New on DVD & Blu-Ray: 'Elysium', 'The Lone Ranger', 'Kick-Ass 2'

Elysium: In a world where only the seriously wealthy get to live in Utopian-like society with health machines that cure everything from the common cold to cancer, it's not hard to wonder why the other half is angry and desperate to get the same thing. And when an accident befalls a factory worker and he only has days to live, he sets out to help himself and the remainder of the population that's left to suffer on Earth. The film stars Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, and Diego Luna. 

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The Lone Ranger: Gore Verbinski re-teams with Johnny Depp, this time playing the famous Tonto, to bring us the movie-version of the hit TV series of the same name. Train action, the Lone Ranger's horse Silver, and an adventure that's filled with humor are sprinkled throughout the film. Also starring Armie Hammer, Ruth Wilson, Helena Bonham Carter, William Fichtner, and Tom Wilkinson. 

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Kick-Ass 2: The sequel to the popular 2010 film brings back Kick-Ass and Hit Girl as they move on after Big Daddy's death and try to live normal lives only to realize that they really can't. Red Mist plots his revenge and Kick-Ass joins a crime-fighting team of misfits and do-gooders who are led by Colonel Stars and Stripes. The film stars Chloe Grace-Moretz, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Morris Chestnut, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Jim Carrey.

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Prisoners: What happens when two families are faced with the kidnappings of their daughters? They face anger, desperation, anguish, and are pushed into morally questionable actions in order to get back what they lost. A drama filled with great performances and a fantastic story. Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano. 

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Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters: Percy Jackson takes his next great adventure when he has to save his friend Grover from the Cyclops who's holding him hostage. With the help of Annabeth and his newly-discovered half-brother Tyson, Percy sets out to cross the sea of monsters. Starring Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Douglas Smith, and Brandon T. Jackson. 

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The Family: Robert De Niro plays a mobster who's had to go into the Witness Protection Program after ratting out a fellow mobster to the FBI. His family can't seem to keep the secret of their identity... well, a secret. So they move from place to place, finally landing them in the south of France. But the past always has a way of biting everyone in the ass. Also starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, and Diana Agron. 

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One Direction: This is Us: If you're a fan of the British pop group (or maybe your tween), then this movie is most definitely for you. It highlights the each of the five members' pasts, how they got into the music scene, and follows them through moments in their private and public lives. An extra bonus is the concert footage.  

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Ain't Them Bodies Saints: To protect his pregnant wife, Bob Muldoon is sentenced to four years of prison for a crime he didn't commit. He escapes prison before his sentence is over and teams up with a man named Will in order to find his wife and the daughter he's never met. The film stars Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Rami Malek, Ben Foster, and Keith Carradine. 

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The Sound of Music Live!: Millions of viewers tuned in to watch country music star Carrie Underwood fill the shoes of Julie Andrews in the stage musical of The Sound of Music. Originally a stage production, the beloved story of the Von Trapp family singers and their governess was filmed during a live production and is available to add to your stockings for Christmas! 

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Matt Damon Is a Cyborg In New 'Elysium' Clip

The most striking visual images we've seen thus far from Neill Blomkamp's Elysium have centered on Matt Damon, decked out in shabby electronics as some sort of low-budget cyborg. It's indicative of the decaying world in which his character, an ex-con named Max DeCosta, struggles to survive by any means necessary and using any tools necessary. The film has DeCosta looking to escape Earth and infiltrate the idyllic space station known as Elysium, where he can cure his cancer and save an ailing child. Previous clips have shown that Blomkamp hasn't lost his ability to balance intelligence with brawny action, and now we're getting yet another look at the anticipated sci-fi film.

The latest clip has Damon's character waking up in haze after being outfitted with a new exo-suit. He'll need it to break into Elysium while avoiding Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her secret police led by Kruger (Sharlto Copley), who want to keep him and all others from Earth out.

Elysium hits theaters on August 9th.

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Matt Damon Battles Droids in Awesome Clip from 'Elysium'

Just because Elyisum comes from the thoughtful mind of District 9 director Neill Blomkamp, and deals with some heavy topics, such as immigration and economic inequality, that doesn't mean it will be lacking in truly impressive action. The latest clip from the sci-fi film has Matt Damon as ex-con Max De Costa, as he attempts to muscle in on William Fichtner's character, only to face a heavily armed droid response. The slow motion explosions look great, and if anything this goes to prove what a well-rounded film this is going to be.

It's unclear how this scene ties in to De Costa's need to get on the space station Elysium and cure his terminal illness, so we'll have to wait until August 9th to see it in proper context. Check out the clip below....


Elysium with Matt Damon "The Heist" Clip by FanReviews

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First Clip and New Posters for Neill Blomkamp's 'Elysium'

Many are looking at The Wolverine as the last of the summer blockbusters, but is there perhaps room for one more? Neill Blomkamp's Elysium may not have the comic book pedigree or the mammoth budget to match, but it's big, bold, ambitious, gorgeously constructed, and charged with sociopolitical commentary. It's that last bit that may keep some moviegoers at bay, but for those looking for a film that is smart and thrilling, Elysium looks like the best way to go.

The first clip has been released, and it's a pretty good example why this film has a chance to be something special. In it we see Matt Damon as ex-con Max De Costa, expressing frustration as he's forced to negotiate with a robot about the extension of his parole. In less than a minute we see not only the complexities of Damon's character, who clearly isn't a saint but a man trying to be better, and some of the more ridiculous aspects of a heavily bureaucratic society.

Along with the clip there are also a handful of posters. The most dull of these is an official one that is so generic it could have been used for The Bourne Identity or Green Zone and nobody would bat an eye. The far superior Mondo poster features some slick hand drawn art, and give us a look at the characters played by Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley.  Elysium hits theaters on August 9th.

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First poster for Neill Blomkamp's 'Elysium'

Finally, the curtain is beginning to be lifted on Neill Blomkamp's next high-concept science fiction effort, Elysium. After months where nothing on the film was seen, a pair of images were recently released, and Sony debuted the trailer and ten minutes of footage to a select group of Los Angeles journalists. Based on the descriptions, it sounds like finished versions of the same footage shown at Comic-Con last year. A trailer will hit the web later, but for now we'll have to settle for the first poster.

Set in the year 2154, economic inequality has reached staggering new levels, with the wealthy living in the skies aboard a pristine, disease-free space station known as Elysium. Back on Earth, the poor struggle to survive on an overpopulated planet drained of its resources. Matt Damon plays Max De Costa, a regular guy who needs to get up to Elysium to save his own life, while Jodie Foster is Secretary Rhodes, who will stop at nothing to maintain the status quo.

Also starring Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, and Wagner Moura, Elysium opens on August 9th.

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Sony bumps 'Elysium' to August 2013; 'Robocop' slips to 2014

Hmmm...should we be worried? In the case of Neill Blomkamp's Elysium, his long awaited follow-up to District 9, we've seen and heard pretty much nothing since the incredible footage was revealed at this summer's San Diego Comic-Con. As impressive as it was, it clearly had a long way to go before completion as many of the biggest effects were unfinished. With reshoots still taking place, and a release date only five months away, Sony was forced to make a decision, and they've decided to bump it to August 9th 2013.

That release date sound familiar? It should, because it's the spot that up until now had been held for Jose Padilha's Robocop remake. Sony has decided to shift that film all the way to February 7th 2014, where it can race against Need for Speed, which just added Aaron Paul(Breaking Bad) as its star.

Neither of these are reason for concern, if you ask me. Elysium is a major sci-fi film that will only benefit from the expanded window. Not only can Blomkamp lock down the effects and really nail the feel he's aiming for, but Sony can now give it the proper marketing push to ensure success. Despite the cast which includes Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, and Sharlto Copley, we're still talking about an expensive project with no name recognition. Robocop probably would have had a tough time standing out in the midst of the summer blockbuster pack. Sony clearly has long-term goals in mind, and moving it to February where we've seen other genre films become big hits lately, is probably a wise move. [BoxOfficeMojo]

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Sure Shots: Elysium; Sarah Palin/Julianne Moore; The Hand Job

* A couple of quick notes about Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to District 9, the sci-fi flick Elysium. LatinoReview broke the news that Wagner Moura(Elite Squad 2) has signed on as a villain with a "crazy sense of humor". He'll be joining Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, and Sharlto Copley. Sony has also announced a March 8th 2013 release date.

* Ever since it was announced that Jay Roach would be directing Game Change, based on the controversial book about the 2008 Presidential campaign of John McCain, I've been wondering who would play his running mate turned professional victim, Sarah Palin. I guess it was too much to hope for Tina Fey, but I'll take Julianne Moore please! EW reports that the Boogie Nights super-actress(she's always awesome, I don't care what anyone says) will play the Vice Presidential nominee. I can't wait to see what approach she takes, since we've seen so many impersonations of her already. 

* Aubrey Plaza is going to be a star. Count on it. The hilarious comedienne was the best part of Judd Apatow's Funny People, and she had a few spot on moments in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Her first true starring vehicle is The Hand Job, which sees her playing a studious high school grad trying to get some sexual experience before college. The film was written by Bill Hader's wife, Maggie Carey, who also plans to direct. Hader just dropped some additional casting to The Playlist: Alia Shawkat(Amreeka), Donald Glover(Mystery Team), Andy Samberg(Hot Rod), Mae Whitman(Scott Pilgrim), and Connie Britton(Friday Night Lights) are all aboard. Count me in!

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