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Henry Thomas discusses playing music icon Hank Williams in The Last Ride, currently available on Blu-ray and DVD

Henry Thomas captured America's heart as Elliott in the 1982 classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and he hasn't stopped working since. He starred in one of my personal childhood favorites, Cloak and Dagger, and in notable films such as Valmont, Legends of the Fall, Suicide Kings, All The Pretty Horses, Gangs of New York, Dear John, and many more. The actor returns to play music icon Hank Williams in The Last Ride, currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. Set just days before the country singer passed away, this drama is based on the true story of a young man (Jesse James) hired to drive Hank to a series of concerts over the New Year's Eve holiday, and the bond that formed between these very different men. I recently had the chance to speak with...

Playing the Silas to Henry Thomas' Hank Williams, Jesse James had the fantastic opportunity to recreate the last few days of country music legend Hank Williams' life in The Last Ride at the young age of just 24. Starring alongside Henry Thomas as Williams, James recently chatted with me about playing the driver from this infamous real-life story, and what scene was the most challenging, yet memorable.

As many music fans know, at the end of 1952 Williams asked a young driver, Silas, to drive him to some New Years shows in West Virginia and Ohio. But after keeping his identity a secret from the young driver during the Appalachian countryside travel, Williams was eventually found dead in the backseat of the car. Though the incident grew controversial, pills and alcohol were ultimately to blame.

The Last Ride will be coming to Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, June 4.

What was it...

Stars: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Brady Coleman, Richard Robichaux, Rick Dial, Brandon Smith, Larry Jack Dotson | Written by Richard Linklater, Skip Hollandsworth | Directed by Richard Linklater

Fact is always stranger than fiction. That statement has been a part of our popular lexicon for as long as I can remember. Even with its common use the factual nature of that statement has gone relatively unexamined. While that is not the exact purpose of Richard Linklater’s Bernie it is a welcomed side effect. In Bernie Linklater tells the story of Bernie, an eccentric funeral director that completely takes over a small Texas town. Instead of presenting this story in a normal biographical framework Linklater uses a combination of actors and real life townspeople by weaving them in through documentary style interviews and actual scripted scenes. With this blend of fact and possibly fiction we get a fascinating portrait into...

Studio: Millennium | Director: Richard Linklater | Cast: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Mathew McConaughey, Rick Dial, Sonny Davis

Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: 8/21/2012 | Price: DVD $28.99, Blu-ray $29.99

Bonuses: featurettes, “Amazing Grace” performance by Jack Black

Specs: PG-13 | 104 min. | Crime comedy drama | 1.85:1 widescreen | Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS-hd Master Audio 5.1 | English and Spanish subtitles

Ratings (out of 5 dishes): Movie | Audio | Video | Overall

Quirky, darkly whimsical and wonderfully acted, the crime comedy-drama Bernie marks a return pairing for actor Jack Black (Gulliver’s Travels) and director Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused) who also teamed on 2004’s hit comedy The School of Rock. The proceedings are a considerably more low-key in this telling of the true story of a Texas murder accented by a set of oddball circumstances.

Jack Black cares for Shirley MacLaine in Bernie.

Black is Bernie Tiede, an overly mannered and well-liked 40-year-old mortician, who gets involved with Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine, Valentine’s...

Enter for a chance to win some tickets to the Bernie comedy starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley McLaine! Nab some tix to the Richard Linklater comedy distributed by Millennium Entertainment, with a cast also including Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands.

Enter for a chance to win some tickets to the Bernie comedy starring Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley McLaine! Nab some tix to the Richard Linklater comedy distributed by Millennium Entertainment, with a cast also including Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands.

School of Rock director Richard Linklater reteams with Jack Black for the true-crime comedy Bernie, which follows a small Texas town's beloved mortician accused of killing off a well-to-do widow played by Shirley MacLaine. Paulington James Christensen III recently caught up with the odd pairing of Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine to discuss the movie, channeling Tupac Shakur, and the fact that this is neither a sequel nor prequel to Weekend at Bernie's. Watch as Shirley MacLaine answers incoming phone calls from the dead!

Exclusive: Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine

Bernie was released April 27th, 2012 and stars Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Orosco, Tommy G. Kendrick, Rick Dial, Mona Lee Fultz, Gary Teague. The film is directed by Richard Linklater.

Millennium Entertainment has released the fifth poster for director Richard Linklater's dark comedy Bernie, which debuts in theaters April 27. Jack Black stars as an affable small-town mortician accused of killing a rich widow. This new 1-sheet showcases the campaign to "Free Bernie." Check it out.

Bernie comes to theaters April 27th, 2012 and stars Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Orosco, Tommy G. Kendrick, Rick Dial, Mona Lee Fultz, Gary Teague. The film is directed by Richard Linklater.

Bernie starring Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine, gets a new movie clip. Helmed by Richard Linklater, who also co-writes alongside Skip Hollandsworth, Bernie opens in limited areas via Millennoum Entertainment on April 27th. Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis also star in the film produced by Liz Glotzer, David McFadzean, Ginger Sledge, Martin Shafer and Matt Williams. Bernie is a Mandalay Vision and Wind Dancer Films production. This marks the second addition for a MIllennium Entertainment release, after we just added 3 new clips from A Little Bit of Heaven a short while ago. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie,...

Bernie starring Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine, gets a new movie clip. Helmed by Richard Linklater, who also co-writes alongside Skip Hollandsworth, Bernie opens in limited areas via Millennoum Entertainment on April 27th. Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis also star in the film produced by Liz Glotzer, David McFadzean, Ginger Sledge, Martin Shafer and Matt Williams. Bernie is a Mandalay Vision and Wind Dancer Films production. This marks the second addition for a MIllennium Entertainment release, after we just added 3 new clips from A Little Bit of Heaven a short while ago. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie,...

Millennium Entertainment has released a new sing-along clip for the dark comedy Bernie, which is set for release April 27. Jack Black stars as the title character, Bernie Tiede, who is seen singing the hymn Love Lifted Me in his car. Check it out, and follow the lyrics to have your own little karaoke session.

Bernie - Sing-along with Bernie Tiede

Bernie comes to theaters April 27th, 2012 and stars Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Tommy G. Kendrick, Rick Dial, Gary Teague, Mona Lee Fultz, Christian Stokes. The film is directed by Richard Linklater.

Scripted and helmed by Richard Linklater (Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Before Sunset), Bernie opens via Millennium Entertainment on April 27th Other cast includes Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In this clip, Danny Buck Davidson (Matthew McConaughey) has Bernie (Jack Black) on the stand, and Bernie's in a pickle. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became...

Scripted and helmed by Richard Linklater (Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Before Sunset), Bernie opens via Millennium Entertainment on April 27th Other cast includes Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In this clip, Danny Buck Davidson (Matthew McConaughey) has Bernie (Jack Black) on the stand, and Bernie's in a pickle. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became...

Scripted and helmed by Richard Linklater (Bad News Bears, The School of Rock, Before Sunset), Bernie opens via Millennium Entertainment on April 27th Other cast includes Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In this clip, Danny Buck Davidson (Matthew McConaughey) has Bernie (Jack Black) on the stand, and Bernie's in a pickle. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became...

Millennium Entertainment has released three character posters for the upcoming comedy Bernie, which arrives in theaters nationwide April 27. Take a look at these one-sheets featuring the funeral director (Jack Black), the district attorney (Matthew McConaughey), and the widow (Shirley MacLaine).

Bernie comes to theaters April 27th, 2012 and stars Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Tommy G. Kendrick, Rick Dial, Gary Teague, Mona Lee Fultz, Christian Stokes. The film is directed by Richard Linklater.

Character posters of Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley Maclaine for Bernie. Check out four new poster additions from the Richard Linklater-helmed-and-scripted Bernie, which also includes Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs,...

Character posters of Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley Maclaine for Bernie. Check out four new poster additions from the Richard Linklater-helmed-and-scripted Bernie, which also includes Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs,...

Character posters of Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley Maclaine for Bernie. Check out four new poster additions from the Richard Linklater-helmed-and-scripted Bernie, which also includes Brady Coleman, David Blackwell, Rick Dial, Richard Jones, Dale Dudley, Tommy G. Kendrick and Sonny Carl Davis. In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town’s most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and Bernie struggled to meet her increasing demands. Bernie continued to handle her affairs,...

Millennium Entertainment has released the first trailer for director Richard Linklater's comedy Bernie, which arrives in theaters April 27. Jack Black stars as the title character, an affable funeral director who shocks his small Texas town when he's charged with the murder of a wealthy widower. Take a look at new footage from Bernie below.

Bernie: Trailer

In the tiny, rural town of Carthage, TX, assistant funeral director Bernie Tiede was one of the town's most beloved residents. He taught Sunday school, sang in the church choir and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Everyone loved and appreciated Bernie, so it came as no surprise when he befriended Marjorie Nugent, an affluent widow who was as well known for her sour attitude as her fortune. Bernie frequently traveled with Marjorie and even managed her banking affairs. Marjorie quickly became fully dependant on Bernie and his generosity and...

Chicago – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two run-of-engagement movie passes up for grabs to the new film “Crazy Heart” with Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Robert Duvall!

The film also stars Brian Gleason, Rick Dial, William Sterchi, Richard W. Gallegos, William Marquez, LeAnne Lynch, David Manzanares, J. Michael Oliva and Ryil Adamson from writer and director Scott Cooper. “Crazy Heart” is based on the novel by the same name from Thomas Cobb.

To win your free “Crazy Heart” movie pass to any Chicago-area Landmark Theatre at the time of your choosing, all you need to do is answer our question in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! “Crazy Heart” opened in Chicago on Dec. 25, 2009. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for “Crazy Heart” with Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal.