Giving Hollywood for the holidays

By Jae-Ha Kim and Misha Davenport
Chicago Sun-Times
December 22, 2002

The first film ever released on DVD was the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night.” When it came out in the mid-1990s, it was an anomaly. Gadget geeks were attracted to the shiny new format that promised to replace bulky videocassettes, but the public wasn’t so sure. They remembered the fate of laser discs, Beta tapes and 8-track cartridges.

These days, consumers can’t get enough of these little discs, which display sharper images, store easier and, let’s face it, just look a heck of a lot cooler than VHS tapes. And the public’s talking with its wallets. Since 1997, the ration of DVD players sold to VCR sales is 7 to 1.

So it’s a good bet that you won’t go wrong giving a loved one a DVD as his or her holiday gift. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most intriguing DVDs available, including an updated version of that DVD pioneer, “A Hard Day’s Night.”

FILMS“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (New Line Home Entertainment, $39.99)–If you haven’t seen “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” yet–or if you have and you’re still confused–this extended DVD is a must. Sure, the film now runs 3 hours, 35 minutes, but it goes by quickly and makes more sense. Seamlessly edited into the original theatrical release, the additions range from the minute (Hobbits dancing atop a bar) to the obvious (Bilbo Baggins’ journal entry, which serves as a mini-history of the Hobbits). Because of its length, the movie is divided into two DVDs, which takes away from the theater experience of sitting all the way through it. On the other hand, it serves as a nice time to take a bathroom and snack break.

As for the two discs of extras, there’s plenty to keep any Ring geek in viewing heaven. The documentary about how difficult it was segueing from book to film is a bore. But the sections devoted to building Middle-earth are fascinating, as is the “Day in the Life of a Hobbit” vignette. (JHK)

“A Hard Day’s Night Collector’s Series” (Miramax, $29.99)–Before Eminem, Mariah Carey and Madonna ever attempted to make names for themselves as movie stars, the Beatles made “A Hard Day’s Night.” This black and white classic set the standard for rock ‘n’ roll films, and the editing and directing style of the music segments influenced many of the videos airing on MTV.

Each of the Fab Four proved to be a natural on screen and the songs were natural fits, rather than forced moneymaking attempts like in the majority of Elvis Presley’s flicks.

Digitally transferred from the restored original 35mm negative, the film has a crisp look. The set also includes a half-hour special, including interviews with director Richard Lester, musical director and longtime Beatles collaborator George Martin and co-star John Junkin, the charming actor who portrayed the hapless co-road manager Shake. (JHK)

“The Godfather Collection” (Paramount, $99.99)–Skip past the unwatchable third film and concentrate on the first two films. This collection of five discs will make you forget Robert DeNiro mugging his way through the “Analyze This” movies and give you the chance to re-live Al Pacino’s breakthrough as Michael Corleone. It’s also chock full of trivia. Remember that scene where the pedophile filmmaker wakes up to find his beloved horse’s head in bed with him? That head was real, courtesy of a dog food company. That grisly factoid still is easier to stomach than Sofia Coppola’s dreadful turn in the last film of the trilogy. (JHK)

“The James Bond 007 Special Edition DVD Collection” (MGM/UA, $124.99)–While it is by no means the definitive James Bond collection, “007” does contain enough to give you a taste of what makes the franchise so good. Two seems to be the rule of thumb here–the set includes two films from Sean Connery (“Dr. No” and “Goldfinger”), two from Roger Moore (“The Man With the Golden Gun” and “The Spy Who Loved Me”) and two from the current Bond, Pierce Brosnan (“Goldeneye” and “Tomorrow Never Dies”). Only Timothy Dalton and George Lazenby fans are left high and dry. “License to Kill,” is the only Dalton film in the collection and Lazenby’s entry (“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”) is suspiciously absent. All films feature commentary tracks by cast and/or crew and the set also includes several documentaries and featurettes spread out between the seven discs. (MD)

“Spider-Man: Limited Edition Collector’s Gift Set” (Columbia Tri-Star, $49.99)–In addition to the movie that’s spread out over two discs, there’s a lot more here for fans to swing on. Extras include a collectible reprint of “Amazing Fantasy #15,” the comic in which Spider-Man made his first appearance, the DVD “Stan Lee’s Mutants, Monsters & Marvels” that focuses on the creator of Spider-Man and some of his other characters. (MD)

“Reservoir Dogs: 10-Year Anniversary Special Edition” (Artisan, $26.98)–Available in five collectible, colored packages based on the characters of the film (good luck finding the Mr. Brown featuring Quentin Tarantino), Artisan delivers Tarantino’s violent, cult classic about a bank robbery gone wrong in a two-disc set. Extras include the usual “never-before-seen deleted scenes,” trailers and audio commentaries. (MD)

FAMILY“Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White” and “Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color” (Buena Vista Home Entertainment, $32.99 each)–Walt Disney often said he didn’t want people to forget that it all started with a little mouse. To that end, Mickey Mouse finally gets his due with two limited-edition DVD box sets containing a majority of his cartoons from 1929-1934 and 1935-1938. The prints of each film have been restored to near-perfect clarity (no stray hairs, missing scenes or crackling sound). It’s hard not to be amazed as you watch the black and white shorts–animators were able to accomplish a stunning amount of detail using a limited palate of black, greys and white in classics like “Steamboat Willie” and “Mickey’s Nightmare.” Color classics include “Band Concert Mickey” and “The Brave Little Tailor.”

“Black and White” also include an interview with Disney animation greats Ollie Johnson and Frank Thomas. Though both are well into their 90s, they speak with youthful exuberance of Disney and the time spent drawing these classics. (MD)

‘“E.T. Ultimate Collector’s Gift Set” (Universal, $69.98)–You have until the end of the month to snap up a copy of “ET,” because after its 10-week limited run ends, it won’t be available on DVD anytime soon (though it most certainly will be released again at a later date).  The whimsical film is a must-see for kids of all ages. I preferred the original version to Spielberg’s tweaked 2002 version—both of which are included in this set. In the latter, Spielberg morphed guns into walkie talkies, which makes some of the scenes look odd. Why are the kids scared of walkie talkies? The bonus interview with the cast proves that the cutest kids don’t always grow up to be the most attractive adults. This gift set also includes a CD soundtrack and a script from the original feature. (JHK)

“Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” (Fox, $23.98)–OK, the film isn’t the best entry in the Star Wars saga. The DVD is worth owning simply because George Lucas has finally delivered the goods. There are enough extras on “Clones” to keep fans glued to the TV well beyond New Year’s. These include everything from the use of puppets and digital characters to a mockumentary “R2-D2: Beneath the Dome.” The force is strong in this one. (MD)

TELEVISION“Band of Brothers” (HBO, $119.99)–The stories told in this HBO series are even more compelling than the fact that one of the soldiers is played by a former New Kid on the Block (“Boomtown” star Donnie Wahlberg). This six-disc collection includes an 80-minute documentary, “We Stand Alone Together,” in which soldiers who fought together during World War II talk candidly about their harrowing experiences. Other extras include detailed maps and timelines. The series is based on the best-selling book by Stephen E. Ambrose, whose riveting tales take viewers to the Battle of the Bulge and Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest at Berchtesgaden. (JHK)

“My So-Called Life” (BMG Special Products, $89.99)–This short-lived, critically acclaimed series beautifully captures the joys and pain of adolescence. At 15, a zit is a death sentence and puppy love isn’t distinguishable from real love. In a starmaking turn, Claire Danes perfectly captures the nuances of Angela, a gawky teenage girl dealing with real-life issues that aren’t always resolved. Anyone who can still remember their first crush will relate to her infatuation with Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto), the high school bad boy who’s as cute as a model and as dumb as a doorknob. Running approximately 19 hours, this five-DVD set is addictive and highly watchable. (JHK)

“Friends: The Complete Second Season” (Warner Home Video, $69.98)–Though this reportedly is the last season Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey, Rachel and Ross will film the popular sitcom, “Friends” lives on in its DVD collections. Unlike other parts of the world where just about all the seasons are available on DVD, Warner Brothers is being stingy in the U.S. Only the first two seasons are available here. This four-disc set rings back to a time when just about every episode was a winner and the actors actually looked young enough to still be sharing apartments with each other. Masochists will enjoy the previously unseen and unheard full-length version of Phoebe’s signature song, “Smelly Cat.” But the rest of us will more likely get a vicarious thrill touring Monica and Rachel’s preternaturally large New York apartment. (JHK)

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Second Season” (Fox, $59.98)–Buffy hasn’t been the same since Angel left to star in his own series, Willow turned into a Wiccan lesbian and li’l sis Dawn entered the picture. Season Two harkens back to a time when Xander was wooing Cordelia, Willow was in love with part-time werewolf Oz and the rock star-like vampire Spike fell for his own kind–Drusilla–rather than Buffy. For all the slaying that goes on here, Buffy essentially is a love story as much as it is an allegory for good and evil. Series creator Joss Whedon sets the ultimate consequence for teenage love: When Buffy and her beloved, mostly rehabilitated vampire Angel consummate their forbidden romance, he experiences true happiness, which triggers a curse that turns him back into an evil bloodsucker.

The six-disc set includes extras on Buffy’s fashion flair, audio commentary on four of the 22 episodes and insight into the characters from Whedon. (JHK)

“The Simpsons: The Complete Second Season” (Fox, $49.98)–The second season of everyone’s favorite dysfunctional family is spread out over four discs. While still lacking in the extras department (commentary on only a few episode and did we really need to see the video to “Do the Bartman?”), it’s nonetheless a great collection, offering the humor and cultural references that continues to score with viewers even after 14 seasons. (MD)

“The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Season One” (Fox, $49.98)–Check out her hair, her fashion and, of course, that smile. In 1970, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” was a groundbreaking show. Moore’s character Mary Richards had broken off her engagement, left her parents and moved to Minneapolis, where she embarked on a career as an associate producer (though her job making coffee, typing and answering the phone was more secretarial than managerial). On occasion, she even slept with her boyfriends, though that was intimated but never shown. She symbolized the single, independent woman of her time. Three decades later, Mary–who was quick to look to Mr. Grant (Ed Asner) to solve her problems–is more adorable than affirming. But she rings true to an era when life was more innocent and relatively carefree. (JHK)

“Sex and the City” (Seasons 1 through 3) (HBO, $39.98 to $49.99)–Fans without cable TV can enjoy a “Sex and the City” marathon with these box sets. Season 1 beautifully sets the tone for our randy group of New Yorkers, but it’s sparse in content. Season 3 is a must-see, just to watch commitment-phobic Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) throw away a hot and stable relationship with Aidan (John Corbett) for a ricochet fling with Big (Chris Noth). Though some critics thought the story arc was too serious for the show, the touch of reality makes Carrie more relatable and–size 0 body and Manolo Blahnik shoe collection aside–just pathetic enough. (JHK)

“The Young Ones: Every Stoopid Episode” (Warner Home Video, $39.98)–“The Young Ones” spent two seasons on the BBC and became a cult hit in America in the late ’80s thanks to constant play on MTV. It now invades DVD box sets. The series follows the trials and tribulations of four lads who share a flat in London. The flatmates include the suave womanizer (Christopher Ryan), the angry punk (Adrian Edmondson), the anarchist nerd (Rik Mayall) and the vegan hippie (Nigel Planer). The show is yet another in a long line of British comedies that highlight the originality and humor that’s lacking in most American-produced sitcoms. Bloody Brilliant! (MD)