Now that December has started, the number of shopping days left until Christmas day will seem to evaporate very quickly. If you’re thinking about getting HD DVDs for someone (even if it’s you), there are a few gift sets coming out this month that are worth considering. They’re all pretty popular, and you’ll need to act fast to ensure delivery by Christmas day, though.
(all of these links go to Amazon, who pretty much has the overall lowest HD DVD pricing)
Harry Potter
Though they’ve already been out in Europe for a while, December 11 is the North American release date for all of the individual Harry Potter movies made thus far, as well as the special collecter’s set of them. The “Years 1-5 Limited Edition Gift Set” comes in a box that looks like the trunk that Harry Potter probably packs each fall as he heads off for yet another year of adventures at Hogwarts, and includes extras such as trading cards, bookmarks, and a DVD-based game.
The Bourne Trilogy, The Bourne Ultimatum
Also releasing on December 11 is The Bourne Ultimatum, the latest in the saga of Robert Ludlum’s hero, Jason Bourne, starring Matt Damon. The first two movies have already been available on HD DVD for several months, and the trilogy is completed with the release of this third disc. Many recent HD DVD owners already got The Bourne Identity as one of the free movies with their third-generation players, and they would end up with a second copy from a box set. I’m not sure if this is why Universal decided to cancel the HD DVD box set of the trilogy, but for those of us who had none of these movies, Amazon has stepped in and offers the trilogy for $50.
Blade Runner
December 18 brings Philip K. Dick’s sci-fi classic, Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Harrison Ford. Right on time for its 25th anniversary, Blade Runner is available as a 5-disc collector’s edition which contains a remastered version, a theatrical version, international version, director’s cut, and a workprint version of the movie. The discs also contain plenty of featurettes and a documentary. Lots and lots of stuff to keep fans busy for a long time. I’m one of those crazy people who actually watches all these bonus features, and I think this disc set would definitely keep me busier than most. The “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” giftset comes in a limited edition “Deckard” briefcase, and includes some cool Blade Runner memorabilia. An astute reader has clarified in the comments that the regular collector’s edition (meaning it’s not the “ultimate”) is also available, which has the same discs, but not the memorabilia and unique packaging, and costs under $30.
Battlestar Galactica
Though slightly less prestigious than the December box sets mentioned above, Battlestar Galactica is probably just as long-awaited amongst many fans, and makes its HD debut on December 4. The TV series originally aired right after the initial Star Wars craze. Three decades later, the “ragtag fleet’s” battle against the Cylons was revived on cable TV, and the high-definition six-disc set of season one now comes to you only on HD DVD. This set includes the initial mini-series along with the season’s episodes.
That’s Entertainment
Warner Home Video has a collection of the three “That’s Entertainment” films, which are anthologies of musical moments from Hollywood history. Each of the volumes showcases singing and dancing by stars such as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minelli, and many more. The giftset also includes some bonus materials such as documentaries and outtakes.
Some other box sets or collections for your gift-giving consideration:
Best of HD DVD sets from Warner Home Video:
- Volume 1: Lethal Weapon, The Road Warrior, Sowrdfish, Training Day
- Volume 2: Blazing Saddles, The Departed, Goodfellas, Superman – The Movie
- Volume 3: The Last Samurai, The Phantom of the Opera, Unforgiven, The Fugitive
- Action: Troy Director’s Cut, Blood Diamond, Wyatt Earp, Alexander Revisted the Final Cut
- Family: Happy Feet, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, Scooby-Doo, The Ant Bully
There are plenty of television series gift sets too:
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:15 am
There will be a non-briefcase version of Blade Runner for a substantially lower price. Amazon.com has it and the pre-order price is less than thirty bucks.