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Rabbit Hole


 Rabbit Hole is a hopeful and honest film starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Sandra Oh, Dianne Wiest, and Miles Teller.  Directed by John Cameron Mitchell, the film was distributed by Lionsgate pictures and released into theaters on December 17, 2010.  The DVD, which runs around an hour and a half, will be made available nationwide on April 19, 2011.  This drama is rated PG-13 due to mature themes and material, minimal drug use, and offensive language.

Rabbit Hole follows a damaged family and their search for hope and possibility in a seemingly dark world of impossibility.  Becca and Howie Corbett are the principal characters, played by Kidman and Eckhart, respectively, who have suffered a severe loss.  In the wake of this tragedy, we watch them trying to find themselves, or recreate themselves, in a new atmosphere of shock and guilt.  Becca finds herself repelled by the familiar routines and activities that have brought her comfort in the past, while Howie indulges in them.

Key moments of the film include when Becca opens up to her intimidating, but loving, mother, played by Wiest.  She also secretly confides in a teenager that was involved in the tragedy, played by Teller, looking for solace anywhere she can.  Other highlights include when Howie briefly loses control, lashing out, and considering adultery with another woman, played by Oh.

As much drama as takes place in this story, there is still time for heart-lightening moments of laughter and content sprinkled throughout the film.  Rabbit Hole is designed to invite the viewer down the rabbit hole of a modern family struggling with a disaster that will reshape their lives forever.  It is a dark and earnest look at the effects of tragedy on relationships.

Rabbit Hole is a film adaptation of a Tony award-winning play, originally written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Abaire, who also worked on the screenplay.  The film spawned multiple award nominations, including a Golden Globe, an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as many others.  The film's appraisal is due to the rough and draining subject material, which invokes difficult emotions.  Rabbit Hole ends on a note of hope, however, offering a light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel.  The DVD will include a number of bonus features designed to give the audience a behind-the-scenes peek at the development of the film.  There will also be featured commentary and additional footage not previously available to the public.

The King's Speech

The King's Speech was released into movie theaters on November 26, 2010.  It is directed by Tom Hooper and stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, and Timothy Spall. Running at 111 minutes, the film is distributed by The Weinstein Company, and is rated R for adult language.  The DVD of this already popular drama will be available for public purchase on April 19, 2011. 

The King's Speech has become a much-anticipated DVD release, as the title appeared in numerous categories at this year's Academy Awards.  Nominated in multiple areas, the most notable recognition comes from the categories of Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and even Best Picture.  Colin Firth even picked up a win under the category of Best Actor, leaving critics blown away by his genuine performance.

The King's Speech is a timepiece, taking place in the monarchy of England.  After the death of King George V, played by Michael Gambon, and the scandalous renunciation of King Edward VIII, played by Pearce, a stuttering man named Bertie is made King George VI of England.  Suffering from a speech impediment throughout his entire life, Bertie is faced with the challenge of bringing the country back from the verge of war and providing them with a reliable leader to look up to.  


His wife, played by Bonham Carter, makes arrangements with a speech therapist, played by Rush, who works with Bertie to perfect his speaking abilities.  The two get off to an all-but-smooth start, eventually working their way into a strong relationship.  With the support of the speech therapist, his wife, and Winston Churchill, played by Spall, Bertie works toward presenting the perfect speech to unify the people and bring the country into a new age of success and progress.


This film is based on the real-life struggle of King George VI to find his voice in the monarchy.  It is an engaging and intriguing look at a world that many people will never experience, and a challenge that many have never faced, let alone overcome.  Because of the unique insight offered by The King's Speech, it is one of the best films of the year.  Presenting a wide range of themes and emotions, the cast fits perfectly together in this all-star ensemble.  Each character is presented with such care and dedication that it is impossible not to appreciate the work that went into making this film, and making it as accurate as possible.  This is definitely a necessary addition to any “Must See” list being made for 2011.  The DVD will include a number of bonus features designed to give the audience a behind-the-scenes peek at the development of the film.  There will also be featured commentary and additional footage not previously available to the public.