Don't worry, this collection won't be as massive as the Blu-ray gift guide we did previously. This is just a few more recent DVD/Blu-ray gift guide that you might help you with one of those pesky last minute gifts.
This time we have something truly for everyone.
Click the Rawr for peaks at The Mel Brooks Collection, G-Force, Extract, Better Off Ted Season One, and Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown.
Let's start with our only DVD offering for this list.
Better Off Ted: The Complete First SeasonStarring: Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi, Andrea Anders, Jonathan Slavin, Malcolm Barrett, and Isabella Acres
Better Off Ted is a hilarious show airing on ABC, yes airing, I thought it got canceled last season but it has recently begun its second season. The show revolves around a man Ted, played perfectly by Jay Harrington, who wants to climb to the top of the corporation he works for: Veridian Dynamics. This company makes all sorts of products. Some work, and some don't (a motion detector that doesn't detect black people for instance). From the first episode, in which Ted is asked to freeze himself for company PR, you know you are in for a quirky good time.
Consisting of a top notch cast, including the brilliant Portia de Rossi, Better Off Ted is a prime example of great comedy television.
Unfortunately, the set is devoid of special features so it's not supported very well. The show is still worth purchasing even without features but it would have been nice to get something here be it bloopers or behind the scenes footage.
It off beat workplace comedy that is highly original with a fantastic cast is what you are in store for with this show. It makes for a great gift for any television fan.
The Mel Brooks CollectionFilms included: The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, History of the World - Part 1, To Be or Not To Be, Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men In Tights
Some of Mel Brooks' best films are collected in this 9 film/9 disc set (including one he did not direct). Absent are only Life Stinks, Dracula Dead and Loving It, and The Producers.
The films look great for the most part. There are some hiccups but nothing really too problematic. It's a great looking set with some classic films from a brilliantly funny man.
Some of the releases (Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, Young Frankenstein) have been previously available on the format and are the same discs presented here. Others are available on Blu-ray for the first time here. The features aren't jaw dropping but each film has the standards like trailers, interviews, etc.
The set comes with a rather nice hard cover book discussing Brooks and the films included in the set. It's full of gret info that any fan of his would really enjoy.
This set is a definite must own for comedy fans and especially fans of Mel Brooks. I would have liked for the set to be a complete filmography of his directorial works, even his less than perfect films but it's a great set regardless.
Let's keep the comedy coming with...
Extract
Starring: Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, J.K. Simmons, David Koechner, Clifton Collins , Jr, and Ben Affleck.
Mike Judge returns with his latest comedy film, Extract about a man (Bateman) about to sell his flavor extract business who must deal with an freak accident, a bored wife (Wiig), and a con woman (Kunis). All while receiving advice, and drugs, from his best friend played, underwhelmingly, by Ben Affleck.
The movie is charming but not quite as funny as I was expecting. The cast, with the exception of Affleck who seemed downright bored, is inspired. This is especially true of Jason Bateman, who I love. I did enjoy this movie better than Idiocracy which I was never able to get into and for the most part it's an enjoyable and funny way to kill a couple hours.
The film looks great with 1080p transfer that brings crisp and clear picture with pitch perfect sound. The bonus features are a little disappointing as we only get deleted scenes and a featurette about Mike Judge and his films.
While it's not his best film, that honor remains with Office Space, it is still a rather enjoyable little film with quirky characters and a great performance from most of its cast that would make a great gift for the movie, or Mike Judge, fan in your life.
Next up, something for the kids:
G-ForceStarring: Zack Galifianakis, Will Arnett, Bill Nighy and featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Penelope Cruz, Steve Buscemi, and Tracy Morgan.
Special Agent Guinea Pigs is on the menu for this Disney Film. Faced with department shut down, the elite G-Force team of talking spy animals infiltrate a businessman's home to obtain evidence of his dastardly plans. When the mission appears to be a failure, G-Force is shut down and the animals escape before being taken away for further study. The story follows them as they reunite and band together to save the world.
This is 100% a kids movie. Parents will enjoy watching it with them but for the most part, adults will find it rather arbitrary. It's that reason that I am including this on the list. While I didn't particularly enjoy the film, I can tell it will bring much pleasure to the young ones in your family.
As is typical with Disney, the blu-ray set is great. The film looks flawless with gorgeous picture and sound. The disc is loaded with special features sure to keep any kid interested in the world of the G-Force. We get bloopers, music videos, behind the scenes, featurettes, a digital copy, and a DVD copy in case you aren't at the blu-ray stage quite yet.
While it's not the best movie, it's still a clever fun film for kids with some pretty good voice talent. G-Force is sure to keep them entertained for hours and lead to many many repeat viewings.
Last but not least...
Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknownfeaturing: Neil Gaiman, John Carpenter, Peter Straub, Guillermo Del Toro, Caitlin Kiernan, Stuart Gordon and more.
Last on this list is the fascinating documentary Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown which talks about the life and works of H.P. Lovecraft, who has become one of the most influential writers in American History.
His life and beliefs are at times shocking and always extremely interesting. Hearing the thoughts and interpretations from some rather large names in horror and dark fantasy, including Neil Gaiman, John Carpenter, and Guillermo Del Toro.
This certainly isn't a gift for everyone, but horror fans, writers, and even film fans will be enthralled by the tale of one of the most influential writers in fiction not to mention the forefather of modern horror.
One person who did not appear was Stephen King. I would have loved to have heard his thoughts on Lovecraft and the fascinating world he weaved through his tales.
The Blu-ray includes a few features including over 70 minutes of extended interviews, Lovecraft inspired artwork, and a plethora of trailers.
Again, this documentary would be a great gift for horror fans and writers who are interested in Lovecraft's work. It's probably not something to get for the average person.
Still, it is fascinating and if you have the right person to get it for, definitely do so.
We hope this last minute guide gives you some ideas for gifts this year!
The Mel Brooks Collection, Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown, G-Force, Extract and Better Off Ted are all available now.
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