Check out the best movies and TV shows to take home this holiday season!
Home Theater Awesomeness
Thousands of DVDs and Blu-Rays are released each year, but that doesn't mean they're all worth checking out. From remastered classics to this year's best action flicks to mesmerizing documentaries, we've sorted through the pile to list the 20 Best DVD/Blu-Rays of 2012. Click ahead to get inspired this holiday season.
1. The Hunger Games
Available on three-disc Blu-ray (far left), and two-disc DVD, The Hunger Games doesn't have commentary but does boast hours of featurettes and interviews. It's a must-have for all Hunger Games fanatics.
Best Special Feature: The World is Watching: The Making of The Hunger Games, two-hour documentary.
2. The Dark Knight Rises & Dark Knight Trilogy
The Dark Knight trilogy will be released on Dec. 4 in a stripped-down box set. You can also buy the Blu-ray/DVD combo (L) of The Dark Knight Rises, which includes over three hours of bonus features and syncing capability with your iPad.
Best Special Feature: An in-depth comparison of all the Batmobiles.
3. Game of Thrones - The Complete First Season
This $69.99 Collector's Edition comes with DVD/Blu-ray and digital versions of the series. It also includes a slew of special features, including Westeros and episode guides, the Season Two premiere episode, and a feature on creating the Dothraki language.
Best Special Feature: The dragon egg paperweight.
4. Girls: The Complete First Season
The critically-acclaimed first season of Girls will be released on Dec. 11th. The two-disc set includes interviews with the cast and producer Judd Apatow, as well as five audio commentaries with Apatow and creator/actress Lena Dunham (R).
Best Special Feature: The commentaries.
5. Homeland: The Complete First Season
Showtime's Homeland has already swept the Golden Globes and Emmys and is ready to take Christmas by storm next. The CIA thriller series Blu-ray and DVD edition features deleted scenes, a 'making-of' featurette, and an introduction to Season 2.
Best Special Feature: The deleted scenes.
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
One of the best films of 2011, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was issued in a DVD/Blu-ray/Digital combo Special Edition (L). The special features on the Blu-ray include commentary by director David Fincher and assorted featurettes and interviews.
Best Special Feature: Fincher's commentary.
7. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson's funny and stylized look at young love is available as a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital version. It contains some killer extras including a set tour with star Bill Murray, and a guided tour of New Penzance island narrated by Bob Balaban.
Best Special Feature: The Murray tour is hilarious.
8. 21 Jump Street
Looking for a great comedy this Christmas? Look no further than the odd pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, who rule one of 2012's best comedies. Extras include a great blooper reel, deleted scenes, and a commentary track.
Best Special Feature: The bloopers.
9. Harold & Maude: The Criterion Collection
Cult classic Harold & Maude gets the Criterion treatment and the film has never looked better. Available on both Blu-ray and DVD, Hal Ashby's dark comedy contains a commentary track by Ashby and interviews with Ashby, Yusef (Cat) Stevens, and an essay from Matt Zoller Seitz.
Best Special Feature: The commentary.
10. Snow White & the Huntsman
Available in this Blu-ray/DVD/Digital two-disc Steelbook package, one of 2012's biggest hits gets a very cool home edition. The special features include seven featurettes, commentary by director Rupert Sanders, and an Around the Kingdom feature, introduced by Sanders.
Best Special Feature: Around the Kingdom
11. Titanic: Limited Edition 4-Disc Set
This new Blu-Ray edition is particularly attractive given its 170 minutes of exclusive HD content and gorgeous video quality.
Best Special Feature: "Titanic: The Final Word" - An in depth scientific look at the real-life events surrounding the Titanic's demise.
12. Princess Bride: The 25th Anniversary Edition
The cult classic is remastered in crisp 1080p, and includes nearly two hours of bonus footage.
Best Special Feature: A 30-minute retrospective that includes an informal chat with stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, and director Rob Reiner.
13. Friends: The Complete Series
This enormous (and understandably pricey) box set comes packed with 90 hours of episodes and 20 hours of bonus footage.
Best Special Feature: The One That Goes Behind the Scenes, a behind-the-scenes doc that explores the creative process involved in bringing the show to life.
14. Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Though this Blu-Ray doesn't include Bella's wedding dress, it does offer a must-see featurette that details the process of creating the film's signature wedding scene.
Best Special Feature: Commentary with director Bill Condon, who talks about the film's stars, its score, changes from the book, and more.
15. The Avengers
This CGI packed film was built for the big screen. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't own the entertaining flick on Blu-Ray.
Best Special Feature: Candid commentary from director Joss Whedon, who manages to speak modestly about the highest-grossing film of 2012.
16. Prometheus
One of the most visually stunning films of the past decade comes to life in this beautifully rendered collector's edition Blu-Ray. While the story didn't blow critics away, the special effects and hours of extras make it worth the buy.
Best Special Feature: Director Ridley Scott's detailed commentary on the film.
17. The Amazing-Spiderman: Limited Edition
From figurines to behind-the-scenes footage, this four-disc set has plenty to keep fans entertained. And while Tobey Maguire might not want to admit it, the film rocks too.
Best Special Feature: The collectable Spidey and Lizard figurines.
18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2
Relive the final chapters of Harry Potter by scooping up this special edition Blu-Ray. It's not too heavy on bonus material, but this four disc set still deserves a place on your shelf.
Best Special Feature: "Creating the World of Harry Potter," a behind-the-scenes featurette.
19. Frozen Planet: Complete Series
Worn out your Planet Earth DVDs? Put on a parka and buy this beautiful BBC series on Blu-Ray. It's like an Arctic cruise, only way cheaper.
Best Special Feature: "Freeze Frame" – A series of six 10-minute “making of” featurettes.
20. The Muppets
If you like singing, amazing puppetry, and happiness, you should set your sights on this special edition Blu-Ray. A heartwarming movie that's perfect for the holidays, this is Disney at its finest.
Best Special Feature: A hilarious blooper reel.
Home Theater Awesomeness
Thousands of DVDs and Blu-Rays are released each year, but that doesn't mean they're all worth checking out. From remastered classics to this year's best action flicks to mesmerizing documentaries, we've sorted through the pile to list the 20 Best DVD/Blu-Rays of 2012. Click ahead to get inspired this holiday season.
1. The Hunger Games
Available on three-disc Blu-ray (far left), and two-disc DVD, The Hunger Games doesn't have commentary but does boast hours of featurettes and interviews. It's a must-have for all Hunger Games fanatics.
Best Special Feature: The World is Watching: The Making of The Hunger Games, two-hour documentary.
2. The Dark Knight Rises & Dark Knight Trilogy
The Dark Knight trilogy will be released on Dec. 4 in a stripped-down box set. You can also buy the Blu-ray/DVD combo (L) of The Dark Knight Rises, which includes over three hours of bonus features and syncing capability with your iPad.
Best Special Feature: An in-depth comparison of all the Batmobiles.
3. Game of Thrones - The Complete First Season
This $69.99 Collector's Edition comes with DVD/Blu-ray and digital versions of the series. It also includes a slew of special features, including Westeros and episode guides, the Season Two premiere episode, and a feature on creating the Dothraki language.
Best Special Feature: The dragon egg paperweight.
4. Girls: The Complete First Season
The critically-acclaimed first season of Girls will be released on Dec. 11th. The two-disc set includes interviews with the cast and producer Judd Apatow, as well as five audio commentaries with Apatow and creator/actress Lena Dunham (R).
Best Special Feature: The commentaries.
5. Homeland: The Complete First Season
Showtime's Homeland has already swept the Golden Globes and Emmys and is ready to take Christmas by storm next. The CIA thriller series Blu-ray and DVD edition features deleted scenes, a 'making-of' featurette, and an introduction to Season 2.
Best Special Feature: The deleted scenes.
6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
One of the best films of 2011, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, was issued in a DVD/Blu-ray/Digital combo Special Edition (L). The special features on the Blu-ray include commentary by director David Fincher and assorted featurettes and interviews.
Best Special Feature: Fincher's commentary.
7. Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson's funny and stylized look at young love is available as a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital version. It contains some killer extras including a set tour with star Bill Murray, and a guided tour of New Penzance island narrated by Bob Balaban.
Best Special Feature: The Murray tour is hilarious.
8. 21 Jump Street
Looking for a great comedy this Christmas? Look no further than the odd pairing of Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, who rule one of 2012's best comedies. Extras include a great blooper reel, deleted scenes, and a commentary track.
Best Special Feature: The bloopers.
9. Harold & Maude: The Criterion Collection
Cult classic Harold & Maude gets the Criterion treatment and the film has never looked better. Available on both Blu-ray and DVD, Hal Ashby's dark comedy contains a commentary track by Ashby and interviews with Ashby, Yusef (Cat) Stevens, and an essay from Matt Zoller Seitz.
Best Special Feature: The commentary.
10. Snow White & the Huntsman
Available in this Blu-ray/DVD/Digital two-disc Steelbook package, one of 2012's biggest hits gets a very cool home edition. The special features include seven featurettes, commentary by director Rupert Sanders, and an Around the Kingdom feature, introduced by Sanders.
Best Special Feature: Around the Kingdom
11. Titanic: Limited Edition 4-Disc Set
This new Blu-Ray edition is particularly attractive given its 170 minutes of exclusive HD content and gorgeous video quality.
Best Special Feature: "Titanic: The Final Word" - An in depth scientific look at the real-life events surrounding the Titanic's demise.
12. Princess Bride: The 25th Anniversary Edition
The cult classic is remastered in crisp 1080p, and includes nearly two hours of bonus footage.
Best Special Feature: A 30-minute retrospective that includes an informal chat with stars Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, and director Rob Reiner.
13. Friends: The Complete Series
This enormous (and understandably pricey) box set comes packed with 90 hours of episodes and 20 hours of bonus footage.
Best Special Feature: The One That Goes Behind the Scenes, a behind-the-scenes doc that explores the creative process involved in bringing the show to life.
14. Breaking Dawn - Part 1
Though this Blu-Ray doesn't include Bella's wedding dress, it does offer a must-see featurette that details the process of creating the film's signature wedding scene.
Best Special Feature: Commentary with director Bill Condon, who talks about the film's stars, its score, changes from the book, and more.
15. The Avengers
This CGI packed film was built for the big screen. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't own the entertaining flick on Blu-Ray.
Best Special Feature: Candid commentary from director Joss Whedon, who manages to speak modestly about the highest-grossing film of 2012.
16. Prometheus
One of the most visually stunning films of the past decade comes to life in this beautifully rendered collector's edition Blu-Ray. While the story didn't blow critics away, the special effects and hours of extras make it worth the buy.
Best Special Feature: Director Ridley Scott's detailed commentary on the film.
17. The Amazing-Spiderman: Limited Edition
From figurines to behind-the-scenes footage, this four-disc set has plenty to keep fans entertained. And while Tobey Maguire might not want to admit it, the film rocks too.
Best Special Feature: The collectable Spidey and Lizard figurines.
18. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and 2
Relive the final chapters of Harry Potter by scooping up this special edition Blu-Ray. It's not too heavy on bonus material, but this four disc set still deserves a place on your shelf.
Best Special Feature: "Creating the World of Harry Potter," a behind-the-scenes featurette.
19. Frozen Planet: Complete Series
Worn out your Planet Earth DVDs? Put on a parka and buy this beautiful BBC series on Blu-Ray. It's like an Arctic cruise, only way cheaper.
Best Special Feature: "Freeze Frame" – A series of six 10-minute “making of” featurettes.
20. The Muppets
If you like singing, amazing puppetry, and happiness, you should set your sights on this special edition Blu-Ray. A heartwarming movie that's perfect for the holidays, this is Disney at its finest.
Best Special Feature: A hilarious blooper reel.
Comments
Post a Comment