"WAR HORSE" AVAILABLE ON DVD, BLU-RAY, ON-DEMAND & DIGITAL APRIL 3, 2012

War Horse 4-Disc Combo Pack

One of my favourite Films of 2011 will soon see a DVD/Blu-ray release and Fans of the Film have every reason to be excited. Best Picture-nomianted War Horse from Director Steven Spielberg will be available in a gratuitous a 4-Disc Combo Pack (2-Disc Blue-ray + 1 Disc DVD + Digital Copy) which includes the following: 

• A Filmmaking Journey - Academy Award®-winning Director/Producer Steven Spielberg provides a unique and unprecedented look into the making and filming of War Horse. 

• Editing & Scoring - Multi-Oscar® winners Michael Kahn (Film Editor) and John Williams (Composer) discuss specific aspects of editing the film and composing music for War Horse, as well as the secret to their long and successful collaborations with Steven Spielberg. 

•  The Sounds of War Horse - Seven-time Academy Award®-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom takes us through the sophisticated sound design he created for War Horse

• Through The Producer's Lens - Producer Kathleen Kennedy shares the photos she took during filming and recounts how she discovered the source material, as well as her appreciation of Steven Spielberg's vision, the team that sounds him, and why War Horse appealed to her. 

• War Horse: The Look - Director/Producer Steven Spielberg introduces us to his creative team of production designer Rick Carter, Costume Designer Joanna Johnston and Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski, who discuss what it took to design the look for the film. 

• An Extra's Point of View - Film extra Martin Dew explains how and why he was brought in -along with a hundred other men- to be featured alternately as both German and British Soldiers.

Read my Review of War Horse here.

War Horse will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, Digital and On-Demand April 3, 2012.  Order it here.

(Photo credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada)

"CONTRABAND" DELIVERS THE GOODS AT THE TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Still from Contraband

No real surprise that Universal Pictures takes the top of the Box Office with their Action flick Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale, with a total of $25 million from 2,863 theatres.  Call it a comeback for Beckinsale who hasn't seen the top of the Box Office since 2006 with Adam Sandler Comedy, Click.

Landing in second is Disney's new and improved Beauty and the Beast 3-D, showing in 2,625 theatres with $18.5 million earned in its debut, just ahead of another Musical in Joyful Noise starring Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah with $12.3 million.

Still going strong in fourth is Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with $12.1 million from 3,346 theatres in its fifth week of release, edging-out last week's champion The Devil Inside in fifth spot with $7.5 million. Both are from Paramount Pictures.

"MI4" ON-TOP AGAIN: MOVIEGOERS CHOOSE FIREWORKS ON NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND

Still from Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Moviegoers wants fireworks and explosions this New Year's Eve weekend at the Box Office, choosing Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol first with $31.2 million for Paramount Pictures. The fourth installment in the Franchise also was number one last weekend, now bringing in $134 million in three weeks of release. In fact, the Top Three currently is identical to last weekend - all sequels on-top.

In second again is Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows with $22 million also in its third week out, now earning $132 million domestically for Warner Bros., ahead of Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked with $18.2 million, a three-week total of $94.6 million.

DreamWorks' War Horse is faring well in fourth spot with $16.9 million in its second week, a two-week total of $42.9 million, well on its way to making back its $70 million in production costs. It has only thus far had a small opening Overseas and will continue to expand in coming weeks.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is showing some glimmer of hope in fifth spot in its second week earning $16.3 million, a total of $57.1 million thus far. The American Adaptation by David Fincher of the Swedish phenomenon, was made for $90 million by Sony Pictures.

"WAR HORSE" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from War Horse

After his Father Ted (Peter Mullan) makes the impulsive decision to purchase a Thoroughbred Horse for 30 guineas, Albert (Jeremy Irvine) finds himself scrambling to train it into a Workhorse in hopes of recouping its expensive price.  The Boy develops an inseparable bond with the Colt, whom he names Joey, ably training him into a contributing Helper on their Farm.

Possibly facing eviction by their ruthless Landlord Lyons (David Thewlis), Ted sells Joey off to Captain Nichols (Tom Hiddleston) at the onset of World War I.  This breaks Albert's spirits completely as both he and Joey are separated indefinitely - their futures uncertain in dangerous times.  War Horse is the heartwarming Story of two unlikely Heroes - Human and Equine - who are driven apart by times of change and also inspired to fight to survive under those same circumstances.

Director Steven Spielberg pulls out all stops to deliver a compelling Story on the grand scale which it deserves to be told. His characters are multidimensional and human and he truly takes us on a real Journey where we grow with both Albert and Joey, empathizing at every unfortunate turn and setback along the way.  "The War is taking everything from everyone", we are reminded in the Film.  Admittedly I could not stop crying throughout War Horse - especially in a powerful sequence where Joey breaks free from his Captors - and also the beautifully-lit final moments of the Film.  Literally, I teared-up so much that my face began feeling numb at the end of the two-and-a-half hour Journey. And that's a good thing.

"WAR HORSE" WORLD PREMIERE PHOTOS

The Cast of War Horse with Director Steven Spielberg

The great-looking Cast of Steve Spielberg's War Horse hit the Red Carpet at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' Avery Fisher Hall last night for its official World Premiere. If emerging Actor Jeremy Irvine isn't on your radar yet, by all means he will be after seeing War Horse.  The heartwarming/heartbreaking Tale opens via DreamWorks Pictures on Christmas Day. The six-time TONY Award Winner opens at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto also on February 10, 2012.

Stars Irvine, Tom Hiddleston (sporting a Goatee), Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Celine Buckens, David Kross, Robert Emms, Director Steven Spielberg all attended the high-profile Premiere.   See how dapper Irvine looks in his Burberry Suit, paying homage to his native Britain. Mega-hot Elizabeth Olsen (getting lots of Oscar buzz for Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick also showed-up to show their support.

See more Photos from the Premiere below:

ENTER TO WIN AN ADVANCE PASS TO SEE "WAR HORSE" IN TORONTO & PRIZE PACK

Official Artwork for War Horse

War Horse, from legendary Director Steven Spielberg, is the heartbreaking journey of a young Man named Albert (Jeremy Irvine) and his Horse Joey. Although they are torn apart by War, their bond is inseparable and we wonder whether the two will ever unite again with all odds stacked against them.  The Drama is the one Film in 2011 which made me cry so hard that my face hurt by the end of its two-and-a-half hours.

Although my Review won't be posted until War Horse hits theatres on Christmas Day, DreamWorks Pictures & Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven would like to take three lucky Readers and a Guest each to see a Toronto Advance Screening of the Oscar Contender on December 15, 2011 at Scotiabank Theatre.  One Reader also will win a copy of the Novel War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, plus a Poster of the Movie too (similar to above)!  

To enter, simply click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook. You have until December 12, 2011 to qualify for the win.  Good luck, Mavenati!  Canadian Readers only, please.

Watch the Trailer in full below for War Horse: