Movies On Demand This Week: ‘The Hobbit’ and More

This week is headlined by the release of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” on iTunes and other streaming providers. So let’s get our Elf ears and Gollum voice ready for another trip to Middle Earth. There’s also the crime drama “Killing Them Softly” starring Brad Pitt as a different kind of hitman, Marion Cotillard giving a powerful performance in “Rust and Bone” as well as Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the indie gem “Smashed,” while Sean Penn shows us his weirder side in “This Must Be The Place.”

NEW RELEASES

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’
Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth is filled with the usual colorful characters he so perfectly brought to life adapting Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Along with a group of Dwarves on a journey to reclaim what is theirs, Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf as well as Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Why Watch It: Martin Freeman as Bilbo is a perfect choice as his comic timing and sheepish disposition is perfect when playing a Hobbit.
Available On: iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant [On Demand 3/19]

‘Killing Them Softly’
Following their teaming in the masterful “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” Brad Pitt and director Andrew Dominik try to make lightning strike twice with this slow-burn thriller of a hitman who his hired to clean up the mess two amateurs left after robbing a Mob-protected card game.
Why Watch It: If you’re tired of the usual crime drama, try this one on.
Available On: iTunes, VUDU [On Demand 3/26]

‘Rust and Bone’
Marion Cotillard gives an Oscar-worthy performance as an amputee who after losing her legs falls in a deep depression and struggles with day-to-day life, though her casual relationship with a man she met before her accident soon builds into something more and causes her to rethink her life.
Why Watch It: Cotillard proves why she should be considered one of the top talents working today.
Available On: iTunes, VUDU [On Demand 3/19]

‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’
This indie comedy follows two friends (Keith Poulson and Nick Offerman) and a woman they both adore (Jess Weixler) as they navigate through unfulfilling relationships and realize that things aren’t getting easier the older they get.
Why Watch It: Offerman give you a different performance that what you’re used to seeing every week on “Parks and Recreation.”
Available On: Cable On Demand

‘Smashed’
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul play a married couple who enjoy the bottle a bit too much. But things change drastically when Kate (Winstead) wants to get sober leading to a disastrous end to their relationship.
Why Watch It: Mixed with hilarious highs and depressing lows, Winstead gives one of the best performances of her career.
Available On: Cable On Demand, iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant

‘This Must Be The Place’
In won of his more puzzling performances, Sean Penn plays a retired rock star living in Dublin who returns to the States for his father’s funeral which leads to him going on a manhunt for the Nazi responsible for denigrating him during World War II.
Why Watch It: You’ve never seen Penn in such a vulnerable role.
Available On: Cable On Demand, VUDU, Amazon Instant

‘Wuthering Heights’
After an Oscar win for her short film in 2003, which made her not just another actor turned director, and two successful feature films, Andrea Arnold now is the latest to take on Emily Brontë’s legendary novel. However, taking inspiration from Brontë’s description of Heathcliff, Arnold cast the first back actor every to portray the role.
Why Watch It: A fresh take on an old classic.
Available On: Cable On Demand, iTunes, VUDU

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

‘Manhunter’
One of Michael Mann’s least recognized films from his filmography, before Anthony Hopkins made Hannibal Lecktor a iconic movie character, Brian Cox played the role in this thriller starring William Petersen as Will Graham, an FBI profiler who comes out of retirement to track a serial killer who’s been dubbed the “Tooth Fairy.” Needing help he calls on the psychotic doctor Lecktor for help, whose attack on Graham led to his retirement.
Available On: iTunes, Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

‘Back to School’
Rodney Dangerfield brings his brash, Long Islander no respect shtick to college in this ‘80s classic. In the film he plays an extremely rich businessman who decides to enter the college his son attends and teaches him more about partying than hitting the books (and how to do the “Triple Lindy.”)
Available On: iTunes, Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube

‘Hustle & Flow‘
Recently added to Netflix, Craig Brewer’s breakout film follows a Memphis pimp (Terrence Howard) who uses his struggles to create a demo in his hopes of becoming the next big Southern rap star. The film also earned Howard an Oscar nomination and the group Three 6 Mafia an Oscar win for their song, “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”
Available On: iTunes, Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

Categories: Columns, Streaming, Streaming/On Demand

Tags: Amazon Instant, Andy Serkis, Back To School, Brad pitt, Brian Cox, Criag Brewer, Google Play, Hustle & Flow, Ian McKellen, ITunes, Jess Weixler, Keith Poulson, Killing Them Softly, Manhunter, Marion cotillard, Mary elizabeth winstead, Michael mann, Nick Offerman, On demand, Peter jackson, Rodney Dangerfield, Rust and Bone, Sean penn, Smashed, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Streaming, Terrence howard, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, This Must Be The Place, Three 6 Mafia, VUDU, William petersen, Wuthering Heights, YouTube

New on Streaming Week of Mar 04, 2013 - Movies Streaming/On Demand This Week: ‘Breaking Dawn-Part 2,’ ‘Red Dawn’ & More

All you Twihards out there, this week is a big one. The final installment, “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2,” is now On Demand and streaming. If that’s not your thing, also out is the latest Gerard Butler romantic comedy, “Playing for Keeps,” and a reboot of the ‘80s invasion thriller, “Red Dawn.” Plus a couple of titles available same day as it opens in theaters.

NEW RELEASES

‘Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2'
The saga that has kept tweens and housewives equally enthralled since 2008 comes to an end with this final film, which brings Bella, Edward, Jacob and little Renesmee up against the Volturi.
Why Watch It: You’ve come this far, time to finish it.
Available On: Cable On Demand, iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant

‘Playing for Keeps’
Gerard Butler plays a washed up soccer star looking for a new career. He attempts to become a more responsible adult when he begins coaching his son’s soccer team, but with the soccer moms flocking to him things get a little difficult.
Why Watch It: You know you can’t resist a bit of that Gerard charm.
Available On: Cable On Demand, iTunes

‘Red Dawn’
A remake of John Milius’ 1984 Red Scare thriller, this time around heartthrobs Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Isabel Lucas (and Tom Cruise’s son Connor) star as the teens who take it upon themselves to strike back after North Korean soldiers invade their town.
Why Watch It: Not as gritty as the original but still a worthy remake.
Available On: Cable On Demand, iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant

‘Lay The Favorite’
From The Queen director Stephen Frears, Bruce Willis, Rebecca Hall, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Joshua Jackson are just some of the stars that pop up in this comedy about a naïve cocktail waitress (Hall) who becomes a gambling prodigy.
Why Watch It: Nice to see Rebecca Hall step away from the dramatic roles for a sec to play a fun role.
Available On: iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

‘It’s A Disaster’
This dark comedy follows four couples meeting for brunch who begin to unravel in different ways when they learn that the apocalypse may be a few hours away. David Cross, America Ferrera and Julia Stiles round out the diverse cast.
Why Watch It: A festival hit with some great laughs.
Available On: Cable On Demand [Opens In Theaters 4/12]

‘A Place At The Table’
With millions of Americans going hungry, documentary filmmakers Kristie Jacobson and Lori Silverbush look at this epidemic by highlighting three people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. The film, also out in theaters, is highlighted by appearances from Jeff Bridges, Raj Patel and Tom Colicchio.
Why Watch It: An important film that can hopefully change our policies on what we eat.
Available On: Cable On Demand, VUDU

’6 Souls’
Also available same day as it hits theaters, Julianne Moore stars in this thriller produced by the twisted souls who brought us “The Ring.” Moore plays Cara, a forensic psychologist who discovers that her patient (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) has multiple personalities of murder victims. Now Cara is on a search for what happened to them.
Why Watch It: Moore and Meyers elevate a typical horror.
Available On: Cable On Demand, VUDU

‘Gun Hill Road’
This Sundance favorite from 2011, Enrique (Esai Morales) has returned home after a three-year stint in prison to find his son, now a teen, living a lifestyle he does not approve of. As Enrique tries to rebuild his life he also attempts to reconnect with the son he barely knew.
Why Watch It: A moving story that highlights the talents of its director, Rashaad Ernesto Green.
Available On: iTunes

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

‘The Apartment’
Billy Wilder wins director and screenwriting Oscars for his classic that stars Jack Lemmon as C.C. Baxter, a shy company man trying to raise up the ladder by letter his executives use his apartment for their extra-marital affairs. But things get tricky when C.C. falls for one of the girls (Shirley MacLaine).
Available On: iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

‘Lolita’
Stanley Kubrick tests the limits of 1960s censorship with his adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov’s streamy novel of a relationship between a literature professor (James Mason) and a teenage girl (Sue Lyon).
Available On: iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

‘Stevie’
Known for his landmark documentaries like “Hoop Dreams” and most recently “The Interrupters,” Steve James’ most personal work is this 2002 release which follows the director as he attempts to reconnect with the boy he was a big brother of ten years prior. Now an adult with a rap sheet, little Stevie is not looking for fatherly advice.
Available On: iTunes, VUDU

Categories: Columns, New on Streaming This Week, Streaming, Streaming/On Demand

Tags: 6 Souls, A Place at the Table, America Ferrera, Billy wilder, Bruce willis, Catherine zeta-jones, Chris Hemsworth, David Cross, Gerard butler, Gun Hill Road, Isabel Lucas, It's A Disastert, Jack lemmon, James mason, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Josh hutcherson, Joshua jackson, Julia Stiles, Julianne moore, Lay the favorite, Lolita, Playing for Keeps, Rebecca hall, Red dawn, Shirley maclaine, Stanley Kubrick, Steve James, Stevie, Sue Lyon, The Apartment, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2

Movies Streaming/On Demand This Week: ‘Taken 2,’ ‘Paranormal Activity 4′ & More

As we continue to trudge through the cold month of January and its lackluster crop of new releases, we suggest you curl up with a few of these titles. Liam Neeson return as the father who can kick anyone’s ass in “Taken 2.” For those found footage fans, the fourth installment of the “Paranormal Activity” franchise is now streaming. And we’ve got a few great titles you can see for free.

NEW RELEASES

‘Taken 2'
Following up the unlikely success of the original, Liam Neeson returns for a new ass-kicking foreign excursion. This time around, Bryan Mills (Neeson) and his wife (Famke Janssen) are kidnapped by the father of the kidnapper Mills killed to rescue his daughter in the first film. Let’s just say the odds are always in Mills’s favor.
Why Watch It: Neeson just has a knack for playing the ruthless type, even when he’s the one who’s the hostage.
Available On: iTunes, Cable On Demand, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

‘Paranormal Activity 4'
After going to the VHS-era of the ’80s in “PA3,” we’re now back in the present for the fourth edition of this found-footage franchise. Five years after the events of “PA2,” things get a little strange for a teenage girl and her family when a woman and child move in next door.
Why Watch It: Just when you think you’ve seen everything in this franchise, they go and show they still have a few more tricks.
Available On: iTunes, VUDU [On Demand: 1/29]

‘The Possession’
If found footage isn’t your thing, this more traditional thriller is about a little girl who starts acting really strange after her newly divorced father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) buys her an old wooden box at a yard sale.
Why Watch It: Crazy CGI makes easier to tolerate the watered-down plot.
Available On: Cable On Demand

‘The House I Live In’
Documentary filmmaker Eugene Jarecki (“Why We Fight,” “The Trials of Henry Kissinger”) looks at the U.S. drug war from all possible angles and comes to the conclusion that it’s hardly about drugs.
Why Watch It: This Grand Jury prizewinner at last year’s Sundance is a disturbing look at how our country handles illegal drugs.
Available On: iTunes, Cable On Demand, VUDU

‘Detropia’
From the directors of “Jesus Camp,” this stirring documentary examines the downsizing of Detroit and how its closed schools, abandoned buildings and struggling economy epitomizes what’s going on throughout the country.
Why Watch It: It opens your eyes to the harsh reality of what our country is dealing with in some of its poorest areas.
Available On: iTunes, Cable On Demand

‘Won’t Back Down’
Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal play two mothers who are determined to transform their children’s failing inner-city school. But the bureaucracy of the school system could put at risk everything they’re trying to do.
Why Watch It: It’s an inspiring movie with great performances from Davis and Gyllenhaal.
Available On: Cable On Demand, VUDU, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Google Play

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

‘The Blob’
There’s nothing better than super cool Steve McQueen running away from a slow-moving blog of jelly. A drive-in classic from the ’50s, this cheesy horror starts with a meteor falling from the sky that oozes a large, growing goo. If you need a good laugh, this is the one for you.
Available On: Hulu (free)

’1941'
Riding high after the success of “Jaws” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Steven Spielberg was untouchable when he put together this comedy. And that was probably the problem. It was a critical disaster when it opened in 1979, and watching it now is fun because of all the great cameos like Slim Pickens, Christopher Lee and Mickey Rourke. And at home in all the chaos is John Belushi.
Available On: YouTube (free)

The ‘Paradise Lost’ Trilogy
These three landmark documentaries by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky about the wrongful conviction of three teens (better known as the West Memphis Three) for the grisly murders of three boys in Arkansas in the mid ’90s. For years, activists and celebrities came to the aid of the WM3, until finally they were released on an Alford plea two years ago. In all three films, we learn new evidence while watching the three boys grow up behind bars.
Available On: iTunes

Categories: Columns, Streaming/On Demand

Tags: Bruce Sinofsky, Detropia, eugene jarecki, Famke Jenssen, Heidi Ewing, jeffrey dean morgan, Joe Berlinger, liam neeson, maggie gyllenhaal, on demand, Paradise Lost, Paranormal Activity 4, Rachel Grady, steve mcqueen, streaming, Streaming/On Demand, Taken 2, The Blob, The House I Live In, The Possession, viola davis, west memphis three, Won't Back Down, The Possession, Taken 2, Paranormal Activity 4, Won't Back Down, Liam Neeson, The House I Live In, Viola Davis, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Detropia, The Blob, 1941, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills, Paradise Lost 2: Revelations, Famke Janssen, Eugene Jarecki, Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve McQueen, Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky

$30 to Watch a Movie “Early” On Demand?

Remembering that Arthur and Soul Surfer were both released On Demand early for $30, it makes me wonder, here in the thick of the summer movie season, which circumstances would actually lead me to pay so much money just to see a movie a little bit early. I suppose in the Twitter-fueled land of constant spoilers, it can seem appealing to some, but why rob yourself of the moviegoing experience if you don’t have to? And when would you ever have to? So I thought it through and came up with a few situations where a service like this would actually come in handy. And now? I’m kind of digging it.

Leaving the Country

When I left the country on vacation last month, luckily it was at the exact time The Hangover II and Pirates 4 were opening: two movies I couldn’t care less about. So there was no frustration on my part about missing seeing something awesome with my friends. I was, however, anxious that I was missing Game of Thrones. But TV is already available at home and could be watched the moment I got back to the states. But if a movie was opening I *needed* to see and I knew my chance of seeing it in theaters was shot in any event, then yes, I would pay money to see it early, so I could still be a part of the conversation.

Recovering from Surgery

Let’s say you have surgery on something like your leg or foot that prevents you from moving easily and let’s also say it hurts like crazy and let’s also say you’re on a lot of drugs. (Maybe I’ve been there too.) Something tells me you won’t be venturing out to many movies no matter how long you’ve been waiting to see something. In this case, VOD once again becomes extremely appealing. A way to stay in on the conversation when you are unable to leave your home. This also applies to house arrest, agoraphobia, a broken car, and the flu.

Reviewing/Writing Purposes

If you either write for a website or have your own, but aren’t in the place yet where you can make it on to screening lists, VOD is an awesome solution. Especially if someone is paying you, it’s a way to see and analyze something without relying on connections you may not have yet. It’s an investment, but suddenly gets a lot cheaper when you take into consideration the thrust of the next few reasons — other people.

Babies

You want to see a hard R movie but can’t afford hours worth of a babysitter, or the babysitter isn’t free, or you simply want to see too many movies to get babysitters that often. With this option, you and your spouse essentially pay the same price to not hire a babysitter or be forced to be that annoying person with a baby at a horror movie, which happens WAY too often for my liking.

Watching with a Group

$30 bucks seems absurd for one movie. But the moment that cash covers three to four people, it becomes a value: an animated movie for a family of four, especially if they include small children who don’t do well sitting in theaters, or getting together with a friend who is stuck at home. Make it five to seven people and you’ve got yourself a cheap, brand-new movie and a mini party. Although a stellar home entertainment system is key for this option.

The Intoxication Factor

We all know there are plenty of movies out there many people would like to see intoxicated by whatever means, and sometimes getting intoxicated before or during movies is simply awkward. Yes, the giant screen and options like 3-D enhances the experience for trippy movies like Tron: Legacy or even Across the Universe, but for stoner comedies, what could better than watching it early, from home, with a group of friends? I would VOD Horrible Bosses right now, split the cost, alter my consciousness, pour myself a glass of champagne, open a bag of chips, put my cat on my lap, and still see it before most people do — doesn’t sound bad, right?

Ultimately I think it comes down to this: $30 VOD is for people who *would* see movies often, but *can’t*, for whatever reason.