Synopsis: Is your child ready to be a Big Kid? Join Elmo and the gang for three major milestones: giving up a pacifier, learning to ride a tricycle, and getting a first haircut. Children will identify with the lovable Muppets and their emotions in this fun and entertaining DVD. Includes all-new "Big Kid Too" song.

Review: We love Sesame Street here at the Legion.   In our day Elmo wasn't a main character..he wasn't anything, but times have changed and he is where its at.   My kids can't get enough of him, especially my two year old!  This is a great DVD for anyone looking to rid their child of the dreaded pacifier.  Thankfully, our third (the aforementioned two year old) never had one, so he just enjoyed watching Elmo period, but this would've been amazing for our other two..especially our second one who learned to talk AROUND the darn thing!  This DVD is not only fun, but its super helpful.

Bonus Classic Clip: "Proud", Tips for Parents, Downloadable Coloring and Activity Book.

Synopsis: Tom Selleck gives the boldest performance of his career in this "new style, revisionist western with the panoramic scope of a movie epic" (Los Angeles Times). Fierce gunfights, forbidding landscapes, breakneck chases-all hallmarks of the classic western-are reinvented in this hard-pounding actioner that "revitalizes the genre" and comes out "a sure winner" (The Hollywood Reporter). Arriving in Australia with nothing more than a saddle and his prized six-foot Sharps rifle, American sharpshooter Matthew Quigley thinks he's been hired to kill off wild dogs. But when he realizes,instead, that his mission is murder - to "eliminate" the Aborigines from a wealthy cattle baron's land - Quigley refuses and quickly turns from hunter to hunted. Forced to wage a savage war against his former employer, Quigley proves that no one gets the best of a steely-eyed American gunfighter - no one, that is, except the mysterious beauty (Laura San Giacomo, "sex, lies, & videotape") who rides by his side and captures his heart.

Review: Quigley represents the first mainsteam leading role for Tom Selleck since Three Men And A Baby.   The tone is definately not comedy..it comes a little closer to the action of Magnum P.I.  The film concept isn't terribly original, although it hadn't been done as many times back when this was released.   Basically, badass sharpshooter travels to Australia back in the day and when his employer asks him to go too far he won't cross a certain line, so he becomes the hunted!  This one has plenty of action, romance to fun to make it one of the best films of the early 1990s!  This is the first time to own it on blu-ray.  The film looks great in high-definition, especially for such an old one.  The great wide open outdoor daytime shots of Australia are particularly stunning.  This is a great chance to update your library.

Synopsis: An all-star cast, including Oscar(R)-winners Walter Matthau and Martin Balsam teams up with Robert Shaw ("Jaws") to deliver "sure-fire entertainment [that's] gripping and exciting from beginning to end" (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the sizzling best-seller by John Godey, this pulse-pounding picture is guaranteed to give you the ride of your life! Somewhere underground, in New York's subway system, just outside the Pelham Station, a gang of armed men hijack a train, threatening to kill one hostage per minute unless their demands are met. Forced to stall these unknown assailants until a ransom is delivered or a rescue is made, transit chief Lt. Garber (Matthau) must ad-lib, bully, con and shrewdly outmaneuver one of the craftiest and cruelest villains (Shaw) in a battle of wits that will either end heroically or tragically. From the minute you board this train until its exhilarating climax, you will be taken by "plenty of surprises and lots of nail-biting action" (Blockbuster Movie Guide).

Review: The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is a vintage 1970s crime drama that was recently remade with Denzel and Travolta.  Thats what a solid premise this film has.  In the original the role of the cop was portrayed by one of my favorite actors, Walter Matthau.  The late Matthau turns in a fantastic performance in this gritty cop drama.  The film is set around a hijacking in the subway train and is full of intensity, suspense and action.  This is the first time to own the original version (and the better version) on blu-ray!  This one is an easy yes..the film looks great transfered into high-def and you can't beat the original.

Interest Range: Drama, Crime, Action

Synopsis: One of Hollywood's greatest directors teams with a cast of incredible screen legends for this bold, sweeping tale of a ship's captain who ventures west to find a hotbed of jealousy, hatred and dangerous rivalries. As the reluctant hero is thrust into the maelstrom, he must summon all of his resolve to save not only his own life, but also the life of the woman he loves. Four-time Academy Award(R) winner William Wyler directs this action-packed adventure that triumphs as "a work of art" (Motion Picture Herald). Starring Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons, Chuck Connors and Burl Ives (in an Oscar(R)-winning performance), this magnificently entertaining epic will take your breath away with unbridled suspense, exhilarating excitement and explosive drama on a grand scale.

Review: The Big Country is an absolute western classic.  The all-star cast is headed up by the great Gregory Peck (Grapes of Wrath) and Charlton Heston.  Heston overacts, as usual, but it works in this one.  This film has a grand scale and goes outside the path of the average western to tell a tale of survival that is emotional and absolutely riveting.  This is the first time that you can get this one on blu-ray high-definition.  The film looks great and the color really ends up popping.  This one is a must have for any fan of vintage westerns.

Interest Range: Western, Classics

Synopsis: Get set for a thrilling, full-length outer space adventure aboard the Clubhouse Rocket. Blast off with Mickey and his crew and race across the galaxy on an interplanetary quest for hidden out-of-this-world treasure. Twinkling treasure stars will help point the way, but first, you'll have to find them -- with a little help from Toodles -- and the right Mouseketools! Meet Moon Men Chip 'n' Dale, Martian Mickey from Mars, and Pluto from Pluto. But watch out for crafty Space Pirate Pete, who wants the treasure all for himself. Packed with songs and surprises, Space Adventure will transport you to a whole new galaxy of fun!

Review: This great DVD features a few episodes from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, one takes your child's favorite characters into space.  This show is always enjoyable and fun for little ones.  My kids enjoy it all the way up to age 7.  This DVD is also compatable with the great Mickey Mote, which is a cool little remote control that your kids can use themselves to play interactive sections of the DVD.  This one is an absolute win.

The special features include: DVD Feature + Bonus, Digital Copy of Feature, Never-Before-Seen Episode (Until At Least 1/3/2012): "Goofy's Thinking Cap" and Includes Discovery Mode(TM) -- Works With Your Mickey Mote!

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Synopsis: In this delightful holiday tale, Babar's children write a letter to Father Christmas to ask him to visit Celesteville at Christmas. Their letter, however, never arrives because it is stolen by Babar's Arch-enemy, Rataxes the Rhinoceros, who wants all of Santa's toys for himself! Can Babar find Father Christmas and save the day for Celesteville?

Review: Babar was one of the cutest cartoons ever.  This great DVD has a few epsiodes of Babar, including a Xmas one with him contacting Father Xmas.  This DVD is fun and light hearted and isn't something you can easily find on TV or Cable these days.  This one is great for your kids ages preschool and before this holiday season.

The special features on this DVD include: Includes 2 Classic Babar TV Bonus Episodes: A Child In the Snow and The Gift, Plus an Exclusive 8-Page Holiday Coloring Book

Synopsis: Tortured by his past and pained by an uncertain future, Tomoya drifts through life with an almost overwhelming anger and emptiness. But when he meets the mysterious, beautiful, and shy Nagisa, his world seems to change. Drawn in by her gentle but lonely spirit, he begins to experience the joy life can bring. But as he discovers the reason for his newfound friend's loneliness, Tomoya also finds that life can be frighteningly fragile. Contains episodes 1-24.

Review: We enjoy anime here at the Legion and no one has been putting out better features and collections lately than Sentai Filmworks and Section 23!   This is your chance to get the complete Clannad series on blu-ray high-definition!  This series centers around Tomoya, who is tired of his life, and mainly school, until he meets a beautiful girl by the name of Nagisa.   This series is a romantic drama that takes you on a series of fantastic turns and not only has great character development, but manages to cram a fantastic amount of story and drama into just 24 epsiodes of a series.  The anime follows the style of the original manga artwork and is an absolute joy to watch.

Review: Atlas Shrugged is the epic novel by complete lunatic Ayn Rand.   Clearly, I'm not a fan, lol.  Her ultra-conservative viewpoint of the world isn't something that I can see eye to eye with, but what I can concede is the facts here.  The book clearly has a huge following and has cult status, especially with politico-social nerds.  The film is very well made for a low budget feature and is only the first part of what is sure to be a great adaptation.  They've done a good job so far and I'm sure Rand fans will be pleased with this film.  You remember this one..its the one that Angelina Jolie was rumored to be attached to and backed out of.   That certainly would've given this one more steam, but perhaps the low key reception is better and more condusive to the rest of Rand's work.

The special features include: Theatrical Feature Blu-ray, Road to Atlas Shrugged, I Am John Galt
"The John Galt Theme" Slideshow and Commentary with John Aglialoro, Brian Patrick O'Toole and Harmon Kaslow.

Synopsis: Love and faith are put to the ultimate test in this stirring romantic drama set against the landmark Scopes "Monkey Trial" of 1925. Charles Anderson (Nathan West, Miracle) is a talented young reporter engaged to Rose (Ashley Johnson, The Help), who works with him at the Tennessee small town newspaper his late father founded. The "Trial of the Century" brings brilliant adversaries William Jennings Bryan (Fred Thompson, The Genesis Code) and Clarence Darrow (Brian Dennehy, Cocoon) to Charles' hometown. But as the trial unfolds, Charles is caught up in the media circus and becomes torn between his journalistic integrity and impressing his mentor, the colorful Baltimore Sun editor H. L. Menken (Colm Meaney, Star Trek: The Next Generation), who presses him to "make a story" instead of report one.

Review: I don't know what to say about Alleged.  This is a film about a reporter during the infamous Scopes Monkey Trials that has to question his integrity when his editor asks him to sensationalize stories.  Obstensively, the film is just about the moral struggles surrounding some of the people involving the trial and one could figure its a historical film, but then you get the church element involved and you can see what angle the film is obviously pushing.  I'm not much for films that want to push and agenda, rather than historical fact, so this one isn't high up on my list.  If you're a hardcore Christian, this one may be good for you.

The special features on this blu-ray include: Menu option includes Discussion Guide for church and home group study.

Interest Range: Drama

Synopsis: A naïve young man assumes a dead man's identity in order to join a underworld game of Russian Roulette. The stakes are high, but the payout is more than he can resist. His only collateral is his life and however long his luck can hold. Are his odds any better than any other player in this most deadly game?

Review: 13 is an American adaptation of the film 13 Tzameti about an underground ring of Russian roulette gaming.   The foreign version is decidedly more intense, but this version has adapted to the all-star action cast that is involved.  This one includes everyone from 50 cent to Mickey Rourke to the great Jason Statham.   There is a lot of room needed here for ego and the filmmakers do a good job of utilizing each actor well.  I really felt this was a great film and should've gotten more attention than it has.  The cast is there..the suspense is there and the twists are fun.  This one is highly recommended.

Synopsis: Sick of living in a home shrouded with secrets, lies and a smothering sense of competition, Gus (Zach Gilford, Friday Night Lights) runs away from home and the shadow of his famous fly-fishing father (William Hurt). Determined to live life like he wants it, Gus makes his new home in a secluded cabin on the banks of a river where he plans to fish all day. Instead, he is propelled into a quest for self-discovery. An assortment of eccentric characters, including a free-spirited girl (Amber Heard, Zombieland) who shares his fondness for fishing, helps him find his way toward adulthood. Based on a book that has become a cult classic and set in the breathtaking wilds of Oregon, The River Why will cast a spell on your heart.

Review: The River Why is really a pretty decent coming of age drama.  It plays pretty close to the original source material.  I must say that the book was a bit more enjoyable, but thats usually the case with adaptations.  Gilford does a great job as the doey-eyed young boy that is looking for his place in the world.  This film touches me in the same way that 'Into the Wild' did.  The film has elements of adventure, raw emotion and romance.  Its really one that is great to watch with your sweetheart.  This one gets a thumbs up from us. 

Interest Range: Drama, Coming of Age

Synopsis: From the creators of CARS and TOY STORY 3 comes a new, laugh-out-loud, heartwarming adventure geared for the entire family. Star race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship on the road from Radiator Springs to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix!

Review: One of the most popular Pixar/Disney films was Cars.  The sequel was inevitable..in fact, the merchandise hasn't left the shelves since the first one came out back in 2006!  In fact, they've also had the Cars Toons series air on the Disney Channel and come to DVD.  This time, Pixar shows their advancement in technology with the amazing graphics and the great idea to spoof the James Bond spy movie series.  If you're familiar with the Bond films of yesteryear then this one will be really funny for you.  There is a lot more Mater, which plays really well, and a slew of new characters to join Lightning McQueen in all the action.  The kids absolutely loved it and mom and dad laughed plenty.  Cars 2 has taken some critical hits, but we found it to be absolutely charming and a perfect sequel to the original.

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Synopsis: A young man ties the mystery of a severed ear to a roadhouse floozy and her tormentor. Directed by David Lynch. Stars Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper

A deeply shocking and insidiously funny film, David Lynch's offbeat vision uncovers the nasty underside of small-town America. When a young man finds a human ear in a field, he embarks on an investigation into the dark world of a dangerous psychopath, which leads him to a beautiful nightclub singer. Truly an auteur film, if there is such a thing, BLUE VELVET is a bizarre, disturbing work that stands as one of the best films of the 1980s.

Director David Lynch follows up 1984's DUNE with this electrifyingly original thriller. After returning to his hometown of Lumberton, North Carolina, in order to visit his sick father, Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) discovers a severed human ear in a vacant field. He befriends Sandy Williams (Laura Dern), the daughter of the detective assigned to the case, and uses her information to investigate the situation himself. This leads Jeffrey to Dorothy Valence (Isabella Rossellini), a sexy nightclub singer whose involvement with a raving psychopath named Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) begins to answer some important questions. Unfortunately, it also draws Jeffrey one step closer to Frank, a menacing figure who inhales from a nitrous-oxide tank and preaches the pleasures of drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. The film contains such a unique blend of comedy, drama, and suspense that the line between the three is blurred, making for an unsettling yet highly invigorating viewing experience. Lynch manages to create a world onscreen that is superficially normal but tinted with a weirdness that is all his own. It is this twisting of reality that makes BLUE VELVET an oddly familiar yet completely unique motion picture, featuring an unforgettable performance by Dennis Hopper.

Review: Blue Velvet was a groundbreaking film that hit the underground subculture by storm!  The themes of sexuality, violence and submission were absolutely rampant throughout the subtext of the David Lynch cult classic.  Lynch is infamous for his bizarre visions and unexplained pathways and Blue Velvet is no exception.  This film helped to launch not only Lynch, but also actor Kyle MacLachlan (Desperate Housewives).  The film is dark, twisted and sexual beyond belief.  It introduces the mainstream viewing audience to a world of sadism and underground sex intertwined with great drama and mystery.  It begins with a severed ear and ends with a bang.  This is the first foray into blu-ray for this epic cult film and it looks fantastic.  This one is a must-have!

Synopsis: Its time to dazzle and dream with strawberry and her friends as they compete for some berry special prizes. Whether its spinning in the annual dance-off or beating a world record there is nothing these girls cant try.

Review: This Strawberry Shortcake DVD release is not a new film, but rather a collection of four episodes from the Strawberry Shortcake Berry Bitty Adventures cartoon.  This is a great show and we'd hoped they'd collect it in season release format, but the single disc releases are better than nothing.  My daughter absolutely loves these shows and they come highly recommended by us!

Synopsis: Hard times and holiday tensions teach a father, Michael Harris (Ruben Studdard, American Idol), what Christmas is all about. When both Michael and his wife Sandra’s (Golden Brooks, Girlfriends) parents come for an unannounced visit, what should be a joyous and festive holiday turns into chaos. Michael learns that of all the many gifts he gives to his family, the gift of giving oneself is the greatest gift of all.

Review: This moie was alright.  Its mostly a dramedy about in-laws and family.  As you might suspect, the all african american cast does indicate that the film is geared towards a certain target audience and style of humor and drama.  This isn't the quality of say a Tyler Perry movie, but as a Ruben Studdard puff flick it was alright.  The film comes with a bonus CD with Studdard's music, so if you're a fan of his from Idol, this one would definately be for you.

The special features on this DVD include: Bonus CD, Photo gallery, Buddy tells the jokes and Gramps sings.

Interest Range: Drama, Comedy

Synopsis: Jessica Alba delivers a most unexpected performance as Mona Gray, a quirky young woman who hides in a private world of numbers when her beloved mathematician father falls ill. But when Mona is offered a job as an elementary school math teacher, she ll introduce the students to her own eccentric gift for numerical obsession. Can the joys of arithmetic multiplied by a shy romance with the school science teacher (Chris Messina of Julie & Julia) help Mona discover a new life she can count on?  J.K. Simmons (Juno), Sonia Braga (Sex and the City), Bailee Madison (Wizards of Waverly Place) and John Shea (Gossip Girl) co-star in this offbeat and heartwarming comedy/drama about second chances, emotional equations and calculating the power of love.

Review: Jessica Alba isn't known for having a whole lot of range as an actor.  She is typically a snotty frat girl and to be honest thats what she seems to project in real life too.   An Invisible Sign makes the attempt to reinvent her and pull her out of the type cast by making her play the exact opposite of herself..someone thoughtful, intelligent and charming.   Can you tell we're not crazy about her? lol.   The movie is quirky and off beat and it does a pretty good job of creating a world for Alba's character.  Basically, this character is obsessive and immature and is forced to find herself and expand to become a role model for her class.  This is worth watching and its fun to watch Alba struggle with trying something new!

Interest Range: Romantic Comedy

Synopsis: Oscar-winning director Errol Morris presents his most provocative and sexiest film yet. In the late 1970s, Miss Wyoming Joyce McKinney became a tabloid staple when she kidnapped her former beau, a Mormon missionary named Kirk Anderson, and tied him to a bed to deprogram his religious beliefs by having nonstop sex with him. Morris (The Fog of War, The Thin Blue Line) follows the salacious adventures of this beauty queen with an IQ of 168 whose single-minded devotion to the man of her dreams led her across the globe, into jail and onto the front page. Funny, strange and disturbing , TABLOID is a vivid portrait of obsession, delusion and scandal sheet notoriety

Review: We are so into documentaries here at the Legion.  Yeah, we're dorks that way.  Tabloid is my favorite documentary since SICK.  The movie has archival footage and interviews that tell the story of Joyce McKinney back in the 1970s when she kidnapped the man she loved and raped him to unbrainwash the mormon out of him.  lol.  C'mon, thats hilarious...and not a terrible idea.  No?  Hmmm...well, regardless, this is a colorful and fun watch.  IF you enjoy the inappropriate and the subversive, this is it!  Tabloid rocks.

Synopsis: From the director of The Joy Luck Club, and based on the best-selling novel, comes a timeless portrait of female friendship. Centuries ago, two “sworn sisters” are isolated by their families, but stay connected through a secret language written in the folds of a white silk fan. Now in modern-day Shanghai, their descendents must draw inspiration from the past as they struggle to maintain their own eternal bond in the face of life’s complications. What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship

Review: This film holds a lot of similarity to Memoirs of a Geisha in that those that have read the book tend to dislike the film.  I personally had that issue with Geisha, but not with this one!  I felt that the film was very well-made and was true enough to the original subject matter to still work.  There are also similarities that can be drawn to the film Julie and Julia in that the film flips between past and present day.  The focus of this film is on sisters and relationships.  The film is dramatic, soft and absolutely touching.  Its a great watch for men and women alike and would be a perfect one to watch with your loved ones.

Synopsis: They seem almost godlike among us. They are the alien Visitors who, led by mysterious queen Anna, base their operations out of 29 motherships hovering over 29 global sites. But why 29? The answer lies in the Vs’ secret plan – just one of the extraordinary revelations in Season 2 of V. As that astonishing plan draws closer to fulfillment, a resourceful underground unit of resistance fighters called the Fifth Column redoubles its efforts to undermine it. And throughout are the amazing visuals that are hallmarks of the series: looming spaceships, advanced medical technologies and the fear-inducing morphing of Vs into their reptilian forms. Our world…their rules?

Review: I remember watching V as a kid back in the 1980s.  The show really freaked me out.  The lizard aliens coming out of the human shells..it was just too much!  When I saw that the show was coming back to TV as an adult I was intrigued and its really grown legs of its own in season two.  The ongoing mystery and the great character development has really kept us into this sci-fi remake.  This great blu-ray set includes the complete second season of the show.  The graphics on the spaceships is absolutely fantastic and ominous and the tone is suspensful and creepy.  This one is a homerun for sci-fi and drama fans.

Synopsis: From Disney and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes all the fun, epic adventure and humor that ignited the original. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. A tale of truth, betrayal, youth, demise - and mermaids! When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he's not sure if it's love, or if she's a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Forced aboard the ship of the most feared pirate ever, Jack doesn't know who to fear more -Blackbeard (Ian McShane) or the woman from his past. Directed by Rob Marshall, it's filled with eye-popping battle scenes, mystery and all-out wit.

Review: The Pirates franchise is one that took me by surprise.  When the first film came out I fully admit that I expected it to be terrible.   The concept sounded silly to me from the word go and I just didn't see how they could make Pirates relevant.  Boy, did I eat my words.  The first two films were absolutely amazing and the third fell a little short for me.   I had high hopes for this 4th installment and prequel to the series and again my expectations were not only met, but far exceeded.  This one is all-out action, humor and amazing fun!  Its a popcorn eating, summer movie that will appeal to any and everyone.  This time around they are dealing with Blackbeard and a beautiful woman that may or may not be his daughter.  Jack Sparrow is Jack..the crew is there on the Pearl and even Barbossa is still there as first mate!

The 3D blu-ray looks amazing!  Its wonderful to finally see the Pirates franchise in 3D.  There is no ghosting and the amount of 3D moments is really amped up from a lot of other recent 3D features that just don't live up to the hype.  Even at home, this one is worth having in 3D.

Synopsis: When the founding fathers drew the first map of America, they confronted many of the same challenges that unite and divide us today. HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES explores how our borders evolved--and continue to change--in response to religion, transportation, communication, politics, culture clashes and even Mother Nature. This is no textbook-style documentary series. Local experts and everyday folks lead host Brian Unger, a journalist and former Daily Show correspondent, to insights about some of America s most baffling questions. How are flying fish threatening to re-draw the shape of Illinois? What does the use of cell phones by Pennsylvania s Amish have to do with the shape of their state? How is the phrase sold down the river linked to the shape of what might be our 51st state? Why did the invention of air conditioning change how America picks its Presidents? Unger uncovers the answers, hidden in our map.

Review: The History Channel does it again!  We didn't see this series when it aired, but boy were we pleased to find it on DVD!  This show is a great way to follow-up the America: The Story of Us series with some fantastic information on how the states were formed and the intricate dealings that went into it!  The show even touches on modern day effects of the borders and takes a look at the possible future.  This is a fantastic and informative show that is a must for anyone interested in American history!  This would be perfect for homeschoolers!

Synopsis: What happens when a man with everything a beautiful wife (Nicole Kidman), a teenage daughter (Liana Liberato) and a wealthy estate is confronted with the reality of losing it all? That is what Kyle Miller (Nicolas Cage) must come to terms with as he and his family become the victims of a vicious home invasion. Led by Elias (Ben Mendelsohn) and Jonah (Cam Gigandet), a gang of cold-blooded thugs holds Kyle and his loved ones hostage as they carry out their plans to take everything that Kyle holds dear, including his life.

Review: Trespass is another in the long line of home invasion films.   This one does little to bring anything original to the table, except the phenominal cast lineup of Nicole Kidman and Nicholas Cage.  I love Cage, but lets admit it..he is an overactor.  This does serve him well in a Joel Schumacher directed film.   You remember Joel, he single-handedly destroyed the Batman film franchise for many years back in the 1990s.  He does a much better job this time out and the tone is decidedly darker, but the plot really unravels and the cliches are abound.  The climax is definately predictable.  Nothing much new is to be seen here.  The film is full of action and the pace is intense.  If you enjoy these two actors, then this one won't disappoint.  Its a fun watch, just don't look for anything new.

Synopsis: Academy Award® Winners Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz join Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga) for this epic tale of forbidden love based on Sara Gruen’s acclaimed best seller. Against all odds, a veterinary student (Pattinson) and a beautiful circus performer from a bygone era (Witherspoon), meet and fall in love through their shared compassion for a special elephant. But their secret romance incurs the wrath of her dangerously volatile husband (Waltz).

Review: Water For Elephants is one of the first major departures for Robert Pattinson since the Twilight series and I must admit, he had a lot to prove to me.  Reese Witherspoon, on the other hand, proved to me with her role in Vanity Fair that she can pull off period drama.   The film centers around two people that fall in love that shouldn't.  Christopher Waltz reprises his role as a type-cast scary bastard and he plays it well!   The film ends up being emotional, driven and dark.  The power of true love is at danger with the violence that Waltz brings to the table.  Can they make it out alive?  This one is a must-see for drama-lovers!

The special features on this blu-ray include: Disc 1: Theatrical Feature Blu-ray, Robert Pattinson Spotlight, Raising the Tent, The Star Attraction, Feature Performer Reese Witherspoon, The Traveling Show - Page to Screen, Working Without a Net: The Visual Effects of Water for Elephants, Secrets of the Big Top and Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Writer Richard LaGravenese.  Disc 2: Digital Copy

Synopsis: Michael McDonald: Live: Michael McDonald is joined by Doobie Brothers Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons for an evening performing his solo hits, including songs from his hit Motown album as well as Doobie classics What a Fool Believes and Taking It to the Streets. Special guests Ashford and Simpson appear to perform their hits Aint No Mountain High Enough and Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing. Songs: It Keeps You Runnin', Sweet Freedom, I Keep Forgettin', I Heard It Through the Grapevine, Ain't No Mountain High Enough, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing, Black Water, Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While), Minute by Minute, What a Fool Believes, Takin' It to the Streets. 

Michael McDonald: A Tribute to Motown: Michael McDonald along with special guests Toni Braxton, India.Arie, Take 6 and Billy Preston perform 14 classic songs from his best-selling Motown concept albums and revives some of the most influential American music ever made. Songs: I Second That Emotion, I Was Made to Love Her, What’s Going On, I Heard It Through the Grapevine, All in Love Is Fair, Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart), Baby I’m for Real, Tracks of My Tears, Since I Lost My Baby, Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever, You’re All I Need to Get By, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing, Nowhere to Run

Review: This new blu-ray release has two MIchael McDonald features on it....a Tribute to Motown and a Live concert.  The Tribute to Motown is a renound feature that had some fantastic guest stars.  The live concert is everything a fan is looking for.  If you enjoy McDonald's music, this blu-ray is a complete home run for you.

Synopsis: Known for producing some of the best loved songs in rock history including "Hard Habit to Break," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?," and the ever-popular "Saturday in the Park," Chicago has remained a musical force releasing 33 albums and touring on a continual basis. Formed in 1967 in Chicago, the five musicians had a dream to integrate all the musical diversity of their city and weave a new sound—a rock 'n' roll band with a horn section. This amazing performance features some of Chicago's best known songs including "Color My World," " Feeling Stronger Everyday," "25 or 6 to 4" and more.

Review: Chicago is a legendary band and they play some of their best hits on this new live concert blu-ray.  The sounds is phenominal and any fan of the band is sure to love it.

Song List: Make Me Smile, Color My World, Now More Than Ever, If You Leave Me Now, Dialogue, Hard Habit to Break, Saturday in the Park, Beginnings, Just You ‘N’ Me, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, Feelin’ Stronger Every Day, I’m a Man, Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away, Free, 25 or 6 to 4

Synopsis: Smooth delivery, high-spirited melodies, that velvet voice and a soul-stirring rhythmic foundation. All are the elements that Steve Winwood brings to this live concert featuring songs from the album About Time along with his classic hits including “Why Can’t We Live Together” and “Back in the High Life.” Winwood also performs hits from his day with Traffic as well as current recordings that represent a tapestry of tastes woven after 40 years in music.

Review: What does one say about a live concert blu-ray?  It looks fantastic and sounds wonderful.  If you're a fan of Winwood's music, then you'll love it!

Song List: Can’t Find My Way Back Home, Empty Pages, Bully, Glad, Freedom Rider, Back in the High Life Again, Dear Mr. Fantasy, Why Can’t We Live Together. Bonus Songs: Rainmaker, Different Light, Walking On 

Synopsis: After his sleigh is shot down while flying through restricted military airspace, an earthbound Santa is sought for questioning by a pair of overzealous Homeland Security agents. The fate of Christmas is now in the hands of the disbelieving by-the-book duo, unless their faith in Santa can be restored by two children and a trio of elves who have arrived from up North to help out a friend in need.

Review: There are only so many Xmas movies on most people's lists.  A lot of them were made decades ago.  Over the past few decades we have gotten some gems like Home Alone, Jingle All The Way (yeah, thats right!), The Santa Clause and Xmas With the Cranks.   For every good Xmas movie that adds to the list twenty come out that suck.  I mean suck.  The Santa Incident is not one of those films.  This one was really fun and full of the holiday spirit.  It appealed to both of the kids and adults in our household.  This one is highly recommended.

Interest Range: Comedy, Family

Synopsis: In this chilling reboot of the '80s horror classic, Landon Liboiron of ''Terra Nova'' stars as high school senior Will Kidman, whose infatuation with a beautiful classmate (Lindsey Shaw of ''Pretty Little Liars'' and ''10 Things I Hate About You'') begins to trigger certain teenage animal instincts. But when a mysterious woman (Ivana Milicevic of Casino Royale) with a shocking secret re-enters his life, Will learns that he is heir to a powerful line of werewolves. Now he finds he has a choice to make: succumbing to his primal nature or turning against his own. In order to fight the destiny of his legacy and save the girl of his dreams, he must battle not only his growing blood lust but an army of fearsome beasts hell-bent on killing us all. Tonight, the full moon rises. The horror begins anew. This is THE HOWLING REBORN.

Review: The Howling Reborn is the latest in a long line of films in the Howling franchise.  They are seemingly unconnected, except that they are all werewolf tales.  This new feature feels a lot more like Twilight teen-angst, tween fueled drama fest.  The main character looks like Harry Potter and the whole film is rather cheesy.  To be honest, there is a genre for this, it just doesn't appeal to me personally as a viewer.  I think a young audience that is into the whole Twilight thing would really dig this one.

Interest Range: Horror

Synopsis: From the producers of Shaun of the Dead, Attack the Block is a fast, funny, frightening action adventure movie that pits a teen street gang against an invasion of savage alien monsters. It turns a London housing project into a sci-fi battleground, the low-income apartment complex into a fortress under siege. And it turns a crazy mix of tough street kids into a team of kick ass heroes. It’s inner city versus outer space and it’s going to explode.

Review: From the two goobers that brought you fantastic comedy like Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead comes Attack the Block.  In fact, one of those guys is in THIS film, as well.  You may know the other one as Simon Pegg, an actor that has gotten a good amount of exposure thanks to the relaunch of the Star Trek films in which he plays Scotty.  Attack the Block is an urban London look at an alien invasion.  The film is rather deadpan, but hilarious at times.  Its well paced and definately has the action, funny characters and great lines that make this one a fun time.

Interest Range: Sci-Fi, Action/Adventure

Synopsis: In small towns, and along America's back roads, treasures are waiting to be uncovered- valuable relics from our history that are hidden in junk piles, buried in barns and stacked in garages. It takes experts to find them - and turn rust to riches. American Pickers follows two of the most skilled "pickers"- Mike Wolfe, owner of Antique Archaeology, and his business partner, Frank Fritz- as they hunt down objects with historical, collectible and pop culture value that have been long forgotten by their owners. Along the way, they meet people whose own stories open a window into American lives and history. In this collection, Mike and Frank try to strike a deal with NASCAR Champion Ryan Newman, explore the appropriately named Pickens, South Carolina and try to buy a 300-pound boot.

Review:  American Pickers is a complicated show for us.  We really enjoy collecting and picking..we're pickers ourselves, but the two hosts are so utterly annoying.  They're just douchey to the nth degree.  That being said, the show is still great.  They find a lot of amazing items that they can resell...although it seems like gas station signs and old bicycles are the extent of their personal knowlege, lol.  The second season of American Pickers includes 22 episodes.  This volume 2 DVD includes only the first 8 of those.

Art of the Deal
Buddy's Booby Trap
Gordon's Gold Mine
Smooth Operators
Getting The Boot
Easy Riders
Psychic Pickings
One Pony Town

Interest Range: Collecting, Antiques