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News Digest
50 HD Movies, 14 Days & 47 HD Hotties!
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (August 8, 2010) -- Some say August is the worst time to watch TV because the networks fill their schedules with reruns and dubious reality shows.

But I say the nation's hottest month is the 'coolest' time to tune in. Why? It's a great opportunity to catch up on all those movies you said you would watch someday.

Drama. Comedy. Adventure. Whatever your favorite genre, there are dozens of great flicks playing this month on an HD channel and/or available for rental or purchase on Blu-ray high-def disc.

And to make your search a bit easier, I have written reviews for 50 cool movies available over the next 14 days -- and I have posted links highlighting when the movies are playing and on which channels. I also provide a link to the Amazon page where you can buy the movie on Blu-ray in case it's not playing on your cable or satellite service.

And finally, many movies include a link to an 'HD Hottie' or two who appear in the film. 

So, start popping the popcorn, kick back and read:

 50 HD Movies, 14 Days & 47 HD Hotties!
 (note: the films are listed in alphabetical order.)

1. 21
Jim Sturgess stars as a brilliant MIT student who's lured into joining a card-counting scheme in Las Vegas. Kevin Spacey plays the ring's mastermind while Kate Bosworth is Sturgess' obligatory hot girlfriend. Based on a real life story, the film crackles with tension due to strong performances from Sturgess (think of a young Dustin Hoffman) and the always interesting (albeit hammy) Spacey.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Kate Bosworth.

See when 21 is playing next on TV.
Get 21 on Blu-ray.


 2. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Steve Carell's breakthrough film features The Office star as a CE retail geek who has never been laid. (Well, that's a first; just kidding CE salespeople!). Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd shine in support as buddies who try to help the bumbling Carell finally cross the goal line. Catherine Keener is also strong as Carell's obligatory not-so-hot girlfriend while the gorgeous Elizabeth Banks is a sight for sore eyes as an aggressive bar babe. Funny, funny film.
See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Elizabeth Banks.

See when The 40 Year-Old Virgin is playing next on TV.
Get The 40 Year-Old Virgin on Blu-ray.


3. Alpha Dog
 Emile Hirsch shines as a SoCal drug dealer who kidnaps the brother of a wacko client who refuses to pay up. Hirsch plays cold better than ice and Justin Timberlake shows some acting chops as his best friend. House's Olivia Wilde sparkles as Hirsch's obligatory hot girlfriend and Bruce Willis keeps the smirks to a minimum as his Dad. Based on a real life story.
See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Olivia Wilde.

See when Alpha Dog plays next on TV.
Get Alpha Dog on Blu-ray.


4. Apocalypse Now Redux
In high-def, Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam war drama explodes on the screen with extraordinary realism and fury. Martin Sheen, who plays the man with a mission,  Capt. Willard, had a heart attack during the filming and I swear you can see his ticker about to go in a few scenes. That's how intense it is. The Redux version is about 40 minutes longer than the edition that was released in the theater, but the extra time is worth every minute. The Marlon Brando scenes at the end actually make sense now.
Apocalypse Now is not playing on TV the next 2 weeks.
 Get Apocalypse Now Redux on Blu-ray.


5. The Aviator
Martin Scorsese's bio film on the young Howard Hughes has its flaws (Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow?! Come on!) but it's a visual rush. Scorsese serves up glam 1940s Hollywood with technocolor brilliance. It's a great film. Leonardo DiCaprio shines as Hughes while Kate Beckinsale makes a fetching Ava Gardner.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Kate Beckinsale.

The Aviator is not playing on TV the next 2 weeks.
 Get The Aviator on Blu-ray.

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6. Blade Runner
Although the Harrison Ford sci-fi film recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, it looks awesome in high-def. When seen recently on HDNet Movies, the spooky imagery and claustrophobic settings are as realistic as ever. Keep an eye out for that whirling dervish, the young Daryl Hannah, as she goes after the robot chaser Ford.
 Blade Runner is not playing on TV the next 2 weeks.
 Get Blade Runner on Blu-ray.

7. The Book of Eli
Denzel Washington stars as a lone warrior in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Think Mad Max, Denzel style. Mila Kunis plays an obligatory hot rebel who turns against the obligatory evil town sheriff (Gary Oldman). Directed by the Hughes Brothers, the film delivers a surprise ending that I didn't 'see' coming. (Trust me, you'll get the joke at the end.)
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Mila Kunis.

 The Book of Eli is now available on HD VOD.
 Get The Book of Eli on Blu-ray.
8. Casino Royale
The latest James Bond installment is as cool as 007 himself. It's unquestionably the best Bond film since Sean Connery manned the toupee. With the icy-blue eyed Daniel Craig as Bond, and the usual bevy of Bond babes, Casino Royale will give any high-def set a workout.
 Casino Royale is not playing on TV the next two weeks.
 Get Casino Royale on Blu-ray.


 9. Changeling
Clint Eastwood's masterpiece about a woman (Angelina Jolie) in 1920s Los Angeles who searches for her real son after the police return an imposter. Jolie is brilliant and heartbreaking, proving once again that she's among our top actresses when she's not too busy preening before photographers or adopting Cambodian babies by the dozens. Based on a true story (the movie, not Jolie's real life.)
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Angelina Jolie.

 See when Changeling is playing next on TV.
Get Changeling on Blu-ray.


 10. Charlie Wilson's War
Tom Hanks stars as the real-life Texas congressman who spent the 1980s juggling a bevy of beautiful babes while secretly supplying arms to the anti-Russian resistance movement in Afghanistan. As an ex-newspaper reporter who 'covered' Wilson during this period (yes, I'm that old.), Hanks does a masterful job of capturing the essence of  'Goodtime Charlie,' Julia Roberts plays a Wilson girlfriend/fundraiser while Amy Adams is his obligatory hot administrative assistant. (And Wilson had a lot of obligatory hot congressional assistants in his office.)
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Amy Adams.

See when Charlie Wilson's War is playing next on TV.
Get Charlie Wilson's War on DVD. (not available on Blu yet.)

11. Crash
The 2006 Oscar winner about race relations plays like a great TV drama with nerve-twitching close-ups of the characters as they try to navigate the psychological landmines of modern day LA. In high-def, you really appreciate the depths of emotions from the actors, particularly Matt Dillon as a racist policeman (didn't know he had it in him) and Terrence Howard as a black TV director in a white TV world.
 Crash is not playing on TV the next two weeks.
 Get Crash on Blu-ray.
12. The Dark Knight
 Christian Bale shines as the Caped Crusader in the best film of 2008. Thanks to non-stop action scenes directed flawlessly by Chris Nolan (Inception) and a tremendous supporting cast of Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and the late Heath Ledger in his next-to-final role as The Joker, The Dark Knight is as good as it gets. If you haven't seen -- or even it you have -- see it -- tonight!
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Maggie Gyllenhaal.

 See when The Dark Knight is playing next on TV.
 Get The Dark Knight on Blu-ray.


 13. Definitely, Maybe
Ryan Reynolds (Mr. Scarlett Johansson) stars in a frothy but funny farce about a Dad who reveals to his young daughter why he proposed to his soon-to-be ex-wife. Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz play the three obligatory hot girlfriends, each of whom could be the soon-to-be ex-wife.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Rachel Weisz.
See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Isla Fisher.
See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Elizabeth Banks.

 See when Definitely, Maybe is playing next on TV.
Get Definitely, Maybe on DVD. (Not available on Blu yet.)
14. The Departed
The Departed, which stars Jack Nicholson and a supporting cast of some of Hollywood's best young actors (Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio) is a hoot in high-def. The close-ups of the bedeviled Mr. Nicholson is worth the price of admission. Alec Baldwin also shines as an eccentric state police captain. Vera Farmiga plays an obligatory hot psychiatrist who toys with the film's two young leads.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Vera Farmiga.

 See when The Departed is playing next on TV.
 Get The Departed on Blu-ray.


 15. The Doors
Val Kilmer gives the performance of his life as Doors lead singer Jim Morrison who died of a heart attack at 27 after channeling some of the greatest rock songs of all time. Arguably director Oliver Stone's best film, The Doors takes you back to a time when anything could happen -- and usually did. Meg Ryan, Kevin Dillon, Kyle MacLachlan and Frank Whaley all shine in support. Great music; great acting; great film.
The Doors is not playing on TV the next 2 weeks.
Get The Doors on Blu-ray.


 16. Doubt
 Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman shine in this cinematic adaptation of the hit Broadway play about a popular priest who's suspected of child abuse. Amy Adams is also strong in support as a young nun who's caught in the middle of truth and perception. Good film.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Amy Adams.

See when Doubt is playing next on TV.
Get Doubt on Blu-ray.


 17. Drag Me to Hell
Alison Lohman shines as a mousey bank loan officer whose life turns into a living Hell when she rejects an old gypsy's request for an extension on her mortgage. Justin Long ("Mac" from the Mac/PC commercials) delivers a sympathetic ear as her boyfriend while the underrated David Paymer is superb as the obligatory cold-hearted bank manager. But the real star is writer/director Sam Raimi who turns a worn horror plot into a clever satire of the struggle to survive in tough economic times.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Alison Lohman.

See when Drag Me to Hell plays next on TV.
Get Drag Me to Hell on Blu-ray.
18. The Eye
The breathtakingly beautiful Jessica Alba stars as a concert violinist (okay, this is a sci-fi/horror story so we can stretch the imagination a bit, can't we?) who suddenly sees frightening images after a double eye transplant. If you don't take this 'work of art' too seriously, sit back for a fun, cheesy time. The Mystery Science 3000 guys would love this movie -- so watch it and have your own MST3K party.
See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Jessica Alba.

 See when The Eye is playing next on TV.
Get The Eye on Blu-ray.
19. The Fifth Element
It's no surprise that Sony often bundles the Blu-ray version of this Bruce Willis sci-fi film with a Blu-ray player. The movie, which is equal parts action and satire, offers impressive detail and mind-blowing colors. And Gary Oldman's odd channeling of Lyndon B. Johnson as a space despot is a scream.
 See when The Fifth Element is playing next on TV.
Get The Fifth Element on remastered Blu-ray disc.
20. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Jason Segel shines in this funny albeit frothy farce about a musician whose dream vacation in Hawaii goes wrong when he runs into his ex-girlfriend and her new lover. Kristen Bell plays the obligatory hot ex while Mila Kunis (That's 70s Show) plays the obligatory hot new love interest. Russell Brand and SNL's Bill Hader deliver the funny in support.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Mila Kunis.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Kristen Bell.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is not playing on TV the next 2 weeks.
Get Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Blu-ray.


 21. Frost/Nixon
 Michael Sheen and Frank Langella both shine respectively in the title roles in Ron Howard's theatrical adaptation based on the Broadway play inspired by the famous David Frost/Richard Nixon TV interviews in 1977. Fun film, particularly if you're old enough to remember the original source material.
 See when Frost/Nixon is playing next on TV.
 Get Frost/Nixon on Blu-ray.


 22. Ghost Town
Ricky Gervais is brilliantly funny as an acerbic dentist who suddenly can talk to the dead after undergoing a minor operation. (It's the Ghost Whisperer with saggier mammary glands; sorry Ricky.) Greg Kinnear shines as a tuxedo-clad ghost who begs the doc to break up his ex-wife's new romance while Tea Leoni plays the obligatory hot ex. (And she's very funny, too.)
 See when Ghost Town is playing next on TV.
 Get Ghost Town on Blu-ray.
23. Ghost Writer
 Ewan McGregor shines as a freelance writer hired to 'ghost' the memoir of a former British Prime Minister  (Pierce Brosnan in his best work since Bond). The  intrigue begins when McGregor starts to get too close to his subject -- and the subject's wife -- and suddenly becomes the target of spies and other evildoers. Ghost Writer director Roman Polanski may be an evildoer himself (in real life, I mean) but he can still craft a damn fine mystery.

 Ghost Writer is now available on HD VOD.
 Get Ghost Writer on Blu-ray
24. The Girlfriend Experience
 Real life porn star Sasha Grey stars as a high-class New York prostitute who undresses her customers psychologically by serving up what's known in the trade as the 'girlfriend experience.' Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film has little real purpose, but is still irresistible thanks to a surprising performance from Grey and a slice-of-life manner that leaves you thinking that you're watching the real thing. But we're not, are we, Steven?
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Sasha Grey.

 The Girlfriend Experience is not playing on TV the next two weeks.
Get The Girlfriend Experience on Blu-ray.


 25. Hancock
 Will Smith stars as a cranky super hero who seems more interested in getting drunk than saving lives until PR whiz Jason Bateman whips him into shape. The movie offers some fun action and insightful satire until a late plot twist involving Charlize Theron either ruins it for you or makes it better. You be the judge.
 See our 'HD Hottie' profile of Charlize Theron.

 See when Hancock is playing next on TV.
Get Hancock on Blu-ray.

 Click to see Movies 26-50.

 Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.

 © TVPredictions.com
 ______________________________________________________

 Phillip Swann is president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com or at 703-505-3064.

 Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV technology. 

 
 
 
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