The Corner Penthouse

Looking for a last minute holiday gift for your video-loving family or friends? Well, let me run down a few items that have been recently released that would be perfect for members of the whole family. This is in addition to all of the items I've reviewed recently that would also make for great gifts. Let's take a quick look at these recently-released titles...

All of the items below have already been released and are available for purchase from Amazon at the links provided. The Corner Penthouse will earn a very tiny commission from your purchase using these links.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, 2-Disc DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Set in a 1940s-era Midwestern town and told from the viewpoints of a seven-year-old boy, who only wants one thing for Christmas - a Red Ryder BB gun - the episodic tale chronicles not only his schemes to convince his mother and father to buy him one, but also offers a warmly nostalgic look into 1940s middle-class American life. From the stories of, and narrated by, Jean Shepherd.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: The commentary is the only item found on both discs. The rest are on the newly-created Blu-ray disc only, which resurrects some old extras, but still leaves out the 2003 2-Disc DVD set's "Triple Dog Dare" interactive trivia and a "Decoder" match challenge, both of which featured new video from cast members. Audio Commentary - with director Bob Clark and actor Peter Billingsley. Christmas in Ohio: A Christmas Story House (21:15) - This 2013 documentary concerns the real A Christmas Story house. Another Christmas Story (18:18) - A series of chats with some of the cast and crew discussing the impact the movie has had on their lives. Daisy Red Ryder: A History (5:18) - A nifty little feature about the history of the famous BB gun. Get a Leg Up (4:35) - A comedic and patriotic look at the making of the famous "Leg Lamp". Flash Gordon Deleted Script Pages - A text-based deleted scene. Leg Lamp Spot (0:49) - A real advertisement for lamp replicas you can buy online. Jean Shepherd Original Radio Reading (1:08:57) - Two vintage Jean Shepherd short stories: "Duel in the Snow, or Red Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid" (38:07)and "Flick's Tongue" (30:50). Theatrical Trailer (2:10).

• RATING: PG.

• NOTES: A true classic, and this is the best home video release of it ever. Includes a slipcover and a digital copy code voucher. If you feel the need to collect the other releases in this "series": A Christmas Story 2 (2012) is on Blu-ray and DVD. The absolutely abysmal A Christmas Story Live! (2017) is on Blu-ray and DVD. Warner Brothers just released the true sequel, A Christmas Story Christmas (2022), on HBO Max. Hopefully, they'll release it on Blu-ray by this time next year.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, 25th Ann. Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: The commentary is the only item found on both discs. Yeah, Warner Brothers couldn't be bothered to also port over the brief trailer to the 4K disc, so it's on the Blu-ray only. Audio Commentary - with actors Randy Quaid, Beverly D'Angelo, Johnny Galecki, and Miriam Flynn; director Jeremiah Chechik; and producer Matty Simmons. Theatrical Trailer (2:24).

• RATING: PG-13.

• NOTES: The Blu-ray disc is the same 25th Anniversary disc originally released in 2015. Includes a slipcover and a digital copy code voucher. If you want the other films in the series, there is a region-free box set of all four films on Blu-ray and DVD. (The Blu-ray set includes the original 2006 disc for this film.) There is a sequel, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure, which is only on DVD. Finally, the sequel/reboot Vacation (2015) is on Blu-ray and DVD

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Ult. Col. Ed. Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: The commentaries are the only items found on both discs. Audio Commentary - by director Jon Favreau. Audio Commentary - by Will Ferrell. Fact Track - A text based trivia track about the holiday season, its associated myths, and the production. Focus Points - An interactive feature provides access to brief featurette clips (from the ones listed below) any time an icon appears on screen. Tag Along with Will Ferrell (7:02) - Follows the comedian on a typical day of shooting. Film School for Kids (20:38) - A kid-friendly look at the making of the movie. How They Made the North Pole (11:31) - Looks at the design and implementation of the arctic sets. Lights Camera Puffin (6:37) - Examines the use of animation and special effects in the film. That's a Wrap (12:13) - Explores the various post-production work and efforts of the filmmakers. Kids on Christmas (6:32) - Unrelated to the movie, this introduces a group of kids who talk about aspects of the season. Deck the Halls (10:26) - Unrelated to the movie, this focuses on extreme Christmas decorations and the people who cover their homes in holiday paraphernalia. Santa Mania (6:30) - Unrelated to the movie, this looks at the big guy in red. Christmas in Tinseltown (6:51) - Unrelated to the movie, this introduces traditional Hollywood celebrations. Elf Karaoke (4:37) - Three Christmas songs karaoke style, with or without vocals. Additional Scenes (11:30) - Eight deleted/alternate scenes with optional director's commentary. Theatrical Trailer (2:30)

• RATING: PG for some mild rude humor and language.

• NOTES: The Blu-ray disc is the same one that was originally released in 2008. Includes a slipcover and a digital copy code voucher. There is an animated sequel, Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas (2013), with Jim Parsons as the voice of Buddy, that is available on Blu-ray and DVD.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, Anaglyph Red/Blue 3D Blu-ray, 2-Disc DVD, Anaglyph Red/Blue 3D DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: All are found on the newly-minted Blu-ray disc only. You Look Familiar (4:11) - A glimpse into how performance capture technology was utilized in the making of the film, as well as the many roles of Tom Hanks in the movie. A Genuine Ticket Ride (13:32) - This five-part making-of feature, hosted by two of the children audiences meet on the train, includes "Performance Capture", "Virtual Camera", "Hair and Wardrobe", "Creating the North Pole", and "Music". True Inspirations: An Author's Adventure (5:28) - A discussion with The Polar Express author Chris Van Allsburg. Behind the Scenes of "Believe" (4:24) - Takes viewers into the recording studio and offers a brief history of the development into this song. Flurry of Effects (8:48) - This five-part feature, which provides a fascinating real-time comparison between the motion-capture acting and the final version of the film, includes "All Aboard", "Hot Chocolate", "Hobo on Top of the Train", "I Believe", and "Goodbye". Smokey and Steamer (7:04) - A deleted song from the final film, performed by Michael Jeter, who passed away during filming. Josh Groban at the Greek (4:33) - A live performance by Groban of the song "Believe". Meet the Snow Angels (2:44) - A brief series of interviews with the cast and crew. Theatrical Trailer (2:31).

• RATING: G.

• NOTES: Includes a slipcover and a digital copy code voucher. In addition to the movie, one of my Mother's favorites, there is also the book by Chris Van Allsburg.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Criterion 4K UHD/Blu-ray. Old Disney Releases: 4K UHD, 2-Disc Blu-ray, 2-Disc Blu-ray + DVD, Blu-ray + DVD, DVD, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: It's the twenty-ninth century, and humans have long since fled Earth for outer space, leaving WALL-E, the last functioning trash-compacting robot, to go about the work of cleaning up a pollution-choked planet, one piece of garbage at a time. When he meets EVE, a fellow automaton sent to detect plant life, the pair are launched on an intergalactic quest to return humanity to Earth.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: The audio commentaries are the only items that are on both the 4K and Blu-ray discs. Everything else is only on the two Blu-ray discs. There are seven new items that can't be found on the old Disney releases. Audio Commentary - A 2008 solo commentary with writer-director Andrew Stanton. Audio Commentary - A 2008 group commentary with character supervisor Bill Wise, co-producer Lindsey Collins, story artist Derek Thompson, and lead animator Angus MacLane. Where It Began: The Origins of WALL-E (23:34) - In this candid 2022 interview, director Andrew Stanton explores the films that inspired his approach to cinematic language in WALL-E. Anatomy of a Scene: The Plant (16:35) - Billed as a masterclass from writer-director Andrew Stanton, this scene breakdown explores the sequence following EVE's discovery of the last remaining plant on Earth. Tour of the Pixar Living Archive (27:17) - This piece, created by LA-based filmmaker Daniel Raim for the Criterion Collection in 2002, offers a tour through the vaults of Pixar. The Pixar Story (88:31) - Leslie Iwerks' outstanding 2007 documentary. Trailers - Three different promotional pieces, plus the Superbowl trailer. RALPH-E: The Art of the Color Script (11:23) - This new piece, featuring Andrew Stanton and late production designer Ralph Eggleston (who died on August 28, 2022) focuses on the color scripts he created to help bring WALL-E to life. Directing Animation: Twelve Scenes (18:50) - This new short program offers a behind-the-scenes look at Pixar creative meetings over the years. The Imperfect Lens (14:34) - Cinematographer Roger Deakins explors WALL-E's unique use of documentary-style camerawork. Building Worlds From the Sound Up (18:43) - A look at Ben Burtt's sound design. Trash Planet (4:23) - Building Earth of the future. WALL-E's Truck Tour (3:41) - WALL-E's museum of found objects. WALL-E and Eve (7:02) - Designing the lovebirds. Captain's Log: The Evolution of Humans (7:59) - Developing the captain of the AXIOM. Go Live (3:23) - Creating WALL-E's live-action scenes. Notes on a Score (10:42) - Footage of composer Thomas Newman rehearsing the score. Life of a Shot (5:09) - A breakdown of one of the film's first scenes. Robo-Everything (5:46) - Building the various robots on board the AXIOM. Deleted Scenes (23:06) - The five scenes are "Intro", "Garbage Airlock", "Docking", "Secret Files", and "Dumped 2", all with audio commentary from Andrew Stanton and a "Play All" option. Geek-O-Rama (4:48) - Pop culture Easter eggs during the film and other celebrations of geekdom. WALL-E A to Z (12:49) - This new piece, featuring Andrew Stanton and story supervisor and co-scriptwriter Jim Reardon, discusses the many ways that WALL-E foreshadowed the realities of our contemporary world. BNL (8:49) - A series of five public service announcements created for WALL-E's "Buy N Large" corporation, all of which satirize humankind's growing love of convenience in recent decades. Included here are "Captaining the AXIOM", "Operation Cleanup", "Meet the BNL Bots", "The History of Buy N Large", and "All About the AXIOM". Meet the Bots (8:47) - A quick look at several robotic background characters. WALL-E's Treasures and Trinkets (4:55) - WALL-E and EVE play with various found objects. "Lots of Bots" Read-Along Storybook (3:08) - Read by Kathy Najimy. A Story (6:48) - A student film by Andrew Stanton, directed in 1987 during his senior year at California Institute of the Arts. BURN-E (7:33) - Everyone's favorite repair robot gets his time in the spotlight. Also available in "Storyboard Mode".

• RATING: G.

• NOTES: This is the first time that a Disney or Pixar film has entered the Criterion Collection and, thankfully, it's my favorite Pixar film. The team at Criterion did a fantastic job here, including the special packaging containing a book featuring an essay by author Sam Wasson; selections from director Andrew Stanton's sketchbooks, script notes, and drawings; and artwork from the WALL-E team. Disney had already released the film on 4K and Blu-ray, which was a fantastic release all on it's own. Criterion improves in some areas (seven new featurettes), but downgrades in a few others. On Disney's Blu-ray, the group audio commentary is called a "Geek Track" and done with MST3K silhouettes at the bottom (ala the 1999 Ghostbusters DVD). The Stanton audio commentary is done as part of a "Cine-Explore" picture-in-picture track. Also missing are an "Early Wall-E Title Animation Test" and an "Early Wall-E Development Test" (both hidden as Easter eggs on the Disney disc); all 10 3-D Set Flythoughs; all of the Galleries containing 764 images in total across "Character Design", "Layouts & Backgrounds", "Visual Development", and "Publicity"; the French Canadian, Japanese, and Italian trailers; and a "Tour of the Universe" ad for the Wall-E official site. There are five set-top games that Criterion also didn't port over, but I don't think anyone will miss them. Finally, the "Presto" short film is missing, but you can find it on the Pixar Short Films Collection, Vol. 2 Blu-ray, so that's not a problem. TLDR: If you want everything, buy the Criterion release and one of the Disney 2-Disc Blu-ray releases.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by The Criterion Collection for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, 70th Ann. Blu-ray Giftset, 2-Disc Spec. Ed. DVD (Fold-Out Case), 2-Disc Spec. Ed. DVD (Plastic Case).

• SYNOPSIS: Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if you're wanted by the Nazis. Such a man is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one - especially Victor's wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo's transport out of the country and bitter Rick must decide what counts more – personal happiness or countless lives hanging in the balance.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: The two commentaries and the introduction are on both discs. Everything else is only on the Blu-ray disc. Audio Commentary - with film critic Roger Ebert. Audio Commentary - with film historian Rudy Behlmer. Introduction by Lauren Bacall (2:03) - Bacall speaks to Casablanca's enduring appeal in this 2003 DVD feature. Warner Night at the Movies (51:00) - You can watch the film as if you saw it in the theater back in 1942. It starts with a "Now, Voyager" theatrical trailer, a 1942 newsreel highlighting World War II, the "Vaudeville Days" short about the history of Vaudeville, and three Merrie Melodies cartoons ("The Bird Came C.O.D." and "The Squakin' Hawk" in SD, and "The Dover Boys at Pimento University" in HD). The feature film begins automatically after the last cartoon when "Play All" is used. Bacall on Bogart (83:27) - A PBS documentary that originally appeared on the 2003 Special Edition DVD. Michael Curtiz: The Greatest Director You Never Heard Of (37:20) - Steven Spielberg, William Friedkin and other notables weigh in on Curtiz's life and body of work. Originally produced in 2012. Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic (34:59) - Another 2012 featurette with Spielberg, Friedkin, and others who speak at length about the film and its history. You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca (34:38) - This television special provides another look at the film. As Time Goes By: The Children Remember (6:45) - Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom discuss their childhoods, family lives and their parents' stardom. Deleted Scenes (1:40) - A small selection of deleted scenes with subtitles, but no audio. Outtakes (4:58)) - A small selection of outtakes with subtitles, but no audio. Who Holds Tomorrow? (18:37) - An excerpt from a 1955 television remake. Carrotblanca (8:02) - A Looney Tunes parody of the film. Scoring Stage Sessions (15:22) - Includes the following audio cues: "Knock on Wood" (Alternate Version) (1:29), "As Time Goes By, Part 1" (Alternate Take) (0:56), "As Time Goes By, Part 1" (Film Version) (0:53), "Rick Sees Ilsa" (2:42), "As Time Goes By, Part 2" (Alternate Take) (1:02), "As Time Goes By, Part 2" (Film Version) (0:59), "At La Belle Aurore" (4:51), and "Dat's What Noah Done" (Outtake) (2:26). Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater Radio Broadcast (29:38) - A radio broadcast from April 26, 1943. Vox Pop Radio Broadcast Streamlined for 1947! (29:35) - A radio broadcast from November 19, 1947. Theatrical Trailer (2:16). Re-Release Trailer (2:52).

• RATING: PG for mild violence (rated in 1992).

• NOTES: Includes a slipcover and a digital copy code voucher. Do be aware that the "A Great Cast is Worth Repeating" text essay (10 screens) and the 94-image "Production Research" gallery from the 2-disc Special Edition DVD are missing here. Fret not, for I have uploaded all of those images to The Corner Penthouse Facebook gallery.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) are lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project and their families. The 1950's societal optimism espoused by their CEO, Frank (Chris Pine)-equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach - anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia. While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the "development of progressive materials," their wives - including Frank's elegant partner, Shelley (Gemma Chan) - get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident's needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause. But when cracks in their idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive facade, Alice can't help questioning exactly what they're doing in Victory, and why. Just how much is Alice willing to lose to expose what's really going on in this paradise?

• SPECIAL FEATURES: The Making of Don't Worry Darling (17:12) - The standard EPK-style making of featurette. Alice's Nightmare Deleted Scene (0:54) - A very brief bit of footage.

• RATING: R for sexuality, violent content and language.

• NOTES: Includes a digital copy code voucher, but does NOT include a slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.



• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall) and her husband Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown) once served a congregation in the tens of thousands. After a scandal forces their Southern Baptist megachurch to temporarily close, Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must reopen their church and rebuild their congregation to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Alternate Opening (1:04). Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes (16:16) - The nine scenes include "Showtime", "Skate Rink", "Childs in the Attic", "Trinitie in the Bath", "Highway Pedestrian Guy", "Trinitie Bringing Food", "Trinitie Praying Over Lee-Curtis in Bed", "Trinitie Sees Sidewalk Woman Again", and "Anita Speaks". Gag Reel (3:34).

• RATING: R for language and some sexual content.

• NOTES: Includes a slipcover and a digital copy code voucher. Based on a 2018 short film, which is not on the disc. The movie is currently available on the Peacock streaming service. If you're already a subscriber, you can preview/rent the film that way, then buy it on disc if you like it.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: 4K UHD, 4K UHD Steelbook, Blu-ray, DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: Inspired by the iconic Xbox videogame series, Halo tells the epic story of humanity's struggle against the Covenant, an alien threat seeking to destroy the human world. As the infamous Master Chief (Pablo Schreiber) uncovers the true ambitions of the Covenant, he realizes he must find a way to stop it once and for all.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: Halo The Series: Declassified - Host Sydnee Goodman explores all of the "buzz-worthy moments" from each episode. Included are "101" (19:49), "102" (20:37), "103" (22:36), "104" (27:01), "105" (27:47), "106" (24:55), "107" (26:38), "108" (32:10), and "109" (36:36). Dissecting the Battle of Madrigal (10:01) - A closer look at building the stunning battle sequence that is seen in the first episode's opening minutes. The World of Halo (8:49) - Looking back at the franchise's video game roots and the lore that has been built over the decades. The Culture of the Covenant (9:43) - Looking at the new character, Makee, and her place in the show. Adapting Halo (13:08) - Exploring key production design elements from throughout the season. Becoming Spartans (8:06) - Exploring the cast who play the Spartan characters. Creating the Costumes of Halo (9:20) - This piece explores various costumes throughout the series. Weapons and Vehicles of Halo (10:20) - A look at the guns and vehicles used in and designed for the show. The Making of Cortana (4:56) - Bringing the crucial and fan-favorite character to the screen. The Lake of Eternal Life: A Song from Halo's Score (2:44) - Discussing a key piece of music from episode three.

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: The five-disc set includes all nine episodes that originally aired on Paramount+ and over five hours of behind-the-scenes features, with episode-specific content on each disc and the more general overview extras all appearing on Disc 5. No DVD or digital copies are included, but it does include a non-embossed slipcover, and seven collectible character art cards. There is also the Halo: The Complete Video Collection, on Blu-ray and DVD, which includes the made-for-video Halo movies Legends, Forward Unto Dawn, Nightfall, and The Fall of Reach.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by CBS Home Entertainment for review on this site.



• BUY IT: DVD.

• SYNOPSIS: The first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey), has thrived and risen through the ranks by equal parts confidence and strategy in a system that has pushed back on her every step of the way. Together with her unwavering team of specialists, she balances duty, family and country while investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the sun-drenched island paradise itself.

• SPECIAL FEATURES: NCIS Crossover Episode: "Starting Over". Extended & Deleted Scenes. Gag Reel. Ohana: Celebrating Season 1 - The cast and producers talk about how the series came together, searching for the cast, and how it stands out from other shows in the NCIS franchise. Island Wear - Costume Designer Luke Reichle provides a remarkable tour of the costume department. Creating Paradise - Join Production Designer Andrew Bernard and Set Decorator Carrie Stewart as they discuss creating the memorable sets for the show with the help of their staff and producers. Torres and Tennant - Further explore the major crossover event where Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) find themselves in Hawai'i helping Jane Tennent and her team solve an unsolved crime.

• RATING: Not Rated.

• NOTES: This six-disc set includes all 22 episodes that originally aired on CBS. Includes a slipcover.

• CREDIT: This item has been provided by CBS Home Entertainment for review on this site.

If you're looking for more cool stuff to buy, check out all of the other items I've reviewed over the years. I'm sure you'll find something you'll love.