Now that the Governator has returned to acting, he's finding a somewhat rocky road. Arnold Schwarzenegger does have his first film since leaving politics - The Last Stand- slated for release next year. However, plans to revive his most famous character for Terminator 5 appear to be falling apart. Schwarzenegger says there is no script and the director who had been hired has moved on to other things. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger is planning to develop a sequel to his 1980s hit comedy Twins, but the original film's director, Ivan Reitman, has publicly denounced the project as being crassly commercial. For more click here

 By Todd Garbarini

One of the great joys of going to the movies as a child was seeing Walt Disney films in a movie theater. I saw many of the live-action variety, but there were instances of Disney's classic cartoons being reissued on double bills with other Disney fare. One such film was 1950’s Cinderella, a movie that my mother had seen when she was about ten. I recall, even as a child, having a deep appreciation for the art of animation and, in the early 1990s, a woman who attended one of my classes in college was buying up the Disney films on VHS. I remember thinking how much better the films fared on laserdisc, but I never said anything for fear of sounding like a snob. All of those previous analog technologies, which were passable at the time, pale in comparison to the new Blu-ray of Cinderella. Disney has been doing an extraordinary job with their animated features in terms of high definition, sparing no expense at bringing their classic library one film at a time to home video. If you don’t see Cinderella on Blu-ray, I can honestly say that you really haven’t seen it, nor is it possible to fully appreciate the artistry that went into the making of this classic film. Nuances that were never before seen in analog format (even the high-end laserdisc editions) are now breathtakingly clear, colorful and robust. All of this has been made possible thanks to the folks who have given Cinderella a much-needed digital facelift and overhaul.

By now, the story of Cinderella is so familiar that it would be difficult indeed to find anyone unfamiliar with it. The story of a young girl forced to work as a maid for her evil stepmother and two wicked stepsisters and her turn at the ball have become so much a part of our lexicon and culture that even those who have not read the story or seen the film knows exactly what one is talking about merely through reference. If you’re one of those who have not seen the film yet, there is no better way to get acquainted with the story than with the new Blu-ray.

The extras include:

Tangled Ever After animated short which is a lead-in to the film (also on the DVD)

Never-Before-Seen Alternate Opening Sequence in storybook form

Personalized Digital Storybook: Bibbidi-Bobbidi-You – “Disney Second Screen” technology which permits viewers to experience a virtual storybook addendum to the film on an electronic device such as a computer, an iPod Touch, or an iPad.

Behind the Magic: A New Disney princess Fantasyland (about 8 minutes and also on the DVD)

The Real Fairy Godmother – a 12-minute tribute to Walt Disney’s wife

The film is available in several different flavors:

a 2-disc set which is comprised of one Blu-ray and one DVD

a 3-disc set which is comprised of one Blu-ray and two DVDs

a 6-disc set which includes Cinderella (1950), and the made-for-video productions Cinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002) and Cinderella III: Twist in Time (2007) on Blu-ray, DVD, and a Digital Copy of Cinderella. All six discs reside in a Cinderella Picture Storybook that sits inside a jewelry box.

The sound is also much improved and a far cry from the low-fidelity, hiss-y sound that was so prevalent on the VHS version of the film.

Cinderella has never looked like this before. This Blu-ray is a must-own.

Click here to order from Amazon

Cinema Retro contributor James Sherlock, James Bond star George Lazenby and long time partner and publicity assistant Jennifer Adeney next to the original On Her Majesty's Secret Service James Bond 007 Aston Martin DBS.

On the 50th anniversary of James Bond, one-time 007 On Her Majesty's Secret Service star George Lazenby flew into Melbourne, Australia, for the recent Armageddon Expo and a special appearance at Melbourne's premiere picture palace The Astor Theatre followed by a special screening of On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Another Bond guest included Die Another Day girl Rachel Grant. For the first time since filming, George Lazenby was reunited with the original On Her Majesty's Secret Service Aston Martin DBS used in the film, which is privately owned by a Melbourne collector who purchased it in 1978 and restored it to pristine condition (complete with the rifle handle and telescopic sights seen in the film, which are still in the glove compartment of the car.) Following media appearances, the stage show and Q&A, hosted by semi-retired cinema industry publicist, film historian, presenter and Cinema Retro contributor James Sherlock, was a near sell-out as Lazenby captivated the audience on his experiences as James Bond 007 in his 50th Anniversary celebration year.

By Tim Greaves

July 1973. The Gaumont, Southampton. If someone had whispered to the boy sitting in that cinema waiting for Roger Moore’s debut performance as James Bond to unfurl before his excited-beyond-measure eyes, that he would one day be seeing the man himself within the walls of that same building...well, he’d probably scarcely have believed it. His fascination with 007 would continue and thrive throughout the ensuing years (indeed, he would catch The Man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker at the Gaumont during their first run).

October 2012. The Mayflower, Southampton (formerly The Gaumont). The years have flown by and that little lad, now sharing his 50th year with the cinematic incarnation of his favourite fictional spy, is spending “An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore”. It’s one of a small number of stage appearances (also taking in Malvern, Kingston, Bournemouth, Bath, Basingstoke and Norwich) that give the legendary actor an opportunity to promote his new book, “Bond on Bond”, and share his captivating memories of over six decades working in the entertainment industry.

The pleasantly informal show is presided over by Sir Roger’s assistant and friend (not to mention “Cinema Retro” scribe) Gareth Owen – an endearing warmth emanates from their jovial repartee – and Sir Roger proves to be not only a natural raconteur, but a true gentleman, as his response to a question about an actress with whom he didn’t get along so well testifies: “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”
For the next couple of hours the packed auditorium is regaled with tales – from his early days working in Hollywood to his most famous screen roles in The Saint, The Persuaders (his impression of co-star Tony Curtis is a delight) and, of course, the James Bond films; from his glowing opinion of Daniel Craig’s portrayal of 007 to his collaboration with Moonraker co-star Irka Bochenko for the anniversary tribute single “Happy Birthday, Mr Bond”; from his gleeful ribbing of Desmond Llewelyn over Q’s complicated dialogue in the Bond films to his harrowing, often heart-breaking experiences as an ambassador for UNICEF. Two hours has never passed so swiftly.

It’s hardly a startling revelation that the boy so utterly beguiled by Live and Let Die back in 1973 was this reviewer. And I’m sure my younger incarnation would have been thrilled to know that one day his 40 odd years older self would have the chance to extend a personal thank you to the man whose work has given countless hours of pleasure to him and millions of others around the globe.
Sir Roger, you are one of the few remaining true gentlemen of the silver screen and it was an incomparable privilege to spend time in your company.

For official Moore appearance web site click here