On Demand Weekly

New Films on VOD for the Week of January 4

Public Enemies

It’s the 1930’s and notorious gangsters like John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd rule the cities, but the FBI is determined to stop them.  Directed by Michael Mann.  Johnny Depp, Christian Bale. R / 141 minutes / Available 01/06

The Final Destination

Share Your Favorite Films On New Movies On Demand Facebook App
Movies On Demand On Cable Facebook App Allows Movie Fans to Share Opinions And Win Prizes

Movies on Demand® On Cable has created “List It!” – a new application at facebook.com/moviesondemand. Movie fans can answer questions like, “What are your Top 5 Johnny Depp movies, romantic comedies and children’s fanasy?” The app allows you to share movie opinions with friends, compare with critics and also get a chance to win prizes.

Users are encouraged to create Top 5 lists inspired by a different Movies On Demand (MOD) new release each week. Each new list entry is automatically entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win daily prizes ($5 in Cable Cash good toward an MOD rental) and the grand prize of a 46” 3DTV. The app includes lists from critics such as Leonard Maltin, Matt Singer, Terra King and the On Demand Weekly (T. Tara Turk, Chris Claro, Cynthia Kane, etc.) team.

"On Demand Weekly is dedicated to reviewing and promoting the best movies on demand. 'List It!' is a great way for movie fans to engage with our critics on facebook,” Britt Bensen, Editor-in-Chief, On Demand Weekly.

Britt Bensen (On Demand Weekly)

“List It!” is a complement to the year-long 2011 MOD marketing campaign supported by the top U.S. cable companies and ten major movie studios. The MOD campaign features hit movie titles, many of which are available on MOD the same day as on DVD, reminding consumers that MOD is the simplest and best way to rent movies.

The MOD Facebook page and the new "List It!" app as well as the www.rentmoviesondemand.com website is created and managed by iN DEMAND, the nation's leading distributor of Movies On Demand to cable. The site is the central source for listings, reviews, orderings info and a personalized "WatchList." iN DEMAND also populates @moviesondemand on Twitter

Don't know what movie to watch on demand? Let On Demand Weekly help you browse through the New Movies On Demand (MOD) every week.

By Britt Bensen

Movies On Demand Premiering This Week (November 15, 2011)

- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
- LARRY CROWNE


PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES – Premieres November 15

While director of the first three PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN movies Gore Verbinski has moved onto more interesting projects (RANGO, THE LONE RANGER), Disney has turned the reins over to Rob Marshall who has been stumbling since the acclaimed musical CHICAGO.

They brought back Johnny Depp to reprise his role of Captain Jack Sparrow / Keith Richards. Let's be honest, there is no franchise without Depp / Sparrow. There are many faces from the first 3 installments you will recognize along with newcomers Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane. I kind of imagine this was made for fans of the series who have tired watching the first three so frequently and need new flavors to continue their interest in these rambuctious swashbuckers.
Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz
PG-13, Action

Available in 3D**

LARRY CROWNE – Premieres November 15

Has it been 15 years since Tom Hanks feature film directorial debut (THAT THING YOU DO)? When doing press, Hanks spoke of working on this script with friend Nia Vardalos over 5 years. Now I know what she's been doing since MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. It may be time to chalk MBFGW as a one hit wonder and put the romance writing pen down.


If a film is not a biopic, perhaps working on a screenplay for half a decade isn't advisable. Chances are it will not flow with the current issues. Even though the subplot of being laid off happens to dovetail during these woeful economic times. Let's see what device can we orchestrate for Hanks and Julia Roberts to meet and fall for each other? Community College where she teaches and he can win her over as an older, scooter-driving, student. Sweet intentions, but too implausible. Skip it unless you have a need for a Hanks / Roberts fix.
Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts
PG-13, Romantic Comedy

Same day as DVD, Weeks before Netflix and Redbox

*Title dates and availability may vary by system. HD not available in all systems.

More...

Week of October 25 (CAPTAIN AMERICA & WINNIE THE POOH)
Week of October 18 (Cameron Diaz's BAD TEACHER & Selena Gomez's MONTE CARLO)
Week of October 11 (THE TREE OF LIFE, HORRIBLE BOSSES, ZOOKEEPER, GREEN LANTERN)
Week of October 4 (AFRICAN CATS, FAST FIVE, SCREAM 4)

- Britt Bensen

Demand Weekly provides new movie reviews of hot movies and shows on demand from the POV of watching from the comfort of your home. Today’s review: Life's Too Short (HBO).

Life's Too Short
It's not the size that counts

By Jean Tait

I love Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. I thoroughly enjoyed “Idiot Abroad” and “Extras.” Knowing they were creating a show with similarly snarky dwarf actor, Warwick Davis (WILLOW, HARRY POTTER), and some brilliant famous face cameos, and

I knew I’d be getting deadpan Brit humor

at its best!

“Life’s Too Short” is a mockumentary a la “The Office,” and the subject matter is perfect for the genre. Answering the question, “What’s it like to be a (sort of) famous little person?” “Life’s Too Short” follows the day-to-day life and career of Warwick Davis. In order to push the humor, they downplay his most recent accomplishments in the dual roles of Griphook and Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter movies, to create the impression that he is now down on his luck since his success in the 1980’s of WILLOW and STAR WARS.

Ricky Gervais, Warwick Davis / LIFE'S TOO SHORT (HBO)

This Warwick Davis is a pint-size actor with enough ego and bombast for a Hulk-sized ham. His need for cash (he’s in the midst of a nasty divorce AND he owes back taxes) forces him to get into a number of uncomfortable situations, including being hired so Johnny Depp can observe him as a character study, and acting as a stand-in for a child actor playing opposite Helena Bonham Carter. Depp and Carter are fantastic, as they play “themselves.” Watching Depp meet up with Ricky Gervais (who famously dissed him at the 2011 Golden Globes) is pee-funny! Helena Bonham Carter is an hysterical mess as her discomfort with Davis gets harder and harder for her to hide in each successive take. The crew working to indulge her neuroses ends up putting Davis in a trash bin.

Ricky Gervais, Warwick Davis, Stephen Merchant / LIFE'S TOO SHORT (HBO)