Terra Nova – The Complete Series

It is the year 2149, and humanity is in the final throes of extinction. Those fortunate enough to escape are allowed to travel back in time 85 million years to an outpost known as Terra Nova. For the Shannon family, it’s a chance to reunite and start over. But once there, they face giant, carnivorous dinosaurs, and mysterious forces conspire to destroy the entire experiment — and everyone involved in it!

JAMES “JIM” SHANNON (Jason O’Mara)

Husband to Elizabeth Shannon and devoted father of three, James Shannon breaks population control laws in the year 2149 and flees with his family to Terra Nova, a colony 85 million years in a parallel past.  A former detective of the Chicago Police he finds a natural place as a member of the Terra Nova security task force.  Extremely protective of his family, he risks everything to keep them all together and safe.

DR. ELIZABETH SHANNON (Shelley Conn)

Wife of Jim Shannon and mother of Josh, Maddy and Zoe she is a trauma surgeon both back in Chicago and in Terra Nova.  An extremely caring wife and mother, she is willing to sacrifice her career for her family.

JOSH SHANNON (Landon Liboiron)

The oldest child of Jim and Elizabeth Shannon, Josh resents his father for taking him away from his girlfriend in 2149 and forcing him to live in Terra Nova.  He struggles to adjust to life in the Terra Nova and is rebellious both against his parents and the rules of the colony, making life difficult for everyone involved.

MADDY SHANNON (Naomi Scott)

The middle child of Jim and Elizabeth Shannon, Maddy is extremely intelligent, emotional and endearingly awkward.  She looks at her new life in Terra Nova as a chance to reinvent herself and begins a romance with Mark Reynolds, a soldier in Terra Nova.

ZOE SHANNON  (Alana Mansour)

As the youngest child of Jim and Elizabeth Shannon, Zoe has lived most of her life in secret as her birth marked a breach in very strict population laws.  When her existence was discovered by the Chicago police, her father Jim was sent to prison.  Following her father’s escape from Prison, Zoe and Jim were reunited in Terra Nova.  As an illegal child she had to be smuggled to Terra Nova in a backpack.

Living with his Aunt May (Sally Field) and Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen), Peter spends his days trying to unravel the mystery of his own past and comes one step closer when he stumbles upon a mysterious briefcase belonging to his long lost father. After studying the papers inside, Peter learns that his father worked with fellow scientist Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans) at Oscorp Industries. Sneaking into Oscorp, Peter enters a lab where he is bitten by a genetically modified spider and soon discovers he has developed spider-like abilities.

Having left Oscorp in a hurry, Peter decides to visit one-armed Dr. Connors at his home, where he gives him the missing piece in Connors’ experiments on regenerating limbs, found in a secret compartment of the briefcase. In an act of desperation, Connors tries the newly developed formula on himself; his arm regenerates but starts to turn green and scaly, transforming him into a violent reptilian humanoid monster. Peter, as Spider-Man, must face Connor’s villainous alter ego, The Lizard, whilst coping with college life, dealing with school bully Eugene ‘Flash’ Thompson (Chris Zylka) and his feelings for Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

We have 3 DVD copies to give away of The Amazing Spider-man. To be in the running, all you have to do is:

1. Simply ‘Like Us’ on Facebook or ‘Follow’ us on Twitter! If you aren’t on Facebook or Twitter, then you can sign up to our Feedburner feed. (If you already subscribe to either, you don’t need to do so again). It’s not too much to ask is it?
2. Fill out the form below and tell us the names of any of the stars of The Amazing Spider-man! (Hint: The answer is in this post). It’s that easy. Please include your name, contact email and postal address so we can mail the prize to you as soon as possible!

[contact-form]

Important: You must answer all the questions to be eligible. To ensure people do not have an unfair advantage by entering multiple times, only 1 entry per person will be accepted. Every entry is looked at and if duplicate/suspicious entries are found you will automatically be disqualified. This competition is only open to residents of Australia and the winners are drawn randomly.

The competition closes Friday 16 November 2012, so make sure you get your entry in!

Privacy Note: The Reel Bits takes the privacy of its readers very seriously. Your email address will be not be used for any other purpose other than to enter the competition. Upon completion all email addresses will be deleted. If you do not wish to continue receiving the newsletter after the competition closes, you will be given the option to opt out.

Terms & Conditions

1. The Reel Bits and Warner take no responsibility for any delay, loss or damage to prizes sent to winners.
2. While all attempts are made to supply prizes at the completion of a competition, no responsibility will be held by The Reel Bits or Warner Films to supply prizes if for unseen circumstances they are not available.
3. Staff of this site and their immediate families are not eligible to participate in the competition.
4. You must be at least 15 years of age to enter this competition, or have parents or guardians permission.
5. No responsibility will be taken for any entries that may have been lost. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon.

Based on the hit Broadway musical and featuring the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Foreigner, Journey, Poison, REO Speedwagon, Twisted Sister and more, Rock of Ages is a love story that celebrates big dreams and loud drums. The TRIPLE PLAY pack features the extended edition, with over 13 additional minutes of more songs, more dancing and more laughs. From acclaimed director Adam Shankman (Hairspray), the hilarious and fun Rock of Ages follows small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

The musical comedy stars Julianne Hough (Burlesque) as Sherrie and actor/singer Diego Boneta in his feature film debut as Drew. Sharing the journey with Sherrie and Drew is an all-star cast including Russell Brand (Arthur, Get Him to the Greek), Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man), Academy Award winner Catherine Zeta-Jones (Chicago), Malin Akerman (The Proposal), R&B queen Mary J. Blige and multiple Emmy®-winner Bryan Cranston (TV’s Breaking Bad, The Lincoln Lawyer), with Academy Award® nominees Alec Baldwin (The Cooler) and Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol).

We have 5 Triple Play copies to give away of Rock of Ages. To be in the running, all you have to do is:

1. Simply ‘Like Us’ on Facebook or ‘Follow’ us on Twitter! If you aren’t on Facebook or Twitter, then you can sign up to our Feedburner feed. (If you already subscribe to either, you don’t need to do so again). It’s not too much to ask is it?
2. Fill out the form below and tell us the names of any of the stars of Rock of Ages! (Hint: The answer is in this post). It’s that easy. Please include your name, contact email and postal address so we can mail the prize to you as soon as possible!

Important: You must answer all the questions to be eligible. To ensure people do not have an unfair advantage by entering multiple times, only 1 entry per person will be accepted. Every entry is looked at and if duplicate/suspicious entries are found you will automatically be disqualified. This competition is only open to residents of Australia and the winners are drawn randomly.

The competition closes Friday 9 November 2012, so make sure you get your entry in!

Privacy Note: The Reel Bits takes the privacy of its readers very seriously. Your email address will be not be used for any other purpose other than to enter the competition. Upon completion all email addresses will be deleted. If you do not wish to continue receiving the newsletter after the competition closes, you will be given the option to opt out.

Terms & Conditions

1. The Reel Bits and Warner take no responsibility for any delay, loss or damage to prizes sent to winners.
2. While all attempts are made to supply prizes at the completion of a competition, no responsibility will be held by The Reel Bits or Warner Films to supply prizes if for unseen circumstances they are not available.
3. Staff of this site and their immediate families are not eligible to participate in the competition.
4. You must be at least 15 years of age to enter this competition, or have parents or guardians permission.
5. No responsibility will be taken for any entries that may have been lost. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon.

So, Fox has compiled a top list of the ‘need-to-know’ facts about Dollhouse: Season One. How many do you know already? Check out the list below to find out.

The set also comes with an exclusive comic book, Dollhouse: Epitaphs, from Dark Horse Comics.

Dollhouse: Season One

• Dollhouse was created by writer/director Joss Whedon, who directed The Avengers movie and created the TV series ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’

• The show stars Eliza Dushku, as Echo, who has starred in films such as True Lies, Bring it On and Wrong Turn

• The idea for the show came about when Eliza and Joss went for lunch

• The show is based on the idea of a corporation running several underground organisations (known as Dollhouses) which program individual people (Dolls) with temporary skills and personalities

• Brain hacking is the process through which Dolls are given their temporary skills/personalities. Each week the creators devise new methods for the characters to be brain hacked, treating them like machines that can be endlessly rewired

• After each scenario Echo returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings, experiences and knowledge are erased by Topher, the Dollhouse’s genius programmer

• During the show Echo takes on various personalities including; a backup singer, a midwife, and a hacker

• The character of Whiskey, played by Amy Acker, was the number one Doll until her face was scarred by Alpha, a rogue Active, so that Echo could take the top spot

• The theme tune to the show ‘What You Don’t Know’ that features in the opening and closing credits is from American folk rock singer Jonatha Brooke

• In 2010 Joss Whedon announced that he and Maurissa Tancaroen had written a comic book entitled ‘Dollhouse Epitaphs’

Dollhouse: The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-ray is available to buy from October 24, and you can order your copy now here.

Terra Nova – The Complete First Season

It is the year 2149, and humanity is in the final throes of extinction. Those fortunate enough to escape are allowed to travel back in time 85 million years to an outpost known as Terra Nova. For the Shannon family, it’s a chance to reunite and start over. But once there, they face giant, carnivorous dinosaurs, and mysterious forces conspire to destroy the entire experiment — and everyone involved in it!

The clip features a stand-off, and a dinosaur attack. Need we entice you further? Didn’t think so.

For a limited time only, fans will receive an exclusive opportunity to access the Terra Nova Files online and help complete the story! Would the Sixers, Lucas and the Phoenix Group have completed their secret mission? Or would Commander Taylor and the Shannons have been able to win back Terra Nova for the future? Only available via the DVD, unique codes allow access to the Terra Nova Story website, where fans will find an original motion comic scene that picks up the Shannons’ story right from the last scene of the final episode. They’ll also be given the unique chance to finish the story the way they would have liked to see it!

OVER 2.5 HOURS OF SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Deleted Scenes
• Director’s Diaries – Making the Pilot
• Occupation / Resistance Extended Episode
• Mysteries Explored
• Cretaceous Life: The Dinosaurs of Terra Nova
• Audio Commentary on Occupation/Resistance with Stephen Lang, Brannon Braga and Rene Echevarria
• Gag-Reel

Terra Nova The Complete Series on DVD is available to buy from October 24

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1

The second film tells the final two chapter of the graphic novel, with Carrie (Ariel Winter) taking up the mantle as Robin to an aged Batman (Peter Weller). With Joker (Michael Emerson) now on the streets again, not everybody is excited about the return of the Dark Knight. As tensions mount, the government calls in the one man they think can take down the Bat – the Man of Steel himself, Superman (Mark Valley).

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is released on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Download in 2013.

New Girl – The Complete First Season

This new, ensemble comedy stars Zooey Deschanel as the adorkable “Jess”; Max Greenfield (Schmidt), Jake Johnson (Nick), Lamorne Morris (Winston), and Hannah Simone (Cece).  As their relationships progress, this five-some realises they need each other more than they ever thought they would, and end up forming a charmingly dysfunctional – or strangely functional – family.

With additional material, available only on DVD, get a firsthand look at even more of the fun that makes NEW GIRL a hit with viewers and critics, alike.

Zooey Deschanel (Jess)

Lamorne Morris

Max Greenfield

Hannah Simone

Elizabeth Meriweather – Creator of New Girl

New Girl Roommate Advice: Ways To Avoid The Douchebag Jar

Marvel Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan (SPEJ) announced today the return of iconic Super Hero, Iron Man, to the beloved world of anime in an all-new feature-length film, IRON MAN: RISE OF TECHNOVORE.  Produced by Madhouse and currently in production in Japan, the film is slated for release on DVD in the spring of 2013. 

Directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki (Shigurui, TEXHNOLYZE) with story by Brandon Auman (The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Iron Man: Armored Adventures), the film explores a confrontation between Iron Man and the villainous Ezekiel Stane, who develops new bio-technology that seemingly outclasses the Iron Man armor.  After Stane unleashes a terrorist attack and sets Tony up to take the fall, Iron Man must evade S.H.I.E.L.D.’s man hunt and find a way to clear his name.

Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb to reveal more information surrounding Iron Man: Rise of Technovore at New York Comic Con during the Marvel TV Presents Panel on Saturday, October 13 at 4:15pm in Room 1E13.

“Marvel is excited to present an all-new Iron Man adventure featuring the high-tech adrenaline he is known for, in the beautifully rendered anime style of our friends at Madhouse,” said Producer Megan Thomas Bradner. “We’ll get to see familiar Marvel Super Heroes such as War Machine, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Hawkeye and The Punisher, rendered in anime style for the first time. It’s a can’t miss for any Marvel fan.”

Friends, flings and modern relationships… get in on the adventure when the offbeat charm and hilarious antics of “Jess” and her three single guy roommates come to DVD.  NEW GIRL, The Complete First Season will be released on 10 October 2012 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. 

This new, ensemble comedy stars Zooey Deschanel as the adorkable “Jess”; Max Greenfield (Schmidt), Jake Johnson (Nick), Lamorne Morris (Winston), and Hannah Simone (Cece).  As their relationships progress, this five-some realises they need each other more than they ever thought they would, and end up forming a charmingly dysfunctional – or strangely functional – family.

With additional material, available only on DVD, get a firsthand look at even more of the fun that makes NEW GIRL a hit with viewers and critics, alike.

NEW GIRL DVD Special Features:

• Dress Like Jess – Fashionista Zooey Deschanel and NEW GIRL costume designer Debra McGuire talk about creating Jess’s cute, vintage-inspired look.
• New Girl: Evolution of an Episode – from the writers’ room to table read, see what goes on behind the making of a NEW GIRL episode.
• Auditions with Lamorne – an insider’s look at Lamorne Morris during his audition
• Alternate Jokes – watch the actors run through variations of the same line but using different jokes
• Deleted & Extended Scenes
• Audio Commentaries on 3 Episodes (Pilot, Bad in Bed and See Ya) with creator Elizabeth Meriwether, producers and cast

NEW GIRL is a charming, offbeat comedy about friends, flings and modern relationships.  After a bad breakup, free-spirited optimist Jess moves in with three bachelors who have plenty of issues of their own.  Winston is a former athlete, Nick (Jake Johnson) is a law school dropout, and Schmidt is a wannabe womanizer in love with…himself.  Together with her super-hot BFF [best friend forever] Cece, this NEW GIRL discovers that hanging out with the guys can be a challenging – and hilarious – adventure!

New Girl Season 1 on DVD is available to buy from October 10, and you can pre-order your copy now here.

Problems with your love life, roommates or job? Get New Girl’s help with the Magic 8 Problem Solver here

The Disney Channel Original Movies have been running in one form or another since 1983, but thanks to a little phenomenon called High School Musical (2006), they have gained even more attention over the last half-decade. Flagships for the eponymous cable network, they are showcases for both current and rising Disney stars, many of whom have gone on to become major celebs in their own right. Based on the novel by Robin Palmer, Geek Charming is a throwback to the heyday of class-based teen romances of the 1980s. It’s a modern twist on a fairy tale told through the lens of the greatest people on Earth: geeks.

Dylan Schoenfield (Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland) is a stuck-up princess who is determined to win Blossom Queen at the upscale Woodlands Academy. Josh Rosen (Matt Prokop) is a self-confessed film geek who also wants to win a local documentary competition. After a chance encounter with Dylan, he decides to make his film about modern popularity and in particular Dylan. Despite his crush on Amy (Sasha Pieterse), the alternative band chick who used to be friends with Dylan, he soon finds that his perception of his subject changes as he spends more time with her.

They are from different worlds, their friends don’t approve and there’s a prom at the end. Wherever John Hughes is now, his legacy is going strong. Indeed, Geek Charming is one of the most natural successors to the 80s teen romances in the last few decades, as it isn’t consciously trying to satirise or be meta about the whole thing. Rather, it embodies the spirit of those simple love stories and provides us with a fairly straightforward tale of star-crossed lovers. Even the cultural references are firmly from the 1980s, including a trip to the cinema to see a revival of the 1986 Disney sci-fi film Flight of the Navigator. We aren’t sure whether kids are still watching these great flicks, but its good to know the writers are, and using them wisely no less.

Despite a heavy Mean Girls (2004) vibe in the early half of the film, coupled with some direct-to-camera documentary style pieces, Hyland and Prokop have an easy on-screen chemistry that carries this into heartwarming territory. Their coupling is a foregone conclusion, but that doesn’t stop some fun being had with the familiar tropes along the way. The ‘Populars’ are only a few shades away from the Plastics, and the ‘film geek’ conversations rely on familiar stereotypes as well. Yet it is difficult to deny that film geeks are pedants, and most of the depictions in this film pale in comparison to your average web forum. That said, Prokop may be one of the better looking geeks of the species, but we’ll allow Disney this one indulgence for the sake of romance.

Taking a break from their run of musical pieces that have included Camp Rock 2 and Lemonade Mouth, last year’s Geek Charming is a welcome return to teen rom-coms. With nary a song to drag us out of the moment, its predictability never hinders its charms thanks to a terrific cast a genuine affection for the genre it is trying to imitate. Whether this connects with modern tweens is debatable, but any fan of films from the 1980s will do just fine with this fun piece of modern nostalgia.

The Disc:

Disney Channel content seems to be the one area where Disney hasn’t fully committed to Blu-ray. Presented in 1.78:1 (16:9), Geek Charming looks like the best possible SD copy you can find, although it would have been nice to see this in hi-def. Despite a series of ‘making of’ featurettes originally screening before the premiere of the film, none of these can be found here. In fact, the only bonus feature we get is two-part episode of the fun Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (“Shake It Up, Up and Away“). On the US equivalent, there are no less than 10 episodes over a 2-Disc set. Given that Disney have been notorious unwilling to package their Disney Channel series as season sets, this is a good way for fans to grab a whole bunch of episodes at once. However, if you are just interested in the movie, go local. A real charmer for sure.

Geek Charming is released on DVD in Australia on 3 October 2012 from Disney.