One of my favorite actors, Patricia Clarkson, plays his wife, and Noah Emmerich plays his long-suffering assistant. Director Gavin O’Connor (‘Tumbleweeds’) and the producers of the similar sports movies ‘Remember the Titans’ and ‘The Rookie’ help bring this story to life.

Aside from a great cast and production team, what I love about ‘Miracle’ is the attention to detail. Not a hairstyle or accessory was missed in capturing the era of 1980. The story was especially needed at that time because the country was in a bit of a depression after the whole Watergate debacle.

Buy ‘Miracle’ on Blu-ray or DVD. Here’s the trailer:

Image: Amazon.com

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Here’s the scoop: Three snowboarders get stranded on a chairlift before their last run. As the ski patrol switches off the night lights, they realize with growing panic that they’ve been left behind dangling high off the ground with no way down.

The kicker is that the resort is closed until the following weekend, so they really have to take some action. But once they make their move, it’s clear there’s more to be afraid of than just the frigid cold.

This is why I stay away from snow sports. Emma Bell, Shawn Ashmore and Kevin Zegers star; directed by Adam Green. Check out the official movie site.

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It stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a young employee in the office of the US Ambassador who hooks up with an American spy (John Travolta) looking to stop a terrorist attack in the city.

Here’s a clip of Travolta talking about what a trip it is making an action movie as he gets older. He and Bruce Willis should pair up.

It opens in theaters today – Feb. 5, 2010 – and is rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, drug content, pervasive language and brief sexuality. Of note is that it’s directed by Pierre Morel, who also directed ‘Taken’ – awesome movie.

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Based on the book by Rick Riordan, Lerman stars as a teenager who discovers he’s the descendant of a Greek god and thus embarks on an adventure to settle an ongoing battle between the gods.

It’s rated PG for action violence and peril, some scary images and suggestive material, and mild language. Judging by the trailer, though, it must have just squeaked by with the PG rating, because it looks a little scary! But also very fun. 

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But ‘MacGyver’ creator Lee Zlotoff is none too happy about the reincarnation of his character. The problem is that Zlotoff retains the film rights to ‘MacGyver’ (which really would make an awesome film), and he’s currently developing a movie with New Line Cinema.

Zlotoff and New Line haven’t filed legal action yet, but their attorneys have presented Relativity Media, the company backing ‘MacGruber,’ with a cease and desist order. The movie is scheduled for an April 23 release date.

Hmmm … maybe MacGyver needs to come in and diffuse the situation with a ballpoint pen and some masking tape.

Check out the trailer for ‘MacGruber.’ It actually looks pretty funny. Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer and Ryan Phillippe also star.

Image: Universal Pictures; Source: Moviefone

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If you’re not familiar with the film, it follows a mail-order apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) who finds herself saddled with three sibling refugees from London during World War II. Of course, everything comes down to this group, including headmaster David Tomlinson, basically saving England from the ravages of war.

The quintet comes up against corrupt booksellers, animated-lion royalty, and, eventually, invading Germans.

It’s hard not to compare this movie to director Robert Stevenson’s earlier film “Mary Poppins.” They both feature a magical lady, Tomlinson himself, animated animals, and some fun musical numbers, including Lansbury’s Oscar-nominated "The Age of Not Believing."

Originally released in 1971, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” has been lovingly restored and remastered, and it’s definitely a good addition to any Disney lover’s film collection.

Buy “Bedknobs & Broomsticks” on DVD.

Bonus Features: 

• The Wizards Of Special Effects – Hosted By Jennifer Stone From Disney’s WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE
• “A Step In The Right Direction” Reconstruction
• Music Magic – The Sherman Brothers
• David Tomlinson Portobello Road Recording Sessions
• Theatrical Trailers

See if this clip, “The Beautiful Briny Sea,” doesn’t put a little joy in your heart:

Image: Amazon.com

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The multi-talented star has a slew of film credits, including “American Son,” which did really well on 2008’s film festival circuit, but never reached a bigger audience.

Cannon stars as 19-year-old Mike Holland, who’s about to be shipped off to Iraq. In fact, he has just four days to say goodbye to everyone who’s important to him, and maybe even start a new relationship on the eve of his deployment.

Here’s the thing. We hear a lot in the news about the war overseas, but it’s films like “American Son” – and Cannon’s heartfelt performance — that really hit home and tell us what it’s like for soldiers to leave everyone and everything they know and go off to a distant place with strange customs and people.

Directed by Neil Abramson, “American Son” also stars Melonie Diaz, Erica Gluck, Tom Sizemore, April Grace and Chi McBride. It’s rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and drug use.

Buy “American Son” on DVD.

Image: Amazon.com

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The tagline on the DVD cover calls it “A funny, touching and vital film.” Yeah, I’d go along with that, though it doesn’t seem all that funny to me.

It takes place in Australia  and follows the life of a sports writer named Joe (Clive Owen) whose wife Katy (Laura Fraser) dies of cancer, leaving him to raise their young son Artie (Nicholas McAnulty). He also has an older teenager named Harry (George MacKay) from a previous marriage, who comes to live with them, as well.

The movie is a bit scattered in terms of story. You’ve got the wife who shows up as a vision of Joe’s – she tries to help him learn how to be a dad. You’ve got Artie, who’s quite a handful, and Harry, who is resentful that his dad took off and left him with his mom in England.

First of all, I love the Australian scenery. Joe lives in this cottage-type house that’s near both the sea and open lands full of waving grass. Really beautiful.

All of the actors are on target as far as their characters; none of them are pigeonholed into any sort of stereotype.

One thing that bugs me about these types of movies is that the mom always dies. My 12-year-old daughter and I watched this and within the first 30 seconds, we looked at each and said, “The mom’s gonna die.” It’s so predictable; and yes, I know it’s based on a true story, so there’s no changing the fact that the mom dies.  

But it’s worth a look if you like these sorts of introspective dramas. And Clive Owen is wonderful. It’s directed by Scott Hicks and rated PG-13 for some sexual language and thematic elements.

Image: Amazon.com

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After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, the men wake up, heads pounding, in the year 1986. This is their chance to kick some past and change their futures – one will find a new love life, one will learn to stand up for himself with the ladies, one will find his mojo, and one will make sure he still exists!

This is the sort of movie that could be either really funny or really stupid. I’m hoping for the first one. At any rate, it’ll be a hoot going back to the 1980s. All that big hair. And like one of the guys says – just think of all the moneymaking possibilities. Twitter, cell phones, wifi…

Check out the trailer and see what you think. It’s directed by Steve Pink (who produced "Knight and Day" and "High Fidelity") and opens in theaters March 19, 2010.

Image: MGM

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Second, if you haven’t seen the movie yet, now is the perfect time. There have been countless films, TV specials, books and biographies about the King of Rock ‘n Roll, but none of them even come close to the magic of “Elvis,” being released on DVD by Shout! Factory to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth (75!). It hits store and cyber shelves on March 2, 2010.

Much of that magic comes from the collaboration between director John Carpenter and star Kurt Russell. Watching Russell do those hip moves and put on those blue suede shoes, you’ll think you’re actually watching the King himself. Kurt Russell is awesome.

“Elvis,” which chronicles the singer’s life from poverty-stricken childhood to super-stardom, snagged a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Emmy nominations, including one for Kurt Russell as Outstanding Lead Actor. It also features country music hitmaker Ronnie McDowell, who re-creates Presley’s signature vocals.

More after the jump, including a trailer and pics…

Also featured are Shelley Winters as Elvis’ mother Gladys; Season Hubley as his wife Priscilla; Kurt Russell’s real-life father Bing Russell as Elvis’s father Vernon Presley; Pat Hingle as Colonel Tom Parker; Robert Gray as Red West;  Golden Globe nominee Joe Mantegna as Memphis mafia member Joe Esposito; and Golden Globe nominee Ed Begley Jr. as D.J. Fontana.  

DVD Bonus Features:

• “Bringing A Legend To Life” Featurette With Archival Interviews Of Kurt Russell And John Carpenter (1979)
• Commentary By “The Voice Of Elvis” Ronnie McDowell And Author Edie Hand
• Rare Clips From American Bandstand
• Photo Gallery

Check out the trailer…

Images: Shout! Factory

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