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CanMag Holiday Gift List Part I: DVD/Video Stocking Stuffers
Published November 3, 2004 in DVD
By Ryan Parsons | None
Some suggestions to put you on the right track for the holidays..
Having problems figuring out how to setup your holiday
list for 2004? Here are a few stocking stuffers to get you going in the
right direction. I have listed items from movies and games to accessories
and hardware. Since this is the first part of the series [Still got almost
two months before the Holiday], I will cover some of the DVD movies you
should want to add to your collection.
Always Improve Upon Your DVD Collection
Shrek 2
All of you who remember my review on Shrek
2, know how much I enjoyed this film. I even went on to say that I
enjoyed the film more than the original Shrek. If you have not read
my review, you can do so by going to my SHREK
2 REVIEW now.
Shrek 2 does have an early holiday release so you may not be able
to hold out and wait for the film to appear in your stocking. Considering
the cost to rent movies now-a-days, especially since I have yet to
bring one back on time, it may be better just to purchase the DVD
now.
Release Date: November 5, 2004 |
Pirates of the Caribbean (SE)
Even though I think this is just another marketing
and revenue scheme, I am sure many of you will purchase the latest
set from Pirates of the Caribbean. Among this site is a 'Lost
Disc' which will offer viewers extra features. Some of the features
include: “Pirates Around the World”, “Becoming Barbossa”,
and “Sneak Attack Animatic” to name a few.
Is it worth it? Ehhhhhh?
Release Date: November 2, 2004 |
Fast Times at Ridgemont High(SE)
The biggest difference you are going to encounter
with the release of the special edition is added sound options, as
the DVD will come 5.1 compatible.
Another reason to see Jeff Spiccoli live it up with fast cars, fast
food, fast girls, and fast times.
Release Date: November of 2004 |
Gone with the Wind (4-Disc Collector's Edition)
Besides the 'ultra-resolution film restoration',
the DVD's will be packed with features such as “Clark Gable:
A King Remembered”, “The Old South”, “Restoring
a Legend”, “The Making of a Legend: Gone With The Wind”
to name a few.
Just as in any other special edition, the film will come with Dolby
Digital 5.1 sound.
Release Date: November 9, 2004 |
Zatoichi: The Blind Swordsman
Zatoichi runs at a total length of a whopping
210 minutes. While originally recorded in Japanese, you can turn on
English dubbing [which always sucks]. Instead, you should use the
English subtitle option provided. This film does have an excessive
of blood and gore as you follow the swordsman's adventure, but it
is also made with a good deal of beauty in the cinematography and
action scenes.
Just as in any other special edition, the film will come with Dolby
Digital 5.1 sound.
Release Date: November 9, 2004 |
Friends: The Complete Eighth Season
 The four-disc set will include all episodes
from Season Eight of Friends. This season picks up just after Monica
and Chandler get married. The girth of this season is based on Rachel's
pregnancy and who the 'one with the red sweater' is.
Release Date: November 16, 2004 |
The Chronicles of Riddick
That movie looks redik! I have not yet had
the opportunity to see the film that only had subpar reviews on release
to the theatres. There will be two versions of the film released,
an original version and a director's cut [unrated]. The director's
cut will contain an extra fifteen minutes of footage.
Release Date: November 9, 2004 |
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
I give this film a nod as I do enjoy Clive
Owen's [first made known with BMW films] on-screen presence. However,
Clive Owen is still looking for a hit in a film which he stars. If
you have seen King Arthur... you know what I mean. The film
covers a simple, dark, revenge story.
Release Date: November 9, 2004 |
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Here is one film that I cannot wait for. Prisoner
was a refreshing change over the first Potter films with
the replacement of Chris Columbus by Alfonso Cuarón. Instead
of the vibrant colors used by Columbus, Cuarón stuck more with
the dark hues causing some scenes to almost look entirely in black
and white.
I do have one issue with the film though. If you would like to know,
read my PRISONER OF AZKABAN
REVIEW.
Release Date: November 23, 2004 |
Seinfeld Gift Set
Another TV series to DVD release to be excited
about. The Seinfeld Gift Set includes seasons one to three.
With the set, you also receive salt & pepper shakers and a deck
of playing cards.
Release Date: November 23, 2004 |
Home Improvement: The Complete First Season (S1)
First, I loved this show. It is one of those
television half hours, such as Seinfeld, where you can see every episode
over and over again. The comedy is above the normal television standard.
If you are into getting your favorite series on DVD, this is one set
that is hard to pass up.
Release Date: November 23, 2004 |
The Terminal
The Terminal is a story about Victor Navorski
[Hanks], an Eastern European who arrives at New York's Kennedy Airport
just as his homeland has fallen to a coup, forcing him, with no valid
citizenship, to take residence at the place he must remain; the airport.
Along the way Victor meets Amelia Warren [Zeta-Jones] which brings
in the 'love' story.
There are two versions of the film being released; the original and a special edition.
The special edition will offer a bonus disc of extras.
Release Date: November 23, 2004 |
Spider-Man 2
This is one of those rare movies where the
sequel is better than the original. Sam Raimi pushes the Spider-Man
story to the next level when he makes Parker [Maguire] deal with adolescence
and the essense of manhood. I greatly enjoyed this film. For the full
synopsis read my Spider-Man
2 REVIEW.
I will definately be puting this DVD on my Christmas list. Sony, if
you are listening, send me an early copy will ya.
Release Date: November 30, 2004 |
Hero
Just awesome Hong Kong cinema. The film is
about a character called Nameless [Jet Li] who visits the Emperor
of Qin. During his visit, Nameless tells the story of his martial
arts encounters with various assassins that are threats to the Emperor.
What makes the film great is the beauty of the cinematography applied
to each episode. For an example, each segment has its own color theme
that ads to the film. Another must own.
Release Date: November 30, 2004 |
The Bourne Supremacy
This film seemed like a hit or missed with
most people I talked to. So, depending on what you thought of the
film in theatres will be the largest indicator on if you will purchase
it or not.
Supremacy follows the continued novel adventures of Jason Bourne [Damon],
an agent that had originally suffered amnesia and had to try to re-discover
his identity. Jason is still constantly harassed by the CIA, who he
must turn and take the fight to.
Release Date: December 7, 2004 |
DodgeBall
First off, I thought this movie was terrible.
Each actor, including Vaughn and Stiller, seemed to be working to
hard to try to pull off a laugh. Thank god Anchorman came
out soon after and re-deemed silly comedies. However, I know that
humor comes in lots of sizes and the film actually did achieve a pretty
good following.
If you did find it funny, you may want to hit this title up for the
holidays.
Release Date: December 7, 2004 |
LOTR: The Return of the King Extended Edition (EE)
Oh yeah, oh yeah! Considering that there has
yet to be one extended version of the Lord of the Rings series
that has disappointed me, I cannot help but to be a little excited
over the extended King release.
This four-disc set is obviously packed with tons of additional material
including commentary from about every person that worked on LOTR
including the 'sound stage assistant!' No, I am just kidding, but
there is a ton of commentary. Besides this, the extended edition adds
another 50 minutes, making the total run time of the film 250 minutes.
May have to put a day aside to watch this mother.
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
Collateral
I think Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx are both
incredibly gifted actors that seem to pick projects that are only
top notch. This is true for Collateral, where you ride along with
Vincent [Cruise] and Max [Foxx] for the taxi ride of revenge. For
an entire review, read my COLLATERAL
REVIEW.
If you have yet to see Collateral, I can almost assure you
that purchasing this DVD is well worth it.
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
i,Robot
This film, starring Will Smith, only kind
of did it for me. However, there was something missing to the film
that could have made it better. I do not know if it was some cheezy
dialogue or some over-acted scenes, but the film was only OK for me.
i,Robot is about the investigation of a murder by Detective
Spooner [Smith], a man who hates robots with a passion. As the investigation
continues, Spooner must discover the secrets of a giant corporation
while also befriending a robot on trial.
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
Rocky Anthology
The Rocky Anthology contains all five of the
Rocky series with an additional disc offering additional features
such as an A&E Biography on Sylvester Stallone.
The best perk to this latest installment is that the films are guarenteed
remastered to remove some of the grain visible in earlier additions.
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Second Season
The complete second season to one of everybody's
favorite television series where Ray Romano stars as Ray Barone.
Need I say more?
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
Meet the Parents Special Edition (SE)
What is a better way to market the sequel
to Meet the Parents? Re-release Meet the Parents
or offer a new edition. That being said, the film is still damn funny
and deserving of purchase.
Meet the Fockers, the sequel to Meet the Parents, will be released
to theatres on December 22, 2004. Which mean that the special edition
will be released when?
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
Family Guy: The Freakin Sweet Collection
There have been complaints on the net that
this is an attempt for Fox to just make more money. The only thing
new to this collection is some scenes 'uncut.'
Release Date: December 14, 2004 |
King Arthur
While this movie could have been better, at
least as good as Excalibur, I still enjoyed it for the most part.
To know more, read my KING
ARTHUR REVIEW.
King Arthur will also be released in two versions; the original and
a unrated director's cut. The director's cut comes with an additional
14 minutes of footage with extended battle scenes and various bonus
features.
Release Date: December 21, 2004 |
Napoleon Dynamite
This is one of those films that grow on you.
To see my thoughts on the film, read my NAPOLEON
DYNAMITE REVIEW.
Napoleon Dynamite is the success hit out of BYU
Release Date: December 21, 2004 |
Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead is the Euro hit that successfuly
parodies zombie films.
Release Date: December 21, 2004 |
Anchorman
Now this is a comedy that had me laughing
through out the entire viewing. To know my thoughts on Anchorman,
read my ANCHORMAN REVIEW.
Will Ferrell is at his best in this film which gives him ample room
to adlib. What seems to be coming a trend, Anchorman will
also have two versions released; an uncut version and an original
version. Even though I can only speculate on why we need an uncut
version, I am actually more excited about the extended scenes that
should be included with the DVD's. For those that remember that nearly
half of the Anchorman trailer did not appear in the actual
movie.
Release Date: December 28, 2004 |
Open Water
The film is entirely shot on digital video
while two unknown actors [Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis] tread
water as they attempt to survive the hostilities of nature... which
includes sharks.
Open Water created its own genre of low budget animal/environment
horror. You may get seasick.
Release Date: December 28, 2004 |
Wimbledon
Wimbledon, starring Kirstin Dunst and Paul
Bettany, is your typical love and sports film. With a critic score
slightly above par, this is sure to be a must own; especially with
the ladies.
Release Date: December 28, 2004 |
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