New DVD Releases for December 2008
Ultimate Casablanca Collection, Plus Comedy, Drama, and Fantasy
Nov 23, 2008
Here are a few of the top picks for this month.
Casablanca: Ultimate Collector’s Edition
The big news for fans of romance this month is the December 2nd release of the unrated black-and-white classic romance from 1942, Casablanca: Ultimate Collector’s Edition in a three-disc package. Among the extras in this collection are a bonus disc featurette titled “Jack Warner: The Last Mogul,” a 48-page photo book, 10 one-sheet reproduction cards, archival correspondence, luggage tag, and passport holder. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as two desperate former lovers who meet again in Morocco during turbulent times.
Traitor Now on DVD
On December 19th, the international thriller Traitor also comes to DVD. A stunning psychological action film, Traitor stars Don Cheadle as an enigmatic Muslim man with terrorist ties, and Guy Pearce as an agent out to discover the truth about him. This R-rated drama is based on a story by actor Steve Martin.
December DVD Comedy Releases
- Two immature 40-year-old men become brothers when their parents marry each other.
- Starring Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen
- Director: Adam McKay
- Rating: Unrated Version
- Release Date: December 2
- Additional Information: Crude, funny, and what viewers have come to expect from Ferrell and Reilly.
The House Bunny
- A “bunny” thrown out of the Playboy mansion for being too old at 27 enters a college sorority in The House Bunny.
- Starring Anna Faris, Beverly D’Angelo, Colin Hanks, Katharine McPhee
- Director: Fred Wolf
- Rating: PG-13
- Release Date: December 19
- Additional Information: Hugh Hefner also gets some screen time.
Burn After Reading
- This film is a spy spoof in which a series of misunderstandings surround a disc containing memoirs of a former secret agent.
- Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand
- Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
- Rating: R
- Release Date: December 23
- Additional Information: A dark, intelligent comedy with an ensemble cast.
December DVD Fantasy Releases
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
- A continuation of the movie franchise based on the fantasy books by C.S. Lewis in which the Pevensie children are transported into magical worlds.
- Starring Ben Barnes, Cornell John, Liam Neeson, Alicia Borrachero
- Director: Andrew Adamson
- Rating: PG
- Release Date: December 2
- Additional Information: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, introduced an attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008 based on this film.
The Dark Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)
- The Dark Knight is a follow-up to Batman Begins, and introduces the devilishly complex character of The Joker.
- Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Rating: PG-13
- Release Date: December 9
- Additional Information: Two-Disc set includes “Gotham Uncovered,” “The Dark Knight IMAX Scenes,” and Gotham Tonight (six episodes of Gotham Cable’s premier news program).
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
- Set in China, the O’Connell family uncovers an ancient curse that releases two armies of mummies in this silly, but fun, action adventure in the third movie in the series.
- Starring Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah
- Director: Rob Cohen
- Rating: PG-13
- Release Date: December 16
- Additional Information: Bello replaces Rachel Weisz as Evelyn O’Connell in the series.
December 2008 offers plenty of great movies to watch, rent, and buy for gifts.
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