Celebrity Today

I have been a fan of Supernatural since episode one of the first season.  I began to watch because of Jensen Ackles, who I have always been a fan of. Now here we are waiting for season five to start, and if word is correct, this may be the last season. We’ll know more as the season goes on! The DVD boxset for the fourth season hit store shelves this week, and contained on set are all of the episodes with season four. This includes extended and unaired scenes that didn’t quite the original cut when the episodes aired on CW. There are also more special features - a gag reel among them. The off-camera antics of these Ackles and Padalecki are something to watch, and they always earn a laugh or two.

Supernatural has been compared to The X-Files, only for a younger generation. Week after week, the Winchester boys go after all that is scary and unexplained. Everything from strange creatures, demons, ghosts, and in this season - angels. Season four of Supernatural dealt with Dean’s return from Hell. Apparently, he spent a good forty years down in hell, while on Earth it was only a few months that passed. He did unexplainable things while in hell, but an angel and God rescued him from those depths. For what purpose though? With this season, we get to see that, and the release is just in time for the premiere of the fifth season on September 10th.

This year, Supernatural will not only go up against Grey’s Anatomy in its time slot, but Fox has moved Fringe to the same Thursday night time slot. This will definitely make it difficult to decide what to watch in that time slot! You can head out to stores today to pick up your copy of The Complete Fourth Season of Supernatural. What do you think of the series?

One of the most controversial movies of this year is probably Tropic Thunder. The movie finally hit DVD on November 18th, and it was released with a special 2 disc collector’s edition. The movie comes to us from the mind of Ben Stiller, who also stars in the film along side Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black. The comedy action adventure takes us onto a movie set of a fake movie being filmed in Vietnam. The three play actors in the movie, and there are small things that stand out in this movie to make it a must see with a ton of controversy.

The main controversy for me is the character played by Robert Downey Jr. In this film, he plays an Australian who goes through a surgical procedure to play a black man in the fake movie. This was actually offensive to me. Others found the treatment of mentally handicapped in the film also offensive, and this caused the most controversy when the film was released. Some even boycotted the movie. Even with the controversy, this movie is entertaining. The three actors go from filming a movie to actually fighting for their lives in the Vietnam jungle.

The humor in the movie is often crude, and this would turn some people off from seeing the movie. This is definitely not a movie you would want to take the kids to see or a movie appropriate for family night in front of the television. The movie does have its moments, but for me they came few and far between. I didn’t find myself interested in this film much. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance did catch my eye though, for more than just the controversy surrounding the role. I found it hard to believe that it really was Robert in this role. His performance was definitely one of the best in the film.

The DVD set contains two discs. The first disc includes the film with additional commentary available. The second disc includes a number of special features. These include deleted scenes and an alternate ending along with more commentary and behind the scenes materials. The movie itself is the unrated version not shown in theatrical release. This movie is not for the faint of heart or non fans of dark comedy. If you enjoy a little gross humor with your viewing, this movie might be just the one for you. If not, then you might want to pass it up.

Dreamworks did something different with the release of Kung Fu Panda earlier this month. They released the DVD on a Sunday with a big bash in Hollywood where Angelina Jolie even came out to play with the big panda. Kung Fu Panda tells the story of Po the Panda, played here by Jack Black, who dreams of one day becoming a Kung Fu master. His father wants him to become another noodle man, but Po doesn’t want any part of that. When he lands in the middle of a special ceremony searching for the great dragon warrior, those making the choice pick him as the dragon warrior.

This shocks everyone, including the five that thought one of them would be chosen. Their master doesn’t think Po will be able to do it. He plans make it hard on Po, so that he will quit and a true dragon warrior can be found. However, Po shocks them all once again by staying and completing each task put forth to him. It is only when he accepts himself as who he is can he become a true dragon warrior who must battle a former student of his master that has gone down a dark path. With humor and fun, he succeeds, and he becomes a master in his own right. His dream has come true.

Kung Fu Panda was released on DVD on November 9th in a special package with a new adventure of Po’s, The Secrets of the Furious Five. In this short cartoon film, he must teach the new bunnies all about Kung Fu and how it is about more than just fighting. The DVD’s come together, and there are bonus features on both.  This DVD set is a perfect addition to any family’s collection. A good story told with humor and a lesson for children of all age’s. With the voices of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Jack Black, this movie even has something for parents to enjoy. Check out the trailer below. The DVD is in stores now.

Friendship and a pair of pants dominate this movie. This is the sequel to 2005’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. In that one, we followed a group of friends as they dealt with being away from each other over summer break, and now we see how they handle going off to college and heading into the adult world. Their summer rolls around again, and this time we see four friends still torn apart by distance, even with it being summer. Distance brings a wedge between the friends, and there are secrets between them where there used to be none before.

These four live and love while they learn lessons about life and grow up in the process. Each one has their own journey. Carmen goes from stage hand to actress while dealing with her mother’s new marriage and having a new sibling on the way. Lena finds a new love, but she learns she can only love the boy she met back home in Greece. Bridget meets the grandmother she hardly knew as a child, and she learns more about her mother. Tibby deals with a love of her own that becomes scary when a pregnancy scare pops up. All four realize though that their friendship is most important in their lives when the pants are somehow lost.

This movie was released on DVD on November 18th from Warner Bros. It stars some of the most well known younger actresses of our time. Blake Lively is known for her work on Gossip Girl, and America Ferrera is on ABC’s Ugly Betty week after week. Her role here as Carmen is totally different than her role in Ugly Betty. You hardly recognize her, and if you didn’t know she played both roles, you might not know it was the same actress. The DVD contains the movie and some great bonus features including additional scenes, behind the scenes of the cliff jump and a gag reel.

This DVD is definitely one to add to your collection if you have a teenage girl in your home, or if you are teenage girl at heart. The acting and story line are fun and honest. We see real girls dealing with real problems and learning how to become women in the process. You can pick this one up on stores today. Check out the trailer for it below.

Just in time for the Christmas holiday season, Shrek and the gang bring us a story for Christmas that is just destined to become the next Christmas classic. In this new DVD of the animated cartoon that first premiered on ABC last Christmas season, Shrek is completely clueless about Christmas and what to do. In fact, Shrek is a bit of a grinch when it comes to the holiday. Donkey is the one into the Christmas spirit as he starts counting down the days to the holiday in July. As the day finally arrives, Shrek has a problem. Fiona is excited about the holiday. It is the first Christmas for their family with three little ones bouncing about.

This makes Shrek have to work fast. He needs to learn all about Christmas on the day of Christmas Eve. He manages to get things perfect, but his plans are ruined when Donkey has his own ideas for a perfect Shrek Christmas holiday. He brings all their friends along for a party at Shrek’s house. Something that Shrek isn’t too happy about. At the end of the day, Shrek learns about the Christmas holiday and the importance of family. We get to see all our favorites from the Shrek movies in this one!

This DVD contains the Christmas cartoon, Shrek The Halls, and plenty of bonus features. There are two Christmas song sing alongs and a free game to play via DVD-Rom on your PC. The DVD was released by Paramount on November 4th, so it is available for purchase now! Check out the trailer for Shrek The Halls below.

The 4400 hit USA Network back in 2004, and it aired for four seasons before it was canceled in 2007. The series follows a group of 4400 people that were taken over the last sixty years. From the young to the old. In present day 2004, these taken individuals are returned when a ball of light comes through the skies and lands just outside of Seattle. The ball of light disappears, and all that remains are the people that were believed to be dead. They are from it. Since taken, they have not aged one day.

The first taken, a little girl named Maia is the first we really get to see, and she remains a focus of the series throughout. We soon learn that the 4400 have returned different. Some start developing fantastic abilities. This brings concern and fright to many, especially when some begin to use these new abilities to do harm. The government tries to take control of the situation, and they keep an eye on the returnees as time goes on.

The question on everyone’s minds is where these 4400 were taken and where have they come back from. At first, it is believed to be alien in nature. Over time, we learn they were taken by the human race in the future to help stop an event in that time. They are sent back in hopes to prevent future events. The 4400 have a variety of abilities. Many of the abilities have to deal with the mind such as mind control, precognition, telekinesis and healing powers. The government tries to stop these abilities, but that only backfires.

This series lasted for four seasons, and the two main stars of the series were Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie. The two play agents that are set to protect the 4400. Billy Campbell plays a main part on the other side, as a 4400 leader. He comes and goes during the series run, but he is a main part of the series as Jordan Collier. He leads the 4400, trying to show the world how it could be if it embraced these new people and their abilities. He even becomes some sort of messiah towards the end of the series.

As a fan of television, I missed The 4400 when it first aired. I did hear about the series, and I heard it was a good series. I never found the time to tune in myself. The DVD for complete series was released on October 28, and I was able to get a copy for myself. I sat down ready to get immersed in 4400, and the series pulled me in from the very first episode. I wanted to know more about these people and why they were taken to begin with. I wanted to know why they were brought back with these new powers.

Seasons one and two of the series were very strong. There was good casting, good story lines, and strong acting by all. Season  three things started to change a bit. The story lines changed, characters left, characters that remained changed. By season four, a new plot had come about a conspiracy called The Marked. This is where The 4400 falls apart. This story line could very well be why the series was canceled as it was. I found the series started to drag on when this plot line entered. Up until this point, the series had moved along quite quickly.

The DVD set consists of fifteen discs, which contain all four seasons of the series, deleted scenes from all four seasons and commentary. For a fan of the series, this DVD box set is probably one to your list. For a new fan, the series is enjoyable, but you can see where the series begins to fall apart towards the end. A good series gone bad. Happens everyday. What did you think of The 4400?

Walt Disney has brought back one of their most beloved characters in an all-new animated movie that is set to become a new classic. Tinker Bell hit store shelves on October 28th, and it takes us into Pixie Hollow to see just where our favorite fairy came from. The movie starts with her birth, and we are taken along a journey as she discovers her talent and learns how to accept it. She is a born a tinker, which are those fairies that build and fix things for all of the other fairies.

Tinker Bell is not too happy with this talent of hers. She wants to do more.  Her dream is to go to the mainland and help the other fairies bring in the spring season. Each fairy has an important talent that will help drive away the snow and bring in springtime. Tinker Bell wants to be one of those fairies. She doesn’t want to be known just as a tinker. She even goes to her four closest friends for help. She wants them to teach her their talents, and they do try to do this.

This is where we see chaos though. Tinker Bell is not able to learn the talents of the other fairies. She needs to accept her own talent, and it is when she does this she finally earns her trip to the mainland. This Disney animated movie is touching, and we see  and hear Tinker Bell truly for the first time. This is the first movie where she has been heard speaking. This is also where she first meets Wendy. Yes, Peter’s Wendy! This movie brought me in, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

The DVD from Disney contains more than just the movie. There are deleted scenes, and a behind the scenes look at the creation of Pixie Hollow. For kids, there is a DVD Rom feature that trains them how to become a tinker just like Tinker Bell, and a magical guide that will take them inside Pixie Hollow with Tinker Bell and Queen Clarion. This DVD is certainly one that will become a Disney classic watched by children for many years to come.

And here at Celebrity Today, we have two copies of this DVD available for giveaway. Yes, you can have a copy of this DVD for your very own. Whether you have kids, or you are young at heart, this DVD is perfect for you. This is my very first giveaway at Celebrity Today, and Disney has allowed me to share this latest release with you. How do you enter to win a copy of Walt Disney’s Tinker Bell all for your own?

TO ENTER: Leave a comment here to this entry with a valid email address. All comments left before Wednesday, November 12th midnight will be entered to win one of the two copies. Winners will be emailed within twenty-four hours, and if they do not reply a new winner will be chosen.  So leave a comment to this post and enter today!

NOTE: This giveaway/contest is being run by the independent writer of celebritytoday.today.com and has not been reviewed or endorsed by the webhost, Today.com.

NOTE: Comments are moderated if this is your first time commenting on Celebrity Today.

NOTE: This giveaway is now closed. Winners to be announced on November 13th.

From the man behind Signs and The Sixth Sense comes an even darker thriller, The Happening. This movie released to theaters on Friday June 13th of this year, and it finally made its way to DVD earlier this month. M. Night Shyamalan created this tale of mother nature gone mad. It begins on New York City, on a beautiful Day in Central Park. Everyone is out enjoying themselves until a breeze picks up, people freeze and then one by one people start to kill themselves. At first, the incident is believed to be connected to terrorists unleashing some kind of bio toxin into the air that triggers some kind of suicidal gene. We learn during the process of the movie that this isn’t the case.

The focus of this movie is on one man and those close to him, Elliot. He is a science teacher in Pennsylvania, and he is played in this film by Mark Wahlberg. Once news of the incident in New York breaks, the north east takes action. In Philadelphia, they shut down the schools, and Elliot decides to leave town with his wife and the family of a friend. They leave one of the last trains leaving the city, leaving the wife of the friend behind. However, the train stops in the middle of nowhere when it is said by the train staff that they lost contact with everyone. Elliot and his friends make it to a small town, and they end up finding a ride out of the area. His friend, played here by John Leguizamo, decides to leave his daughter with Elliot in order to find his wife. The two go their separate ways. The friend arrives in Princeton, and the toxin has already reached that city. Soon he and the people he went with are effected by it as well.

Elliot continues to move on. One man proposed a theory about the toxin. It is coming from the plants. It seems the larger the group of people there is, the more the plants react. Soon, it doesn’t even have to be a group. We soon see individuals effected by the toxins released, but in the end everything stops as quickly as it began. Life in the northeast returns to normal, and Elliot, his wife and their new adopted daughter survive. All seems well until the plants hit another city. Shyamalan is not one that does things easily. His movies always have some twists to them, and in the past I have not been the biggest fan of his work. This one grabbed me though, and I have to say it is one of his better movies. At least it was to me. I found myself pulled in from the very first scenes in Central Park. I found myself having to turn away at a few scenes because the suicides were just hard to watch. One zoo keeper taunts an exhibit full of lions until they tear him to pieces one limb at a time. This movie is not for the faint of heart.

The DVD for The Happening contains several bonus features that go on for well over an hour. These bonuses include deleted scenes, a gag reel, and several featurettes. This is one of the scariest movies I have seen in a long time. It is a scary that makes you think. Something like this could really happen. We don’t know just what mother nature is capable of, and at any time she can fight back using any means necessary. This is just one possibility. The Happening is one you will want to watch and add to your collection.

Rusty Nail is back to cause havoc on the road! Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead was released this week on DVD, and if you are a fan of horror flicks, this one is just perfect for you. Halloween is coming up after all. This time, Rusty Nail is chasing down a group of friends that are on their way to Vegas. Two of them want to get married, Melissa and Bobby. Melissa is played here by actress Nicki Aycox, which many might recognize from her roles on Supernatural and Dark Angel. Aycox even made an appearance this season on Supernatural, when Meg returned to give Dean and Sam trouble!

This time, she and her friends get stranded in the middle of the desert when their car breaks down. They don’t like being in the middle of nowhere, and they soon find themselves at what appears to be an abandoned building. Inside, they find a car with the keys inside. This car is just begging to be taken for a little joy ride. What they don’t know is the car belongs to Rusty Nail, and he doesn’t like when his things are taken. Not long after they have taken the car, he comes across them at a truck stop. This is where he takes Bobby on his own little joy ride.

This starts Melissa, her sister and her sister’s new man on a journey with one thing in mind. They want Bobby back alive. However, Rusty Nail wants them to do a few things first. Each thing on his list is more sadastic than the last, and pretty soon Bobby is led to believe that he is the only one of his friends left alive. Rusty Nail won’t let them happen though. He won’t be happy until he has his revenge.

This movie keeps twisting and turning with enough gore for the fan of that to be kept happy. Nicki Aycox gives all of those other scream queens a run for their money with her performance in this movie. She fits perfectly here because she is not the weak type, but she can also play things vulnerable when needed. This movie keeps moving from event to event with no time for even a breath by the viewer. Action packed and gore filled horror is what we have here. The DVD also contains a behind the scenes look at how the movie was made. Rusty Nail may be back. He never dies. Never knew a man you can’t even see could be so terrifying. His voice is enough. You can take a look at the trailer for the movie here below or at Myspace.

OFFICIAL Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead trailer

I remember when this season premiered two years ago, I wasn’t too sure about it. It was coming in and filling some pretty big shoes on Saturday night. It was taking the spot held by Grey’s Anatomy, and Grey’s was jumping to battle things out on Thursday nights. By the end of the premiere episode, the Walker family had won me over. They even had me in tears by the end of the episode. Not many series can do that in just one shot, but this one did. Brothers & Sisters follows the lives and times of one family living in Southern California, the Walkers. There are two girls and three boys.

In the opening weeks of the series, we see the family all deal with the death of the family patriarch, William Walker. Not only do they need to deal with his death, but once he is gone secrets come out. We learn he has had an affair for the last twenty years, and there is a sixth Walker child out there. For the next two seasons, we are led to believe that child is another Walker daughter, Rebecca. She comes in and settles in as a part of this crazy family. The problem is she likes her brother Justin a bit too much, and he develops a crush on her as well. That problem was fixed by the end of last season. A DNA test proved that she was not William’s daughter, and she began to date Justin. Talk about wacky family trees.

This family has it all. We have Kitty Walker who marries the man that was once running for President. We have Kevin Walker, who took advantage of the new gay marriage laws in California and married his partner Scotty. Tommy and Sarah run the family business. The two clash all the time, and they both have had their share of marriage problems. Sarah divorced in season two, and Tommy had an affair with his secretary when his wife left him to recover from depression after the death of one of their babies. Momma Walker isn’t out of the fun either. She’s been arrested for smoking pot, and she had a relationship with one of the campaign workers from the campaign of Kitty’s husband.

Season three premiered last weekend, and season two came out the week before that on DVD. This is a great DVD set for any fan of the series. The DVD includes all sixteen episodes from season two and some great bonus features. The DVD has both a blooper reel, deleted scenes, a look at the guest stars that make an appearance on the series. A little extra bonus are recipe cards containing some of the meals featured during the season. Dinner time at the Walker house is always an adventure. If something can go wrong, it will.

This is a perfect way to refresh your memory of everything that happened season two. There was a lot packed into just sixteen episodes. I am a huge fan of this series, and this season promises to be exciting. Now we find out that William Walker had another affair. Yes, he was a busy man! This time there might be another Walker boy. New episodes of Brothers & Sisters air Sunday nights on ABC at 10/9c. Check back here every Monday for my weekly review. Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Second Season is in stores now.