The 2007 holiday season boasts a bevy of DVD choices, including cool boxed sets (Blade Runner: Ultimate Collector’s Edition), kid flicks (Shrek the Third), and TV must-haves (Seinfeld: The Complete Seasons 1-7). And if you haven’t had time to research what’s new and exciting on DVD, don’t fret: We’ve done the legwork and compiled DVDs guaranteed to make the perfect holiday gift.
To Complete the Set
[IMG:L]The Bourne Supremacy
In this third Bourne installment, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is still being hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, Bourne has only one objective: To go back to the beginning and find out who he was. Travelling to Moscow, Paris, London, Tangier, and New York City, he continues his quest to uncover the truth behind his mysterious past.
Cool Extras: Commentary with director Paul Greengrass and star Matt Damon; deleted scenes; and “Man on the Move: Jason Bourne”–a five-part making-of, tour the world with Damon, director Greengrass, producer Patrick Crowley and producer Frank Marshall, as they give us an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at everything from Damon’s rooftop chase in Tangier and shooting in fully functioning Waterloo Station, to Damon’s jump from a moving train in Berlin.
Available: Dec. 11
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
In his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, 15-year-old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage and the blooming sense of rebellion. Harry is also feeling especially edgy, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) will strike again. A must-have for the Harry Potter collector.
Cool Extras: The two-disc DVD has featurettes, including “The Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter,” which explores all the movies in the series for clues to the mystery of Harry’s True Destiny, and “Trailing Tonks,” which spends a day with actress Natalia Tena, receiving her very personal and often wacky tour of the Harry Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix stages. Director David Yates and editor Mark Day also show us what a difference a good edit makes and allows you to edit a scene.
Available: Dec. 11. Also available is the Harry Potter Years 1-5 Limited Gift Set, which includes all five movies, loads of bonus features, interactive DVD, collectible trading cards and all packaged in a special trunk.
[IMG:R]Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
Completing the POTC trilogy, At World’s End has Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) allied with Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) in a desperate quest to free Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from Davy Jones Locker. Meanwhile, the Flying Dutchman–under the control of the East India Trading Company–wreaks havoc across the Seven Seas.
Cool Extras: The two-disc DVD has deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Gore Verbinski; featurettes. There’s “The Tale of Many Jacks,” “Anatomy of a Scene: The Maelstrom,” “Masters of Design: Creating the Pirates’ World,” and much more. Plus: “Bloopers of the Caribbean” and “Keith and the Captain: On Set with Johnny Depp and the Rock Legend.”
Available Now
Spider-Man 3
As the third in the Spider-Man series, Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. (Kirsten Dunst) and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. Peter must overcome his personal demons as two of the most-feared villains yet gather unparalleled power and a thirst for retribution to threaten Peter and everyone he loves.
Cool Extras: Commentary with director Sam Raimi and cast members Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, and Bryce Dallas Howard, and others; bloopers; and Snow Patrol music video.
Available Now
Live Free or Die Hard
The fourth installment of the Die Hard franchise sees an attack on the vulnerable United States infrastructure during the Fourth of July holiday, which begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the scheme has figured out every modern angle, but he never figured on an old-analog fly, John McClane (Bruce Willis), in the digital ointment.
Cool Extras: Commentary by director Len Wiseman and screenwriter Mark Bomback. Featurettes include “Yippie-Ki-Yay MotherF***er!,” “Analog Hero in a Digital World: The Making of Live Free or Die Hard” (Parts 1-10), “Behind the Scenes with Guyz Nite,” and the music video “Die Hard” by Guyz Nite.
Available Now
For the Kiddies
[IMG:L]The Simpsons Movie
Homer Simpson must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created. As the fates of Springfield and the world hang in the balance, Homer embarks on a personal odyssey of redemption–seeking forgiveness from Marge, the reunion of his splintered family, and the salvation of his hometown. Woohoo!
Cool Extras: Commentary by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Mike Scully, David Silverman, Dan Castellaneta, and others as well as deleted scenes. Featurettes include “Homer’s Monologue on The Tonight Show,” “The Simpsons Judge American Idol,” “Let’s All Go to the Lobby,” and alternate character designs by the directors and Matt Groening.
Available: Dec. 18
High School Musical 2: Extended Edition
The East High Wildcats are gearing up for big fun as they land the coolest summer jobs imaginable. Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), Chad (Corbin Bleu), and Taylor (Monique Coleman) have scored sweet gigs at the Lava Springs Country Club owned by Sharpay and Ryan’s family. Sharpay’s first rule of business: Get Troy. As Troy experiences a life of privilege he’s never known, will he give up the Wildcats and Gabriella to rise to the top? High School Musical 2 is way 2 good 2 miss!
Cool Extras: “High School Karaoke,” which allows you to use lead vocals with help from optional on-screen lyrics, and “Rehearsal Cam,” where you can watch the dance rehearsal footage along with the movie. There re also some hip-hoppin’ music videos.
Available: Dec. 11
[IMG:R]Ratatouille
Pixar’s latest introduces us to Remy, a rat who dares to dream the impossible dream of becoming a gourmet chef in a five-star French restaurant. With a down-and-out garbage boy named Linguini, the pair carves their own imaginative path to becoming the greatest chef in Paris. A classic for adults and kids alike.
Cool Extras: There are some deleted scenes with introductions by writer/director Brad Bird. Plus: Your Friend the Rat,” an all-new animated short film with stars Remy and Emile; Fine Food and Film–a conversation with Brad Bird and restaurateur Thomas Keller; and “Lifted,” the latest Pixar Oscar-nominated short.
Available Now
Pixar Short Films Collection
For the first time ever, the 13 Pixar Animation Studios short films that transformed animation are available in a must-have anthology, which includes three Academy Award® winners and five additional nominees.
Cool Extras: The Academy-Award winning shorts Luxo Jr., Geri’s Game and For the Birds, and other shorts including: Knick Knack; Mike’s New Car; Boundin’; Jack-Jack Attack and the latest Lifted; also included is optional commentary on all the short films.
Available Now
Shrek the Third
When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he wanted was to rule Far Far Away, but when his frogger-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, Shrek is quickly fitted for the crown. Now, unless the reluctant would-be king can find a suitable replacement, he’ll be royally screwed for the rest of his days. Your Shrek collection will not be complete without this third installment.
Cool Extras: Shrek’s Guide to Parenthood–Donkey, Puss in Boots, Pinocchio and Gingy offer their priceless parenting tips for Shrek & Fiona; Meet the cast and behind-the-scenes featurettes; deleted scenes; hilarious Donkey Dance music video; Big Green Goofs, and more.
Available Now
[PAGEBREAK]Strictly TV
[IMG:L]Lost: The Complete Third Season
Find the answers you’ve been looking for in the explosive third season of the show USA Today calls “the most gorgeous, audacious, expansive series on network TV.” As the power of the island to both heal and destroy comes into sharp focus, the lines between good and evil are blurred and loyalties are challenged when the survivors of the crash become tangled within the lives of the Others.
Cool Extras: This seven-disc DVD box set is complete with hours of bonus features, including secrets from the world of the Others; bloopers and deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes featurettes; and unprecedented access to the lost writers room.
Available: Dec. 11
The Sopranos: Season 6, Part One and Two
Need to analyze the finale blackout one more time? Now’s your chance. In the series’ sixth and final season, Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) cheated death and continues to muse about his second chance at life. He faces a myriad of immediate, stress-inducing crises at home, at work and from the law. Tony’s wife Carmela (Edie Falco) plans for a future she’s not sure will arrive, while the Soprano kids find out how adulthood holds its own surprises.
Meanwhile, at work, Tony comes to doubt the allegiances of many of those closest to him. The clock is ticking. Time is running out. But on who?
Cool Extras: Commentary by cast members Dominic Chianese, Robert Iler, Arthur Nascarella, Steven R. Schirripa, and Stevie Van Zandt on four episodes; “Making Cleaver“–behind the scenes of Christopher’s horror film; and “The Music of The Sopranos.”
Available Now
Saturday Night Live: The Complete Second Season
For over three decades, Saturday Night Live has been the source of young comedic talent and helped to launch the careers of countless performers, making them household names. The original cast of SNL (including Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and John Belushi) set the tone for years to follow with their irreverent, edgy humor. Although only the second year on the air, the 1976-1977 season turned out to be the last for Chevy Chase, but the first for a young comedian named Bill Murray.
Cool Extras: The complete second season of SNL contains legendary musical performances by artists Joe Cocker, The Band, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Chuck Berry, The Kinks, Santana and Tom Waits and classic appearances by hosts Lily Tomlin, Norman Lear, Steve Martin, Dick Cavett, Jodie Foster, Candice Bergen, Ralph Nader, Fran Tarkenton, Sissy Spacek, Elliott Gould and Shelly Duvall.
Available Now
Seinfeld: Season 9
This four-disc boxed set includes all 24 episodes from the ninth and final season of the long-running series, including the finale and hours of exclusive, never-before-seen bonus footage.
Cool Extras: Cast and crew audio commentaries; never-before-seen outtakes and bloopers; deleted scenes, including 15 bonus minutes from “The Finale”; featurettes: “The Last Lap; “Inside Looks”; scenes from “The Roundtable”–excerpts from a conversation with Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards and Larry David nine years after Seinfeld went off the air; two Sein-Imations–see classic Seinfeld scenes re-imagined in Sein-Imation; and factoid tracks on all 24 episodes.
Available Now
Battlestar Galactica: Razor (Unrated and Extended Edition)
This DVD contains an extended version of the explosive two-hour broadcast event that includes all-new characters and more action and visual effects than any previous episode in the popular series, as well as behind-the-scenes interviews with the series’ creators. As an indispensable backdrop to events that take place in Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica, the DVD is a must-own for fans of the series.
Cool Extras: Commentary with executive producer Ronald D. Moore and writer Michael Taylor; deleted scenes; featurettes: “The Look of Battlestar Galactica” and “My Favorite Episode So Far.”
Available Now
Collectible Boxed Sets
Blade Runner: Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Director Ridley Scott present his all-new “final cut” version of his classic sc-fi film. Harrison Ford plays Deckard, a blade runner, who has to track down and terminate four replicants who hijacked a ship in space and have returned to earth seeking their maker. This unique 5-disc digi-package comes in a stylish version of Deckard’s own briefcase. In addition, each briefcase will be individually numbered and in limited supply. Lenticular motion film clip from the original feature, miniature origami unicorn figurine, miniature replica spinner car, collector’s photographs and signed personal letter from Ridley Scott are also included.
Cool Extras: “Dangerous Days: The Making of Blade Runner” documentary; several behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Available Now
Planet Earth: The Complete BBC Series
With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, and shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet’s best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth’s most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never experience anywhere else.
Cool Extras: 110 minutes of behind the scenes footage–one 10-minute behind the scenes program for each episode; “Planet Earth: The Future”–this three-part, two and half hour series looks at what the future may hold for endangered animals, habitats and, ultimately, ourselves.
Available Now
Stanley Kubrick: Warner Home Video Director Series
Experience the works of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time as never before with The Stanley Kubrick Collection, featuring new two-disc special editions of 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut, along with the deluxe edition of Full Metal Jacket. Each film in this 10-disc set has been digitally remastered.
Cool Extras: “Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures” documentary, commentaries, as well as tons of extras.
Available Now
Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition
The highly anticipated complete series of one of the most acclaimed events in television history finally comes to DVD. This definitive Twin Peaks Gold Box Edition has been carefully supervised by David Lynch and will include for the first time ever on DVD the original and the European version of the pilot. This 10-disc groundbreaking series will feature all 30 newly re-mastered episodes, all-new 5.1 Surround Sound
Cool Extras: Deleted scenes; exclusive documentary “Secrets from Another Place”; featurettes: “A Slice of Lynch” (featuring David Lynch, Kyle MacLachlan, and Madchen Amick); “Return to Twin Peaks”; interactive map of Twin Peaks; the complete Log Lady introductions; Julee Cruise music video, and more.
Available Now
Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection
From the universally acclaimed Master of Suspense comes 14 of the finest works in one collection. These captivating landmark films boast three decades of Hollywood legends, including James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Anthony Perkins, Sean Connery and Doris Day. The premium packaging and collectible book make Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection the must-own, definitive anthology of gripping works by a true genius.
Cool Extras: This collection includes Hitchcock classics: Grace Kelly, Vertigo, Rear Window, The Birds, Shadow of a Doubt, Family Plot, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Marnie, Rope, Saboteur, Topaz, Torn Curtain and The Trouble with Harry.
Available Now
