Today is Tuesday which means new movies are out to rent and own! So what's new this week? Let's take a look.

I have not seen this one, but I hear the book series it's based on is really good. The movie features a ton of cameos, which should be fun to spot, if nothing else. In the film, someone has stolen Zues' lightning bolt, and our hero, Percy Jackson, is the prime suspect. Why? Because unbeknowst to him, he's the son of Poseidon. It's an adventure tale in the vein of Harry Potter, and should at least be good for a rent. (Blu-ray Review to come)

One of my favorite movies of this year! HTTM is a hilarious, if raunchy, comedy whose title says it all. Four guys (John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, & Clark Duke) get drunk in a hot tub, that just happens to be a time machine, and end up back in 80s, at a crucial time in all of their lives. Can they make it back to the present? Can they make their lives better? Will Clark Duke be born at all? Find out in this hilarious comedy which also features Chevy Chase and Crispin Glover. Both the DVD and Blu-ray feature deleted scenes, but the Blu-ray also comes with extra special features including features focusing on Chevy Chase and Crispin Glover. Worth buying if you love the new R-rated comedies. (Blu-ray Review to come)

Predator: Ultimate Hunter Edition
In anticipation of the new film Predators, Fox is releasing the original Predator film on Blu-ray for the 2nd time. The new packaging features special features, something not on the original Blu-ray release, and a supposedly much better transfer of the film. So if you already own the original Blu-ray release, it might be worth double dipping, but it feels like a big screw you to anyone who shelled out the cash the first time around.

I was bored one night a few months back and decided to go see this movie, I assume because I'd already seen everything else showing on the 4 screens here in town. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Timothy Olyphant does an amazing job as a small town sheriff who has to deal with his entire town turning into crazy, violent killers. The movie is suspenseful and thrilling and is definitely worth a rent, although if you like horror it might even be a good purchase.

Labels: Blu-Ray, DVD releases, new releases

Last week I stumbled onto a new website called GetGlue. The website is a dream for lovers of TV, Movies, Music, Books, Comics, and just about everything else. I spent several hours exploring the site and the brand new iPhone App and I wanted to get you "Glued In" (see what I did there?) too.

So what exactly is GetGlue? Well their press release says its a "an innovative social recommendation network for movies, books, and music." Which is a pretty accurate description. You sign-up (for free) and start "liking", "favoriting", or "disliking" all kinds of media, actors, topics, places, and more. After you spend some time telling the site what you like it will recommend other things you might like as well. Again looking to their release " The GetGlue website provides a recommendation stream based on personal tastes, what friends like, and what's most popular right now." Not only will the site recommend things to you, but others can recommend things they'd thing you will like as well.

You can also subscribe to your friends, or people with similar tastes, and the items that they like will appear on your personal homepage located at GetGlue.com. And finding friends couldn't be more simply as GetGlue connects easily to both Twitter and Facebook. And if you want your friends to know what you're doing, you simply "check-in" with GetGlue, which can also send your check in to your connected sites. Check-ins are similar to Tweets or Updates on FB, except you can Check-In to specific movies, books, topics, etc.

And if you really like a specific book, movie, topic, etc you can work your hardest to try and become the topics "Guru". Anyone can become a Guru after liking a topic. Guru status is awarded based on a point system based on comments and how much others like or agree with your comments. And unlike some other sites, Guru status also comes with superpowers of sorts! Once awarded Guru status you can revise content, recommend additional items, and win in-site giveaways!

One of my favorite parts of the site, and something that sets it apart from other sites is the ability to earn Stickers. Yes, some other sites let you win awards, but unlike those sites, GetGlue will actually send you the Stickers you earn! There are a ton of Stickers you can earn, some are easy and some are a bit harder, below you can check out a few:


And GetGlue is ahead of the game by already having a browser add-on and the aforementioned iPhone app. The browser add on works on hundreds of sites including IMDB, Wikipedia, and Amazon. As someone who frequently browses many of these sites, its nice having a way to add what I'm already looking at to my GetGlue profile.


The iPhone app makes things easy on the go as well. You can check-in, see what stickers you've acquired, see what your friends are up to, get weekly new releases and old favorites picked just for you, access existing reviews and ratings for over 20M movies, books, and albums, and take your recommendations with you wherever you go. You can see a video of the app below and you can download it here: GetGlue for the iPhone

Now that you know just what the site is why don't you check it out for yourself, or start by checking out my page.

Paul Scheer and Dave “Gruber” Allen join the cast of Party Down this week in episode 208, 'Joel Munt's Big Deal Party.’ Roman (Martin Starr) is less than thrilled when he discovers the party is being thrown by his 'sell-out' writing partner (guest star Paul Scheer) who hired him to rub his face in the sale of his new sci-fi script. Check out the hilarious (yet censored) preview clip:

The new episode airs this Friday, June 11 @10:00/9:00 central on Starz. And if the preview wasn't enough here's a few more clips here to whet your appetite: (Warning Not Censored!!!!)

• Sell out - Roman's (Martin Starr) old writing partner, Joel Munt (Paul Scheer), proves he is not a hack and is accompanied by the director A.F. Gordon Theodore (Dave “Gruber” Allen):


• Pride & Prejudice - Kyle (Ryan Hansen) blows his chance at a leading role opportunity with (guest star) by serving an odd-tasting glass of champagne; Lydia (Megan Mullally) believes she is speaking to Wesley Snipes:

White Collar, one of the best shows on TV, is hitting shelves on July 13, the same day Season Two premieres on USA. Check out the full details below.

CATCH USA NETWORK’S NEWEST HIT ORIGINAL SERIES

SEASON ONE

Available On Blu-ray Disc And DVD July 13
From Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Season Two Premieres On USA Network Same Day!

Playing cat and mouse for years, an unlikely partnership is formed between a con artist and an FBI agent in USA’s hit original series, “White Collar.” Matt Bomer plays Neal Caffrey, a charming criminal mastermind, who is finally caught by his nemesis, FBI Agent Peter Burke played by Tim DeKay. When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his long-lost love, Peter nabs him once again. Rather than returning to jail, Neal suggests an alternate plan: he’ll provide his criminal expertise to assist the Federal Agents in catching other elusive criminals. Initially wary, Peter quickly finds that Neal provides insight and intuition that can’t be found on the right side of the law. “White Collar” also stars Tiffani Thiessen (“Saved By The Bell”) and Willie Garson (Sex and the City) and Natalie Morales.

“White Collar” Season One Blu-ray Disc and DVD will arrive in stores on Tuesday, July 13 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Season Two premieres on USA Network at 9pm/8pm Central.

Follow the trail to exclusive extras including cast and writer commentary, a gag reel, deleted scenes and three behind the scenes featurettes, “White Collar” Season One will be available as a three-disc Blu-ray set and four-disc DVD set for the suggested retail prices of $69.99 U.S. / $89.99 Canada and $49.98 U.S. / $69.98 Canada respectively. Prebook is June 16.

Disc Specs: (Blu-ray Disc Catalog # 2267491) (DVD Catalog # 2267993)

Special Features:

Gag Reel
Deleted Scenes
Exclusive Featurettes:
○	“Pro and Con”
○	“A Cool Cat in the Hat”
○	“Nothing But the Truth”

If you didn't see Date Night in theaters you missed out on a hilarious film, at least my wife and I thought so. While I think the movie is great for most people, it is especially hilarious for married couples with kids, as there were numerous moments couples can relate to.

If you did miss it, you're in luck as it's coming to DVD and Blu-ray on August 10th, loaded with special features, including a gag reel and numerous extended and deleted scenes which are sure to be hilarious. Personally August 10th can't get here fast enough! Read the full press release below.

●	Gag reel
●	Extended Car Chase
●	Directing Off Camera
●	Date Night PSAs (three versions)
●	Directing 301 with Shawn Levy
●	Audio Commentary with Shawn Levy
●	Deleted Scenes
●	Extended Scenes
●	Disaster Dates with the Cast
●	Steve and Tina Camera Tests
●	Live Lookup
●	Digital Copy

●	Gag reel
●	Extended Car Chase
●	Directing Off Camera
●	Date Night PSAs (three versions)
●	Directing 301 with Shawn Levy
●	Audio Commentary with Shawn Levy

Over the years I've seen a lot of movies and TV. A LOT. Probably more than is healthy, but I don't care because I love it. And during this time I've picked up a lot of information, some of it very useful, and some not so much. So I thought I'd write up some things I've learned from the movies and TV. Up first Crossing the Street.

At a young age we're taught the "Never talk to strangers," "Don't pull your pants down in public," and "Look Both Ways Before Crossing The Street." Most of us eventually ignore number 1, because how would we ever make friends if we didn't talk to strangers. According to the internet lots of people ignore number 2, especially when drunk. But number 3 is just solid information. You always look both ways before crossing the street. And why do we look both ways? As a kid I thought it was to make sure no cars we're coming, but movies and television have taught me differently.

What movies and television have taught me is that every time you don't look before crossing the street, you will be hit by a bus. EVERY SINGLE TIME. No seriously, everytime. This happens because apparently the bus is magic. Want proof? Look below (Warning blood!)

Labels: Lessons Learned

This past spring ABC aired Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, a fascinating show that took world renowned chef Oliver to the "fattest city in America" to start a revolution. His goal was to change the way America eats, especially how food is prepared and served in our school systems.

The show opened my eyes to the horrible food schools are pumping into our kids, pizza for breakfast, frozen fried chicken and french fries thawed out for lunch, and sugar-filled flavor milk to drink. Even more amazing was the lunches the kids brought from home which were hardly any better than the school food, and consisted of fast food a lot.

In the course of a few months Oliver was able to get many of the towns people cooking quality meals from fresh ingredients and had many of the schools in the school district switching to fresh ingredients and better quality, and healthier options for the kids.

In short, the show was amazing. The passion Oliver has for the health of this nation, especially the kids is astonishing, and pulled at my heartstrings every week.

This Friday you can catch a re-airing of the Oprah episode featuring Oliver and series producer Ryan Seacrest. They talk to Oprah about how important the revolution is to them, as well as giving her a cooking lesson.

And with the Emmy Nominations coming early next month, I want to let you know that the series is up for consideration for an Outstanding Reality Series Emmy. In the past this award has gone to other series about changing lives such as Intervention and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I think the show stands up well against those series, and I think Oliver's goal is an even bigger and more ambitious one than either of those shows. For those reasons I'm hoping it is not only nominated, but wins.

You can check out a preview of the series below, and don't forget to check your local listings for the episode of Oprah, re-airing this Friday.

BURN NOTICE returns for its fourth season, Tonight at 9/8c (not 10/9c as I stated earlier) on USA Network. The #1 scripted series on cable stars Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell, and Sharon Gless. The action-packed season four commences with a new counterintelligence expert, Jesse Garcia, played by Coby Bell (“Third Watch”), who loves to fight bad guys just as much as Michael does. Follow Burn Notice on Facebook, Twitter and the Official Website.

TWO WINNERS will WIN a Burn Notice Prize Pack

-Season 3 DVD

-Water Guns

-Beach Ball

-Beach Towel

-Kiehls Skin Products

To win you must be a resident of US or Canada, at least 18 yrs of age, and you must come up with the best caption for the picture below. Simply send your name, address, and caption to thecinemaniac.com@gmail.com (or click Contact Me above) with the subject line "Burn Notice Caption Contest" The TWO best captions will win the prize packs and have their captions featured on this site. The total prize pack is valued at $125.

Over the past three seasons USA's Burn Notice has continued to evolve as a series. What started out as a MacGyver-ish, mostly episodic series, has evolved into a series with a long-series spanning mythology. For those of you just tuning in here's a quick recap:

Micheal Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) was an American spy until he was burned and stranded in his home town of Miami, with no money and nowhere to go. Weston reconnects with an old spy buddy, Sam (Bruce Campbell), an ex-flame/Irish gun nut, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), and his chain-smoking mother, Madeline (Sharon Gless). In each episode Weston and his team help out those who can't help themselves, whether it's a business man whose son has been kidnapped, an older woman whose been conned out of her life savings, or a kid whose gotten himself in trouble with a gang. Each episode is narrated by Weston, and he tells the audience how to use household items to make everything from explosives to tracking devices. Over the three seasons we've learned who burned Weston and met other spies who've been burned by "the company".

Last season ended with Weston being blamed for the terrorist activities of another burned spy who had gone crazy. But while Weston managed to take down the real terrorist he also ended up arrested himself, and the episode ended with him sitting in the middle of a mysterious office and his whereabouts unknown.

Tonight's first new episode of season four, 'Friends and Enemies', explains just where Weston ended up last season and introduces us to a new character, Robert Wisdom's Vaughn. Vaughn works for "the company" and asks Weston for help in taking down an unknown terrorist. Meanwhile, Sam and Fiona are back in Miami trying to protect an young attorney from a biker gang. And before the episode is over Weston, inadvertently puts another Agent in danger. Will Michael work for "the company" the burned him? Will there be a happy reunion for Michael and Fiona? Will Sam drink a beer? For the answers to all these questions you'll have to tune in tonight at 10/9c on USA.

You can see the preview for tonight's episode below and be sure to head back here tonight to read my full review of the episode.

Labels: Burn Notice, USA

USA NETWORK PRESENTS ROYAL PAINS SUMMER SHIRT EXCHANGE benefiting doctors without borders

EXCHANGE A GENTLY-USED SHIRT FOR A $50 LACOSTE GIFT CARD

The Hamptons' most dedicated Doctor-on-Demand is back for an all-new season of Royal Pains. To celebrate, USA Network and LACOSTE have teamed up to create the Summer Shirt Exchange.

FOR EVERY SHIRT COLLECTED, USA WILL DONATE $10 TO DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS.

THURSDAY JUNE 3 8AM-6PM

GREELEY SQUARE PARK 32ND AT 6TH AVE NYC

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open only to persons who are 18 as of 6/3/10. Open 8am ET to 6pm ET on 6/3/10. Gift cards only available while supplies last. Limit 1 gift card per person. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. Gift cards subject to restrictions specified by issuer. For every shirt donated on 6/3/10, USA Network will donate $10 dollars to Doctors Without Borders up to a maximum of $20,000.

There's really not much I can say about the new Jimmy Fallon song "Balls in Your Mouth" except to clarify that it's about Tar Balls in the Gulf. Enjoy!

As I mentioned last week, Life, the semi-sequel to Planet Earth, is out today on Blu-Ray and DVD. Last week I was sent a copy on Blu-Ray, and, like Planet Earth, the series looks fantastic in HD. Once again BBC brings us a look at the planet we call home, in a way never before seen. And like Planet Earth, the series gives us an in-depth look at animal and plant life, that wouldn't have been possible just a few years ago.

It is easy to see just how much time and effort went into this series as you watch. Some of the shots achieved clearly took time to just sit and capture, and so you can easily imagine the crews spending 3,000 total days shooting the series.

Some of my favorite shoots come from the look at sea life. While they show a myriad of different marine life, some of my favorite shots come from their looks at Whales and Sharks, two of the most magnificent beasts of the sea.

I could go on and on about how amazing this series looks, especially in HD, but I think it's easier just to post a few of the pictures below and let you see for yourself. All in all I would highly recommend this series, especially if you have Blu-Ray capabilities, as it is a great way to show off your HD to friends who don't understand the difference. It truly is amazing how beautiful this planet can be.

Labels: life