After a strong box office doctor who dvds run back in November

After a strong box office doctor who dvds run back in November, director Tony Scott's action-thriller "Unstoppable" is the most well-known movie to hit DVD this week followed by Woody Allen's latest, "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger." Also hitting the home market this week is acclaimed documentary "Waiting for Superman" and new Blu-ray editions of some older classics like "Network," "Last Tango in Paris" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." With stars Chris Pine and Denzel Washington, "Unstoppable" caught on with action-seeking audiences and marked a return to form for director Tony Scott. Scott's last release, "The Taking of Pelham 123," was both a commercial and artistic failure, though "Unstoppable" was one of the better reviewed action movies of 2010. "Unstoppable" went on to gross $167 million worldwide, with more eli stone dvds than half its total revenue coming outside of the U.S. Based loosely on true events, "Unstoppable" is a classic high concept action film about a runaway train and the two men trying desperately to stop a disaster. "Unstoppable" was the second successful action release of the year for Washington, whose "The Book of Eli" was well received critically and also caught on at the box office. Washington won't release another movie until he co-stars in action-thriller "Safe House," which isn't slated to hit theaters until February of 2012.
One person you never have to wait long for is Woody Allen, who continues to pump out a movie a year as both the writer and director. Allen's 2010 effort "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" was politely received critically entourage seasons but hardly had much of a theatrical release. But like most Allen films, it still made money overseas despite failing in the U.S.
With an all-star cast that includes Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins and Naomi Watts, "Dark Stranger" is another Allen film with a romantic theme and philosophical pondering. True to form, Allen is already done shooting his next film, "Midnight in Paris," which stars Adrien Brody, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard and Owen Wilson. "Midnight" should hit Paris in May, with a U.S. release to follow sometime in the summer.
Also hitting stores this week will be "Waiting for Superman," which gives audiences a close-up look at the U.S. education system. Directed by Davis Guggenheim, whose "An Inconvenient Truth" caused some political ruffling, "Waiting for Superman" was praised as another provocative documentary about a problem that most Americans don't want to look at. Like most documentaries, "Waiting for Superman" should have a wider audience to appeal to in the home market.
“Unstoppable”: Denzel Washington has worked several times with action-specialist director Tony Scot, and they reteam on this effective, fact-inspired thriller that puts fresh spins on a time-tested premise of a train that's out of control. Washington plays an experienced engineer who's training a newcomer when they become the only hope of stopping a chemical-laden locomotive hurtling toward a town and its populace. Rosario Dawson also stars.
“You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger”: Woody Allen doesn't appear in his latest writing-directing effort, but the themes are familiar to anyone who has followed his work. The comedy-drama focuses on two couples — one played by Naomi Watts friends complete dvd and Josh Brolin and the other, Watts' character's parents, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins and Gemma Jones — who reach crossroads in their respective marriages due to unexpected love interests. Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto and Anna Friel also help form the ensemble cast.
“Waiting for ‘Superman'”: Director and co-writer ghost whisperer season Davis Guggenheim's acclaimed documentary examines the state of the U.S. public education system as mirrored by the experiences of five youngsters who have run into hurdles in the pursuit of advancing their learning. The film shows not just what is but what could be, a fact that prompted much conversation about the ideas posed by Guggenheim and his collaborators. John Legend is featured on the soundtrack. DVD extras: three “making-of” documentaries; audio commentary by Guggenheim and producer Lesley Chilcott; deleted scenes; conversation with Guggenheim.
“The Fugitive: The Fourth and Final Season, Vol. 2”: Dr. Richard Kimble's quest to gilmore girls dvds clear himself of having killed his wife reaches his ultimate moment, as he finds the elusive one-armed man and has a tense showdown, as relentless pursuer Lt. Gerard watches. This ABC drama did much to cement the home-screen dynasty of executive producer Quinn Martin.
“Glorious 39”: The number refers to the year in which this drama, involving several key figures of World War II, unfolds. Romola Garai plays a rising actress who's part of a political British family and also an amateur sleuth, following the death of a dinner guest who didn't make very positive statements about world affairs of the time. As she probes deeper, she puts others and herself in danger. Bill Nighy, Julie Christie, Hugh Bonneville, Jeremy Northam, Eddie Redmayne and Christopher Lee are in the impressive cast. “Love at First Kill”: A too-close connection between a mother ghost whisperer dvds and son generates a potentially deadly situation for anyone who comes between them in this melodrama.