Friday, August 22, 2008

ultimates

This news may be old news to some of you, but just in case, I wanted all Shelfers to be aware of some great collectable Ultimate Collector Edition DVD sets coming your way in time for Christmas. The one thing about the past few UCE of films like The Searchers and Rio Bravo, is that more bonus features were added, quality was upped on audio and video, and the actually packaging and included extras were great. I really enjoyed the press books and comic adaptations and replicated lobby cards. I know to some that stuff really doesn't matter, but to a classic film nut like myself, it's great. So take a look at the sets of these great flicks and what's included:


Casablanca (Ultimate Collector's Edition). Release date: December 2, 2008.
Many of you (myself included) already own the very fine two disc special edition put out some years ago. It was a great print and included many bonus features. But I am seriously considering upgrading to this set. Included are the film and all the bonus features from the previous set. The new goodies are: a third disc with a feature length documentary: Jack Warner: The Last Mogul and bonus collectables: 48-Page Photo Book, 10 One-Sheet Reproduction Cards, Archival Correspondence, and Exclusive Passport Holder and Luggage Tag. According to Warners: "The premium giftset is elegantly boxed in an intricate laser-cut Moroccan design and will include such collectibles as replicas of actual props (Victor Laszlo's 'Letter of Transit') as well as a number of Warner studio documents (an executive's letter commanding a new PR image for Bogart from gangster to romantic lead; a note from producer Hal Wallis re-titling the film to Casablanca; and a memo from Wallis to Jack Warner strongly urging casting Bogart over George Raft)." The set is already available for pre-order from Amazon.


A Christmas Story (Ultimate Collector's Edition). Release date: November 4, 2008.
Many Shelfers know that this is a particular favorite of mine- the question is: is it worth the upgrade? Let's see: it includes the bonus features of the previous special edition set. It doesn't appear to be any new bonus features or an upgrade on the video or audio. However, the set will include more premiums only available in this set: a collectible retro Christmas cookie tin (the container for the set), 48-page cookbook with recipes inspired by the movie, photos and quotes from the movie, a red chef's apron with an A Christmas Story logo on it, and 5 collectible cookie cutters "in iconic Christmas Story shapes" - the House, Leg Lamp, a Star, the Leg Lamp, the Peking Duck from the ending and a shape of Ralphie in his bunny suit. The set doesn't offer more than the way of extras, but for a fan of the film, or someone who doesn't own the previous version, it makes a great gift. The price is right as well. It's available for pre-order from Amazon.

There are several other Ultimate Collector's Sets coming your way in time for Christmas: JFK, I Am Legend, 300, and several complete series sets,- which you can read more about at Digital Bits, but these two should stand out for the classic film fan.

Stay tuned for more Shelf shenanigans!

Oh, I know it's a penny here and a penny there, but look at me. I worked myself up from nothing to a state of extreme poverty.

You know, Rick, I have many a friend in Casablanca, but somehow, just because you despise me, you are the only one I trust.


1 comment:

Ladytink_534 said...

Oh, I want!!!

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