TV Show Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: David McCallum, Pauley Perrette, Lauren Holly, Cote de Pablo, Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Sean Murray
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: CBS/Paramount

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 23, 2003 - Present
DVD Box Set Release Date: August 26, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon
Episodes: All episodes from the fifth season

If you are a fan of crime dramas you have to be in hog heaven these days. NCIS, CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:NY, Criminal Minds, Numbers, and the list goes on. These aren’t even half of the crime shows on these days. They are just a few that came to the top of my head. Naturally, some of these shows are better than others, with writing and acting coming down to the main differences in style and popularity. Still, if you have a love for any of them you can probably learn to like most of them.

My biggest problem with the bulk of these shows is that they are all capitalizing off of one. CSI was a blockbuster hit, so they made the same show in different locations and kept things rolling with three times the popularity. I get the point, but find it mildly annoying nonetheless. The thing, albeit a small thing, that sets NCIS apart would have to be the military angle. The writing is engaging and the actors are able to handle their roles, but in the end this would be no different than the other CSI-style dramas.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away one copy of Iron Man: 2-Disc Special Collector’s Edition on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of October 16, 2008, which means you have until October 15, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release:
Welcome back for another round of crass humor and over-the-top outrageousness at Paddy’s Pub with the craziest bunch of unwholesome friends ever when the ridiculously hilarious third season of “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” comes to DVD September 9th from Fox Home Entertainment.

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TV Show Info:
Writer: Various
Director: Various
Cast: Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Curly Howard
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Sony Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Original Air Dates:1940-1942
DVD Box Set Release Date: August 26, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon

When you are a kid there is just something funny about grown men smacking, bumping, kicking, and poking each other in the eyes. Over 20 years later (in my case, for others it could be much longer), it is still pretty hilarious. As a huge Stooges fan I look forward to each of these compilations as they come. Despite the fact that I have already had the chance to see a large number of these classic shorts, it is great to be able to revisit them. It’s even better to see them preserved in such good quality. Now I can watch them whenever I want, which is an extra special treat, considering these are rarely, if ever, shown on television these days.

The heyday for The Three Stooges was between 1934 and 1947. Prior to then, Curly was not a member of the group and Shemp Howard was the third Stooge. Curly replaced Shemp in 1934 and amused audiences until 1947 when he had a stroke. Shemp came back on the show at that time, with Curly’s blessing, until he would be able to return. Unfortunately, he never got back to the point where he was strong enough to handle the demands of filming. However, his contributions to comedy are still celebrated today, in sets such as this. This particular set pays close attention to the years 1940 to 1942.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Victor Levin
Director: Yann Samuell
Cast: Jesse Bradford, Elisha Cuthbert, Austin Basis, William Abadie
Rating: PG-13
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: August 26, 2008
DVD Release Date: August 26, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

All I had to hear was “from the makers of My Big Fat Greek Wedding” for me to be sold on this review. I did not see the Korean original to this American remake. I am a bit biased when it comes to foreign cinema, but my love for Greek Wedding blinded me. I know deep down that whenever a foreign remake hits the table it will be slashed to shreds before it is finished. While there are some exceptions, this is for the most part, too true. I found My Sassy Girl to be absolutely no different.

Putting it nicely My Sassy Girl is a mindless, thoughtless, boring chick flick that was made to play off the pseudo-success of the main actors, Jesse Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert. Both somewhat likable in their roles, it seemed that the filmmakers were hoping that even those that like chick flicks wouldn’t look beyond the attractive surface for something with a little bit more substance. Unfortunately, I was the one that looked and lo and behold, there was nothing there to find.

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Movie Info:
Director: David Ayer
Writers: James Ellroy, Kurt Wimmer, Jamie Moss
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, Cedric the Entertainer, Jay Mohr
Rating: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: April 11, 2008
DVD Release Date: August 19, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.99

If you saw the movie Training Day and you liked it then you will probably feel a familiarity with Street Kings. While different, many of the same themes are explored. If you hold a magnifying glass to this movie and scrutinize every angle in comparison with Training Day you won’t like it. That is not to say this is a bad movie. It’s just not Training Day. Then again, I could name a million movies that it’s not. However, if you take it for what it’s worth, leaving everything else behind, it certainly isn’t that bad.

Fans of action movies set in gritty, gang infested neighborhoods will like this movie because that is exactly what you are offered. Street Kings was undertaken by David Ayer after a number of other directors declined the project or abandoned it altogether. While it was originally supposed to see the light of the theater in 2005 it did not get there in actuality until April of 2008.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away one copy of Iron Man: 2-Disc Special Collector’s Edition on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of October 1, 2008, which means you have until September 30, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release:
Suit up for action with Robert Downey Jr. in the ultimate adventure movie you’ve been waiting for, Iron Man! When jet-setting genius-industrialist Tony Stark is captured in enemy territory, he builds a high-tech suit of armor to escape. Now, he’s on a mission to save the world as a hero who’s built, not born, to be unlike any other. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, it’s a fantastic, high-flying journey that is “hugely entertaining” (Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal).

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of The Love Guru on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of September 18, 2008, which means you have until September 17, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release:
A hilarious comedy starring Mike Myers as guru Pitka in his first original character since the blockbuster hit Austin Powers. Myers plays an American raised in India by gurus (Tugginmypudha & Satchabigknoba) and returns to the U.S. in order to break into the self-help business. His unorthodox methods are put to the test when he must settle the romantic troubles and subsequent professional skid of a star hockey player (Romany Malco), whose wife left him for a rival athlete Jacques Grande (Justin Timberlake). Mini Me is back from Austin Powers and plays the hockey coach for more classic comedic moments that will have audiences laughing from opening to closing credits.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of CSI: Miami: The Sixth Season on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of September 11, 2008, which means you have until September 10, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release:
All 21 episodes from season six–including “Dangerous Son,” “Deep Freeze,” “Raising Caine,” “All In,” and “Going Ballistic”–are featured in a six-disc set. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary on selected episodes; featurettes.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of Little People Big World Season 2, Volume 1 on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of September 14, 2008, which means you have until September 13, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release:
Ever wondered what it would feel like being a little person in this big world we live in? Follow Little People parents Matt and Amy Roloff as they struggle with the everyday dilemmas of raising a happy family with three average height children – 16 year-old Jeremy, 13 year-old Molly and 10 year-old Jacob – and one little person son, Jeremy’s twin brother Zachary. A relatable family documentary, the series deals with all of the domestic drama and familial issues of a full house as well as the emotional and financial burdens of a family that is ordinary in every way but one.

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Literary Illusions is proud to be giving away five copies of Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be sent an email shortly after the end of the contest. To claim your prize all you will need to do is send us your address in a reply to the congratulation email that you will receive. If we do not receive a reply from you within three weeks, your winnings will be forfeited and your prize will be offered to another contestant.

We will begin emailing winners for this the week of September 15, 2008, which means you have until September 14, 2008 at 11:59 to enter.

From the Press Release:
Imagine doing the day to day activities in your life – with eight children under the age of eight by your side! One set of parents have become quick on their feet and have stayed a few steps ahead of the kids that out-number them four-to-one, and have shared their experiences everyone. When the Gosselins dreamed of having a family, nonstop chaos wasn’t exactly what they envisioned. But the arrival of a set of twins and a set of sextuplets within five years has added up to Jon and Kate, plus 8. Seemingly ordinary life events like pumpkin picking and birthday parties become extraordinary mind-boggling juggling acts.

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