Larry Ratliff

'This is It' -- The DVD release date

(Courtesy:  Sony Pictures)

I'm not going to lie to you.  When I first heard that there was a Michael Jackson rehearsal documentary in the works so soon after the pop icon's death last summer, I had no interest in seeing it.

In fact, I was a little miffed that anyone would even stoop low enough to feature Jackson's final rehearsal days for profit.

Once I saw "This Is It," which I called "Michael Jackson's posthumous curtain call" in late October, I was mesmerized by what I learned about Jackson, the totally-in-control crafter of pop tunes.

I also understood the gentle nature of the exercise and director Kenny Ortega's need to share a final glimpse of Jackson with the world.

"This is a rare first look at Jackson's meticulous creative process.  Frankly, the man's dedication and quiet insistence on doing things his way, or 'The way I wrote it,' Jackson says, makes for an enlightening, toe-tapping nearly two hours of odd cinema that is constantly revealing and, for the most part, quite brilliant," I said in my review.  (Click here to read the full review.)

According to a report on the Hollywood Reporter Web site, "This Is It," which has tallied $71 million in domestic box-office since hitting theaters Oct. 28, has been set for release on DVD and Blu-Ray on Jan. 26.

"Initially, many observers assumed the studio would push out 'This Is It' discs before the lucrative Christmas gift-buying season. Instead, Sony has opted to tag the title for post-holidays release in the hope that seasonal gift-card recipients will use their plastic to purchase discs," Carl DiOrio's Hollywood Reporter article states. 
 

Hogan's new heroes; caring for seniors

 

Boomers aren't babies anymore.  As we age, many of us are facing the dilemma of a lifetime:

How can we provide the best comfort and care possible for our aging parents?

Pardon me from straying a little from this blog's usual subject matter of movies and those who make them for a moment.  But Paul Hogan (not that Paul Hogan, movie fans) will be in Dallas Tuesday afternoon ( Dec. 1) to offer insight into providing loving care for senior citizens.  If not now, sometime in the future.

Good news.  You're invited to help celebrate a new, one-of-a-kind resource book.

Hogan will discuss "Stages of Senior Care:  Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions" Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Dallas Magnolia Theater located at 3699 McKinney Ave., Suite 100. 

The event is free and open to the public, and the first 150 guests are scheduled to receive a complimentary copy of "Stages of Senior Care."  RSVP by phone to 972-239-3934 or on-line at stagesofseniorcaredallas.eventbrite.com.

Along with wife Lori, Hogan founded Home Instead Senior Care in 1994.  "Stages of Senior Care," co-written by the Hogans, guides readers through the maze of providing care for aging parents.  It explores the options and the pros and cons of family care at home vs. a nursing facility, among other topics.

Full disclosure:  My wife Suellen works for the Home Instead Central Dallas office.  You should also know that refreshments (Hey, snacks!) will be provided.  Also, proceeds from the sale of "Stages of Senior Care" will benefit the non-profit Home Instead Senior Care Foundation.

Fuller disclosure:  I've witnessed the comfort and peace of mind a quality senior care provider can bring to seniors and their adult children when it's the children's turn to nurture. 

Tommy Lee Jones, 'Lincoln Lawyer' part ways

 

Tommy Lee Jones as Hank Deerfield in "In the Valley of Elah." (Warner Independent Pictures)

Tommy Lee Jones, in another Hollywood dust-up, has opted out of "The Lincoln Lawyer," according to a report on the Variety Web site.

San Antonio's resident Oscar-winning actor for his performance in "The Fugitive" has taken a hike for the project that, according to published reports, Jones was to direct and co-star with fellow Texan Matthew McConaughey.

"But Jones has left the project over creative differences on the script.

"Lakeshore, which has a script by John Romano, will look to lock in another director in hopes of beginning production next spring," the Variety article states.

Jones is currently involved with post-production chores on HBO's "The Sunset Limited," a telepic based on the Cormac McCarthy play.

In September last year, Jones sued the makers of the Coen Bros. West Texas crime-thriller "No Country for Old Men" for a substantial amount, even by Hollywood standards ($10 million), Jones felt he should have been paid according to his contract.

A bit of a rough patch for Jones?  Perhaps.

But with a co-starring role with Ben Affleck and Kevin Costner in the upcoming "The Company Men" and Jones' pet project "Islands in the Stream" looming in the future (we hope), look for one of the best actors of his generation (if not the best) to survive and, from this aisle seat, conquer. 

Good news, S.A., 'Precious' has arrived

Gabourey Sidibe as Precious.  (Lionsgate)

Back on Nov. 9, when I was beating the cyberworld bushes for the phenomenal urban drama "Precious," I mentioned that -- at that moment -- the San Antonio debut date was penciled in for Dec. 18.

I have some very good news.  Due to the overwhelming audience response to "Precious" in other markets, distribution has sped up.  

"Precious:  Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" (the official title) is on-screen beginning last Friday (Nov. 20) at the Santikos Bijou @ Crossroads and Palladium theaters, Regal Cinemas Live Oak 18 and the AMC Huebner Oaks 24.

True, "Precious" is a kick-in-the-gut drama that smacks of cruel reality.  On the other hand, there's a spirit-lifting light of hope at the end and some remarkable acting, especially from newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as the abused, confused title character and comedian/actress Mo'Nique as the girl's combative mother.

Both should show up in this year's Oscar race, if there's any justice at all in Hollywood.

Click here for my "Precious" review, or see it and others at my Movie Reviews page.

Full 'Moon' lets the 'dogs' out tonight

Oh, snap.  Vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson), left, discovers werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner) making a pass at Bella (Kristen Stewart) in "New Moon." (Summit Entertainment)

Forget the fact that the actual moon will barely be a sliver in the sky tonight.

The "Twilight" sequel "New Moon" rises full at midnight in what is likely to be a frenzied theater near you.

In fact, a golden full moon is the first image eager "Twilight" fans will see.

Of course "New Moon" is the follow-up to last year's romance novel-like approach to a tale of a moody high school girl named Bella who's smitten and almost bitten by a milk-faced vampire that's apparently so bored that he trolls the high school cafeteria for chicks.

Excuse me, but what's a vampire doing even out during daylight hours?

Oh, never mind.  That's a battle that can't be won.

So here we and semi-frantic screaming "Twilight" fans go for Round 2.

Look for a sulking lovers triangle this time.  Bella's (Kristen Stewart) affections are torn between sworn enemies; Edward (Robert Pattinson) the vampire and Jacob (Taylor Lautner), the cute-as-a-button werewolf.

According to a post on the Hollywood Reporter Web site, "The Twilight Saga:  New Moon" is expected to suck in about $85 million during its first weekend at over 4,000 locations.  And that includes 3,500 showings a click past midnight tonight.

"Online ticketers said the Summit Entertainment sequel has run up the biggest advance sales of any film in history, with sellouts ensured for many showtimes throughout the weekend," the Hollywood Reporter article states. 

  

  

George heading Strait back to 'Pure Country'

 

Country music superstar George Strait is giving the movie industry another try.  (Courtesy:  CMT.com)

I guess the sidewalk didn't end after all.

It took a while, but San Antonio-based country music superstar George Strait is moseying back to "Pure Country," the whimsical romantic country hoedown drama of 1992.

The Hollywood Reporter and other sources are reporting that Strait will head the cast in a follow-up to "Pure Country" for Warner Bros.

'"A Pure Country Gift' is directed by Chris Cain, who also helmed the first film. He co-wrote the new screenplay with his son, 'Lois & Clark' actor Dean Cain, who also has a role in the film. The father-son collaboration is their first.

"I tell funny stories, but he went to Princeton, so he can spell," Chris Cain joked in the Hollywood Reporter report.

According to the report, "Pure Country Gift" isn't exactly a sequel, but a movie in the "'Pure Country' genre,' which we can take to mean lots of music, more than a little hokum and a heart-warming story.

I remember two things about Strait's debut in "Pure Country."  No, make that three.

I was working for the NBC News Channel back in the early '90s.  I was dispatched to Las Vegas to do a rare George Strait interview.

Recollection No. 1:  Strait, director Christopher Cain and the crew were shooting a concert sequence in the middle of the night on the Siegfried & Roy stage at The Mirage.  This was 11 years before the infamous tiger attack on Roy (Horn), and I could see tiger cages back stage.

Recollection 2:  Strait, one of the biggest stars in the world in his chosen field of country crooning, appeared open, polite and just a little shy during the wee-hour interview (about 3 or 4 in the morning). 

Recollection No. 3 (Which remains the most vivid):  While I was waiting hours for the interview, I ventured across the Vegas Strip for one of those $1.99 or $2.99 or something like that steak dinners Vegas is famous for.  

As I was sawing through the gristle of my "steak," a woman a few counter stools down called the cook over to complain about the toughness of her steak.  It was very late.  The guy was tired, and he might have had a cigarette (with ash about to fall) dangling from his lips.

"Come on, lady," the cook said.  "Think about how much you're paying for that steak."

What happens in Vegas, clogs the arteries in Vegas and beyond. 

And the Oscar goes to ... what, already?

 

Lauren Bacall picked up her first Oscar over the weekend.  (Courtesy:  HelloMagazine.com)

Did you miss the Academy Awards ceremonies Saturday night?

Not to worry.  These aren't THE Oscar ceremonies.  It's just that the Academy is doing things a little differently this awards season.  You know, 10 Best Picture nominees instead of five, two hosts (Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin), etc.

So the Academy handed out four Governors Award Oscars in a leisurely fashion over dinner, drinks and, according to the post on the Variety Web site, a half hour of movie clips each in a ballroom over the Kodak Theater.

Try that on the world-wide ABC telecast on March 7.

"The dinner-kudos ceremony, held Saturday at the Hollywood and Highland grand ballroom, saw producer Roger Corman, cinematographer Gordon Willis and thesp Lauren Bacall each get multiple standing ovations during a half-hour apiece of clips, testimonials and toasts. Interestingly, one of the emotional highs of the event was the presentation to the fourth honoree, producer John Calley, absent due to illness, who was given the 35th Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.

"In his place, seven former recipients of the prize — Warren Beatty, Dino De Laurentiis, Norman Jewison, George Lucas, Walter Mirisch, Steven Spielberg and Saul Zaentz — took the stage, with Tom Hanks handing the Oscar to Spielberg, accepting on Calley’s behalf," the Variety article states.

That Guy reviews movies in record time

Director/co-star Clint Eastwood watches Hilary Swank put her fight-face on in "Million Dollar Baby."  (Warner Bros.)

Although it may not seem that way to anyone who reads my movie reviews (click here), it's become obvious that I've been spending way too much time on them.

A succinct movie reviewer calling himself That Guy With the Glasses wraps up his stance on a movie in a concise five seconds. 

Need proof?  Click here for That Guy's review of "Million Dollar Baby," Clint Eastwood's Best Picture Academy Award winner of 2004 starring Hilary Swank (who fought her way to Best Actress honors).

Thanks to Mike for the "That Guy" head's up.

Spaghetti storm brewing over 'Meatballs'

A spaghetti twister rages in "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs."  (Sony Pictures Animation)

According to a post on the Hollywood Reporter Web site, movie exhibitors (the theater owners and operators) are steaming over "Meatballs."

Not the clever, successful animated film itself, but Sony's apparent decision to release "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" to at least some home viewers on Dec. 8, which is less than three months after the theatrical debut.

"Sony stirred the 'Meatballs' controversy by announcing this week that the $121 million domestic grosser would be made available for early home entertainment viewing by owners of Internet-enabled TV sets and certain Blu-ray Disc players.

"Owners of Sony-branded Bravia TVs and the latest generation of networked Sony Blu-ray players will be able to rent the title almost a month earlier than the Jan. 4 street date for the DVD and Blu-ray discs," Carl DiOrio's Hollywood Reporter piece states.

Dirty movie studio pool, or savvy marketing for the busy holiday film season?

Thoughts?

Click here to read the entire article.

'Precious' on a 'Slumdog' success track?

As the title character in "Precious," newcomer Gabourey Sidibe will break your heart and make you glad you go to the movies.  (Lionsgate)

I've written before about the gritty, emotional and sensational upcoming reality drama "Precious:  Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," or "Precious," for short.

 

Dev Patel and Freida Pinto in "Slumdog Millionaire." (Fox Searchlight)

The gripping tale of a strong-willed, deeply troubled illiterate Harlem teen (newcomer Gabourey Sidibe) and her abusive mother (comedian/actress Mo'Nique) appears to be headed down a similar word-of-mouth success track that steamed "Slumdog Millionaire" to box-office success and a whopping eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, earlier this year.

According to a post by Pamela McClintock on the Variety Web site, the major Hollywood Studios don't appear to offer the only road to commercial success.

"('Precious'), the Lee Daniels-directed film smashed all records in opening to $585,000 from 18 theaters.

"That's the best gross ever for a film opening in fewer than 100 theaters. Last year, by comparison, Focus Features' 'Milk' grossed $268,487 from 34 theaters on its first Friday," the article states.

Debuting in limited release over the weekend, "Precious" opens this Friday (Nov. 13) in Dallas.  It'll likely roll out slowly, as indie or small distributor pics often do.  As of this moment, the San Antonio debut is penciled in for Dec. 18. 

"Precious" has apparently been a tough sell for distributors, especially when it comes to overseas markets. "Slumdog Millionaire" faced similar distribution challenges last year, according to McClintock's Variety article.

"Last year's indie blockbuster 'Slumdog Millionaire' was a financial boon for international distribs taking a stake in the film. No U.S. major studio wanted the picture; in fact, Warner Bros. agreed to let Fox Searchlight release 'Slumdog' domestically at the behest of director Danny Boyle.

"'Slumdog' went on to gross $239.1 million internationally and $141.3 million domestically for a global haul of $377.4 million."