"Shakespeare Uncovered, Series 2" on DVD in February

PBS Distribution announced plans to release “SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED, SERIES 2” on DVD in February. Like the first series, the second installment of “Shakespeare Uncovered” combines history, biography, iconic performances, new analysis, and the personal passions of its celebrated hosts; Hugh Bonneville, Kim Cattrall, Joseph Fiennes, Morgan Freeman, David Harewood, and Christopher Plummer,  to tell the stories behind the stories of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

“SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED, SERIES 2” will be available on DVD February 3, 2015. The DVD has a run time of approximately 360 minutes on 2 discs and an SRP of $34.99.

The first season of this ambitious project explored “Macbeth,” the comedies “Twelfth Night” and “As You Like It,” “Richard II,” “Henry IV” and “Henry V,” “Hamlet” and “The Tempest,” and was met with wide acclaim in both the U.K. and U.S. The new season investigates “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “King Lear,” “Antony and Cleopatra,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” and “The Taming of the Shrew.”
 

Kenny G's "Brazilian Nights" CD Out Now

Kenny G has had one of the most eclectic and dominant careers the music business has ever seen. He's maintained a high level of creative excellence through decades of unprecedented commercial success by never allowing himself to stay in one place too long. That reputation for musical curiosity stays well intact on his fourteenth studio album Brazilian Nights, out now via Concord Records.

 "I've been in love with bossa nova my whole life," says the saxophonist in the album's liner notes. "I think the first song that 'won me over' was Cannonball Adderley's version of "Quiet Nights." And more recently I've been listening (non-stop!) to Stan Getz's album called Getz for Lovers. I think I've listened to that record almost every day for the past 5 years and it really was the inspiration in making this album. My goal was not only to make a bossa nova album that pays tribute to the "Masters" who I've been listening to (Cannonball Adderley, Paul Desmond and Stan Getz) but also to write and record original bossa novas that I hope can 'hold their own' in this distinguished company. I humbly say that I feel we've succeeded."

Death Cab for Cutie Announce March 31 "Kintsugi" Release

Atlantic recording group Death Cab for Cutie has announced an array of activity surrounding the release of their much-anticipated eighth studio album, “KINTSUGI” which arrives on March 31. 

 

“KINTSUGI” which follows their 2011 GRAMMY Award-nominated “CODES AND KEYS”, is heralded by today’s release of the album’s first single, “Black Sun.” Listen to “Black Sun” below from B&T.

 

“One of the most beloved live acts of the modern era, Death Cab for Cutie will introduce “Black Sun” to the world via a live performance on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, scheduled for this Thursday, January 29^th. This will be followed by a performance on CBS’ The Late Late Show on Friday, January 30^th.

NPR Premieres “The Eye” from Brandi Carlile’s ATO Debut Album“The Firewatcher’s Daughter”

NPR Music has recently premiered “The Eye”, a new track off of Brandi Carlile‘s upcoming album The Firewatcher’s Daughter, out March 3 on ATO Records. The album is Carlile’s first on ATO, and first on an indie label, order now from B&T.  Watch the video for “The Eye” below.

‘The Firewatcher’s Daughter’ was recorded almost entirely as first takes without any demoing and little rehearsal before gathering at Bear Creek Studio in Washington State.  The result is immediate and electrifying. “The Eye,” a song influenced by Crosby, Stills and Nash, is so intimate and hushed you can hear the quiver of Brandi’s voice in a flawless 3-part harmony.  Lead-off track and first single “Wherever Is Your Heart” captures a fiery intensity.

George Ezra's "Wanted on Voyage" Album Out Now

It's full speed ahead for breakout UK singer-songwriter George Ezra, whose Columbia Records USA album debut, Wanted on Voyage, is available in the USA today, January 27. The new CD is already basking in global success, earning double-platinum sales in the UK and multiple turns at the #1 slot, (charting Top 5 in 8 countries) with Ezra recently nominated for four prestigious Brit Awards, including Best Male Solo Artist and Best British Album.

The 21-year-old musician has been riding high on his catchy single "Budapest." The unique song spent several months in the upper tier of the UK charts, one of the most streamed songs of 2014, recently passing the 100 million stream milestone on Spotify.  First embraced stateside by multiple channels on Sirius XM, and quality indie radio, the song has soared at radio

The in-demand Ezra continues to gather steam generated by his tours across the United States. He is currently on tour with Grammy-nominated Sam Smith, and will join Grammy-nominated label-mate Hozier on his sold out run on March 2 in Toronto,

CNN's "THE SIXTIES" to DVD in February via PBS Distribution

PBS Distribution announced today it will be releasing “THE SIXTIES” on DVD. Executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman (HBO’s “John Adams” and “The Pacific”), and Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Herzog (History’s “Gettysburg”), “THE SIXTIES” explores the most turbulent decade of the modern era in America.  "The Sixties premiered on CNN in May 2014 and ran through August.

From the Cold War to the War in Vietnam, from the Space Race to the Long March to Freedom and Civil Rights, the events of the 1960’s were both dramatic and transformative.  The Beatles invaded America, Man landed on the Moon and the Women’s, Environmental, Conservative and Gay movements were all born.  It was a decade of assassinations and urban riots but also of Woodstock and Haight Ashbury.  Television sets were tuned to The Twilight Zone, The Andy Griffith Show and Rown and Martin’s Laugh-In while record players spun the songs of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys.  In its examination and portrayal of this most consequential time, this CNN Original Series reveals why it was truly “The Decade that Changed the World.”

“THE SIXTIES” will be available on DVD February 17, 2015. With a run time of approximately 511 minutes on 3 discs , it will have a  SRP of $69.99. Episodes included are listed below.

Noel Gallaher's High Flying Birds to Release "Chasing Yesterday" on March 3

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will release their second album entitled Chasing Yesterday on March 3, 2015 via Sour Mash Records. The album will be available on CD, Deluxe CD, vinyl, and and can be pre-ordered via Baker & Taylor.  Check out, below, the video for the albums single "In The Heat Of The Moment."

 

Chasing Yesterday marks a new chapter and sound for Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. It's the first album to be produced as well as written by Noel and features a much broader array of instrumentation than ever before; the result is a rich, expansive and multi-layered record, drawing from a range of disparate influences - from west coast rock to classic rock'n'roll and even some space jazz (!) - whilst still being very obviously a completely cohesive body of work.

DreamWorks Animation Announces New Strategic Plan

DreamWorks Animation has announced a new strategic plan to restructure its core feature animation business to ensure the consistent and profitable delivery of the high quality films that audiences have come to expect from the studio.  Following a full review of the business, the company will focus its feature production from three films per year down to two, maximize its creative talent and resources, reduce costs, and drive profitability.

Under the leadership of newly appointed Co-Presidents of Feature Animation Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria, the studio's core feature animation production will now focus on six specific movies for the next three years; one original film and one sequel each year. This will include Kung Fu Panda 3 (March 18, 2016), Trolls (Nov. 4, 2016), Boss Baby (Jan. 13, 2017), The Croods 2 (Dec. 22, 2017), Larrikins (Feb. 16, 2018) and How to Train Your Dragon 3 (June 29, 2018). Captain Underpants, which will be produced outside of the studio's pipeline at a significantly lower cost, is scheduled for release in 2017.  The company's 2015 release, Home, will premiere in theatres in the USA on March 27.

The Hunger Games : Mockingjay - Part 1 Announced for March DVD / Blu-Ray Release

The global film juggernaut The Hunger Games franchise continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 as it arrives on Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD (plus Digital) on March 6.

Mockingjay – Part 1 became the highest-grossing domestic release of 2014 reaching nearly $333.2 million at the domestic box office.  The last two installments of The Hunger Games franchise (Catching Fire and Mockingjay – Part 1) have become the highest-grossing releases at the domestic box office each of the past two years, the first time in decades that a studio has scored back-to-back #1 films of the year and the first time ever for back-to-back sequels.

Mockingjay – Part 1, has already grossed more than $700 million worldwide, bringing global box office for the franchise to over $2.2 billion. 

Glen Campbell - I'll Be Me Soundtrack News

Glen Campbell- I’ll Be Me Soundtrack

Music CD Street Date- February 17^th

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song

“I’m Not Going to Miss You”

 

UPC- 843930014866 (Physical)

See the trailer for the film below.

Video (if you haven’t taken a moment to watch the video please do – you won’t regret it)

Sound Of Music-50th Anniversary Music CD and Blu-Ray Announced

THE SOUND OF MUSIC – 50^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, a multi-format soundtrack release celebrating Rodgers & Hammerstein's 5-time Academy Award-winning movie musical in a newly re-mastered and expanded version, will be available every­where on March 10, 2015 through Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment and via Baker & Taylor.

As part of an extensive half-century celebration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC – 50^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION will feature previously unreleased orchestral cues from the Academy Award-winning score, and all vocal performances on one CD for the first time.  Led by Julie Andrews, whose work in the film earned her a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination, the soundtrack rings out with heart­warming, iconic standards.  From the title composition, "The Sound of Music," to "Sixteen Going on Seven­teen," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss," "So Long, Farewell," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," and of course, "My Favorite Things," The Sound Of Music is a treasure for all time.

In addition to the previously unreleased material, the new soundtrack will also include new introductory notes from Julie Andrews and Theodore S. Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein; and in-depth liner notes written by Laurence Malson, author of The Sound Of Music Companion.  The CD package will also include rare photographs and illustrations from the film.

St Vincent Announced for February Home Entertainment Release

Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company have announced the home entertainment release of Ted Melfi’s directorial and screenwriting debut, ST. VINCENT. The “charmingly warm and heartfelt” (Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times) comedy features an all-star cast that includes Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, Terrence Howard, and introducing Jaeden Lieberher.

The highly praised and popular film has garnered numerous accolades including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; alongside a nomination for Bill Murray, Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. Naomi Watts was recognized with a Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. The Critics’ Choice Awards honored the film with a Best Comedy nomination, alongside nominations for the cast including Bill Murray, Best Actor in a Comedy; Melissa McCarthy, Best Actress in a Comedy; and Jaden Lieberher, Best Young Actor. 

ST. VINCENT will be available on  Blu-Ray and DVD on February 17, 2015.  The DVD will have a SLP of $29.98 and $34.99 on Blu-Ray. Special features include deleted scenes from the film and a Q&A with the one and only Bill Murray, the patron saint of comedy.

Sony Classical to Release The 2015 New Year's Concert With The Vienna Philharmonic & Zubin Mehta

Sony Classical is pleased to announce the release of the recording of one of the world's most famous classical music events: the 2015 New Year's Concert with the Vienna Philharmonic. One of the most distinguished conductors of our time, Zubin Mehta, returns to direct the 2015 concert, having already done so four times previously. The CD will be released nationwide on January 20.  The DVD and Blu-Ray will be available on February 3, 2015.

The New Year's Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic is one of the world's longest-standing and most prestigious music events. In a history covering more than 70 years, many famous conductors have conducted the concert, and over 50 million people in more than 80 countries enjoy the live broadcasts on TV. In 2015 the concert will be directed by one of the most distinguished conductors, Zubin Mehta.

On New Year's Day, from the legendary venue of Vienna's flower-filled Musikverein, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra presents a heart-warming program drawn mainly from the waltzes and polkas of the Strauss dynasty – Johann father and son, as well as Josef and Eduard Strauss – and their contemporaries. The proven formula blends old favourites with less-known works that have never been performed before at the New Year´s Concert. In 2015 these traditions continue, but there is one significant break with the past: the programme, previously a closely guarded secret until a few days before the event, has already been announced.

This year works by the Strauss family, five of which are premieres at the New Year's Concert, are complemented by Franz von Suppé's overture "Morning, Midday, Evening in Vienna" and the "Champagne Gallop" by Hans Christian Lumbye. The works performed for the first time are the waltz "On the Elbe" and the "Student Polka" by Johann Strauss the Younger, his father's "Freedom March", and one polka each by Josef Strauss ("Viennese Life") and Eduard Strauss ("Where One Laughs and Lives"). The annual concert is inconceivable without two pieces that always number among the encores (not included in the list of tracks below): the "Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss the Younger, and his father's "Radetzky March". 

Theory of Everything Announces for DVD / Blu-Ray

Love, family, and genius powerfully combine as the brilliant astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking and his courageous wife Jane live extraordinary lives against all odds in The Theory of Everything, an inspiring love story coming to Blu-ray Combo Pack including Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet, and On Demand February 17, 2015 (rental release date March 17), from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Based on Jane Hawking's memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen and directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (Man on Wire), the acclaimed film is an unforgettable portrait of a singular marriage and the two exceptional souls who built it. The Theory of Everything is nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay (screenwriter, Anthony McCarten).

Set to the music of Johann Johannsson, Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner for Best Original Score, The Theory of Everything stars Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Eddie Redmayne and Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones. The duo have dazzled critics and audiences alike with their stunning portrayals of one of the world's greatest living minds and the woman who persevered for love. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking receives an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of—time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed.

2015 Oscar Nominations Announced

On February 22 we’ll learn who the big winners and losers of the 2015 Oscars race are. But first, we need to know which stars, filmmakers and films are in the running for the competition — and today, we have our answer.

Nominations for the 87th Academy Awards were announced this morning by “Star Trek” star Chris Pine, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams, and Oscar-winning “Gravity” director Alfonso Cuarón and as always, there were some expected results, and some serious snubs and surprises.   Meryl Streep extended her record with her 19th Oscar nomination for her Supporting Actress work in the musical Into the Woods. Robert Duvall, who turned 84 years old last week, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in The Judge. It’s his seventh career nomination, and he surpasses Hal Holbrook (Into the Wild) as the oldest male acting nominee in Oscar history. (Emmanuelle Riva was 85 when she was nominated for Amour.)

“Birdman” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” lead the pack with nine nominations each, with “The Imitation Game” is close behind with eight nominations. Both “American Sniper” and “Boyhood” received six nominations, with “Interstellar”, “The Theory of Everything” and “Whiplash” ringing up five nominations each.

Zac Brown Band Signs New Deal with Republic Records

John Varvatos Records, Big Machine Label Group, and Republic Records have announced a new strategic partnership with Zac Brown Band and Brown’s own Southern Ground Artists. This historic

announcement marks the first joint venture between the collection of companies and the debut artist and release for John Varvatos Records in their recently launched partnership with Republic Records.

John Varvatos Records founder and president John Varvatos and Big Machine Label Group founder and president Scott Borchetta made the announcement along with Southern Ground Artists founder Zac Brown and Republic Records founder and CEO Monte Lipman

“Southern Ground Artists together with John Varvatos Records, Big Machine Label Group, and Republic Records is the dream team for Zac Brown Band’s evolution,” said Zac Brown. “We’re excited to reach new music fans worldwide.”

Varvatos comments, “I’ve been a huge fan of Zac’s for many years and have followed his much-deserved ascension to a stadium artist. We came together through a vision of collaboration and a love of music. I’m excited to break the rules and barriers alongside him.”

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Announces February 17, 2015 DVD/Blu-Ray Street Date for "The Interview"

  

The most talked about film of 2014, The Interview, the political satire comedy film, directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg in their second directorial work, following This Is the End and screenplay by Dan Sterling and from a story by Rogen, Goldberg and Sterling is announced by SPHE for a February 2015 DVD & Blu-Ray release!  Rogen and Franco star as journalists instructed by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (played by Randall Park) after booking an interview with him for their celebrity tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight.  The Interview will be released on DVD & Blu-Ray on February 17, 2015, from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment at a special low price and will contain home entertainment exclusive special features!

 

BBC's "Doctor Who" Finishes 2014 With It's Highest TV Ratings Ever!

BBC AMERICA’s Doctor Who finishes the year with its highest rated season ever on BBC AMERICA, plus the annual Christmas Special delivered over 2.3 million Total Viewers and was the

#1 non-sports telecast in all of cable during the time period among Adults 25-54 in Live+3.
Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and guest star Nick Frost (The World’s End, Shaun of the Dead) strapped in for a dangerous sleigh ride through space and time in Doctor Who: Last Christmas, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Paul Wilmshurst.

The Christmas Day special delivered 2.312 million Total Viewers and 1.304 million A25-54 in Live+3. The special totaled 2.616 million Total Viewers in Live+3 – combining the 9:00pm premiere with the 11:45pm and 2:30am replays. The Twelfth Doctor’s first Christmas special more than doubled the viewership of the Eleventh Doctor’s first Christmas special, A Christmas Carol in 2010. BBC AMERICA was the #1 network on Twitter and Tumblr and Doctor Who: Last Christmas was the #1 show on both platforms in all of television in Primetime (excluding sports) on December 25. Doctor Who is pacing as one of Twitter’s top 10 most-tweeted original dramas in all of cable for 2014.

"The Theory of Everything" Named Best Picture in AARP's 2014 Movies for Grownups

The Theory of Everything, the biographical romantic drama depicting the physical and emotional journey of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, has earned the 2014 Movies for Grownups Best Picture award from the editors of AARP The Magazine. Celebrating 2014's standout filmmakers, actors, actresses and movies that bear unique relevance for the 50+ audience, AARP today announced the official winners of its 14^th Annual Movies for Grownups Awards.

Top honors go to Julianne Moore as "Best Actress" for her heartbreaking portrayal of a woman's battle with early onset Alzheimer's in Still Alice, and to Steve Carell as "Best Actor" for his chilling depiction as wannabe wrestling coach John E. du Pont in Foxcatcher. Rene Russo snags "Best Supporting Actress" for her comeback role in Nightcrawler; and J.K. Simmons earns the title of "Best Supporting Actor" for his menacing veracity in Whiplash. Additionally, Kevin Costner will also be presented with the esteemed Movies for Grownups^® Career Achievement Award. This year's award recipients will be celebrated at AARP's Annual Movies for Grownups Gala, to be held in Los Angeles on February 2, 2015 and hosted by comedian and actor John Leguizamo.

Dinosaur 13 Out Now on DVD & Blu-Ray

An incredible true story 66 million years in the making, Dinosaur 13 “is a tale of plucky, underdog success, ‘the stuff that dreams are made of,’” (McClatchy-Tribune News Service) and arrived on Blu-Ray and DVD  January 6^t from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The Dinosaur 13 Blu-ray and DVD features a new director’s cut of the film along with bonus material that includes deleted scenes plus numerous featurettes that provide more insight into the restoration and research completed on SUE along with a prior Larson excavation. The “awe-inspiring” (Variety) documentary will be available on Blu-ray and DVD for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and $19.98, respectively.

 

When renowned paleontologist Peter Larson and his team from the Black Hills Institute made the world’s greatest dinosaur discovery in 1990, they knew it was the find of a lifetime: the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found. But during a 10-year battle with the U.S. government, powerful museums, Native American tribes and competing paleontologists, they found themselves not only fighting to keep their dinosaur, but fighting for their freedom as well.

New CAILLOU DVD Release Out This Week

PBS Distribution released seven stories from PBS KIDS’ popular CAILLOU TV series on the new DVD “CAILLOU’S FURRY FRIENDS.”  From learning wild creatures are better in their natural habitat to helping return a lost dog to its owner, “CAILLOU’S FURRY FRIENDS” features heartfelt animal adventures the entire family will enjoy!

“CAILLOU’S FURRY FRIENDS” released on DVD January 6, 2015. The DVD run time is approximately 58 minutes and its SRP is $12.99. The DVD contains special features including coloring pages and activities.

Caillou is a 4-year-old boy who delights in the small wonders of the world around him, embellishing everything he sees with his rich imagination. Thanks to his vivid imagination, ordinary, everyday events quickly become exciting adventures in which Caillou can play “make-believe.” CAILLOU is designed for preschoolers and focuses on role-playing and “make-believe.” CAILLOU is produced by DHX Media. CAILLOU airs weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

NOW That's What I Call Music ! 53 and NOW That's What I Call Movies Announced

The world's best-selling, multi-artist album series, NOW That's What I Call Music!, is proud to announce all of the major hits selected for NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 53, to be released February 3. Also released that day is NOW That's What I Call Movies.

NOW That's What I Call Music! Vol. 53 features 16 major current chart hits from today's hottest artists, including Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, Meghan Trainor, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, Tove Lo, Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, Sam Smith, One Direction, Selena Gomez, Jason Derulo, Iggy Azalea feat. MO, Usher feat. Juicy J, Charli XCX, Mr. Probz, Calvin Harris feat. John Newman, and Coldplay, plus five up-and-coming "NOW What's Next" New Music Preview tracks.

The "NOW What's Next" bonus track program featured on each numeric NOW release continues to preview hot new artists with tomorrow's biggest hits. NOW 53 showcases up and coming tracks from Walk The Moon, Fancy Reagan, Zara Larsson, Danny Mercer, and Jack + Eliza.

Big Hero 6 on DVD/Blu-Ray February 24

From Walt Disney Animation Studios (“Frozen,” “Wreck-It Ralph”), Disney's “Big Hero 6” introduces you to a lovable robot who will change your world. Join Baymax (voice of Scott Adsit)    

and Hiro Hamada (voice of Ryan Potter) in a comic adventure that will make your heart soar as they learn about teamwork and becoming more than you thought you could be.

 

With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is an action-packed comedy adventure that introduces Baymax, a lovable, personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends — adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred — who transform into a band of unlikely heroes. Bring home Disney's “Big Hero 6,” featuring comic-book-style action and hilarious, unforgettable characters — it's fun for the whole family!

2CELLOS Announce "Celloverse" January 27 Album Release

2CELLOS, music's most electric and dynamic instrumental duo, release a new music video for "Wake Me Up" by Avicii.  View it below from B&T.  In the video, we see the 2CELLOS friendship grow over the course of three time periods; childhood, present day and old age (year 2069).  From the classroom to the retirement home, the guys never fail to shake things up and turn heads with their creative playing and edgy humor.

They return with their new album Celloverse (out via Portrait/Sony Music Masterworks) on January 27, 2015.  They then will head out on the USA leg of their world tour beginning in February.

Self-produced by Sulic and Hauser, Celloverse showcases 2CELLOS' unique ability to reinvent current and classic rock/pop songs, starting with "The Trooper Overture," a metal-meets-classical mash up of Iron Maiden's hit and Rossini's "William Tell Overture."  The album includes their take on AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" (the video has 31 million views), "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons and Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us."   Rounding out Celloverse is the Paul McCartney classic "Live and Let Die," with special guest Lang Lang and the title track, an original song penned and arranged by 2CELLOS.

2CELLOS are the first instrumentalists to be featured on Glee.  They have also appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show, and The Bachelor Live Wedding Special.  Their self-titled debut album and IN2ITION are available on Sony Music Masterworks from B&T.

Keanu Reeves Starrer, John Wick, on DVD/Blu-Ray on February 3

Action icon Keanu Reeves (47 Ronin, The Matrix trilogy) stars as John Wick, the ultimate hitman, in the heart-pounding revenge thriller John Wick, arriving on February 3, 2015 on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) from Summit
Entertainment, a LIONSGATE Company.

 

This certified Fresh by Rotten Tomatoes film was directed by Chad Stahelski and produced

by David Leitch, p.g.a., masters of Hollywood action, and written by Derek Kolstad, John Wick’s legendary cast also includes Michael Nyqvist (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), Alfie Allen (HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Atonement), Adrianne Palicki (TV’s “Friday Night Lights,” G.I. Joe: Retaliation), Bridget Moynahan (TV’s “Blue Bloods,” I, Robot) and Dean Winters (HBO’s “Oz,” TV’s “Rescue Me”), along with Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, HBO’s “Deadwood”), John Leguizamo (The Lincoln Lawyer, Gamer) and Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man trilogy, The Grand Budapest Hotel).

 

When sadistic young thugs senselessly attack John Wick – a brilliantly lethal ex-assassin – they have no idea that they’ve just awakened the boogeyman.  With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, Wick embarks on a merciless rampage, hunting down his adversaries with the skill and ruthlessness that made him an underworld legend. 

Video Rental Charts, Week Ending December 28

Top video lending (rental) titles for the week ending Dec 28, 2014; courtesy Rentrak;

PBS DISTRIBUTION ACQUIRES DVD RIGHTS TO EMMY AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S PROGRAM WORDWORLD

PBS Distribution, the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, announced the acquisition of all three seasons of the multi-award-WordWorld kids program.  The deal includes DVD rights for all 84 adventures of WordWorld.  PBS Distribution, which works with leading producers to distribute series such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Dinosaur Train, Peg + Cat, Arthur, Wild Kratts, and Caillou, is planning on releasing its first WordWorld DVD in 2015. 

WordWorld, which won the 2009 Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding children’s animated program, is designed to introduce, support, and foster literacy skills in children ages three to five. Young children are introduced to the colorful, vibrant world of words with the lovable, legible WordFriends – animals whose bodies are made up of the letters that spell the word they represent. In each story, the WordFriends go on adventures and face challenges that can only be resolved with the right word. That word is built letter by letter, sound by sound. Once the word is built it “morphs” to become the spelled item – C-A-K-E, becomes a cake!

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby to Arrive on DVD/Blu Ray on February 3

Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Company have announced the home entertainment release of Ned Benson’s emotionally thrilling film, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY on DVD and Blu-Ray on February 3, 2015. Both the DVD and Blu-Ray include bonus films, THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY: HIM and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY: HER, giving you the complete picture of the story as it was intended to be seen.

With his unique vision, writer/director Ned Benson ambitiously captures a complete picture of the highs and lows of a relationship in a beautifully relatable portrait of love, empathy and truth, told from differing HIM and HER perspectives. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY elicits riveting performances from an acclaimed cast led by Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy, and a richly talented supporting cast that includes Nina Arianda, two-time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis, Bill Hader, Ciarán Hinds, Isabelle Huppert, Academy Award® winner William Hurt and Jess Weixler.

Once happily married, Connor (McAvoy) and Eleanor (Chastain) suddenly find themselves as strangers longing to understand each other in the wake of tragedy. The film explores the couple’s story as they try to reclaim the life and love they once knew and pick up the pieces of a past that may be too far gone. “THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY is refreshingly honest, and reaffirms one meaningful, often forgettable constant — no one single human holds the answers to life’s greatest questions.” (Matt Donato, We Got This Covered). Benson’s latest version of their story combines his previous two films — titled HIM and HER — uniting their perspectives and taking a further look into the subjectivity of relationships.

Founding Genesis Member Mike Rutherford's "The Living Years" Memoir Releasing in the USA

The story of Genesis is a rock legend of how a humble schoolboy band grew into a group of global rock superstars.  And founding member, guitarist Mike Rutherford tells his story in "The Living Years. At its center stood Mike Rutherford, driving the music from pioneering progressive rock to chart-topping hits. Now for the first time, he tells the remarkable inside story of Genesis and his own band Mike + The Mechanics.

Against the rhythm of drink, drugs, and lineup changes, Mike’s father, a World War II naval officer, always stood in the background. He would watch Genesis grow, supporting them from the very beginning when they toured Britain in the back of a bread van. Through extreme highs and lows, loyal Captain Rutherford was always there, earplugs at the ready.

But when his father suddenly died, Mike was forced to reexamine their relationship and only then began to understand how much their lives had overlapped. The Living Years (out February 2015 via Thomas Dunne Presss) is a revealing memoir of the relationship between father and son and the story of how music, families, and friendship combine.  Rutherford was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010. He lives with his family in West Sussex, England.  And, Mike + The Mechanics are about to embark on a USA concert tour to promote the release of the deluxe edition of the classic Living Years album. Scheduled for release on February 10, to coincide with Mike + The Mechanics 2015 tour dates, the 25^th Anniversary 2xCD set includes the original studio album, along with a bonus disc of live recordings from 1989 Living Years UK tour and including the song The Living Years 2014 which has been re-recorded with the South African Isango Choir and Andrew Roachford on lead vocals.