New on DVD this week are a few horror movies, a dramedy, and a comedy. Take a look and see what appeals to you:

What Goes Up (NR). Steve Coogan plays a morally challenged New York reporter who learns a few life lessons from a group of dysfunctional students (Hilary Duff, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby), while covering the hometown hoopla surrounding the first teacher in space. Buy It

The Cell 2 (R ). This straight-to-DVD sequel to the 2000 Jennifer Lopez thriller follows a telepathic mind-melder (Tessie Santiago) who’s hired by the cops to get into the brain of a serial killer. Buy It

Friday the 13th (R ). Searching for his missing sister, Clay heads up to the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins (and other creepy things). Buy It (Extended Killer Cut!)

Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail (PG-13). America’s favorite pistol-packin’ grandma is raising hell behind bars and lobbying for her freedom! Buy It

Check out all of Film Gecko’s DVD recommendations at Amazon.com.

Image: Amazon.com

Clint Eastwood continues to knock me out with his heartfelt performances, this time in "Gran Torino," in which he plays Korean War vet Walt Kowalski. It’s a racially charged story that’s also violent and disturbing, with Eastwood’s classic humor thrown in for good measure.

Read my review of "Gran Torino," and buy the DVD on Film Gecko’s DVD Store on Amazon.

Bonus Features include some of the filmmakers reminiscing about their first cars or dream cars. We also get to see a Detroit rally of classic cars along Woodward Avenue, which is bittersweet considering Detroit’s altered auto scene in recent months. 

Also on DVD this week:

Crossing Over (R). Harrison Ford, Sean Penn, Ashley Judd, and Ray Liotta star in this movie about crime, fraud and murder, all revolving around a missing illegal. Buy "Crossing Over."

The International (R). Clive Owen and Naomi Watts star in this crime thriller about an obsessive Interpol agent who spearheads an investigation into a high-profile banking institution. Buy "The International."

Image: Amazon.com

He’s Just Not That Into You (PG-13). An all-star cast including Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, Drew Barrymore, and Jennifer Connelly populate this romantic drama of love and angst. And yes, it’s more drama than comedy, despite the trailers. [Official Site]

Revolutionary Road (R). Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio team up again (remember “Titanic”?!) in this tale of repressed suburbia in the 1950s. Film Gecko Review [Official Site]

Defiance (R). Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, and Jamie Bell are three Jewish brothers who escape into the woods to escape the Nazis, and end up helping others in the process. Based on a true story. [Official Site]

Buy these DVDs and Blu-rays on Film Gecko’s DVD Store on Amazon!

Images: Amazon.com

Several actors from diverse backgrounds have come together to make the crime thriller, “Elsewhere,” which will be released on DVD June 2, 2009. Olivia Dawn York (pictured) co-stars in the film, along with Anna Kendrick (“Twilight”), Paul Wesley (“Army Wives”), and Tania Raymonde (“Lost”). It’s directed by Nathan Hope.

Kendrick and Raymonde play two girls trying to break free of their small town lives, but one goes missing after trying to connect with someone on the Internet, leaving only a journal and a cryptic video message sent from her cell phone. The story delves into the town’s corrupt police force and string of unsolved child abductions.

Says York of her role in the film, “I think the most exciting moment in shooting ‘Elsewhere’ besides landing the role, was when I learned my character’s father was going to be played by Jon Gries. Even though he is known for so many great projects, I was a ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ fanatic! When I found out I would be working with ‘Uncle Rico’ it was the first day on location in Indiana, and I had to call my dad and sister to tell them who I was working with! The whole thing was a great experience.”

I loved “Napoleon Dynamite,” too, and would be totally star-struck to be working with Uncle Rico (I can’t get those football-throwing scenes out of my head!). I’ll look forward to seeing “Elsewhere” when it hits DVD, and seeing York’s future projects. Next up for her is “Low Ground: The Portal,” a fantasy thriller directed by Omar Kaczmarczyk. 

Photo courtesy of MLC PR

Kids, pirates, and sweet bayou creatures populate this fun family movie with a message.

THE DVD: In "Labou" (on DVD May 19, 2009), three unlikely friends get lost in the Louisiana bayou while searching for the dreaded ghost of Captain LeRouge, whose treasure-laden ship was lost more than 200 years ago. With the help of a magical swamp creature named "Labou," the kids stay one step ahead of two crazy oil moguls, but can they find the treasure and save the swamps before it’s too late?! Read more here.

THE GIVEAWAY: I have one copy of "Labou" to give away. To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Be sure to include a valid email address. A winner will be drawn randomly. I’ll email the winner for their snail-mail address after the contest ends. Good luck!

After the jump, check out some clips from "Labou"…

Read more

Here’s a fun DVD for anyone who loves sweet family stories involving cute animals.

THE DVD: "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts" (new on DVD May 19, 2009) stars Kyla Pratt  (Hotel for Dogs, Fat Albert), who returns as animal whisperer Maya Dolittle. Maya’s off to college when a Hollywood starlet seeks her out to help with her depressed Chihuahua. But when she experiences the excitement of Hollywood, Maya’s plans for college get put on the backburner. With her faithful sidekick, Lucky, Maya sees past L.A.’s rich and famous and stays true to what’s really important in her life. Read more here.

THE GIVEAWAY: I have one copy of "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts" to give away. To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Be sure to include a valid email address. A winner will be drawn randomly. I’ll email the winner for their snail-mail address after the contest ends. Good luck!

After the jump, check out clips from "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutt"…

Read more

"A Plumm Summer" is one of those sweet little movies that will probably fly under the radar of most DVD watchers. It’s a home-spun tale reminiscent of the live-action Disney movies of the 60s, only with an edge to it.

Based on a true story, the movie takes place in a small town in Montana, where kids wait impatiently to see a green marionette named Froggy Doo and his buddy Happy Herb on TV every day at 3 PM. All the kids LOVE Froggy Doo, especially Rocky Plumm (Owen Pearce), whose older brother Elliott (Chris Kelly), can’t understand the obsession at all.

When Froggy goes missing from the TV station one day, the FBI’s attempts to recover the missing frog go nowhere. So Rocky convinces Elliott to start their own investigation into the disappearance. With help from a cute neighbor Haley (Morgan Flynn), the group set out to find the frog.

Read more

Even if you saw the latest James Bond flick “Quantum of Solace” in the theater, you really need this 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. It’s all about treachery, deception and murder, and James (Daniel Craig) is right in the middle of it, along with the beautiful Olga Kurylenko. Read my DVD review here.

Special Features: “Another Way to Die” music video; theatrical and teaser trailers; Bond on Location; Start of Shooting featurette; The Boat Chase featurette; Director Marc Forster featurette; The Music featurette; Behind the scenes clips.   

THE GIVEAWAY: One "Quantum of Solace 2-Disc Special Edition DVD.” 

TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Be sure to include a valid email address. A winner will be drawn randomly. I’ll email the winner for their snail-mail address after the contest ends. Good luck!

Image: Amazon.com

Arriving at my house today were three fantastic DVD sets, but my view is tinged only slightly because they’re all “Star Trek” themed, and I’m a “Star Trek” fan from way back. Here’s the rundown:

Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy (Amazon). This 3-disc set includes three classic movies. In my view, they’re the best of the movies featuring the original cast:

1) Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Who can forget William Shatner’s emotional “Khannnnnn!” from this movie? Kirk is now an admiral in the midst of a mid-life crisis. But he’s forced to spring into action when Khan (Ricardo Montalban) comes back into his life seeking revenge. Rated PG for violence and language; 113 minutes.

Extras include: Commentary by director Nicholas Meyer and Manny Coto; James Horner: Composing Genesis; Collecting Star Trek’s Movie Relics; A Tribute to Ricardo Montalban; Starfleet Academy: The Mystery Behind Celi Alpha VI.

Read more

With the new "Star Trek" in theaters right now, it’s a good time to revisit some old favorites in a fantastic "Star Trek Trilogy" DVD set. Take a look at what’s new on DVD and Blu-ray this week:

Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy. This fantastic set includes "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek: The Search for Spock," and "Star Trek: The Voyage Home." Also out this week are two sets from the TV shows: "The Best of Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "The Best of Star Trek: The Original Series."

Taken (on Blu-ray and DVD). This fast-paced thrill ride stars Liam Neeson as CIA agent Bryan Mills, a workaholic trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter. When she’s kidnapped by an Albanian crime ring, Bryan moves heaven and earth to track her down. Rated PG-13. [Trailer] [Official Site]

Passengers. It’s a supernatural thriller starring Anne Hathaway as a grief counselor working with plane crash survivors … who start to disappear. Also stars Andre Braugher and Dianne Wiest. Rated PG-13. [Official Site]

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Vampires and werewolves populate this dark movie about centuries-old blood feuds. Rated R. [Official Site]

Image: Amazon.com