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“The Help” on Blu-ray and DVD

December 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

The Best Movie of the Year will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, Digital Download and On-Demand, December 6, 2011  The Help – the inspirational summer hit film people cant stop talking about- arrives in homes just in time for the holidays.

I was talking about The Help before the movie came out, and even read the book in anticipation of the movie.  When I went to the Premier the week before it hit the theaters I knew for sure it was hands down the best movie of the year. I actually saw it three more times after that – it is just that good.   As someone who really doesnt even buy DVDs, I knew I wanted this one.

Last week when The Help arrived for review I was stoked.  I immediately took a picture and posted it to Facebook via InstaGram with the note “Movie Night Soon!?!”  Of course because I have the best friends in the entire World, a date was set!  Friday night was officially Margaritas and Movie night – and we had a BLAST.

The #1 New York Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society‟s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope — and complete with compelling, never-before-seen bonus features — The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.

One thing I love about The Help, is no matter how many times I watch it – I continue to laugh out loud every single time.  The cast is so perfectly chosen, each character just comes to life on the screen.

The Help stars Emma Stone as the courageous Eugenia “Skeeter‟ Phelan, who goes against the beliefs of her family and friends to find her own voice. The critically praised, emotional performance of Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, a woman who secretly dreams of one day having more than she has been given, offers a deep emotional storyline. The breakthrough performance of Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, whose sass and tough exterior disguise the pain and fear she faces every day, brings both drama and humor to the film. Bryce Dallas Howard breathes life into the catty Jackson socialite Hilly Holbrook and Jessica Chastain brings charm and humor as Celia Foote, a kind housewife living outside of town who longs to fit in. Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney and Ahna O‟Reilly also provide vivacious performances that round out this all-star female ensemble.

I was bummed that most of the “Extras” are only available on the Blu-ray and naturally we do not have a Blu-ray player since we live stream everything, we have never had the need for one.   I really wanted to see “The Making of” but it is only on the Blu-ray disc.   We did like the deleted scenes though, and Mary J Blige rocks  “The Living Proof” in the Official Video available on the DVD.

The Help Blu-ray DVD Combo is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone on your list.  It is the perfect “Margaritas and Movie” Girls Night In movie!


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The Help – Best Movie of the Summer

August 11, 2011 By 1 Comment

This week I had the pleasure of going to the premier of the new movie The Help with my friends Shasta and Carrie, and new friend Aubrey.  I have been waiting for this movie since the first time I saw a preview, and though I resisted reading the book initially because of prior let downs on book-turned-movie,  a few previews later and I was racing to Amazon.

The Help is a painfully realistic look at how things were in The South back in the early 50′s when segregation and racism was rampant.  But throughout the movie (and the awful conditions) you will see stories of courage, passion, and inspiration. It is by far the Summers best “feel good” movie that will make you laugh out loud and cry deep sobs, practically at the same time.

The cast could not have been better picked – every single character was played so perfectly.  From Minny to Cecilia  (my favorites) the characters were just EXACTLY what I imagined them to be after reading the book.   Check out these two the first time they meet:

The storyline is simple – an affluent white woman aspiring to be a writer decides to write an anonymous book from the perspective of “The Help” in Jackson Mississippi – during a time that it was dangerous for African Americans to even walk on the wrong side of the street.  They tell stories of raising babies like their own, only to have the “babies” become their “bosses”  and other personal depictions of their jobs as “The Help.” It is painful to watch the ignorance of so many back in those days and see how poorly these women were treated.  You will see story after story of what life was really like back then, and your heart will break with each one of them.

Shasta had warned me to “bring Kleenex” but with the exception of one particularly difficult scene, I laughed more than I cried, and I felt so inspired and proud of the movie and the women in it.  It absolutely lived up to my expectations, if not surpassed them.

I am sure I will be back to see it a few times, and it is one I am sure I will own once it comes on DVD, as Shasta and I both remarked how much we would love to see interviews and bonus features.  EVERYONE should see this movie.  Truly.  It is the perfect date for a “Girls Night Out”  (but even the guys will love it too!)

Disclaimer: I was able to see The Help as part of a premier screening, and was not otherwise compensated for this post.