Movie Info:
Writer: David Veloz, Jerry Stahl
Director: David Veloz
Cast: Ben Stiller, Maria Bello, Spencer Garrett, Owen Wilson, Elizabeth Hurley, Lourdes Benedicto, Fred Willard, Liz Torres, Charles Fleischer, Cheryl Ladd, Janeane Garofalo, Douglas Spain, Connie Nielsen, Jerry Stahl, Sandra Oh
Rating: R
Studio: Lionsgate

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 16, 1998
DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon

Who knew that Ben Stiller could handle a dramatic role? He’s an excellent comedian. He comes from a comedic family. The boy can act though and act well, at that. His portrayal of a recovering drug addict, with many moments set in flashback to his doped up days, make for an interesting movie. While the Permanent Midnight message might not have been as powerful with a lesser actor, it is Stiller who actually owns this movie and makes this dark comedy shine. Surprisingly good, this was one DVD release I’m quite glad I had the chance to review.

When you think Ben Stiller you think Meet the Parents/Fockers. You think loveable goofball. You don’t think intense, somewhat eccentric, heroin addicted writer. Yet, Ben Stiller pulls of the part admirably. I hadn’t heard much about Permanent Midnight. It seems that while Stiller received excessive praise from critics for this role, the film was ultimately brushed over and somewhat forgotten at the box office. That is until Lionsgate decided to release Permanent Midnight on DVD in 2008.

I grew up watching some of the shows that Jerry Stahl, the main character in Permanent Midnight, wrote for, back in the days when he had a $6000 a week drug habit. I hadn’t realized that Permanent Midnight was a true story until halfway through the movie, though I should have realized it because Mr. Chompers is a dead ringer (only blue) for Alf. While Jerry was making $5000 a week, his heroin habit was exceeding his paycheck, leaving him with nothing but a broken life and a major stint in rehab.

While Permanent Midnight isn’t nearly as good as other drug movies like The Basketball Diaries, Sweet Nothing, Trainspotting and even Candy, this film is able to hold its own. With a cast of familiar faces including the highly attractive Maria Bello and the hilarious Owen Wilson, who is surprisingly good as Jerry’s junkie friend, Nicky, there really isn’t all that much to complain about when it comes to the overall draw of this film.

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TV Show Info:
Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Tress MacNeille, Charles Adler, Joe Alaskey, Frank Welker, Don Messick, Cree Summer, Danny Cooksey, Kath Soucie, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen, Candi Milo
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 14, 1990-December 6, 1992
Box Set Season Air Dates: September 14, 1990-November 9, 1990
DVD Box Set Release Date: July 15, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $30.99, Wal-Mart for $30.86
Episodes: The first 35 episodes from Season One

They’re Tiny, They’re Toony,
They’re All a Little Loony,
And in this Cartoon-y,
They’re Invading your TV!

I was born in 1980. You have to know that I grew up with this show. It first aired when I was nine years old. The semi-sarcastic wit that made Looney Tunes a household name for generations before my own is ever present in this series. Why shouldn’t it be? Tiny Toon Adventures is a hilarious adaptation of that original formula. With some of the biggest names in voice talent, a production staff that includes the best from Warner Bros. Animation and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, and a show that even happens to carry Spielberg’s name (it was known as Steven Spielberg presents Tiny Toon Adventures in a formal setting) you’d be an idiot not to expect one entertaining cartoon.

What I liked the most about Tiny Toon Adventures was the repartee between the characters and the inclusion of the audience as an active member of the show, with characters actually talking to the screen. All of the characters have similarities to the original Looney Tunes regulars, yet the Tiny Toon cast all have their own distinct personalities and quirks. Sure, some of them are annoying, but together, they make up an ensemble that works as well together as the original Looney Tunes.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, Adolphe Menjou, Don Ameche, Herbert Marshall, Ruth Chatterton, Dorthy Lamour, Joan Fontaine, Anne Baxter, Gene Tierney, Ann Blyth, Michael Rennie, Dennis Price, Linda Darnell
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:Varies based on Movie
DVD Release Date: July 29, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon: $34.99, Walmart: $34.86

Classic movie buffs like to believe that Hollywood was set to a higher standard than it is today. In some ways that may be true, but you still see some rushed through productions and mismanaged celebrities. Sure, things seemed better back then but the grass always seems greener, doesn’t it? Still, there are celebrities that stand out from the pack in any generation. In the past, we have reviewed sets by class acts such as Barbara Stanwyck and Bette Davis. Now it’s time to look at Tyrone Power.

Funnily enough, the first time I ever heard the name Tyrone Power, was during the fabulous Bette Davis performance in All About Eve. It would be much later before I knew he was real and then later still until I had seen some of his work. From 1925 to 1959, Power starred in over 50 movies. Many people would consider him one of the most romantic leads of his time. Those who claim that would probably be right. Power had a very charismatic, old Hollywood charm about him that is sadly lost from today’s talented brood. Still, in sets like this you have a chance to look back and remember the most talented for what they did and the joy it brought people.

Power is part of an acting legacy that continued on with his children, but the acting bug in the Power family started with at least two Tyrones before him. When it comes to him specifically, he led a full life, known for not only his romantic word play, but the swordplay that came with his swashbuckling roles. He served in WWII as a pilot and eventually made his way onto the cover of a Beatles album (Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band). In 1959, Power had a heart attack while shooting, Solomon and Sheba and died. His legacy lives on to this day in all of his films and the sets they’re made available in, such as The Tyrone Power Matinee Idol Collection .

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away two copies of The Doors in Blu-Ray. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of August 17, 2008, which means you have until August 16, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release
The acclaimed bio-pic of the seminal 1960s rock group, The Doors, debuts on Blu-ray Disc this August. Directed by three-time Academy Award® winner Oliver Stone (Platoon, The Hand), and featuring an all-star cast including Val Kilmer (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Golden Globe® nominee Meg Ryan (You’ve Got Mail), Golden Globe® winner and Emmy® nominee Kyle MacLachlan (TV’s “Twin Peaks“), Emmy® nominee Kevin Dillon (HBO’s “Entourage”) and Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs, Tooth and Nail), the film provides an in-depth look at the legendary music outlaw who rocked America’s consciousness forever. Presented in 1080P High Definition 16 x 9 Widescreen and 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio, the disc also features audio commentary with director Oliver Stone, deleted scenes and featurettes.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away three copies of Smart People on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of August 19, 2008, which means you have until August 18, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release
Smart People stars Golden Globe® nominee Dennis Quaid (Vantage Point, In Good Company) as Professor Lawrence Wetherhold, four- time Golden Globe® winner Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex in the City, Failure To Launch) as Wetherhold’s former student and love interest, Academy Award® nominee Ellen Page (Juno, X Men: The Last Stand) as Wetherhold’s acid-tongued teenaged daughter and Academy Award® nominee Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Spanglish) as his amusing under achieving brother.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away three copies of South Park: The Complete Eleventh Season on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of August 18, 2008, which means you have until August 17, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release
All fourteen uncensored episodes from South Park’s eleventh season are now available in this exclusive three-disc collector’s set. Join the boys as they attempt to rescue Imaginationland from nuclear annihilation, discover the secret behind the Easter Bunny and get head lice. For them, it’s all part of growing up in South Park!

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of NCIS: The Fifth Season on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of August 27, 2008, which means you have until August 26, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it’s a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, formerly led this troupe of colorful personalities. Gibbs, a man of few words, only needs a look to explain it all.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of Perry Mason: the Third Season Volume One on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of August 16, 2008, which means you have until August 15, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release
Perry Mason is an attorney who specializes in defending seemingly indefensible cases. With the aid of his secretary Della Street and investigator Paul Drake, he often finds that by digging deeply into the facts, startling facts can be revealed. Often relying on his outstanding courtroom skills, he often tricks or traps people into unwittingly admitting their guilt.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of Belly in Blu-Ray. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of August 14, 2008, which means you have until August 13, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release
Belly, the visually inventive urban drama from acclaimed director Hype Williams (Mobb Deep: Life of the Infamous…The Videos), comes to Blu-ray Disc this August. Featuring an all-star hip-hop cast that includes Nas (Ticker), DMX (Cradle 2 the Grave), T-Boz (House Party 3) and Method Man (HBO’s “The Wire”), the film is about two childhood friends who stand on opposite sides of the law. Special features include audio commentary with director Hype Williams, a deleted scene, the “Grand Finale” music video and multiple spoken word featurettes. Belly will be available on Blu-ray Disc the same day that Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club arrives on DVD.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Peter Steinfeld, Allen Loeb
Director: Robert Luketic
Cast: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Laurence Fishburne, Jack McGee
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Sony Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: March 28, 2008
DVD Release Date: July 22, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon: $15.99, Wal-Mart: $15.86

When it comes to watching certain movies my requirements for interest are very small. 21 is one of those movies. Whenever I hear the name Kevin Spacey, I immediately perk up. I could pick any number of great movies where he has caught my attention, but ever since Se7en I have been watching his movies with an avid interest. Spacey always provides a stellar performance and he has a way of picking excellent movies to perform in. Finding out that this movie is based on a true story only seemed to make it more interesting.

I have to admit I did not recognize the names or the faces of such talent as Jim Sturgess (The Other Boleyn Girl, Across the Universe), Aaron Yoo (Disturbia), Liza Lapira (Cloverfield), or Jacob Pitts. Then there were stars like Kate Bosworth (Bee Season, Superman Returns) that had names I was familiar with, but was not sure why or how I knew of them. Needless to say, when you hear of a Spacey movie that is a true-ish story about a bunch of college kids that count cards and win millions of dollars at Las Vegas casinos, you can’t help but want to watch.

Let’s start with some obvious truths here. This is not going to be the best Kevin Spacey movie you have ever seen. Like his best roles, he plays an unlikeable person, but still it’s not one of his best movies. Good or great aside, Spacey has had numerous amazing roles and that means a lot of competition when his new work comes out. This is good, but it’s nothing like we have seen from him in the past.

Anything listed as “based” on a true story has taken some creative licenses to make it film worthy. Sure, this is an interesting topic, but it is about counting cards. Considering it is not an illegal practice, this wouldn’t make too much of an interesting movie if it were just about counting cards and being asked to leave the casino if the card counters got caught. The same thing that’s been said about movies concerning card counting can be said if this movie were just about some math nerds at MIT. These things alone just do not make a movie. This means that the need for subplots were necessary.

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