The sixth installment of the HARRY POTTER series comes to Film Fresh on DVD and DivX download. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is directed by David Yates, the British filmmaker behind the previous film in the series and the upcoming HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HOLLOWS.  Under his direction, PRINCE has become another strong entry in this film franchise, with Kenneth Turan of the LOS ANGELES TIMES writing that the Potter series has “become as comfortable and reliable as an old shoe, providing a degree of dependability that's becoming increasingly rare.” (more)

Check out this interview with Yates and see what it took to bring this adaptation to the screen. (more)

Early Oscar-buzz surrounds the film JULIE & JULIA, the film based upon the real- lives of chef Julia Child and author Julia Powell.  Powell, played by Academy Award nominee Amy Adams, attempts to cook every recipe in Child’s, Academy Award winner Meryl Streep, book Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Streep received specific praise for her performance as Child. Stephanie Zacharek of SALON.COM writes her in review, “Streep isn't playing Julia Child here, but something both more elusive and more truthful -- she's playing our idea of Julia Child.” (more)

The original blog that Powell kept during her culinary endeavor is still available to read. (more)

HOLLYWOOD, JE T’AIME is written and directed by young filmmaker/actor Jason Bushman. A favorite at 2009’s Outfest, HOLLYWOOD, JE T’AIME follows the encounters of a young Frenchman newly arrived in Hollywood.

Peter Debruge of VARIETY writes, “Though delivered in sitcom style, HOLLYWOOD, JE T’AIME also manages to address such issues as HIV and prostitution in the gay community, as well as the double standard facing gay actors.” (more)

INDEIWIRE featured this interview with Bushman during the film’s screening at Outfest.

The 1998 Spanish film BARRIO comes to Film Fresh’s ‘World’ section. BARRIO details the lives of the lower-middle class in Madrid, Spain, through the eyes of three kids and with a lot of black humor. Fernando León de Aranoa, one of Spanish cinema’s top talents, directs the film.

One of the most influential films during the French New Wave was Jean-Pierre Melvile’s BOB LE FLAMBEUR. This story of an aging gambler is part of the Criterion Collection’s DVD series, but Film Fresh also offers the movie via DivX download. You can still read the Criterion Collection’s analysis of the film on their web site. (more)

Another film found in the Criterion Collection that is now available for DivX download is THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, starring music legend David Bowie. Catch this cult-classic in all its stunning sci-fi imagery and read Criterion’s own analysis of the film. (more)