One trip to the video store could take care of your entire holiday gift list, if you know what's out there. You can find a DVD for any age group, and most won't break the bank.
In the Home Theater segment of The Early Show, a wealth of ideas were offered by People magazine senior editor and entertainment contributor Jess Cagle.
One tip that Cagle shared with co-anchor Julie Chen: shopping for a DVD is a lot like shopping for a car in that there are always bargains to be had. Merchandise such as this is frequently on sale. When prices are quoted below, they are suggested retail prices.
He looked at some of the hottest offerings this holiday season, breaking them down into four categories: new blockbusters, TV series, family favorites and boxed sets.
New Blockbusters:
"Mr. And Mrs. Smith," $29.98: This Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie vehicle was released Nov. 29, 2005, by Fox Home Entertainment. Mr. and Mrs. Smith both work as assassins, but neither know that the other is engaged in the same profession. Things get moving when they start targeting each other.Bonus material includes audio commentary tracks by the director, screenwriter, producers and the crew; deleted scenes; "Making a Scene" featurette; teaser and theatrical trailer.
"War Of The Worlds," $30 and $19.95 (depending on which version you buy): This is the action movie directed by Steven Spielberg, a contemporary re-telling of H.G. Wells' sci-fi classic. It was released Nov. 22 by DreamWorks Home Entertainment. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Miranda Otto, Justin Chatwin and Tim Robbins. DreamWorks also has released a two-disc "War of the Worlds" Limited Edition DVD that includes a second disc loaded with such bonus programming as interviews with Spielberg and Cruise as well as a closer look at the movie's special effects. "Charlie And The Chocolate Factory": This is the remake starring Johnny Depp as the quirky Willy Wonka, made even quirkier under the direction of Tim Burton. It's available in a two-disc edition with five "making-of" featurettes, menu challenges and a pack of trading cards."40-Year-Old Virgin," $29.98: This is being released Dec. 13 by Universal Studios Home Entertainment in rated and unrated versions that feature more than 17 additional minutes of footage filmed exclusively for the DVD. The film stars Steve Carell as Andy Stitzer, a middle-aged virgin gets some well-meaning but misguided help from his co-workers. "The Fantastic Four," $29.98: Just out is this movie from Fox Home Entertainment based on the comic book. The DVD features such bonuses as the first look at the making of "X-Men 3" and deleted scenes from "The Fantastic Four.""Cinderella Man," $29.98 and $44.98 (depending on which version you buy): Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger star in this release from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The widescreen two-disc collector's edition boxed set contains collectibles, but both versions feature DVS (Descriptive Video Service) of the film, designed for those who are blind or are otherwise visually challenged.Crowe plays boxer James J. Braddock and Zellweger plays his wife, Mae. Together, they see his decency, dedication and determination to face any adversity for those he loves.
TV Series
"Seinfeld Seasons 5 and 6": You can buy both seasons together and get a "puffy shirt" collectible and a reproduction of Jerry Seinfeld's hand-written script for an episode from Season 4 called "The Pilot" for $119.95, or you can buy the seasons separately at $49.95 each (no puffy shirt and no script for you). Both new Seinfeld DVD volumes include hours of fresh bonus material, supervised by Seinfeld and the show's creators, that include deleted scenes, bloopers, interviews with the cast and creators, exclusive stand-up comedy footage, behind-the-scenes scoops, commentaries and more. "Oprah": Celebrate the 20th anniversary of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" with a one-on-one interview with Oprah herself, offering the inside story on her all-time favorite guests, surprises, celebrities and the people who have touched her heart. There's also a tour of Oprah's home, footage from the beginning of her show and an inside look behind the scenes with "A Day in the Life of The Oprah Winfrey Show." Profits from the sale of this DVD collection will benefit Oprah's Angel Network, a charity that has raised more than $30 million."Beavis and Butt-Head" has 40 episodes and includes many never-before-released on DVD, special director's cut episodes, an exclusive featurette, and those ever-popular music videos with classic Beavis and Butt-Head commentary. "Project Runway," $39.99: This is the complete first season, including the two-hour first-season finale episode, available in a three-disc set. Bonus features include "Wear Are They Now?" a follow-up of favorite contestants, "Deleted Seams" (deleted scenes), and a designer gallery showcasing the creations of the show's featured designers. Supermodel Heidi Klum and designer Michael Kors oversee all the action."The Rockford Files": James Garner stars in all 23 episodes from season one of this series, in which he plays unlikely detective Jim Rockford. You'll also spot guest stars including Lindsay Wagner, James Woods, Abe Vigoda, Suzanne Somers and Ned Beatty. As a bonus, there is an interview during which Garner reminisces about the genesis of show and becoming Jim Rockford. "Leave It To Beaver," $49.98 or $69.98 (depending on which version you buy): This is the classic TV series starring Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers as "The Beaver." The more expensive set comes in a vintage-style lunch box package that includes "The Cleaver Photo Album," with collectible photos from the show."Friends: The One With All Ten Seasons," $299.98: Special features include a 43-minute gag reel (bloopers), interviews with some of the guest stars, a new video, "Joey Joey," featuring Matt LeBlanc, and commentary by executive producers on three episodes.The complete "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" series, $199.98: This is a 40-disc collectors' case from Fox Home Entertainment. This is the first time all seven seasons (144 episodes) have been packaged together for sale. There's a bonus disc that includes a one-hour round-table discussion with the cast and crew, an introduction from Joss Whedon, five featurettes, a collectible book and a letter signed by Whedon.
Family Favorites
"The Polar Express": This is a holiday movie that features Tom Hanks in five different roles and directed by Robert Zemeckis. The two-disc edition offers a song that was not included in the film ("Smokey and Steamer") as well as two interactive challenges designed for children. There's much more in the two-disc version. The single disc DVD contains only the movie."Kronk's New Groove," $29.99: This is a feature-length animated sequel to Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove"; it's premiering Dec. 13 only on Disney DVD. All the favorite characters from "The Emperor's New Groove" return, including Kuzco (David Spade), Kronk (Patrick Warburton), Pacha (John Goodman), and the villainess Yzma (Eartha Kitt). Bonus materials are "Kronk's Brain Game," "Pyramid Scheme," and "How To Cook A Movie." "Cinderella," $29.99 and $49.99 (depending on which version you buy): This Disney classic is making its DVD debut. Bonus features include an all-new featurette, ESPN Classics' "Cinderella Stories" which showcases many of the most unbelievable "Cinderella" moments in sports history. An all-new DVD-ROM feature, "The Royal Life," allows participants to scan their picture and become part of a fairytale world that they can create."March Of The Penguins," $28.98: Audiences were really charmed by this movie, produced by Warner Independent Pictures and National Geographic Feature Films. Morgan Freeman narrates the lives of the emperor penguins and their journey to find a mate and protect their offspring against the icy Antarctic blast. Bonus features include "Of Penguins and Men," a full-length documentary about the film-making process, and "Crittercam: Emperor Penguins," a National Geographic feature that offers a firsthand look at penguins' natural behavior as they dive, swim and feed together under water. There's also a Bugs Bunny cartoon, "8 Ball Bunny," that shows Bugs trying to get a penguin back to the South Pole.
"Madagascar," $19.95: This release from DreamWorks Home Entertainment carries more than 100 activities, interactive games and creative projects, including a music video ("I Like To Move It, Move It") that features the Madagascar zoosters and assorted jungle locals in a wild dance celebration. The DVD also includes "Behind The Crates," a tongue-in-cheek look at the making of the movie.Muppets: In celebration of Kermit's 50th Anniversary, Walt Disney Home Entertainment has released Muppet films on DVD: "The Muppet Movie," "The Great Muppet Caper," "The Muppet Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island," priced at $19.99 each.Boxed Sets:
"Barbra Streisand: The TV Specials": These are the diva's five CBS specials: "My Name Is Barbra," "Color Me Barbra," "The Belle of 14th Street," "Barbra Streisand: A Happening in Central Park" and "Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments.""King Kong": This is the original 1933 RKO classic in a two-disc special edition and a two-disc collector's edition DVD. It's digitally re-mastered in black and white, and it carries an abundance of bonus features, including a seven-part documentary with director Peter Jackson (who directed this year's "King Kong" remake), commentary by Ray Harryhausen and Ken Ralston with Merian C. Cooper and Fay Wray; and a feature-length documentary on Kong creator Merian C. Cooper.Jerry Lewis: "The Legendary Jerry" Collection: Here you'll find "The Ladies Man," "The Errand Boy," "The Nutty Professor Special Collector's Edition," "The Patsy," "The Stooge," "The Delicate Delinquent," "The Bellboy," "Cinderfella," "The Disorderly Orderly," and "The Family Jewels." Bonuses include commentary by Jerry Lewis and blooper reels."Batman: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997" offers two-disc special editions of the first four Batman movies selling for $79.92. You can buy the individual titles for anywhere from $19.95 to $26.99. The special edition includes "Batman," "Batman Returns," "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin," together with more than 18 hours of bonus features. Those include director commentaries by Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, cast and crew interviews, new documentaries, making-of featurettes and nine music videos from Prince, Seal, and Smashing Pumpkins."Batman Anthology/Batman Begins" tells the origin story of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) from childhood through his transformation to Batman. This is a two-disc edition with bonuses including a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, additional information on key characters and weapons that were not revealed in the film, and an exclusive collectible DC Comics comic book.The Harold Lloyd Collection: This is a digitally re-mastered, seven-disc collection that spotlights the silent-film legend in 15 feature films and 13 shorts. There's a bonus disc that contains such extras as Harold Lloyd's home movies and 3-D photos with a pair of 3-D photo viewing glasses. The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection is available for $89.85, but each volume also may be purchased separately for $29.95 each.