Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 4NBC's answer to the Twilight Zone was with the legendary, award-winning master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. An incredible thirty-six episodes of Season 4 are culled together to fill your need for intrigue, murder and mystery. Overlooked for decades, this anthology series from 1958 showcases a bevy of talent including guest stars, Steve McQueen, Bette Davis, Claude Rains, Cloris Leachman, Roger Moore, Walter Matthau, Brian Keith, Elizabeth Montgomery, Art Carney, Mary Astor, Barbara Bel Geddes, Denholm Elliott, Dick York, as well as a pre-Naked Gun Leslie Nielsen.
MSRP $39.99 / Amazon $30.99
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Angels & Demons: Two-Disc Theatrical & Extended Edition (Blu-ray)I know what you're thinking--the first DaVinci Code was a snooze fest, but Ron Howard's breezy follow-up is chock full of suspense as Tom Hanks reprises his role as Tom Langdon. The death of the Pope spells disaster for a bevy of Bishops as the reappearance of the underground group known as the Illuminati show up to take out the candidates one-by-one. Far less convoluted than its predecessor, Angels & Demons delivers some terrific, heart stopping action sequences and proves to be a wildly entertaining ride for both believers and non-believers alike! Sony delivers it on stunning Blu-ray... and the extras are as entertaining as the film itself.
MSRP $39.95 / Amazon $19.99
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A Christmas Tale (Blu-ray)If a French Christmas movie is what you're craving this season, search no more than for last year's indie surprise, "A Christmas Tale" (Un Conte de Noel). Not exactly your garden variety feel-good melodrama as we find the Vuilliard dysfunctional family gathering, involving a son with mental problems, a mother in need of a bone marrow transplant to stay alive for a few more months all culminating during the normally stressful times of the holidays. If you're sick of the typical fare, this often gut wrenching but not over sentimentalized character study provides a thoroughly entertaining diversion for your own family squabbles. As expected, Criterion presents a top-notch Blu-ray that is easy to recommend for the film lover in your life.
MSRP $39.95 / Amazon $26.99
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Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (Blu-ray)Two names you probably never would have imagined together: Michael Douglas and Jesse Metcalfe. But sure enough, Mr. Catherine Zeta Jones and the gardener from "Desperate Housewives" star in this re-make of the 1957 courtroom drama involving an investigative reporter willing to frame himself as a murder suspect to Bring down a corrupt district attorney. This entertaining courtroom thriller promises to push Metcalfe's acting skills in a sort of "Star Chamber" - but in reverse.
MSRP $29.98 / Amazon $22.99
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Dexter 3rd Season (Blu-ray)By day, Dexter Morgan is a blood splatter pattern expert for the Miami police department... while at night he quietly moonlights as a lethal serial killer. Dexter isn't your typical Hannibal Lechter wannabe, rather a Robin Hood type slayer who targets victims who fit a specific moral code taught to him by his late father. Hugely popular, this successful Showtime series just wrapped its fourth season. Now available on Blu-ray, here's your chance to catch up on the continuing saga of America's most likable antagonist. The Bu-ray image is as sharp as his tools, and the series will have you glued to the screen from the first episode to the last.
MSRP $57.99 / Amazon $30.99
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Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Darkside (Blu-ray)Uh how's the novel coming there, Brian? Seth MacFarlane is at it again with this wild follow-up to last year's wicked Star Wars parody on Fox's popular animated series, Family Guy. I had the privilege of watching an extended cut at this year's Comicon with hundreds of screaming fans. Suffice it to say, MacFarlane doesn't disappoint with key characters Stewie playing Darth Vader, Peter, Han Solo and Lois Princess Leia. Released on DVD and Blu-ray prior to Fox's scheduled airing this spring, true fans will have a chance to get a jump start on what will surely prove to be a memorable episode of this classic series.
MSRP $29.99 / Amazon $18.99
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Forrest Gump: Sapphire Series (Blu-ray)Robert Zemeckis's answer to "It's a Wonderful Life" comes to Blu-ray in this fancy repackaged "Forrest Gump: Sapphire Series". Chock full of extras... including bonus footage and extended commentary with Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey and Rick Carter. Also on board are the standard featurettes, featuring fascinating behind-the-scenes footage of some of the film's state-of-the-art special effects and a great mini-documentary focusing on the "Musical Signposts to History". Whether this is the first or fortieth time you've seen this classic, this Blu-ray provides a worthy look back and special place in your home library.
MSRP $39.99 / Amazon $19.99
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Funny People: 2-Disc Unrated Collector's Edition (Blu-ray)You know you're in trouble when a movie poster's title falls second to the credits of its creator, in this case, the enormously prolific and successful, Judd Apatow. Starring Adam Sandler as a self-involved comic who has been diagnosed with less than a year to live, this overwrought melodrama tries it's best to dance the line between comedy and tragedy. Not without its successes, both co-star Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann do what they can to keep this not-quite "Terms of Endearment" afloat to the not-so-bitter end. Kudos to genius Jim Brooks for inspiration. Forgiving audiences will find plenty to appreciate here during sofa and armchair viewing.
MSRP $39.98 / Amazon $23.99
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Futurama: Complete CollectionRiding the coat tails of the long running animated hit, "The Simpsons", Fox gave creator Matt Groenig carte blanche with his follow-up series set 1000 years in the future. Featuring the voices of Billy West as pizza guy Philip J. Fry who was cryogenically frozen from 1999, this popular cult favorite also stars the voices of Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio and Phil LaMarr. Now all eight seasons are available together! There has been talk at reviving it on another network but until now, this is all there is. Far more out there than the humor from The Simpsons or even Family Guy, it's clear this world is a much more authentic reflection of Groenig's twisted imagination. If you're a fan, this is one collection that should have you rejoice!
MSRP $199.98 / Amazon $129.99
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The Green Mile (Blu-ray)Although nothing can touch Stephen King's Shawshank Redemption on any level, the famed popular horror writer managed to mine a another gem in the prison story genre with 1999's The Green Mile. The story is simple enough -- focusing on the lives of prison guards on death row as it leads up to the execution of a black man accused of child murder and rape... who also happens to possess the power of faith healing. This vastly overlooked gem has standout performances by both star, Tom Hanks, Sam Rockwell, James Cromwell and David Morse. Warner Bros. pay respects with another of their excellent Blu-ray books. An EXCELLENT release from top to bottom.
MSRP $34.99 / Amazon $19.99
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Ultimate Edition) (Blu-ray)The one that started it all. A thoroughly entertaining ride... and one made all the more enjoyable with the benefits of watching on Blu-ray. This one covers young Harry Potters induction to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While writing these, I am noticing a theme. Warner Bros. They respect their titles... and put together the best packages out there. This is a top notch release that would be welcomed in any collection -- the extras are plentiful, the packaging, first rate. They truly mean it when they say, "Ultimate Edition" here. For $29.99, this is one of the better deals out there.
MSRP $49.99 / Amazon $29.99
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Ultimate Edition) (Blu-ray)Much darker than the previous Harry Potter, this 2002 follow-up to the enormously popular J.K. Rowling series follows our hero as he ignores warnings not to return to Hogwarts, and discovers the famous school plagued by a series of mysterious attacks. Chris Columbus returns for his second outing as director. Everything I said about the previous Ultimate Edition applies here. Oh, and did I mention these are EXTENDED versions?
MSRP $49.99 / Amazon $31.99
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Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince (Blu-ray)Released last year and directed by David Yates (who directed the popular sequel "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), this Harry is all but grown up as we find him starting his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (I guess he's on the eight-year program to graduate). I won't go into story details, but I will say that this is another excellent release from Warner Bros. With extras to spare, video and audio excellence that is literally magical, and even a peek at the next film in the series... this Blu-ray is reference quality and a must-own.
MSRP $35.99 / Amazon $16.99
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It's Garry Shandling's Show: Complete SeriesBefore he became Larry Sanders, Garry Shandling starred in one of Showtime's first ever comedy series, "It's Garry Shandling's Show". Paving the way for Seinfeld nearly a decade afterward, this 1986-90 half-hour comedy featured an inside look into the life of Garry Shandling at his Sherman Oaks condo. Guest stars include some particularly outstanding performances by Tom Petty, Jeff Goldbum and one of the last appearances by Gilda Radner. Virtually unseen anywhere except for YouTube and bootlegs since it's demise, this comedy gem will undoubtedly find a whole new audience now on DVD. It is an absolutely wonderful release from Shout! Factory, and is obvious that a lot of care went into its production.
MSRP $159.99 / Amazon $140.99
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Lost Season 5 (Blu-ray)Arguably one of televisions most innovative series ever, season 5 of ABC's long running hit LOST turns up on Blu-ray. For the hardcore fan, this pristine HD version is the only way to catch up on the stories of the Oceanic Airlines survivors. With the ballyhooed ending in sight come January, this terrific unparalleled compilation will undoubtedly give viewers a chance to Brush up on the Twilight Zone-esque soap opera before each character's ending is finally revealed. Many extras including commentary and unedited cuts will keep true fans riveted and entertained as they try to predict which one of their favorites will truly survive and which will meet with an untimely (or timely?) end. Pristine picture, thundering audio, and a way-cool feature that automatically bookmarks exactly where you are each time you insert a disc are primo features of this awesome set.
MSRP $79.99 / Amazon $46.99
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The Mel Brooks Collection (Blu-ray)Though probably best-known for Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, some of Brooks finest work is his earliest. Included in this impressive collection is the highly overlooked The Twelve Chairs (involving a wildly hysterical chase for a fortune of jewels hidden in a chair) Also included are Silent Movie, High Anxiety (Brook's lampooning Alfred Hitchcock), History of the World, Part 1, To Be or Not to Be. Spaceballs, as well as Robin Hood: Men in Tights. For Mel Brooks enthusiasts, this collection also includes a 120-page hardcover book titled It's Good to Be the King (a line from History of the World, Part I), as well as seven featurettes, commentaries, interviews and documentaries. This is a classy tribute to a classic hollywood talent.
MSRP $139.99 / Amazon $92.99
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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Gift Set (Blu-ray)Possibly one of my all-time favorite comedies, Chevy Chase returns as put-upon loser Clark Griswold in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Though twenty years since it's original release, this gift set (which includes your own Santa cap) stays as fresh as fruitcake. The gags are relentless with a pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis Dreyfuss playing Griswold's perpetually aggravated neighbor. Featuring hysterical performances by (fugitive) Randy Quaid, Brian Doyle Murray and Beverly DeAngelo, this is one holiday treat that promises to keep giving joy year after year. Forget the Yule log on TV this year -- throw the Christmas Vacation Blu-ray on screen during your Christmas festivities! It's never looked better than it does now.
MSRP $49.99 / Amazon $31.99
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North By Northwest (Blu-ray)Hitchcock is at the top of his game in 1959's thriller "North by Northwest" starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint. The plot of mistaken identity is taken to deadly consequences when a hapless New York advertising executive is mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies. Though four decades have passed since its debut, this wrong man caper still manages to grab you from the first frame and never lets go. With a memorable climax on Mount Rushmore as well as a terrifying sequence with a crop duster, this thriller deserves to be wrapped and bowed this Christmas. Warner Bros presents North by Northwest in another of their excellent Blu-ray book releases. Love every single one of 'em, and they make for distinct and impressive gifts.
MSRP $34.99 / Amazon $18.99
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Paper Chase 1 & 2
Long before David E. Kelly became a household name in the world of TV Law Dramas... there existed an irresistible drama known as The Paper Chase. Starring legendary blowhard John Houseman as Professor Charles W. Kingsfield, Jr. this series centered around a group of students and their everyday lives as they struggle through the rigors of law school. Kingsfield, one of their most feared professors, serves as a virtual Obi Won Kanobi. He is determined to push his students as hard as he can so they EARN their diploma and become honorable attorneys. Quite tame and old fashioned by today's standards, this veritable series was lauded by critics during its run and surprisingly continues to hold up quite well on DVD.
Season 1: MSRP $49.99 / Amazon $30.49
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Season 2: MSRP $49.99 / Amazon $36.99
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Public Enemies: 2-Disc Special Edition (Blu-ray)This Michael Mann written and directed crime drama centers on the last few years of public enemy number one, the notorious bank robber John Dillinger (Played by Johnny Depp). Mann is a stickler for detail -- we open on 1930's Chicago, when Dillinger had the run of the city like a depression era Tony Soprano. On his tail is Mel Purvis (Batman's Christian Bale), the FBI agent determined to track him down. Though uneven in spots, this fine crime-drama comes to Blu-ray in a special two disc set chock full of extras for any Depp or Dillinger fan looking to get their fill of lead. Though the subject matter has obviously been covered before, it's almost impossible to resist Depp's charm as ego and pathos ultimately get the best of one of this country's most notorious criminals.
MSRP $36.98 / Amazon $17.99
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Rome: Complete Series (Blu-ray)This unrated HBO series centers on the lives of everyday and illustrious Romans during the final days of the Roman Republic. Unfortunately, it really never had a chance to fully take off. Featuring a mostly no-name cast, James Purefoy and Tobias Menzies standout from the pack with their portrayals of Mark Antony and Marcus Brutus. With twenty-two episodes in total -- shot exclusively on location -- this intriguing melodrama probably could have used an extra shot of decadence, particularly considering the time frame. Nevertheless, if you're a fan of the genre or this series, Rome quietly delivers; giving the audience a taste of what life may have been like centuries ago. This is a stunningly well-shot series with impeccable set design and is wonderfully presented in this complete box set.
MSRP $139.99 / Amazon $83.99
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Star Trek Motion Picture Collection (Blu-ray)Okay, this'll make you feel old. It's been over 30 years since the very first "Star Trek" feature film brought back all of the original cast members to the screen. Truly the father of all space westerns, this first of many Star Trek features is a little light on plot but fortunately sets the stage for many more intriguing sequels in its wake... which are all included in this sturdy box set. Paramount decides to separate the Star Trek films by captain -- so this slick release contains all films starring the original cast. This great quality release will have any Trekker (that hasn't already bought the set) thanking Santa for the perfect gift.
MSRP $139.99 / Amazon $64.99
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Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection (Blu-ray)In 1994, after outlasting the original series by five seasons, Paramount decided to give this Star Trek the feature treatment in search of the same success it had with James T. Kirk. All of the Next Generation motions pictures are included in this matching sister set to the previous Star Trek box set, and each one looks stunning in 1080p HD Blu-ray.
MSRP $71.99 / Amazon $41.99
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Star Trek (2009) (Blu-ray)Though it took me a few minutes to acclimate to the new cast (at first it felt like Bugsy Malone meets Star Trek), this recharged re-imagining of Gene Roddenberry's classic 60's series manages to do the impossible by finding a new audience without alienating the original fans. Credit writer-producer-director J.J. Abrams with delivering a cracker jack story line involving some fancy time traveling and a welcomed return performance by Leonard Nemoy and his alter ego, Spock. This is one of my favorite films of 2009, and this picture-perfect Blu-ray is a show-off disc for your home theater. Wow!
MSRP $39.99 / Amazon $19.99
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Up (Blu-ray)It's tough to believe it's been almost fifteen years since Pixar studios leapt on the scene with their feature-length debut, Toy Story, and effectively revolutionizing animated films forever. Over a dozen films later, Pixar knocks another one out of the ballpark with UP, a heartwarming fantasy about a Carl Fredricksen, a retired balloon salesman (played by Ed Asner), who plans his escape from humanity by tying thousands of balloons to his house. Jam-packed with extras on a four disc set, this UP promises to take your inner child on a never ending ascent. A perfect gift for any age, Pixar continues to deliver top-notch characters and original story telling that never fails to pull the heartstrings of even the most ardent curmudgeon. This disc is INCREDIBLE, and I have hopes with the recent changes to the Academy Award nomination rules that UP may find itself with a Best Picture nod.
MSRP $45.99 / Amazon $19.99
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Wizard of Oz Collectors Set (Blu-ray)I can't imagine a collectors set as complete as the one for The Wizard of Oz. Thoroughly digitally remastered with every extra you can imagine from a movie seventy years old, this Wizard is definitely worth a trip down the yellow Brick road. Considered a flop when it originally debuted, the film managed to find a whole new appreciation and audience on television. A perennial classic, no matter how many times you've seen it, the movie manages to capture your heart every time it's on. Recently released theatrically, this box set comes chock full of every treat imaginable except your own pair of ruby slippers. The transfer is impeccable -- you have never seen The Wizard of Oz like this!
MSRP $84.99 / Amazon $54.49
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World's Greatest Dad (Blu-ray)World's Greatest Dad failed to tickle audiences as much as it did the critics. Written and directed by former stand-up and best friend of star Robin Williams, this affable 'serio-comic' tale centers on Lance Clayton, a man who has learned to settle. He dreamed of being a rich and famous writer, but has only managed to make it as a high school poetry teacher. His only son Kyle is an insufferable jerk. Even the school teacher he's dating doesn't want things to get serious -- or even acknowledge publicly that they are dating. Then, a freak accident turns Lance's life upside down... providing the likable loser the greatest opportunity of his life. He is suddenly faced with the possibility of all the fame, fortune and popularity he ever dreamed of -- if he can only live with the knowledge of how he got there. Definitely more intriguing and vastly entertaining than this year's Old Dogs, Robin Williams proves he's still willing and able to provide honest laughs if only given the material. Not the best holiday tale on the list, but a strong HD release of a good movie.
MSRP $34.98 / Amazon $23.99
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