OnVideo Guide to Home Video Releases: July Calendar of Releases

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Guide to Home Video Releases:
July Release Calendar


DVD Releases

Movies are rated on a scale of one to five, with five denoting a classic. For more information on how we rate, check out our
Rentability Index.

calendar page Back to Calendar Index.

July 1

  • Vantage Point During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes leading up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each eyewitness, the reality of the assassination takes shape. But just when you think you know the answer, the shattering final truth is revealed. Vitals: Director: Pete Travis. Stars: Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 90 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $72.266 million, Sony. 3 stars

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  • Meet the Browns Brenda (Angela Bassett ), a single mother living in inner city Chicago, has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. But when she's laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time -- until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met. Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. But nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father's fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed ... and finds a brand new romance. Vitals: Director: Tyler Perry. Stars: Tyler Perry, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Lance Gross, Chloe Bailey, Mariana Talbert, Angela Bassett, Rick Fox, Sofia Vergara, Irma P. Hall. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $41.939 million, Lionsgate. 3 stars

  • My Blueberry Nights After a rough romantic break-up, a young woman sets out on a journey across America, leaving behind her life in search of something to mend her broken heart. Waitressing her way through the country, she befriends a troubled cop and his estranged wife and a down-on-her-luck gambler with a score to settle. Through these chance encounters, she witnesses the true depths of loneliness and emptiness, and begins to understand that her own journey is part of a deeper exploration of herself. The celebrated Wong Kar Wai's first English-language picture embraces his signature elegance and originality; here he combines his trademarked dreamy romantic themes with mythical American locations (the atmospheric diners of Route 66). Vitals: Director: Stars: Norah Jones, Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 95 min., Drama, Box office gross: $.766 million, The Weinstein Co./Genius Products. 3 stars

  • City of Men In the Oscar-nominated "City of Men," producer Fernando Meirelles ("The Constant Gardner") returns to the Brazilian favelas of his Academy Award-nominated film, "City of God." Growing up in a culture dictated by violence and run by street gangs, teenagers Acerola (Douglas Silva) and Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) have become close as brothers. With their 18th birthdays fast approaching, Laranjinha sets out to find the father he never met, while Acerola struggles to raise his own young son. But when they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war, the lifelong friends are forced to confront a shocking secret from their shared past. In Portuguese with English subtitles. Vitals: Director: Paulo Morelli. Stars: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Rodrigo dos Santos. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Drama, Box office gross: $.317 million, Miramax. 3 stars

  • Drillbit Taylor Three kids are "pumped" to attend their first day at high school ... until they meet up with a school bully who comes off like a little Hannibal Lecter. Before they become completely engulfed in in the bully's reign of terror, they seek out some protection by placing an ad in Soldier of Fortune magazine. Their best response -- and the cheapest -- comes from Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), a down-on-his luck soldier of fortune who lives a homeless -- he likes to say "home-free" -- existence on the beach. Really dumb comedy, especially for the talented Wilson. Vitals: Director: Steven Brill. Stars: Owen Wilson, Leslie Mann, David Dorfman, Danny McBride, Josh Peck. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 109 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $32.853 million, Paramount. 2 stars

July 8

  • Ruins, The When a group of tight-knit college friends visit the site of an undisturbed Mayan ruin, they stumble into an ancient trap where an unspoken evil -- sentient, carnivorous vines -- is waiting to drag its victims into an endless nightmare. As fear and paranoia eat away at their sanity, their only chance at escape is to commit the unthinkable. Vitals: Director: Carter Smith. Stars: Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramseyk, Joe Anderson. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Horror, Box office gross: $17.156 million, Paramount. 2 stars

  • Stop-Loss Decorated Iraq war hero Sgt. Brandon King makes a celebrated return to his small Texas hometown following his tour of duty. Brandon tries to resume the life he left behind with the help and support of his family and his best friend, Steve Shriver, who served with him in Iraq. Alongside their war-time buddies, Brandon and Steve try to make peace with civilian life. Then, against Brandon's will, the Army orders him back to duty in Iraq. This upends Brandon's entire world. The conflict into which he is thrown tests everything he believes in: the bond of family, the loyalty of friendship, the limits of love, and the value of honor. Vitals: Director: Kimberly Peirce. Stars: Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Timothy Olyphant, Abbie Cornish, Ciaran Hinds. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 111 min., Drama, Box office gross: $10.864 million, Paramount. 2 stars

  • Superhero Movie Spoof of superhero movies. After being bitten by agenetically altered dragonfly, high school loser Rick Riker develops superhuman abilities like incredible strength and armored skin. Rick decides to use his new powers for good and becomes a costumed crime fighter known as "The Dragonfly." However, standing in the way of his destiny is the villainous Lou Landers. After an experiment gone wrong, Lou develops the power to steal a person's life force and in a dastardly quest for immortality becomes the supervillain "The Hourglass." With unimaginable strength, unbelievable speed and deeply uncomfortable tights, will the Dragonfly be able to stop the sands of The Hourglass and save the world? Vitals: Director: Craig Mazin. Stars: Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Christopher McDonald, Leslie Nielsen, Kevin Hart, Marion Ross, Ryan Hansen, Jeffrey Tambor, Brent Spiner, Keith Davaid, Simon Rex, Craig Bierko, Tracy Morgan, Ragina Hall, Pam Anderson. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 82 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $25.777 million, The Weinstein Co./Genius Products. 2 stars

July 15

  • Bank Job, The Inspired by the infamous 1971 robbery that took place at the Lloyds Bank in Marylebone London -- a robbery that was never solved. A car dealer with a dodgy past and new family, Terry (Jason Statham) has always avoided major-league scams. But when Martine (Saffron Burrows), a beautiful model from his old neighborhood, offers him a lead on a foolproof bank hit on London's Baker Street, Terry recognizes the opportunity of a lifetime. Martine targets a roomful of safe deposit boxes worth millions in cash and jewelry. But Terry and his crew don't realize the boxes also contain a treasure trove of dirty secrets -- secrets that will thrust them into a deadly web of corruption and illicit scandal that spans London's criminal underworld, the highest echelons of the British government, and the Royal Family itself ... the true story of a heist gone wrong ... in all the right ways. Vitals: Director: Roger Donaldson. Stars: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows, Stephen Campbell Moore, Daniel Mays, James Faulkner, Alki David, Michael Jibson, Richard Lintern, Don Gallagher, David Suchet. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 110 min., Thriller, Box office gross: $29.863 million, Lionsgate. 2 stars

  • College Road Trip A college-bound girl (Raven-Symone) is eagerly looking forward to her first big step towards independence when she plans a "girls only" road trip to check out prospective universities. But when her overbearing police chief father (Martin Lawrence) insists on escorting her instead, she soon finds her dream trip has turned into a hilarious nightmare adventure full of comical misfortune and turmoil. Vitals: Director: Roger Kumble. Stars: Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symone, Will Sasso, Arnetia Walker, Donny Osmond. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: G, 83 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $43,572 million, Disney. 2 stars

  • Shutter A picture-perfect honeymoon develops into a snapshot of terror. New York newlyweds Ben (Joshua Jackson) and Jane (Rachael Taylor) arrive in Japan for Ben's latest photography assignment and as a honeymoon trip. But after a tragic accident, they discover disturbing, ghostly reflections of a young woman in their own photos. This inexplicable "spirit image" may be connected to Ben's past, but she's determined to provide the couple with a horrifying future of relentless vengeance from which there is no escape. Vitals: Director: Masayuki Ochiai. Stars: Joshua Jackson, Rachael Taylor, Megumi Okina. 2007, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 86 min., Horror Thriller, Box office gross: $25.752 million, Company. 2 stars

  • Step Up 2 the Streets Sequel to the 2006 film "Step Up" about a privileged ballet dancer attending Baltimore's ultra-elite Maryland School of the Arts. Vitals: Director: Jon Chu. Stars: Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Will Kemp, Cassie Ventura, Adam G. Sevani, Telisha Shaw. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 97 min., Musical Romance, Box office gross: $58.006 million, Disney. 2 stars

  • Penelope A modern day romantic tale about a young woman, cursed with "the face of a pig," who must find true love to break the spell. Vitals: Director: Mark Palansky. Stars: Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, Catherine O'Hara, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, Richard E. Grant. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG, 104 min., Romance, Box office gross: $10.001 million, Summit Entertainment. 2 stars

July 22

  • 21 Based on Ben Mezrich's best-selling nonfiction book "Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions," about a group of young M.I.T. students who become experts in the art of card counting and go to Vegas to make a killing. Vitals: Director: Robert Luketic. Stars: Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth, Liza Lapira, Josh Gad, Jim Sturgess, Masi Oka, Sam Golzari 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 123s min., Drama, Box office gross: $80.434x million, Sony. 3 stars

July 29

  • Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Return of the slacker anti-heroes, Harold and Kumar, two stoners who can't seem to get a break. Their last adventure found them traveling across country to find a White Castle hamburger in order to satisfy a weed-induced case of "the munchies." This time, the boys get themselves in trouble trying to sneak a bong onboard a flight to Amsterdam. Now, being suspected of terrorism, they are forced to run from the law and try to find a way to prove their innocence. What follows is an irreverent journey of deep thoughts, deeper inhaling and a wild trip around the world. Vitals: Director: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg. Stars: John Cho, Kal Penn, Rob Corddry, Roger Bart, Neil Patrick Harris. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 100 min., Comedy, Box office gross: $34.098 million, New Line. 2 stars

  • Shine a Light Martin Scorsese's acclaimed look at The Rolling Stones. The Stones have been performing together for more than 40 years and have earned the title of "greatest rock band in the world" through talent, charisma and sheer staying power. Scorsese, one of the most respected directors in American cinema, pays tribute to the extraordinary phenomenon with this up-close-and-personal feature film that will enthrall rock-and-roll fans from every generation with its raw energy and startling immediacy. Features archival interviews with Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Charlie Watts, as well as electrifying guest performances by Christina Aguilera, Jack White and Buddy Guy. Vitals: Director:. Stars:. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 122 min., Documentary, Box office gross: $5.117million, Paramount. 3 stars

  • Band's Visit, The A small Egyptian Police band arrives in Israel to play to play at the opening of an Arab Cultural Center. Dressed in full regalia and observing all military police protocol, the band arrives at the airport with no one there to greet them. Stranded and unable able to contact their Israeli hosts or the Egyptian consulate for help, they ask for directions, but because of the language barrier, the Orchestra is sent to the outskirts of a small forgotten Israeli town in the desert. Stranded, the group spends the night with a group of Israeli townspeople. As the night progresses, cultural divides dissolve and the band makes its own impact on the town and the town on them. When the band leaves in the morning for their intended destination, it's clear that their unplanned detour was worth the trip. Winner of more than 35 international film awards. Vitals: Director: Eran Kolirin. Stars: Ronit Elkabetz, Sasson Gabai, Uri Gavriel, Imad Jabarin, Ahuva Keren, Rubi Moskovitz, Khalifa Natour, Hilla Sarjon, Eyad Sheety. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 87min., Drama, Box office gross: $2.918 million, Sony. 3 stars

  • Never Back Down Actioner set against the world of Mixed Martial Arts. A tough kid who leads with his fists, and, often, with his heart, Jake Tyler is the new kid in town with a troubled past. Jake was a star athlete on the football team at home, but in his new city he is an outsider with a reputation for being a quick-tempered brawler. Making an attempt to fit in, at the invitation of a flirtatious classmate Jake goes to a party where he is unwittingly pulled into a fight with a bully. While he is defeated and humiliated in the fight, a classmate introduces him to Jean Roqua, a mentor for kids in Mixed Martial Arts. Roqua takes Jake under his wing, teaching the boy that MMA is not street fighting, but rather an art form one masters. Now it's up to Jake to find the patience, discipline, willingness and reason within him to succeed. For Jake, there is much more at stake than mere victory. His decision will not just settle a score; it will define who he is. Vitals: Director: Jeff Wadlow. Stars: Djimon Hounsou, Sean Faris, Cam Gigandet, Amber Heard, Evan Peters, Wyatt Smith. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 110 min., Drama, Box office gross: $24.848 million, Summit Entertainment. 2 stars

  • Doomsday A lethal virus spreads throughout a major country and kills hundreds of thousands. To contain the newly identified Reaper, the authorities brutally quarantine the country as it succumbs to fear and chaos. The literal walling-off works for three decades -- until Reaper violently resurfaces in a major city. An elite group of specialists, including Eden Sinclair (Rhona Mitra), is urgently dispatched into the still-quarantined country to retrieve a cure by any means necessary. Shut off from the rest of the world, the unit must battle through a landscape that has become a waking nightmare. Vitals: Director: Neil Marshall. Stars: Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Alexander Siddig, Adrian Lester, Sean Pertwee, Darren Morfitt, Emma Cleasby, Chris Robson, MyAnna Buring, Nora-Jane Noone, Leslie Simpson, Craig Conway, Malcolm McDowell. 2008, CC, MPAA rating: R, 105 min., Sci Fi Horror, Box office gross: $11.050 million, Universal. 2 stars


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    All DVDs are screened on a reference system consisting of a Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers and Power 10 subwoofer.

January 2008 Releases
February 2008 Releases
March 2008 Releases
April 2008 Releases
May 2008 Releases
June 2008 Releases
August 2008 Releases




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June 29, 2008