New Releases for January 10

Dazzling nature documentaries, British television series, and possible Oscar contenders populate this week’s New Releases. Here’s the list:

BLU = Also available for rent on Blu-ray

@ = Available for sale in the store

SALE= Also available for sale from our online mercantile

MONEYBALL—Two Oscar-winning screenwriters-Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List) and Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network)-and director Bennett Miller (Capote) took Michael Lewis’ book, a study of Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane and the importance of on base percentage, and made it in to a humorous, engaging, and emotional film. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are great, but I think Philip Seymour Hoffman nearly steals the show.   BLU   @   SALE

BOARDWALK EMPIRE: SEASON ONE—Our colleague Spenser said in the recent issue of City Arts that this HBO show, set in 1920s Atlantic City, is, “densely packed with numerous characters, complicated relationships, abundant details and tricky storylines.” The cast is helmed by Steve Buscemi, who plays the city’s corrupt treasurer.  BLU   @   SALE

KILLER ELITE—An entertaining action thriller starring Jason Statham, Robert de Niro, Clive Owen, and Clive Owen’s mustache.  BLU  @

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?—Edmonds-Woodway High School alum Anna Faris stars as a young woman reassessing her ex-boyfriends. Do you think she'll fall for the seemingly smarmy neighbor (Chris Evans) who helps out along the way? The film co-stars fellow former Puget Sound-area resident Joel McHale.

THE HELLSTROM CHRONICLE—The 1971 trippy nature documentary is one of the most sought after titles in Scarecrow Video history. We welcome its release on DVD & Blu-ray so we can finally retire our trusted VHS copy. Rest well, good tape.  BLU   @   SALE

HIGHER GROUND—Vera Farmiga directs and stars in a sincere, honest look at a woman questioning her faith. The fine supporting cast includes Joshua Leonard and John Hawkes.  BLU  @

1911—Jackie Chan takes part in the Xinhai Revolution against China’s Qing Dynasty in this historical, epic drama.  BLU  @

FILM SOCIALISME—We’ve had imports of Jean-Luc Godard’s exploration of European decline for over a year now; this is the official US release.  BLU  @

ANIME NEW RELEASES

Loups=Garous: The Motion Picture  @

Rozen Maiden: Ouverture

FAMILY NEW RELEASES

Penguins of Madagascar-Operation: Blowhole

NEW BLU-RAY

Billy Elliot

The Fog (1979)

NEW TV ON DVD

Columbo: Mystery Movie Collection

Doctor Who, Story 071: Invasion of the Dinosaurs-with Third Doctor Jon Pertwee

Doctor Who, Story 083: The Android Invasion-with Fourth Doctor Tom Baker

The Hills: Season 6

An Idiot Abroad: Karl Pilkington-Series 1

Man in a Suitcase: Set 2

Primeval: Volume 3    BLU    @

Wallander: One Step Behind

NEW IMPORTS & FOREIGN FILMS

Aurora (2011)—Romania  A new murder-mystery from the director of The Death of Mr. Lazarescu.

Executive Protection (2001)—Sweden

Frozen Planet: Complete Series (2011)(PAL Code 2)—UK  A new BBC nature doc. narrated by David Attenborough.

The Honeytrap (2002)—UK

Kill List (2011)(PAL Code 2)—UK

King’s Game (2004)—Denmark

Lie to Me (2011)—A new Korean TV drama   @  SALE

Melancholia (2011)(PAL Code 2)—US, directed by Lars von Trier, starring possible Oscar nominee Kirsten Dunst, named Best Picture of the Year by the National Society of Film Critics.

Misfits: Series 3 (2011)(PAL Code 2)—UK

Night and Day (2008)—Korea

The Skin I Live In (2011)(PAL Code 2)—Spain, directed by Pedro Almodovar and starring Antonio Banderas

Third Wave (2003)—Sweden

NEW MGM LIMITED TITLES

Big Caper (1957)

Busting (1973)

Diary of a Bachelor (1964)

Inside Out (1986)

Magnetic Monster (1953)

Radio Inside (1994)

Savage Wild (1970)

Small Town in Texas (1976)

Timebomb (1991)

Up The Creek (1984)

Vice Squad (1953)

NEW DOCUMENTARIES

5, 6, 7, 8

Heart & Soil

Nature: The Animal House

NOVA: Deadliest Volcanoes

NOVA: Finding Life Beyond Earth

NOVA: Iceman Murder Mystery

Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-73

Wild Horses in Winds of Change

Younger Next Year: The New Science of Aging