Surrogates

Between Dimensions [1] is a continuing feature that examines science-fiction on the screen in all of its forms: big or small, good or bad. The recent Bruce Willis film Surrogates reminded me of a French film called Chrysalis. Their shared idea – what makes up our identity – can play out many ways. (All the films based on Pkd stories are testament to that). My advice? Just skip Surrogates. Rent Chrysalis. Julien Leclercq has directed a smoothly styled film noir (more correctly, un very slick filme bleu-noire) of French cops searching for the abductors of young women who, as illegal aliens, are highly vulnerable to exploitation. Expertly threaded into this somewhat generic story is a dramatic neurological breakthrough. It gives the film its energy by spinning in and out of the basic cops and crooks with inventiveness and a lot of visual elan. The backbone of Chrysalis’ story is tough-minded cops doing their job in a futuristic Paris. »
- Curt

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Sony's Michael Jackson documentary "This Is It" is leading the worldwide box office, and I'm not surprised. The film delivered a strong debut overseas, scoring $68.5 million in 108 markets since its release Wednesday. That brings its worldwide total to $101 million.
Still going strong internationally was Pixar's animated adventure "Up," which dropped one spot and landed at No. 2 with a weekend gross of $12.8 million. The film's total gross currently stands at $352.7 million.
Meanwhile, Disney productions "Surrogates" and "G-Force" tied for third place with $6.1 million each. "Force" brought its international total to $148 million, while "Surrogates" with Bruce Willis reached a cumulative gross of $60.3 million. »
- Franck Tabouring

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Enough rumored Blu-ray Disc release date rumors have crossed my desk to warrant putting together this article so you can get an idea of what the coming months hold for the high-def home video format.
The first rumors suggests the sci-fi horror thriller Pandorum will make fast tracks to Blu-ray on December 22, followed by a devilishly hungry Megan Fox in Jennifer's Body on December 29. I tend to believe the latter is more plausible than the former but we should find out soon enough either way.
The new year should kick off in style with Sony's hit Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs looking to dominate the sales and rental charts upon release on January 5. Also possibly slotted for this date is the direct-to-video sequel Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins Ball.
January 12 is looking to debut the remake of Fame two weeks prior to the original arriving on Blu-ray. Also a possibility »

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