Tuesday, November 8, 2011
White Christmas
Rent-it - A typical overly-cheerful classic Christmas story starring Bing Crosby in a Vermont cabin where the holidays are almost always blanketed in snow.
The Polar Express
Buy-it - The children's book is a better version of this Christmas story, but the animation was groundbreaking at the time, and if you want something to show off that new 3D TV when your family comes to visit these holidays this is probably the best ride.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale
Rent-it - It is Black Christmas meets Bad Santa, a horror comedy that takes place on the eve of Christmas in northern Finland, where an 'archeological' dig has just unearthed the real Santa Claus.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Rent-it - The third in the series of National Lampoon's "vacation" films starring Chevy Chase's Griswold family may very well be the best, and is certainly one of the top 10 Christmas movies ever made.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Rent-it - Miracle on 34th Street is the quintessential heart-warming Christmas story that is even more touchingly beautiful in HD.
Kisses
Rent-it - An Irish film finally getting it's much deserved worldwide theatrical release, follows two kids who run away from home on Christmas and spend a night of "magic and terror" in the streets of Dublin (though I must admit, it's right up my "alley" - Irish, Christmas, magic, terror - not much more I could ask for).
It's a Wonderful Life
Buy-it - This classic holiday film is my mom's all-time favorite, and one of the only movies you can (and maybe already do) watch every year come Christmas time.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Rent-it - The animated version of the Grinch is the better of the two (the other being Jim Carrey's live-action version) and is a annual must watch come the holiday season.
Four Christmases
Skip-it - Not even Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn can sweeten this sour holiday comedy about an happily unmarried couple (not be confused with unhappily married couple) who desperately try to avoid spending Christmas with their families.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Skip-it - The perfect casting of Jim Carrey as the Grinch is the only "rentable" part of this film - but the visuals are rather stunning in HD.
Christmas Tale
Rent-it - A foreign film about an interesting and maddening French family during the holidays.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Rent-it - Another classic Christmas film that you could catch on all the major networks post-Thanksgiving, but is worth a look on Blu-ray this year.
Year One
Rent-it - I didn't think this had a shot at beating The Hangover for the best comedy of the year, but Harold Ramis strikes comic gold again as Black and Cera's dynamic pairing nearly take down the three men and little baby reeking havoc in Vegas.
Yogi Bear
Skip-it - Whether you are on team Boo-Boo (voiced by Justin Timberlake) or team Yogi (voiced by Dan Aykroyd), the only thing more terrible and disappointing than Yogi Bear in theaters right now is The Tourist (voiced by the most monotonous, boring voice imaginable).
You Again
Skip-it - Kristen Bell will never look hotter than she does standing next to Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver in this less-than-average, run-of-the-mill chick flick.
You Don't Know Jack
Rent-it - Al Pacino is Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the man who aided the suicide attempts of over 100 terminally ill patients, and though this film won't change your mind on euthanasia, it is eye-opening nonetheless.
Youth in Revolt
Rent-it – Michael Cera's expected style and humor are transformed when his own character in the film takes on a "cooler" Holden Caufield-ish alter-ego to impress a girl named Sheeni who is the "object" of his desires.
9
Rent-it - Besides being unable to connect with these strange creatures, this film has everything you want in a movie, including some spectacular visuals that will have you showing off your 1080p Blu-ray to all your friends and family for weeks.
500 Days of Summer
Rent-it - Rarely do you find a romantic comedy that feels like it could actually happen to you, but 500 Days of Summer plays out like every relationship you've ever had; however, managing to remain completely intriguing along the way.
41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It
Skip-it - Skip this spoof of Judd Apatow comedies about an older virgin who attempts to "score" with some help from his horny friends.
2012
Skip-it - Even visually 2012 is nothing special, with effects like the things you saw in The Day After Tomorrow and even Independence Day.
17 Again
Rent-it - The story has been done a hundred times before but never this well, and never this funny.
127 Hours
Rent-it - James Franco is the infamous outdoorsman Aron Ralston who famously got trapped under a boulder while on one of his solo adventures - and whether or not you know the ending you will be completely moved, shocked and thrilled by the finale.
12 Rounds
Skip-it - If you are looking for an onslaught of action you've found it. Hoping for a logical, interesting plot? The WWE has better storylines.
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