Films and TV series for your viewing pleasure

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"Third Person," starring Liam Neeson, Adrian Brody, Mila Kunis, Olivia Wilde, James Franco, Maria Bello and Kim Basinger, was written and directed by Academy Award winner Paul Haggis ("Crash"). In his latest film, available on DVD Sept. 30, Haggis intricately weaves together the stories of three couples in three different cities.  In Paris Pulitzer Prize-winning author (Neeson). who recently left his wife (Basinger), is having a tempestuous affair with an ambitious young journalist (Wilde).  In Rome a shady American businessman (Brody) links up with a mysterious woman, and in New York a lawyer (Bellow) is helping a young mother (Kunis) in a custody battle with her famous ex-husband (Franco).

"Third Person" is a mystery and a puzzle in which truth is revealed in glimpses and clues. Nothing is truly what it seems. The various stories deal with love, passion, trust and betrayal involving lovers and estranged spouses as well as children lost and found.

Bonus features include a filmmaker commentary with writer/director Paul Haggis and others as well as "The Making of Third Person" and a Q & A with Haggis. "Third Person" has a running time of approximately 137 minutes and is rated R for language and some sexuality/nudity.

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On Sept. 23 "The Calling," starring Susan Sarandon (Best Actress Oscar Winner for "Dead Man Walking") arrives on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  In this thrilling murder mystery, Sarandon plays small town detective Hazel Micalleff who lives with her mother Ellen Burstyn. Things change drastically when she checks in on an ill neighbor and stumbles upon a gruesome murder that shatters her peaceful existence.  With the help of a fellow detective and a cop she unearths a series of similar killings across the country.  The local priest (Donald Sutherland) suggests there may be a link to an ancient ritual.  This clue causes Hazel to focus her search on a religious madman with a deadly higher calling. The thrilling story is based on the novel by Inger Ash Wolfe and takes the viewer on a journey into a shadowy landscape between faith and fear.

As a bonus there is a feature entitled "Divine Intention: Making The Calling." The film has a running time of 108 minutes and is rated R for violent content, disturbing images and some language.

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In the mood for a black comedy?  Then check out "Sordid Lives," starring Olivia Newton-John ("Grease"), Beau Bridges (TV's "The Millers"), Delta Burke (TV's "Designing Women"), Bonnie Bedelia and Leslie Jordan ("Will & Grace"). Described as "a black comedy about white trash," writer -director Del Shores' film, based on his hit play, tells the tale of a gay West Hollywood actor who returns home to his small Texas town for his grandmother's funeral  As the viewer gets to meet the three generations of his dysfunctional family, the comedic trashy truth of their "sordid lives" is revealed.  The film is 111 minutes long and is rated R. Bonus materials include interviews with the director who reminisces about the making of the film, along with cast members.  A commentary track is also included.

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TV's breakout hit "Nashville: The Complete Second Season" arrives on DVD on Sept. 23 with all 22 episodes plus never-before-seen bonus content.  The show not only has drama, it is filled with country music, intrigue and seduction. It stars Connie Britton as Rayna James and Haden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, two top Nashville singers and recording stars. In this season Juliette is ready to shine even brighter after her mother's death until a sordid scandal threatens to destroy her career.  Meanwhile, after Rayna nearly loses her life and her voice following a horrific car accident, she bounces back with her own record label and a new man.  But can she still fire up audiences without Deacon (Charles Esten) by her side? Now you can savor every moment of sin and song in a city where everyone has something to prove and everything to lose in "Nashville: The Complete Second Season."