Holiday Shopping Arrives Early

With the world economy temporarily tanking, stock markets losing money, and DVD and Blu-ray sales facing increasingly strong inroads by streaming and downloading, it’s no wonder that the Christmas/Holiday season has started early. OnVideo has just begun to receive the first of what will be many holiday gift guides from the home video studios and, to partake in the joyous season, we’ve set aside an entire category for gift-giving offerings. We’ve added “Holiday Gift Guides” to our top menu bar and side nav bars so — at your convenience — you can scour the holiday offering from virtually every player in the industry. The season’s first offerings: The INDIEPIX MIX 10 DVD collection and Acorn’s Holiday Gift Sets For British TV Lovers. Stay tuned for more (and it’s not even Halloween yet):

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE THE GIFT OF INDIE FILM WITH a CURATED COLLECTION OF AWARD-WINNING gems from indiepix films INDIEPIX MIX 10 Street Date: October 13, 2015 DVD SRP: $59.95 Features Festival Classic Docs and Acclaimed Dramas such as All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, Artois the Goat, The Axe in the Attic, Jack Taylor of Beverly Hills, Echotone, Frontrunner and More PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This holiday season, give the gift of indie film with INDIEPIX MIX 10, a specially-curated collection of award-winning gems from leading arthouse distributor, IndiePix Films. Since 2004, IndiePix has scoured festivals the world over for the most memorable and compelling films across every genre, as well as the freshest and most original new voices in cinema. From Iranian artist Shirin Neshat’s feature-length debut, the Golden Lion-nominated WOMEN WITHOUT MEN and Paola Mendoza’s triumphant ENTRE NOS to Ondi Timoner’s Sundance Grand Jury -winning documentary, WE LIVE IN PUBLIC, IndiePix continues to carve out an innovative niche all its own by distributing some of the most lauded, creative and poignant films in the marketplace. INDIEPIX MIX 10, specially-priced at $59.95srp, offers an intriguing blend of drama, comedy and documentary. For doc aficionados, there’s a wide range of festival favorites – from the powerful THE AXE IN THE ATTIC, which focuses on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and called “one of the most challenging and unsettling American films of the year[1]” and JACK TAYLOR OF BEVERLY HILLS, a nostalgic and intimate look at the tailor to the stars which Vanity Fair called ‘fascinating” to ECHOTONE, a telescopic view into the lives of Austin’s vibrant young musicians, a New York Times Critics Pick and one of Paste Magazine’s Top Documentaries of 2011. For those with a dramatic bent, there’s ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS, an Official Selection of Sundance and SXSW and ARTOIS THE GOAT about one man’s quest to create the greatest goat cheese the world has even known, which The Austin Chronicle called “charming, slightly surreal, and hilarious”. The 10 DVDs featured in the INDIEPIX MIX 10 collection includes: ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS — This unique, atmospheric fable, an official selection of both Sundance and SXSW 2010, was the avant-garde feature-length debut of Califone’s talented front man Tim Rutili, who both wrote and directed. Rather than rattling old chains, the spirits in ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS play experimental music in the upstairs bedroom of a psychic adviser’s home. The ghosts came with the building, inherited by Zel (Angela Bettis, Girl, Interrupted, TV’s “Carrie”) from her mystic-minded grandmother, and now they want out in this mind-altering experimental movie which Paste Magazine called, “a little gem of a film…directed with a light, deft touch”. ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS Official Trailer ARTOIS THE GOAT — Foodies everywhere are sure to savor this “nutty, spry, altogether charming picture about love and artisanal cheese-making[2]” with festival favorite ARTOIS THE GOAT,a comedy invoking the passion of Chocolat, the humor of Amelie and the comedic precision of Wes Anderson. Delectable and perfectly aged, this surreal comedy from brothers Cliff and Kyle Bogart, follows hapless lab technician Virgil Gurdies’ and his epic quest to create nothing less than the greatest goat cheese the world has ever known to reclaim his girlfriend’s heart. Certain to be a feast for nearly all of the senses, the festival favorite captured the Gold Medal Jury Prize Winner at the Park City Film Music Festival for Brian Satterwhite’s original score. ARTOIS THE GOAT Official Trailer THE AXE IN THE ATTIC – Focusing on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, two filmmakers, drawn together by outrage, take a sixty-day roadtrip from New England to New Orleans. Along the way they meet evacuees and witness the loss, dignity, perseverance, and humor of people who have become exiles in their own country. The breakdown of trust between a government and its citizens, the influence of race, class, and gender – as well as the ethics of documentary filmmaking itself – form the backdrop for this universal story of the search for home, which has gone on to garner stellar reviews and impassioned reaction, including 3 stars from Roger Ebert who called it “shattering”. THE AXE IN THE ATTIC Official Trailer CANDYMAN — It’s time to spill the beans in CANDYMAN, a documentary recounting the amazing true story of David Klein, an eccentric candy inventor from LA who came up with the concept of Jelly Belly jellybeans. These colorful beans became a pop culture phenomenon, revolutionized the candy industry and were personally endorsed by Ronald Reagen. However, David’s eccentric personality and peculiar sense of business led him to leave Jelly Belly just as it was about to explode and grow into a billion dollar enterprise. Is there room for eccentric genius in the modern corporate world? The film tells how Klein may have lost his beans, but kept his soul. CANDYMAN Official Trailer THE DEVILLES – The non-fiction debut of director Danish director Nicole Nielsen Horanyi, THE DEVILLES is a verite glimpse into the lives of burlesque stripper Teri Lee Geary (aka Kitten DeVille) and her punk rock singer husband Shawn Geary who live in a self-imposed time bubble of romance caught somewhere between the 50’s and the 80’s: Teri looks like Marilyn Monroe and Shawn looks like The Clash’s Joe Strummer. The doc catches up with the couple after 25 years of passion, but suddenly at a time of crisis. Will their glamorous, consumed life survive? THE DEVILLES Official Trailer ECHOTONE – Internationally known as ‘The Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin’s music culture has led it to become one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. As nearly two dozen high-rises pop up throughout the city amidst economic downfall, how does the working musician get along? This lyrical documentary, called, “an aural symphony of civic dischord with sublime visuals[3]” and “the best (free) soundtrack we’ve ever seen[4]“, provides a telescopic view into the lives of Austin’s vibrant young musicians as they grapple with questions of artistic integrity, commercialism, experimentation, and the future of their beloved city. Directed by Nathan Christ and photographed by Robert Garza, ECHOTONE is a cultural portrait of the modern American city examined through the lyrics and lens of its creative class. ECHOTONE Official Trailer EVERGREEN – A teen-aged girl yearns to reinvent herself and find something she can be thankful for in the face of poverty in EVERGREEN, nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and marking Enid Zentelis’ feature film directorial debut. Set in the picturesque Pacific Northwest and starring Emmy®-award winning actress Mary Kay Place (Julie & Julia, “Big Love”), Oscar® nominee Bruce Davison (Longtime Companion, X-Men), Cara Seymour (Adaptation, Gangs of New York) and newcomer Abbie Land, the acclaimed festival favorite follows 14 year-old Henrietta, who longs for everything she doesn’t have, in a film The Boston Globe called, ” an.affecting slice of low-watt indie filmmaking that goes where few American movies bother: below the poverty line.” EVERGREEN Official Trailer FRONTRUNNER — The setting: Afghanistan’s first democratic election … ever. In the aftermath of 9/11, America’s military might has set the stage. But who will determine the fate of democracy in Afghanistan? Could it be Dr. Massouda Jalal, an idealistic politician and devoted mother of three who boldly defied the Taliban to offer hope to her war-torn nation? Find out in the poignant and surprising FRONTRUNNER from Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Virginia Williams. FRONTRUNNER Official Trailer JACK TAYLOR OF BEVERLY HILLS — Take a nostalgic and intimate look at an American icon and a dying breed in JACK TAYLOR OF BEVERLY HILLS. A good suit has many lives, and if a suit could talk it would tell the story of Taylor, who, for more than sixty years dressed the stars, including Cary Grant, Dean Martin, Sid Caesar, Frank Sinatra and even Elvis Presley. Through candid interviews and precious hours spent in Jack’s dynamic presence, the film is both the story of a fashion pioneer and a bittersweet portrayal of old Hollywood, detailing the demise of not only custom tailoring, but of an era. SHOOTING STARS[s] — In 10 years, Johnny Nunez went from sleeping in his car to being the world’s most famous hip-hop photographer. Now on the verge of becoming a celebrity himself, filmmakers Axel Ebermann and Daniel Frei have documented Nunez’s incredible journey in SHOOTING STAR[s], a real-life urban fairytale following the prominent Hip Hop celebrity photographer, profiled in The New York Times and described as “hip-hop’s Patrick McMullan”. The inspirational documentary portrays both Nunez’s glamorous life as he mingles with prominent figures such as Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton, Kanye West, Swizz Beats, Ne-Yo, Kimora Lee and Fabolous, and the remarkable journey of a man who defied poverty and racism, and used his wit, tenacity and faith to pursue his American Dream. SHOOTING STARS Official Trailer [1] Cinema Scope [2] Austin Chronicle [3] Chicago Tribune [4] Paste Magazine

ACORN’S HOLIDAY GIFT SETS FOR BRITISH TV LOVERS:

MYSTERIES, COMEDIES, DRAMAS AND DOCS

In time for the holidays, the leading British TV specialist features collections of

Foyle’s War, Doc Martin, Marple, Rebus, a real-life Game of Thrones doc,

Acorn TV gift subscriptions, and much more

Offering a treasure trove of gift possibilities for Anglophiles and lovers of British mysteries, dramas and comedies, leading British TV specialist Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand, features several value-priced DVD collections in time for the holidays. Acorn has something for everyone on your list. For mystery and period drama lovers, the bonus-packed Foyle’s War: The Complete Saga features all 28 mysteries of the universally loved detective series starring Michael Kitchen; Agatha Christie’s Marple: The Julia McKenzie Collection features the beloved spinster sleuth in all 11 feature-length episodes from Series 4-6; and Rebus: The Ken Scott Collection features 10 engrossing mysteries based on the bestselling books. For comedy lovers, the Acorn TV and public television sensation Doc Martin: Six Surly Seasons + The Movies features six complete series of “one of the funniest, most entertaining shows on television” (Sunday Express), plus two feature-length movies that inspired the series, and hours of bonus features.

Emmy-nominated Acorn TV, the premier streaming service for world-class television from Britain and beyond, is also available in a gift subscription for $49.99/year. Available at Acorn.TV and on a variety of devices, Acorn TV features exclusive U.S. Premieres of first-rate international content every week to watch anytime. Subscribers were the first to see the newest seasons of Foyle’s War, Doc Martin, Murdoch Mysteries, Harry, Midsomer Murders, George Gently, Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime, and A Place to Call Home, among many others.

Additionally, Acorn has several documentaries sure to please all documentary and history lovers on your list. Offering the real-life Game of Thrones, Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty exposes the real history of The Plantagenets through dramatic reenactments, historical documents, and masterful storytelling (DVD 2-disc set, $39.99). In World War One: The People’s Story, an outstanding cast of acclaimed British actors bring the First World War to life in this stirring new documentary (DVD 2-disc set, $39.99). Finally, meet the notorious art thefts who plundered artistic treasures, sending shock waves through the art scene and setting off frantic dragnets across the globe in Art of the Heist (Nov. 17, DVD 4-disc set, $59.99).

Acorn’s value-priced 2015 DVD collections:

• Foyle’s War: The Complete Saga (Nov. 10) – Called “Like a gift from the gods” and “The series ends on a perfect note” by The New York Times, the complete collection of the acclaimed detective series starring Michael Kitchen features all twenty-eight mysteries PLUS over 6 hours of bonus features including interviews making-of documentaries, and behind-the-scenes featurettes (DVD 29-Disc Set, $199.99).
• Doc Martin: Six Surly Seasons + The Movies (Dec. 8) – Follow Doc Martin through six complete series as he diagnoses a multitude of peculiar patients and hurts feelings even as he heals bodies. Also meet Doc Martin’s first incarnation in the two feature-length movies that inspired the series. Then get an inside look at the making of the show with the bonus Behind-the-Scenes Collection. Martin Clunes delivers a spectacular performance alongside an outstanding supporting cast including Caroline Catz and Emmy^® winner Eileen Atkins (DVD 16-Disc Set, $124.99). The newest season, Doc Martin, Series 7, is also available on Dec. 8 (2-disc, $39.99).
• Agatha Christie’s Marple: The Julia McKenzie Collection (Oct. 6) – Beloved by critics and audiences alike, this special collector’s edition of Series 4-6 stars fan favorite Julia McKenzie as Agatha Christie’s spinster-sleuth, Miss Marple (DVD 12-Disc Set, $99.99).
• Rebus: The Ken Scott Collection (Nov. 10) – Ken Scott (The Hobbit trilogy) stars as DI John Rebus in these adaptations of Ian Rankin’s award-winning crime novels. Featuring 10 engrossing mysteries, this collection guest stars Natalie Dormer, Julie Graham, Anna Chancellor, Joanne Froggatt, and Sam Heughan (DVD 5-Disc Set, $59.99).
• Other 2015 collections also available include:
  • Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Series 3 – Essie Davis stars in the universally adored Australian 1920s-set mystery series (Oct. 27, DVD/Blu-ray, $49.99).
  • A Place to Call Home, Seasons 1 and 2 – Marta Dusseldorp (Jack Irish) stars in the addictive 1950s-set period drama (DVD, $59.99 each).
  • Lovejoy: Complete Collection – Ian McShane stars as the beloved antiques dealer (21-disc, $199.99).
  • Case Histories Complete Collection – Jason Isaacs stars in the contemporary detective series (4-disc, $59.99).
  • Detectorists – BAFTA-Award winning comedy starring Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones (DVD Single, $34.99).
  • As well as the newest seasons of Murdoch Mysteries, George Gently, Vera, Midsomer Murders, New Tricks and new shows including The Driver, The Brokenwood Mysteries, The Code, Chasing Shadows, and Harry.