Beyond the Marquee’s Blu-ray Stocking Stuffer Picks

I can’t believe it’s December already!?! Now it’s time to find that perfect Hi-Def gift for the movie lover in your life…or for yourself! Sure, there’s always the obvious titles to stuff your stocking, like “The Dark Knight Rises”, “Brave”  & “Paranorman”, but here’s a short list of a few recent Blu-ray releases that should not be overlooked this Holiday season!

PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

Planes, Trains & Automobiles – Now Available from Paramount Home Video!

This is one of my all-time beloved comedies. Steve Martin & John Candy are pitch perfect in this comedy classic from the late, great John Hughes. The Blu-ray presentation is leaps and bounds above it’s previous DVD counterpart.The uproarious classic follows a businessman (Martin) who is struggling to get home for Thanksgiving, but burdened by one travel mishap after another, as well as the company of an annoying traveling salesman (Candy).  Filled with outrageously funny situations and a generous helping of warmth, the film also features appearances by Michael McKean, Edie McClurg and Kevin Bacon. This is a must watch every Holiday Season for me and my family.

SUNSET BOULEVARD

Sunset Boulevard – Now Available from Paramount Home Video!

Paramount Home Video has released a STUNNING transfer of this Hollywood gem. Billy Wilder’s seminal classic continues to enthrall audiences with its bizarre and tragic tale of Hollywood’s dark side. William Holden, as a struggling young screenwriter, and Gloria Swanson, as an aging silent film queen, created two of the screen’s most memorable characters, delivering unforgettable performances amidst the dramatic light and shadow of John Seitz’s evocative cinematography.

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, and winner for Best Writing, Best Art Direction and Best Music, Sunset Boulevard was named by the American Film Institute as #12 on its list of the Greatest American Movies. No true film buff should be without this!

LAWLESS

Lawless – Now Available from Anchor Bay Home Video!

Don’t shrug this one off, this film is a modern masterpiece, and our friends at Anchor Bay Home Video have released a flawless Home Video presentation. Lawless tells the story about brothers who became outlaws, and outlaws who became heroes… The three Bondurant boys (Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke), along with their sultry new hire (Jessica Chastain), command the most lucrative bootlegging operation in Franklin County, Virginia.  The locals consider them “indestructible.”  But the law — in the form of a corrupt special deputy (Guy Pearce) — wants a cut of their action, at any cost.  When youngest brother Jack (LaBeouf) gets a taste of power with a deadly gangster (Gary Oldman), the whole business blows sky high.  Based on the astonishing true story, the Bondurant brotherhood is the stuff of legend…and so is the Lawless Blu-ray.

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA 5 FILM COLLECTION

Francis Ford Coppola 5 Film Collection – Now Available from Lionsgate Home Video!

This is a movie lover’s dream set…5 beautiful Blu-rays of some of Coppola’s most outstanding work, aside from the obvious Godfather Trilogy, which you should already own! The Francis Ford Coppola 5-Film Collection features hours of bonus material!

The Collection includes:

Apocalypse Now

In the Vietnam War epic, Martin Sheen stars as Army Captain Willard, a troubled man sent on a dangerous top-secret mission into Cambodia to assassinate a rogue Green Beret, Colonel Kurtz (Brando), who has barricaded himself in a remote outpost. As Willard ventures deeper and deeper into the wilderness of the jungle, he embarks on a strange journey that leads him to Kurtz – but also forces him to come face to face with the terrifying vision of the heart of darkness in us all. Featuring an all-star cast that also includes a cameo from Indiana Jones himself, Harrison Ford!

Apocalypse Now: Redux

This is the definitive version of Francis Ford Coppola’s stunning vision of the heart of darkness in all of us, re-edited and re-mastered with 49 minutes of additional footage.

One From The Heart

Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola shines his spotlight on a Las Vegas couple (Teri Garr, Frederic Forrest) whose break-up on the 4th of July leads them both to a night on the strip in pursuit of their romantic fantasies (Raul Julia, Nastassja Kinski). But in this town of gamblers and dreamers, should they bet it all on dreams, or give true love another roll of the dice? Featuring breathtaking design, show-stopping set pieces, the stunning cinematography of Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now, The Last Emperor) and accompanied by the wonderful Oscar® nominated music of the one and only Tom Waits, this neon explosion of color, sound and innovation is a cinematic valentine for all movie lovers.

Tetro

Starring Vincent Gallo (Buffalo ’66) and set in Argentina, Tetro tells the bittersweet story of two brothers, of family lost and found and the conflicts and secrets within a highly creative Italian immigrant family.

The Conversation

In an underground world of conspiracy, surveillance and mystery, the film follows expert wire-tapper and spy Harry Caul (Hackman) during a routine investigation. With a haunting past tormenting his every move, Caul makes it a golden rule to stay far outside of each project. However, his latest job turns out to be more than Caul bargained for when he’s caught inside a web of murder and secrecy that threatens his safety – and his sanity. Look for a young Harrison Ford in this one as well!

Sounds great, eh? Well, it is! Now when the hell are we gonna get The Outsiders on Blu-ray, Francis?!

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Catch Me If You Can – Now Available from Paramount Home Video!

Oscar®-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio and Academy Award®-winner Tom Hanks star in the tale of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr. (DiCaprio) as he successfully passes himself off as a pilot, a lawyer and a doctor—all before his 21st birthday. Directed by Academy Award-winner Steven Spielberg. Two words come to mind: Buy it. The audio and video presentation on this Blu is stunning and Catch Me If You Can deserves to be in everyone’s stocking this year!

Well, that’s it for now, so go ahead and head out to your favorite Blu-ray dealer and pick up these great gift ideas for the movie hound in your life! Hey, it’s better than getting a crappy fruitcake!