(L to R) Hugh (BRUCE GREENWOOD), Jade (GABRIELLA WILDE), David (ALEX PETTYFER) and Anne (JOELY RICHARDSON) in “Endless Love”, the story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. ©Universal Pictures. CR: Quantrell D. Colbe.
By ANGELA DAWSON
Front Row Features
Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde star in the remake of the romantic drama “Endless Love.” Like the 1981 original that starred Brooke Shields and Mark Hewitt, this update, directed by Shana Feste, is about two star-crossed teenagers who fall truly, madly and deeply in love. Wilde (who also starred in a recent remake of “Carrie”) plays Jade, a beautiful, sheltered rich girl who, upon high school graduation, decides to defy her overly protective father (played by Bruce Greenwood, at his most fearsome), and embarks on a romantic summer interlude with David (Pettyfer, of “Magic Mike” fame), a charismatic and handsome boy from the other side of the tracks.
A secret from David’s past and Jade’s irate father threaten to crush the young couple’s budding relationship, but true love conquers all. Released theatrically earlier this year, “Endless Love” is available Tuesday, May 13 on digital HD. On Tuesday, May 27, the Blu-ray combo pack includes the DVD and digital HD with Ultraviolet along with the Blu-ray disc. Extras on the combo pack include an extended ending and deleted, extended and alternate scenes. There also is a making-of featurette of this beautifully shot romantic teen drama.
While waiting for “X-Men: Days of Future Past” to arrive in theaters, fans may want to check out “Theatreland,” a behind-the-scenes eight-part documentary series that looks at the goings on at a British theater as it gears up for the staging of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” starring Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen. The two-disc DVD set hits store shelves Tuesday, May 13.
The only superpowers these two veteran British actors exhibit in this fascinating documentary are their remarkable acting chops as they perform the challenging tragicomedy for 172 performances at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, one of the oldest theaters in London’s West End. Mounted in 2009, the production turned out to be the most successful ever staging of the 20th century author’s play about two bums waiting for a friend that (SPOILER ALERT) never shows up. Watch as Stewart (known as Professor X in the “X-Men” franchise) and McKellen (Magneto in the same series) rehearse and perform the famously challenging play. The documentary also reveals behind-the-scenes theater players, including a star-struck new usher, the theater’s artistic director, the stagehands, a father-and-daughter team of plumbers, and others as they collectively work to keep the 200-year-old theater humming along.
While the documentary offers no insight into the actors’ personal lives during the four-and-a-half month run, a truly moving moment happens when at the conclusion of the final performance, the camera lingers outside of McKellen’s dressing room where he can be heard weeping tears of joy over the standing ovation that he has just received on stage. It’s heartening to know that someone who has accomplished so much in his career can still be moved by the appreciation of an audience. Another heartwarming moment is when a veteran stage actor Gareth Williams serving as an understudy finally gets a chance to deliver the goods when Stewart can’t make a performance because of a throat infection.
The documentary continues on through the theater’s preparations for the next production, which is a first-ever staged adaptation of Truman Capote’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” starring Anna Friel of “Pushing Daisies” fame.
From the first read-through to the final curtain call, viewers will see what it’s like to be part of a theater production. Bonus features on the DVD include a 12-page viewers guide with a timeline of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, a look at the West End theater district, profiles of participants, an article on theater ghosts and fun facts about the production.
In anticipation of “Transformers: Age of Extinction” stomping into movie theaters this summer, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro Studios, has released “Transformers Energon: The Complete Series,” featuring all 51 episodes of the animated series collected in one deluxe 7-DVD box set.
Whether discovering the series for the first time or reliving a childhood memory, this collectible DVD set is a must-have for fans and collectors to complete their “Transformers” DVD library. Relive some of the most exciting classic action battles of the Autobots. “Transformers Energon” is the second part of the rare Unicron trilogy, which includes “Armada” and “Cybertron.” Heroic Optimus Prime, his legions of Autobots and their human friends are in search of the valuable substance Energon, which they find on Earth. But a mysterious force has discovered the Energon as well and will stop at nothing to gain control of it all. It’s up to the Autobots to save the fate of mankind and planet Earth from total destruction. Nearly 19 hours of Transformers action.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Costner takes on the role of international spy Ethan Runner in Relativity Media’s action drama “3 Days to Kill,” available Tuesday, May 20 in a Blu-ray Combo Pack.
Amber Heard (“Paranoia”) and Hailee Steinfeld (“True Grit”) also star in this heart-pounding action-thriller directed by McG and written by Luc Besson and Adi Hasak. Extras on the Combo Pack include both the original theatrical ending as well as an extended cut that has never been seen before, as well as a making-of featurette, “McG’s Method,” and more.
It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since audiences were introduced to the ultimate antihero Napoleon Dynamite. Complete with a tight ‘fro, sweet moon boots and skills that can’t be topped, this little indie film co-written and directed by Jared Hess, and starring little-known actor Jon Heder, this little film about an outsider high schooler who launches a campaign for his buddy Pedro for class president, became a breakout hit, and to this day has a cult following. “Napoleon Dynamite 10th Anniversary Edition” is available in a fuzzy, collectible, liger-furred Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, with a locker-full of special features, including commentaries by Hess, Heder and producer Jeremy Coon, a making-of the “Wedding of the Century” featurette, five deleted scenes and more.
