the writing studio
d e v e l o p  t h e  w r i t e  a t t i t u d e

HOME ENTERTAINMENT - THE WORLD OF DVD

DVDs & Soundtracks are available exclusively at Musica Megastores now open at:
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town  (Tel: 021 425 6300/3)
Sandton City (Tel: 011 783 7710) Rosebank (Tel: 011 788 1087)
Gateway Shopping Centre, Umhlanga Rocks (Tel: 031 566 6222)
www.musica.co.za

***** MUST ADD TO COLLECTION   **** WELL WORTH IT  *** PURE ENTERTAINMENT  **  STRICTLY FOR FANS

FINAL DESTINATION ***
On what should have been a fun-filled day at the races, Nick O'Bannon (Bobby Campo) has a horrific premonition in which a bizarre sequence of events causes multiple race cars to crash, sending flaming debris into the stands, brutally killing his friends and causing the upper deck of the stands to collapse on him.  When he comes out of this grisly nightmare, Nick panics, persuading his girlfriend, Lori (Shantel VanSanten), and their friends, Janet (Haley Webb) and Hunt (Nick Zano), to leave…escaping seconds before Nick's frightening vision becomes a terrible reality.  Thinking they've cheated death, the group has a new lease on life, but unfortunately for Nick and Lori, it is only the beginning.  As his premonitions continue and the crash survivors begin to die one-by-one--in increasingly gruesome ways--Nick must figure out how to escape death once and for all before he, too, reaches his final destination. 
The film marks the latest in the highly popular "Final Destination" series, and its first 3D installment, giving horror fans an especially visceral thrill ride. "The Final Destination" is directed by David R. Ellis from a screenplay by Eric Bress.  The bonus features include additional deleted scenes.


COCO AVANT CHANEL ****
A little girl who is sent with her sister to an orphanage in the heart of France, who waits in vain every Sunday for her father to come for her… 
A cabaret performer with a weak voice who sings to an audience of drunken soldiers…A humble seamstress, who stitches hems at the back of a provincial tailor's shop…A young, skinny courtesan, to whom protector Etienne Balsan offers a safe haven, amongst the idle and decadent…  A woman in love who knows she will never be anyone's wife, refusing marriage even to Boy Capel, the man who returned her love…
A rebel who finds the conventions of her time oppressive, and instead dresses in her lovers' clothes… This is the story of Gabrielle Chanel (featuring a great performance by Audrey Tautou), who begins her life as a headstrong orphan, and through an extraordinary journey becomes the legendary couturier who embodied the modern woman and became a timeless symbol of success, freedom and style. 
Coco Avant Chanel is directed by Anne Fontaine (La Fille de Monaco/The Girl From Monaco) from a screenplay by Anne Fontaine and Camille Fontaine, with the collaboration of Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons), loosely based on L'irrégulière by Edmonde Charles-Roux.  The bonus features include commentary by Anne Fontaine; an an intimate look at bringing the story to the screen.  Go behind the scenes Read an interview with Fontaine   Read an interview with Audrey Tautou

THE UGLY TRUTH 
***
The battle of the sexes heats up in The Ugly Truth, a smart, sexy comedy about men, women and the giant abyss that stands between the ways we each think about, fantasize about and try to seduce the other. 
Katherine Heigl (
Knocked Up, "Grey's Anatomy") and Gerard Butler (300) throw sparks as two co-workers destined to despise one another.  She's out to find a sophisticated dream partner.  He's on a mission to tell women to get real and admit that men have just one thing on their minds.  But when he decides to help her get what she wants, they both learn something unexpected about how powerfully even the most defiant opposites attract.   
Abby Richter (Heigl) is an ambitious morning talk show producer on "A.M. Sacramento" who prides herself on being able to find an instant solution to any problem -
any problem that is except her own unhappily single status.  When it comes to dating, the always-in-control Abby has a flawless track record of failure. 
Then Abby meets Colin, her neighbor, and he's a single doctor! He's everything Mike Chadway isn't -suave, polite, not remotely into jello wrestling -- and this time, Abby doesn't want to blow it.  She hates to admit it, but she needs Mike's insight into the male mind to make the right moves.  Now, as Mike coaches Abby and Abby puts Mike's provocative seduction theories to the test, they are both about to discover an
ironic truth:  as different as we might be, men and women share some of our most secret feelings in common.  Go behind the scenes  Read interview with Gerard Butler

FAME  ***
The new, 2009 reinvention of
Fame takes its inspiration from Alan Parker's Oscar-winning 1980 film. 
Packed with explosive music and dance,
Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame...the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work.
In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, each student's passion will be put to the test.  As they strive for their moment in the spotlight, mentored by the best - and toughest - teachers, they'll discover who among them has the innate skills and necessary dedication to succeed.  With the love and support of their friends and fellow artists, they'll find out who amongst them has what it takes to achieve
Fame
Directed by Kevin Tancharoen from a screenplay by Allison Burnett, based on the motion picture
Fame written by Christopher Gore. Go behind the scenes of Fame

ORPHAN ****
Prepare yourself for a first rate psychological thriller with a deadly twist!
The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate's fragile psyche as she is plagued by nightmares and haunted by demons from her past. 
Struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, the couple decides to adopt another child.  At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl named Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman)…but Esther is not what she appears to be and, concerned for the safety of her family, Kate tries to get John and others to see past Esther's sweet facade.  But her warnings go unheeded until it may be too late…for everyone.
"Orphan" is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra ("House of Wax"), from a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson and a story by Alex Mace. 
Bonus features:  Additional; scenes including a chilling alternate ending.
Go behind the scenes of Orphan

VIRGIN TERRITORY ****
A refreshing celebration of life in all its beauty, puts a modern spin on Giovanni Boccaccio's classic work of Italian literature.
In the Fourteenth century, Florence was a city of pure delight, sumptuously prosperous; a city of art and culture where people of all ages celebrated life to its fullest. But, in 1346, life changed. The city was ravaged by a merciless plague known as 'The Black Death'.
Lorenzo de Lamberti (Hayden Christensen), an innocent and adventurous young blood, finds himself on the wrong side of wealthy Gerbino de la Ratta (Tim Roth). Murder is part of Gerbino's armoury and Lorenzo becomes his prime target. Lorenzo escapes from Florence and finds refuge working as a gardener in a convent.
Pampinea Anastagi (Mischa Barton) is the only daughter of a respected and wealthy family, who due to the Plague, suddenly finds herself alone. Gerbino de la Ratta, who has designs on both her body and her wealth, threatens to confiscate her home to pay off her father's debts - then offers to marry her as an escape route from her imminent financial ruin. Pampinea counters that she is in fact betrothed to be married to a Russian count, who is on his way to Florence from Novgorod.
Pampinea meets with friends and persuades them to travel to her family's villa in the countryside to witness her marriage to the Russian Count. The marriage will release her from Gerbino's unwanted attention and the threat of financial ruin.
As Pampinea's friends leave Florence and embark on a series of adventures of their own, Pampinea retreats to a convent to await her nuptials. From behind her nun's veil - and after a secret kiss - she falls in love with Lorenzo, who works in the gardens of her convent. Lorenzo also falls in love, but does not know who has delivered this precious kiss.
The story leads us to Pampinea's villa, where all is finally resolved in a celebration of love and life in all its glory. 
Writer/director David Leland´s modern interpretation of Giovanni Boccaccio´s classic work is a stimulating and erotic story of innocence, love, sex and lasting friendships. As these friends make their way through the Tuscan landscape, they discover life through the tragedy and danger they have left behind. It is a timeless tale, full of irreverence and humour and rich with passion and sexuality - with a unique vision and dramatic style of its own.
Go behind the scenes of Virgin Territory

FIRED UP ****
Shawn (Nicholas D'Agosto) and Nick (Eric Christian Olsen) are top scorers on the Ford High School football team…both on and off the field.  As adept with a ball as they are with the ladies, they've conquered the school's hotties and are approaching girl boredom as they're faced with another scorching stint at summer football camp.  But then they overhear the girls talking about cheerleading camp, and Nick hatches a scheme for them to join up: instead of running around in the sweltering heat with a bunch of sweaty guys, they'll be awash in a sea of gorgeous, athletic young women who can all do back flips and the splits.  At first their plan works like a dream - cheer camp becomes a blur of lips, lifts, and launches as the cheerleaders succumb to the guys' charms one after another.  But when it becomes clear that the addition of the guys has given their school's historically awful cheer squad a chance at success, the guys' participation becomes more than a lark.  And when Shawn actually falls for squad captain Carly (Sarah Roemer), who's been suspicious of their motives from the start, their real reason for attending camp becomes apparent and threatens to topple the squad's newfound success. The bonus features include commentary with director Will Gluck, Nicholas D'Agosto, and Eric Christian Olsen; a gag reel, and the uncensored version


CHANGELING *****
A masterful journey into the life of a woman who believed in hope, despite all odds. It is the shocking account of the horror that lay beneath the façade of picture-perfect suburbia and brilliantly explores a dark shadow of evil that corrupts the core of humanity. Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie in the story of one woman whose invincible spirit and refusal to surrender brought down a corrupt police department and ushered in a new era of dignity and equality under the law.  Read more

DOUBT ****
A must for theatrebuffs who would like to explore the interior world of John Patrick Shanley extraordinary stageplay. From the opening moments of John Patrick Shanley's DOUBT to its powerful conclusion, uncertainty hangs in the air, drawing the audience into a provocative mystery in which two nuns, a priest, and the mother of a young boy - as well as the audience itself -- are forced to confront their core beliefs as they struggle with judgment and verdict, conviction and doubt.  Read more

FAST & FURIOUS
**** 
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reteam for the ultimate chapter of the franchise built on speed -- "Fast & Furious." Heading back to the streets where it all began, they rejoin Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angeles and floor

ANGELS AND DEMONS 
***** 
The team behind the global phenomenon The Da Vinci Code returns with Tom Hanks reprising his role as Harvard religious expert Robert Langdon, who once again finds that forces with ancient roots are willing to stop at nothing, even murder, to advance their goals. When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati - the most powerful underground organization in history - he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church.
Based upon the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Bonus Features include "Writing Angels and Demons, and Angels and Demons The Full Story.
Go behind the scenes



DER BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX
***** Director Uli Edel (Last Exit to Brooklyn) presents a powerful exploration of the dramatic events that shook the democratic foundations of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1967 to the "German Autumn" of 1977 (winning an Oscar for Best Foreign Film).  Murderous bomb attacks, the threat of terrorism and the fear of  the  enemy  inside  are  rocking  the  very  foundations  of  the  still  fragile  German democracy. The  radicalised children of  the Nazi generation  led by Andreas Baader (Moritz  Bleibtreu),  Ulrike Meinhof  (Martina  Gedeck)  and Gudrun  Ensslin  (Johanna Wokalek) are  fighting  a  violent war  against what  they  perceive  as  the  new  face  of fascism:  American  imperialism  supported  by  the  German  establishment,  many  of whom  have  a  Nazi  past.  Their  aim  is  to  create  a  more  human  society  but  by employing inhuman means they not only spread terror and bloodshed, they also lose their own humanity. The man who understands them is also their hunter: the head of the German police  force Horst Herold  (Bruno Ganz). And while he succeeds  in his relentless pursuit of  the  young  terrorists, he  knows he's only dealing with  the  tip of the iceberg.  Produced and written by Bernd Eichinger (Perfume - Story of a Murderer, Downfall), adapted from Stefan Aust's  standard work on RAF  terrorism. Bonus Features: a B-roll featurette and film clips. Go behind the scenes


CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC ***  A sweet romance that offers frivolous, lighthearted entertainment.  Hugh Dancy plays Luke Brandon: ambitious and intensely driven, he is the workaholic young editor of a financial magazine. Isla Fisher stars as Rebecca Bloomwood, a journalist who works for him. Extravagant and frivolous, she is a compulsive shopper and ostensibly the two have nothing whatsoever in common. But sparks fly and these charismatic characters are inextricably - and drawn to each other. Read more Read an interview with Isla Fisher  Read an interview with Hugh Dancy

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD ****
Sam Mendes masterfully draws all passion out of the loveless marriage, powerfully exploring the dynamics that destroy an idyllic world. It poses a question that has been reverberating through modern relationships: can two people break away from the ordinary without breaking apart? Bonus Features: Commentary by director Sam Mendes and screenwriter Justin Haythe; 'Lives of Quiet Desperation' the making of the film; and deleted scenes. Go behind the scenes



THE BOAT THAT ROCKED *****
In 1966 -- arguably British pop music's finest era -- the BBC played only two hours of rock and roll every week. But pirate radio blasted rock and pop from the high seas 24 hours a day. And 25 million people -- more than half the population of Britain -- listened to these pirates every single day. In this fun ensemble comedy the romance takes place between the young people of the '60s and pop music. It's about a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz. Leading the cast are Philip Seymour Hoffman as The Count, a big, brash, American god of the airwaves; Bill Nighy as Quentin, the boss of Radio Rock -- a pirate radio station in the middle of the North Sea that's populated by an eclectic crew of rock and roll DJs; Rhys Ifans as Gavin, the greatest DJ in Britain who has just returned from his drug tour of America to reclaim his rightful position; Nick Frost as Dave, an ironic, intelligent and cruelly funny co-broadcaster; and Kenneth Branagh (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hamlet) as British Minister Dormandy, a fearsome government official out for blood against the drug takers and lawbreakers of a once-great nation. Bonus Features: Hilarious deleted scenes, commentary by Nick Frost, Chris O'Dowd, producer Hilary Bevan and writer-director Richard Curtis.



PASSENGERS ***** One of the most extraordinary love stories of the year. Make sure not to know too much before watching the film. It is one of those quiet films that will remain with you long after leaving the cinema. After a horrific plane crash, a young therapist, Claire Summers (Anne Hathaway), is assigned by her to counsel the flight's five remaining passengers and  determined to uncover the truth. She is drawn deeper into a conspiracy--and deeper into a relationship with Eric--that will soon collide in an explosive twist of fate. There are no bonus features. Go behind the scenes



17 AGAIN **** Mike O'Donnell was once the most popular guys in high school - handsome, charming, the star of the basketball team, with a college scholarship in his future and a lifetime of experience that baffles even his closest friends. That was then, this is now - or is it? Zac Efron and Matthew Perry star in the age-defying comedy "17 Again," in which a magical transformation finds Mike reliving his past in the present day as a 17-year-old in the same high school he attended 20 years ago. Bonus Features: Breaking character outtakes, Zach's Dance flashback, additional footage and the trailer.  Go behind the scenes

DUPLICITY *****
Oscar winner JULIA ROBERTS (
Charlie Wilson's War, Ocean's Eleven, Closer) and CLIVE OWEN (Inside Man, Sin City, Closer) join one another in the romantic caper Duplicity, from writer/director TONY GILROY (seven-time Oscar-nominated Michael Clayton). 
Roberts and Owen star as spies-turned-corporate operatives in the midst of a clandestine love affair.  When they find themselves on either side of an all-out corporate war, they discover the toughest part of the job is deciding how much to trust the one you love.
CIA officer Claire Stenwick (Roberts) and MI6 agent Ray Koval (Owen) have left the world of government intelligence behind for a scheme to cash in on a highly profitable cold war raging between two rival multinational corporations.  Their mission?  Secure for themselves the formula to a product that will bring a fortune to the company that patents it first.   
For their employers--industry titan Howard Tully (TOM WILKINSON,
Michael Clayton, television's John Adams) and buccaneer CEO Dick Garsik (PAUL GIAMATTI, Sideways, television's John Adams)--nothing is out of bounds.  When the stakes rise, no one knows who is playing whom, and the trickiest part for Claire and Ray becomes how they play each other.  As they each try to stay one double-cross ahead, two career loners find their plan endangered by the only thing they can't cheat their way out of: love.  The Bonus Features include an audio commentary with writer-director Tony Gilroy and editor John Gilroy.  Go behind the scenes  Read an interview with writer-director Tony Gilroy


STATE OF PLAY
****
This is the ultimate makeover: a two-hour movie, set in Washington that used to be a six-part BBC mini-series. Captivating and intriguing, a must see for discerning viewers. Oscar winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in an case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders. Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation's most promising political and corporate figures in "State of Play," from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald ("The Last King of Scotland"). The bonus features include deleted scenes. Go behind the scenes  Read an interview with director Kevin MacDonald


BACK TO MENU

HOME