DVD Review Round-Up for Holiday Giving- Part 2

Are you hearing holiday music in the mall yet? Getting a taste for egg nog? Worrying about that holiday gift list yet? We can help with that at least. Here are more DVD reviews to guide you in your gifting frenzy or, hey, after an exhaustive day of shopping, just buy or rent yourself one of these and kick back and relax as we tackle everything from classics in box sets to modern films and TV show collections... here's Part 2 of our Holiday DVD Review Round-Up...

From Paramount Home Video

Titanic: Special Collector's Edition

In case you were hiding in a smokestack...Titanic (The 1997 James Cameron version) features socialite Rose Bukater (Kate Winslet) who hates her rich fiancée Cal Hockley (Billy Zane), meets penniless hunk in steerage Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) on the Titanic and has way more fun in his gritty world than hers. The duo defies jealous Cal and Rose's mom (Frances Fisher) and, as the ship hits the berg and is going down, have to struggle to survive.

If you loved this film like so many teens and young adults did, then you're going to want to have or give this expanded DVD.

Video: Some of my cohorts say that the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation is kind of washed out or not as crisp as they expected but it looks really good to me. The effects are still awesome, colors are fine.

Audio: Two choices here but go for the digital 6.1 sound mix. You get great bass, great high notes on all channels and James Horner's magical score comes through like no other. If you listen to the Dolby Digital 5.1. track, you won't be disappointed either. Some of the best DVD sound I've heard..Every crack of the sinking ship comes through crystal clear.

Special Features: Tons! Great for fans. Over 3 hours of features. The box itself is classy with a fold out sleeve featuring two awesome pix of Rose and Jack.

Commentary tracks: Three.. one with Jim Cameron who is just full of info about creating his story, research about the real Titanic and shooting the movie. Nothing boring here. Next is a cast and crew track with producers. The second commentary track is with the cast and crew. Kate says a few things but Leo isn't around regrettably. "Old Rose" Gloria Stuart is along too. The producers give us more interesting details as well. Final comments are by Don Marchelle and Don Lynch the history experts point out how accurate the film is to the real sinking. Sometimes interesting but can get boring.

There is an interesting branching "Behind the Scenes" feature that lets you check out mini-docs about the film while it is running.. short little gems with details on the movie that you can access over different parts of the film individually or play them all in a row.

On Disc 2, more of the same with the addition of an alternate ending (interesting way to go but not earth-shattering) that has a Cameron commentary explains why he changed his original ending and wanted to tie all the story threads together.

The music video for Celine Dion's big hit "My Heart Will Go On" is on this 2nd disc but, compared to the film, it looks kind of murky so you have to watch without comparison to the film's quality on this DVD.

Disc 3 is a real treasure trove. It gives you 45 minutes of deleted scenes with optional Cameron comments on why he cut them out. Looks great. If you want to know more about the real Titanic you get an hour-long doc that has Titanic history, footage from the wreck and interview with actual survivors that are mostly, now passed on.

There are the usual press interviews to promote the film and a ton of promo one-sheet art and posters that are beautiful. You get a time-lapse newsreel of the creation of the ship set with or without commentary. Cameron's footage from his deep dives to the actual wreck is narrated and you see why he's so stoked on shipwrecks.

I loved the cast and crew tour of the set. Lighthearted and silly/fun. More walks through the detailed sets are beautiful. On the Special Effects front, you get the videomatics that artists did to pre-visualize the film and there is a breakdown of some of the painstaking, wonderful effects shots. Awesome. Finally, more cool stills and promo stuff.

There are three super fun hidden Easter eggs involving comedy skit send-ups about the movie that appeared on TV. Happy hunting.

Wrapping up – If you are a fan of this amazing film then this new, extended set is a must.. give it to your female pals especially, and they'll love you forever!

From 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith

It's the big wrap up to the best-loved franchise ever. No need for a synopsis; suffice to say that Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, his twins Luke and Leia are born and the universe will never be the same.

Video: This is digital photography transferred to DVD..anamorphic widescreen and it's great. I noticed a little haze over some of the darker scenes but zero grain of course.. mostly crystal clear.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX, is awesome. Perfect.. thunderous bass, great separation between speakers. This is the ultimate perfect standard for DVD sound. Watch out not to crank it too high or the 'rents or landlord will be on your case!

Special Features: The two disc set is loaded. On Disc 1 is the film with a ton of scene selections if you have to step away and come back. Like the other Star Wars discs, you get a different bunch of menu graphics every time you start up the disc. You can skip screens with one button press.

Audio Commentary is by George Lucas, producer Rick McCallum, animation guy Rob Coleman and special effects guys John Knoll and Roger Guyett. Nobody is trying to be "cute" or trip the other guy up here but all are professionals giving you inside info. Lucas tells us to watch all the movies in order and consider the films to be the tragedy and redemption of Darth Vader. You learn that a seamless combo of a real volcano, CGI and miniatures created the red hot lava planet in the film. Hey, you say Mount Etna in Italy is erupting? Send out a crew!! Really fascinating stuff to watch.

On Disc 2 are tons of really well-made documentaries including a two-hour very clever film school style doc called "Within A Minute" that takes apart one single scene and shows you what everyone (down to the catering folks) contributed to make the final product. Watch this and you might not need film school! Everybody gets an on screen credit.

There are two featurettes of eleven and fourteen minutes each, "It's all for Real: The Stunts of Episode III" and "The Chosen One". "Stunts" features Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen working their cute fannys off practicing the final duel in the film with very few shots being taken over by stunt men. "Chosen" follows Hayden as Anakin and his full transformation to Vader.. creepy good.

Six deleted scenes have optional intros by Lucas and McCallum. They are entitled "Grievous Slaughters a Jedi", "Escape from the General"; "A Stirring in the Senate"; "Seeds of Rebellion"; "Confronting the Chancellor"; "A Plot to Destroy the Jedi?" and "Exiled to Dagobah" in which, for his safety, Yoda has to go to the swampy planet where Luke meets him in "Empire". We can see why most of these were cut but they are cool none-the-less. After the deleted scenes is a sort of music video "A Hero Falls" by John Williams, an old teaser, a huge trailer and a bunch of TV ads.

My favorite of the features from the standpoint of getting actor comments were the fifteen Web Documentaries ..all four to 8 mins each. Tons of comments especially by Ewan about his love for Star Wars as a kid and the challenge of playing a younger Sir Alec Guiness. Excellent for fans. Could have used a "play all" function on this however.

Finally, you get a bunch of really good production pics with notes, some posters you might not have seen before and, for gamers, a working demo of two levels of the Xbox hit "Star Wars Battlefront II" video game and some DVD-Rom web link for more fun.

I found one Easter Egg showing Yoda getting down to some hip-hop music. Other websites publish how to find this stuff.. I just say happy hunting.

Small Disappointments: I would have liked some goofy outtakes and a gag reel. Such a "dark" film really cries out for this but, other than a few on set moments with the actors during some of the docs, no real joke reel was included. I would also have like some of the actors to make a commentary track.

Wrapping up: This is the best of the later three films and you simply must have it to complete the story if you followed the other films. Lucasfilm and 20th have done a masterful job of making a keepsake DVD that will be must gift giving and collecting for all Star Wars fans; young and old.

Roll Bounce

You might have missed this little comedy movie on the big screen but it's worth checking out, especially if you are a Bow Wow, Meagan Good or Nick Cannon fan.

It's the disco era of the 1970's and roller skating (we're talking the shoe kind with four wheels) is hot in the hood where X (Bow Wow) and his pals live but their local rink is being torn down to make way for a mini-mall and the guys have to go over to a mixed-race neighborhood to the next closest roller rink where they have to compete with the snotty locals to gain respect for their skating crew.. oh, and hook up with some hot girls.

Video: Full screen isn't that great a way to present an action film (big rink with skating moves) but it's watchable. Go for the widescreen version. Colors are bright enough in both outdoor and indoor, rink skating scenes. Didn't notice anything too murky or grainy.

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 gives you those '70's hit tunes with good bass and upper registers. Fun to groove to! Dialogue came through okay.

Special Features: Audio Commentaries 1. Malcom Lee Director 2. Malcom Lee Director, Bow Wow, Chi McBride and Mike Epps 3. Malcom Lee Director, Norman Vance Jr. Writer, Robert Teitel, George Tillman Jr. Producers – these are all relatively entertaining but Bow Wow fans will prefer track #2.

There is a Behind-the-Scenes featurette "The Look of Roll Bounce" 70's Stylin'- fun as Bow Wow talks about his wild costumes, Nick Cannon chats about Afros and bellbottoms, all the actors spill about their outrageous '70's clothes and hair, polyester shirts etc. Cannon comments that he was copying classic rocker Jimi Hendrix with his look, very fun feature.

"Forward Motion: The Making of Roll Bounce" is more behind the scenes promo stuff, more actor interviews and more about the characters and story. We see the actors learn their skate routines and choreography in tough training sessions. Quite a kick to watch.

A Bow Wow Profile provides on set scenes with the hot young singer/actor as he talks about his filming experience, his role, the director and his fun on set. A must for Bow Wow fans.

Skating Competition Newswraps show real sk8er Bois trying out to be rink skate competitors in the film. Evidently, this sport still exists and we hear from and watch different teams compete. Eye-opening and fun.

A Gag Reel shows a lot of stars falling down on their skates, goofing off, flubbing lines, pretty funny.. There is a ton of ad-libbing different comic lines until the director is happy with one that works for him. The rejects are pretty hilarious.

You get a retro cool music video with Brooke Valentine and Fabolos doing "Boogie Oogie Oogie", totally danceable. And, of course trailers for the film.

Wrapping Up - You can really be entertained by the upbeat 1970's songs and the fun skater competition moves. This is a world few of us experienced but we can see why it might have been a fun social scene. Bow Wow is especially good in the movie that presents some family problems and love angst along with the skating. Fun watching for holiday gatherings. You'll wanna dance or go strap on an old pair of roller skates!

From Warner Brothers Home Video

The Polar Express

Just in time for Christmas watching and giving, the wonderful story about believing based on the Chris Van Allsburg book, comes to DVD.

In The Polar Express, (most characters are played by Tom Hanks in a motion-capture turned to CGI combination) a little boy, who is on the cusp of not believing in Santa, is picked up by a magical train, joining other kids on an adventurous voyage to the North Pole where he renews his faith in the spirit of giving.

Video: In this 2 disc edition you've got 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, and the first disc is just the film with a trailer and the movie goods as detailed, sharp and deep, saturated colorful as it was in theaters. Those painting-like images come through wonderfully. Lookin' good!

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1. Good surround sound with the noises of the train and other sound effects coming through clearly from the rear speakers. You can hear the big train rumble along as if it were real! The musical score is balanced and beautiful and I could hear all the dialogue.

Special Features: All on the second disc; "You Look Familiar" gives us a rather humorous look at Tom Hanks covered with little blue dot sensors and wearing a rubber suit. This feature explains and demonstrate performance capture.. and shows, in split screen, how Hanks' performance matched the digitally animated characters (5 or 6) that he plays in the final film. Hanks also talks about playing multiple character and basically acting opposite..himself. Interesting.

"Genuine Ticket to Ride" is really the "making of" feature for this DVD set and, after a brief intro you get five short featurettes: "Performance Capture", "Virtual Camera", "Hair and Wardrobe", "Creating the North Pole" and "Music" in which hot singer Josh Grobin talks about getting involved in the project. This seems to be more for kids since it doesn't go in depth on any one subject and it's "hosted" by the voice (Eddie Deezen) of the most annoying kid in the film the know-it-all boy on the train. I could have done without him but "Ticket" does offer more insight into the making of this unusual film.

"An Author's Adventure" gives us the author of the "Polar Express" book and shows us how his career progressed, how he ended up drawing his own illustrations for his books and how he came up with the idea for "Polar Express". Interesting.

"Josh Groban at the Greek" offers a stage performance from the singer, at the Greek Theater in L.A. While clips from the film play in BKG., Josh sings "Believe" and it's a joy to hear that beautiful voice! "Behind the Scenes of Believe" is a "making of" extra for the song and mainly there to sell the soundtrack album. Kind of much ado for one song but Josh is certainly cute and winning to watch and listen to.

"Meet the Snow Angels" offers the favorite holiday memories from members of the cast and crew including Josh and author Van Allsburg and "Polar Express Challenge" is an interactive game for kids where you try to keep the train from sliding off the tracks using your left and right buttons.. I couldn't get it to work but it might just be my controller.

"Additional Song"(cut from the film) is a little ditty by train engineers Smokey and Steamer that stresses how they work together to keep the train running. It is presented by the characters in only partially finished animation.. Odd-looking but interesting. Finally, there are some Easter eggs in the form of little scenes in the performance capture process that let you toggle between several sequences.

Wrapping Up – This film is a new holiday classic and it looks and sounds fabulous on this DVD. Many scenes look like a beautiful painting come to life so it is well worth adding to your collection or certainly giving as a holiday gift. I was a little disappointed that the special features were mostly geared to young kids since a more adult, in-depth exploration of the innovative performance capture process would have been welcomed. I would also have liked to have seen a gag or outtake reel. Hanks has a great sense of humor and I'm sure he must have flubbed up a few times.. could have been cute to watch. However.. I still recommend this DVD. If you are a Josh Groban fan, you'll love his section of the special features.

From Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Desperate Housewives: The Complete First Season

Time for a TV DVD. Let's dish with those ladies of Wisteria Lane; that cozy little neighborhood where nothing is really as it seems.

Video: The DVD has been given the anamorphic widescreen treatment. The image quality looks better than on its TV broadcast! (at least on my TV). The whole season looks clean on DVD just like the almost artificially bright and cheery neighborhood. Only a tiny bit of grain and some slight edge enhancement. Really good.

Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital mix sounds really rich. Good balance and you get something coming out of the rear channels for sound effects and music comes through fine in the background although you aren't watching this show for the music. Dialogue comes out in front and is never hard to hear or distorted. For the hearing impaired there are some subtitles.

Special Features: There are 6 discs in this first season set and the special features are really fun.. you get the usual extended episodes and deleted scenes with some optional commentary. Some of these are funnier than what ended up on screen like Gabrielle and her crazy mother-in law in the kitchen or Edie in her undies. Most of this stuff was cut for time.

Commentary tracks from creator Marc Cherry and director Larry Shaw are pretty funny because you get a few jokes as the two guys banter back and forth about the production or a special moment. The usual "how we shot that" stuff but worth a listen.

The femme stars of the show gang up for a commentary on fave scenes. They each pick two. Turn on the commentary and they'll dish on what they liked at each particular moment. More interesting than the director stuff to me.

"Desperate Housewives Around the World" is a fun little feature that talks about the global audience for the series. Lots of different languages and there is a funny scene at Bree's dinner party where everybody speaks a different language.. cute.

"Dressing Wisteria Lane" is 12 minutes and you get to check out all the design of the show from the neighborhood to the costumes and some behind the scenes shots. The cast also talks about their characters and what they really think of them. These actors are just funny. Really cute feature.

"Oprah Winfrey is the New Neighbor" as she makes a visit to Wisteria Lane to introduce the characters and the series concept. Supposedly she and her hubby move into the neighborhood. Oprah goes from house to house to borrow a cup of sugar and is caught in the middle of some scenes. It's a promo feature to sell the show but it's quite fun.

In a 25 minute behind the scenes featurette, the "Secrets of Wisteria Lane" that is an in depth look at the show and some behind the scenes shots. There is a funny five minute blooper reel and I love those. Really fun.

"A Stroll Down Wisteria Lane" with Marc Cherry is on the first disc and it manages to discuss the final episode and reveal the outcome of the first season mystery so don't watch this till the end of your viewing sessions if you didn't catch the last episode or if you just want to watch the whole season again in order and have semi-forgotten the ending. It is a spoiler otherwise.

Wrapping Up- This box set looks and sounds great and has a ton of worthy featurettes for fans. They are kind of spread out over all the discs and I would have preferred them all on one disc but, hey, you can fish around on each disc for them and still enjoy. This show is clever, mysterious, devious yet you luv those gals and their daily tortures. Get this for yourself or a fan. Super entertaining!

Coming soon! Part III of our massive DVD Review Round-Up for Holiday giftgiving!

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainemnt journalist and produced screenwriter.