RSS
Home
Movie Holiday Shopping Guide Part 2
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Part 1 of this holiday shopping guide focused on products already released for the movie fanatic in your family. Part 2 centers on the big releases coming to a store near you in the coming weeks. Remember, all dates are subject to change.
December 2nd Releases
Casablanca (Ultimate Collector’s Edition) : Released multiple times on DVD already, one of Hollywood’s most beloved achievement returns again in this massive collector’s edition. New this time is a featurette on Jack Warner, a 48 page photo book, a passport holder and luggage tug, just to name a few. Additionally, Borgart and Bergman will be making their first foray into the realm of Blu-ray with this release so high definition fans take note.
The Shawshank Redemption : The preexisting two-disc DVD set of the 1990s Frank Darabont classic The Shawshank Redemption makes its way to Blu-ray . The majority of the supplements transfer over, alongside the amped up picture and sound quality.
December 9th Releases
The Dark Knight : Remember this guy? The Dark Knight? Came out this past summer. Made a few dollars. Well, probably 2008’s biggest DVD and Blu-ray release lands the second week of December and copies will be plenty and go fast. Single and two disc editions are set for DVD, with the two disc and a limited edition version including a replica of the Batpod out for Blu-ray. Over three hours of making of material is attached to the two discs and the high def kids get an extra goodie. The IMAX footage will be reproduced on the Blu-ray transfer in a special, format changing way that has received high marks from reviewers.
Man on Wire : One of 2008’s best reviewed releases has been James Marsh’s documentary Man on Wire. In 1974, Frenchman Philippe Petit snuck his way on to the top of the World Trade Center and, in a miraculous feat, walked along a wire between the world’s tallest building where he danced, jumped and played 110 stories above the ground. This is Petit’s tale, full of miraculous photos and stories of what happened from those who helped plan it, tried to stop it and were amazed by the days one of a kind moment. The DVD is set to include deleted scenes, plus an audio commentary.
Europa : Lars von Trier’s Europa is a wild, one of a kind film and is nicely receiving the Criterion treatment. Europa tells the story of an American living in Germany after World War II who gets a job as a sleeping car conductor. He soon travels the country and learns of the hardships the struggling country must now confront. Released originally in 1991, von Trier’s picture is narrated by none other than Max von Sydow and this new Criterion overflows with treats for long time fans. A small list of Europa’s new extras are an audio commentary, a lengthy making of documentary, bountiful interviews with cast and crew and an improved English subtitle translation.
December 16th Releases
Mamma Mia : The year’s biggest musical and the UK’s highest grossing film of all time arrives on DVD and Blu-ray with all the ABBA goodness one can ask for. The adaptation of popular stage show uses the Swedish pop group’s songs to form a story about young Sophie, played wonderfully by Amanda Seyfried, who lives on a Greek island with her mom (Meryl Streep). However, unsure who her real father is, Sophie invites her three possible dads to her wedding and all sorts of whacky, oddly choreographed dancing ensues. The home release comes with, of course, a sing along on-screen lyrics, so pick it up and see if you can out sing Mr. Brosnan...the answer is yes. Yes you can.
Criterion Blu Ray! : Criterion shows up once again and for good measure. The company has long been a forerunner in truly great transfers of films to the home medium, ranging in classics from all over the cinematic realm. December brings Criterion’s first foray into the high definition world with four pictures, The Third Man, The Man Who Fell To Earth, Bottle Rocket and Chungking Express. Excitement has been boiling since these were announced in May and their imminent release is exciting to hardcore fan films everywhere. Sure to be littered with the normal in depth and intelligent features Criterion is known for, each of these are releases to keep on your holiday shopping radar.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
