New to On Demand & DVD

Dracula Untold producer Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Ghost Rider, Moneyball, Captain Phillips) talks about what brought him to the journey of uncovering the monster’s origins: “As a kid, I always wanted to know who turned Dracula into a vampire. I wondered, ‘Was he the first? Were there others?’ It was a delicious, unanswered question that’s not been covered, even in Bram Stoker’s novel.” When a script by the writing team of Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless landed on De Luca’s desk, it ignited the filmmaker’s imagination. “I thought it was ingenious,” he says, adding, “the untold origin story and an unknown chapter […]

Several years ago, toy and board game company Hasbro and blockbuster producers Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller of Platinum Dunes approached Universal Pictures to discuss making Ouija as a microbudget film that explored the supernatural elements of the iconic board. There is a long held belief that if you don’t follow the procedures of gameplay with the Ouija board, it’s possible for you to open a door to the spirit realm. As well, unless you do certain things to close that door, that phenomenon might follow you beyond playing at the table. This was a jumping-off point for the […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Feb. 2-8 The Best of Me (pictured below) Based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks, the film tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, former high school sweethearts reunited after 20 years apart. James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan (PG-13, 1:57) 2/3 The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy dazzle in this drama hailed as ‘one of the most romantic love stories ever.’ A couple tries to reclaim their past. (R, 2:03) 2/3 Dracula Untold Before he was Dracula, Vlad was a prince ruling over a small kingdom. When a warlord demands […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 26-Feb. 1 Amira & Sam A romantic comedy set in post-9/11 New York, Sam is an army veteran whose unlikely love affair with an Iraqi immigrant is put to the test as he adapts back to civilian life. Martin Starr, Dina Shihabi  (NR, 1:38) 1/27 Same day as theatrical release. Fury Striking out toward the heart of Nazi Germany, one American tank crew is attempting to accomplish the unthinkable. As the other tank commanders fall around him, Wardaddy pushes forward to complete his mission. Despite the odds, he will not relent in his quest to […]

Portraying a character — whether human, animal or other — in an animated movie involves varying elements of performance. Actors’ vocal performances are recorded first, often over a year in advance, and a character’s animator(s) align their own performances with the voice work. The Boxtrolls producer and lead animator Travis Knight notes, “An animation performance is comprised of two parts: the vocal performance supplied by the actor, and the visual performance furnished by the animator. It’s an unconventional collaboration that can span years. But it all starts with the perfect voice.” Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley was sought for the […]

When director Luc Besson wrote the first version of the script for Lucy 10 years ago, he intended for the action to be set in Taipei, Taiwan. He had gone to the city in 1997 on a promotional tour for The Fifth Element and loved the people and the feel of the city. When the time came to scout locations for this action-thriller, the filmmakers considered a few different Asian cities in which to film the picture — for budget and logistical purposes. Says Besson: “The funny thing is that, in the end, we shot in Taipei and picked the […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 19-25 Annabelle John and Mia are expecting their first child, and her husband’s gift of a doll she has long sought is a welcome occurrence. What’s not welcome is the satanic cult that attacks the couple and the strange events that follow. A prequel to the horror film The Conjuring. Ward Horton, Annabelle Wallis, Alfre Woodard (R, 1:39) 1/20 The Boxtrolls (3-D) A community of rather odd creatures exists below the streets in a merry little town. Each is defined solely by the name on the discarded box he or she wears. But one of […]

While 1999 may not seem that long ago, there are stylistic differences in fashion and clothing that had to be observed and followed for those working behind the scenes on A Walk Among the Tombstones. Based on Lawrence Block’s best-selling series of mystery novels, the film tells the story of private investigator Matthew Scudder (Liam Neeson), who is hired by drug kingpin Kenny Kristo (Dan Stevens) to find out who kidnapped and murdered Kristo’s wife. Costume designer Betsy Heimann’s challenge was to design a 1999-inspired look that was also timeless. For Scudder’s character, she created a dark uniform of sorts. “Scudder’s […]

On Demand DVD New Releases Jan. 12-18 The Identical  The son of a preacher rejects his father’s desire to join the ministry and instead pursues a love of rock and roll music, ultimately uncovering a family secret that reveals who he really is. Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd (PG, 1:47) 1/13 Jimi: All Is By My Side Covering a transformative year in Hendrix’s life from 1966-67, in which he went from a New York City backing musician to making his mark in London’s music scene. Andre Benjamin, Imogen Poots (R, 1:58) 1/13 Love Is Strange Depicts the delicate nature of two […]

After his breakout performance as Jackie Robinson in 42, Chadwick Boseman initially wasn’t interested in reading the script for director Tate Taylor’s James Brown biopic Get On Up. Boseman figured the last thing he should do was another biopic about a cultural icon. On top of that, regardless of his already having played Jackie Robinson, the idea of anyone playing James Brown seemed just about impossible to him. “James Brown was ahead of his time, and we still haven’t caught up with him,” Boseman says. “He lived the life of a thousand people in one lifetime.” Still, he talked to […]