This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: November 17, 2009

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, FOCUS, Magnolia, Miramax, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Classics, Drama, Foreign, Foreign Language, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy, Thrillers, Home Entertainment, Lists, New Releases,
Here are some of the DVD and Blu-ray options available this Tuesday:
- Brüno: DVD, Blu-ray
- The Canyon: DVD
- Chasing Amy: Blu-ray
- Clerks: Blu-ray
- Fight Club: Blu-ray
- Galaxy Quest: Blu-ray
- Gone with the Wind (70th Anniversary Edition): DVD, Blu-ray
- How to Be: DVD
- Is Anybody There?: DVD, Blu-ray
- My Sister’s Keeper: DVD, Blu-ray
- The Professional: Blu-ray
Click to continue reading This Week on DVD and Blu-ray: November 17, 2009
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Gregg, Rockwell, and Huston Bring Choke to Silver Screen

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: 20th Century Fox, Adaptation, Independent, Romance, Satire, Comedy, Casting, New Releases, Scripts,
What do you get when you mix an elderly, female Tyler Durden with a choking con artist and a recovering compulsive masturbator? Clark Gregg’s dark, vulgar comedy with a surprisingly big heart, Choke.
Being a fan of the novel from which the film is based (written by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk), I was overwhelmed with geeky fan-girl joy when I read that Choke was to be translated into film. That was three years ago. After nearly waiting an excruciating year after hearing about its premiere at Sundance, the indie film with an all-star cast helmed by writer/director/actor Clark Gregg is finally hitting theaters this weekend, and it certainly will not disappoint movie-goers. That is, unless, the trailer fooled you into believing that the film is a romantic comedy.
Romantic? In a punk rock way. Comedic? Most definitely. Chick flick? Far from.
Regardless of whether or not you’re a fan of the novel, Sam Rockwell (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) wonderfully brings Victor Mancini to life as the med school drop-out sex addict who pays for his mother’s hospital bill by choking in restaurants. Anjelica Huston (The Royal Tenenbaums) and Kelly MacDonald (No Country for Old Men) round off the supporting actresses as Mancini’s mother and the new, attractive doctor who assumes care for her. Clark himself makes an appearance as High Lord Charlie, Mancini’s anal-retentive boss at a colonial theme park, where Mancini works as a historical interpreter (a job, as we’re reminded in the film, which is not to be confused with a tour guide).
Click to continue reading Gregg, Rockwell, and Huston Bring Choke to Silver Screen
Watch Fight Club in Two and a Half Minutes

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: 20th Century Fox, Action, Adaptation, Drama, Thrillers,
While I can’t say I’m blown over by the finished result, I have to appreciate that someone’s attempted to condense Fight Club down to 2.5 minutes.
But really - doesn’t Brad Pitt’s chest deserve at least 10 seconds?
iKlipz
Palahniuk’s Film Choke Finally Set to Release in August

Posted by Robin Paulson Categories: 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Classics, Independent, Political, Romance, Comedy, Awards, Celeb News, Distribution, Filmmaking, Scripts, Upcoming Releases,
Both film and book nerds alike have been watching cult author Chuck Palahniuk‘s every move since Fight Club was released in theaters. While all of his novels are fully capable of becoming both marketable and move theater-friendly, his fourth novel, Choke, has finally seen the light of day past the production floor. With Fox Searchlight having bought the film for $5 million and it winning a Best Ensemble Cast jury award at Sundance, the Choke crew and Palahniuk fans everywhere cannot be more ecstatic about the film’s release date of August 1, 2008.
Although the film is Clark Gregg’s directorial debut, he has certainly been no stranger to the industry nor the project, having gone through numerous obstacles to get his adaptation onto the big screen. His script is so good that even Palahniuk himself has done nothing but award it praise. With Palahniuk’s seal of approval and a lead cast including Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, and Kelly Macdonald, nothing can go wrong, right?
Click to continue reading Palahniuk’s Film Choke Finally Set to Release in August
Chuck Palahniuk’s Official Site
Brad Pitt, Edward Norton Reunion A Bust

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Universal, Adaptation, Drama, Political, Casting, Filmmaking, Upcoming Releases,
It was probably one of the most buzzed about reunions since Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were brought back together again. Now it looks like we might have to wait another 8 years to see it happen.
Back in September, it was announced that Brad Pitt and Edward Norton would join forces for the political drama, State of Play. The two, last seen together in 1999’s Fight Club, were next set to spar in the political arena. Pitt was cast as former campaign manager-turned-reporter while Edward was scheduled to play a congressman whose research assistant is murdered. I use the word ‘was’ because Play’s two core stars have since dropped out.
Unhappy with the final script, Pitt eventually backed out of the film. Although Russell Crowe had agreed to step in, his late arrival pushed the starting date from November to January. This change unfortunately posed a scheduling conflict for Norton, who was then forced to exit as well. It is now hoped that Ben Affleck will slide in his place. (I for some reason doubt the Crowe/Affleck chemistry could even come close to the original pairing’s.)
Assuming no other last minute changes are made, the movie - an adaptation of a British mini-series - will also feature Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman.
Variety
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