JAM Reviews The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Five from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Five Volumes and Five Reasons to Watch The Secret Life of the American Teenager
Review by JAM

Five volumes spanning two and a half seasons of drama, high school, and parenthood have now been released as The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume 5 has now been released for your perusal. And the drama has not stopped since this little ABC Family show started its surprise run of the drama of momma’s little girl and her surprise package. Since then the show has become the most watched ABC Family drama and in the upper echelon of cable dramas as the continuing drama of Amy Juergens’ (Shailene Woodley) life continues on alongside her crazed classmates as they continue on through their teenager years. Now for Five reasons to watch The Secret Life of the American Teenager!

Number 5

The drama – Teenage years, relationships, friendships, and ABC Family. Put them all together and you have DRAMA! For a show that may seem like a one trick pony (a pregnant teenager and her life), the show has added twists and turns throughout from the drama of Amy’s love life, her sister Ashley’s manipulations, the confusing aspect of who is dating whom, and the normal aspects that any high school teen gets to go through multiplied of course by the ABC Family modifications.

Number 4

Molly Ringwald – The one name that I recognized when the show first started, the loveable pixie from the classic 1980s movies Molly Ringwald who was attached to the project and gave me a reason to check it out at the beginning. As the mother of two daughters going through their issues in life while she is also going through issues in her own life, Molly shares a natural ability to help the viewer connect to her. It probably stems from the connection many of us have with the amazing movies of our past.

Number 3

Bristol Palin – No matter what your political leanings or your thoughts on the family overall, the casting of the most famous single teenage mother right now on a show that centers around a single teenage mother is a pretty good idea. In this day and age of “any publicity is good publicity”, this covers publicity from both the supporters and the non-supporters by getting them to talk about it nonstop. And whether it worked or not as a ratings boost, it definitely made mainstream media talk about the show which is exactly what networks would hope for.

Number 2

Francia Raisa – Adrian Lee has been an interesting character throughout the series, but Volume 5 (the beginning of Season Three) really makes things interesting. Pregnant from a revenge tryst that she believed would hurt those that had wronged her, though she later finds out that she had over reacted to an event that never happened. And so begins her journey through the joys of pregnancy and impending motherhood. Throw in the normal pitfalls of high school and the fact she is dealing with the same two boys that are in Amy’s life, things get a little complex and that’s what makes her interesting.

Number 1

High School – Let’s admit it. High school for some reason has some kind of magic over us all, just look at the television programs of the present and past for the influence that high school has upon us. Beverly Hills 90210 (whatever version), Glee, Saved by the Bell, Gossip Girl, and now Secret Life all deal with that wonderful age that we all remember and look back at, or are dealing with now and we feel good that the issues we have may actually look small in comparison. Either way, high school seems to have that mystique that draws us in and obviously hooks us since the series keep coming.

And now for a look into The Secret Life of the American Teenager press release…

The best-hidden secrets have a way of bubbling to the surface in the critically acclaimed series The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Five, coming to DVD on December 21, 2010 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Insightful, explosive and truthful, the award-winning ABC Family television drama examines the complex world facing today’s teens and their families, including teen parenthood, fractured homes and the mounting pressures of high school. Featuring the first 14 installments of the sizzling hit show’s third season plus interviews with the cast, including leading lady Shailene Woodley (Descendants), The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Five makes the perfect gift for any teenager or fan of riveting drama.

Since its debut in 2008, The Secret Life of the American Teenager has taken a heartfelt and uncompromising look at the romances, rivalries and achievements of a group of high school friends. Created by Brenda Hampton ("7th Heaven"), the show stars Shailene Woodley (The Descendents), Francia Raisa (The Cutting Edge: Fire and Ice), Ken Baumann (“Castle”), Teen Choice Award-winner Daren Kagasoff, Megan Park (Diary of the Dead), India Eisley (Head Space), Mark Derwin (“24”) and Molly Ringwald (Pretty in Pink).

The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Five has a suggested retail price of $39.99 (U.S.).
Bonus Features
• On Set with Director Anson Williams
• On Set Fist Bumps with Joey and Matthew
• On Set with Shailene
• On Set with Luke

Synopsis:
Adolescence is tough enough without having to worry about being a single parent. Teen mom Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley) juggles the dueling demands of her baby boy and high school in the hit ABC Family original drama, The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Facing crumbling family ties, life-defining decisions and shifting relationships, Amy and her friends confront the intensity and insecurities of adolescence with spirit and humor in a poignant portrait of modern life. Parents and teens alike will find heartening insights and hours of entertainment in this groundbreaking television series.

Take a look into The Secret Life of the American Teenager, you won’t be sorry you did.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager
STREET DATE: December 21, 2010
Total Run Time: 602 Minutes
Rated: TV-14 (DS/PG – Not recommended for young children)
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (1.78:1)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Languages: English SDH, Frenchand Spanish Subtitles


The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Five from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment makes its way onto shelves on DVD December 21, 2010. Grab a copy and sign along all night long!

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews 24: The Final Season from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

24: The Final Season (Season 8) – Blu-Ray : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

For eight seasons, Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has saved the United States from a variety of endgame scenarios, evil men bent on destruction, and infiltrated traitors. Well, Jack finally gets to rest as he completes his final mission in 24: The Final Season.

Assassinations and terrorist actions fill the season that finds the President of the United States Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones) working towards a treaty with President Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor) of the fictional country of the Islamic Republic of Kamistan. Nuclear weapons, stolen money, Russian influences and more plague Jack as he hurries to the completion of his day of action and his mission as the go-to guy in the CTU.

In honor of the eight seasons of Jack Bauer, and the numerical feeling that a show named 24 provides, we will now share the top 5 reasons to enjoy 24.

Number 5

Jack Bauer, The Undead – Seriously, Jack has got to be a pincushion by now with the number of times he has been shot, stabbed, blown up, and generally mistreated. So is he bionic or mystical, or what? The character is just able to get the job done, no matter the pain or obstacles in the way and that is something to aspire to. Without the gunshot wounds and the rest…

Number 4

The Day – 24 hours to complete a mission that involves craziness galore makes me say that I am glad I do not have Jack’s job. Plus, throw in the whole gunshots, explosions, torture, blackmail, and everything else that goes with his typical day and all of a sudden my job seems so commonplace, and yet so desirable.

Number 3

The Bad Guys – No hero would ever be as great as he is without the aid of some nasty, rotten scoundrels to face off against, and Season 8 works hard to not disappoint. Russian mobsters, fanatical terrorists, bad cops, bad agents, and a POTUS that is at least misguided all cause issues for Jack and the CTU in this final season.

Number 2

The Espionage – In a world where everyone is out for themselves, sometimes the betrayals and subterfuge is taken to such a high level during the twenty four hour periods we see. A terrorist plot to destroy a chance at peace with Kamistan turns into a race to try to stop an assassination which leads to Russian ties attempting to destabilize peace with a subplot involving a traitor and stolen cash from a police warehouse. Add in the betrayal of a brother and multiple lovers in a twenty four hour period and you have an espionage extravaganza.

Number 1

The Happy Ending? – You could say that Jack always wins in the end, but pyrrhic victories do not always leave you with that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Here at the end of his career, he has to walk away from everything, his career, his family, his country and the life he used to have. Yeah, the country is safe once again, but Jack Bauer lost everything in order to save everyone else.

And now for the 24 Final Season press release…

Catch the Riveting Finale of the Counter-Terrorism Unit When “24” Season 8 Hits Blu-Ray and DVD December 14th

Ultimate Fans Can Buy the “24” Complete Box Set DVD on December 14th

LOS ANGELES (December 10, 2010) – Counter-Terrorist Unit specialist Jack Bauer is out to beat the clock and save the day when “24” SEASON 8 hits Blu-Ray and DVD on December 14th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Nominated for five Emmy Awards®, this heart-pounding series conclusion to “24” leaves viewers on the edges of their seat with a dramatic and shocking finale!

Day 8 of the “24” saga is set in New York City, when a tired and jaded Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is drawn into an assassination threat during a peace-treaty conference between U.S. President Allison Taylor and President Omar Hassan of the fictional Islamic Republic of Kamistan. Bauer learns that Kamistani extremists intend to assassinate President Hassan and strike at America directly with the assistance of the Russian mob. In a suspenseful, real-time struggle, Jack Bauer must use his skills to infiltrate the plotting organization and prevent the start of a third world war!

“24” SEASON 8 features the return of Emmy Award®-winners Kiefer Sutherland (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, 2006) and Cherry Jones (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, 2009) and introduces a new all-star supporting cast with Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire), Mary Lynn Rajskub (Julie & Julia), Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), Annie Wersching (“General Hospital”), Mykelti Williamson (Forrest Gump), and Freddie Prinze, Jr. (Scooby-Doo).

Ultimate Jack Bauer fans can relive the entire series when the “24” COMPLETE BOX SET arrives on DVD on December 14th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Nominated for over 70 Emmy Awards® over eight seasons, the “24” COMPLETE BOX SET features exclusive never-before-seen bonus content only available in this special edition.

“24” SEASON 8 will be available on Blu-Ray for the suggested retail price of $69.99 U.S. Canada and on DVD for the suggested retail price of $59.98 U.S. 24” COMPLETE BOX SET will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $399.98 U.S.

24: The Final Season from Twentieth Century Fox explodes onto shelves on DVD and Blu-Ray on December 14, 2010. Grab a copy and join the action!

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews The A-Team from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

A-Team: Blu-Ray/Digital Copy Combo: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Framed for a crime they did not commit, an elite Army Ranger unit that specializes in the improbable takes on the impossible to attempt to clear their name. John “Hannibal” Smith (Liam Neeson), Templeton “Face” Peck (Bradley Cooper), Bosco Albert “B.A.” Baracus (Rampage Jackson), and H. M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Sharlto Copley) form the perfect team with brilliant strategic minds, infiltration skills, brawling methods, and a little bit of madness working together in perfect harmony, kind of. Breaking out to find the man who set them up and stole the means to print a whole lot of money, the A-Team finds themselves caught in a web of deceit that goes far further than any of them had thought. Aided/hindered by DCIS Lieutenant Sosa (Jessica Biel), Face’s ex-girlfriend, the team tries to put together the pieces of this investigation before being caught once more.

JAMS Ink on A-Team

I truly thought I would hate this movie. You see, I grew up on the television show during the 80s when fisticuffs and gunfire that never killed a human target ruled the airwaves. Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, George Peppard, and Dwight Schultz gave us a show about helping the weak and the less fortunate who needed a hand up or a bunch of explosions to make things better. Our times now are so focused on the dark and gritty, and the crazy special effects so I was worried much of the idea of the team would be lost in the movie.

The movie was darker and not as altruistic, but the team dynamic, the crazy plans, and the high flying action came through like crazy and I found myself laughing as “a plan came together”. The actors chosen for the characters came off really well throughout the movie as the ladies man Cooper had his chance to shine alongside the smooth planning, steps ahead Neeson.

Two of the previous actors made cameos which though short were fun to see for a true fan of the television series as Dirk comes out of a tanning booth and Dwight analyzes the shock treatment of his own replacement.

This was truly a fun, over-the-top action movie filled with characters that took me back to my past and allowed me to relive adventures with a team from the past.

EXTRAS

THE A-TEAM 2-Disc Blu-ray Special Features:
Disc One:
• Movie Theatrical Version
• Explosive Extended Cut
• The Devil is in the Details: Inside the Action with Joe Carnahan – Directors details and insights into action scenes from the movie.
• Never-before-seen Deleted Scenes – Six scenes for your perusal
• Gag Reel – One of my favorite parts of any Blu-Ray release, as long as it is worth my time. This one is pretty fun as the cast seems to be enjoying themselves here.
• A-Team Theme Mash-Up Montage
• Plan of Attack – Number of people sharing their thoughts on the film.
• Character Chronicles
o Liam Neeson
o Bradley Cooper
o Rampage Jackson
o Sharlto Copley
o Jessica Biel
• Visual Effects Commentary with Visual Effects Supervisor James E. Price
• Digital Copy “How To”
• BD-Live Extras
o What’s New
o Live Lookup

Disc Two:
• Digital Copy of THE A-TEAM Theatrical Release


A-Team from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment crashes through the shelves on December 14, 2010. Grab a copy and open fire on this fun, light-hearted action drama.

THE A-TEAM
Street Date: December 14, 2010
Screen Format: Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (BD)/ need DVD specs
French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital (BD)/need DVD specs
Subtitles: English for the deaf and hard of hearing, Spanish
Total Running Time: 248.90 minutes (BD)/ 164.2 minutes (DVD)
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

Natalia from HTZ Reviews The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Natalia from HollywoodTeenZine shares her thoughts on The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment which just hit stores on December 7, 2010. Check out her video and see what happens when dreams come true.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

Natalia and Kids With Food Allergies Are Trying to Help

Check out the main page of Kids With Food Allergies to see Natalia and her video for the website along with a chance to help make a difference in the lives of kids who need it. Just click on the website below to check it out.

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/

Or you can check out the video here on the blog as well

Natalia's Allergy PSA

Thank you again for your interest and your help.

JAM Reviews Cyrus from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Cyrus: Blu-Ray: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

A man truly down on his luck, upset by the fact that his ex-wife is remarrying has found the woman of his dreams that accepts him for all his quirks, faults, and strengths. But she has a secret, her son Cyrus.

John (John C. Reilly) and Molly (Marisa Tomei) really seem to hit it off in a way that neither of them expected but Molly keeps a side of herself hidden from John. A single mother to an adult son that is a bit different, Molly worries that it might scare John away. Cyrus (Jonah Hill) adds to the messed up mix-ups himself by playing the two lovebirds against themselves in order to get his mom back to himself. The manipulations grow larger by the minute as John and Cyrus play a game around Molly where the winner may never be the same and Molly may end up even worse.

Cyrus from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment also stars Catherine Keener as Jamie, John’s ex-wife who plays a part in his life still whether she always wants to or not.

JAMS Ink on Cyrus

I am not usually a “relationship” movie guy, and that is truly what the heart of this movie is. John (John C. Reilly) is a down on his luck guy that needs a break, something many of us need these days. And he finds a woman that is willing to give him that chance in Marisa Tomei’s Molly. She catches him urinating in the bushes during a party, listens to his depressive rant about how down he is, and then still dances and parties with him in his drunken stupor. They make an odd couple who strangely relate well to each other when paired together, but as any third wheel relationship movie (i.e. You, Me, and Depree) when the extra man is added everything goes to heck. The interplay between the three is actually interesting enough to keep watching the movie, but to be honest the best portions are in the interplay between Molly and John throughout the movie. Marisa and John prove their mettle in making the relationship truly realistic to the viewer.

Cyrus (Jonah Hill) is a momma’s boy to the utmost with interesting quirks and qualities that would definitely be overwhelming for anyone getting to know, let alone get to know his mom. His music making was an enjoyable part of the movie as well as an interesting look at a man-boy whose life was about to change and the lengths he would go to stop it. You almost feel sorry for his character except that you can see the actions coming from miles away and have no real desire to give him any sympathy.

The film overall was an interesting look at the realities of relationships, especially in the day and age of single parenting due to desire or circumstances. It also showed the speedbumps that we can face in any relationship and an introspective look at whether things are worth the hassle or not. I give it a recommendation if you are a fan of the major actors or the relationship issues within a trio of people.

EXTRAS

Deleted Scenes – These can either be played with or without the director introductions as to why the pieces were left out. One is a puppet show montage showing the John/Molly/Cyrus relationship through interpretive theater by John and finger puppets, while the other is a look at the destructive nature of the Cyrus move out as he travels a path of self-loathing and panic.

Q&A with the directors Jay and Mark Duplass – Just as it says, a chance to see the directors discuss anything that comes up.

Music Mash Up – This is a chance to see Jonah Hill and John C. Reilly goof aroundon a synthesizer as they talk about the movie.

Behind the Scenes at SXSW – The directors and stars of the film attend the Austin Texas film festival where the movie premiered.

Fox Movie Channel Presents In Character – John C Reilly and Jonah Hill discussing their characters and the movie.

Cyrus from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment meanders onto shelves on December 14, 2010. Grab a copy if you like John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, or Marisa Tomei, or if you just want to feel so much better about your own relationship or life.

CYRUS Blu-Ray:
Street Date: December 14, 2010
Screen Format: Widescreen
Audio: English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English and Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 157 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer: DVD: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and based on Sergio Bambarén’s novel, follows the journey of Daniel, a dolphin who dreams of a better life. Daniel lives in an environment where dreams have died and are forbidden and he yearns for something more.

In this day and age of PG-13 animation that tries to capture the minds of adults as well as children (hoping the jokes go over their head), Daniel is a welcome hero to kids and parents as well. Dreaming of a better world, Daniel goes out to find it rather than just waiting for things to change. And in the process of searching for answers, he actually becomes an inspiration to many and makes a better world by himself.

JAMS Ink on The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer

The animation is a little stilted, the message is a bit preachy, but overall the movie is a good kids’ movie with good lessons to learn. Always allowing yourself to dream and always being ready to pursue that dream are two lessons that every kid needs to learn, and Daniel learns that himself as he travels the ocean in search of the perfect wave. Along the way he meets many other ocean denizens who learn lessons from him, though he may not realize it at the time. And thank goodness he makes those friends, because they come in handy at the end.

The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer flips onto shelves on December 7, 2010. Swim along and grab a copy for your little flipper today.

THE DOLPHIN: STORY OF A DREAMER DVD:
Street Date: December 7, 2010
Screen Format: Fullscreen/Widescreen
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital
Spanish Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 103 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor from Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment

Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor: Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment
Review by JAM

Thomas finds that his special delivery is not as special as he thinks as the lion he carries is not alive but rather a statue. His excitement cause him to ignore what his friends try to tell him and lead to further issues down the tracks in the main story on Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor.

JAMS Ink on Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor

Listening. That’s really all you need to know about this collection of stories, because it is the most important lesson that comes off of this DVD and an excellent way for young children to learn from their animated friends. It definitely could be a godsend in the right household to help your kids learn that all of us have problems with listening now and then, not just them. And in watching others work on their listening skills it should in turn help them. That is what every parent hopes for, so grab a copy of Thomas and work on listening skills with them.

Episodes include:
“Lion of Sodor”
“Thomas and the Pigs”
“Time for a Story”
“Hiro Helps Out”

Bonus Features

Party Train Match Game
“Determination” Karaoke Song
Bonus Episode: Timmy Time™ Sneak Peek- “Timmy’s Plane”

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English Closed Captioned
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: 48 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Website: www.thomasandfriends.com

Thomas & Friends: The Lion of Sodor roars onto shelves on December 7, 2010. Quit “lion” around and grab a copy for your little cub today.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ's Natalia Reviews Toy Story 3 from Disney Pixar Studios

Hollywood Teen'Zine's Junior Reporter Natalia reviews Toy Story 3 on DVD. Check out this movie that is enjoyable for all ages and is voiced by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Ned Beatty! Check out the video here:

JAM Reviews Knight and Day from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Knight and Day: Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz star in an adventure/comedy of errors in Twentieth Century Fox’s Knight and Day. June Havens (Diaz) is on her way back home for her sister’s wedding with a plethora of car parts in her luggage (for her restoring business) when she is bumped into by the man of her dreams or at least he might be. Roy Miller (Tom Cruise) is a seemingly dashing and debonair man of mystery who conveniently bumps into June multiple times at the Wichita airport, leading June to believe fate has drawn them close. Instead it seems June has been drawn into the world of espionage, double crosses, and misinformation by Roy who may or may not be the man she wants in her life.

Crashing planes, car chases, and fire fights fill their time together as June begins to discover the truth behind the lies and finds out where the future lies. A futuristic battery that may hold the keys to ending the energy crisis of the future is the central point of a movie full of twists, turns, and explosions. Charged with treason or cruising down to Cape Horn, find out what the future holds for June and Roy.

JAMS Ink on Knight and Day

This really an oxymoron of a movie in that I enjoyed it, but I did not really enjoy the main actors as the characters they played in the film. I couldn’t tell if they were playing this movie as serious and making this movie a comedy by overacting or if they were playing things for laughs and just not connecting right.

Tom Cruise’s character comes off as either unlikeable or just overly smug with himself. A secret agent saving the world usually comes off extremely likeable and smooth like Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond or someone nasty you can trust like Daniel Craig’s Bond. Cruise comes off as a goofball or a psycho serial killer instead of a secret agent with a past which is what I think the character was supposed to be. So even as I found myself enjoying the movie overall I found myself questioning the character and determining that even if he was “saving the world” I really didn’t enjoy it. Maybe it is just Tom Cruise bias on my part but I really enjoyed his Mission Impossible series so I can buy him as the secret agent, but I just could not buy him as Roy Miller. In researching the movie after seeing it, I guess it had been in production limbo for quite some time with a variety of actors attached to it, all of whom can play the funny guy a bit better. Maybe that was the problem I had with him in that the part really did not ever seem to be under his control.

As for Cameron Diaz, my problem with her was during the “serious” parts. I loved her in Charlie’s Angels when she was pretty much goofy for the entire movies. In fact, almost any of her comedies I really enjoy and for parts of this movie I enjoyed her as well. But when she became the “I have to save Roy Miller” motorcycle-riding, gymnast, sharpshooter while escaping the bad guys, her facial expressions became funny to me. Rather than the hardened superstar, she looked constipated or grumpy, or maybe both. Once again, for the majority of the movie I was enjoying the typical Cameron comedic characterization, but I really think that assassins/superspy/tough girl characters are not her forte.

For my recommendation… If you are a fan of either actor, it can be a fun romp through the spy world at times, but it also has its moments that just feel wrong. An enjoyable watch, but far less than it could have been in my opinion.

EXTRAS

KNIGHT AND DAY 3-Disc Combo Pack Blu-ray with Digital Copy
Disc 1:
• BD Disc with Theatrical Version
• Wilder Knights and Crazier Days
• Boston Days and Spanish Knights
• Knight and “Someday”: Featuring the Black Eyed Peas and Tom Cruise
• Viral Video: Soccer
• Viral Video: Kick
• Knight and Day: Story
• Knight and Day: Scope
• Theatrical Trailer
• BD-Live Extras
 What’s New
 Live LookUp
 Exclusive: Not Your Regular Spy
 Highlight: Excerpt from Wilder Knights and Crazier Days

Disc 2:
• DVD with Theatrical Version
• Wilder Knights and Crazier Days
• Knight and “Someday”: Featuring the Black Eyed Peas and Tom Cruise
• Viral Video: Soccer
• Viral Video: Kick
• Theatrical Trailer

Disc 3:
• Digital Copy


Wilder Knights and Crazier Days – an interesting little featurette that mainly looks at a number of the stunts in the movie, and Tom Cruise wanting to do his own stunts.

Boston Days and Spanish Knights – locations, locations, locations… A look at the locales in which the film takes place.

Knight and “Someday” Featuring the Black Eyed Peas and Tom Cruise – Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and the Black Eyed Peas in London hanging together and premiering the end credit song “Someday”.

Viral Video: Soccer – Tom and Cameron playing soccer. Computer animated I am sure, because it is too perfect, too amazing, and too fake to be real.

Viral Video: Kick – Tom and Cameron working on Cameron’s kicks with the conveniently placed super kick that sends Tom flying backwards over a table. Not sure what purpose these videos served other than bugging me due to their fakeness. Wish they would have added some deleted scenes or outtakes instead.

Knight and Day: Story/Knight and Day: Scope – Both promos with interviews and film clips interspersed.

Knight and Day from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment finds its way onto store shelves on November 30, 2010. Grab a copy if you like Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, or enjoy a sometimes light-hearted attempt at a spy drama.

KNIGHT AND DAY
Street Date: November 30, 2010
Screen Format: Widescreen (2.40:1)
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (BD)/English 5.1 Dolby Digital (DVD)
Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital (BD)/Spanish and French Dolby Surround (DVD)
Subtitles: English for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, Spanish
Total Running Time: 2:56:00 (BD)/2:52:32 (DVD)
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews 12 Men of Christmas from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

12 Men of Christmas: DVD: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Kristin Chenoweth plays E.J. Baxter, a New York publicist who is living the perfect life with the great job, great apartment, and great fiancée until it all comes crashing down. Betrayed by those who she trusted most, she finds her opportunities in dwindling and a Montana getaway as her only chance to reestablish herself. Original feelings of disappointment, spite, and resentment start turning into something completely different as this small town life and its people start to grow on her. Josh Hopkins also stars as Will Albrecht, the pain in her side that stymies her every plan until he finds himself falling madly in pain with her. Pain as in love that feels so wrong…

Making a calendar to support the local search and rescue (and herself in the long run), E.J. begins to find herself and the life she always really wanted. The men of the search and rescue find their own challenges in standing up for something off the cuff.

JAMS Ink on 12 Men of Christmas

Cute little Lifetime movie with the cutest little actress Kristin Chenoweth playing a hateable/likeable character that finds a little piece of herself when she loses everything. The small town grows on the big city girl who finds herself falling for the town, the rough and tumble guy, and the life that she never knew she could have.

It is a Lifetime movie so don’t expect high powered drama or comedy but is a good movie to add to the Christmas time rotation. Heartfelt ideals of saving a small town search and rescue clash with the pushy side of New York life. It is a bit too much of a cookie cutter ending, but it was a fun movie evening with that special someone without too much commitment.

Anna Chlumsky has come a long way from being the little girl in My Girl to staying busy in Hollywood nowadays as well. It is interesting to see a blast from the past as an older version, except that it makes you feel that much older then.

12 Men of Christmas from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment slides onto shelves on November 23, 2010, waiting for you to graba copy for someone’s stocking. So grab a copy and let someone unwrap the fun inside.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Vampires Suck from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Vampires Suck: Blu-ray/Digital Copy Combo: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Taken from the pages of Twilight and turned into something else completely, Vampires Suck follows the story of the lost soul Becca Crane (Jenn Proske) and her ethereal Edward Sullen (Matt Lanter) in a love affair for the ages and the laughs. Much in the vein of the Scary Movie franchise, Vampire Sucks spoofs the story of the Twilight crew while maintaining pieces of the storyline from Twilight and Twilight: New Moon. And the DVD and Blu-ray Digital Copy Combo pack each come with the theatrical version of the movie and the unrated extended version.

From the wild pack of Were- Chihuahuas to the recast actress joke to Old Man Scully (David DeLuise) getting some unexpected shots in, Vampires Suck tries to keep the viewer guessing while spoofing an established phenomenon at the same time. It is an interesting spoof for Twilight fans that can laugh at the craziness and for Twilight haters that want to see the movies made fun of. So if you fit into those catagories (and it seems much of the world does) take a look at Vampires Suck.

JAMS Ink on Vampires Suck

For those who are not Twilight fans, Jenn Proske’s portrayal of Becca is spot-on in a manner of speaking. Bella in Twilight has the deep in thought stare, which is mildly amusing the first couple times Kristen Stewart uses it, but slightly less enjoyable after seeing Bella stare off yet again and again. Jenn spoofs it well, so that it is so over-the-top that it is fun to watch.

Matt Lanter’s Edward is interesting as well, as he has the over-the-top “I’m beautiful” look that Robert Pattinson perfected in Twilight. Throw in a scene on Becca’s intoxicating scent and the vampire’s sparkle/bling and you have a vampiric spoof. Add Chris Riggi as Jacob the Were- Chihuahua with a crazy hairy chest and you have the wolf side of the story as well. And finally, just a pinch of Diedrich Bader (one of my favorite actors from the Drew Carey show and Batman from the Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon) and you have a movie that is at least worth checking out. So give a watch and see what you think.

EXTRAS

Deleted Scenes - 5 scenes that really were worth being on the cutting room floor. Mexican Vampires is a modification of the Canadian invaders that the movie seems to focus on.

Gag Reel – Filled with outtakes and mess-ups, especially funny are the out of their control trains and planes that seem to invade a number of scenes.

Vampires Suck from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment stalks its way onto shelves, waiting for you to suck it up on November 30, 2010. Grab a copy and let the sparkly vampires guide your way.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.