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cinemattractions Decks The Shelves With unusual DVD Holiday Gift Guide
The Movie Matchmakers Offer Viewers The Best 50 DVDS of 2006
ST. LOUIS, MO—December 6, 2006— cinemattractions, the first and only nationally syndicated DVD review television show, is spreading joy this holiday season with its DVD Holiday Gift Guides, complete with thousands of dollars of free DVDs for viewers. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the movie matchmakers present on-air a new list of the best DVD titles to buy for all types of movie lovers. Unlike other movie gift guides, the cinemattractions holiday guides match movies to personalities rather than offering genre categories.
“Most people don’t shop for the latest drama, they want a movie that their special someone will like, whether it’s a comedy, drama, TV show or action flick,” said Chris Lawing, executive producer of cinemattractions. “Our holiday gift guides are irreverent stereotypes of peoples’ personalities so viewers can buy movies that fit the quirky tastes of their family and friends. Even better, we give them a chance to answer trivia on our show and win a copy for free, whether it’s the complete series of Six Feet Under or The Adventures of the Little Prince.”
cinemattractions’ co-hosts Angie Lawing and Chris Hartman spend countless hours watching the latest DVDs, which is no small task given the average of 200 new DVD titles released each week. With the holidays being an especially busy time of year, their goal is to make it easy for people to quickly see what their best options are for gift-giving.
“We have all received a DVD that is watched once and then sits on the shelf,” said Angie Lawing, movie matchmaker. “Broken down into categories like Boob Toobers, Gore Getters and Old Farts, we are giving viewers 50 great DVD choices that are sure to please even the pickiest person on their gift lists.”
THE GUIDE, BY CINEMATTRACTIONS’ MOVIE MATCHMAKERS
Fantasy fans – Whether you’re a Comic-Con geek or a Tolkien world-builder, this year may be a record one for fantasy DVDs. Here are the movie matchmakers’ top picks for the adventurers, magicians, elves, jedis and swashbucklers on your list.
X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Okay, so they could have made the Phoenix kick more butt and Cyclops punked out way too early, but Wolverine is still the coolest action hero around. Make sure to watch the credits for a surprise. The DVD has a few alternate endings for some extra fun.
Superman Returns. Lex Luthor is evil, Superman is practically invincible, and therein lays the plot of this revival of the flying capeman. For super-duper Superman fans, there’s also The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection with the original four movies.
Star Wars Episodes IV - VI. We’re talking the original three Star Wars movies, available separately and each containing two versions of the movie, the original theatrical version and a special edition. For big time fans this means you can see the original cut of the controversial Han Solo and Greedo scene. We know some of you have been waiting for these editions to finally fork out the cash and buy these films, so come on already, these versions are only available until December 31st.
The Princess Bride Special Editions. The pits of despair! Twue wove! Giants, pirates, princesses, treachery and mighty duels. The Buttercup Edition and Dread Pirate Edition have entertaining special features to make this movie even more fun. Inconceivable!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Teenage girls who saw this five times in the theater might be at the top of the list of buyers here, but what about your aunt and uncle who read all the books and might be too embarrassed or too busy to buy this for themselves? Awww, come on. Get it for them with a note that you promise to see the next one in theaters together next July Go Harry!
Lord of the Rings Limited Editions. For each of the films in this awe-inspiring trilogy, the original and extended editions are on one disc, and the special features on another disc. Impulse buyers, we know you have all the versions already but what about your brother-in-law who loves the books but never bought a copy?
Boob Toobers – Whether you’re a college slacker or an exhausted worker bee, chances are you watch too much television. And you still can’t keep up. With so many TV shows released on DVD these days, what’s a person to do when standing in line at the store? Why, just consult our list of TV faves below.
Rome. Too many of you have kept this on your list of shows to watch and haven’t tuned in yet. We’re weeks away from the second season, people. Rome tells the story of two soldiers earning the wrath and favor of Ceasar himself. Be wary of heads on spikes and treachery even amongst family members. The show is violent, vulgar and impossible to resist.
Deadwood: Season 2. In this episodic western, people are always dirty, drunk, fighting, gambling and whoring. It’s full of dark and complex characters and plot twists, witty banter and plenty of tension and gunfights. This is the best television has to offer and is Angie’s personal favorite.
Six Feet Under: The Complete Series Gift Set. Dealing with death may be taboo, but Six Feet Under makes it downright addictive. Fisher & Sons funeral home is full of realistic drama, sarcasm and strange but touching flashes of life and death. And yes, we did give away many copies of the complete series (Seasons 1 – 5). Tune into our show and you could be a winner next time.
Homicide Life on the Street – Complete Series Megaset. For those of you who love The Wire, you don’t know what you missed with Homicide. Even though the show was cancelled, it now lives on in the mega box set with all 122 episodes. Starring Ned Beatty and Richard Belzer, this used to be the best show on television about a homicide unit based in Baltimore.
Kids in the Hall Megaset. This troupe of Canadian funny guys stretched the boundaries of comedy for five groundbreaking seasons. Whether they were “crushing your head” or being eeevilll with Hecubus, they earned a worthy cult status. If you miss the old Saturday Night Live days, or like Monty Python sketches, you’re a prime candidate for this set. Strap on your white fluorescent safety guard belt and come with hall passes ready.
South Park: Season 8. Hilarity ensues as long as you’re not Mel Gibson, love ninjas or enjoy mocking Paris Hilton. And who doesn’t like a little “Beefcake, Beefcake!” now and then?
Arrested Development: Season 3. It’s…over. Cancelled. Finis. BUT, it’s not too late to enjoy the best comedy series around. Yes, it’s better than The Office. Jason Bateman plays the one son who tries to keep it together in a tres dysfunctional family. Stand-up comedian David Cross won us over with the Blue Man stunts, and we’ll probably miss Tobias most of all.
Gore Getters – Your thirst for blood and gore will never be quenched. Whether you prefer zombies, vampires, a pit of syringes or devil boys, we’ve got just the horror film for you.
The Complete Omen Collection. Damian lives on in the remake of The Omen, and
you can get this version with the original (which is better) in a collection. An ambassador’s son is the anti-christ. This is one of the top horror films of all time, it’s still scary in the classic creepy way.
Saw II. For our top gore getter pick, check out the grotesque tale about a serial killer that doesn’t kill his victims but forces them to hurt themselves or someone else to stay alive. It’s bloodier than Saw and you’ll never look at bear traps, razors and ovens the same way.
Hard Candy. It’s not a blood and guts flick, per se, but you will be horrified when you watch it. A young teen meets up with an older man, and they go back to his place for a special kind of rendezvous. That’s where the jaw-dropping revenge comes in, with sexual exploitation, accusations of pedophilia and sick, sick, sick cat-and-mouse scenes.
Old Farts – Sometimes grandma and grandpa are the hardest people to please and have some quirky tastes. Our list is for the grey-haired fellas and señioritas in your life, or for the ones who just act like old fogeys.
The History Channel Ultimate Collections: World War II. The Last Great War may be one of the most popular documentary topics, and for veterans or history buffs this is the perfect collection. With over 15 hours, 30 documentaries and 10 DVDs, geek out on the History Channel stories behind war planes, General MacArthur and the war’s massive scope in Europe.
The Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection. Shall we dance? Rodgers and Hammerstein created some of the best and most popular musicals of all time, and now you can own them all in one great set, including The King and I, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Carousel and State Fair.
John Wayne- John Ford Film Collection. We’re talking old school westerns. This set celebrates the duo of the two Johns - including classics like The Searchers, Stagecoach, The Calvary Trilogy and The Long Voyage Home. It’s hard to beat an old western like The Searchers, ahead of its time in showing moral ambiguities between the complex cowboy and Indian conflicts.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton Film Collection. If you grew up in the 60s, Liz and Richard ruled the tabloids and the theaters. Now you can catch them in a cool collection. Martha and George will make you squirm in the Burton Taylor classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. The Sandpiper, The VIPs and The Comedians are also part of the collection.
Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid: Collector’s Edition. In the prime of their acting careers, Robert Redford and Paul Newman made the ultimate western and buddy flick about two outlaws who took life to the edge, robbing and running from the law. The Ultimate Collector’s Edition has more commentaries, more interviews and more documentaries than the special edition and then some.
Wordplay. What’s more old fart-like than doing crossword puzzles? It’s Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor of the New York Times, along with his biggest fans…like Bill Clinton and Jon Stewart. This documentary takes us through the history of the crossword puzzle and inside the minds of American crossword puzzle contestants.
Pacifying Parents – We parents need a break now and then, and nothing says chill out like a good movie. Of course, an even better option is to zone out together, and all the movies below are both parent and kid pleasers.
Cars. Pixar’s latest hit about a rookie race car that gets waylaid en route to winning the Piston Cup. Owen Wilson leads the cast of characters as Lightning McQueen, the cocky rookie. There are some fun cameos, like the NPR Car Talk brothers.
Hoot. Based on the bestselling children’s book, this movie’s got fun music, decent kid actors and quirky but realistic adult characters. Luke Wilson cracks me up as the low-level cop trying to figure out who’s vandalizing the construction site of a new Paula’s Pancakes. The new kid in town is on the case, too, but he’s got his own problems with the school bullies.
Popular Mechanics for Kids. For kids who like to get into their dad’s tool shed or create their own science experiments in the kitchen, we’ve got the perfect solution. Popular Mechanics for Kids is a science series for the eight to twelve year old crowd, full of gross out experiments, animatronic creatures, explosives and all kinds of topics that make science fun.
Avatar The Last Airbender- The Complete Book 1 Collection. 12 year-old Ang must learn to master earth, air, water and fire to restore the world order. This is perfect time to catch up on all the action of season one. If you have kids who do martial arts, or know kids or even adult friends who play too many video games, you’ll want a copy of Avatar for them.
The Chronicles of Narnia 4-Disc Extended Edition. If you have older children, you should definitely watch this unforgettable and magical story. Based on C.S. Lewis’ classic, it’s a family-friendly fantasy about four young heroines and heroes who step into a magical land and find themselves the center of a war between good and evil. This version has added scenes, including one at the end of the film, and a bunch of special features.
The Little Mermaid 2-Disc Special Edition. This underwater gem is one of Disney’s best animated films, from the calypso music to the lovable sea creatures and a teenager heroine who wants what she can’t have – to be human. Teenage girls may have a soft spot for this one since they grew up with it.
My Little Pony Gift Set. Breezies, Minty and all kinds of cheesy hit the fan in this set, which even includes a Pinkie Pie tote bag. A Very Minty Christmas, Princess Promenade and The Runaway Rainbow all teach lessons about friendship and love. It’s not great TV, but it isn’t offensive like Bratz or My Scene shows.
The Adventures of the Little Prince. The Prince’s home planet gets boring sometimes, so he rides a comet to earth and makes all kinds of friends. The box set has been around longer than this year, but this animated series is too cute and too unknown to pass up.
Mrs. McDreamy Wanna Be’s – Girls night out could be girls night in with all the goodies we’ve tucked away, and there’s enough romance, drama and singing to please the girlie girl in all of us.
The OC: Season 3. Senior year is now upon our intrepid young heroes as they continue to confront the world-threatening matters of prom, teen love and college visits. Since Thursday nights have become a battle for the remote, this box set could be catch up time for all the girlfriends who lost the battle.
Grease: Rockin’ Rydell Special Edition. There are people who like musicals, and then there are people who are obsessed with Grease. High school has never been so cool, so pink or so Sandradee. It’s hard to think of a role John Travolta is remembered for more than Danny in Grease, and it’s definitely the height of Olivia Newton-John’s acting career. This version has the ultimate cool cover, a leather jacket sleeve, plus 11 deleted/extended/alternate scenes, John and Olivia reminiscing and footage from the 25th anniversary DVD launch party.
Grey’s Anatomy: Season 2. The love triangles get complicated. Will Meredith get Derek Shepherd “McDreamy” all to herself or will he choose to save his marriage with Addison? Lizzie meets Denny Duquette and the boundaries between doctor and patient start to blur and Cristina continues to get hot and heavy with her mentor, Preston Burke. Someone grab me a chair, I think I’m going to faint.
Thank You For Smoking. For you realists, enough with the sappy stuff. Big Tobacco’s top spokesperson has problems. Beyond the personal death threats and daily dose of challenging work, he’s supposed to bribe the dying Marlboro man, save cigarettes from a skull and crossbones warning label, and be a good dad to his 12 year old son. The sarcastic comedy is great and you’ll even laugh out loud watching this one.
High School Musical Two-Disc Remix. Getcha Head in the Game and join Troy and Gabriella as they wanna sing but have to contend with the entire school who wants them to stick with being a jock and a nerd. Snag a copy for the gigglin’ girls in your life who can’t wait to do the dance and sing-a-longs. It’s a perfect slumber party companion!
Jack Bauer Wanna Be’s – Boys will be boys, and that means lots of blowing stuff up is a must-see, along with men who don’t shower and drink and eat too much.
James Bond Ultimate Collection Vol. 1-4. For all you fans who have been waiting to drop four hundred bucks on the entire movie library, here’s your chance. Of course everything is newly restored and mastered so you can enjoy all the “shaken-and-not-stirred” moments as Bond escapes death at the last minute and foils the evil genius’ plans. Pure camp, pure fun.
24: Season 5 - When Jack Bauer has a bad day, the world is on the brink of disaster. Jack’s back to save it again. He’s tried retirement and death, see what else those bad terrorists and spies can dish up. The best action on TV, this show is still fresh and fun to watch.
Reservoir Dogs 15th Anniversary Edition. Kneel before one of your favorite icons, Quentin Tarantino, and grab the special edition of Reservoir Dogs. It’s a heist gone bad, very bad. But with a very good cast, from Harvey Keitel to Tim Roth and Michael Madsen, it’s worth the price of a gas can and duct tape.
Sopranos: Season 6, Part One. Tony Soprano may be knocked out cold, but that’s no speed bump for Season 6. Part 1 of the season is out on DVD this week and it starts off with a bang. HBO’s dynamite series of a mob family is still episodic TV at its best.
Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier. I love the smell of napalm in the morning, don’t you? This two-disc set releases previously confidential material to the public. You can watch 12 never-before-seen segments, a then and now perspective, and the 1979 original and 1991 Redux versions of the film. Coppola fans won’t want to pass up this opportunity to geek out on one of the most brilliant and disturbing war movies of all time. Oh, the horror.
Francophiles and Other Film Snobs – Parlez-vous francais? If subtitles get your heart a-pumpin,’ you’re in for a treat with our foreign flick picks.
The 400 Blows. This New Wave film tells the story of a misunderstood young juvenile delinquent in the making. Raising Hell is what the title actually means, and it’s a classic French film and cinematic masterpiece. The visual departure from conservative filmmaking and the directness of the subject matter both made it a controversial hit back in the late 50s. It’s a landmark film that you film buffs will love to add to your collector’s shelf.
A Heart in Winter (Un Coeur en hiver). Complicated love and beautiful music tell the haunted story of a violin shop owner, his repair man and a violinist. Classical music lovers will appreciate this film, along with anyone who enjoys the complex characters that French films develop so eloquently.
The Double Life of Veronique (La Double Vie de Veronique). Krzysztof Kieslowski won international fame for this philosophical musing about identity and interconnected souls. Two women named Veronique live as yin-yang opposites, not knowing the other exists but feel an inexplicable connection. No, you don’t have to be high to watch this movie. You do have to appreciate opera and abstract art films.
La Dolce Vita Deluxe Collector’s Edition. Fellini’s masterpiece on decadance and immorality may still shock viewers. A tabloid reporter dreams of true love and a meaningful existence, but he’s constantly seduced by fine women and high society. This film is pure beauty (although its subject is anything but). Dozens of interviews, Fellini’s studio, never-before-seen TV shorts, and collector’s cards make it even more memorable.
Go for Zucker. What the world needs is a good old-fashioned German comedy. Think we’re joking? This movie takes a chronic gambler and reunites him with his estranged and uptight Orthodox brother. They’ve got to sit shiva for seven days together in order to get their mother’s inheritance. You’ll be hooked from the beginning, and Zucker’s character is refreshingly flawed and funny.
Hemp-Smellin’ Hippies – Pass the pipe, dude. You’re going to need it if you don’t want to get outraged about war, global warming and corporate greed.
The Brave New Films Box Set. If you liked Outfoxed, Robert Greenwald’s got more for you…much more. He digs up dirt on Wal-Mart (not that that’s difficult), Iraq war profiteers and Tom DeLay and calls for social change. Will you answer the call?
The Docurama Film Festival II Set. If you like the festival circuit but haven’t had the chance to see many documentaries lately, here’s your opportunity to catch up. From a personal journey during 9/11 to an electricity crisis in Tbilisi and the working poor, these films won’t be airing at your local theater.
An Inconvenient Truth. Al Gore sheds his uptight campaign face for passionate and heartfelt concern. This is an especially good documentary to breakdown the myths of the environmental debate. In fact, it’s hardly a debate, the scientific facts are extremely compelling and aren’t even controversial.
Carolers & Christmas Lovers – Break out the Johnny Mathis tunes, the tree trimmings and the hot cocoa. It’s Christmas time, and we’re hamming it up.
Miracle on 34th Street. Believing in Santa Claus may be the toughest for the daughter of a practical businesswoman, but luckily Santa himself shows up at the Macy’s parade and charms everyone. A classic feel-good story for the holidays, it’s a treat for the whole family.
It’s a Wonderful Life. How do you get more Christmas spirit than George Bailey? The holidays may make us all suicidal, but George finds out what life would be like if he didn’t ever exist. It’s practically impossible to think of Christmas without this movie. Jingle those bells and settle in for a long winter’s viewing.
About cinemattractions
cinemattractions™ is an original weekly half-hour television program about what’s hot on DVD. It is the only nationally syndicated show dedicated to helping viewers decide what to rent, buy or download. cinemattractions features blockbusters, indies, family flicks, documentaries, popular television series, re-released classics, and foreign films. In its second year of programming, cinemattractions is seen in over 44 million households.
For more information on cinemattractions, including how to obtain a sample episode, the city-by-city program schedule and background on the production team, please contact Rachel Parr at 1-800-652-6014.
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