The Lady and the Tramp hits Blu-ray

Fall in love for the first time all over again

Lady and the Tramp arrives on Disney Digital Blu-ray™ and DVD from 30th January 2012

Make a date with Lady and the Tramp as Disney’s 15th animated masterpiece is available once more on Disney DVD and for the first time ever on high definition Disney Digital Blu-ray™ from 30th January 2012.

With that news out of the way. Disney invited a furry audience to see their masterpiece on the big screen. By the reactions of the audience it seems that they loved the film. And so will you as it's now available on DVD and Disney Blu-ray



This new year, rediscover one of the most romantic tales ever told, as Lady, a lovingly pampered cocker spaniel meets Tramp, a mutt from across the tracks with a heart of gold. Lady’s life is thrown into chaos when Aunt Sarah moves in with her devious felines, Si and Am, to baby-sit, the very protective Lady soon finds herself being fitted for the unthinkable -- a muzzle! In her bid for freedom, she meets and is charmed by Tramp, dog-about-town. Together with friends Jock, Trusty, and Peg, they share a thrilling adventure on an enchanting evening as Lady learns what it means to be footloose and leash-free.

Available just in time for Valentine’s Day, Lady and the Tramp tells the romantic ‘tail’ of dogs from different worlds whose love triumphs against the odds. This exquisite animation also comes chocked full of exclusive new bonus features such as “Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad”, deleted scenes and much more!

For fans of Disney animal classics, keep an eye out for the Animal Magic extravaganza where titles like Robin Hood, Bambi, Bolt, Winnie the Pooh, Brother Bear, The Aristocats and many more animaltastic titles are all looking for a new home!

Adopt Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition on Disney Digital Blu-ray™ and DVD from 30th January 2012
Blu-ray Bonus Features

• Movie with introduction from Diane Disney Miller
• Inside Walt’s story meetings (Audio commentary)
• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• Deleted Scenes
• Never Recorded Song: "I'm Free As The Breeze," Lyrics By Ray Gilbert And Music By Eliot Daniel
• Lady's Pedigree: The Making Of Lady And The Tramp
• A Perfect Little Lady: The Story Of Lady And The Tramp
• Ruff Animation
• Canine Chorus: The Music Of Lady And The Tramp
• Teaching A Dog To Talk: The Voices Of Lady And The Tramp
• Pretty As A Picture: Art And Design
• Finding Lady: The Art Of The Storyboard
• Original 1943 Storyboard Version Of The Film
• "The Siamese Cat Song": Finding A Voice For The Cats
• PuppyPedia: Going To The Dogs
• "Bella Notte" Music Video
• Theatrical Trailers
• Excerpts From "Disneyland" TV Shows

DVD Bonus Features

• Movie with introduction from Diane Disney Miller
• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• PuppyPedia: Going To The Dogs

The countdown to Sundance London begins NOW!

Sundance London is now in sight. A four-day festival that will include film screenings, live music performances, discussions, panels and other public cultural programming will be held 26 – 29 April, 2012 at The O2, London. As previously announced, Robert Redford and 12-time Grammy Award winner T Bone Burnett will open the festival on 26 April with an on-stage discussion about the relationship between film and music. An Evening with Robert Redford and T Bone Burnett will be moderated by author and screenwriter Nick Hornby and will feature a special musical guest to be announced soon.

The full programme for Sundance London will be announced in early March 2012.

AEG Europe, owner and operator of The O2, Robert Redford, and his non-profit Sundance Institute will join together to present films from American filmmakers as well as American current music. Sundance Institute, which annually presents the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A, will act as curator of the film component, while AEG Europe will use its industry-leading venue and marketing teams to stage and promote music and other related events at The O2.

Programme information and ticket packages now on sale at www.sundance-london.com

Highest opening for 15 Rated Hindi film in UK; enters UK Top 10

Eros International Media Ltd (Eros International), a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry has announced a smash hit opening for Agneepath overseas. In its opening weekend, the film has shown collections of Rs. 16 crore in the international markets. Eros released Agneepath internationally on 337 screens, the highest ever for any Hrithik Roshan film.

Agneepath grossed £347,000 in UK in its first weekend (4 days). This is the highest opening weekend collections for any '15' rated Indian film. Agneepath is also ranked No 10 on UK Top 10 Box Office.

In the United States, the four day first weekend collections were $1.3 million, reflecting a healthy average of $10,000 plus per theatre. In UAE too, Agneepath has grossed over US$ 800,000 in four days, indicating the enormous support consumers have shown for this film. Other strong performing territories are Australia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya.

Commenting on the film’s overseas performance, Pranab Kapadia, President – Marketing & Distribution - Eros International plc said, “Agneepath has done extremely well in all the overseas markets making it the first blockbuster of the New Year. The tremendous response has been very encouraging with all major markets indicating remarkable box office results”.

Producer Karan Johar added, “All of us at Dharma are ecstatic at the historic opening day collections. It truly is the director Karan Malhotra’s vision that has made it all possible. Revisiting a cult classic is a daunting task and he along with his brilliant cast and crew have helped create box office magic!”

Produced by Dharma Productions, Agneepath has been directed by Karan Malhotra and released across cinemas worldwide on 26th January. Along with the fantastic box office collections, the film opened to very positive reviews appreciating the stellar performances of its leading cast including Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra and Rishi Kapoor.

Dark Shadows hit the big screen

Warner Bros has just released the first set of images for the next Tim Burton / Johnny Depp feature. It's based on the US series of the same name. It's OK I've never heard of it as well. I think you have to be American of a certain age.

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet-or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy... until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.

Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

Creeping into cinemas May 11, 2012
© 2012 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. IN U.S., CANADA, BAHAMAS AND BERMUDA
© 2012 VILLAGE ROADSHOW FILMS BVI LIMITED IN ALL OTHER TERRITORIES

See even more of The Woman In Black

Late last month we saw the release of a new set of images from the film. Now Hammer has released a new, and probably final, set of images for Daniel Radcliffe's horror film, The Woman In Black.

During afternoon tea there is a shift in the air,
A bone trembling chill that tells you she’s there,
There are those who believe that the whole town is cursed,
That the house in the marsh is by far the worst,
What she wants is unknown but she always comes back,
The spectre of darkness, The Woman in Black.

Based on the classic ghost story, THE WOMAN IN BLACK tells the tale of Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), a lawyer who is forced to leave his young son and travel to a remote village to attend to the affairs of the recently deceased owner of Eel Marsh House.

Working alone in the old mansion, Kipps begins to uncover the town’s tragic and tortured secrets and his fears escalate when he discovers that local children have been disappearing under mysterious circumstances. When those closest to him become threatened by the vengeful woman in black, Kipps must find a way to break the cycle of terror.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK also stars Ciaran Hinds (TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY) and Janet McTeer (TUMBLEWEEDS), was adapted from Susan Hill’s novel for the screen by Jane Goldman (KICK ASS) and directed by James Watkins (EDEN LAKE).

Released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland February 10, 2012
For more information visit Facebook or the official site

Top Ten Spy Films

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY is released today on DVD and Blu Ray Steelbook

To celebrate the release of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on DVD and Steelbook Blu Ray today, we count down the top 10 spy films over the years.

10. The Tailor of Panama
John le Carré's books are resurgent thanks to the new film adaptation of Tinker, Tailor. This 2001 John Boorman movie sees Geoffrey Rush's tailor reluctantly finding himself acting as a spy, with disastrous consequences. Also starring Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Gleeson, and Daniel Radcliffe (in his film debut) this is sure to keep you engaged.

9. Munich
The film, based on a true story, shows how a squad of assassins, led by former Mossad agent Avner (Eric Bana), track down and kill a list of Black September members thought to be responsible for the eleven Israeli athletes' murders. This is a powerhouse of a film, that’s beautifully acted and scripted.

8. Mission Impossible
Following on from the television series of the same name, the plot follows a new agent, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his quest to uncover a mole within the Impossible Mission Force who has framed him for killing his team. That dangling scene and an absolutely cracking theme tune make this a memorable movie adaptation.

7. Syriana
A politically-charged epic about the state of the oil industry in the hands of those personally involved and affected by it. Starring and executively produced by George Clooney, Syriana is not for the faint of heart. With complex storylines and a torture scene that is sure to stay with you for some time, this is a film that will leave you equally exhausted and exhilarated.

6. Mr and Mrs Smith
The film stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt as a bored married couple who learn that they are both master assassins when they are sent on the same job. After the double booking they begin to suspect each other and so the cat and mouse game of catch the spy starts.  The film develops as this great action/comedy for the first half and the second goes balls-to-the-wall action.  This is definitely one of those films people need to be more honest with themselves and just admit that it’s plain awesome.

5. Taken
Should you kidnap a hot American girl to sell on the black market, be sure her father isn’t a former spy that can come, find you, and kill you.  Liam Neeson reminds us that he can still be a grade-A action star. The film takes us through the streets of France in an action packed Spy film with a ticking clock as a man tries to find his daughter.

4. Spies Like Us
Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd are two bad spies.  However, they are sent on a decoy mission to keep the bad guys focus on them as opposed to the real spies who’re trying to save the day.  But somehow they end up saving the day anyways. Directed by John Landis, a classic that is sure to keep you laughing on the edge of your seat.

3. The Bourne Trilogy
Matt Damon plays former CIA assassin and psychogenic amnesiac Jason Bourne, the twenty-first century spy embroiled in international intrigue so confusing and unpredictable that his mission transforms from revealing others' identities to discovering his own. The fourth movie, The Bourne Legacy, is scheduled for release in August 2012.

2. Dr. No
The first James Bond movie, with Sean Connery snugly fitting into the role he would define for the next decade, is also the closest the series has to offer in the way of a no-frills spy thriller. It adhered to the classic spy paradigm perfected by Hitchcock but also started a trend of modern, paranoid Cold War espionage movies that would pave the way for darker entries like The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. It's light on the gadgets that would eventually make Bond a lark, and instead bets on the tough and gritty -- yet still adventurous and sexy -- work of a real spy.

1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Set in the 1970s, George Smiley, a recently retired MI6 agent is doing his best to adjust to a life outside the secret service. However, when a disgraced agent reappears with information concerning a mole at the heart of the Circus, Smiley is drawn back into the murky field of espionage. Tasked with investigating which of his trusted former colleagues has chosen to betray him and their country, Smiley narrows his search to four suspects – all experienced, urbane, successful agents – but past histories, rivalries and friendships make it far from easy to pinpoint the man who is eating away at the heart of the British establishment.

This Means War, the premiere

The stars will be gathering in Kensington, London tonight for the UK premiere of Twentieth Century Fox's upcoming action-comedy THIS MEANS WAR, starring the tantalising trio of Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon and directed by McG, all of whom are set to attend.

Eager fans will be able to bag themselves a spot in a special VIP crowd area along the red carpet on presentation of a special flyer (below), with the promise that a lucky few may even make it inside to see the film.

THIS MEANS WAR will now be released in UK cinemas on 2nd March.

Two of the world’s top secret agents are best friends who never let anything come between them -- until they inadvertently fall for the same woman. It’s all-out war, as the two spies battle each other with high-tech surveillance, advanced tactics, and an arsenal capable of bringing down a small country.

Join in the War online on facebook and on twitter

More views of the Pirates

With some controversy surrounding a scene in the film, Fox has released a new set of images to go with the film. I'm not sure which trailer it is so I will guess at this one. All images can be embiggened by clicking on them.

In The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, Hugh Grant stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain – a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, and Ashley Jensen), and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It's a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they do battle with the pirate-hating Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a young Charles Darwin (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure!

Join the Pirate Captain on Facebook or at the official website
Sailing into UK cinemas March 30, 2012

The Titans attack

Two new images have just appeared for the upcoming Wrath of the Titans. We have already seen one image and poster before. This time we have one of, what looks like, a large battle scene. and another one of Sam.

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year-old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld.

Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus's godly son, Ares, switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans' strength grows stronger as Zeus's remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda, Poseidon's demigod son, Agenor, and fallen god Hephaestus, Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

In Cinemas Friday March 30, 2012
Find out more at the Official Site, on twitter or on facebook
© 2012 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND LEGENDARY PICTURES FUNDING, LLC

Ad astra per aspera. Remembering Apollo 1

This is another slight deviation from what normally appears on this blog. It's another one about space. More precisely, it's about another disaster that happened on the way to get man into space. I have already done a post for the 25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster and a happier one about the 50th anniversary of man in space.

This time it's to remember the 45th anniversary of the loss of Apollo 1 on the launchpad and the death of her crew Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II and Roger B. Chaffee. This was a disaster waiting to happen. Not in the same way that Challenger was lost but still, with hindsight, a 100% oxygen, positive pressure [the pressure inside the capsule was higher that the external air pressure], atmosphere in a small, confined space wasn't the best idea.

With veteran astronauts Grissom and White was a rookie. Roger Chaffee. A bachelor who was looking forward to his first flight.

The problems of the capsule started quite early with lots of flammable material, built into the capsule. A door that couldn't easily, and quickly, be opened from the inside [a design decision from when Grissom's Gemini's capsule door spontaneously failed]. Not only that they had been delivered with over 700 faults that had to be fixed at the Kennedy Space Center. This lead to Grissom famously hanging a lemon over the simulator and not as most people think over the actual capsule. The crew were promised by Joseph F. Shea, the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office that all their concerns were cleared up and it would be safe to fly. This lead to the photograph below sent to Shea with the following comment

It isn't that we don't trust you, Joe, but this time we've decided to go over your head.

The test started and problems were reported immediately with an odor that was described as "Sour milk". Then there were communication problems that caused Grissom to remark, "How are we going to get to the Moon if we can't talk between three buildings?". Then with the crew strapped into their suits and breathing 100% oxygen at 23:30:54 GMT something shorted and a spark produced. Ten seconds later Chaffee was heard to say "Hey!" This was possibly when the fire started and seventeen seconds later all communications was lost when a scream was heard.

When the hatch was finally opened they found the astronauts dead and in positions that indicated that they were trying to open the hatch as the procedures dictated.

This shut down the entire Apollo project until NASA discovered what happened. Within 3 months the investigation was complete and report written.

What came out of this report was: An easier to remove hatch, an atmosphere closer to that on Earth, removal of anything and everything that could be combustible [this includes making fireproof "paper"] and better documentation of what goes into the next generation of Apollo capsules.

There are many different memorials to the three. Ranging from mountains on Mars to craters on the Moon down to schools and bridges.

Without men like Grissom, White and Chaffee who had the courage to go into the unknown with, sometimes, not knowing the risks then man, President Kennedy's dream may not have succeed.

Space.com has the below footage talking about the aftermath of the fire from Universal Newsreel.

Or this piece from the British Pathe here in the UK with a piece called "Their Last Countdown"

The Hunger Games, new images

Lionsgate has just sent over two new images for the Hunger Games. The first one shows Katniss in District 12 awaiting the Reaping. The selection of that year's competitors. The second image is of Katniss and Peeta dressed up for one of the Ceremonies in the Capitol.

In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

The Hunger Games is released March 23, 2012.

The Descendants hits UK cinemas

A new clip has been released in with the release of The Descendants. This clip shows George Clooney failing to understand his daughters and what they like for breakfast...

To watch this video, you need the latest Flash-Player and active javascript in your browser.

From Alexander Payne, the creator of the Oscar®-winning SIDEWAYS, THE DESCENDANTS is set in Hawaii and follows the unpredictable journey of an American family at a crossroads.

Matt King (George Clooney), a husband and father of two girls, must re-examine his past and navigate his future when his wife is in a boating accident off Waikiki. He awkwardly attempts to repair his relationship with his daughters - 10 year-old precocious Scottie (Amara Miller) and rebellious 17 year-old Alexandra (Shailene Woodley) - while wrestling with a decision to sell his family’s land. Handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries, the Kings own some of the last priceless virgin parcels of tropical beach in the islands.

In UK cinemas now.

The Knight Bus arrives

Thursday 26th January: The iconic, triple decker Knight Bus today rolls into Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter, which opens 31st March 2012. Taking its place among the many authentic sets, props and costumes from the eight Harry Potter films, the Knight Bus debuted in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ and was one of the most complicated pieces to create in the production.

John Richardson, Special Effects Supervisor, said: "The Knight Bus was not a CGI Creation as many people thought but in fact a real-life working bus. It was constructed by cutting up two iconic Routemaster buses, reworking the structure and bolting it all back together to provide one bus with three decks. One interesting challenge that arose during the shooting of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was that we could not drive the vehicle across London due to the number of low bridges in and around the capital. This meant that we had to transport the bus in two pieces between locations and put it back together as required for filming."

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will open 31st March 2012 with timed tickets available from 13th October 2011. Tickets are priced at £28 for adults, £21 for children and £83 for a family of four. Tickets must be booked in advance via a dedicated website www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators.

© 2011 Warner Bros. Ent.
Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R.
Harry Potter characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

Bel Ami gets some more images

Studiocanal has just sent over some new images for the upcoming film adaptation of Guy de Maupassant's novel.

Based on the novel by Guy de Maupassant, BEL AMI chronicles the rise of penniless ex-soldier Georges Duroy (Robert Pattinson, THE TWILIGHT SAGA, REMEMBER ME) through the echelons of the 1890s Parisian elite and is a tale of ambition, power and seduction. Also starring Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci and Colm Meaney.  BEL AMI is a timeless epic with a modern twist. A Dangerous Liaisons for a new generation.

Bel Ami hits UK cinemas March 2, 2012 from Studiocanal.

What have you become?

Two thing have just hit my in box from Chronicle. A new poster that shows some more of what's going on and two new clips.

Supermarket

Direct Influence

New technologies and social communities allow us to record, post and comment on every second of our lives, sharing our every emotion and opinion with the world, no matter how mundane.

For three high school classmates who suddenly gain superpowers from a mysterious substance, the chronicle of their ordinary lives is about to take on extraordinary turn.

Initially they use their powers to play innocent pranks on each other and people around them, but soon they gain confidence and learn to control their powers better to take on more difficult tasks. Their newfound sense of immortality and impunity will force them to evaluate their own morality to ultimately decide where to draw the line about how far they should go.

In UK cinemas February 1, 2012
Find out more on Facebook

First look at Agent Vinod

The first look of this year’s highly anticipated Agent Vinod, a Saif Ali Khan and Dinesh Vijan's Illuminati Films production in association with Eros International is out now.
Directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, the film releases in cinemas worldwide on March 23rd 2012. The film also stars Prem Chopra, Ravi Kishen, Ram Kapoor, Adil Hussein and, in a special appearance, Gulshan Grover. The music is by Pritam. The action in the film is composed by Peter Hein and Parvez Khan. In addition, several foreign stunt directors have contributed to the film which promises stylish realism and loads of action.

AGENT VINOD, according to director Sriram Raghavan, is a man whose approach you may not always agree with but you’re sure glad he’s on your side.

"The experience of creating Agent Vinod has been as action-packed as the film itself. At Illuminati Films we endeavor to make our work personal and it’s with this very conviction that we strive to entertain our audiences. Agent Vinod is not just a film, it is an exhilarating experience that will keep you on the edge till the very end" says producer Dinesh Vijan.

Sunil Lulla, Managing Director, Eros International Media Ltd added, "After the success of Love Aaj Kal, we are glad to partner with Illuminati Films for Agent Vinod. Eros is gearing up for a promising year with the release of this highly anticipated action thriller. Audiences are in for a real treat with Saif Ali Khan in a never before seen role, some fabulous action and the sheer scale and treatment of the film by the very talented Sriram Raghavan."

Hitting UK cinemas from March 23, 2012