Up in the Air starring George Clooney and Anna Kendrick

This week brings us Academy Award nominee, Up in the Air and Academy Award winner Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. In addition, we get the sequel Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day and a cute comedic animation of what would happen if a human landed on an alien Planet 51. And if you think you've had a bad day with your kids, let's see how Old Dogs get handled by a bunch of kids that will have you laughing and commiserating at the same time.

Up in the Air, nominated for 6 Oscars, is about a man named Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who's job at Career Transition Counseling (CTC) is to travel around the country downsizing companies and firing people. His life is in his suitcase without additonal baggage. When his boss grounds him and hires young ambitious Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick), she finds an even more efficient firing method that would make his job defunct. In an effort to show her the error of her logic, he takes her along on his next firing mission. During the course of learning the ropes of experience, as opposed to psychology books, Natalie finds Ryan's world disheartening. In turn, Ryan opens his eyes to the flaws of his life and make changes.

Best Price: DVD - $16.86 at Walmart.com, $16.99 at Amazon.com, Best Buy and Target; Blu-ray - $25.99 at Best Buy and Target.

Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
will tear your heart and mend it all in one sitting.

Tied with Up in the Air for 6 Oscar nominations as well and winning 2 Oscars, Best Supporting Actress to Mo'Nique and Best Adapted Screenplay, is Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire. Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) is a poor, obese and illiterate black 16-year-old girl who is abused by both her parents, Mary (Mo'Nique) and Carl (Rodney 'Bear' Jackson). She suffers physical and mental abuse from her mother and sexual abuse from her father. Mary is angry and jealous because her husband prefers Precious sexually than his own wife; Precious becomes impregnated twice by her father. Her grandmother cares for her first child, "Mongo." While pregnant with her second child, Precious is sent off to an alternative school to help change her life around. Through the help of Ms. Rain (Paula Patton) and Mrs. Weiss (Mariah Carey), Precious takes new steps to learn of a new independent life away from her abusive past with her second child, Abdul. Sapphire makes a cameo appearance as day care woman.

Best Price: DVD - $16.99 at Target; Blu-ray: $23.86 at Walmart.com, $23.99 at Amazon.com and Best Buy.

Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day 2-Disc
DVD SteelBook (Walmart exclusive)

After Boondock Saints, the story starts again in Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day with MacManus brothers (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) back in Ireland for 8 years now living peacefully with their father (Billy Connolly) on a sheep farm. However, one day their uncle informs them that the brothers have beem framed for the murder of their beloved Catholic priest in Boston. They head back to Boston to clear their name and uncover the mob forces that are responsible for this.

Exclusives:

Best Buy is offering two free music tracks: "Plastic Jesus" by Taylor Duffy and "Holy Fool" by The Boondock Saints when you order online the DVD or Blu-ray. A download code will be sent to you via email.

Walmart has an exclusive DVD SteelBook with an extra bonus disc of exclusive content:  "Saints Off Script" (19 minutes) and "Back to Boondock" (21 minutes).

Credit: JohnIan
 

Best Price: DVD - $17.86 at Walmart.com, $17.99 at Amazon.com, Best Buy and Target; 2-Disc DVD SteelBook - $19.96 at Walmart.com; Blu-ray - $19.99 at Target.

Meet the Cast on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in NYC:

Check out Meet the cast of 'Boondock Saints: All Saints Day' for release party at Webster Hall tonight!

On March 11, 2010, the ORIGINAL film The Boondock Saints (1999) will be playing in movie theaters nationwide from 7:30pm to 9:30pm with extra interviews from Troy and cast members as part of the 10th Anniversary celebration. Click here for theaters in the New York area.

Planet 51 DVD with bonus lunchbag (Walmart exclusive)

Planet 51 was to be American astronaut Captain Charles "Chuck" Baker's (Dwayne Johnson) discovery as he plants the proud American flag in the soil. That's what he thought except he finds himself face-to-face with little green aliens living everyday lives just like people on his planet Earth. Planet 51 is decorated with white picket fences with drive-ins, black and white television and 1950s Rock 'n' Roll music. And just like Chuck's home planet, they have a fear of alien invaders. In this case they mean CHUCK, who they deem as one of the brain-eating, zombie-creating monsters! In a reverse role where the human is hunted as the alien, Lem (Justin Long), an average teenage alien boy, and his friends try to help Chuck escape General Grawl's (Gary Oldman) capture and return him safely back to his ship to leave Planet 51.

Exclusives:

Walmart has an exclusive Limited Edition DVD Gift Set with a bonus Planet 51 lunchbag.

Best Prices: DVD - $17.86 at Walmart.com, $17.99 at Best Buy and Target; Limited Edition DVD Gift Set with lunchbag - $20.86 at Walmart.com; Blu-ray Combo Pack (with DVD & Digital Copy) - $25.99 at Target.

New York City Free Screening: Sony Wonder Technology Lab (550 Madison Ave. at 56th St., New York, NY 10022) is offering a free screening of Planet 51 in its 73-seat High Definition Theater at 11am and 2pm on Saturday, March 13, 2010. You need to make reservations by calling the Events RSVP Line at (212) 833-7858.

Can Old Dogs still learn a few new tricks?

Two Old Dogs Dan (Robin Williams) and Charlie (John Travolta) are two business partners who have been long time best friends. In a complicated turn of events, Dan's ex-girlfriend Vicki (Kelly Preston) has to go to jail and needs Dan to check in on  her kids, a pair of 7-year-old fraternal twins. She then drops the bomb that Dan is their father! She explains that all he has to do is check in on her friend, who will be watching the kids. When Dan ends up putting Vicki's friend in the hospital, he and Charlie end up taking over the responsibilities. If things are not bad yet, there's worse to come as they try to look after the kids. Although the theme is not new, there is a good supporting cast including the late Bernie Mac, Lori Loughlin, Seth Green and Matt Dillon. It is also the first film debut of Ella Bleu Travolta, who is John Travolta's daughter!

Best Price: DVD - $16.99 at Best Buy store only;  Blu-ray - $23.99 at Target; Blu-ray Combo Pack (with DVD & Digital Copy) - $24.86 at Walmart.com, $24.99 at Amazon.com and Best Buy.

Coupon: Click here to print a manufacturer's coupon for $10 off Blu-ray Combo Pack. Make sure to select the one that is for USA. Expires on March 16, 2010. For use in-store only.