By David Weiner
9:01 AM PDT, July 10, 2012
Just in time for the summer 2012 Olympics, the surprise Best Picture Oscar winner of 1982 is finally on hi-def in a special Blu-ray book. Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Ian Holm and John Gielgud star in this true tale of British sprinters Harold Abrahams (played by Cross) and Eric Liddell (played by Charleson), two very different men competing in the 1924 Olympics for very different reasons. Lidell, a devout Scottish missionary, runs for God, while Abrahams, the son of a wealthy Jewish man, runs to prove his place in upper crust Cambridge society. Includes a bonus CD sampler of Vangelis' music for the film.
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Chariots of Fire on Blu-ray
Warner Bros. Home Video
Just in time for the summer 2012 Olympics, the surprise Best Picture Oscar winner of 1982 is finally on hi-def in a special Blu-ray book. Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Ian Holm and John Gielgud star in this true tale of British sprinters Harold Abrahams (played by Cross) and Eric Liddell (played by Charleson), two very different men competing in the 1924 Olympics for very different reasons. Lidell, a devout Scottish missionary, runs for God, while Abrahams, the son of a wealthy Jewish man, runs to prove his place in upper crust Cambridge society. Includes a bonus CD sampler of Vangelis' music for the film.
Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog
Music Box Films
This award-winning Japanese gem follows the tale of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill, from his first moments in the litter to his selection to become a guide and highly specialized training. Paired with a blind man who is at first reluctant to rely on Quill, the two companions soon form an inseparable bond built on great patience, gentleness and skill.
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope
Masses of comic and entertainment geeks will descend on San Diego's Comic-Con this weekend, and what better way to prepare than to watch Morgan Spurlock's all-encompassing documentary of the annual event, from the panels and parades to the costumes, crowds and camaraderie that make up one of the largest fan gatherings in the U.S. The film follows the lives and aspirations of five attendees as they descend upon the ultimate geek mecca (Comic-Con 2010) and features interviews with Con vets who have turned their passions into professions, such as Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, Frank Miller, Kevin Smith, Matt Groening, Seth Rogen and Eli Roth. Two Collector's Editions of the DVD also include a choice of action figures of geek icons Stan Lee and Harry Knowles, or Joss Whedon and Morgan Spurlock.
Being Flynn
Focus Features
Based on a true story, Being Flynn follows Nick Flynn (Paul Dano) who is shocked to have his eccentric and long-absent father, Jonathan (Robert De Niro) reach out to him unexpectedly. Still feeling the loss of his mother (Julianne Moore) in the midst of starting a new relationship with Denise (Olivia Thirlby), the last person Nick wants to see is his father. But you can't outrun fate and slowly Nick comes to realize he has been given the chance to make a real future not only for himself, but for his struggling father too. Paul Weitz (About a Boy) directs this moving portrait of fathers and sons.
American Reunion
Universal
The original cast of American Pie reunites for all-new laughs! Starring Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Alyson Hannigan, Mena Suvari, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth, Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Ian Nicholas, John Cho, Eugene Levy and Jennifer Coolidge, American Reunion finds the gang having grown up, with grown-up responsibilities – but still up to their old antics – as they meet up for their 10-year high school reunion.
Margaret
20th Century Fox
After sitting on the proverbial shelf for years due to legal hang-ups, the star-studded film from Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count on Me) finally sees the light of day. Anna Paquin, Matt Damon, Mark Ruffalo, Kieran Culkin, Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, and Allison Janney star in this drama about an innocent flirtation that leads to tragedy when a teen (Paquin) just misses a bus, leading to a fatal accident. Torn apart by guilt and frustration, her world slowly begins to unravel.
The Flowers of War
Lionsgate
Christian Bale stars in this story of love and war directed by Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) and based on true events. Set in 1937, the invading Japanese Imperial Army overruns China's capital city of Nanking, forcing desperate civilians to seek refuge behind the protective walls of a western cathedral. John Miller (Bale), an American trapped amid the chaos, takes on an unlikely role as protector of a group of innocent schoolgirls and courtesans, risking his life in the process.
New on Blu-ray & DVD: July 10
Universal
The American Pie cast reunites for their crazy American Reunion; Christian Bale risks his life in the period drama The Flowers of War; Anna Paquin's long-awaited Margaret finally comes to video; Morgan Spurlock's Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope and more new releases this week.