Christmas Gift Idea: (500) Days of Summer

This summer’s excellent romantic-comedy hit arrives on DVD today just in time for Christmas. Distributed by Fox Searchlight, it’s one of the most original rom-com’s in recent memories, and one of the years best films.

(500) Days of Summer features a great soundtrack, and is hugely quotable and highly enjoyable. It’s an honest, believable look at relationships, that tells us that while Summer’s fun, sometimes we’ve got to move on to what comes next. We reviewed the film when it opened in theatres on July 17th, our consensus was:

“(500) Days of Summer boasts a style of storytelling that is a lot of fun to watch. The acting, music, and story are all very good. A unique movie that is really worth seeing this Summer. ***3/4 (Out of 4)”

The DVD includes commentary with director Marc Webb, writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, and star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and “Lost Days of Summer” deleted and extended scenes.

-John C.

Christmas Gift Idea: The Mel Brooks Collection

Today, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing a Blu-Ray collection of 9 Mel Brooks films. The set includes the following classic and hilarious comedies:

The Twelve Chairs (1970)

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Silent Movie (1976)

High Anxiety (1977)

History Of The World Part I (1981)

To Be Or Not To Be (1983)

Spaceballs (1987)

Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993)

These 9 films are all classics, and all of them worth owning in HD. Each of the discs is packed with bonus material. The set also includes a beautiful 120-page hardcover book about Mel Brooks, with info on each of his films.

Mel Brooks has directed 11 feature films, so the only three this set doesn’t include is The Producers (1968), Life Stinks (1991) and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). To Be or Not to Be was directed by Alan Johnson.

For any movie or comedy lover on your list, this would make a great Christmas gift.

-John C.

Christmas Gift Ideas: North By Northwest - 50th Anniversary Edition

About the DVD By John C.

I first saw North By Northwest on TV when I was about 9-years old. It literally just blew me away. From the amazing crop-dusting scene, to the fight atop Mount Rushmore, this was just one of the best things I’d ever seen. Watching it again on DVD many years later, it’s still one of my favourite Hitchcock films. Filled with mistaken identity and brilliant suspense, this is a classic in every sense of the word.

The first disc includes a beautifully restored version of the film and audio commentary by Ernest Lehman. The second disc includes over 3 hours of bonuses, including documentaries on Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant.

About the DVD By Erin V.

One of the most classic films of all time, this 50th anniversary edition is a must-have for any movie buff. Alfred Hitchcock's masterful storytelling is fully present here, as is his amazing ability to create suspense. Just take the crop-dusting scene for example. It is about 10 minutes long, yet we are never bored, even while nothing is really happening - because we know it will and are waiting for it to.

While the special effects are not really anything by today's standards, they are groundbreaking for the time, and still are believable and match the context of the film today. The classic score by Bernard Herrmann is a giant orchestral piece that is more noticeable than the majority of scores today, but so classy that it works. It contains many now famous themes, like the brilliant opening credits, and the music for the fight atop Mount Rushmore.

I am glad to finally have this classic on DVD. It is one of my favourite films that I have watched several times. If you get the BluRay, you will be treated to a book-like case with a book inside along with the disc, just like either format of the Clone Wars Season 1. If you have BluRay, definitely opt for this option - the extra price is worth it. But no matter what format you get it in, this is one to buy for someone, or better yet, put on your own Christmas list this season.

Christmas Gift Ideas: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - 20th Anniversary Edition

About the DVD By John C.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a comedic, holiday classic. Written by the late, great John Hughes, the script is filled with hilarity and heart. Part of what makes it so funny is the comedic timing of Chevy Chase, perfectly executing every pratfall, stunt and physical gag that the movie has to offer. The various family members that pretty much invite themselves over are also very funny, including his wife’s rude and dimwitted, but very kind cousin Eddie, who is hilariously played by Randy Quaid.

The DVD includes all-new bonus features . It comes packed in a very nice tin, with an official Griswold Santa hat, four drink coasters, an “I survived a Griswold family Christmas” button, and a box of fake snow powder. This would make a great pre-Christmas present, so you can share the laughs before the big day actually arrives.

About the DVD By Erin V.

A Christmas classic that has stood the test of time as this 20th anniversary edition is released. Every year, it pops up on various TV stations, although not in the full uninterrupted version that is a DVD. The funny, but also kind of sweet, tale of Christmas at the Griswolds', is one that you will want to own for yourself.

Especially now, as this edition comes with one of the nicest Christmas Santa hats vacuum sealed with a DVD that I have ever seen - the hat also has the Griswold Christmas reindeer on it. Along with the one disc - (has lots of new bonus features), you also get four coasters as well as a reindeer pin. Fake snow powder comes with this edition too, although unless you get the BluRay, unfortunately you won't get a little reindeer glass.

The whole thing comes in a Christmas tin, which is white for the DVD, and red for the BluRay.

Christmas Gift Ideas: The Clone Wars Season 1

Last month, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Canada released the complete first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars on DVD.

Each disc in the four disc set, includes 5 (discs 1, 2), or 6 (discs 3, 4), episodes for a total of 22, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette on each of those episodes. The set also includes a 64 page art-of book, which ties in nicely to the full book, The Art of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which we had reviewed here. But the thing that really stood out to me on this set is the packaging itself.

More than you would say that this is four discs with a bonus book, it almost seems like a 64 page book with four discs. Rather than a DVD case, the case is like a hard cover book, with two discs inside each side of it. When you open it up, the book is in the middle, (permanently attached), making for it to be read easily. Very nice design.

For fans of the show, this will be a must-have on their Christmas list. Seven of the episodes include extended director's cuts, including the episode Rising Malevolence, which garnered an Annie Award nom for composer Kevin Kiner last year. (He is nominated again this year for another episode of the show, Weapons Factory, from season 2 - not included here.)

It's been in stores since November 3rd, so see if you can pick it up for a fan of the show before Christmas.

-Erin V.

Christmas Gift Ideas: On DVD from E1 Home Entertainment

Formal reviews of some of these titles may be coming in the next few weeks, but for now, here’s a sampling of some of E1’s recent DVD releases. All of them in their own way would make great Christmas gifts.

-John C.

The Christmas Choir - on DVD October 13th

The Christmas Choir is a Hallmark presentation. Here’s the official synopsis:

“Based on a true story, The Christmas Choir is the inspiring account of how one man can make a remarkable difference simply by giving of himself. Workaholic accountant Peter Andrews (Jason Gedrick) has overlooked Christmas, friends and even his fiancé for far too long. As a result, his life begins to fall apart. But a chance encounter with a homeless man named Bob (Tyrone Benskin) changes everything and inspires Peter to start a choir that eventually goes on to enormous success. With the help of the unconventional Sister Agatha (Rhea Perlman) and his newfound friends at the shelter, Peter learns that Christmas is not a season but a state of mind and that everyone deserves a second chance at life and love.”

The Night Before Christmas - on DVD November 17th

If you’ve got young kids, than they might like the two-disc set from Scholastic, The Night Before Christmas. It features twelve read along Christmas stories, narrated by people like Anthony Edwards and Christopher Lloyd.

Holiday Fireplace in HD - on DVD November 24th

And now for something completely different, Holiday Fireplace in HD. Featuring 3 different soundtracks of classic Christmas carols, and images of a flickering flame in HD. Though not much actually happens throughout this entire DVD, I’m still recommending it for it’s target audience.

Knut & Friends - on DVD December 8th

Knut & Friends is a nature documentary, based on the true story of a polar bear cub named Knut. Here’s the official synopsis:

“You’ll fall in love with Knut, the world’s most famous polar bear, in this true-life story of the adorable cub who overcame overwhelming odds to survive. Come along as a caring Berlin zookeeper takes the baby bear under his wing – feeding him by bottle, giving him tub baths and a nice cuddle, and even jumping into the water with him for a swim lesson. Contrasted with the harsh reality of life in the Arctic for a trio of polar bear newborns and the endearing adventures of two orphaned brown bears getting into all kinds of mischief, this stirring, beautifully photographed journey of family, survival and love will touch your heart.”

The Fox and the Child - on DVD December 8th

From the Academy Award winning director of March of the Penguins, Luc Jacquet, and narrarated by Kate Winslet, this film is part nature documentary, and part adventure. Here’s the official plot synopsis:

“On a beautiful fall morning, walking along on a country road, a little girl comes upon a small wild fox. Fascinated, she cautiously approaches it. For a moment, the barriers separating the child and the animal are all but erased. And so begins one of the most beautiful and unforgettable friendships ever told on film. With the fox’s help, the girl will discover an untamed secret world... An adventure that will change her life, her view of the world, and our own.”

Christmas Gift Idea: Fight Club: 10th Anniversary Edition

I’m going to break the first rule, (Don’t talk about Fight Club), and tell you about the brand new Blu-Ray release of David Fincher’s 1999 cult-classic. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since the film was released, and Tyler Durdin immediately took hs place among iconic movie crazies.

On November 17th, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment released a 10th Anniversary Edition Fight Club Blu-Ray. So this is the first time you can watch the film in HD, with all-new bonus features about the making of the film.

If you know a fan of the film, then show them they really are special and get them the Fight Club Blu-Ray.

-John C.