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Top 5 / Bottom 5: Jessica Chastainby Aaron Peck [teaser]In the past couple years, Jessica Chastain's star has risen to unbelievable Hollywood heights. She's one of the most sought after actresses right now, and for good reason. She's usually great in everything she's in. This is one of those Top 5 / Bottom 5s where we find ourselves throwing a few good performances in the bottom simply because she brings it in just about every movie she does.[/teaser] Get this, since 2011, Chastain has made 11 movies. Eleven! How is that even possible? That's not even counting two more movies she has coming out – 'Oblivion' and 'Tar'. And it's not like she's cranking out stinkers either. Most of her roles are beautifully memorable. Okay, I'll admit it... I have a slight crush on her. With that said, let's see the highs and lows of Chastain's quickly built career. (Note: As always the movies are listed alphabetically. There are no specific rankings attached.) The Best 'Coriolanus' While Chastain does a great job in 'Coriolanus' the bulk of the movie is bolstered by fantastic performances by Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave. This modern day adaption of William Shakespeare's play ends up being wonderfully bloody and extremely well-acted. 'Mama' While I personally lamented the fact that Chastain wasn't sporting her trademark red hair, I still found 'Mama' to be a frightening surprise of a film. Many people were let down by the ending, but 'Mama' found a way to scare, entertain, and become a stylish horror movie all at the same time. It was certainly an early surprise of 2013. 'Take Shelter' Acting opposite Michael Shannon is a tough task for anyone, but Chastain holds her own, and then some, in Jeff Nichols' suspenseful tale of a man terrified about an apocalyptic storm that he's sure is headed their way. It's unsettling, it's intriguing, and beautifully shot. This is one of the finest films Chastain has been a part of. 'The Tree of Life' Speaking of beautifully shot films, Terrance Malick's 'Tree of Life' is an extraordinary cinematic vision of the variety of life. Much of the film's heavy presence can be directly attributed to Malick's unconventional filmmaking. However, Chastain is at her best here. Playing the mother, she provides a shelter for her boys that are caught in the storm of their father's anger. At times she's almost an angelic presence. Man, I really loved this movie. 'Zero Dark Thirty' Her Oscar nomination was well-deserved for her role as CIA agent Maya. Chastain easily commands each and every scene she's in, even though most of the time she's sharing the same screen with some of Hollywood's most notable actors. She becomes a believable unstoppable force here, but is still able to tap into the raw human emotion that must have been present when her real-life counterpart was struggling to find bin Laden all those years. The Worst 'The Help' I feel like I was one of the only people that detested 'The Help' and its sugar-coated way of explaining how some plucky spirit is what overcame America's deep-seated racial problems of the '60s. It felt like one of those movies that try to pry the tears from your ducts by any means necessary. Of course it got a bunch of Oscar nominations. Go figure. 'Lawless' Sadly, the most memorable part of 'Lawless,' besides Tom Hardy's "Hey, look, I'm totally still Bane," voice, is Jessica Chastain's topless scene. When she was mentioned in Seth MacFarlane's boob song at the Oscars I thought, "Oh yeah, she was topless in that movie. I'd forgotten that." Because all I could remember was how much time the movie spent following Shia LaBeouf around when there were so many more interesting characters and actors in the movie getting the shaft. 'Madagascar 3: Eurpoe's Most Wanted' Honestly, for a kids movie, it wasn't too terrible. And Chastain did simply provide a voice for a side character. Yet, we had to put some of her movies in the Bottom 5, right? 'Stolen' Whenever we do these lists there's always got to be at least one, "Huh, I've never heard of that," movie included. Well, that movie is the low-budget thriller starring Jon Hamm. It currently sits at 0-percent on RottenTomatoes. There's not much more to say, other than seeing 'Stolen' is a waste of time. 'Texas Killing Fields' The movie isn't without talent. Along with Chastain, Jason Clarke, Chloe Moretz, Jeffery Dean Morgan, and Sam Worthington star in this little-seen detective thriller about a sadistic serial killer. It had such promise, but felt like it wallowed too much in the tired police procedural that we've seen a thousand times over. There's a reason that Jessica Chastain has become a hot commodity in Hollywood. She's continuing to crank out the movies at an unbelievable clip, and I for one hope she continues. How would you rank her films? Do we have it all wrong? Let us know but clicking on the link below and making your opinion known in our forums.Posted Tue Mar 19, 2013 at 08:40 AM PDT by: -
'John Dies at the End' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The latest horror-comedy written and directed by cult legend Don Coscarelli will hit Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia says 'John Dies at the End' is coming to Blu-ray on April 9. In 'John Dies at the End,' it’s all about the Soy Sauce, a drug that promises an out-of-body experience with each hit. Users drift across time and dimensions. But some who come back are no longer human. Suddenly a silent otherworldly invasion is underway, and mankind needs a hero. What it gets instead is John (Rob Mayes) and David (Chase Williamson), a pair of college dropouts who can barely hold down jobs... Adapted from David Wong’s audacious trans-genre horror novel, 'John Dies at the End' with screenplay by and directed by Don Coscarelli ('Bubba Ho-tep') and also stars Clancy Brown, Glynn Turman and Paul Giamatti. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Commentary with Writer/Director Don Coscarelli, Producer Brad Baruh, Chase Williamson and Rob Mayes; Deleted Scenes; Getting Sauced: The Making of John Dies at the End; Creature Corps: The Effects of Soy Sauce; Casting Sessions; Fangoria Interview with Paul Giamatti; and Trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'John Dies at the End' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 2.Posted Tue Mar 19, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Contest: Win 'The Hobbit' on Blu-ray!The contests keep coming here at High-Def Digest. This week in the blog, we're giving away a copy of Peter Jackson's epic 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' on Blu-ray. Don't miss your chance to win!Posted Tue Mar 19, 2013 at 06:15 AM PDT by: -
'The Great Escape' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1963 classic will be getting the high-definition treatment in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, MGM/UA will bring 'The Great Escape' to Blu-ray on May 7. In 1943, the Germans opened Stalag Luft North, a maximum-security prisoner-of-war camp, designed to hold even the craftiest escape artists. In doing so, however, the Nazis unwittingly assembled the finest escape team in military history who worked on what became the largest prison breakout ever attempted. Based on a true story. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray will be $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Great Escape' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 7.Posted Tue Mar 19, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Incredible Melting Man' Blu-ray in the Works[teaser]The 1977 cult horror film will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in 2013. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory will release 'The Incredible Melting Man' on Blu-ray sometime this summer. Shortly after returning to Earth from a dangerously botched space mission, an astronaut discovers he's contracted an illness that causes his flesh to melt. As he slowly transforms into a mass of walking muck, he turns resentful towards humans and sets out on a ruthless killing spree, while government scientists race to stop him. Specs, supplements, suggested list price, and a release date have not been set yet. You can find the latest specs for 'The Incredible Melting Man' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Mon Mar 18, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Brubaker' and 'The Verdict' Blu-rays Detailed[teaser]The two classic 1980s dramas from directors Stuart Rosenberg and Sidney Lumet bound for Blu-ray in May have now been fully detailed. [/teaser] As previously reported, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'Brubaker' and 'The Verdict' on Blu-ray on May 7. 'Brubaker' - Robert Redford stars in this potent drama based on the real life story of Tom Murton, the prison superintendent who rocked Arkansas politics when he exposed scandalous abuses and murders in a state prison. Posing as a new prisoner, Brubaker (Redford) discovers vast corruption in a state penitentiary before revealing himself to be the new warden. His personal crusade to bring reform puts him in grave danger, especially when he insists on exposing a series of secret murders that took place years earlier. Powerful and disturbing, Brubaker won acclaim for its gritty realism and Oscar-nominated screenplay. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and mono soundtracks, and supplements will include: Trailer & TV Spots. 'The Verdict' - Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Frank Galvin is a boozy washed-up attorney with a losing streak a mile long. So when he's handed a lucrative out-of-court settlement, everyone expects him to take the money and run. But Frank is tired of running and recklessly brings the case to court...only to discover that if finding the whole truth is a little like trial and error, then finding real justice is a lot like trial by fire. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and mono soundtracks, and supplements will include: Paul Newman: The Craft of Acting; Milestones in Cinema History: The Verdict; Sidney Lumet: The Craft of Directing; Audio Commentary with Director Sidney Lumet and Star Paul Newman; and Two Additional Featurettes. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Brubaker' and 'The Verdict' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under May 7.Posted Mon Mar 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'In Old Arizona' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The classic 1928 western will shoot up Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'In Old Arizona' for Blu-ray on June 4. Cisco Kid is a tough but charming bandit who always manages to stay one step ahead of the law. That is until a determined sheriff enlists Kid's girlfriend in a clever scheme to disarm him. But with one more trick up his sleeve, The Kid may just have the last laugh. Warner Baxter's unforgettable performance as the legendary Cisco Kid earned him the 1929 Oscar for Best Actor. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'In Old Arizona' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 4.Posted Mon Mar 18, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Highlights: Week of March 17th, 2013Ironically, the biggest movie being released on Blu-ray this week is the one with the smallest lead character. If Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth doesn't strike your fancy, you might want to check out a pair of recent Oscar nominees or some classics from the Criterion Collection instead. Read all about these and more in the blog today.Posted Mon Mar 18, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Regular Show: The Complete First and Second Seasons' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Forty episodes of the Cartoon Network animated series are in the works for Blu-ray this August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is working on 'Regular Show: The Complete First and Second Seasons'' for Blu-ray on August 16. Sarcastic blue jay Mordecai (voiced by J. G. Quintel) and somewhat responsible raccoon Rigby (William Salyers) are best friends. They even work together at a park owned by Pops (Sam Marin), a big lollipop-headed guy. Which seems normal enough. They've got a cranky gumball machine for a boss (Marin) and they work alongside a Zen-like yeti named Skips (Mark Hamill). Yep. Everything is as regular as can be. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Commentary; Deleted Scenes; Naïve Man from Lolliland Student Short; 8-Bit Test Monster; Hot Topic Interview; Pops Character Reading by Sam Marin; Original Drawings of the main characters; Original Post it used to pitch Regular Show; Unaired Regular Show Pilot; Sam singing Blitzkrieg Bop; JG Storyboard Pitch; Regular Show Animatic; Pencil Test Drawings; Comic Con 2010 Teaser Trailer; and Music Video. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Regular Show: The Complete First and Second Seasons' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 16.Posted Mon Mar 18, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'The Sound of Music: Limited Edition Collector's Set' Blu-ray Set is $26.67 at Amazon[teaser]Get the limited edition Blu-ray collector's set of the classic musical for seventy percent off this week at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'The Sound of Music: Limited Edition Collector's Set' for $26.67 (70% off suggested list price). Share the magical, heartwarming true-life story that has become the most popular family film of all time - Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, the spirited young woman who leaves the convent to become governess to the seven children of Captain von Trapp, an autocratic widower whose strict household rules leave no room for music or entertainment. The 3-disc set (2 Blu-rays and a DVD) features 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and loads of supplements including audio commentaries; Your Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration — all-new immersive viewing experience with behind-the-scenes images, on-screen lyrics, trivia track and location quiz; Music Machine Sing-Along; Musical Stages: Creating The Sound of Music — all-new interactive "backlot tour" with in-depth featurettes on the songs, the stage show & movie, the film and sound restoration and the real-life von Trapp family; and more! This individually numbered Limited Edition Collector's Set also includes the 45th Anniversary soundtrack; 100-Page "My Favorite Things" scrapbook; Snapshots from Salzburg; Reproduction of the original 1965 Souvenir program; and an exclusive "My Favorite Things" Music Box with letter of authenticity. Click here to order this definitive edition of the 1965 classic today! The deal will run from now through March 24 or while supplies last.Posted Sun Mar 17, 2013 at 08:05 AM PDT by:
