong-styled actioner bursting with fast cars and big guns. Our unlikely hero is mild-mannered Chicago accountant Wesley Gibson (Atonement's James McAvoy), whose father died when he was a tot. Wesley never learned to stand up for himself, and his girlfriend, boss, and best buddy all take advantage until the seductive Fox (Angelina Jolie) rescues him from a sharpshooter named Cross (The Pianist’s Thomas Kretschmann). After which, she whisks him away to a mansion on the edge of town to meet the other members of the Fraternity, where leader Sloan (Morgan Freeman) informs Wesley that Cross, a rogue agent, executed his father. Sloan believes Wesley has the goods to take him out, so he undergoes the Fraternity's brutal training regimen (Marc Warren and Common dish up some of the abuse). When he's ready, Sloan sends him out to fulfill his duty, but matters become complicated when Wesley finds out someone isn't telling the truth, leading our former milquetoast to exact an elaborate revenge. For those who've been following McAvoy's career to date, Wanted will surely come as a surprise. In adapting Mark Millar's comic series, Timur offers buckets of blood and a smidgen of depth, but fans of The Matrix and Mr. and Mrs. Smith will want to give this one a look. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Wanted [Blu-ray] [2008]

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Cliff Richard - 50th Anniversary Time Machine Tour - Limited Special Edition [2008]
Cliff Richard
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• Amazon Sales Rank: #147 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-12-01
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1

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Join the celebrations for Cliff’s 50th anniversary and experience his most thrilling live show ever, which was filmed at London’s Wembley Arena. The Time Machine tour features all his greatest hits and highlights through a spectacular musical journey across five decades. This is a unique, must-have DVD no Cliff fan should be without.

Cliff Richard - 50th Anniversary Time Machine Tour - Limited Special Edition [2008]

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Kylie Live 'X' 2008
Kylie Minogue
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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #160 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-12-01
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 129 minutes

Editorial Reviews

In August 2008, pop princess Kylie Minogue took to the stage of the O2 Arena as part of her KylieX2008 tour. The concert featured all of her biggest hits plus a couple of surprises thrown in for good measure (the previously unreleased 'Ruffle My Feathers' and 'Flower'). Add to that the requisite costume changes and pyrotechnics, and you're in for one spectacular live show.
Tracklisting: 'Speakerphone', 'Can't Get You Out Of My Head', 'Ruffle My Feathers', 'In Your Eyes', 'Heartbeat Rock', 'Wow', 'Shocked', 'Loveboat', 'Copacabana', 'Spinning Around', 'Like A Drug', 'Slow', '2 Hearts', 'Sometime Samurai', 'Come Into My World', 'Nu-di-ty', 'Sensitized', 'Flower', 'I Believe In You', 'On A Night Like This', 'Your Disco Needs You', 'Kids', 'Step Back In Time', 'In My Arms', 'No More Rain', 'The One', 'Love At First Sight', 'I Should Be So Lucky'.

Kylie Live 'X' 2008

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Thanksgiving Day Movie Favorites

by Lisanne Chastain on November 25, 2008
from: www.armchaircommentary.com/2008/11/thanksgiving-da.html

Well folks it's countdown to Thanksgiving - food, football, more food, Black Friday shopping, and the Thanksgiving movie. Whether it's a holiday related movie, or a completely random movie that was watched one year and now it has become a family tradition, this is a tradition most of us seem to also share. And if you don't - I think this is the year to pick a movie and start. (You have to do something after the tryptophan kicks in and hey - easy way to avoid the relatives, right?)

Okay, I will divulge - besides one I will mention later, for me it's While You Were Sleeping. Yup, there's just something about Sandra Bullock trying decide between Sandy from The O.C. (aka Peter Gallagher in a coma) and his brother (still-cute Bill Pullman) and a cheesy proposal scene in an El station that is my Thanksgiving obsession. (Who's with me?) I can't seem to remember the first year I watched it on Thanksgiving, but now that I started I can't stop. And yes, I get a lot of flack for it but I don't care. It takes place during the holidays, thus it's totally legit.

So in honor of the Holiday O' Food (and to give you something to read to avoid work, since I have a feeling you are already in holiday-brain-shut-down), I've asked around and put together a random list of favorites - some obvious and some making me wish I could crash their family Thanksgiving.

• National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
• The Godfather
• It's A Wonderful Life
• Miracle on 34th Street (the original and the remake)
• Groundhog Day
• Love Actually
• Tommy Boy
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles
• Home For The Holidays
• Blues Brothers
• Sound Of Music
• Notting Hill
• Any James Bond Movie
• Home Alone
• Team America
• The Grinch

And saving what I consider the best for last - this list would not be complete without this resounding favorite that is also a favorite in my family - A Christmas Story. Nothing says the holiday season has begun like watching Ralphie come down the stairs in a bunny suit. 24 hrs a day is not enough for me, and that's why I own the DVD and am thinking the Red Ryder would look great on Blu-ray too. Oh, Ralphie!

Let me know what you think - what's on your Thanksgiving Day movie list?

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving movie-watching Day! --Lisanne

`Twilight' is the new breed of chick flick

Nov. 25, 2008 8:12 AM ET (AP)
By SANDY COHEN

With its muscular $70 million opening weekend despite scant appeal for guys, "Twilight" has redefined expectations for the chick flick.

While offering some high-flying vampire battles, its main action centers on the developing romance between two teens played by relative unknowns Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Women and girls made up more than 75 percent of the film's opening-weekend audience, according to Fandango.com, which sells tickets and conducts surveys about recent releases.

With the movie's stellar opening weekend _ it trounced the celebrated $55.7 million opening of "Sex and the City" _ studios ought to take notice of women's continued ticket-buying power, said Paul Dergarabedian of box-office tracking firm Media By Numbers.

"The word 'chick flick' is going to have to be replaced by big box-office girl-power flick," he said. "The box-office clout of the female audience is just astounding, and it's been an underserved audience for way too long. ... They have no trouble finding money for the things they're passionate about."

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines chick flick as "a motion picture intended to appeal especially to women." But "Twilight" is no lightweight date movie _ instead, it's a real-girl's chick flick, where a normal-looking teenager finds romance with a modern (if undead) Prince Charming.

"It's the most insanely romantic film since 'The Notebook,'" said Harry Medved, a spokesman for Fandango.com, who described Pattinson's Edward Cullen as "the ideal boyfriend. ... He's incredibly strong, superfast, impossibly handsome, he plays the piano and all he cares about is what's on her mind."

Here's a look at some of the top-grossing chick flicks in recent years:

_ "Sex and the City" (2008) earned $55.7 million its opening weekend and more than $150 million to date. Easily the biggest chick flick until now, it had something going for it that "Twilight" did not: at least some crossover appeal with men who were fans of the long-running TV series.

_ "High School Musical 3" (2008) had a $42 million opening weekend and has already earned $84 million just one month after its release. This successful Disney franchise has more tween appeal than a standard chick flick.

_ "Enchanted" (2007) opened with $34.4 million and went on to earn more than $127 million. Disney mixed music, princesses and Dr. McDreamy for big box-office success.

_ "Titanic" (1997) opened to $28.6 million in ticket sales and $600.8 million to date, making it the highest-grossing film of all time. Women got steamy romance, men got spectacular disaster action. Both saw it several times and probably bought it on DVD.

_ "Mamma Mia!" (2008) opened with $27.6 million and has topped $142 million. Based on the popular musical inspired by Abba's hits, it had a built-in audience with fans of both live theater and the Swedish supergroup.

_ "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006) collected $27.5 million its opening weekend and more than $124 million to date. Great performances and Oscar nominations (for costume design and star Meryl Streep) likely boosted this film, which also appealed to men with its sendup of the fashion and publishing industries.

_ "The Princess Diaries" (2001) earned $22.8 million its opening weekend and eventually grossed over $108 million. Disney plus princesses equals success (see "Enchanted").

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DVD Releases November 25, 2008

Hancock (Unrated) [Blu-ray]
Directed by Peter Berg
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Academy Award® nominee Will Smith (Best Actor, The Pursuit of Happyness, 2006) stars in this action-packed comedy as Hancock, a sarcastic, hard-living and misunderstood superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public. When Hancock grudgingly agrees to an extreme makeover from idealistic publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman, Juno), his life and reputation rise from the ashes and all seems right again--until he meets a woman (2003 Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron, Best Actress, Monster) with similar powers to his and the key to his secret past.
Hancock (Unrated) [Blu-ray]

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24: Redemption
Directed by Jon Cassar
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The pulse-pounding countdown gets a jumpstart as 24: Redemption, the unprecedented feature-length event from television’s most provocative and suspenseful series, arrives on DVD November 25th. After sacrificing everything for his country, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) stands to lose the only thing he has left – his freedom. Wanted by the U.S. government and working as a missionary in Africa, Bauer is called upon to stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia. But first, Bauer must confront his own torturous past and face an impossible decision that will change his life forever.

Special features include:
• Extended Edition "Creator’s Cut" featuring over ten minutes of never-before-seen footage (not shown in the television broadcast version)
• Behind-the-scenes "Making Of" documentary
• Children of War featurette
• Cast / Crew Commentary
• "24" Season 6 in Four Minutes featurette
• Season 7 Sneak Peek – First 16 minutes of the premiere episode
24: Redemption

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2008 Philadelphia Phillies: The Official World Series Film
Directed by Major League Baseball
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The Philadelphia Phillies are World Series champions! Major League Baseball Productions and Shout Factory! present the Official 2008 World Series Film on dvd. All the drama, game action, behind-the-scenes access and in-depth interviews a Phillies fan could want. The Official 2008 World Series Film on dvd will feature an adrenaline-filled feature-length film, highlights from the entire postseason and incisive bonus features.

Bonus Features:

* National League East clincher versus the Washington Nationals

* National League Division Series clincher versus the Milwaukee Brewers

* National League Championship Series clincher versus the Los Angeles Dodgers

* This Week In Baseball: Tour of Shane Victorino's Home

* Best on the field wire bites of Shane Victorino during the World Series

* Final 3 outs of the World Series and on field celebration

* World Series Trophy Presentation
2008 Philadelphia Phillies: The Official World Series Film

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RUSH: Snakes & Arrows Live
From Zoe
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Filmed over two performances in Rotterdam, Holland in October of 2007, Rush's new DVD Snakes & Arrows Live captures the legendary band in peak form, performing classic Rush material and nine new songs from their critically acclaimed 2007 CD Snakes & Arrows. The 2-disc concert DVD is presented in both 5.1 audio and stereo, and also included is a bonus disc of four songs added for their 2008 American tour, including "Ghost of a Chance," filmed here for the first time.

Since the release of their eponymous first LP in 1974, Rush has continually expanded the definition of "progressive power trio." Guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist/keyboardist/vocalist Geddy Lee and drummer/lyricist Neil Peart combine dazzling virtuosity, laser-beam intensity and unbridled creativity to create a cohesive whole that's infinitely greater than its parts. The Toronto-based group has become one of Canada's leading exports, with a catalog of genre-defining releases including 2112, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Vapour Trails and Snakes & Arrows and a live show which combines musicianship, showmanship and multi-media effects that engage all the senses. Following their previous best-selling DVDs Rush in Rio and R30, Snakes & Arrows Live presents a band not resting on its considerable laurels but still earning its reputation as one of the world's best live bands - one night at a time.

TRACK LISTING:

Disc 1
1. Limelight
2. Digital Man
3. Entre Nous
4. Mission
5. Freewill
6. The Main Monkey Business
7. The Larger Bowl
8. Secret Touch
9. Circumstances
10. Between the Wheels
11. Dreamline

Extras:
1. What's That Smell (DVD Content)
2. 2007 Tour Outtakes
3. What's That Smell Outtakes
4. Far Cry (Alternate cut featuring rear screen footage)
5. The Way the Wind Blows (Alternate cut featuring rear screen footage)
6. Red Sector A from the R30 Tour

Disc 2
1. Far Cry
2. Workin' Them Angels
3. Armor and Sword
4. Spindrift
5. The Way the Wind Blows
6. Subdivisions
7. Natural Science
8. Witch Hunt
9. Malignant Narcissism - De Slagwerker
10. Hope
11. Distant Early Warning
12. The Spirit of Radio
13. Tom Sawyer

Encore:
14. One Little Victory
15. A Passage to Bangkok
16. YYZ

Disc 3
Oh, Atlanta - The Authorized Bootlegs
1. Ghost of a Chance
2. Red Barchetta
3. The Trees
4. 2112/The Temples of Syrinx
RUSH: Snakes & Arrows Live

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A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
From Comedy Central
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America’s favorite Christmas tradition is now on DVD! Families have gathered around the TV to enjoy Stephen Colbert’s Christmas specials every year since 2008. Now you can experience the joy over and over! Join Stephen and his friends – Toby Keith, Elvis Costello, John Legend, Feist, Willie Nelson, and Jon Stewart – for a yuletide evening of song, dance and nog-induced dementia.
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!

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Fred Claus
From Warner Home Video
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Vince Vaughn is enormously enjoyable as the titular Fred Claus, disgruntled older brother of the better-known St. Nicholas himself, i.e., the North Pole’s very own Santa (Paul Giamatti). A garrulous hustler running from the emotional fallout of the ultimate sibling rivalry, poor Fred keeps trying to find happiness through one failed scheme after another, pushing away the people who care about him most. When brother Santa puts the squeeze on him to help out in the toy factory atop the world, Fred turns the place into one big, raucous party. Unfortunately, he’s unaware that Santa and Mrs. Claus (Miranda Richardson) are under tight scrutiny from an oversight committee (represented by a calculating Kevin Spacey) and could be shut down. The film, directed by David Dobkin (Wedding Crashers), gleams and twinkles the way a holiday movie should, and has plenty of fun material for youngsters, including a wacky chase scene in which Fred goes on the run from a half-dozen, angry Salvation Army Santas. But Fred Claus is also supposed to appeal to hip adults with a taste for ironic farce, and on that score the movie feels like a succession of Saturday Night Live skits more than an organic whole. Still, Vaughn holds everything together with a smart, insightful performance that looks deep into his character’s torment--with more than a few laughs. --Tom Keogh
Fred Claus

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DVD Releases November 24, 2008 (UK)

Mamma Mia! [2008]
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
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The delirious sight of Meryl Streep leading a river of multigenerational women singing "Dancing Queen" is one of the high points of Mamma Mia!, the musical built around the songs of the hugely popular pop group ABBA. The plot sets in motion when Sophie (Amanda Seyfried, Mean Girls), daughter of Donna (Streep), sends a letter to three men, inviting them to her wedding--because after reading her mother's diary, she suspects that one of them is her father. When all three arrive at the Greek island where Donna runs a hotel, Donna flips out and finds that passions she thought she'd laid aside are coming back to life. But let's face it, the plot is not the point--it's a ridiculous contrivance that provides an excuse for the characters to sing the massive hits of ABBA. Regrettably, first-time film director Phyllida Lloyd (who directed the original stage production) has drawn over-the-top performances from everyone involved, even Streep; every production number hammers its exuberance into your eyeballs. Which is too bad, because Mamma Mia! is a rarity: A middle-aged love story. The kids start things off, but the story is really about Streep and the three guys (former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, former Mr. Darcy Colin Firth, and Swedish star Stellan Skarsgard), as well as Donna's best friends (Christine Baranski, best known from the TV show Cybill, and Julie Walters, Calendar Girls). It's a romantic comedy aimed at the people who were around when all these songs were new, and that's an age group Hollywood largely ignores. For that alone, Mamma Mia! deserves to find an audience. --Bret Fetzer
Mamma Mia! [2008]

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Lee Evans - Big - Live at the O2
From Universal Pictures Video
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DVD Description
Lee Evans - Big - Live At The 02 was recorded at the world famous London 02 Arena in front of over 16,000 fans in October 2008. The five record breaking nights saw Lee perform to over 80,000 people. This DVD is the highlight of the record breaking Lee Evans - Big - UK Tour 2008 which took in over 59 dates in the UK's biggest arenas. The total ticket sales topped 500,000 which makes this the biggest ever comedy tour to date. Catch Lee at his peak with big stand-up, big effects and a big performance in what will be the biggest DVD of the year.

Synopsis
Lee Evans returns to the stage with another hilarious stand-up routine, this time at London's 02 arena.
Lee Evans - Big - Live at the O2

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Mamma Mia! Gift Set [2008]
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
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Amazon.co.uk Review
The delirious sight of Meryl Streep leading a river of multigenerational women singing "Dancing Queen" is one of the high points of Mamma Mia!, the musical built around the songs of the hugely popular pop group ABBA. The plot sets in motion when Sophie (Amanda Seyfried, Mean Girls), daughter of Donna (Streep), sends a letter to three men, inviting them to her wedding--because after reading her mother's diary, she suspects that one of them is her father. When all three arrive at the Greek island where Donna runs a hotel, Donna flips out and finds that passions she thought she'd laid aside are coming back to life. But let's face it, the plot is not the point--it's a ridiculous contrivance that provides an excuse for the characters to sing the massive hits of ABBA. Regrettably, first-time film director Phyllida Lloyd (who directed the original stage production) has drawn over-the-top performances from everyone involved, even Streep; every production number hammers its exuberance into your eyeballs. Which is too bad, because Mamma Mia! is a rarity: A middle-aged love story. The kids start things off, but the story is really about Streep and the three guys (former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, former Mr. Darcy Colin Firth, and Swedish star Stellan Skarsgard), as well as Donna's best friends (Christine Baranski, best known from the TV show Cybill, and Julie Walters, Calendar Girls). It's a romantic comedy aimed at the people who were around when all these songs were new, and that's an age group Hollywood largely ignores. For that alone, Mamma Mia! deserves to find an audience. --Bret Fetzer
Mamma Mia! Gift Set [2008]

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WALL-E [Blu-ray] [2008]
Directed by Andrew Stanton
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Pixar genius reigns in this funny romantic comedy, which stars a robot who says absolutely nothing for a full 25 minutes yet somehow completely transfixes and endears himself to the audience within the first few minutes of the film. As the last robot left on earth, Wall-E (voiced by Ben Burtt) is one small robot--with a big, big heart--who holds the future of Earth and mankind squarely in the palm of his metal hand. He's outlasted all the "Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class" robots that were assigned some 700 years ago to clean up the environmental mess that man made of earth while man vacationed aboard the luxury spaceship Axiom. Wall-E has dutifully gone about his job compacting trash, the extreme solitude broken only by his pet cockroach, but he's developed some oddly human habits and ideas. When the Axiom sends its regularly scheduled robotic EVE probe (Elissa Knight) to earth, Wall-E is instantly smitten and proceeds to try to impress EVE with his collection of human memorabilia. EVE's directive compels her to bring Wall-E's newly collected plant sprout to the captain of the Axiom and Wall-E follows in hot pursuit. Suddenly, the human world is turned upside down and the Captain (Jeff Garlin) joins forces with Wall-E and a cast of other misfit robots to lead the now lethargic people back home to earth. Wall-E is a great family film with the most impressive aspect being the depth of emotion conveyed by a simple robot--a machine typically considered devoid of emotion, but made so absolutely touching by the magic of Pixar animation. Also well-worth admiring are the sweeping views from space, the creative yet disturbing vision of what strange luxuries a future space vacation might offer, and the innovative use of trash in a future cityscape. Underneath the slapstick comedy and touching love story is a poignant message about the folly of human greed and its potential effects on earth and the entire human race. --Tami Horiuchi, Amazon.com
WALL-E [Blu-ray] [2008]

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Westlife Live at Croke Park [2008]
Westlife
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Synopsis
The incredibly successful Irish boyband Westlife perform to a massive home crowd in this, the biggest live concert of their career to date. Recorded at Croke Park Stadium in June 2008, the boys delight fans to an emotional journey through their back catalogue of hits. Tracks include 'World Of Our Own', 'Uptown Girl', 'Unbreakable', 'Swear It Again', 'When You're Looking Like That', 'You Raise Me Up', and of course, the all-time favourite 'Flying Without Wings'.

From the Back Cover Tracklistings:

1. Hit You With The Real Thing
2. World Of Our Own
3. Something Right
4. What Makes A Man
5. Uptown Girl
6. Easy Way
7. If I Let You Go
8. Mandy
9. Sexyback / Blame It On The Boogie
10. Get Down On It
11. I'm Your Man
12. Let Me Entertain You
13. Already There
14. Unbreakable
15. Queen Of My Heart
16. Fool Again
17. Catch My Breath
18. Home
19. Us Against The World
20. Swear It Again
21. Flying Without Wings
22. When You're Looking Like That
23. YOU RAISE ME UP
Westlife Live at Croke Park [2008]

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In the Night Garden: Hello Everybody! Box Set
In the Night Garden
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DVD Description
Contains the following titles: Hello Igglepiggle!, Hello Upsy Daisy!, Hello Makka Pakka!, Hello Tombliboos!

Hello Igglepiggle!

'Igglepiggle's blanket in Makka Pakka's Ditch' - Igglepiggle has lost his blanket. Upsy Daisy helps him look for it. They hear the distant sound of Makka Pakka’s trumpet call. The Gazebo shows them a picture of Makka Pakka, so they visit him and find Igglepiggle’s blanket in Makka Pakka’s ditch, blocking Makka Pakka’s way. Makka Pakka is so pleased to be able to make his way out into the garden, that he washes Igglepiggle’s and Upsy Daisy’s faces on the spot.

'Jumping for Everybody' - The Pontipines count to six. Upsy Daisy shows Igglepiggle how to jump. Soon everybody is joining in the jumping game – from the great big Haahoos to the teeny tiny Pontipines. Everybody joins in the dance at the gazebo.

'Igglepiggle's Mucky Patch' - Igglepiggle falls down flat and gets a muddy patch on his tummy. He gets the mud on his hand, on his blanket and on Upsy Daisy. Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy go riding in the Ninky Nonk and spread mucky patches all over that too. Finally they meet Makka Pakka who washes them all clean. Thank you Makka Pakka! Everybody joins in the dance at the gazebo.

'The Pinky Ponk Adventure' - The Pinky Ponk gets stuck in a tree and tips up. Everybody slides up one end. They rock back and forth and tip the Pinky Ponk the other way. They slide up to the other end. The Pinky Ponk tips back and forth and everybody slides up and down, having great fun. At last the Pinky Ponk breaks free and flies off, taking everybody to the dance. 'Igglepiggle's Blanket Walks About By Itself' - Igglepiggle is enjoying dancing in the garden. He leaves his blanket in a safe place but when he returns, it is gone. Igglepiggle’s blanket has landed on Makka Pakka and seems to be running about by itself.

Hello Upsy Daisy!

'Quiet Please Tombliboos Upsy Daisy Wants to Sing!' - Upsy Daisy sets up her own special megaphone to sing. Unfortunately, there is so much noise coming from the Tombliboo’s house that she can’t make herself heard. Finally, all is well when everyone sings together.

'Upsy Daisy Kisses - Everything!' - Upsy Daisy loves the garden so much, she frequently happily kisses everything around her. Today, when she kisses a flower, the bridge, a tree – magical things happen. The bridge plays music, the flower grows, the tree sheds beautiful blossom.

'Upsy Daisy's Big Loud Sing Song!' - Upsy Daisy chooses to sing through her megaphone. The Pontipines cover their ears – what loud singing! They complain over the trubliphone, but then Makka Pakka joins in with his trumpet and they make lovely music together.

'Igglepiggle Looks for Upsy Daisy and Follows her Bed!' - Igglepiggle cannot find Upsy Daisy, but then he spots her bed. Upsy Daisy’s bed always knows where Upsy Daisy is. Igglepiggle follows Upsy Daisy’s bed all the way to Upsy Daisy.

'The Ninky Nonk Wants a Kiss!' - Upsy Daisy is kissing everything in the garden. She kisses a tree, a flower and Igglepiggle. She rides around the garden in the Ninky Nonk visiting and kissing people and things. Suddenly the Ninky Nonk stops and won’t go. Upsy Daisy wonders why – then realises -the Ninky Nonk wants a kiss too!

Hello Makka Pakka!

'Makka Pakka's Stone Concert' - Makka Pakka discovers he can make musical notes by tapping different stones. He makes up a tune. Everyone hears it and comes to listen to Makka Pakka’s stone concert.

'Runaway Og-Pog' - Makka Pakka is busy cleaning stones in the garden when his Og-pog runs away by itself. Makka Pakka and everyone in the garden give chase, but only the clever Pontipine children know how to stop it. Then Makka Pakka has his Og-pog back safe and sound.

'Makka Pakka's Present' - Makka Pakka makes a pile of six stones. One by one he gives everyone in the garden a stone for a present. He is left with one – a special stone for Makka Pakka.

'Makka Pakka Gets Lost' - Makka Pakka sets off through the garden looking for stones to wash and tidy. He is so busy he loses his way – oh dear, which way is home? No need to worry - because here comes the Pinky Ponk. Makka Pakka follows the Pinky Ponk all the way home. Everybody joins in the dance at the gazebo.

'Washing the Haahoos' - The smallest Pontipines and the biggest Haahoos are all clean when Makka Pakka washes their faces. But the Tombliboos are especially clean, because they also have great fun cleaning their teeth.

Hello Tombliboos!

'Too Loud Tombliboos' - The Tombliboos are inside their bush, happily practicing their music so loudly that it can be heard all over the garden. Everybody tries calling to the Tombliboos, but nobody can make themselves heard above the noise. What can be done to stop the terrible racket? The teeny tiny Pontipine children know just what to do.

'The Tombliboos' Busy Day' - The Tombliboos have a very busy day. First they ride on the Pinky Ponk, then they explore the garden and finally, they return to their house to clean their teeth before bedtime.

'Tombliboo Trousers' - The Tombliboos are having fun in the garden but, whatever they do, their trousers keep on falling down.

'Tombliboo Ooo drinks everybody else's Pinky Ponk juice' - Everyone is enjoying a ride on the Pinky Ponk, but Tombliboo Ooo is more interested in drinking all the Pinky Ponk juice. Inevitably his tummy is too full so Tombliboo Unn and Tombliboo Eee help him to bed and play music to make him feel better.

'Tower of 5' - The Pontipines are counting to five. Makka Pakka is building a pile of five stones. The Tombliboos are inside their bush, building with their very own bricks. Each Tombliboo is building a tower and when they begin to compare towers and share bricks, they succeed in building a very tall tower indeed – a tower of five. Everybody joins in the dance at the gazebo.

Extras:

Goodnight Everyone? – Press on the character icons to see them saying goodnight. On Igglepiggle DVD

Audio Commentary: with the creators Anne Wood & Andrew Davenport. On Igglepiggle DVD

Special Feature: Nap mode – View an episode with the nap mode engaged by pressing in the star icon in the episode menu and selecting an episode of your choice. Instead of returning to the main menu this mode displays Igglepiggle sleeping in his boat set against gentle music allowing parents and carers to share with their children a calm & quite moment. On all 4 DVDs.

Synopsis
A wonderful collection featuring each of the characters from IN THE NIGHT GARDEN. Titles included: 'Hello Igglepiggle!', 'Hello Upsy Daisy!', 'Hello Makka Pakka!' and 'Hello Tombliboos!'.
In the Night Garden: Hello Everybody! Box Set

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